The WPPI Trade Show Gear Tip-Off

February 19, 2016

By Greg Scoblete

Heading to WPPI this year? Here’s a look at some of the new gear and tech we’ll be seeing at the show:

Canon HF G40 
Among the new gear Canon will be showing off is the Vixia HF G40, an advanced HD video camera with the same image processor and several features found on the pricier X30/X35 cameras. The G40 boasts a 20x optical zoom lens with a five-axis stabilizer, 3.5-inch OLED, a tilting EVF and a pair of SD card slots. Experienced filmmakers will appreciate the camera’s focus peaking and zebra stripe features, plus the ability to record at 1200x slow motion.

Price: $1,299


Nikon’s D5 and D500 
Low light venues? No problem. Nikon’s new D5 boasts an astounding ISO range of 100-102,400 with the option to extend it to 3,280,000. It achieves its hyper-sensitivity thanks to a new 20-megapixel CMOS sensor and EXPEED 5-image processor. You’ll also enjoy 4K video recording, a touchscreen display, 12 fps continuous shooting with AF tracking engaged and the ability to focus down to -4 EV. If you prefer a crop sensor model, Nikon’s new D500 also delivers high ISOs with a 20-megapixel sensor capable of ISO 51,200 (expandable to 1,640,000). The D500 fires away at 10 fps with AF tracking and boasts 4K recording, a 3.2-inch touchscreen and the same quick AF system in the D5.

Prices: $6,500 (D5 body), $1,997 (D500 body)

Panasonic WXF991 
Isolating 8-megapixel images from 4K video, the WXF991 can crop a 4K scene down to HD, creating a Steadicam effect without actually having to mount on a stabilizer. A 4K live cropping mode lets you gently pan across your scene after it’s captured, Ken Burns-style, or quickly zoom in or out of a scene without having to move the camera (the final video will be HD quality). The camera uses an 8-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor and a 20x optical zoom.

Price: $1,000


Phase One IQ3-100MP 
Want 100 megapixels no matter the cost? Phase One’s newest medium-format camera back breaks new ground for medium-format CMOS sensors, squeezing 100 million of them into the IQ3-100MP. The back delivers 15 stops of dynamic range and supports 16-bit color, a first for this category, though you can drop back to 14-bit color if you desire smaller file sizes. You’ll enjoy a native ISO range of 50-12,800, exposures up to 60 minutes long and a touchscreen display.

Price: $48,000 


Sony a68
Sony’s made waves in the pro market with its full-frame mirrorless lineup, but it hasn’t abandoned the traditional DSLR. The new a68, in stores in April, will offer a 24-megapixel APS-C-sized image sensor and a 4D focusing system that leverages 79 phase detect AF points. The focusing system, working in tandem with Sony’s BIONZ processor, can lock on a subject in lighting as low as EV -2. You’ll enjoy a native ISO range of 100-25,600, 8 fps continuous shooting with AFC engaged when in 1.5x crop mode and 1920 x 1080p30 HD video recording. There’s a 2.7-inch display that can angle from 135 to 55 degrees and a high-contrast OLED to help you compose your scene.

Price: $600 (body)

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO
This prime telephoto for the Micro Four Thirds system has a 35mm equivalent focal length of 600mm and can deliver a class-leading six stops of image stabilization (per CIPA standards) when paired with Olympus’ E-M1 or E-M5 Mark II cameras. In other camera bodies, it still delivers an impressive four stops of stabilization. It’s splash and dust-proof and clocks in at 2.8 pounds—a fraction of what a 600mm DSLR weighs.

Price: $2,500


Manfrotto LYKOS Bicolor LED
The LYKOS promises high-quality illumination in a compact package thanks to its surface-mounted LED design. You’ll enjoy illumination up to 1,500 Lux at 1 meter (daylight) with a Color Rendering Index value of ≥93. The LED panel uses a lens design to improve color accuracy and offers a selectable color temperature of 3,000K or 5,600K. On the rear of the LYKOS is a color display that provides access to key settings such as dimming levels, remaining battery life and color temperature. You’ll be able to dim the LYKOS from 0-100 percent brightness manually or via Bluetooth wireless control from an iPhone if you spring for the $100 Bluetooth dongle.

Price: $365