Codecs are a bit like vitamins – they’re
essential for things to work properly
but only professionals really need
to know much about them. That said,
it’s worth noting that B&W’s PX
wireless headphones are the first to use
Qualcomm’s new aptX Adaptive Bluetooth
codec, which promises 24-bit/48kHz
quality and low latency. To normal people
that means they sound better, especially
with their 43mm drivers – the largest in
any of B&W’s cans.
Lifting an earcup automatically pauses
your music, plus you get three levels of
active noise-cancelling to choose from.
So whether you’re trying to block out your
fellow commuters’ stomach-churning
sniffling or the sound of next door’s new
conservatory being built, there should be a
setting to send you off into your own little
world. Battery life extends to 30 hours,
with five hours available off a 15-minute
quick charge via USB-C – so you can
stay in that world for well over a day,
although you might need to emerge
every now and then to eat. After all,
everyone needs their vitamins.
As hot as... a napalm smoothie
£350 / bowerswilkins.com

Indecisive snappers who can’t choose

between a full-frame DSLR and a regular

CSC have just had their choice made even

tougher with the arrival of Nikon’s Z50, its

first DX-format mirrorless model. That’s

Nikon’s name for an APS-C sensor, which is

smaller than a full-frame one so it can fit in

the Z50’s little 395g chassis.

You get 20.9MP to play with here, with an

Expeed 6 processor doing the heavy lifting

each time you press the shutter button,

plus a nice chunky grip to wrap your paws

around to make up for the lack of built-in

image stabilisation. Round the back

is a 3.2in flippable touchscreen and a

2360k-dot electronic viewfinder, but it’s

also covered with buttons and dials, so

those who prefer to keep their eyes on the

prize and adjust using physical controls will

feel right at home.

The Z50’s phase-detection autofocus,

auto exposure and 11fps burst mode

should help you keep up with all but the

most Bolt-like subjects, while 30fps

4K video and a microphone input should

put it on the radar of any wannabe

YouTube sensations.

As hot as... steamed sunspots

£849 (body only) / nikon.co.uk

CODEC THE

HALLS WITH

BOWERS JOLLY

Bowers & Wilkins PX

BUILDING A

BRIDGE CAMERA

TO YOUR HEART

Nikon Z

HOT

FIVE

HOT

FIVE

All about

that space

Nikon has also added two

new lenses to its Z-mount

arsenal: a 50-250mm

f/4.5-6.3 zoom and a

16-50mm f/3.5-6.

pancake. Mmm,

pancakes...