Camera
Xiaomi and Leica announce the new 14T and 14T Pro smartphones featuring Leica-branded lenses
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The Xiaomi 14T Pro includes a triple-camera system co-engineered with Leica featuring Summilux-branded lenses.
Image: Xiaomi/Leica |
Xiaomi has announced its newest smartphones co-engineered with Leica, the Xiaomi 14T and 14T Pro. It also announced that the Mix Flip, a foldable phone announced earlier this year, will be introduced to the “global market.” (We are seeking clarification about whether this includes North America.) All three models feature camera systems with Leica-branded Summilux lenses.
Xiaomi 14T Pro
The Xiaomi 14T Pro features a triple-camera system. Its main camera is built around a 23mm equivalent F1.6 lens in front of a 50MP Type 1/1.31 sensor (9.2 x 7.8mm). It includes optical image stabilization. The companies call this a “4-in-1 Super Pixel” sensor, which we’re assuming is their branding for the QuadBayer/TetraCell concept.
According to Leica and Xiaomi, the main camera captures 32% more light than its predecessor. This is despite a slight reduction in sensor size and comes from the move from an F1.9 lens on the 13T Pro to an F1.6 lens on the new camera.
The 14T Pro’s other camera modules include a 15mm equiv. ultra-wide F2.2 camera with 12MP resolution and a 60mm equiv. F2 telephoto camera with a 50MP ‘Super Pixel’ 4.9 x 4.2mm sensor. Despite the longest lens being 60mm equivalent, the companies claim the camera system delivers “five different focal lengths from 15mm to 120mm.”
Interestingly, the companies name the combined camera systems as if they were a single lens, giving the “LEICA VARIO-SUMMILUX 1:1.6-2.2/15-60 ASPH.”
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The Xiaomi 14T
Image: Xiaomi/Leica |
Xiaomi 14T
The Xiaomi 14T also features a triple-camera system with a 23mm equiv. main camera module. Like the 14T Pro, it has a 50MP Super Pixel design but uses a smaller Type 1/1.56 sensor (7.7 x 6.5mm) and has a slightly slower F1.7 aperture. It also includes optical image stabilization.
The other camera modules on the 14T include a 15mm equiv. ultra-wide F2.2 camera with 12MP resolution and a 50mm equiv. F1.9 telephoto camera with a 50MP Super Pixel sensor. The companies claim the 14T’s camera system delivers “five different focal lengths from 15mm to 100mm.”
Again, the combined capability of the system is named in traditional Leica style, as if it were a single lens: LEICA VARIO-SUMMILUX 1:1.7-2.2/15-50 ASPH.
Both 14T models include 6.67″ AMOLED displays with a refresh rate of 144Hz, 100% DCI-P3 coverage and a peak brightness of 4000 Nits. They can capture video up to 8K/30p or 4K/60p and include 10-bit HDR support using the Rec. 2020 color space and Log video capture.
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The Xiaomi Mix Flip, introduced earlier this year, will now be available “globally,” according to the company.
Image: Xiaomi/Leica |
The Mix Flip is Xiaomi’s first vertically foldable phone co-engineered with Leica and includes a dual-camera system. Its main camera consists of a 23mm equiv. F1.7 lens and a 50mm Super Pixel Type 1/1.55 sensor (7.7 x 6.5mm). A telephoto camera features a 47mm equiv. ‘floating’ lens that facilitates focus as close as 9cm (3.5″); the telephoto camera uses a 50mm Type 1/2.61 Super Pixel sensor (4.7 x 4.0mm).
According to Xiaomi, the 14T will retail for €649 and the 14T Pro for €799. The Mix Flip has a retail price of €1299. The company says the Mix Flip will be available “globally,” but no details are given about availability in the US.
Press release:
Xiaomi and Leica Camera AG present the Xiaomi 14T series with Leica optics
With the Xiaomi Mix Flip, their first co-engineered foldable smartphone is coming to Europe
Wetzlar, Germany, September 26th, 2024 – Xiaomi and Leica Camera AG are introducing the newest member of their co-engineered family today: the Xiaomi 14T series. It is made up of two models, the Xiaomi 14T and the more powerful Xiaomi 14T Pro, each of which is designed to fulfil different user requirements. Both have a triple camera system with Summilux lenses, which have been developed in collaboration with Leica. Also, with the Xiaomi Mix Flip, the first co-engineered foldable smartphone is being launched on the European market. The Xiaomi 14T series and the Xiaomi Mix Flip are available to buy today in Europe.
The Leica Summilux lens for the Xiaomi 14T series features a large aperture and offers excellent optical performance. It creates captivating images thanks to its excellent color rendering, strong contrast and high resolution, whereby the most minute details can be captured even in difficult lighting conditions.
The ideal camera to meet any demand
The Xiaomi 14T Pro is equipped with a versatile triple camera system sporting five different focal lengths from 15 mm to 120 mm. It has a 50-megapixel Leica main lens, a 50-megapixel Leica telephoto lens and a 12-megapixel Leica ultra wide-angle camera. The advanced 50- megapixel main camera amazes with its fast ƒ/1.6 Leica Summilux optics. This sensor, which captures 32 percent more light than its predecessor, ensures brilliant, detailed shots with a high dynamic range even in difficult lighting conditions. The five focal lengths provide
maximum flexibility in response to a variety of photographic challenges – from portraiture to panoramic shots. This makes the Xiaomi 14T Pro the ideal tool for discerning users who refuse to compromise on picture quality.
The Xiaomi 14T is the ideal choice for anyone who is looking for first-class camera performance in a compact and more affordable device. Equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera, co- engineered with Leica, the Xiaomi 14T captures impressive photos in all lighting conditions. While the ƒ/1.7 aperture and IMX906 sensor ensure sharp, vibrant images, the triple camera system with focal lengths from 15 to 100 mm offers a wide range of options for snapping perfect pictures.
The Xiaomi 14T series doesn’t only put in a convincing photographic performance, it also features many professional video functions. In combination with Leica lens technology, the advanced video modes enable film-like recordings with effects like cinematic blur and rack focus. The 10-bit Rec. 2020 format provides HDR support, ensuring excellent resolution of details and an extensive dynamic range.
Peak performance
In addition to the advanced camera features, the Xiaomi 14T and Xiaomi 14T Pro also boast impressive technical specifications. Both devices are equipped with a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display reaching 1.5k resolution (2712 × 1220) and a maximum refresh rate of 144 Hz. This display will take your breath away with its brilliant, precise colors thanks to 100% DCI-P3 color space as well as a maximum brightness of 4000 Nits, which enables excellent visual rendering both indoors and outdoors.
Inside the Xiaomi 14T Pro, the performance of the multicore CPU has been improved by 37 percent and GPU by 44 percent compared to its predecessor thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor. This makes it ideal for users expecting top performance across all areas, be it gaming, multimedia or demanding AI applications. The Xiaomi 14T is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra processor, which effectively balances performance with energy efficiency. Thanks to a CPU that is 20 percent more powerful than its predecessor and a GPU that is 60 percent more powerful, it provides a seamless user experience.
Both models feature a high-performance 5000 mAh rechargeable battery, which enables fast charging. With 120 W HyperCharge, the Xiaomi 14T Pro can go from zero to maximum power in just 19 minutes. It is also the first T-model to support wireless charging at up to 50 W. The Xiaomi 14T is also enabled for 67W HyperCharge, so it can be charged in next to no time, too.
Xiaomi Mix Flip: The first Leica Summilux lens in a foldable format
The Xiaomi Mix Flip is the company’s first vertical foldable format to be co-engineered with Leica. Equipped with a Leica Summilux lens and the Light Fusion 800 sensor, the main camera also features the world’s first Leica 47mm floating telephoto lens on a flip smartphone. This innovative telephoto lens moves a group of lens elements within the camera to enable a focus range from 9 cm to infinity, making it ideal for breathtaking close-ups as well as longshots. The camera’s telephoto-macro capabilities can be used to reveal impressive details in the smallest of spaces. The second camera is a 50-megapixel telephoto zoom camera with a lens that is equipped with 2x lossless magnification.
The compact design, ample outer display and foldable format open new possibilities for photography: even when closed, photos can be captured and videos created thanks to its large outer display and two Leica lenses. The “hover mode” means you can leave your tripod at home and is ideal for group photos, videos and time lapse photography.
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Pedestrians with umbrellas wander down a rainy alley in Yokohama’s Chinatown.
Panasonic S5IIX + Panasonic S 28-200mm F4-7.1 | F7 | 1/125 sec | ISO 1600 |
Japan is one of my favorite places to travel. I’m captivated by its culture, cuisine, and the warmth of its people. It’s also a photographer’s paradise, offering endless possibilities, from serene temples and bustling markets to breathtaking landscapes.
My favorite type of photography when traveling in Japan is street photography, especially at night. I never tire of exploring the vibrant cityscapes, from the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo to the atmospheric alleys of Yokohama’s Chinatown.
However, there’s a twist: I seek out rainy conditions. While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical. The umbrellas emerge, the city lights reflect off the wet pavement, and colors take on a vibrant intensity.
I was fortunate to visit Japan twice this year, and it rained both times. What some might consider lousy weather, I welcome as luck. Both my camera and I were thoroughly drenched during several nights of shooting, underscoring the value of weather-sealed equipment. (For the record, despite being so wet they were dripping with water, neither camera nor lens ever missed a beat.)
“While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical.”
Unsurprisingly, some of my most memorable photos of 2024 were captured during these rain-soaked adventures. It’s challenging to select just one favorite because, as many of you will surely understand, how we remember the value of an image is often intertwined with the experience of capturing it.
The photo at the top of this page is one of my favorites from these trips, captured in Yokohama’s Chinatown. Off the main street, the area is full of narrow alleys, many decorated with traditional lanterns, creating small, intimate spaces. I spied these two pedestrians with similar coats and umbrellas turn into one of these alleys and instantly knew there was a potential photo around the corner.
I managed to fire off two shots before the scene lost its magic, but that’s all I needed. I love that you can’t see the main subjects’ faces. They remain anonymous, allowing the viewer to focus on the place rather than the person.
| Image: Godox |
Godox has announced the V100, a 100Ws version of its round-headed V1 on/off camera flashgun. The V100 can deliver up to 100 Watt Seconds of power in manual mode and can shoot over 70 consecutive bursts of light at full power. Recycle times of under 1 sec are possible when used with an external power source (1.7 sec with the internal battery).
Like the existing V1 and V1Pro, the V100 is available in versions compatible with the proprietary TTL flash metering systems of Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm or Olympus/OM System, each of which comes with a small secondary flash that can be used to provide a little ‘fill.’ It also has a 2W LED modeling lamp, to help you understand how its light is going to fall.
Godox says it’s able to sync with the global shutter of Sony’s a9 III, up to shutter speeds of 1/80,000, though the company also says the V100’s minimum flash duration is 1/20,000, so presumably 1/80,000 sec shutter speeds would only experience a fraction of that output.
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| Image: Godox |
The V100 is powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery that can be charged directly using a USB-C cable or in an optional multi-battery charger if you need to prepare multiple batteries before a shoot.
It’s compatible with the company’s 2.4Ghz radio frequency off-camera communication protocol either as a transmitter or receiver.
Buy now:
No details have been given about price or availability but it’s listed as “Coming Soon” on B&H Photo’s website with a price of $349. B&H is also listing a Pentax-compatible version, not listed on Godox’s website.
Godox V100 C/N/S/F/O
Power Beyond Limits, 100Ws at Hand
Introducing the epic 100Ws TTL Li-ion Round Head Camera Flash V100. The Godox V100 redefines the standards for flagship on-camera flashes, brining an era of 100Ws power to handheld lighting. This groundbreaking flash delivers global shutter sync, a vibrant 2.3-inch color touchscreen, an intuitive menu, and one-tap syn operations. It combine cutting-edge features and professional-grade performance to provide an ultimate solution for professional lighting.
100Ws, Beyond Limits
The V100 sets a new benchmark for on-camera flashes by offering an unprecedented 100Ws power at its maximum output (M mode). With adjustable power steps from 1/1 to 1/256 or from 2.0 to 10, it covers the spectrum from subtle fill light to robust lighting for diverse scenarios, pushing the boundaries of creativity in flash photography.
Intuitive Touchscreen, Effortless Control
Equipped with a 2.3” full-color, high-sensitivity touchscreen, the V100 offers a smooth and responsive interface. Paired with an intuitive menu design and logical control layout, it allows photographers to quickly adjust power levels, activate high-speed sync, switch between TTL/M modes, and pair devices with a single tap, significantly improving workflow efficiency.
Global Shutter Flash Sync
The V100 is seamlessly compatible with cameras featuring global shutter like Sony a9 III. Supporting shutter speeds up to 1/80,000 seconds and offering TTL functionality, it delivers outstanding high-speed continuous shooting with effortless precision. This makes it an ideal choice for sports photography, outdoor bright light, and other fast-paced shooting scenarios.
70 Full-Power Consecutive Flashes
Thanks to its advanced cooling system, the V100 delivers 70 to 100 consecutive flashes at 100Ws without compromising performance. This ensures enhanced shooting efficiency and flexibility, allowing you to handle complex scenarios with ease and capture every brilliant moment of your creative vision.
| Zoom range (mm) | 28mm | 35mm | 50mm | 70mm | 80mm | 105mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous flashes (100Ws) |
75 | 75 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 100 |
Detachable Sub Flash
The V100 continues the highly praised detachable sub flash (SU-1) design from the V1 Pro. This versatile feature enables dual-light setups with a single flash, offering creative lighting solutions for portrait photography.
Wireless Sync, Streamlined Workflow
With the built-in Godox 2.4G Wireless X System, the V100 functions as both a master and receiver unit. Its one-tap pairing capability seamlessly integrates with the X3 trigger or other Godox wireless flash units, streamlining multi-flash setups and boosting productivity.
Powerful Battery, Convenient Charging
Powered by the same high-performance lithium battery as the V1 Pro, the V100 ensures uninterrupted shooting. The Type-C charging port and compatibility with the VC26T Multi-Battery Charger make recharging quick and convenient.
Enhanced Recycling with External Power
The V100 includes a port for the PB960 Lithium-Ion Flash Power Pack, reducing full-power recycling time to as fast as 0.8 seconds. This feature supports demanding, high-intensity shooting scenarios, ensuring peak performance.
Built-In LED Modeling Lamp
A 2W LED modeling lamp with 10 adjustable levels provides flexible options for previewing light effects or serving as a fill light. The lamp supports continuous or interrupt modes, catering to different creative needs.
Comprehensive Accessory Ecosystem
The V100 is compatible with a broad range of Godox accessories, including the AK-R1 Accessory Kit for Round Flash Heads, AK-R21 Projection Attachment, AK-R22 Collapsible Diffusion Dome, and the S2 Speedlite Bracket for Bowens, among others. Whether you’re fine-tuning light, exploring creative effects, or expanding functionality, the V100 is designed to meet every need.
When Fujifilm announced that it was releasing a firmware update to help improve the X-H2 and GFX 100 II’s autofocus performance in October, the community’s response was near-unanimous: what about the X-T5? The camera’s autofocus performance has been a sore spot in recent months, with some users complaining that their cameras were noticeably less accurate after a previous firmware update.
This week, Fujifilm answered. It’s released firmware updates for its flagship APS-C camera, as well as the GFX 100S II, X-T50, X-S20 and X100VI, promising that its “AF algorithm has been partially revised to improve focusing accuracy and subject tracking performance.” According to the release notes, the updates, which you can download using the links above, are solely dedicated to the autofocus improvements.
This is far from the first X-T5 update that promises to improve its autofocusing capabilities, so we’ll likely have to wait for owners to chime in on whether it brings the performance up to a level that they’re happy with. For now, though, it appears that Fujifilm has at least heard the complaints, and is working on addressing them.
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