A chinese source at Xjrumo (Click here) said that Fuji will use an APS-C sized (organic?) sensor (via Photorumors). The source also said that it will NOT use a hybrid viewfinder. It would use the same kind of viewfinder from the [shoplink 100018]Fuji X100[/shoplink] (optical VF that zooms in and out). So the real highlight will be the mysterious organic sensor. I am not the only one thinking this could be a real sensation. The Online Photographers writes: “Komori-san says that the sensor quality of Fujifilm X mirrorless will exceed that of current full-frame sensors, although its sensor size will likely be smaller than 24x36mm. The claim reminded me of something…I have a hazy memory of someone with knowledge of the industry telling me long ago that an official of Canon said that Fuji is the only company Canon is scared of—not Panasonic, not Sony, not Nikon—because of Fuji’s expertise with sensors. (I might not have that right, so please don’t quote me.)“. (via Petapixel). Image Sensor World also found a new Fuji organic sensor patent.

One more news: Fujifilm to establish a semiconductor material manufacturing company in South Korea (Fujifilm). Getting ready for organic sensor mass production? :)

Image on top: The Kodak Park in Rochester (now sold!)

And here is the news we were waiting for many months now. Kodak finally sold his CCD Business to Platinum Equity. There is not info yet about the amount of cash paid by Platinum. Also the 263,000 square foot facility in Eastman Business Park in Rochester, N.Y has beens sold (Source: Image-Sensor-World). Platinum Equity is not a firm that has own plans to produce CCD sensors, they will proabbly split up the resoruces they bought and sell them to others. And it comes quite surprising that Kodak announced new CCD sensors exactly the same day! That includes a new 16 megapxiel FF and APS-H sensor (More at Image-Sensor-World).

Now I am wondering what Leica will do. Will they get in touch with Platinum Equity or will they use Sony/Panasonic sensors inside their next Leica products?

Chipworks (Click here) dismantled one of the new Nikon 1 cameras and discovered that it actually sues an Aptina sensor. It will be interesting to see if Nikon will in future use Aptina sensors instead of Sony sensors even on larger sensors! Maybe Nikon’s plan is to become completely independent from Sony.

There is a new Nikon J1 review at Trustedreviews (Click here): “The Nikon J1 is a stylish looking compact system camera that delivers class-leading shooting speeds, super-efficient AF performance and vibrant, punchy images. However, given the highly competitive nature of the CSC market this isn’t really enough to elevate it above its peers and many rival CSCs offer richer feature sets and better value for money“.

The same camera has been reviewed by Cnet Uk (Click here): “It is a lot of money and some buyers may be put off by the conservative resolution, which tops out at 10.1 megapixels. Look beyond the pixels because the J1 is about quality not quantity, and here it delivers in spades to fully justify its asking price“.

You can finally buy the Nikon 1 and it is already showing on the Amazon Rankings:
Amazon US mirrorless ranking (Click here): At the moment of writing I counted four different Nikon 1 kits into the top 20!
Amazon UK mirrorless ranking (Click here): here we have a completely different picture. Only Nikon V1 double kit made it into the top 20.
Amazon DE mirrorless ranking (Click here): Same situation as UK. Also here the V1 ouble kit is the only selling well.
Amazon FR mirrorless ranking (Click here): French people doesn’t like Nikon :)

Reviewers are quite busy testing and posting their Nikon 1 findings. You can read them on Hybridcams, Pocket-Lint, Photoxels, Techradar and Photoscala.

There are a couple of new firmwares for your mirrorless  cameras:

1) Fuji X100 – Download here
The firmware update Ver.1.11 incorporates the following issues.
1.Performance of auto focus at near distance has been improved.
2.When “SHADW TONE” is set to “MEDIUM SOFT” or “SOFT”, live view in LCD may display with abnormal pattern (so-called “solarisation”) just after pressing the shutter halfway. This update improves the phenomena.
3.When self-timer mode is selected, focus and exposure (AE/AF) are set just after pressing the shutter button and these settings are remained for the final shutter releasing.

2) Ricoh GR Digital III firmware version 2.50 – Download here
1. The displayed text for aperture / shutter speed may be lacking when auto rotating. Modified the display correctly.
2. Improved focus accuracy when Spot AF is used under brightness environment.
3. Corrected the focus-bar display under the following conditions. Aperture Priority mode or Manual Exposure mode for mode dial; [Snap] for Focus; and [1.5 m] for Snap Focus Distance.
4. White Balance Compensation in the Playback mode is now available for JPEG files that are recorded with RAW images.

3) Samsung NX5, NX10, NX11 and NX100 (found via OpenPn)
– NX5 version 1.21  Download here.
– NX10 version 1.31 Download here.
– NX11 version 1.11 Download here.
– NX100 version 1.12 Download here.

4) Olympus E-P3 version 1.1 Download here
1. The issue of the buttons not working when the Monitor (Touch screen) is touched while using the Electronic viewfinder has been resolved.
2. The issue of the AF target not displaying while using the Eye-Fi card has been resolved.

Unlike many other manufacturers that would let you wait months before to get the new camera or lens (I am talking to you Panasonic) Nikon has the new cameras already in Stock!
The Nikon V1 can be ordered at .
The Nikon J1 can be ordered at .

I am already seeing many Nikon 1 commercials in European TV’s and newspaper. It’s all well coordinated and I am wondering if that massive commercial orchestra will bring some results. Meanwhile many websites are posting Nikon tests: Dpreview posted the V1 and J1 Hands-on Preview. Focus Numerique posted a Nikon 1 V1 test. And ePhotozine have been invited at a Nikon 1 Series China Factory Tour.

Nikon is pushing hard. Will they succeed with the new system?

Damn what a news! Read the press release we found at l-camera-forum.com:

Leica Camera gains strategic investor in Blackstone

ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH will remain the majority shareholder

London, Solms: The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) and ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH today announced they have agreed a strategic partnership whereby investment funds advised by Blackstone will acquire, indirectly through a holding company, a 44% minority stake in Leica Camera AG (“Leica”), to support Leica’s international growth plans. ACM and Blackstone have agreed that the value of the transaction will not be disclosed. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in Q4/2011.

Headquartered in Solms, Germany, with 1,150 employees, Leica has a long tradition of manufacturing premium-segment cameras and sport optics products. Over the past sixty years, Leica has grown to become a leading German brand and is seen as the epitome of German engineering excellence and an ambassador of the “Made in Germany” quality seal. Leica has become synonymous with the best tools of the trade, blending hand-crafted quality with a dedication to precision mechanics and producing the best optics the industry has to offer.

Building from this highly successful market position, Leica now endeavours to expand the business into new markets. Blackstone is seen as the right partner to support Leica management to achieve these goals in light of its global footprint, in particular with significant operations in Asia, and its development capital and strategic expertise.

Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica commented on the transaction: “With Blackstone we have gained an experienced and internationally established strategic partner, which also understands and appreciates the established brand philosophy and business model of Leica. Following the successful turnaround of the business and record sales last year, we are now focused on the continued development of the brand, its products and our growth plans into new markets such as Asia, South America and the Middle East. ACM has no plans to sell more shares in Leica Camera AG. Our long term strategy is to accompany Leica Camera in its continued expansion worldwide.”

Axel Herberg, Blackstone Senior Managing Director, said: “Leica is deeply rooted in Germany’s history and we would like to help grow the business in a manner that is true to this heritage, ensuring that the entrepreneurial spirit that makes Leica unique is preserved. We are very excited about supporting Leica to secure long-term commercial relationships, specifically in emerging markets, and help strengthen the company’s operational and retailing capabilities globally.”

Leica Camera AG concluded the 2010/2011 financial year with record sales of € 248.8m. The Hessen-based traditional manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products increased turnover by 57.2 % compared to the previous year (€ 158.2 m). The operating result (EBIT) increased almost six fold: it rose from € 7.4 m in 2009/2010 to € 41.6m. The consolidated surplus also took a positive turn: at € 36.3 m it is more than eleven times the previous year’s figure (€ 3.2m). The sales increase is attributed above all to the strong demand for the two camera systems, Leica M and Leica S.

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What a news! Who are these guys? This is the Blackstone website: http://www.blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/Home.htm.