Sony launches the NEX-FS700. Panasonic to counterattack on Thursday!


We are getting closer to the NABshow in Las Vegas and Sony is the first company to announce a new mirrorless camcorder! The NEX-FS700 you see here on top looks quite..well…unbalanced with that 18-200mm E-Mount lens on it :) Sony missed it to introduce some new high quality NEX zoom lens for filmmakers. With the 18-200mm that camera is pretty much like a Tiger in prison, or a Ferrari driven by Massa or a Djokovic forced to dance ballet :)
That said here is the full press release including specs: Sony Europe. There is no info about the price yet. But early rumors said it would cost around $8,000.

But good for Sony that also Panasonic seems to not be fully awake from the hibernation. Their new 12-35mm and 35-100mm X zoom lenses have been delayed again and will hit the stores by end of summer only. nevertheless Panasonic will introduce a new AG-AF camcorder on Thursday April 5th (yes that Thursday). Also the GF5 will be announced along the new camcorder. But that is not really a surprise anymore as specs and images leaked a long while ago!

P.S.: Canon si going to introduce a new “mini” C300 camera.

Canon G1X interview at DC.watch


DC.watch (Click here) had a long interview with the team that developed the Canon G1X. Interesting that they said a G1X camera with interchangeable lens would have not been possible to develop. Panasonic proved with the 14-42mm X lens that it is possible. The Four Thirds sensor size has been used for an optimal miniaturization of the body and lenses. And than they got an easy answer about the possibility to make a G1X camera with interchangeable lens mount: “I think it’s technically possible“. Yeah of course, question is only when you will do it! :)

Amazon US will ship the Fuji X PRO 1 on Tuesday!

One of our readers just sent us the info he got from Amazon about his Fuji X PRO 1 preorder: “Your estimated delivery date is: Tuesday, April 3, 2012“. Of course this is not a fool’s day joke. For that read the Canon IX-D mirrorless camera release post at Digitalkamera (google translated)! :)

The Fuji X PRO 1 camera can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here), Epxansys US (Click here) and Expansys Canada (Click here).
in Europe at Jessops UK (Click here), eBay Italy (Click here) and Expansys UK (Click here).
in Asia at Amazon Japan (Click here) and eBay Japan (Click here).

Pentax K-01 is almost as good as the Sony NEX-7.

DxOmark (CLick here) just published the full Pentax K-01 sensor test. The camera uses the same K-5 sensor which by the way is made by Sony. And the results are very good positioning the K-05 as second best mirrorless camera ever right behind the NEX-7. I really cannot fell in love with that camera design but I have been a Pentax K10 user for a long time and really like their usability and image quality. So I am not surprised to see a result like that.

The K-01 is in Stock status check via [shoplink ‘Pentax K-01’].

First leaked Samsung NX210 image sample and new full Canon G1X review.

Our friend Peter from Photorumors just “found” that image sample taken with the Samsung NX210. It has been taken at ISO 800 but sadly there is no full size copy that can be analyzed. So it isn’t really helpful after all. But he also got an interesting tibits. Samsung delayed the NX20 release after seeing the Sony NEX-7. They needed more time to improve the Electronic Viewfinder.

One more thing: Dpreview (Click here) just posted the full Canon G1 X review. The camera earns a Silver Award: “Overall, the G1 X is an excellent camera for some but not for everyone. If you are aware of its shortcomings.

G1X first time in Stock at BH. Fuji X PRO 1 coming next week in USA.

First the good news: For the first time the G1X is in Stock at BHphoto (Click here). Now the bad news: The X PRO 1 will ship in USA next week only (again according to BH).

But let’s focus on new Canon/Fuji reviews:
1) G1X Field report at Outbackphoto (Click here).
2) Steve Huff (Click here) made a quick ISO comparison between the X PRO and the NEX-7.
3) X PRO Hands On Review at ThePhoBlographer (Click here): “This is the camera that many of us have been waiting for. It is smallish, built well, has lenses ready with it, and has some exceptional image quality. It feels excellent in my hands and to be very honest with you, I am very close to selling my Canon 7D in order to fund one.
4)X PRO Studio test samples at Imaging Resource (Click here).
5) X PRO Full review at ThedigitalPhotographySchool (Click here). The quality is “phenomenal! Razor sharp, precise colour capture.

The Fuji X PRO 1 camera can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here), Epxansys US (Click here) and Expansys Canada (Click here).
in Europe at Jessops UK (Click here), eBay Italy (Click here) and Expansys UK (Click here).
in Asia at Amazon Japan (Click here) and eBay Japan (Click here).