OM Digital announces the launch of a new OM camera and a new weatherproof bright lenses!

Om Digital CEO Shigemi Sugimoto wrote a letter that has been published on om-digitalsolutions.com. In it he teases the launch of two new products:

we plan to add a new camera to our lineup and bright, compact single-focal-length lenses with splash & dust-proof performance. Additionally, we are continuing to work hard to bring to market the long-awaited mid-range telephoto zoom lens on our lens roadmap by the end of this year

According to latest rumors the camera should be a vintage OM model. I have no info on the bright prime lenses yet, all we know is that a sort of 50-200mm PRO lens is on the roadmap.

 

This is the full letter:

A Happy New Year.

As we enter our fifth year of business, we are celebrating our achievements over the past four years since OM Digital Solutions Corporation split from Olympus Corporation. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of our customers, stakeholders, suppliers and employees for their continued patronage and support.

2021 was shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic as it changed lives and economies across the globe; creating concern and worry about starting a new company. Whilst transforming into a compact and highly mobile organization, with revamped processes to deliver a profitable business; we also launched our new brand OM SYSTEM. The result has been increases in consolidated revenue and profit for the past three fiscal periods, a trend we expect to continue for the current fiscal period concluding in March.

With an expansion into solution and services, our success has not been limited to the camera and audio markets. Built upon a solid foundation of imaging and optical technology production, we now provide solutions to industrial and academic fields; along with services in high-quality electronics manufacturing; both of which have led to stable profitable growth.

The vision of OM SYSTEM brand for camera and audio equipment is to provide enriching sound and imaging experiences that contribute to the experience of life outdoors for everyone across the world. As we look to the future of the camera business; we will provide more options for compact, lightweight, splash & dust-proof products to expand photographic horizons for our customers. With features like computational photography, our dust reduction system and powerful image stabilization, which have been highly regarded by professional photographers, will be available to both existing and new customers. ‘It’s in our nature.’ is the heartbeat of OM SYSTEM. We create cameras to facilitate a life of curiosity and joyful discovery, enabling you to explore nature’s beauty and, perhaps, uncover forgotten parts of your own being.

Shortly, we plan to add a new camera to our lineup and bright, compact single-focal-length lenses with splash & dust-proof performance. All created to meet the challenges of harsh outdoor environments to ensure that you enjoy not only landscape photography in the great outdoors, but also authentic photos of life every day. Additionally, we are continuing to work hard to bring to market the long-awaited mid-range telephoto zoom lens on our lens roadmap by the end of this year.

We look forward to delighting our customers again with these products and encourage you connect with us on social media or sign-up for our newsletters to keep up to date with these announcements.

Bringing joy, inspiration and excitement through our products drives each and every one of us, and we hope your year ahead will be filled with adventure.

My take:

I really like the fact that the CEO wrote a personal letter to explain OM Digital’s plans. We need this kind of direct communication to build trust in the company. What are your thoughts on this letter?

Yashica announced two new compact cameras for the GEN-Z photographers

As you probably already know, GEN-Z photographers are crazy about affordable fixed-lens compact cameras. That’s why Yashica has just announced two of them:

  • Yashica City 100 with 3x zoom
  • Yashica City 200 with 10x zoom, and both are available in black or white

More specs:

  • They both use the same (small) 13-megapixel Sony Type 1/3.06 sensor.
  • 100-3200 ISO
  • 4:3 ratio images
  • 4k60p
  • built-in mic
  • Af with subject detection
  • “Scene modes” with filter effects
  • for easy focusing on friends’ faces. There are a variety of scene modes and built-in filter effects on offer.

They will be available for reorder sometimes i February. UK price is £219.99 for the Yashica City 100 and £259.99 for the Yashica City 200.

Fujifilm cameras coming in 2025: Fixed lens GFX, X-E5, half frame model, Eterna cine camera and NO X-PRO5!

According to Fujirumors Fujifilm is set to announce at least four new cameras and announce NOT one camera in 2025 :)

  1. Fujifilm X-PRO5 (2026!)
    The NOT camera is the Fujifilm X-PRO5 wish is scheduled for a release in 2026 only! But it should be an exciting model sitting on a new generation platform (which mans new sensor, new Ai chip and so forth)
  2. GFX100RF (March 2025)
    The first camera of the year 2025 will te the medium format fixed lens camera: 100MP medium format fixed lens camera, 35mm f/4.0 pancake lens, zoom lever, aspect ratio dial, no IBIS.
  3. Fujifilm X-E5 (Summer 2025)
    There are no rumored specs yet
  4. FujiFilm Half frame camera
    No info yet about exact release date but it’s coming this year for sure. It will feature the famous Sony 20MP 1 inch sensor
  5. Fujifilm GFX Eterna
    Coming in 2025. it will be the first professional cine camera based on the 102 Megapixel Sony medium format sensor.

I don’t know if there will be another camera surprise in 2025, Fuji also announced four cameras in 2024 as they plan to do in 2025. The camera I personally find most exciting is the X-PRO5, coming in 2026! And what is your favorite?

DJI announces a “mysterious” new product launch! Is it the new full-frame mirrorless camera?

I am not sure if DJI is just playing with my emotions here: On the official DJI support channel has posted this cryptic message when a follower named Bald asked:

Do you think the mirrorless dji is coming in 2025?
DJI Support answered:
Hi there, thank you so much for your attention. Please stay tuned with us as our mysterious new product will be launched soon. For more details, you will find out on the launch date.
This is such strange news because it’s unusual for the DJI support channel to do a teaser! So either they are fooling us with a teaser or this is the first time DJI confirms that a mirrorless camera is coming soon? As a skeptic, I’m still leaning towards this being some sort of mistake or hoax. But as a rumor administrator, I have to report that DJI has made this news official, and you can make up your own mind about the significance of this news.
But if DJI really launches a more “classic” mirrorless camera, I expect this to completely change the market. My best bet would be a camera with a Sony full-frame sensor, L-mount (Dji is part of the alliance) and a new, intuitive menu design. I’m not sure what the DJI camera design would look like, but I’d like it to be minimalist and elegant like this Leica inspired model:
What do you think about my wishes?

Brigthin Lens is teasing the launch of a new lens on January 6th…another boring addition?

I think it’s great that many Chinese manufacturers want to make new autofocus lenses for various mirrorless systems. But their recent releases have been pretty boring, and I fear this could be the next disappointing launch. If they offer cheap, slow primes, it’s not going to get our attention. I think they should try harder to develop lenses that really add value!

Mapcamera shared the 2024 sales ranking: Fujifilm takes it all

The big Japanese camera store Mapcamera shared the top 10 best-selling cameras and lenses of 2024.

Most sold cameras in 2024:

  1. Fujifilm X-100VI (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  2. Fujifilm X-T50 (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  3. Sony A7cII (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  4. Nikon Zf (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  5. Fujifilm X-T5 (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  6. Nikon Z6III (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  7. Sony A7IV (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  8. Canon EOS-R6II (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  9. Canon EOS-R5II (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  10. Nikon Z8 (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)

Most sold lenses in 2024:

  1. Nikon 24-120mm (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  2. Tamron 28-200mm III (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  3. Sony 24-70mm GM II (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  4. Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  5. Fujifilm 16-50mm (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  6. Nikon Z 28-400mm (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  7. Canon 100-400mm IS USM (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  8. Nikon Z 180-600mm (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  9. Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  10. Sony 70-200mm GM II (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)

What we learn from this:

  • Fujifilm had a superb year in 2024. Three cameras made it into the top 5!
  • Sony is loosing terrain with only two cameras in the ranking.
  • Tamron is surely going great and Nikon has made some excellent selling zooms.