Soem readers asked me why I did not cover Pentax in my CES coverage last week. The problem was that Pentax was part of the PMA@CES exhibition that was at a different location and was surprisingly quiet – there were only 3 people at the Pentax booth when I got there.
The Ricoh/Pentax news from CES is that Ricoh may launch a new GXR body with variable-angle LCD and a Pentax K-mount GXR unit.
Companies Integrate Products, Consolidate Worldwide Support, Service and R&D
TOKYO and TEL AVIV, January 16, 2012 – Mamiya Digital Imaging, a trusted manufacturer and developer of medium-format cameras and optics, and Leaf Imaging Ltd., a leading manufacturer and developer of digital backs for the medium and large-format photography markets, today announced that they have created a new, worldwide Mamiya Leaf brand that integrates both companies’ product lines into one complete medium-format digital camera system offering, streamlines new product development and establishes more efficient customer sales and support.
The back cover of next week’s Amateur Photographer magazine reportedly has a full page teaser ad by Olympus about their upcoming camera. The campaign slogan is “Oh My Goodness” indicating than their product announcement may be related to the old Olympus OM system. The text says something like “the latest Olympus classic in a long line of design masterpieces“.
Update: On January 3, 2012 Olympus registered the trademark Olympus OM-D wich will probably be the name of the new camera:
The German Patent Office also has a registration for the “OM-D” logo:
Samsung did not announce the previously rumored NX20 or the TL-500/EX1 replacement at CES. The company however did confirm to AP that they are working on a high-end compact system camera (NX1?). The Vice President of Digital Imaging also confirmed the upcoming replacement of the EX1 model. Samsung also made some headlines that it may consider an alliance with Olympus who will be selling newly issued stock to cover their financial losses.
Here are some images from Samsung’s booth at CES which btw was the biggest one at the show:
For CES Canon announced several new Powershot cameras including their new top model, the G1x ($799):
Sony’s booth at CES was packed with visitors. On the imaging side the company announced only few new Cybershot cameras (pictured bellow) and a new Bloggie Sport Full HD camera.
Bloggie Sport specs (pictured on the very right):
Sony lens adapter LA-EA2 ($371.95) that allows you to use A-mount lenses on Sony NEX cameras:
Polaroid announced at CES the world’s first Android HD smart camera – the SC1630. Here are the basic features:
Some more images of the SC1630 + the official press release:
In addition to some new compact cameras, for CES Panasonic aslo announced four new conversion lenses compatible with selected Lumix lenses (see press release at the bottom):
I also spotted this Lumix G lenses roadmap:
Two Panasonic Lumix X lens prototypes from the roadmap were also on display:
Few more images from the Panasonic booth:
In addition to the APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens for DSLR cameras, for CES Sigma also announced the previously rumored 30mm f/2.8 EX DN and the 19mm f/2.8 EX DN lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras:
