Panasonic will announce a new “unprecedented” Lumix camera in May

Trusted sources confirmed that Panasonic will have a major announcement in May! The interesting tidbits is that this will be a completely “new kind of Lumix model”

The source has not yet provided any details about what this camera will be. But certainly do not expect a successor to a current model. We can only speculate that it could be a new fixed-lens camera, a Vlogger model, or perhaps a compact camera with an L FF mount. What do you wish for?

Topazlabs now launched a new website showing off the features of their AI apps

Topaz recently released the brand new Photo Ai 3.0 (click here). Now it has also completely revamped its website so that you can get a better overview of all the features. Take a look at the presentation pages: Photo Ai, Video AI, GigaPixel AI.

One more related news: PetaPixel tested all most known upscalers and claims GigaPixel AI is the best:

Overall, I was most impressed with Gigapixel AI. The results for the low-resolution file are especially excellent, far surpassing my expectations. It produces excellent levels of detail with minimal (or no) additional artifacts, even when going beyond 2x. I also enjoyed the UI of Gigapixel AI more than the other programs. It was clean, modern, and simple to use with an ideal way of seeing the preview of the upscaled images.

In Japan: Digital camera market will turn positive in 2023 for the first time in 13 years

After a decade long decline in 2023 the camera market did increase by 7% compared ot the previous year. I suspect the camera market sales will stay constant in the upcoming years with no meaningful increased or decreases. This is actually good news as it will make it more predicable for companies to stay in this market.

A couple of key info contained in the report (via Digicameinfo):

  • Research firm GfK Japan announced on the 18th that the domestic digital camera market will turn positive in 2023 for the first time in 13 years. Sales volume was 1.2 million units, an increase of 7% from the previous year. This was driven by interchangeable lens cameras. The decline had continued due to the spread of smartphones, but this appears to have come to a halt. The digital camera market has continued to decline since peaking at 10.4 million units in 2010.
  • Looking at unit sales in 2023 by type, interchangeable lens cameras increased by 9%, and compact cameras increased by 6%. Interchangeable lenses also grew by 4%.
  • This is the second consecutive year of positive growth for interchangeable lens cameras. The number of products over 100,000 yen increased, and the proportion of products in the 100,000 to 200,000 yen price range increased 7 points from the previous year to 46%. The average price (excluding tax) rose 4% from the previous year to 172,000 yen.

TAMRON announces development of first CANON RF mount lens

Press text:

TAMRON announces development of first CANON RF mount lens
The compact, lightweight, fast-aperture F2.8 ultra wide-angle zoom
11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Model B060)

Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shogo Sakuraba; Headquarters: Saitama City, Japan; “TAMRON”), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the development of TAMRON’s first CANON RF mount lens, 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A[1] RXD (Model B060), an ultra wide-angle zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. The lens is expected to launch within 2024.

TAMRON’s lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras are highly regarded for their combination of superior optical performance and compact, lightweight designs. After receiving many requests from customers to offer lenses compatible with the CANON RF mount, TAMRON made the decision to develop a lens for the CANON RF mount under a license agreement.

The 11-20mm F2.8 is a fast-aperture zoom lens covering a focal length range from ultra wide-angle 11mm to 20mm[2], with a maximum aperture of F2.8 across its full range of focal lengths. With a surprisingly compact and lightweight design for a fast, ultra wide-angle zoom lens, the lens feels well balanced when attached to a compact APS-C mirrorless camera body, making it ideal for regular use. Despite its small, lightweight design, it also delivers high-level imaging power with an uncompromising optical design. Wide macro shooting is possible at 11mm with an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.15m (5.9”) and maximum magnification ratio of 1:4, and its stunning close-range shooting performance enables creative use of perspective at the wide end. The lens also incorporates an AF drive system with an RXD (Rapid-eXtra-silent stepping Drive) stepping motor unit that is remarkably quiet. The lens accurately captures not only still images but also video. It is also highly practical, with Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating, and other features designed for outdoor shooting, enabling users to easily enjoy the high image quality of this ultra wide-angle large-aperture F2.8 lens under a range of conditions.

Product Features
Fast-aperture ultra wide-angle zoom lens
Compact and light weight
Outstanding optical performance
MOD of 0.15m (5.9”) and maximum magnification ratio of 1:4
High performance autofocus RXD stepping motor for both still and video use

[1] Di III-A: For APS-C format mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras
[2] The full-frame equivalent of 17.6-32mm.

Now available: New Peak Design Coyote Straps

Peak Design announced the new Coyote straps you can get now at Amazon (hover the product image and click on “Add cart”), Peakdesign and BHphoto.

These are well-known straps with a unique Anchor mount that allows for quick addition/removal of the strap. And it’s not just a new color version: The Coyote leash and strap contain 35 percent recycled nylon. A first step toward a “greener” product range.
The strap is capable of supporting up to 90k, so it is super strong and is designed to distribute the weight around the neck in a way that doesn’t feel uncomfortable.