Virgin Galactic has signed a deal with two Italian aerospace companies to open a commercial spaceport in the country. If all goes well, the first paying passengers could be fastening their spacesuits as early as 2020.
Virgin has joined forces with ALTEC a public-private company owned by the Italian Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space, and SITAEL, Italy’s largest privately owned space company, to build a new base in the south of the country.
Italy’s National Civil Aviation Authority, Enec, picked the Taranto-Grottaglie Airport in the south of the country as the best location, and the three companies are working on a plan to convert it into a base for commercial spaceflights.
Business and pleasure
The spaceport will house a new plane built by The Spaceship Company – Virgin Galactic’s aerospace manufacturing arm – with ALTEC and SITAEL lending their continental expertise. The plane will be available to the Italian Space Agency, plus any private individuals with enough cash and a taste for adventure.
There’s no official timeline yet, but ALTEC’s CEO Vincenzo Giorgio says that the spaceport could be active in just two years’ time.
Italy isn’t the only European country with an eye on space tourism. France and Germany are working on a rocket program called Callisto – also due to launch in 2020 – to test the feasibility of reusable rockets.
The principle is much like SpaceX’s Falcon 9, which has dramatically lowered the cost of rocket launches and is intended to eventually send paying passengers to the moon.
2016 welcomed a barrage of new cameras equipped with 4K video recording, and now almost every major camera manufacturer has implemented 4K shooting somewhere in their lines.
Perhaps most impressively, the technology has been successfully stretched over models of all billings. So, whether you’ve only got a few hundred pounds to spend or you’re willing to stretch to a handsome four-figure sum, it’s likely you can afford a camera with the technology on board.
Just because two cameras have 4K recording, however, doesn’t mean to say they’re equal. The use of different sensors and different methods of capture, together with variations in output possibilities, mean two 4K cameras can behave quite differently.
Even something as simple as whether the camera uses the full width of the sensor or applies a crop factor is vital to consider, as this has a significant effect on your effective angle of view. And all of the above is before we even consider supporting features such as headphone sockets, focus peaking, zebra patterning and Log profiles.
To make things simple, we’ve rounded up what we think are the fittest 4K cameras on the market right now, and sum up why they’ve made the cut.
1. Panasonic Lumix GH5S
This is one uncompromising video tool
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 10.2MP | Lens: Micro Four Thirds | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3.2-inch vari-angle display, 1,620,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 12fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Expert
Multi-aspect sensor design
Brilliant video spec
Absence of IS not for everyone
Battery life could be better
While it can shoot stills quite happily (although at a pretty limited 10.2MP resolution), this should be seen first and foremost as a video camera – if you want to do both you’ve got the Lumix GH5 (below) to fill that brief. While the absence of built-in image stabilization might be a disappointment for some, that issue aside the breadth of video features is incredibly impressive. If you want to shoot professional-quality footage without remortgaging your house to buy a pro video camera, you won’t find a better video-focused camera right now.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 20.3MP | Lens: Micro Four Thirds | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3.2-inch vari-angle display, 1,620,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 12fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Expert
DCI 4K and UHD 4K
Great fully articulating screen
Limited ISO range
Bulky for a mirrorless camera
Until the arrival of the Lumix GH5S, the GH5 was the pick of the bunch for those looking to shoot video. Quite a bit cheaper than the newer GH5S, the GH5 is a bit more versatile for those wanting to shoot both stills and video, and the video specification is still very impressive, allowing you to shoot Cinema 4K (4096 x 2160) at 60p with a bit rate of 150Mbps, while Full HD video can be captured up to 180fps. That’s not all, as the GH5 offers color subsampling at 4:2:2 and a color depth of 10-bit, delivering greater color information and richer graduations. The GH5 also offers live output to external recorders such as Apple ProRes via HDMI, as well as simultaneous internal recording.
Excellent footage, huge dynamic range and a compact size – what’s not to like?
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: Full-frame CMOS | Resolution: 12.2MP | Lens: Sony E mount | Monitor: 3.0-inch tilting display, 1,228,800 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Expert
Superb dynamic range and low noise
Useful Log options included
Only 4K UHD (no 4K DCI)
8-bit rather than 10 or 12-bit video
At the time of the A7S II’s review we said it was the best video-shooting stills camera available, and while much has changed in the market we still reckon it’s a compelling option for the videographer. One of its major selling points at launch – internal recording of 4K footage – has since been matched by many others, but it’s the modest pixel count of its sensor that splits it from its rivals. We found its dynamic range to be very high, and consistently better than rivals at higher sensitivities, while noise was also shown to be lower than cameras with more populated chips. It also has the advantage of using the whole sensor width for recording video, and of being able to record to the memory card while outputting 4:2:2 footage to a HDMI recorder, but proves itself to be capable for stills shooting too. Autofocus is generally fast and built-in image stabilisation is a huge bonus, while the body is sturdier than its predecessor’s too. Overall, while it may not be the newest model, its sensor and video specs give it a handful of advantages over its rivals.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.2MP | Lens: Sony E mount | Monitor: 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 921k dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 11fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Intermediate
S-Log gamma settings included
Superb autofocusing system
Touchscreen a bit slow
No headphone jack
The previous APS-C-based Alpha A6300 was a big hit with enthusiast users, and the Alpha A6500 builds on its success in many ways. The camera records 6K footage that’s downsampled to 4K for the benefit of quality, and uses the efficient XAVC S codec that has a rate of 100Mbps. This is joined by Log gamma modes, 120fps HD recording (also at 100Mbps) and enhanced zebra patterning to keep an eye on exposure. You also benefit from a 425-phase-detect-point focusing system for rapid focus and a 2.36-million-dot OLED viewfinder, together with 11fps burst shooting at full resolution, all inside a dust- and moisture-resistant body. That’s not to mention the welcome addition of Sony’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization system. Now that the price has started to fall it would also be a fine choice as an upgrade over previous APS-C-based Sony models.
The long-awaited successor to the D810 arrived earlier this year, and Nikon certainly didn’t hold back with the specs. With a fresh 45.4MP full-frame sensor, a highly advanced 153-point AF system and 7fps shooting, supported by features such as a tilting touchscreen and whole suite of connectivity options, the the D850 is the most advanced DSLR we’ve seen. Video-wise, there’s lots to love. The camera is capable of 4K UHD capture at 30p/25p/24p, and that’s using all the sensor – no unwanted cropping here, allowing you to take full advantage of your lenses. Other video features include ports for both microphone and headphone sockets, as well as a Flat Picture Profile, zebra patterning and Power Aperture Control. You can also record at 120fps in Full HD quality. A brilliant DSLR that’s great at shooting video too.
Top-end OM-D model impresses across stills and video alike
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 20.4MP | Lens: Micro Four Thirds | Monitor: 3.0-inch free-angle display, 1,037,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 60fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Expert
Both DCI 4K and UHD 4K capture
Amazing image stabilisation system
Dense menus
“The best Micro Four Thirds camera yet” was what we concluded from our time testing the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, and video is one area where Olympus has made significant improvements over previous models. Not only do you get 4K capture in both DCI and UHD flavours, you also get clean output over HDMI at 4:2:2, a headphone port for audio monitoring and the benefits of Olympus’s fast Hybrid AF system, which works in conjunction with the touchscreen for even easier subject selection. Whether you’re shooting stills or videos, you also get one of the most effective image stabilisation systems we’ve yet seen, which will please those who expect to be largely using the camera handheld. Other reasons why the camera walked away with a full five stars include its excellent weather-sealing, lifelike EVF, and the capability to fire at 18fps with continuous AF and AE tracking. Those who want to easily achieve a very shallow depth of field may not prefer the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor over larger-sensor offerings, but with the right lens and technique you can still isolate subjects from their surroundings on such a camera without bother. In any case, while Panasonic may have had a head start with video, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II certainly sets the bar high for a flagship Micro Four Thirds camera.
The X-T2 was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the past 12 months, and showed just how much more seriously Fujifilm was taking video recording with its X series. Its 4K UHD footage is created by oversampling – i.e. capturing more detail than required – so the output footage ends up with better clarity and less risk of artefacts. You can also output 4:2:2 footage through the camera’s HDMI port (albeit in 8-bit) and access a Log gamma profile while doing so. Users who enjoy using Fujifilm’s Film Simulations modes for stills will no doubt be pleased to know that you can also use these for video, although the inclusion of a headphone port only on the optional grip, together with the 10-minute time limit on 4K footage (at least without the grip), may discourage some. Still, with weather-sealing, a cracking viewfinder and fast focusing, there’s plenty to get excited about. Ultimately, if you want a smart, retro-styled camera that can shoot high-quality stills and detailed 4K footage, it’s hard to think of a more fitting solution.
With an excellent IS system on board, the G80 is fit for handheld shooting
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16MP | Lens: Micro Four Thirds | Monitor: 3.0-inch display, 1,040,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 9fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner/intermediate
Dual IS Mark II is very effective
Sensor produces great results
No headphone port
Noise reduction a little harsh
It might be one of Panasonic’s more junior offerings in its Lumix range of mirrorless cameras, but the Lumix G80 (known as the G85 in the US) has the advantage of being relatively new, and thus kitted out with the latest technology. The Dual IS Mark II system means you benefit from both body and lens image stabilisation, and the former also works to steady unstabilised optics. Footage itself can be recorded at up to 30p, at a bit rate of up to 100Mbps, and you can also call upon zebra patterning and focus peaking to help when recording. Panasonic’s clever Live Cropping feature is also on board, and this allows for professional-looking panning and zooming all in-camera, although this is output at HD quality. One sore point is that there’s no headphone port for audio monitoring, although this isn’t a glaring oversight when you consider the model’s target market; what’s more key is that there is a microphone port. The fact that the camera ‘only’ has a 16MP sensor is somewhat offset by the fact that it has no optical low-pass filter; we found this recorded excellent details, and with moiré only occasionally visible in footage.
If you’re looking for a powerful all-in-one camera, then you’re not going to go far wrong with Sony’s brilliant RX10 IV. With a long and fast 24-600mm f/2.4-4 zoom lens partnered with a stacked 1-inch type 20.2MP sensor and fast 315-point phase-detect AF system, it’s an incredibly versatile camera. It doesn’t disappoint when it comes to video either, with 4K UHD footage captured with 1.7x more information than actually required without any pixel binning, before being downsampled to 4K for the sake of quality. This happens at a 100Mbps maximum bit rate, and you can boost the camera up to 960fps for slow-motion footage too. All of this is supported by a clean HDMI output, zebra patterning and both microphone and headphone ports. You also get an S-Log2 gamma profile in addition to the Picture Profiles (which you can adjust), and Sony’s Gamma Display Assist mode to help you get a better idea of what graded footage would look like. It’s not cheap, but there’s nothing quite like it.
Sony has enjoyed much success with its RX100 line, and its latest RX100 VI picks up from where the Mark V left off. Footage is recorded at 1.7x the amount required and subsequently downsampled to 4K. You can record at up to 30fps and take advantage of the stepless control ring around the lens, while supporting functions include an S-Log2 gamma profile, focus peaking, zebra patterning and slow-motion recording. Naturally on such a small camera you don’t get ports for microphones or headphones. Still, you do get Sony’s excellent hybrid AF system for focusing. Add a high-quality EVF, a versatile 24-200mm zoom lens, a tilting touchscreen and a super-fast 24fps burst-shooting mode, and it’s amazing that something so powerful can still slip inside your pocket. The price tag is significant, but if it’s beyond your budget there’s still the RX100 IV, which manages to offer 4K shooting and plenty of shared technology at a keener price point.
The best phone for seniors in 2018 vary dramatically depending on technological comfort levels. There’s more than one right answer here compared to our normal best phones list. Fortunately, good news, there are also a wide range of phones available to seniors that can make a perfect fit for the most tech-savvy grandparent or the senior who just wants a way to stay in touch.
Big screens or simple displays are a smart pick for any senior, as almost no one has eyes that grow sharper with age. But, from there, the needs can vary. Where health is a concern, some phones have one-touch emergency response features. Where dropping the phone may be in issue, durability or a wide availability of smartphone cases become important. No one phone comes with them all, however.
Whatever the situation may be, we have the top phone picks for seniors today, and we’ll make it clear what the advantages of each are.
Senior-focused phones:
Jitterbug Flip
Large, clear buttons and screen
Emergency button
Loud speaker
Pricey for a flip phone
The Jitterbug Flip is a basic flip phone with features made to suit seniors well. It doesn’t have any of the smartphone functionality a more tech-savvy senior might want, but it has large, easy to read interface, simple navigation, and a loud speaker. The result is a phone that’s simple for anyone to use, so there’s no steep learning curve for seniors who aren’t used to cellphones.
A few extra features are made specifically with seniors in mind. The Jitterbug Flip features an M4/T4 rating for hearing aid compatibility. It also has a 5Star button so seniors can quickly get help in an emergency.
If some aspects of the Jitterbug Flip sounded good, but more smartphone features are appealing, the Jitterbug Smart combines senior-focused design with smartphone functionality. Best of all, it offers all of this at a reasonable price.
The Jitterbug Smart has all the typical phone features, plus texting, email and internet access, as well as rear- and front-facing cameras. The 5.5-inch touchscreen display allows for typical smartphone navigation, but Jitterbug has used simple menus for easy navigation. Like the Jitterbug Flip, this model is compatible with hearing aids, earning an M4/T4 rating. And, it supports 5Star emergency response through a pre-installed app.
Exactly as the name implies, the GrandPad is a smartphone/tablet that offers easy ways for seniors to stay connected. You don’t have to be nearly as familiar with tablets and smartphone functionality as an Android or iOS device would mormally require. It features an 8-inch, Full HD display with large menu buttons for easy navigation, and it connects via 4G LTE on Consumer Cellular or over Wi-Fi. It also charges wirelessly on a dock, so there’s no fiddling with small power plugs.
Relatives can set up and manage the GrandPad for their love ones, populating the contact list with email address and phone numbers. One major consideration here is that this can help screen potential phishing attacks or spam callers, since they shouldn’t be able to reach the GrandPad.
The GrandPad will let seniors stay in touch through email as well as voice and video calls. It also supports a stream of social media, so seniors can see what they’re family members are sharing without needing to have their own accounts.
For the tech-savvy senior, there’s no simpler option than the iPhone 8 Plus. It offers premium features and performance on a 5.5-inch display that’s plenty sharp. The iPhone 8 Plus doesn’t come cheap, but it comes with the peace of mind that any issues can quickly be searched on the internet.
Staying in touch with family is easy on the iPhone, and that powerful iPhone 8 Plus can ensure that connecting is fast as well. Seniors with an iPhone can also benefit from the nearly seamless transition between an iPhone and iPad whenever they might want an even larger screen. For the seniors buying this smartphone, an iPhone 8 Plus case is advisable, as it features an all-glass design that won’t hold up well if dropped frequently.
To save some money but sacrifice little, the iPhone 7 Plus is also a great option. The iPhone 8 Plus was largely an iterative upgrade to the iPhone 7 Plus. So, with the older phone, you’ll still get a crystal clear 5.5-inch display, snappy performance from the hardware, and an easy-to-use operating system with iOS 11 (soon to be iOS 12).
Just like the newer model, the iPhone 7 Plus benefits from a massive horde of cases available to choose from. Though an iPhone 8 Plus case is a smart purchase, it’s not as essential as it is with the iPhone 8 Plus. This is because the older iPhone has an aluminum chassis, meaning there’s less glass that can shatter if dropped.
Samsung comes in with a great smartphone pick for seniors thanks in no small part to the Galaxy S9 Plus’s massive 6.2-inch display. With that large display, users can turn up the text size and still fit plenty on the screen. A fingerprint scanner, iris scanner, and facial recognition also mean unlocking the phone is easy.
With the latest and great Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810 chipset, the Galaxy S9 Plus is also highly responsive. Its impressive cameras will also make it easy to stay in touch and share with family members. It may be pricey, but it’s a fully featured phone, and an IP68 rating means you won’t need to buy a replacement because a little water splashed on it (though we still recommend a case if dropping is a concern). Factor in Bixby’s ability to help users navigate menus and change phone settings, and you’ve got a wonderful smartphone for tech-savvy seniors.
The OnePlus 6 can offer a fairly clean Android experience for seniors, so the user interface isn’t overly complicated. Plus, it has the powerful internals and dazzling 6.28-inch display to make it a fitting rival of the Galaxy S9 Plus at a substantially lower price.
It may not be the cheapest OnePlus, but it’s one of the most affordable flagship smartphones right now. And, it features minor water resistance, so a splash now and then or getting caught in the rain shouldn’t be an issue. However, like many of the other more expensive phones on this list, we recommend a OnePlus 6 case with this one to protect it from drops.
For an extra-affordable but still competitive pick, the Moto G6 is a great option. It’s price is close a third of what the other flagship smartphones cost, but it includes many of the same features. It has an elegant, metal-framed design with a glass back and front (so a case would be wise). And, for seniors, it’s sharp Full HD+ display measures 5.7 inches across, giving plenty of room to increase fonts as needed.
Competent internals, a fingerprint reader, and special gesture controls round out the experience with the Moto G6. It has all the capabilities one could need to stay in touch, and a water-repellent coating helps ensure the occasional mishap doesn’t ruin that functionality.
Some seniors might not want all the fancy tech of a smartphone, and senior-branded phones like the JitterBug may go too far toward being easy to use. Enter the new Nokia 3310. It’s a simple, easy to use feature phone with all the basics need to keep in contact with family and friends, and a long-lasting battery to keep the connection going.
The Nokia 3310 supports calling, texting, and even a bit of social media. A basic camera can help seniors share with their family and friends as well. Plus, it’s a durable little phone, so the occasional drop shouldn’t be much of a worry. On top of all that, it’s affordable.
The Alcatel GO FLIP is another simple feature phone with some modern upgrades. While it looks and works like an old-school flip phone, it boasts 4G LTE connectivity (though it’s only available in North America) for fast web-surfing and emailing. That 4G connectivity also allows the GO FLIP to offer seniors better call quality using Voice-over-LTE.
It has a camera for sharing photos and 720p videos. It can be loaded up with music and connected to headphones via a 3.5mm jack as well. For those hard of hearing, it has an M4/T4 rating for hearing aid compatibility.
