Impressive Nikon D3300 & NEW AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens Announced at CES

Nikon just announced the Nikon D3300 at CES, the successor to the popular Nikon D3200, and it looks like they've stuffed some new goodies into it, including a new 18-55mm kit lens that Nikon is calling ultra-compact.

Full HD Video at 1080p at 60/50/30/25/24p ... check.

24 Megapixels... check.

3.0" 921k-Dot LCD Monitor... check.

11-Point Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor... check.

Continuous Shooting up to 5 fps... check.

Expeed 4 processing engine... check.

ISO 100 - 25,600... check.

Optional wifi with WU-1a wireless adapter... check.

Pretty impressive specs for a DSLR that is ONLY $646.95 MSRP at time of announcement.  Figure you'll be able to get it cheaper than that very shortly, either by rebate or sale, and you've got yourself one heck of a deal. 

I wish my first DSLR, my Nikon D100, was spec'd like this little beauty!!! :-)

Pre-Order your Nikon D3300 at BHPhoto here!

Fuji Finepix S1 Digital Camera Announced at CES Available for Pre-Order NOW at BHPhoto

Just announced at CES, the Fuji Finepix S1 Digital Camera looks pretty impressive!  With a 50X zoom, it looks like it may be a good contender for the Ultra Zoom crown, perhaps even toppling my favorite little Canon SX50!

With a 1200mm zoom equivalent, the Fuji S1 can really reach out and touch someone.  I know, because my Canon SX50 has the same zoom range, and it is CRAZY long!!!

Packed with features like a 16.4 Mp 1/2.3" CMOS Sensor, 3" 920k vari-angle LCD monitor, 5 axis optical image stabilization, built-in wifi, and full HD 1080p @ 60fps, this little camera looks like it's got the goods to deliver amazing photo and video performance.

... and oh yeah!  Dust and weather resistant (proof?) body!  This looks quite promising.  Fuji says the S1 has over 70 dust and weatherproof seals on the body, and weather proofing is always a welcome feature!

I'll be very interested to get my hands on one of these and shoot it against my Canon SX50.  Who knows?  Maybe the SX50 will be going on eBay, and the new Fuji S1 will become my new Ultra Zoom darling. :-)

FUJINON 56mm f/1.2 XF LENS Announced at CES Available for Pre-Order NOW at BHPhoto

Great portrait length, crazy fast at f1.2, the Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 XF Lens shows Fuji is REALLY serious about their lens line-up for their X series mirrorless cameras.

With a 35mm equivalent of 85mm, the new Fujinon 56mm f1.2 will be sure to be a favorite of any portrait photographer shooting with the Fuji X series, and the f1.2 aperture just adds icing to the cake. 

Pre-order the Fujinon 56mm f1.2 XF Lens at BHPhoto NOW to make sure you get yours.  These babies will likely be in short supply for some time.

Canon VIXIA HF R52 Full HD Camcorder Announced at CES & Available for Pre-Order NOW at B&H!

CES is in full swing, and as always, there's some great new photo and video gear being introduced.  I'll be posting the most interesting stuff that I see, and I'll include pre-order links for you if they're available.

One of the first new pieces of gear that caught my eye from CES is the Canon VIXIA HF R52 Camcorder which looks sweet!  I love my earlier version (HF 200 if memory serves), and I wouldn't mind getting my hands on this new one!

If you're looking for a new camcorder, check out the Canon Vixia HF R52 here at BHPhoto.