Panasonic also files patent for an organic sensor

Similar to Fujifilm, Panasonic also filed a patent 2011-258729 in Japan for an organic sensor that can change the thickness of the organic film by changing the wavelength. Here is a machine generated translation of the patent description taken from the Japanese Patent Office:

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Posted in Panasonic| Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

New Sigma products to be announced on January 10th, 2012

Sigma has a banner on their website promising new products being unveiled on January 10th, 2012, which is also the first day of the PMA/CES 2012 show in Las Vegas.

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Posted in Sigma| Tagged | 30 Comments

Canon working on a new “Super G” compact camera?

The last Canon Powershot G12 was announced in 2010

Valentin Sama of DSLR Magazine wrote on his blog that Canon is working on a new “Super G” compact camera that will probably be announced at the CES (January, 2012) or CP+ (February, 2012) show:

Canon is working on developing a digital compact camera, far superior to anything that might now be in its catalog of more than compact. The new camera can hold the letter “G” in its name, but in reality would not be a successor to the G12 , but a sort of “Super G”

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Posted in Canon| 25 Comments

Happy Holidays!

Posted in Other| Tagged | 5 Comments

Japan patent update: vari-angle LCD screen from Olympus and organic sensor from Fujifilm

Olympus filed a patent in Japan (2011-259166) for a vari-angle LCD screen that can be flipped to pretty much any camera side/angle:

In addition to the US patent for an organic sensor, Fujifilm filed a similar patent in Japan (2011-253861). Here are some more details from the Japanese patent application (Google translation):

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Posted in Fuji, Olympus| Tagged , | 12 Comments

Nauticam announces NA-NEX7 underwater housing for Sony NEX-7 camera


Nauticam announced the NA-NEX7 housing for Sony’s top of the line mirror-less interchangeable lens camera, the Sony Alpha NEX-7 ($1,199.99). Nauticam’s leadership in the Alpha NEX arena continues as it brings the first NEX-7 underwater housing to market. With DSLR quality imaging and performance packed into a housing that is small enough to take anywhere, NEX-7 is now ready to explore the depths.

The Sony Alpha NEX-7 expands the Alpha NEX lineup by adding features and performance worthy of enthusiasts and professionals alike. Specification-wise, the NEX-7 might be closer to Sony’s flagship DSLR, the A77, but the body size is only slightly larger than the NEX-5N.

With a new 24 Megapixel CMOS APS-C sized sensor, ultra fast performance, new three dial user interface, built-in flash, magnesium alloy body, 190K dot LCD and stunning 2.4M dot electronic OLED viewfinder (EVF), NEX-7 is a photographic dynamo. Of course the basics are there as well, including RAW shooting, manual exposure, and automatic flash exposure compensation (TTL), even in manual shooting mode.

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Posted in Nauticam, Sony| Tagged , | 7 Comments

Phottix Aion wireless timer and shutter release now shipping

Phottix Aion wireless timer and shutter release

Phottix Aion wireless timer and shutter release is now shipping. Here are the specs:

  • Timer and Long Exposure Functions
  • Shutter Release Functions
  • Wired or wireless operations
  • 2.4 GHz frequency
  • 60m range
  • Back-lit LCD
  • AAA batteries
  • Available for Canon, Nikon, Sony and Olympus cameras.
  • Price: $99.50
Posted in Phottix| 7 Comments

Better translation of the interviews with camera manufacturers about their future products

Here is a better translation of the key points from the interviews with several camera manufacturers about their future plans (thanks Erik):

Olympus

  • Working on a new mirrorless camera that is very “Olympus-like”, but not PEN.
  • The viewfinder is the key.
  • E-5 replacement is in the works.

Canon

  • Does a mirrorless camera really need exchangeable lenses?
  • Can we make a compact or DSLR that can beat the mirrorless cameras? (they believe they have it)
  • Higher sensitivity rather than high resolution (probably refers to quality over megapixels)

Sigma

  • Expanding the DP-series line-up of cameras
  • SD-series cameras will use APS-C sensors
  • Mirrorless camera lenses in the works

Sony

  • Smaller E-mount lenses coming
  • One hundred mega pixels not a strange thing soon
  • Everyone will use electronic shutters

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Posted in Canon, Fuji, Olympus, Pentax, Ricoh, Sigma, Sony| 15 Comments

Panasonic, Sony and Fujifilm may acquire newly issued Olympus stock

Reuters reported that Olympus is going to issue new shares worth $1.28 billion (100 billion yen) in order to stabilize its finances after the recent reports of massive fraud inside the company. Panasonic, Sony and Fujifilm were listed as the companies interested to acquire portions of the shares:

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Posted in Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony| 4 Comments

SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED spotting scope for Micro Four Thirds announced

Back in June I mentioned about the upcoming SLR Magic digital scoping solution with ED optics for Micro Four Thirds cameras. The product was delayed because of some changes in the design (adding a tripod collar). The spotting scope is now officially announced and available for sale on eBay.

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Posted in SLR Magic| 1 Comment