Pentax Optio RZ-18
In addition to the Silver Pentax K-5 and the medium format Pentax D FA 645 25mm f/4 lens, Pentax will also announce one or more new compact Optio cameras for the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Japan (February 9-12, 2011). The previous rumor was about a new Pentax Optio RZ-18 with 3″ swivel LCD, 14MP sensor, 18X optical zoom (28-504mm) and a price tag of around $300. The camera is expected to be very small in size.
Sony DSC-HX9V
Update: Amazon is now taking pre-orders for Sony HX9V and Sony DSC-HX100V.
In the next two days Sony will announce at two new point and shoot cameras: Sony DSC-HX100V and DSC-HX9V. The specs after the break:
Update: Here is diagram of the new Kenko C-mount camera system and its compatibility with other products (click on image for larger view) – it seems that Keno will release a C-mount adapter for existing Tokina lenses:
This camera was supposed to be shown at Photokina, but the prototype got lost… DCWatch now reports that this mirrorless camera will be announced tomorrow (February 1st). The camera will have a C-mount (closed-circuit television cameras mount).
Pentax K-x and K-7 are now listed as discontinued on pentax.jp. Both models were replaced by the Penatx K-r and K-5 in September 2010. The now discontinued K-x and K-7 were announced in September 2009. It will be interesting to see if Pentax will keep this 12 months refresh cycle.
Remember the Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 PRO FX lens prototype that nobody covered during Photokina 2010?
Tokina will show the same lens again at the CP+ Show in Japan together with a new Kenko 400mm f/6.3 super telephoto lens:
Tokina did produce a 400mm f/6.3 lens in the past.
Update: the 400mm f/6.3 lens will be a mirror lens, similar to this:
Click here to see a full lists of Kenko Tokina products at the CP+ show.
After the back view of the Sony HX100v, here is a full frontal picture:
The HX100V camera is expected to be announced on February 2nd together with two other compact cameras from Sony. Some additional HX100V specs:
I just received this rumor from Asia – Pentax will be announcing a new lens for its digital medium format 645D camera: Pentax D FA 645 25mm f/4. The Google translation is not very clear, but here are some of the mentioned specs:
I was told that this lens will be announced for the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Japan (February 9-12, 2011). Pentax is listed in the list of exhibitors for that show. A new compact camera is also expected (it could be more than one new model). The rumored Pentax NC-1 EVIL camera will not be announced in February.
Canon (as well as Nikon) lost 15% market share in the UK (probably because of the growing mirrorless market). At the same time Canon’s profit rise 26% this year, beating analysts’ estimates. The future looks promising according to a Goldman Sachs analyst:
“Single-lens reflex cameras will probably record double- digit growth this year to become Canon’s earnings driver, while compact cameras may slowdown”
There are also rumors floating around about a new Canon full frame camera in a small body (Canon 3D):
Sony Hong Kong has listed the following three Sony lenses as discontinued: 50mm f/1.4, 300mm f/2.8 and 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3:
Kodak was already in a bad shape and it got even worse today (source: Marketwatch):
“Eastman Kodak Co. said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter profit dropped 95%, as revenue declined in both the company’s traditional film business and its digital segment.”
There were some speculations last month that Kodak is for sale. The stock is currently down over 15%. If someone is interested in buying Kodak, there is a discount today.
Sony Nordic Images published a picture and brief description of a new Sony HX100V camera:
The previously rumored Ricoh CX5 compact camera got officially announced today. The main features:
Full press release after the break:
