The high end compact camera market just restarted (RX100, EX2 and LX7)

Picture from CNET.

While mirrorless interchangeable system is our main thing it’s still interesting to see whats going on the the high end side of the compact cameras. They very often offer a real good image quality for a real pocketable size.

So it happens that David Pogue from the New York Times (Click here) writes about the new Sony RX100: “No photos this good have ever come from a camera this small.”. And latest rumor suggest that Panasonic will launch a similar camera (the LX7) next week! A bit less spectacular are the leaked specs of the EX2 with tiny 1/2,33 inch sensor (leak at Photorumors)

How big the interest in these cameras is…is also proved by the Overall camera ranking at Amazon (Click here to check it out). The ranking includes all cameras, compact, mirrorless and DSLR and the RX100 is on top!

RX100 Preorders at Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon Germany, Amazon France and Jessops.

Is Hasselblad going to announce a mirrorless camera with an “almost” medium format sensor?

According to CSCmagazine and some other rumors I got from my sources Hasselblad will announce a Mirrorless camera featuring a sensor double the size of an FF sensor. It’s not an it’s something new. And unlike other Medium Format cameras that usually uses CCD sensors we have been told that this has a CMOS sensor. No info about the price but it will be expensive stuff for sure :)

Panasonic G5 coming soon. New NEX high end camera at Photokina?

On the rumor front we got some news about Panasonic and Sony. Let’s start from the soonest to come camera…the Panasonic G5. It’s very likely that this camera is going to be announced within the next 7-10 days. it will be a modest update of the current G3. No revolution, for a more “exciting” news you will have to wait until the GH3 announcement in September. Ops, almost forgot, there may be a new m43 lens too along the G5!

A rumor coming from unkwonw mysterious Sony sources said that a new NEX high end model may be announced or displayed (?) at Photokina in September. Wondering what Sony will do to convince us to spend more money than you already have to spend on the NEX-7…

As a reminder, Olympus PEN and Samsung NX cameras are also coming at Photokina while Canon may anticipate the announcement to late July.

That’s it for now. P.S.: Did you here something about Nikon?

Fuji press release and roadmap picture!

 

 

Fujifilm Announces Roadmap For New XF Lenses For The X-Pro1 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System

Valhalla, N.Y., June 25, 2012 (EMBARGO UNTIL 10:00 PM ET) – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced plans to offer an expanded selection of FUJINON XF lenses for the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System that will offer a wide range of new shooting opportunities for professional and advanced photographers. From super wide single length focus to telephoto lenses, users will now be able to freely choose which XF lenses match their shooting style, and allow them to experience the extraordinary image quality of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 in a variety of new ways.

Fall 2012
Beginning in the fall of 2012, Fujifilm will introduce two new bright and fast aperture prime FUJINON XF lenses: the XF14mm (21mm) F2.8 single focal length lens and the XF18mm-55mm (27-84mm) F2.8-F4 lens.

Each of the new XF lenses are designed to deliver sharp, clear images of unmatched quality with precise aperture control, and beautiful bokeh effects thanks to the design of the molded aperture diaphragm blades. The blades are curved to create a circular image at all aperture settings, while the very edges of each blade are meticulously rounded off rather than cut off, to deliver more pleasing images.

Early 2013
Then in early 2013, Fujifilm will also deliver three more high performance single focal length lenses that include the XF56mm (84mm) F1.4 lens, the pancake XF27mm (41mm) F2.8 lens and the XF23mm (35mm) F1.4 lens.

Middle 2013
Then in middle 2013, Fujifilm will launch a telephoto XF55mm-200mm (83-300mm) F3.5-F4.8 lens and the super wide zoom XF10mm-24mm (15-36mm) F4 lens, both with optical image stabilization.

“The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 is an amazing professional grade camera that delivers outstanding image quality, and we are very excited to announce our plans for an expanded line of new XF lenses that will bring even more functionally to the X-Pro1 system,” said Go Miyazaki, division president, Imaging and Electronic Imaging Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “These new premium FUJIFILM XF lenses are designed to deliver stunning image results, and they also fit seamlessly with the build and beauty of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1.”

The award-winning FUJIFILM X-Pro1 digital camera features a custom-developed 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensorTM that incorporates a newly developed filter array and Fujifilm’s proprietary EXR Processor technology. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 delivers superlative image quality that rivals currently available mid and high-end DSLR models. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 also features the unmatched 2nd Generation Hybrid Multi Viewfinder, a gorgeous magnesium alloy chassis, and an improved user interface for easy and intuitive operation.

To see amazing images taken with FUJIFILM X-Series cameras, please visit:http://fujifilm-x.com/photographers/en/index.html.

Pricing and availability will be announced at or near the launch time.

About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM North America Corporation, a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation, consists of five operating divisions and one subsidiary company. The Imaging Division sells consumer and commercial photographic products and services including film, one-time-use cameras, online photo services and fulfillment, digital printing equipment and service. The Electronic Imaging Division markets consumer digital cameras. The Motion Picture Division provides motion picture film, and the Graphic Systems Division supplies products and services to the printing industry. The Optical Devices Division provides binoculars, and optical lenses for closed circuit television, videography, cinematography, broadcast and industrial markets. FUJIFILM Canada Inc. markets a range of Fujifilm products and services. For more information, please visitwww.fujifilmusa.com/northamerica, or go to www.twitter.com/fujifilmus to follow Fujifilm on Twitter. To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm via RSS, subscribe at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, digital printing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 17 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2011, and in the year ended March 31, 2012, had global revenues of $27.8 billion*. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.
* At an exchange rate of 79 yen to the dollar.

Fuji will announce the lens roadmap soon!!!

Today Fuji will announce the new lens roadmap. And we got the specs :)

In 2012 we will have:
14mm f/2.8 an
18-55mm f/2-8-4.0

In 2013:
10-24mm f/4.0 OIS (optical stabilization)
23mm f/1.4
27mm f/2.8
56mm f/1.4
55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 OIS (optical stabilization)

New Olympus and Samsung rumors…

There is no time for rest on the rumor front!

Olympus will announce new PEN cameras in September along the black version of the current 12mm and 45mm lenses (surprise, no black version of the new 75mm lens).

Samsung meantime keeps working and changing the lens roadmap. Instead of the planed 55mm f/1.8 we will very likely get a iFn 45mm f/1.8 pancake. That lens and the new iFn 30mm f/2 version II and the 12-24mm f/4 could be announced in Photokina and they would be available on Q4/2012. All lenses will be announced along the new NX camera.

Canon mirrorless system announcement on July 24th?

Canonrumors reports that there will be a Canon announcement on July 24th. His “guess” is that the announcement has to do with new mirrorless cameras. If the rumor is correct it sounds a bit weird that Canon will announce such an important system while many of us will be on vacation :)

Just a reminder: A 100% real announcement will be made this Wednesday by Fuji! Stay tuned!