During the European press introduction of the GF3, Panasonic confirmed the release of two new Micro Four Thirds lenses for 2011. No specific details were given, but both lenses are expected to be released this fall. Based on previous leaks, the two new lenses should be a bright zoom lens and a bright wide angle lens.
In an interview with Photoradar, Panasonic’s Director of DSC Business unit Ichiro Kitao confirmed their plans to split the Lumix GF line into consumer and professional cameras. Lately Panasonic was criticized that their new models had less functionality/controls than their predecessors. In the case of the GF3, a new GF model aimed at experienced photographers will be released in the future (no exact date was given).
Kitao also confirmed that Panasonic will concentrate next on bringing out a successor to the GH2 and their main challenge is improving the EVF.
50mm f/2.8
Focal length: 50.20mm
Aperture: 2.90
Half angle of view: 23.32°
Image height: 21.64mm
Total lens length: 84.64mm
Back Focus: 40.01mm
Maximum magnification factor: -0.950
Just a quick update to the What are the best AA batteries for photography post from last week – Sanyo just announced in Japan two new rechargeable batteries: Eneloop Pro and Eneloop Plus. No details were provided when those new batteries will be available in countries outside Japan.
According to Expertreviews (UK), from June 13th until the August 31st 2011 Panasonic will be giving a free copy of Adobe Lightroom 3 ($222 value) with any G3 camera ($600-$700) purchase. Not clear if this deal will be valid only for the UK.
Via e-p1.net
SLR Magic plans to release a new Noktor HyperPrime 12mm f/1.6 lens for Micro Four Thirds. SLR Magic also has a new Noktor 50mm f/0.95 and 28mm f/2.8 lenses for E-mount in the pipeline.
The Sony NEX C3 may not be the world’s smallest and lightest compact system camera any longer. Two weeks ago rumors about a new “mini” GF2 replacement started floating online. Three days ago the new GF3 camera leaked in a promotional video from Panasonic. Here is a picture of the new camera:
Sony will officially discontinue the full frame a850 camera this summer, two years after its official announcement. Back in May B&H already listed the camera as discontinued. AP claims that the reason for the a850 departure is “because the 24.6MP camera is too similar in specification and price to the flagship Alpha 900 model”. Interestingly enough, the Sony a900 (announced in 2008) was recently listed as discontinued as well on Sony’s Hong Kong website. There were some rumors that Sony may completely abandon their full frame DSLR cameras.
The a290 and a390 models (announced last year) are no longer in production.
Online chatter indicates that the next Fuji X100 firmware update may be released in the next two weeks which matches exactly with the end of our X100 camera giveaway 🙂 Last week Fujifilm Japan already confirmed that they are working on a second firmware update.
