ARRI x HONOR Partnership, CP+ 2026, AI Memory Crisis & Sony a7 V Lab Test – CineD Focus Check ep106

by Felix TappeinerMarch 5^th, 2026

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Johnnie is back from Japan, and episode 106 of CineD Focus Check is a proper deep dive. Fresh from CP+ 2026 in Yokohama, Nino and Johnny work through a packed week of news: the state of the camera industry at Japan’s biggest photo show, a candid Panasonic executive interview, the surprising ARRI and HONOR partnership, Apple’s M5 MacBook Pro refresh, Sony a7 V lab results, and yes — Sigma growing rice. It’s all in there.

Watch the full episode above, or find Focus Check on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

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CP+ 2026 – Industry Trends, Highlights, and Everything in Between

Johnnie shares his first-hand impressions from CP+ 2026, which drew over 58,000 visitors across four days in Yokohama. Two things stood out as always: the show’s genuinely family-friendly atmosphere — complete with an elaborate model train installation that kids and adults alike were trying to photograph — and the Japanese commitment to education at every booth, from beginner camera handling to filter technique workshops. The team also reflects on a broader industry shift, with smaller regional shows increasingly offering manufacturers more value than the costly commitments required by NAB and IBC.

Read the full CP+ 2026 article here.

Canon Wants Your Opinion – Vote for Your Favorite Box Camera Concept
https://survey.personal.canon.jp/enq/enq_form.php?qIds=clLPqEYKvyLClz99JqZttw

Panasonic LUMIX Interview – S1H Successor, Cinema Cameras, MFT Commitment, and More

At CP+, Johnnie sat down with Tsumura-san, Executive Vice President of Panasonic and Director of the Imaging Business Unit. The conversation was diplomatic by nature — no hard product announcements, as expected from a senior executive — but reading between the lines, the signals are encouraging. Panasonic is fully aware of the cinema camera gap in its lineup, appears to be preparing something for 2026 (the brand’s 25th Lumix anniversary), and made a clear commitment that Micro Four Thirds is not going anywhere.

Read the full Panasonic LUMIX interview here.

Panasonic LUMIX DMW-DMS1 Digital Shotgun Microphone Introduced with Different Pickup Patterns

Alongside the CP+ presence, Panasonic also introduced the DMW-DMS1 — a digital on-camera shotgun microphone using beamforming technology to offer six selectable pickup patterns in one device. It connects via the smart hot shoe, supports 32-bit float recording on select Lumix cameras, and includes a lit indicator on the back to show which mode is active. At $400 it sits in a competitive bracket, and while it won’t replace a dedicated super-cardioid for interviews, it’s a thoughtful extension of the camera microphone concept for run-and-gun shooters.

Read the full Panasonic LUMIX DMW-DMS1 article here.

Angelbird on AI, Memory Shortages, the State of Camera Innovation and More

Johnny’s interview with Roman Rabic, CEO of Angelbird, took a turn for the philosophical — and all the better for it. The conversation covers how AI data centers are consuming global memory supply at a rate that won’t ease until at least 2029, why current price increases are actually a return to pre-pandemic normalcy rather than a crisis, and the growing dominance of CFexpress over SD. Roman and Johnny also end up swapping roles as they discuss whether the camera market has simply become boring — and what that means for the secondhand market, which Roman and Nino both feel deserves far more attention from buyers.

Read the full Angelbird interview here.

Harlowe Omni 360 2W Introduced – A Dedicated Light for 360 Cameras

Helena Bian, CEO of Harlowe (formerly Hobo Light), showed Johnny the Omni 360 2W at CP+: a 2-watt light designed specifically for 360 cameras, engineered to remain completely invisible in the shot. Practical features include a hand-gesture on/off switch so you never have to reach for a button mid-shoot. Helena’s approach to building products that are both functional and genuinely beautiful to look at continues to set Harlowe apart in an increasingly crowded accessories market.

Read the full Harlowe Omni 360 article here.

Apple MacBook Pro With M5 Pro and M5 Max Announced Alongside New Studio Display and Studio Display XDR

Apple refreshed the MacBook Pro lineup with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, built on a new Fusion Architecture that Apple claims delivers up to 30% faster CPU performance compared to the M4 Pro. For video editors specifically, the headline is a substantial improvement in AI-accelerated noise reduction in DaVinci Resolve — a workflow Nino and Johnny know well from their own lab test pipeline. The updated chips also bring Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. On the display side, Apple launched a new 27-inch 5K Studio Display ($1,600) and a Studio Display XDR featuring 2,300 local dimming zones, 120Hz refresh, and 2000-nit peak brightness ($3,600). One notable change: the MacBook Pros now ship without a charger in the box.

Read the full Apple MacBook Pro M5 article here.

ARRI and HONOR Announce Strategic Technical Collaboration – ARRI Image Science Comes to Smartphones for the First Time

This one came out of left field: ARRI has announced a strategic technical collaboration with Chinese smartphone manufacturer HONOR, bringing ARRI image science to a phone for the first time. The first product to come out of this partnership is the Honor Robot Phone — a foldable gimbal-phone concept that is still in development. For ARRI, this is a smart move to open new revenue streams and reach an entirely new generation of users. For HONOR, having the ARRI name attached is an instant credibility boost. Whether this remains a branding exercise or develops into something that genuinely brings ARRI’s image philosophy to a new form factor remains to be seen — but the team is cautiously optimistic, and suspects this is only the beginning of ARRI’s push into more accessible product categories.

Read the full ARRI x HONOR article here.

ClouZen OFFLOADER 16X Review – Copying Footage With Peace of Mind and Extreme Flexibility

The ClouZen OFFLOADER 16X is built by the founder of the now-discontinued NextoDi — and all of that expertise shows. This professional field offloader features built-in card readers for both SD and CFexpress, card health diagnostics, card repair tools, checksum-verified copying to connected SSDs, and an ARRI-style menu system that requires no manual to navigate. For DITs managing multi-camera shoots, the peace of mind alone may justify the ~$4,000 price. A three-week trial program for approximately $300 (refundable) makes it a lot easier to evaluate before committing.

Read the full ClouZen OFFLOADER 16X review here.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II Art Announced – Smaller, Lighter, and Optically Superior

Sigma refreshed one of its most popular primes with a brand new optical formula: the 35mm F1.4 DG II Art. It’s lighter and smaller than its predecessor while delivering improved optical performance, and comes in at $1,000 for E-mount and L-mount. As with all Sigma Art lenses, the value-to-quality ratio is difficult to beat.

Read the full Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II Art article here.

Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art Development Announced – Completing the F1.2 Portrait Prime Trio

Sigma also confirmed the development of an 85mm F1.2 DG Art lens, completing the F1.2 portrait prime trio alongside the existing 50mm and 35mm F1.2 options. Expected to arrive in September, the 85mm F1.2 will offer nearly a full stop more light over its F1.4 counterpart — a meaningful difference for portraiture and low-light work.

Read the full Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art article here.

Sigma 15mm F/1.4 DC Contemporary APS-C Lens Released

On the more affordable end, Sigma introduced the 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary for APS-C systems — a compact wide-angle available for RF, E-mount, and X-mount at around $430. The Contemporary series may not match the optical perfection of the Art line, but it delivers solid performance in a much smaller and lighter package.

Read the full Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary article here.

Sigma AF CINE LINE 28–105mm T3 – Full-Frame Autofocus Cine Zoom Launches April 16

The Sigma AF CineLine 28-105mm T3 is the second autofocus cinema zoom from Sigma — a full-frame T3 lens for E-mount launching April 16. One caveat worth noting: the front element extends when zooming, which is less than ideal for a cinema application. Still, for shooters who want a native autofocus cine zoom without reaching for a motor adapter, it fills a real gap.

Read the full Sigma AF CineLine 28-105mm T3 article here.

Sigma’s Latest Product Isn’t a Lens. It’s Rice. And That’s Genuinely Amazing.

Yes, really. Sigma has formed a farm corporation to grow rice in the Aizu region of Japan — the same area where their cameras and lenses are manufactured. With Japan’s agricultural sector struggling due to an aging population, many local farms are at risk of disappearing. Sigma is stepping in to help preserve them. It’s the kind of thing that only makes sense when you understand the company’s deep roots in its community — and it’s genuinely worth a read.

Read the full Sigma rice article here.

PDMOVIE SMART FUSION Teased – Native Sony E-Mount Smart Adapter Combines Camera AF and LiDAR Autofocus

PDMOVIE has teased the Smart Fusion, which appears to be the first native Sony E-mount adapter combining in-camera autofocus with an integrated LiDAR system — building on PDMOVIE’s existing LiDAR technology. Part of their Life Air Force Smart family, it’s priced in the affordable prosumer range. Details are still limited as this is a teaser, but worth keeping an eye on.

Read the full PDMOVIE Smart Fusion article here.

Sony a7 V Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude

Gunther’s lab test of the Sony a7 V is finally live. The results are strong: 14ms rolling shutter in both full frame and APS-C modes, a solid 9-stop exposure latitude with headroom to spare, and — perhaps most notably — a noticeably more pleasing noise processing character than previous Sony Alpha cameras, avoiding the plasticky look that has frustrated many users. If you’re deciding between the a7 V and the FX2, Gunther’s conclusion is clear: the a7 V is the better camera.

Read the full Sony a7 V lab test here.

Hello LEWITT RAY, Goodbye RØDE PodMic — Why We Switched Microphones for the Focus Check Podcast

If you’ve noticed the audio sounds a little different this episode, that’s because it is. After two years with the RØDE PodMic, the Focus Check team has switched to the LEWITT RAY. The RAY features built-in AURA distance-sensing technology that automatically adjusts gain and rolls off low frequencies as you move closer to the capsule — eliminating the proximity effect issues that were cropping up in longer episodes. Felix explains the technology and why it saves meaningful time in post. You can hear the difference for yourself in the article’s comparison video.

Read the full LEWITT RAY microphone article here.

Atomos Ninja RAW Announced – ProRes RAW Recording, Camera Control, and a 1500-Nit Display for $699

Atomos rounded out a busy week with the Ninja RAW — a stripped-back version of the Ninja monitor-recorder line offering ProRes RAW recording at up to 6K30p over HDMI, a 1500-nit display, and recording to CFexpress Type B. At $699 it’s the most affordable entry in the current Ninja lineup, though it trades away SDI, proxy recording, camera-to-cloud, and timecode sync compared to the TX and TX Go models. For Sony shooters who still need external RAW without the extra features, it makes sense.

Read the full Atomos Ninja RAW article here.

Chapters with Timecodes of this Episode:

(00:00) – Intro

(04:42) – CP+ 2026 – Industry Trends, Highlights, and Everything in Between https://www.cined.com/cp-2026-industry-trends-highlights-and-everything-in-between/

(21:20) – Panasonic LUMIX Interview – S1H Successor, Cinema Cameras, MFT Commitment, and More https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-interview-s1h-successor-cinema-cameras-mft-commitment-and-more/

(32:19) – Panasonic LUMIX DMW-DMS1 Digital Shotgun Microphone Introduced with Different Pickup Patterns https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-dmw-dms1-digital-shotgun-microphone-introduced-with-different-pickup-patterns/

(36:56) – Angelbird on AI, Memory Shortages, the State of Camera Innovation and More https://www.cined.com/angelbird-on-ai-memory-shortages-the-state-of-camera-innovation-and-more/

(43:24) – Harlowe Omni 360 2W Introduced – A Dedicated Light for 360 Cameras https://www.cined.com/harlowe-omni-360-2w-introduced-a-dedicated-light-for-360-cameras/

(46:16) – Apple MacBook Pro With M5 Pro and M5 Max Announced Alongside New Studio Display and Studio Display XDR https://www.cined.com/apple-macbook-pro-with-m5-pro-and-m5-max-announced-alongside-new-studio-display-and-studio-display-xdr/

(57:52) – ARRI and HONOR Announce Strategic Technical Collaboration – ARRI Image Science Comes to Smartphones for the First Time https://www.cined.com/arri-and-honor-announce-strategic-technical-collaboration-arri-image-science-comes-to-smartphones-for-the-first-time/

(01:08:25) – ClouZen OFFLOADER 16X Review – Copying Footage With Peace of Mind and Extreme Flexibility https://www.cined.com/clouzen-offloader-16x-review-copying-footage-with-peace-of-mind-and-extreme-flexibility/

(01:17:09) – Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II Art Announced – Smaller, Lighter, and Optically Superior https://www.cined.com/sigma-35mm-f1-4-dg-ii-art-announced-smaller-lighter-and-optically-superior/

(01:19:25) – Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art Development Announced – Completing the F1.2 Portrait Prime Trio https://www.cined.com/sigma-85mm-f1-2-dg-art-development-announced-completing-the-f1-2-portrait-prime-trio/

(01:21:48) – Sigma 15mm F/1.4 DC Contemporary APS-C Lens Released https://www.cined.com/sigma-15mm-f-1-4-dc-contemporary-aps-c-lens-released/

(01:21:47) – Sigma AF CINE LINE 28–105mm T3 – Full-Frame Autofocus Cine Zoom Launches April 16 https://www.cined.com/sigma-af-cine-line-28-105mm-t3-full-frame-autofocus-cine-zoom-launches-april-16/

(01:23:25) – Sigma’s Latest Product Isn’t a Lens, It’s … Rice. And That’s Genuinely Amazing. https://www.cined.com/sigmas-latest-product-isnt-a-lens-its-rice-and-thats-genuinely-amazing/

(01:27:18) – PDMOVIE SMART FUSION Teased – Native Sony E-Mount Smart Adapter Combines Camera AF and LiDAR Autofocus https://www.cined.com/pdmovie-smart-fusion-teased-native-sony-e-mount-smart-adapter-combines-camera-af-and-lidar-autofocus/

(01:29:36) – Sony a7 V Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude https://www.cined.com/sony-a7-v-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

(01:32:12) – Hello LEWITT RAY, Goodbye RØDE PodMic — Why We Switched Microphones for the Focus Check Podcast https://www.cined.com/hello-lewitt-ray-goodbye-rode-podmic-why-we-switched-microphones-for-the-focus-check-podcast/

(01:37:32) – Atomos Ninja RAW Announced – ProRes RAW Recording, Camera Control, and a 1500-Nit Display for $699 https://www.cined.com/atomos-ninja-raw-announced-prores-raw-recording-camera-control-and-a-1500-nit-display-for-699/

CineD Focus Check is available every week onYouTube,Spotify,Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. Got a question or topic suggestion? Reach us at [email protected].