Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2. 8 Ur LM WR assessment

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2. 8 Ur LM WR assessment – Introduction

The most popular lenses between DSLR photographers could be the 24-70mm f/2. 8. It’s a lens praised for the versatility because fast aperture along with useful focal range, and these attributes allow it to be a decent tool for everything from portraits to landscapes.

The new Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2. 8 Ur LM WR fulfils this specific role for Fujifilm X users, boasting consistent f/2. 8 highest aperture throughout its 24-84mm (equivalent) zoom lens range. This directly matches the ever-popular 24-70mm, although just outdoing it for the long end.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2. 8 Ur LM WR assessment – Features

A complete of 17 aspects in 12 groups are used to construct this specific lens, including a few aspherical elements designed, says Fuji, to control pincushion and barrel distortion. Three additional ED glass lenses are included to reduce lateral and axial chromatic aberration.

An improvement of the inside focusing system on this lens is that it doesn’t rotate the front element. This causes it to be much more user-friendly when using filters such since ND grads or perhaps polarisers. The lens accepts widely available 77mm filters. Nine rounded aperture blades make-up the iris diaphragm.

An f/2. 8 aperture combined with an APS-C-sized sensor will make a depth of field similar to f/4. 5 on the full-frame camera. That is why, the extended focal duration of this lens (when when compared with a full-frame 24-70mm lens) is quite useful, giving increased background blur and also a very flattering focal time-span for subjects such as portraiture. When used open, this lens presents beautiful rounded bokeh and also a generally pleasing look for out-of-focus backgrounds.

Provided with the lens is often a petal-shape lens hood that helps to reduce flare along with increase contrast. The particular lens features Fuji’s Nano-GI along with Super EBC Films, which do an amazing job of scaling down flare. I found any time shooting with direct sunlight in the top corner of the frame, I was still in a position to retain a good amount of contrast with just a minute amount associated with lens flare obvious.

It’s also worth noting that this Fuji 16-55mm lens doesn’t feature just about any optical stabilisation, because the company felt that adding it will compromise the optical quality of the lens. While this is true, other companies have were able to achieve fast zoom lens lenses with stabilisation that are optically very good – as an example, Samsung’s 16-50mm f/2-2. 8 S ED OIS for the NX series associated with mirrorless cameras.

Assumed Nikon 1 J5 mirrorless specifications before announcement

Amateur photography - Not very much is really known regarding the Nikon 1 J5 mirrorless digicam, although there have been 1 or 2 rumors. The latest could have us believe that its announcement could come as early as April 2nd, which can be next Thursday, although its relieve date might come slightly later than that.

Ahead of that assumed announcement in the near future we thought we would have a little recap on the we believe the particular Nikon 1 J5 specs may be, and they do are most often rather impressive.

What we could expect – 4K video is usually a must, while there was confusion to the sensor, as we could either see 20. 8-megapixel or perhaps 28MP. A touchscreen display can be an almost certainty, as is built-in Wi-fi and NFC for improved connectivity.

Looking over those specs we assume that a 20. 8-megapixel is more plausible also it a slightly greater jump than the predecessor the Nikon 1 J4, which was only 18MP. You might wonder how you have such low megapixels with a 4K camera, but you can still do this with much decrease pixels.

This is approximately we can inform you for now, but we can keep you informed, and hope make fish an announcement will take place in the beginning of next month.

Review: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

Review: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

Amateur Photography - Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Reviews, Among a season of good cameras last year from Sony, Samsung and Fujifilm was Olympus’ OM-D E-M5 Mark II. This is one micro four-thirds mirrorless camera can shoot images at a resolution of up to 40 megapixels.

And unlike the updated models from rivals, Olympus took its original E-M5 and redesigned it completely. On the top plate now, you get a new lock for whatever mode you are shooting in.

It is a switchable lock so those prefer to change settings quickly won’t feel hindered while those who want to be a bit more careful can lock the dial during transit.

The new Mark II camera also has more custom functions and shortcut buttons that make it feel like a professional camera, rather than just one for the enthusiast.

The improvements are not only skin deep. The E-M5 Mark II has 81 auto-focusing points, up from the previous 35. It also boasts a new five-axis sensor-shift image stabilisation system, as well a new Hi Res Mode.

When I tried it out, the camera generally performed well in most circumstances, at least those that I think a typical shooter would be used in. The focusing snaps to attention and the colour reproduction is very punchy.

Speaking of Hi Res Mode, Olympus has an out-of-the-box answer to the super high pixel counts from digital SLR rivals such as the Nikon D810’s 36 megapixels and the upcoming Canon 5DS’ whopping 50 megapixels.

It has managed to use its 16-megapixel sensor and to produce eight slightly different shots of a scene and combine them into a single image. The good news is that the Hi Res Mode works. Bad news is, the subject and camera have to be absolutely still.

The RAW processing for the high resolution images takes a toll on both the camera and computer. For the camera, you can expect battery power to be used up faster, which was the case when I tested the Hi Res mode recently.

For every shot, it requires about half a minute for the picture to be taken and saved into the memory card. That’s not counting the time to set up the tripod to ensure the camera doesn’t move too.

To convert the RAW file, I have to download a plug-in for Photoshop and import it into the program. This may be a bit too troublesome for many users.

For those who have big hands or appreciate having a more secure grip, having the external grip will cause the camera to be taller by an inch but it will greatly enhance stability while taking photos. If you are using the Hi Res mode, do consider getting the battery pack as well.

And the new Olympus offering may also be a bit too expensive of an upgrade for existing E-M5 users. Sure, the Hi Res mode is a unique feature for such a small-sensor camera, but it has some serious practical issues.

You won’t need all the megapixel count unless you are printing big. And you can only use it if the camera and subject both keep still.

Nikon Coolpix S9900 Review

Nikon Coolpix S9900 Review

Amateur Photography - The Nikon Coolpix S9900 is the new top-of-the-range digital compact camera from the Style series. It features a back-illuminated 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, 30x optical zoom lens, Full 1080/60i HD video with new time-lapse recording, built-in WiFi, GPS and NFC connectivity, P/S/A/M exposure modes, a command dial and a 3-inch 921K dot vari-angle screen. The Nikon Coolpix S9900.

Ease of Use

Even more packed with technology than its predecessor, the new Coolpix S9900 looks like it would be more at home in Nikon's Performance range. However, the P series of Nikon cameras are for keen enthusiasts and as such, don't really offer much in the way of easy modes for the point and shooters. The S9900 still offers the Easy Auto mode, albeit buried somewhat n the menu system.

The S9900 bears an uncanny resemblance to the higher specification models in terms of shape and design. Weighing nearly 300g, it's a heavy block of metal and plastic which holds a 30x optical zoom inside the bulge at the front. The lenses contain ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements to reduce chromatic aberrations and the focal length works out at an eye bulging 25-750mm in 35mm terms.

We hear you asking “What about camera shake?” Well, the S9900 has been fitted with a 5-axis Hybrid VR system. This type of Vibration Reduction of combining electronic and optical image stabilisers isn't new but using 5 ways of stabilising the image is on a camera at this designation.

Once the light has gone through the lens, it burns onto a back-illuminated 16 megapixel CMOS sensor. In the past, some Nikon compacts have suffered with low light and high noise problems, so hopefully, this sensor that is lower in resolution than previous models will react better. The back-illuminated technology will also help by allowing more light onto each photosite, but our noise test will give the definite answer.

No expense has been spared on the screen incorporating a 921,000 dot RGBW TFT LCD screen which can even be used in direct sunlight. One big upgrade over the previous S9700 model is that the screen is now a vari-angle model, which is perfect for shooting movies, over the heads of a crowd and of course for those all-important selfies.

As we mentioned earlier, the S9900 sits on the Style side of the fence, but it's also very close to the Performance series. Because of this intimacy with both ranges, the S9900 has a mixture of lazy modes and performance enhancing features. On the top plate, you'll find the power switch and shutter release with a small finger-operated switch that operates that massive zoom range.

Situated to the left of the shutter release on the shoulder of the Nikon Coolpix S9900 is a Shooting Mode dial. It has the usual easy to use modes, such as Auto, Scenes, Smart portrait and Short Movie, but also holds the manual PASM modes. New to the S9900 is a dedicated command dial, which in conjunction with the rear navigation wheel makes it easier than ever to use the manual shooting modes.

On the opposite side to the Command dial is a pop-up flash that sits very high when opened via the dedicated switch. That's great for avoiding red-eye. However, it uses so many different joints to collapse down into the unit – which you have to do manually – it's like trying to get a cat into a bath; it's possible, but you'll have to wrestle a bit. The top of the camera also holds the WiFi and GPS unit above the lens.

The GPS button on the left flank of the S9900 displays a map of the World and allows you to not only log your photo's locations, but also track where you're going. Fantastic for travellers and that's exactly who the S9900 is aimed at, especially as it now utilises GPS/GLONASS/QZSS satellite tracking to provide highly accurate longitude and latitude data.

The S9900 also offers built-in wi-fi and NFC connectivity, with the former accessed via a button on the rear of the camera, and the latter simply by tapping the S9900 against another NFC-enabled device. The wi-fi options are a little basic - you can only connect or upload to a smart device - but they do at least make it easier to share your photos.

The main menu system changes depending on the shooting mode that you're currently in. It has the usual layout of three sections with the primary menus tabbed down the left side. The centre section shows what each tab can offer, while the right side shows the current setting for that option. Pressing right drills into the menu and allows you to make any changes. The colour scheme is light grey on the centre section with dark grey surround and a yellow highlighter. Those colours may not sound appealing, but they work nicely and the menu is very easy to see and use. The five tabs on the left are for the mode you're currently in, Video modes, WiFi, GPS and the Set-up menu.

Start up time from the off position to being switched on, focused and a photo taken is 1.8sec which is a good performance. There are two continuous shooting modes; High and Low. The first is a burst mode that rapidly fires off five high resolution pictures in just over half a second. It works out at roughly 8fps (frames per second). Slightly higher than the 6.9fps on the Nikon website, so that's pretty good. You do have to allow for human error, though, so keep an open mind. It takes a total of 10 seconds to download the pictures as well.

In Low mode, the camera takes pictures at a much slower rate. We got 16 pictures in eight seconds before the camera stopped to download. That's roughly 2fps and it took the camera up to 43 seconds to download and be ready to shoot again. This was going through the Nikon EXPEED C2 processor and writing onto a Class 4 Micro SD card in an adapter. The speed of the card will affect the write speed, so you may see a slight increase with a faster variation in.

In playback, the pictures will be displayed full size with some basic information that will disappear after a few seconds. Should you take a photo that you wish you'd added a digital effect to, you can press OK at this stage and add it on after. The added bonus is that the S9900 saves that as a separate file on the memory card, preserving the original. The layout of the Playback menu is the same as when you're shooting. However, there's a slight variation in the inclusion of the Mode tab.

The Playback modes are usually in a separate menu which is accessed via the Playback button. On the Nikon Coolpix S9900, doing that takes you back to the shooting screen. The Video menu has been replaced with the full Playback menu which allows you to amend the pictures with some basic editing via the Quick retouch, D-Lighting, Red-eye correction or Glamour retouch options. There's also provision to amend the print order, create a slide-show to thrill your family and friends of your travelling adventures.

In the box you'll find a rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12, Charging AC Adapter EH-71P4, USB Cable UC-E21, and a Camera Strap. Battery life is around 300 shots, pretty good for this class of camera, although we don't like the fact that you can now only charge the battery in-camera.

Nikon D31000

Amateur Photography - Nikon D31000, There's no doubt that the D3100 is one of the best entry-level SLRs available, offering very good image quality coupled with speedy operation and straightforward handling.

Nikon D31000

Reasons to buy Nikon D31000

    Very good image quality
    Beginner friendly interface, but with plenty of manual control
    Highly sophisticated AF system for the price
    Easily accessible and fast Live View mode and Movie controls
    Lots of in-camera Raw conversion and post-processing options

Things to consider Nikon D31000

    AF still a little sluggish in Live View mode
    Slight tendency to overexpose in contrasty conditions
    Will not AF all Nikon lenses (though most popular ones will work)
    White balance often excessively orange under artificial light
    Auto ISO logic is not well-suited for everyday casual shooting

Nikon D31000 Suggested for

First time DSLR users who want a camera that will encourage them to make the most of its capabilities.

Nikon D31000 Not suggested for

People wanting a camera that behaves just like their existing compact. Users for whom compactness is a priority.

Nikon D31000 Conclusion

With the addition of video and live view, Nikon has given its entry-level DSLR all the features its predecessor seemed to be missing. The result is an excellent beginner's camera that encourages the user to grow into it, whatever their existing level of knowledge. However, it's not alone in offering this and, though it's a great DSLR, there are plenty of equally attractive mirrorless alternatives.

Nikon D31000, I very much appreciate the relatively low cost and the available lenses for digital Nikons, I must admit to carrying around a point and shoot most of the time and using this Nikon mostly with a tripod less often. I have become a snapshot taker for most times.

Canon EOS M3 review

Canon overhauls its compact system camera with a much faster AF system - the EOS M3 is super quick

Amateur Photography - Canon hasn’t exactly made waves in the compact system camera market, not having released anything in Europe since the original EOS M in 2012. The M2 was limited to Japan too, meaning there was nothing outside of the company’s DSLR range in terms of interchangeable lenses. That changed earlier this month when Canon revealed the EOS M3, a major upgrade over the original model.

The EOS M's major undoing was its woeful AF performance, but Canon says the M3 is up to six times faster. It was certainly rapid during our hands-on time with the camera at the Photography Show in Birmingham this weekend, locking and re-locking focus with the speed we would expect from a high-end CSC. With that concern out of the way, we can move onto more headline-worthy specs: inside the camera a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor is capable of ISO 100-12,800 shooting, extendable to ISO 25,600, while the Hybrid CMOS III autofocus system provides 49 AF points across a 384-zone metering system.

That's essentially on par with some of Canon's entry-level digital SLRs, and the refined design means controls and usability give the larger cameras a run for their money too. A chunky grip on one side gives you something to hold onto firmly while still putting the important controls within easy reach. A command dial, dual control dials, and a touchscreen mean all the important settings are easily accessed. It feels like a premium product too, with none of the cheap plastics we remember from the original EOS M.

There's no electronic viewfinder, which may disappoint some. The way you hold the camera made us raise it to our eye on more than one occasion, so an optional external EVF may be a must-have addition for enthusiast photographers. You can also use the standard hot shoe mount to add a more powerful flash if the built-in one isn't strong enough. It can be tilted, however, to bounce light when shooting indoors.

The 3in display tilts both upwards and downwards, for up to 180-degree shooting - essentially the ideal selfie situation. It's an unavoidable fact of life that manufacturers have to add these modes in order to appeal to the smartphone crowd, but they can at least prove useful for creative shooting if the idea of selfies sends you batty.

Despite the compact dimensions, Canon has still found room for integrated Wi-Fi and NFC for quick smartphone pairing. The companion app lets you transfer photos from camera to phone, upload directly to social networks, or control the shutter remotely.

n addition to compatibility with the 11-22mm f/4-5.6, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, 55-200mm f.4.5-6.3 and 22mm f/2 prime EF-M lenses, Canon expects a significant number of users to invest in an EF adapter and use their existing EF lenses. That would certainly give it an advantage over the likes of Sony, Fuji and Samsung in terms of lens variety, particularly if you’re already invested in the Canon ecosystem.

Video isn't exactly the focus for the M3, but support is still fairly reasonable, with touch AF support for quick, quiet refocusing and Full HD video recording at up to 30fps.

The EOS M3 is a revelation compared to the original EOS M. Canon has clearly focused on what the EOS M struggled with and the result is a much more user-friendly camera. It feels very similar to some of Canon's premium compacts, but the addition of interchangeable lenses could be a turning point for customers. We'll have to wait to see final image quality samples and deliver a final verdict, but we're excited to put it up against the Micro Four Thirds and CSC competition.

Canon customers that are eager for a competent CSC won’t have long to wait; the EOS M3 will be arriving in the UK from April with a bundled 18-55mm kit lens, with prices expected to start around £650. We’ll be taking a closer look in order to bring you a full review nearer the official launch.

Panasonic Lumix GF7 review

Panasonic's tiny GF7 interchangeable lens compact squeezes in a surprising number of features

Amateur Photography - The Lumix GF camera range was once the starting point for interchangeable lens compacts, but now that Panasonic has the tiny Lumix GM1 there were few reasons to step up to the almost two-year-old Lumix GF6. That changed in January when the company introduced the GF7, a successor with a smaller body and selfie-friendly flip-up touchscreen display.

The GF7 is available to buy now, but seeing as we hadn't actually put one through its paces yet, we made sure to take a look when visiting the Panasonic stand at this year's Photography Show in Birmingham, in order to get some first impressions.

Looking at the GF7 side-by-side with the GF6 shows just how far the range has come in a single generation. The GF7 borrows more styling from the GM1 and enthusiast-level Lumix GX7 than it does from GF models gone by, with retro-inspired looks, silver metal trim and a choice of colours. It's also a lot smaller; you'll still struggle to squeeze it into a pocket, even with the 12-32mm kit lens locked in its travel position, but it doesn't weigh very much and won't weigh down your camera bag.

The mixture of metals and plastics are a clear indicator that Panasonic has built this camera to meet a specific price, but it doesn't feel cheap. You still get a built-in flash, and the lack of buttons on the back of the body aren't really an issue on account of the wonderful 3in touchscreen display. It is clear, responsive and, of course, able to flip up 180-degrees for those all important selfies. You can't flip it down or to the side, however, which may limit your creativity when it comes to more extreme angles. Naturally there's no EVF, given the size of the camera.

Panasonic hasn't skimped in terms of connectivity, with both Wi-Fi and NFC for quickly pairing a smartphone. We've used Panasonic's Image Ap frequently in the past and it works just as well here, letting you download photos wirelessly to your phone or control the camera remotely. There's no GPS built into the camera, but you can geotag your photos using your phone instead.

A pop-out flash is a welcome addition for low light shooting, but there's no hot shoe for adding a more powerful flash at a later date.

Underneath all the connectivity and features, the GF7 is still a very competent CSC. A 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, Venus image processor, 200-25600 ISO range and 23-AF points are essentially a match for the rest of Panasonic's Four Thirds cameras, so image quality should be on par with the likes of the GF6 and GM1 (depending on which lens you opt for).

Unsurprisingly there's a fully automatic mode on the mode dial, as Panasonic is aiming the GF7 at photographers making the leap from a fixed lens compact. There are several fun modes and effects too, but more advanced users will appreciate ASM modes and full control over ISO, shutter, aperture and other settings.

The Lumix GF7 is available to buy now for around £429, putting it in direct competition with the Samsung NX Mini, Olympus Pen E-PL7 and Sony's A5100. We'll have to wait until we give it the full review treatment to see how well it stacks up to its rivals, but based on a short play with it at the Photography Show it certainly has potential, particularly if you're after a very compact CSC that's designed with amateurs as well as enthusiasts in mind.

Nikon D7200 review

The D7200 upgrades Nikon's APS-C workhorse with NFC, Wi-Fi and improved low-light shooting

Amateur Photography - The D7100 has been Nikon's enthusiast-level camera of choice for the past few years, but it was beginning to show its age in terms of connectivity, even in a field where manufacturers prefer to focus on pixel counts and burst speeds than Wi-Fi. A successor, the D7200, was announced earlier this month and the Photography Show in Birmingham was our first chance to get our hands on one.

The D7200 isn't a major upgrade over the D7100, but rather a refinement; it adds Wi-Fi and NFC for quick pairing to a smartphone, 60p video recording and a 15% battery life improvement. Otherwise, the specifications should sound familiar to D7100 owners, with a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor with no optical low-pass filter, 51-point AF system and EXPEED 4 image processor, all wrapped up in a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body.

That sensor is capable of ISO 100-25,600 shooting at up to 6fps (7fps in 1.3x crop mode). Expanded ISO modes are limited to black and white photography only. Burst speeds remain unchanged from the D7100, but Nikon has expanded the camera's buffer over the outgoing model for longer continuous bursts, meaning 27 RAW exposures or 100 JPEGs. This should make it an ideal camera for shooting fast-moving subjects - especially when paired with a 1/8000s maximum shutter speed. The AF points are now sensitive down to -3EV, which should help low light shooting. The D7100 was limited to -2EV. Unfortunately we weren't able to give this a proper test on the Photography Show floor, so we'll have to wait for a full review to pass final judgment.

In terms of design, little has changed here from the D7100. There are still plenty of buttons and dials on the front, top, and rear of the body, with an LCD display on the top for quickly checking shooting settings. Most of the buttons are within easy reach of your right hand, although the playback button is still squeezed in on the left, making it difficult to reach. As we've come to expect from Nikon's dSLR range, the mode dial locks automatically to prevent accidental changes, but it's still tricky to adjust one-handed.

The 3.2in, 1.2m dot LCD display on the back of the camera is completely fixed, which is a little disappointing but arguably not a surprise; Canon's rival 7D Mk II has a fixed display as well. It looked sharp and was bright enough to see clearly indoors, although we'll have to take one outside to see how it copes with direct sunlight.

Build quality was easily on par with the D7100, and although we found it comfortable to hold others have complained that the grip is a little small given the size and weight of the camera. At 765g without a lens, it's certainly not lightweight but feels reassuringly hefty with a high-quality piece of glass attached.

Video performance has been improved over the D7100 with 1080p 60fps recording, although only when the camera is set to 1.3x crop mode. Two new picture modes, Flat and Clarity, can be used with live view, and ISO sensitivity can be set to automatic when shooting in manual mode. A Zebra stripe highlight display helps confirm exposure and the built-in stereo microphone is a welcome addition as well, although naturally the hot shoe mount means you can add an external mic if you need clearer audio.

The D7200 has a lot to live up to, as the outgoing model is arguably the most desirable Nikon dSLR before you make the leap to full-frame, but we walked away from our early hands-on impressed. Wi-Fi and NFC will be welcome additions for nature photographers and the improved low-light shooting is a major bonus too.

It will be going on sale later this month, with UK prices expected to start around £940 for a body-only camera or £1,120 with the optional 18-105mm VR kit lens. We're hoping to have a full review in the next few weeks, so be sure to check back if you're looking for a new digital SLR.

HTC One M9 Review: A Great Phone That Can't Keep Up

Amateur Photography - Everyone loves an underdog. They're new, exciting, and upset expectations. In 2013, the HTC One M7 brought that incredible disruptive energy to smartphones, and the following year's M8 ran neck and neck with the best you could buy. Now, with the M9, the One is no longer an underdog—but it's not exactly leading the Android pack, either.
Click Here To Buy My One M9 Case Wishlist
What Is It?

The One M9 is the latest 5-inch flagship smartphone from HTC, complete with Android Lollipop, amazing dual BoomSound speakers, and the latest processor from Qualcomm all wrapped in an aluminum chassis—your choice of silver/gold, gold, or gunmetal grey. Although the price hasn't been determined, you can probably expect to be parting with $650 for an unlocked model (or $200-$250 on contract) with all major U.S. carriers starting April 10th.

Note: Our review unit was an international version, so I was unable to test LTE connectivity and any additional effects on battery life and general performance.

Why Does It Matter?

HTC's One series has always been an indicator of what premium Android smartphones will look like in the future. In 2013 when the first One was introduced, most smartphone makers were still making plastic and faux-chrome smartphones—I'm looking at you, Samsung—and now almost all of them have embraced the fancy aluminum way of thinking. A vote for HTC is a vote that smartphones will continue to be fashion statements first and communication devices second.
Design

The HTC One M9 is one of the best-looking smartphones you can buy. It's one of those smartphones that feels almost criminal to enshrine in a plastic case and obscure its machined metal exterior. It's a smartphone for show, a fashion accessory, a 5-inch slab of metal that's practically jewelry. This smartphone be pretty.

What it isn't—design-wise—is new, exciting or meaningfully different.

The M7 that wowed us back in 2013 made a big splash in the Android smartphone pond, but last year's M8 was really just a ripple—slightly bigger, rounded edges, and to some, a design step in the wrong direction. The M9 is also a ripple, another small iteration on what's come before and strangely more akin to the original M7.

 I complained about this after my initial impressions earlier this month, but one of the M9's most distinguished design changes is also one of its most perplexing—a small lip that juts out a millimeter around the entire rim of the M9. Three weeks later, I'm still not quite sure why it's there. It makes holding the phone sort of awkward. Not necessarily bad, but you'll feel that hardware seam when you hold it.

Also, the M9 feels like an accident waiting to happen. Now, I'm not one to break phones. Unlike some of my colleagues, I've never cracked or water-logged a phone, and I don't plan on starting now. But I fear the M9's super-slippery finish might break my streak. Whether I'm pulling it out of my pocket or just it picking up from my desk, the phone slides around in my hand, creating that stomach-drop reaction of "oh shit oh shit oh shit." As of writing this sentence, I've dropped the M9—thankfully from short distances—three times already. The M9 is a curse for the clumsy.

Now, if it's pedestrian jealousy you're going for, the M9 does wonders. When walking about or standing idly on trains, the M9 pulls inquiring glances. But those glances could mean two separate things—great-looking or gaudy-looking. HTC describes the silver/gold finish on the M9 as "jewelry grade," which for me is part of the problem. I've been going back-and-forth on how I felt about my silver/gold companion, and I think I finally fell into the gaudy camp. But that's why more colors exist! Maybe gunmetal grey is more my speed.

Using It

Looks aren't everything. It's true browsing Tinder, and it's true for smartphones as well. What HTC has going on under that brushed metal exterior is just as important. And what M9 has going on is... good enough.

You won't find any complaints here about the One M9's performance, that's for sure. As you'd expect, this flagship has the latest and greatest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and 3GB of RAM, which could handle absolutely everything I threw at it with ease. But that's table stakes these days.

(Though you may have heard that Snapdragon 810 runs so hot it can cook an egg, I'm happy to report differently. I personally didn't run crazy benchmarks to test that theory because that's not how people use smartphones, but I did actively try to make the smartphone heat up by playing graphics-intensive games. Sure, it got a little toasty, but it wasn't like holding a fistful of fire. Just business as usual.)

And the display—while great!—may not blow you away either. It's the same exact screen last year's One: a 5-inch, 1080p display (441 ppi) with Corning Gorilla Glass on top. Some people seem brainwashed that top-of-the-line smartphones need 2K screens, but this LCD panel is bright and vivid with great readability in daylight.

So what's the issue? Battery life. The HTC One M9 has the biggest battery of any One series smartphone yet and it's running a 1080p screen, meaning it doesn't need to push nearly as many pixels as say the G3, Nexus 6, or the upcoming Galaxy S6. All good news, right? On paper, yes, but not in reality. Some days I was able to eke out to about 2 or 3am, definitely not multi-day use but solid all-day battery life. But then other days, I'd be off the charger by 6am and dead by 4:30pm with just 20 minutes of turn-by-turn directions and an hour of recording audio (with the screen off). When we reviewed the M8, we were able to get stellar battery performance with full-day charge peace of mind. The M9 simply doesn't, and that's a shame.

What is not a shame are these BoomSound speakers. Damn. I can say, without exaggeration, that these are the absolute best speakers on any smartphone ever created. These speakers are so loud and crisp, I've basically stopped using my Mini Jambox completely. In fact, it's so much better than watching anything on my computer, I chose to whip out the M9 to watch Netflix than mess with my MacBook Pro's tinny audio nightmare. Even compared to the M8, the M9 outperforms in every way. And the Nexus 6? Forgetaboutit. Seriously.

Software

Another year, another new version of HTC Sense—the company's custom Android skin. Sense 7 is passable, which isn't the worst verdict you could give an Android skin, but it doesn't add anything substantial over stock Android. Even LG and TouchWiz have some cool tricks you'd conceivably use like multi-windowed apps. But with Sense, it's just gimmicks dressed up as convenience. Here are a couple examples:

Themes: Long press on the homescreen, and Sense 7 gives you a new "theme" option, a curated "store" where you can browse artistic themes ranging from subtle to absurd. To be clear, these are not backgrounds, these are themes that change everything about the look of the software—from the lockscreen, icon design, and menu colors. Unfortunately, some themes crop icons in weird ways or make using the phone even harder because you won't recognize the app icons anymore. If you don't mind skins or even like heavy themes on top of Android, this might be great news. But people who love clean interfaces will consider this new theme option an enemy.

Sense Home: This widget keeps track of your six most used apps at home and at work, using GPS to detect where you are, and offers suggestions for other apps you may find useful. That's all well and good—if it worked as advertised. But it's been a week now, and there are still apps Sense Home thinks I used that I've never even opened, and half the suggestions it gives me are already on my phone. I love the idea, but this first effort is lacking.

 Sense 7 also includes the latest Android Lollipop, of course, though some of my favorite features like the carousel of recent apps have been stripped out for less interesting alternatives like the windowed app switcher you see above. (I find it less easy to navigate.) But Sense 7 isn't terrible, and importantly, it doesn't slow down the One M9 one bit. It won't get in your way.
Camera

The camera has been a big problem for HTC on past smartphones. With the M7, HTC introduced the "4 Ultrapixel" camera, which was HTC's fancy way of saying "we have bigger pixels which means we can capture light better." But though the following M8 did decent in low light, it lagged far behind in normal lighting conditions. So with the M9, HTC actually switched the 4 UltraPixel camera to the front and stuck a more standard 20-megapixel shooter on the back, turning that front-facing lens into a great selfie cam.

What does that mean for your regular rear camera photos, though? Oh boy. When shooting in well-lit situations, the M9 camera is okay—maybe even good. But as soon as you're working in low-light, expect graininess and discoloration. This is where some optical image stabilization could have eased some imaging woes, as it does on many a top-tier smartphone today... but only digital stabilization is included here. The camera does have RAW support, but you'll weirdly need a third-party app to access it and you'll only be getting 1080p recordings out of this guy. Here are a few test shots:

Like

Despite a few design concerns, the new M9 still looks as great as the M8 that looks as great as the M7. Looking good is what this phone does. It's true that you could accuse of HTC of getting lax with dreaming up a new design—or when they do, they make something like the lip—but like I said, design isn't the One's problem. Why fix what isn't broken?

Navigating through Sense 7 is great and pretty fluid. Not once during my time with the M9 did I have any weird glitches, crashes, or unexpected reboots.

The BoomSound speakers are so good that I want to say they're the One's greatest asset aside from its posh exterior.

HTC offers a free UH OH Protection plan with the M9. If you do damage your new One (it is slippery after all), you can trade it in for a new one free of charge, and if you don't use your trade-in, you can get $100 off your next HTC One. It's a way to keep you locked into HTC, but if you're a devout One user anyways, it's a nifty little bonus.

 Still got the infrared port for controlling your home entertainment system.
Dislike

Objectively, I know the phone's lip isn't really going to be a big problem for many people. Subjectively, I hate it. Ugh ugh ugh.

The battery life here is really disappointing. Before driving the HTC One M9, I had LG's G Flex 2 in my pocket, which also has a Snapdragon 810 processor and an even bigger 1080p screen. I never had to worry about my phone dying on me in less than a day. I could even get midway through the next, no problem. With the M9 you'll be toggling on power saving modes (or "Extreme Power Saving Mode" if the situation is dire) to help combat battery woes. Once you start compromising performance just to get a day of battery life, I get annoyed. Oh, and I tested the international model without LTE, which means battery life might be even worse stateside.

Sense 7 is shrug worthy. I would pay more money just to have this thing run stock Android but HTC has no Google Play Edition plans this time around. Bummer.

The One M9 solves your selfie woes by flipping that fancy 4 UltraPixel camera around front, but the rear cam needs some work. Its low-light is pretty bad, and you'd probably be better served by a lot of other smartphone cameras out there.

Should You Buy It?

The One M9 is a pretty great update from the One M7. If you liked HTC's original flagship, and you don't mind a slightly bigger smartphone, then the One M9 is good! I think you'll be happy with it. And if you're a multimedia fiend—watching Netflix, streaming music, or whatever—the BoomSound speakers make everything better.

But if you're looking for the best smartphone bar none, the One isn't at the head of the pack. This probably isn't the One for you. HTC played it safe this year instead of pushing things further. Honestly, if you're willing to settle for the M9, you should also look at the M8 while you're at it. It lasts longer, it feels just as fast, and it costs less.

Click Here To Buy My One M9 Case Wishlist

Google Nexus 6 review

Amateur Photography - Remember when mobile phones were monstrously-proportioned beasts that would bloat your trouser pocket in the most unsightly fashion? If so, the chances are you also experienced the subtle transition from gigantic talk-tech to truly pocket-sized alternatives - but the race to miniaturise mobile telecommunications was somewhat short-lived. The arrival of touchscreen smartphones has seen the pendulum swing violently back in the opposite direction; the iPhone kicked things off with a 3.5-inch display in 2007, but since then its Android and Windows Phone-based rivals have pushed the envelope dramatically, leading to the rise of the somewhat irksome portmanteau "Phablet".

Samsung's 2011 Galaxy Note - equipped with what was then considered to be an absolutely ludicrous 5.3-inch screen - was the first mainstream device of this type, and the Note range has thus far sat alongside the mainline Galaxy S in Samsung's portfolio. However, Google isn't offering the general public the same option; the latest entry in its long-running Nexus range comes in one size and one size only: massive. Produced in conjunction with hardware partners such as HTC, Samsung, LG and - this year - Motorola, the Nexus lineage of handsets offers a pure and unsullied version of Google's Android OS, and it is via this family of phones that the company pushes the latest iterations of its software. That means if you're not a fan of big-screen phones yet you subscribe wholeheartedly to the Nexus program, you're going to have to suck it up and come to terms with owning what initially feels like an absurdly big handset - unless you're happy to sit it out and retain last year's Nexus 5, of course.

There's no escaping the fact that the Nexus 6 is huge. To accommodate that 5.96-inch screen Motorola has constructed a suitably mammoth chassis, one which is admittedly tricky to cradle in a single hand, though not impossible. The lack of a physical home button on the front - a hallmark of both Apple and Samsung's phones - means that the bezel is kept as thin as possible, and as a result the handset is roughly the same size as the iPhone 6 Plus, which has a smaller 5.5-inch screen. Handling the device takes some getting used to, and during calls we often found that it's hard to know where to position the phone - lining up your ear next to the speaker is tricky due to the sheer size of the device.

Even so, it's worth stressing how beautiful the Nexus 6's screen really is. We're talking about an AMOLED panel here, so you can expect bright, vibrant colours and deep, convincing blacks, while the resolution borders on the ludicrous: 2560x1440 pixels, not only comfortably beating the screen of the laptop on which this review was written, but also besting the iPhone 6 Plus' 1080p resolution. The pixel density of 493ppi is remarkable - spotting individual pixels with the naked eye is practically impossible. Whether or not a mobile phone really needs a display of this magnitude is questionable, but the fidelity of the Nexus 6's screen is noteworthy and enriches practically every activity, from browsing the web to playing games.

In fact, it's striking how soon you become comfortable with the massive dimensions of Motorola's handset. The display comes into its own when you're surfing the web, as there's little need to pinch-zoom to read large bodies of text, and the resolution and size of the screen means you'll be primarily using the desktop - or in Eurogamer's case, HD - view whenever you visit your favourite sites. Watching videos via YouTube or Netflix is another pastime that benefits from the additional real estate, and games like Monument Valley, 80 Days and even casual favourite Crossy Road really pop on a bigger screen. The only problem we have is that Google has done nothing to capitalise on the extra space on offer; while Samsung's Note series has many custom modifications to the OS that allow users to run two different applications or quickly scribble down notes using the bundled stylus, Android Lollipop on the Nexus 6 is curiously lacking in big-screen applications.

The only element which is unique to the Nexus 6 - and by that we mean it's not present in Android Lollipop on the Nexus 5 or Nexus 4 - is the Ambient Display, which flashes up monochrome notifications when the screen is asleep, allowing you to view incoming messages without picking up your device. It also turns on the moment you pick up the handset, so you can quickly see what notifications you have waiting without waking the screen or unlocking the device. On an AMOLED screen, black pixels are effectively turned off, so this feature doesn't consume much in the way of battery power. It's a neat touch that we'd like to see on future Nexus phones - assuming they come equipped with AMOLED panels, of course.

When you've rendering more pixels than is strictly necessary it helps to have a powerful heart driving the phone, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 is just that. Comprised of a quad-core 2.7GHz Krait 450 and an Adreno 420 graphics processor, it ensures smooth performance at all times - the 3GB of RAM naturally helps. Granted, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 is creeping onto the market as we speak - it's in the recently-released HTC One M9 - but we had little cause to grumble when putting the Nexus 6 through its paces, and rumour has it that the Android 5.1 update that is rolling out as we speak makes the device even faster.

The visual experience is just one side of the coin in the case of the Nexus 6, however. It's only in recent years that phone makers have given even a second thought to sound, with HTC leading the charge with its use of Beats-certified audio. Thankfully Motorola has blessed the Nexus 6 with a pair of the most powerful speakers we've heard on any phone; arrayed at either end of the massive screen, these provide bold and punchy audio, almost rendering external Bluetooth speaker systems obsolete. We say almost, as they're not quite powerful enough to fill an entire room with sound, but if you're playing a game, watching a film or simply desire some close-quarters music, you'll come away very impressed - and possibly a little surprised, given how feeble the single speaker on the Nexus 5 was. It goes without saying that ringtones and notification sounds are also quite striking, meaning you're unlikely to miss an important message again.

A bigger screen needs an equally sizeable battery to power it, and in the Nexus 6's case, there's a 3220mAh power cell at its core. This is quite a jump over the 2300mAh battery that shipped with the Nexus 5, but it's having to do more heavy lifting, servicing a power-hungry processor and that roomy 5.96-inch screen. Even so, we noticed a significant improvement in stamina when compared to the older model. With moderate use we were still able to squeeze almost two days out of the phone - something that never seemed possible with the Nexus 5, no matter how frugal we were when it came to using it. Another big plus is the inclusion of turbocharging - 15 minutes on the plug bags you around six hours of battery life, and it's possible to fully change an empty tank in just over an hour. The proviso is that this feature only works with the bundled "fast" charger, but you can use standard (and slower) chargers with the phone as well.

The Nexus 6 comes with a 13-megapixel camera on the back boasting autofocus, HDR and optical image stabilisation - none of which matters in the fight against the iPhone's excellent snapper. Few Android handsets can compete with Apple's device when it comes to photography, and the Nexus range in particular has been rather poor in this regard. The quality of photos produced by the Nexus 6 is actually pretty decent, but it's the process of taking the shot that proves to be the irksome part. As was the case with the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5, it takes far too long for the camera to actually focus and capture the image, especially if you're in low-light conditions. Sometimes there's a pause of two or three seconds between tapping the on-screen capture button and the phone actually registering the shot. The sooner Google can fix this problem, the better. Video capture is a more positive story, with the Nexus 6 offering support for UHD 4K video capture - handy for the few people out there who currently have the means to playback footage at that resolution on their TV or monitor.

For storage, Google has dropped the near-ubiquitous 16GB entry point option and released the Nexus 6 in 32 and 64GB variants. As has been the case with previous Nexus handsets, there's no MicroSD card slot and therefore no means of physically increasing the amount of storage present in the phone itself, so if you intend to pack out the handset with downloads then you might wish to spend a little more and opt for the roomier choice. However, having slummed it with 16GB Nexus phones in the past, we personally found that 32GB (25.98GB of which is available to the end user) was more than enough for our needs, especially when taking advantage of cloud storage options like Google Drive and Google Music.

Google Nexus 6: the Digital Foundry verdict

There once was a time when the divide between phones and tablets was sizeable enough to ensure that both products had their own sector to cater for, but with phones getting bigger and tablets getting smaller, the gap between the two has shrunk dramatically. When you have a phone like the Nexus 6, a 7-inch tablet really does seem redundant - and figures suggest that tablet sales are declining due to the proliferation of such devices. During our review period we noticed that we used our tablet of choice - the excellent Nvidia Shield - much less than usual, largely thanks to the fact that the Nexus 6 was just as good for browsing the web, watching movies or playing anything but the most extremely taxing of Android games.

1/13 5.96-inches of bright and punchy AMOLED screen makes for an amazing gaming platform, with titles looking sharper than ever before. The powerful CPU makes short work of 3D titles, although the usual lack of optimisation - a common problem with Android games - means that things are rarely as smooth as they possibly should be.

Taking this into account, Google's decision to make its leading Nexus handset a phablet appears justified, and after spending a considerable amount of time with the phone we have to concede that its size is no longer the deal-breaker we initially thought it might be; we've become totally accustomed to its imposing dimensions and instead have come to appreciate the many ways in which so much visual real estate can enrich the entire user experience. Add in some impressive performance, the latest (untouched) version of Android and some surprisingly powerful speakers - not to mention one of the best-looking and best-built Nexus phones yet - and you've got a pretty appealing package.

The biggest catch - aside from the potentially divisive size of the phone - is the price tag. Both the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 were pitched as mid-price phones with sub-£300 price tags, but Motorola's offering has a RRP of £499 for the 32G model (the 64GB is £50 more) - not outlandish when compared to other leading Android handsets perhaps, but the lofty cost could dissuade some from supporting Google's Nexus initiative for a third year running. That would be a shame, as Motorola has done Google - and the Nexus brand - proud with this device. Granted, that massive display will almost certainly take a bit of getting used to - especially if you're migrating from the 4-inch screen of the iPhone 5 series - but it doesn't take long for the benefits to become apparent; bigger really is better, at least when it comes to Google's mobile OS.

Shooting for pleasure without shooting others down

Amateur Photography - Just shoot me.

Not with a camera. I mean, just put me out of my misery.

I am not crazy about being in photographs or videos, and my primitive methods of dodging having my picture taken involve raising a Neanderthal paw in front of my face or turning my head away, The Exorcist-style.

But I quickly find myself slammed against the limits of these techniques since we are living in camera-saturated Singapore.

Is there any point in trying to hold on to a fig leaf-size scrap of privacy?

Surveillance cameras have been installed at 4,400 HDB blocks and multi-storey carparks, said Second Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran in Parliament recently, adding that the Government is on track to installing them at all 10,000 HDB blocks and carparks by next year.

Camera footage has helped the police solve more than 430 cases and provided investigative leads for more than 890 cases since 2012, said Mr S. Iswaran.

Video cameras - which include body-worn cameras and in- vehicle cameras for frontline officers and police vehicles - are part of a greater effort to harness technology in fighting crime.

Perhaps being shot to death by cameras is a trade-off for not being slashed to death by a parang-wielding gangster. And in-vehicle cameras, mounted like weapons pointed and at the ready to record the latest on-the-road battle, offer some of us a way to fight back after the fact.

Take, for example, a recent video of a taxi passenger, picked up at Chai Chee, heard being rude to a cabby. The clip went viral and got the driver support from outraged viewers.

In the video, among other things, the passenger accused the driver of failing to notice him on the road even though he "wave wave wave wave wave". He called the driver a "blind bat", complained that the cab was moving too slowly, and accused the driver of trying to cheat him. Outraged netizens claimed to have found the man and revealed his details.

The adage, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far"? How about "speak softly and carry a big camera..."

Apart from surveillance cameras of the official and public sort, dark dome-shaped CCTV cameras continue to pop out like oversized moles on ceilings and walls of private residences, too. Spying for their unseen masters and feeding them information about our every move.

One was installed not too long ago in the corridor outside my front door and I can no longer be less than decent as I nip out to throw garbage down the common chute, hoping not to run into a neighbour. Now, thanks to the Lidless Eye of Sauron that is the CCTV camera, every time I step out, I know I will run into the neighbour electronically and on the record.

Does being watched all the time make us look and behave more decently?

We all probably have had enough footage and sound recorded of us to cobble together a 10-season reality drama. Each of us an accidental star of our own The Truman Show, the 1998 film about a man finding out that his life has been the subject of a live, 24-hour-a-day television programme, and that numerous hidden recording devices have their eyes on him.

Where CCTV footage seems to play a more passive role - hopefully, it won't be used unless a crime has been committed or a cabby shouted at - "shame photography" is a more aggressive use of the camera.

Consider the hot spot that is the reserved seat on buses and MRT trains.

When someone who looks apparently able-bodied has a shut-eye while obviously less-able- bodied folk stand nearby, you can almost hear some people metaphorically flick off the safety catch on their camera phones as they prepare to shoot the sleepyhead. Or maybe the hot spot is a parking spot reserved for the disabled.

Click, caustic caption composed, a photo posted on social media, a person virtually lynched.

Perhaps the hope is that such street justice will nudge us into behaving better. But what if the person being chased by the virtual villagers and their pitchforks turns out to be an innocent party?

What about people with "invisible disabilities"?

A report published this month on the American National Public Radio (NPR) website said it is estimated there are millions of such people in the United States. "You know, it's that invisible nature of an illness that people don't understand," Mr Wayne Connell, founder and head of the Invisible Disabilities Association, told NPR. He started the group after his wife was diagnosed with Lyme disease and multiple sclerosis.

"We'd park in disabled parking and she didn't use a wheelchair or a cane, and so people would always give us dirty looks and scream at us," he recalls. "When they see someone in a wheelchair, okay, they get that they're in a wheelchair. But what if they have chronic pain, what if they have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) - anything from cancer to peripheral neuropathy to autism?"

What do trigger-happy practitioners of shame photography require of such ill people here: N95 masks strapped over their mouths with medical certificates stuck on their foreheads?

How do we walk the fine line of shooting without collateral damage?

This question is something we can think about even if we aren't waving cameras like pitchforks, but are just pointing them at interesting street subjects and clicking away as a hobby.

There was debate online this month about photographs taken of sex workers on Singapore streets, which showed their faces clearly. Women rights group Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) criticised Italian photographer Luciano Checco as it, along with some Net surfers, raised concerns about his subjects having their privacy violated.

Aware posted on its website: "When is a cool picture not so cool? Taking and publishing photographs of sex workers without their consent can have serious consequences for their safety and well-being. Think twice before sharing."

So while taking photos of people in public places is allowed, with legal permission needed only before taking photos or videos for commercial use in private places, street photographers need to exercise good judgment before putting them where many can view them.

This sort of sensitivity is needed more than ever even as the day may come when a drone with camera may buzz by for a drive-by shooting of sorts.

In January, there were 70 applications for permits to fly drones in Singapore. This number is a six-fold increase from the average of 12 per month last year. The Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, along with other government ministries and agencies, have started a review of the regulatory framework for drones, addressing the increasing use of unmanned aircraft, and the safety and security concerns that come with it.

There are no laws specifically targeting the use of drones to invade people's personal spaces. But it shouldn't be left up to rules and regulations.

Taking photos and videos is such a great personal pleasure. We should first decide for ourselves how we want to use cameras: As big, curious eyes to see more of this cool world of ours and to make things better? Or to shoot people down?