Sony Middle East and Africa has unveiled two groundbreaking lenses—the FE 16mm F1.8 G (SEL16F18G) and the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS (SEL400800G)—designed to elevate photography and videography experiences for creators and professionals alike. Both lenses bring advanced capabilities, state-of-the-art technology, and unmatched optical performance to Sony’s Alpha series camera ecosystem.

FE 16mm F1.8 G (SEL16F18G)
The FE 16mm F1.8 G is a premium G Lens that combines high-resolution ultra-wide angles with a lightweight, portable design. This makes it ideal for shooting dynamic landscapes, architecture, starry skies, and even close-ups. With its advanced optical construction, the lens ensures sharp image resolution across the frame and eliminates chromatic aberration, thanks to features like:

1. Two AA (Advanced Aspherical) elements for sharpness at all apertures.
2. Super ED and ED glass elements to minimize distortions.
3. Optimized coatings to suppress flare and ghosting.

With a large F1.8 maximum aperture and an 11-blade circular diaphragm, the lens produces exceptional bokeh. It also boasts a close focusing distance of 0.15m (AF) and 0.13m (MF), allowing creators to explore unique angles and creative depths. Designed for portability, the lens weighs only 304g (10.8 oz) and measures 73.8 x 75 mm, making it perfect for landscapes, architecture, and astrophotography.

For professionals shooting fast-moving subjects, its two XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors provide rapid, precise autofocus with minimal noise, ensuring seamless performance for both stills and video. Additionally, features like reduced focus breathing and in-body Active Mode stabilization make it a reliable choice for video creators. The lens offers intuitive controls, including a focus hold button, aperture ring, and dust-resistant build, ensuring excellent reliability for diverse shooting conditions.

FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS (SEL400800G)
Sony has introduced its first 800mm super-telephoto zoom lens, the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS. Engineered for professionals shooting wildlife, sports, and landscapes, this Alpha lens covers a versatile 400mm to 800mm zoom range. The maximum focal length can be extended to 1600mm with Sony’s 2x teleconverter, offering unparalleled reach without compromising image quality. Designed with an inner-zoom mechanism, the lens maintains a consistent length for stable balance and effortless handling, even during handheld shooting. With its lightweight build and ergonomic design, it’s a go-to choice for professionals on the move.

Key features include:

1. Six ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements to control chromatic aberration and deliver sharp, vibrant images.
2. 11-blade circular aperture for smooth, natural bokeh.
3. Precision linear motors for fast and accurate autofocus, perfect for tracking dynamic subjects such as birds or athletes.

he lens also incorporates Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to prevent shake-induced blur and is optimized for use with Alpha bodies offering in-body stabilization.

Both lenses feature thoughtful design elements to improve usability and reliability in diverse shooting environments. From focus hold buttons and customizable switches to fluorine-coated front elements that resist dirt and dust, the lenses are built for rigorous professional use. Additionally, the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS offers a redesigned lens hood with a lock button for added security.

The FE 16mm F1.8 G lens will be available in selected Middle Eastern countries starting April 2025. The FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens will hit the market in March 2025.

The Canon EOS R50 Content Creator Kit is designed for aspiring content creators who want to elevate their game from smartphone photography and videography to a more professional level. This kit includes the Canon EOS R50 mirrorless camera, an RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens, a Canon Tripod Grip HG-100TBR with a Bluetooth remote, and a Canon Stereo Microphone DM-E100.

Design and Build Quality
The Canon EOS R50 is a compact and lightweight mirrorless camera, making it an excellent choice for on-the-go creators. Weighing just 375 grams (body only with card and battery), it is easy to carry around and handle, even for extended shooting sessions. The camera’s build quality is solid, with a robust plastic body that feels durable yet lightweight. The grip is comfortable, though it might feel a bit small for users with larger hands.

The included RF-S 18-45mm lens is versatile and compact, retracting to a very portable size when not in use. The Canon Tripod Grip HG-100TBR is a handy addition, providing stability for handheld shooting and doubling as a mini tripod. The Bluetooth remote is a thoughtful touch, allowing for remote control of the camera, which is particularly useful for vlogging and group shots.

Sensor and Image Quality
At the heart of the EOS R50 is a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, paired with Canon’s DIGIC X processor. This combination delivers impressive image quality with excellent detail, dynamic range, and colour accuracy. The camera performs well in various lighting conditions, thanks to its ISO range of 100-25600 (expandable to 51200).

The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system is a standout feature, offering fast and accurate autofocus with eye detection for both humans and animals. This makes it ideal for capturing sharp images of moving subjects, whether you’re photographing pets, wildlife, or people.

Video Capabilities
For content creators focused on video, the EOS R50 does not disappoint. It can record uncropped 4K video at up to 30fps and Full HD video at up to 120fps, providing smooth and high-quality footage. The camera also supports 10-bit HDR video and HEIF images, which offer greater colour depth and dynamic range.

The fully articulating touchscreen is perfect for vloggers, allowing for easy framing and monitoring while recording. The external microphone input and included Canon Stereo Microphone DM-E100 ensure high-quality audio capture, which is crucial for professional-looking videos.

User Experience and Features
The EOS R50 is designed with ease of use in mind. The intuitive menu system and touchscreen interface make it accessible for beginners, while still offering advanced features for more experienced users. The camera’s Advanced A+ Assist mode helps users achieve the best possible results by automatically adjusting settings based on the scene.

The camera also includes several social media-friendly features, such as vertical video mode and live streaming capabilities. These features make it easy to create content tailored for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Battery Life and Connectivity
Battery life is a critical factor for content creators, and the EOS R50 performs reasonably well in this regard. The LP-E17 battery provides around 320 shots per charge, which should be sufficient for most shooting sessions. However, for extended shoots, carrying a spare battery is advisable.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for easy transfer of images and videos to your smartphone or computer. The Canon Camera Connect app further enhances the user experience by enabling remote control of the camera and seamless sharing of content.

Verdict
The Canon EOS R50 Content Creator Kit is an excellent choice for aspiring content creators looking to step up from smartphone photography and videography. Its compact size, impressive image and video quality, and user-friendly features make it a versatile tool for a wide range of creative projects. While it has some minor drawbacks, such as the small grip and limited battery life, the overall performance and value of this kit make it a compelling option for anyone serious about content creation.

Whether you’re a vlogger or photographer, the Canon EOS R50 Content Creator Kit provides the tools you need to create high-quality content with ease. Its combination of portability, advanced features, and affordability make it a standout choice in the crowded market of entry-level mirrorless cameras.

Price: AED 2999

Sony Middle East and Africa announces the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (SEL85F14GM2) a premium lens offering a supreme blend of high resolution and stunning bokeh with fast autofocus (AF) in a compact body. This is a second-generation lens that inherits the optical design that achieved a high-level fusion of bokeh and resolution that was highly praised in the first-generation model and generously incorporates the latest technology. When paired with the latest Sony Alpha series cameras, it is an ideal option for a wide variety of creative uses in both photography and videography, including portraiture, wedding, travel, and cinematic video.

The advanced and refined optical design and elements of the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II bring together appealing bokeh and enhanced high resolution, making it ideal for portrait photography. Packed with two XA (extreme aspherical) and two ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses, the state-of-the-art optical design effectively suppresses aberrations. This combination offers corner-to-corner resolution and rendering, resulting in outstanding image quality. Moreover, Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II technology effectively subdues flare and ghosting for clear, crisp images. The 11-blade circular aperture and optimisation of spherical aberration during the design and manufacturing process provide the beautiful, soft bokeh that is the hallmark of the G Master series.

The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II’s AF is agile, maximising the speed advantage of advanced camera bodies. For stills, it is up to 3 times faster compared to the previous model, tracking moving subjects with high precision. It keeps up flawlessly with the Alpha 9 III’s 120fps continuous shooting, and subject tracking performance is improved by as much as 7 times. Compared to the current 85mm F1.4 GM1, the weight of the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (642 grams) is approximately 20% lighter and 13% smaller in volume, which is achieved through the latest mechanical technology and optical design. The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II has a filter diameter of φ77 mm, a diameter of 84.7 mm and a length of 107.3 mm.

For smooth movie creation at F1.4, the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II has an XD linear motor. Focus breathing is minimal, and in-body focus breathing compensation is supported. It has two customisable focus hold buttons and an AF/MF switch offers flexible operability, while an independent aperture ring and Linear Response MF focus control provide the kind of intuitive control that creative shooting demands. The front lens element features a fluorine coating, which makes it easy to remove fingerprints, dust, oil, and other contaminants from the lens surface. The dust and moisture-resistant design provides extra reliability for outdoor use in challenging conditions.

The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II will be available in the Middle East from September 2024.