We got two more details about Panasonic and Fuji:

1) Panasonic will announce the new 8-18mm f/2.8-4.0 Leica MFT lens tomorrow (April 19)

2) And this is the first image of the new Fuji Instax camera:

Fuji is really restless when it comes to launch new camera one after another. A part of the long time rumored new fixed lens X80 camera it really looks like Fuji will launch two more system cameras within the next 12 months:

1) Fujirumors confirmed they are going to launch a new Very High end X camera which will be priced between the $2,000 and $3,000 range. This camera has a similar X-T2 design but is the best video Fuji camera yet.

2) Fujirumors also reports the new X-E3 is coming too. And it will be a tiny bit smaller than the X-E2.

Lightrumors spotted four new images of the production ready L16 camera. They noticed those changes:

• The flash used to be above the “Light” logo and it has now moved and is a dual-color flash
• The laser focus assist moved a bit to make room for the flash and appears to be a solid color (not see thru glass any more)
• The grip section is flat – earlier images had a very slight rise from the flat surface of the glass
• There’s a tiny hole to the right of the Light name – probably the mic hole for video
• On the left side (when facing the front), we see the attachment slot for the wrist strap – but there also used to be a plug slot there – it is now gone
• We don’t get to see the bottom – this is where I assume the micro-usb port and the power adapter (unless they’re the same now) will be
• We also don’t get any shots of the back?

And Capture.Light posted a couple of image samples too:

Next week it’s going to be very busy! Here is what to expect:

1. Fuji will launch two new GFX lenses (23mm and 110mm) and the new Instax camera on April 19
2. Sony has a press conference on April 20. Still not sure if there will be a new product there. But there is a chance we might see a new RX or A7 camera
3. Sony and Panasonic do have a press conference on April 23. Expect new camcorders.

That’s it for now!

Today Asian Review posted a surprising “rumor” about Ricoh-Pentax:

Ricoh is shrinking its money-losing camera business to concentrate resources on commercial applications as smartphones continue to crowd out long-established names in photography.

But Ricoh quickly reacted and said that the info posted by Asian Review is “not a fact”. That said Asian Review has quite a good track on insider info. So maybe while Ricoh is correct in saying this is not a fact yet it may be that it it’s under consideration and could become a fact soon :(

UPDATE: Ricoh announced that it will revise downward forecasts for the fiscal year. They also announced that it will focus resources on high value added products such as PENTAX and GR.

Fujirumors reports that there will be a new Fuji product announcement on April 19. There will be a new GF 110mm f/2.0 lens for the GFX system and a new Instax Square.