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Sometimes you need to be a specialist. Even though today’s versatile devices are no longer compromises—iPhone photos have been making billboards for years—there’s still a visual clarity that comes from using a dedicated device. Whether it’s a camera, keyboard, or drawing tablet, we’ve rounded up some of the newest tools that will bring attention to your art.
The best innovative technology
1. Cameras
Ricoh GR III Diary Edition compact camera
(Image credit: Rico)
Ricoh point and shoot cameras have always been a cut above the competition, combining high-quality materials with solid design and optics that many professionals swear by, often carrying one of the tools that fit in the pocket. The Ricoh GR III is the latest model in the acclaimed GR range; This particular example is enhanced with a unique metallic gray finish and a gray leather strap with a canvas camera case. It’s called the Diary Edition and will be limited to 2,000, available exclusively from Ricoh’s website.
RICOH GR III Notebook Edition, £1,099.00; Ricohgr.eu (Opens in a new tab)
Fujifilm X-T5 digital camera
(Image credit: Fujifilm)
Fujifilm was one of the first digital camera makers to realize the power of retro design, bringing it back to the heyday of 35mm for the X-line series of cameras. The XT-5 is a new model line launched in 2014 to celebrate the company’s 80th anniversary. Combining an LCD screen with a digital viewfinder, the XT-5 has the traditional top-mounted ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation dials, as well as the ability to simulate many of the photographic film stocks Fujifilm has created throughout its history. .
Fujifilm X-T5, from £2,150 (including kit lens); Amazon.co.uk (Opens in a new tab), Fujifilm-x.com (Opens in a new tab)
Leica Q2 ‘Ghost’ by Hodinky
(Image credit: Leica)
The Leica Q2 ‘Ghost’ is a special edition developed in collaboration with Hodinki, the American brand of watch and lifestyle technology, both vintage and modern. The company’s second collaboration with the popular camera brand, the Ghost Edition features a magnesium body with a unique soft gray finish and a unique Leica woven strap. The camera itself was introduced in 2019 and lives up to the Leica reputation for quality and longevity, even in the fast-moving world of digital photography.
Leica Q2 ‘Ghost’, $5,995; limited.hodinky.com (Opens in a new tab)
Osmosis Expressive E Citemenzer
(Image credit: Osmose)
French synth manufacturer Expressive E has given its new Osmosis synthesizer an extra musical dimension. Although it has a conventional keyboard, the Osmos has more in common with Rolly’s innovative Seaboard Rise 2, with 49 keys that swing from side to side. This brings a new level of expression to memorizing runs and chords in terms of pitch or vibrato or any number of other parameters using the new MIDI spec, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). The monolith-like machine has a small screen for audio recording and can be plugged into compatible devices or a computer for deep editing.
Clarion E Osmosis, €1,799; ExpressiveE.com (Opens in a new tab)
Roland’s 50th Anniversary Concept Piano
(Image credit: Roland)
Japanese electronics company Roland celebrates its half-century in 2022, with a host of special editions as well as its first standalone retail store in London’s Denmark Street. At CES 2023, the company pushed the envelope with the Anniversary Concept Piano, a one-of-a-kind device. Carved Japanese lime oak, complete with a matching stool, the piano continues its collaboration with high-end furniture maker Karimoku. The body features 14 speakers, as well as a futuristic quartet of ‘hovering drone speakers’ designed to move around the player.
(Image credit: Roland)
A slightly more down-to-earth alternative is the Roland Kiola KF-10, also developed by Karimoku. Available in pure oak or walnut, as well as white, brown and black, the KF-10 has a hint of mid-century about it, with slim legs and curved wood joints.
Roland Keola KF-10, £3,699; Roland.com (Opens in a new tab)
Marys LVX
(Image credit: Meris)
The Meris LVX is a modular delay system designed to process sound in a myriad of creative ways. It’s a studio tool with limitless possibilities, whether it’s dedicated to capturing the sound of a conventional instrument or used in conjunction with an amplifier to create atmosphere and textures for a soundtrack. Color screen, full MIDI compatibility and looper function enhance endless on-board effects. The California company is based in the coastal city of Ventura and specializes in American-made bespoke electronics for musicians.
Meris LVX, $599 Meris.us (Opens in a new tab)
M4 Mictrak Zoom
(Image credit: Zoom)
This tiny four-channel music recorder is the latest device from Japanese audio manufacturer Agula. The M4 is quiet and solidly built for use by podcasters, small filmmakers, and anyone looking for high-quality portable audio recording. Featuring an oversized classic mic shape, the M4 has a built-in timecode generator for perfect synchronization between audio and film, as well as a pair of additional microphone inputs for simultaneous recording on four channels.
Zoom M4 Mictrak, €459; Zoom-Europe.com (Opens in a new tab)
3. Tablets and pens
Xencelabs Pen Tablet
(Image credit: Xencelabs)
Although the technology dates back to the early days of computing (the RAND Corporation ‘tablet’ was released in 1963 for $18,000), pen input is being pushed harder than ever. Xencelabs’ new mid-range pen tablet is a graphic tablet for the modern age, retaining the form factor established by market leaders such as Wacom and featuring features such as two pens (one thick, one thin) and a remote control unit with buttons, dials, and customizable shortcuts for each of your favorite software. Capable screen.
The pen tablet can be wired or wireless and can easily be combined with other input devices to keep every option covered. Pen computing remains the best option for artists, retouchers, composers, designers, and anyone looking for more flexibility than a trackpad or mouse.
Xencelabs Medium Pen Tablet, £329.90; Xencelabs.com (Opens in a new tab)
New Penn
(Image credit: Nuwa)
The trackpad, touchscreen, and e-ink are all firmly established, but new startup Nua hopes to bring another pen input method into the fold. The Nua pen integrates what the company calls the ‘Trident camera system’, three tiny cameras arranged around a flared nib. With a combination of infra-red tracking and pressure sensors, the pen ‘records’ your handwriting and sketches. One key advantage is that it works regardless of the type of paper or page you’re writing on, unlike proprietary systems like the Moleskine Smart Writing System 2.0 that require its own notebook. All of your jottings sync with the Nua app, and for a small monthly fee, Innocent Scribes will turn your handwriting into text, so your notes can be searched.
Nua Pen, $179; NuwaPen.com (Opens in a new tab)
Lenovo Smart Paper
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Lenovo’s foray into this area is called the Smart Paper, which includes an e-ink tablet, a battery-free stylus, and the ability to read e-books. In other words, the company’s competitor is Amazon’s Kindle Scribe and our current favorite, Recognizable 2. Additional functions in Lenovo include digital audio notes, which is the creation of audio files that can be analyzed by the strokes of the pen during the recording. 50GB of storage and cloud sync comes as standard.
Lenovo Smart Paper, available soon; Lenovo.com (Opens in a new tab)
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