The latest lens patents from Sony, Sigma, Panasonic, Pentax and Canon
1. The first patent (2011-064919, permalink not possible to Japanese patent database) is from Sony for the upcoming 30mm f/2.8 NEX lens:
Here are some excerpts from the patent: "In an imaging lens system which consists of a lens system of 4 group... It is a macro lens inner focus type".
2. Sigma filed a patent in Japan (2011-059293) for what appears to be a 18-48mm lens for NEX cameras:
Back in February Sigma announced that they will start producing E-mount lenses and showed a prototype of a 30mm f/2.8 lens for NEX cameras.
3. Next is a patent (2011-048232) from Panasonic for a 45mm f/2.8 macro lens for Micro Four Thirds:
4. Panasonic also filed a patent (2011-90099) for a 45-190mm f/4.0-5.6 zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. This could be a replacement for the current 45-200mm f/4.0-5.6 version:
5. Pentax has a new patent (2011-008234) for a 26-340mm f/3.3-5.6 lens:
"Problem to be solved: to provide a high variable power zoom lens system having superior optical characteristics and a variable power ratio larger than 13 times, a focal distance of about 350 mm at a long focal distance end, an F value of about 5.6, and a field angle of about 60 degrees at a short focal distance end."
6. Canon filed a patent (2011-90190) for a 18-270mm f/3.2-5.6 lens (APS-C ). Several different variations were listed in this patent: 16-240mm f/3.2-5.6 and 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6.
