CES 2024, the biggest technology event in the world, is taking place this week – and it's going to be the site of some huge announcements in the world of electronics.
As always (at least, when there's not a pandemic), CES 2024 will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada and runs from January 09-12. Last year saw 117,000 visitors and 3,200 exhibitors at the event, including the biggest technology giants such as Google and Microsoft.
Of specific interest to us, of course, are the imaging giants who are participating at this year's show: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm and Adobe. While CES 2024 is a general technology showcase, not one dedicated to photography or videography in specific, it has been used as a launchpad for cameras and imaging tech. And with both video and AI being cornerstones of this year's event, we're sure to see some exciting launches.
Full details on the show can be found at the CES website. For now, here's what we're have seen launched so far, and what we expect… We also have a CES 2024 Live Blog.
CES 2024 announcements
Sony show new XR glasses and the A9iii at CES
Sony's main press presentation is covered in detail, but the highlights include a real Sony/Honda car controlled with a PlayStation controller, the A9iii (well, it's a highlight for photographers), some thought about AI and creatives, and a potential competitor for Apple's Vision Pro augmented reality goggles.
AI PetPet Cam uses neural net to spot cute events!
ITIR are showing their upcoming Pet Pet Cam which can use DNN (Deep Neural Net) models to spot your cat or dog doing something cute. The tech will also help keep an eye on your pet's health. See our full story here.
Panasonic launches "world's smallest" macro lens
The highlight of Panasonic's press conference for us was the arrival of the new Lumix 100mm f/2.8 S Macro lens for its L-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. Panasonic says this is the smallest and lightest macro lens in its class - but more importantly it fills a whole in its line-up on lenses for its S series of cameras.
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Read more: Panasonic announces a record-breaking macro lens for L-mount
Apple sets date for its VR goggles
Apple announced is long-rumored augmented reality headset last year - but we now when the Apple Vision Pro goggles will go on sale, and we don't have long to wait. Preorders open on January 19, with the first headsets actually going on sale on February 2.
Read more: Apple launches a Vision Pro goggles with 12 cameras on board
Belkin launches motorized mount for vloggers
The Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro is an AI-powered camera assistant stand that can sit on your desk, and follow your movements so you are always kept in frame. If you are a particularly animated vlogger or streamer, or just can’t sit still during a video call, then this might just be the thing for you. The Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro will cost $179.99 and be available to pre-order later this month from Belkin’s website, with shipping starting soon after that. See our full news report.
Unistellar launches two smart telescopes
The Unistellar Odyssey ($2,499/£2,199) and Odyssey Pro ($3,999/£3,499) join the eQuinox 2 and eVscope 2 in the company's four-strong lineup of smart telescopes. Both can be aligned and controlled remotely using a newly developed smartphone app. Unlike the existing models, the new Odyssey range is designed for observations of our own solar system, rather than more distant objects. Whilst images from the Odyssey have to be viewed on the app on a tablet or phone, the Odyssey Pro comes with an electronic viewfinder that has been developed in cooperation with Nikon.
See our full report Unistellar reveals new Odyssey and Odyssey Pro smart telescopes at CES 2024
Holocam holographic transparent camera
Zeiss' remarkable Holocam technology can turn any glass screen into a camera. This means that everything from the window in your car to the screen on your laptop to the glass on your front door can now possess an invisible image sensor.
Further, because the technology makes the camera completely transparent, it eliminates the need for cutouts or punch holes – meaning you can have direct eye contact with the person you're chatting to, because the camera can be placed anywhere on (or should that be in) the screen.
Using an entire pane of glass as a camera lens also opens some fascinating optical possibilities. Some of Zeiss' bullet points include "large aperture invisible camera" and "individual adjustment of orientation and size of the field of views." Which makes me wonder, what is the maximum aperture and focal range of a camera like this?
• Full story: This holographic camera turns any window into an invisible camera
LaCie Rugged Mini SSD
The palm-sized LaCie Rugged Mini SSD has been announced in capacities up to 4TB offering IP54 dust and rain resistance, 3-meter drop protection and 1-ton car pressure resistance. No need to baby your portable SSD any more!
LaCie claims write speeds of up to 2000MB/s, with USB 3.2 gen 2x2 and compatibility with USB 40Gbps, USB 10Gps, Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 hosts including the latest Apple iPad, iPhone and Macbooks. Prices start at $79.99 for 500GB and go up to $349.99 for 4TB.
Full story: LaCie adds to its famous Rugged lineup with a new palm-sized SSD
Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
Dell dropped a new, eye fatigue-busting curved monitor – and in doing so, was recognized as an Innovation Award Honoree. The U4025QW monitor boasts IPS Black Panel technology for superior color contrast and intricate detail in 5K resolution, with a 99% DCI-P3 / Display P3 color space that makes it perfect for color-critical professionals.
The U4025QW is the first monitor to receive the TUV Rheinland five-star eye comfort certification, achieved by doubling the refresh rate to 120Hz, incorporating an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness adjustment, and enhancing Dell ComfortView Plus to reduce harmful blue light exposure by more than 30%.
• Full story: Dell's new 40" UltraSharp monitor introduces innovative tech for reducing eye fatigue
When is CES 2024?
CES 2023 is taking place in its traditional home of Las Vegas, Nevada, running from Tuesday January 09 to Friday January 12.
The event emanates from the Las Vegas Convention Center. If you're in the area, attendance details are on the CES website.
What did we expect at CES 2024?
Sony
Word has it that Sony could announce five cameras this year, among them the Sony A1 II, A7S IV, FX3 II and ZV-E10 II. With all of these featuring headline video capabilities, it would certainly be the right time and place to debut at the video-obsessed CES.
The company is heavily signposting technology for content creators: "At CES 2024, Sony will showcase various technologies and initiatives that support creators, based on Sony's purpose to 'fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.'" So I think a follow-up to the hugely popular Sony ZV-E10 vlogging camera looks like a fair expectation:
Personally I think it's waaaaaay too early for a Sony A1 successor, and this wouldn't really be the appropriate venue for it. Though with a new rumor that the company could replace the Sony A7S III (and the A7S line altogether) and the Sony FX3 with the FX3 II, this feels like a new pillar for the video division that would be well-cemented in Las Vegas.
Sony's press conference takes place on Monday January 08, so all will be revealed soon.
Panasonic
There's been plenty of chatter about replacements for the Panasonic S1 / S1R, Panasonic S1H and Panasonic GH6. And given that the company launched the Panasonic S5X and S5 IIX last January, it's entirely possible that an S1R II, S1H II and GH7 could be revealed at CES 2024.
Of course, as a general tech giant, we could see plenty of other adjacent imaging breakthroughs. At last year's show Panasonic announced "life changing" smart glasses, made in conjunction with Biel Glasses, using AI to help users with impaired vision.
Heck, maybe we might finally see Panasonic announce something 8K-related… with the presser being held on Monday January 08, we don't have to wait long to find out.
Canon
Will CES 2024 be the launchpad for the highly anticipated Canon EOS R1? We all know that the new flagship is on the way, and that it's intended to launch in time for the Paris Olympics, so time is running out for Canon to show it to the world.
There are plenty of other possibilities, too. The Canon EOS R5 II feels a little ambitious, but Canon has a habit of showcasing its latest collection of concept cameras – many of which have made it to market, such as the Canon PowerShot Zoom and Canon PowerShot Pick. These are always fascinating glimpses into the future, and I'm excited to see what's on show this year!
Nikon
After a knockout year in 2023, Nikon could capitalize by taking the bull by the horns early in 2024. The only thing we know for sure will be at CES is the Eclipse Ui Digital Imaging Microscope, but Nikon has confirmed that imaging products will also be on show.
The likeliest candidate to me would be the Nikon Z6 III, which is widely expected to be here any minute. There has also been a wild rumor about a Nikon Z9H – a speed-oriented version of the Nikon Z9. The "H" is ostensibly a nod to the suffix Nikon used to give to its flagship cameras to denote particular performance specialisms – such as the Nikon D1H, which was a speed-oriented upgrade of the base D1. Personally I'll believe this one when I see it!
Fujifilm
This feels like a bit of a long shot, as Fujifilm is usually more at home announcing products on its home turf at CP+. That said, with reports that the manufacturer will launch more cameras in January alone than it did in 2023 as a whole, a launch or announcement isn't out of the question.
What could this be? Well, a follow-up to the Fujifilm X100V is widely expected – and given what a blockbuster success that camera was, it could be a good fit for the broader-appeal of CES 2024. An outside chance would be the Instax Mini 99, which sounds like it might be a disruptive product.
We're expecting to see some of the best cameras for video and maybe even the best cameras for vlogging announced at the show, along with AI improvements to the best photo editing software and the best video editing software.
