**2023 Retrospective, January to February: New Cameras from Panasonic and Canon; AI Makes Waves**
The year 2023 marked a busy start for product announcements and technological advancements, with artificial intelligence (AI) taking center stage. In this first installment of our 2023 retrospective, we revisit the significant developments that occurred in January and February.
**Panasonic Introduces the S5II and S5IIX Cameras**
Panasonic kicked off the year by unveiling its latest mirrorless cameras, the S5II and S5IIX, successors to the popular S5 model. These cameras brought notable upgrades, including improved autofocus, the addition of ProRes recording to the S5IIX, and a more competitive price point. The S5II garnered praise for its image quality, reliable autofocus, and overall value.
**Sony Unveils Spacial Reality Display and Portable Volumetric Capture**
At CES 2023, Sony showcased its innovative Spacial Reality Display, a larger version of the 3D display system it initially introduced in 2020. The 27-inch display allowed viewers to experience 3D content without the need for special glasses. Additionally, Sony introduced a portable volumetric capture system capable of capturing high-resolution 3D representations of environments and objects in real time.
**Arm and Qualcomm’s Legal Dispute Over Chip Technology**
In the realm of computer chips, Arm and Qualcomm found themselves embroiled in a legal battle. Arm accused Qualcomm of breaching licensing agreements by continuing to develop custom cores without permission. This dispute highlighted the complexities of intellectual property rights and the challenges of maintaining innovation within the semiconductor industry.
**Getty Images Sues Stability AI Over Unauthorized Use of Images**
The increasing prominence of AI image generators led to legal challenges. Getty Images filed a lawsuit against Stability AI, the creator of Stable Diffusion, for unauthorized use of its stock image library to train the AI system. This case brought to the forefront concerns regarding copyright infringement and the ethical implications of using copyrighted material to train AI models.
**Shutterstock Introduces AI Image Creation**
Despite the legal challenges, AI continued to make strides. Shutterstock, a leading stock image provider, introduced its own AI image generation system, powered by DALL-E. This move demonstrated the growing acceptance of AI in the creative industries, albeit with a focus on ethical practices and ensuring fair compensation for artists whose works were used to train the AI.
**Canon Expands Mirrorless Lineup with EOS R8 and EOS R50**
Canon joined the fray by introducing two new mirrorless cameras, the EOS R8 and EOS R50. The R8, aimed at enthusiasts and professionals, featured a full-frame sensor and impressive burst shooting capabilities. The R50, targeted at beginners and content creators, offered an APS-C sensor and a user-friendly design.
With these developments, 2023 began with a flurry of innovation and technological advancements. As we progress through the year, it will be fascinating to witness how these developments continue to shape the world of moving image technology and craft.