Image credit: Ricoh GR Digital IV by matsuyuki

PetaPixel just published an info we also got from our sources last week. Ricoh will launch a new GR Digital V camera with large APS-C sensor and fixed lens. The camera is rumored to arrive the second half of this year. I am still not sure about the lens but a source told me it’s definitely one of the two patented 23mm f/2.5 and 27mm f/1.9 designs (Source: RiceHigh).

The high end compact camera marked is the last profitable business on fixed lens cameras. All the low end stuff is being eaten up by smartphones.

Let’s catch up with some important Fuji news. First, it sounds almost unbelievable but Fuji claims that the new X20 compact camera with tiny 2/3 inch sensor outperforms the much larger Sony RX100 sensor quality and even the 12 Megapixel MFT sensor! And the graph on top is here to “prove” it. It has been shown at a presentation in Barcelona and our friends fromQuesabesde (translation here) picked it up.

For a short time Fuji UK (Click here to see the cached site) showed the info about new X cameras and lens firmware updates. The page has than been removed and release postponed because of an error that should be fixed soon. While you have to wait for the official release you may check out the latest two articles from Fuji “Guru” Rico Pfirstinger :)
Decoding XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS (on Fujirumors)
Using the XF14mmF2.8 R (on Fujirumors)

And here as a reminder the nfw update info:
Fujifilm X-Pro1 – firmware version: 2.03 Changes:
* Allows compatibility with the new “XF14mmF2.8R” lens.
* Improved performance of Auto Focus under various shooting conditions.
Fujifilm X-E1 – firmware version: 1.04 Changes:
* Allows compatibility with the new “XF14mmF2.8R” lens.
* Shutter release button now works when an external remote release is connected.
* Improved performance of Auto Focus under various shooting conditions.
* Audio performance has been optimised for the new Stereo Microphone MIC-ST1 (sold separately).
FUJINON XF35mm – firmware version: 2.02 Change:
* Improved accuracy of Auto Focus performance.

CR finally got some bits about possible new Canon mirrorless stuff: There may be three new EOS-M lenses coming within the next few months. A 55-300mm, a fast prime and a super zoom. There will be also a new EOS-M body which we on MirrorlessRumors already said would have an integrated viewfinder and improved AF performance ….which currently on the EOS-M literally…sucks :)

According to anonymous sources a new Olympus PEN and a new Panasonic GF and a new Sony NEX-3N camera will be for sale in Spring. Exact announcement date and specs are yet unknown. While the Panasonic and Sony will be the new entry level mirrorless camera for their system the Olympus will be a semi pro (or advanced) mirrorless camera. And there will be a new NX30 from Samsung too!

This is more or less what we can expect to see within the next 1-2 months. Still no news form the Canon and Nikon front…

Tamron still has to release some intruiguing mirrorless lens. And while we are patiently waiting for it let’s look at their latest patent that discloses a new APS-C lens for mirrorless systems. It’s a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. Sounds a lot like a copy of the current Sony 50mm f/1.8 lens…

via Egami.

It was back in 2008 when Samsung Manager Kyong-Kook Shin suggested that “the firm is actively pursuing development of a full-frame CMOS sensor intended for use in a professional camera” (Source AP). But at that time they thought they would launch it as a DSLR model.

According to a new anonymous source Samsung secretly worked on the development of a new Full Frame mirrorless camera that will be launched in March! If that is true they will beat on time both Sony and Fuji that are rumored to launched their FF mirrorless systems in late 2013 – early 2014. The new camera will be named Samsung NX-R. The name once popped up inside the Samsung support database (now removed).

No specs have been unveiled yet but I hope some other sources may hear the call and can send me an anonymous message at mirrorlessrumors@gmail.com to share some more bits. Thanks!

The heavily in crisis company Kodak just came back to life! According to Amateur Photographer: “A Kodak-branded interchangeable lens camera will be among a series of products that bosses say will be launched as part of a licensing deal it has struck with manufacturer JK Imaging Ltd.“

And Kodak manager Dennis Olbrich said that a compact system camera is “part of the portfolio“! TO be clear, Kodak will license their name to JK Imaging and collaborate but not directing them.

via Quesabesde.