Topaz announced the new Video AI version (3.1.9) and it has a $50 discount that runs til March 31. A list of improvements can be read on this blog post. And here is a video showing home much it improved:

DxO just released the new PureRaw 3 software (Click here to see all features and try it out).

Youtube reviews:

Press Release

DxO PureRAW 3, the groundbreaking RAW photo enhancement software, gives photographers incredible image quality thanks to DeepPRIME XD

Together with innovative DeepPRIME XD — eXtreme Detail — denoising technology, this major new version of DxO’s award- winning RAW processing software delivers greater control without reducing the ‘one-click’ functionality that users love. It also features pivotal upgrades to the user interface, making workflow even smoother.

Paris (France): DxO Labs, the company which kick-started modern RAW processing and lens correction, today announces the immediate availability of DxO PureRAW 3, its revolutionary RAW enhancement software. PureRAW 3 optimizes the quality of any RAW image by eliminating noise, improving color, enhancing detail and correcting lens flaws.

DxO PureRAW 3 now features DxO’s latest artificial intelligence technology, DeepPRIME XD, delivering industry-leading noise reduction and RAW image enhancement; greater control over which corrections are applied through DxO’s renowned Optics Modules; and user interface modifications that offer improved integration with every photographer’s workflow.

DxO DeepPRIME technology gets even better — and for Fujifilm photographers, too!

DxO PureRAW set the standard for noise reduction and image improvements – but the introduction of DeepPRIME XD pushes performance even further. By using a larger neural network than regular DeepPRIME, DeepPRIME XD delivers greater levels of detail, improved color accuracy, and smoother, noise-free bokeh when shooting at even the highest ISO levels.

With DeepPRIME XD, photographers report improvements of more than 2.5 stops in noise performance. For example, images shot at ISO 4000 more closely resemble those captured at ISO 500 in terms of noise, color, and clarity.

Because noise reduction is performed as part of the RAW conversion process, DeepPRIME XD can also improve the dynamic range of an image, giving photographers greater flexibility when shooting in challenging situations where light is limited. The original DeepPRIME mode remains part of DxO PureRAW 3 for images that demand less enhancement or where faster performance is required.

“DeepPRIME almost surprised us when we first saw the results,” explains DxO’s VP of Marketing and Product Strategy, Jean-Marc Alexia. “We quickly realized that a larger neural network could boost performance, and that’s what we’ve delivered with DeepPRIME XD. This technology pushes the boundaries even further, and DxO PureRAW 3 will revolutionize any photographer’s images — and without disrupting their existing workflow.”

Until today, DeepPRIME XD did not process RAW files from cameras with an X-Trans sensor. However, with DxO PureRAW 3, Fujifilm X Series photographers will be delighted to learn that their cameras are supported, a development reflected in DxO PhotoLab 6.4, also released today. As a result, X-Trans images can undergo incredible noise reduction, remarkable detail enhancement, and the restoration of accurate colors, especially when shooting at high ISO levels.

Power is nothing without control

As well as greater performance, DxO PureRAW 3 gives photographers a new level of control. The software’s updated interface now offers options for levels of lens softness correction, as well as the ability to toggle vignetting and chromatic aberration corrections. Furthermore, photographers can access the whole image area captured by the sensor, avoiding the crop enforced by other software when correcting deformations.

Interface improvements for a smoother workflow

DxO PureRAW 3 also introduces a number of improvements when it comes to workflow. Users can create multiple queues when batch processing large numbers of files, with the option to edit, re-order, and prioritize both images and queue lists while processing is underway. In addition, photographers can now choose to export files in TIFF format, alongside the existing JPEG and Linear DNG options.
Finally, the user interface has been revamped, bringing it closer in line with other DxO software.

Get (or test it out) DxO PureRAW 3 now!

Press text:

Sony Honored as One of “2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies”

Tokyo, Japan – Sony Group Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that it has been named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute, the US-based global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

Sony Group Corporation, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Chairman, President and CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida stated, “We are both pleased and proud that Ethisphere named Sony one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for five consecutive years. Sony holds “Integrity & Sincerity” as one of its important Values across the group. Together, with our 110,000 employees who share this Values, we will continue to manage Sony in an ethical manner with a long-term view and continue to spread Kando (emotion) to the world.”

Ethisphere CEO, Erica Salmon Byrne commented, “Organizations that commit to business integrity through robust programs and practices not only elevate standards and expectations for all, but also have better long-term performance. We continue to be inspired by the World’s Most Ethical Companies honorees and their dedication to making real impact for their stake holders and displaying exemplary values-based leadership. Congratulations to Sony for earning a place in the World’s Most Ethical Companies community.”

[References]
For more information about Sony’s corporate ethics and compliance-related efforts, please refer here.

The complete list of 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found.

In an interview with Photorend Canon confirmed the R1 is in development. This camera is not coming soon, more likely in 2024 and will compete against the future Sony A1II. I still have no clue about the possible specs of the R1 or the A1II. Comment this post to let Sony know what you want to get on the Sony A1II.

I have my own ideas I express in my video on top!

Press text:

Sony Electronics Launches a New Retinal Projection Camera Kit, DSC-HX99 RNV Kit

Sony’s imaging technology supports “With My Eyes,” a project to assist people with visual impairments

SAN DIEGO, CA – March 13, 2023 – Today, Sony Electronics announces the DSC-HX99RNV kit, a new retinal projection camera kit that helps people with visual impairments see to capture the world around them. This kit consists of Sony’s DSC-HX99 compact camera and QD Laser’s RETISSA NEOVIEWERⁱ , a viewfinder that uses laser retinal projection technology. Together, Sony and QD Laser are offering a new experience with focus-free retinal projection, allowing people with low vision a new, sharper way to view and photograph the world. ​

“We continue to leverage creativity and technology to enhance the accessibility of our products, services and experiences. The Retina Projection Camera kit is a step in our commitment to a future that empowers all types of creators,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “Sony welcomes the opportunity to use our digital imaging technology in this new and innovative way.”

The DSC-HX99 is the Cyber-shot travel zoom modelⁱⁱ that covers everything from wide-angle to super-telephoto in a compact body completed with a 24-720 mm (30x) high-power zoom lens. QD Laser’s RETISSA NEOVIEWER viewfinder is an accessory viewfinder for the camera. A digital image from the camera is directly projected to the retina through the RETISSA NEOVIEWER to see the surroundings, allowing the user to take a photo and record a video. Together, the technology offers a new way to view landscapes and people’s faces, read signs, and capture images through retinal projection. It is equipped with functions that allow you to enjoy full-fledged shooting, such as high-speed, high-precision AF performance and support for recording in RAW format. ​

“The laser retinal projection of RETISSA NEOVIEWER is a completely new technology that has been put to practical use for the first time in the world,” says Dr. Mitsuru Sugawara, President and CEO of QD Laser, Inc. “With the DSC-HX99 RNV kit that includes Sony’s digital still camera, we hope that people who may have found traditional viewfinders difficult to use will now enjoy taking photos, expanding their range of activities and discovering new worlds.”

With the aim of having more people use the camera kit, Sony offers it at $600 MSRP by bearing a portion of the costsⁱⁱⁱ. Sony also plans a collaboration with Japanese and American schools for the blind that assist people with low vision.

The new Retina Projection Camera kit will be on display at the CSUN Technology Assistive Conference 2023 trade show in Anaheim from March 13-17, 2023, as a touch-and-try opportunity for users. After the conference, Sony will be looking to collaborate with others to host a touch-and-try event^iv for potential users to have a hands-on experience with the kit before purchasing. The kit will be available to purchase in the US in limited quantities through Sony’s website electronics.sony.com, starting early Summer 2023.

For more information about the DSC-HX99 RNV kit, please visit LINK. ​

About Sony’s showcase at CSUN Technology Assistive Conference 2023, please visit LINK.

About the project, With My Eyes

 Since December 2020, QD Laser has been working on “With My Eyes,” a project to transform the “difficult to see” into “clearer sight” for 2.5 billion low-vision people around the world and has been working with supporting companies to deliver “visible experiences” to people with low vision and enrich their lives. In March of 2022, Sony partnered with QD Laser for the “With My Eyes 3 – Discovering a World of My Own” video, featuring a low-vision para-swimmer who traveled and spent time seeing the sea with his own eyes and taking photos using RETISSA SUPER® CAPTURE on Sony’s digital camera. Sony has participated as a supporting company since the second phase, provided equipment from the third phase, and is promoting the project jointly with QD Laser as a major supporting company.

Notes:

ⁱ RETISSA NEOVIEWER is not a medical device. It is not approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any specific condition. Depending on visual impairment, it may be difficult to recognize images (e.g., if the function of the retina is totally impaired). The name has been changed from the previous name “RETISSA SUPER CAPTURE”. RETISSA and NEOVIEWER are registered trademarks or trademarks of QD Laser. More information here: https://retissa.biz/en/retissa-neoviewer ​ ​ https://retissa.biz/en/retissa-neoviewer

ⁱⁱ HX series – Travel high Zoom; compact size and zoom. ​

ⁱⁱⁱ Sony is bearing the majority of the cost to support the low-vision community. One unit per person is available for purchase, subject to supply. This product may not be suitable for all low-vision people. Users are encouraged to touch-and-try before purchase.

^iv User needs to contact Sony Digital Production Center by phone (323) 352-5007 or email (DMPC@sony.com) to get an appointment. For more information about the DSC-HX99 RNV kit, please visit: https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/compact-cameras/all-vlog-compact-cameras/p/dschx99rnvkit ​

Today you can use the checkout code “ZUBEHÖR10” to save 10% on all those items at FotoErhardt (Click here).

Reminder: all Europeans can grab the massive deal of the day at Amazon Germany and Amazon UK. More daily deals on those pages at Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.

Duncan Dimanche tried to fix his Sony 50mm f/1.8 lens. Watch the video to see how it went.