The patent image above shows Olympus f/1.0 prime lens designs.

So far only Panasonic released a faster than f/1.4 MFT prime lens (the Nocticron 42,5mm f/1.2). After that we got no other super fast (autofocus!) lens. There where some f/1.2 patents from Sigma, f/1.0 from Olympus and another f/1.2 patent from Panasonic. But what’s coming for real?

Well Olympus sources confirmed a new line of fast f/1.2 prime lenses will be announced at CP+. The new f/1.2 prime roadmap will show 2-3 prime lenses with different release times.

Reminder: The 300mm PRO f/4.0 Olympus lens will be announced on January 6.

Both Nikon Europe (Quesabesde) and Samsung denied the rumors we heard that Nikon will acquire NX tech. Actually both companies denied a complete buy out of the NX system from Samsung to Nikon. They did not deny any possible partnership. And I am surprised to see both companies answering to a rumor. Wondering why…

In summary:
We wrote in our rumor that “Nikon acquires Samsung NX tech” and that “Nikon will launch a new professional mirrorless system based on Samsung’s acquired technology.” This means the right to use Samsung sensor, processor, autofocus algorithm, video tech and so on. As I always said this doesn’t mean Nikon will join NX mount, or that Samsung will lose any right on NX mount. But I understand readers doubt about such a possible partnership after reading Nikon and Samsung’s statements. After all you only have a “rumor” on that small site and I sadly cannot disclose the source of the rumor or any facts. The day Nikon will announce their new professional mirrorless system you will know if the rumors we posted here were right or not.

Fujirumors is spilling out more and more info about the Fuji January 15 announcement day:

1. Fuji will announce the X-PRO2 and it definitely has no 4K recording option. Those are some of the rumored specs:
   – 1/8000 of a second mechanical shutter speed
   – Joystick for quick AF-point slection
   – Exposure Compensation Dial with “C” function for exp.comp from +5 to -5)
   – Combined ISO/Shutter dial, with little window on shutter dial to show ISO value
   – weather sealed (TS)
   – No 4K
   – Faster Processor EXR III
   – No Tilt Screen
2. Fuji will announce the XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens. Price is rumored to be just below $2,000

CanonWatch reports about a newly published Canon lens patent. And this one is quite interesting as the 50mm f/3.5 macro IS lens has been designed for the use on a Full Frame mirrorless system camera. The fact the lens has IS could also mean the Canon camera will not have on sensor stabilization as the Sony A7II/A7rII/A7sII series.

But we have yet zero clue about when Canon will launch that new system camera.

Patent Publication No. 2015-215494

• Published 2015.12.3
• Filing date 2014.5.12

• Example
  • Focal length 48.58
  • F-number 3.50
  • Half angle (in degrees) 24.01
  • Image height 21.64
  • Overall length of the lens 85.71
  • BF 27.79

Jason Lanier is a long time Sony Artisan. And on the youtube video above he says he is carrying some “top secret” new lenses that will be “announced soon”. He is very likely talking about the new Sony FE lenses that could be announced on January 5 at the CES show.

And he also shared the very first image samples shot with those “Top Secret” lenses on Facebook (Click here). From his comments it’s clear:

1) He is testing two different new lenses
2) And on one of the lens he adds: “Absolutely STUNNING BLUR…..I iust absolutely love the rendering of this lens!!!!!“.

It’s still a wild rumor but it’s said the new lenses could be a 24-70mm f/2.8 G and a 85mm f/1.4 G lens.

Just wanted to add a very important note:

The info I got is that Nikon bought Samsung mirrorless tech and entered a partnership on a sensor level. But I have no details about the exact agreement between the two. I don’t know if Nikon bought the full exclusive rights from Samsung (leaving Samsung with nothing) or if they “only” bought the right to use the tech and sensors. In that case Samsung would still own the right to develop their system (or working with Nikon on the same NX system).

Todays Samsung UK stated “Media reports that Nikon is allegedly buying our NX technology are not true“. If the statement is honest and correct it would not conflict with some of the possibilities I mention here:

1. Nikon bought Samsung tech/sensor for their own system. Samsung still keeps the right to do whatever they want with NX mount. So while they did stop sales in Germany, UK and Canada they could for example still sell their cameras in some Asian countries.
2. Nikon bought Samsung tech but will work with Samsung on the same mirrorless system just like Pentax did with Samsung years ago.
3. Nikon bought the complete Samsung tech and rights to do their own stuff. Samsung will fade out NX and keep developing sensors and everything else for Nikon.

The Samsung sources I am in touch with will soon spill out some latest NX development (sensor and camera specs) that could be used by Nikon.

I understand the doubts of many readers on that rumor. But I have been told that it’s highly likely that Samsung will make a clear statement at CES. Let’s hope this happens and Samsung will clear their position the future of the NX system.

A rendering made by a Nikonrumors reader

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Our very top Samsung sources confirmed they successfully developed a production ready mirrorless full frame system camera. They reported that Nikon is very likely to use that sensor now. While the camera design may change to suite Nikon’s needs.

I can also confirm the info posted by Andrea Georgia on DPreview forum is correct. She reports:

Over the last couple of months I talked quite a few times to a Samsung representative in Düsseldorf, Germany who told me repeatedly that he has indeed seen Samsung’s FF sensor at their German facility in Schwalbach, not mounted in a camera, he said, but on its own. In the early fall he was certain that Samsung was bent on giving Sony a run for their money and would enter the FF mirrorless market in the coming year, with the FF sensor ready for launch.

Then the rumors intensified and finally the news broke that Samsung was pulling out the German/European mirrorless market, much to many people’s bafflement given how mighty Samsung is, and how truly excellent their latest two cams and lenses are. Even with market stagnation etc. it didn’t seem to make entirely sense to simply stop the camera business. The rep and I kept talking and speculating who could team up with Samsung, Nikon or Canon, and he, as well as the photo store manager, repeatedly stated that Samsung’s FF sensor exists, absolutely, they said. Whether it’s the one that’s going to find its way into the new Nikon mirrorless cam will be remain to be seen, but I’m pretty sure that Nikon-Samsung will go FF with mirrorless, if the rumor is correct. I hope they keep APS-C, too, because the size, weight and cost savings are very substantial, and we shall see about lens mounts and system compatibilty. I think Nikon has filed some APS-C and FF mirrorless lens patents this past year.

Our Samsung sources have no knowledge of when Nikon will release the Full Frame camera. But they will soon share some details about it :)