Sigma will make lenses for serious enthusiast mirrorless systems. And DP2 news roundup.

Amateur Photographer interviewed Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki that Sigma will aim compact system camera (CSC) lenses at serious photo enthusiasts, rather than general consumers. De facto Sigma will “ignore” consumer mirrorless system liek the Pentax Q (and probably Nikon 1).

As you know last week Sigma said that they won’t make their own mirrorless camera system. That’s too bad because the DP2 proves that they have a very intruiguing sensor technology that may be not fully mature but definitely rocks when it comes to low ISO quality. Just check out the latest DP2 tests:
Experience the Sigma DP2 Merrill resolution at Outbackhpto. DP2 ISO test at Focus Numerique. A full camera review has been posted at Photographyblog: “Image quality is the DP2 Merrill’s star turn, indeed the principal reason to put up with its numerous other shortcomings.

Check out price and specs at Amazon (Click here) and Bhphoto (Click here).

Canon EOS-M worldwide shipment started.

The first Canon mirrorless camera is now finally shipping in Japan (Source: Canon and Amazon Japan). It will ship in US on October 15th according to BHphoto (Click here). This is a great little camera, and I don’t think Canon is telling us the truth when saying they do not care about a M PRO version with viewfinder. I bet we will see such a camera in 2013!

Canon EOS-M preorder links:
Full presentation page on Amazon (Click here).
EOS-M Black at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M White at BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M 22mm pancake at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M 15-55mm kit lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M adapter at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M Flash at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

Sony and Olympus will work together on the mirrorless camera market.

Today we have a huge news! Sony and Olympus have signed an agreement where Sony will become Olympus largest shareholder. And they already anticipated that they will work together in the medical and camera business. What this means for the future of the NEX and Micro Four Thirds system has yet to be seen. But I think this may not be good news for Panasonic…

Just my two cent. Sony urgently needs lenses for the NEX system while Olympus needs the Sony sensor for their cameras. They may keep challenging each other with their own systems but saving costs on the development front.

 

Full rpess release with strategy goals is available here (.pdf).

 

Fuji may go Full Frame mirrorless?

Amateur Photographer interviewed Mr. Hiroshi Kawahara from Fuji. And he confirmed that “Fujifilm technicians are seriously investigating the possible launch of a full-frame compact system camera (CSC) and are focusing on the sensor and processor that would be required.” Mr Kawahara also confirmed that “the covering circle of Fuji’s current X-series lenses is large enough to accommodate full frame.” The problem is that current wide angle lenses would not cover the full FF area.

Intruiguing. I only can say…go Fuji! Do it! What do you think?

Preorder links to the new Fuji stuff:
Black Fuji X-E1 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Silver Fuji X-E1 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Black Fuji X-E1 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Silver Fuji X-E1 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Fuji 14mm f/2.8 lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Fuji 18-55mm f/2.8-4.0 OIS lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

Mirrorless Photokina news roundup…

There is a lot going on at Photokina and there is a need for a short roundup of all latest news! Here you have some links:
First, Leica preorders are now up at BHphoto: Black Leica M, Silver Leica M, Leica ME.
New Samsung NX lens hands-on at ePhotozine.
Sigma DP2 hands-on at Outbackphoto.
Match Technical Developing Thumbs Up for Fuji X-E1 at Echenique.
Fuji XF1 hands-on by Engadget.
Fuji X-E1 hands-on at Engadget.
Hasselblad video by Branding Value, FotoTVplus, Centrum Papieru (polish).
Zeiss pics at Photographyblog.
Novoflex Tilt- and Shift Bellows System for CSCs via Photographyblog.
An image sample wiht the 15mm lens at TheDigitalStory.
Nokton 17.5mm hands-on at ePhotozine.
E-PL5 samples at ePhotozine.
Nokton 25mm at ePhotozine.
Panasonic interview at Personal View.
GH3 Hands-on by DC.watch. GH3 hands-on at EosHD. Impression review at Digitalcamerainfo.
E-PL5 pictures at Photographyblog.
E-PM2 pictures at Photographyblog.
35-100mm X lens at CSCmagazine.
60mm hands-on at ePhotozine, Zuikoholics.
15mm cap lens at Popphoto.
Sony interview at Amateur Photographer