Sigma SD1 will not capture video, future models may

By PR admin | Published: October 5, 2010

Dpreview published an interview with Sigma COO Kazuto Yamaki, Foveon VP for Technology and Operations Shri Ramaswami and VP for Strategic Marketing Rudy Guttosch about the Foveon X3 sensor in the 46MP Sigma SD1 DSLR. The interview is rather technical, but here are some interesting points:

  • Sigma SD1 will not have video, but they may consider it in future models.
  • Sigma makes all of their cameras in house and doesn’t outsource to other manufacturers.
  • Quote: “There are two challenges during the development process – improvements in the sensor and improvements in the image processing. We can guarantee that there will be improvements in both [noise and dynamic range] over the previous generation but we can’t yet say by how much.”
Posted in Sigma| Tagged | 1 Comment

Sony looks for 2nd place in the interchangeable lens cameras market in Korea

By PR admin | Published: October 5, 2010

According to Korea Times, Kimihiro Itoki (head of Sony business unit in Korea) said in a recent news conference in Seoul that “Sony looks to edge Nikon for second-place in the interchangeable lens cameras market here, including both the DSLR and the new breed of high-quality shooters, by the end of next year, to gain on Canon – the latest Alpha models will help us claim and solidify the second-position in Korea’s interchangeable lens digital cameras market and narrow the gap with Canon”.

Sony currently has 40% of the mirrorless market in Korea with their Sony NEX system.

According to Samsung, the mirrorless market will grow 60% annually and will surpass DSLR sales in 2013.

Posted in Sony| 4 Comments

This is the new Panasonic Lumix Phone

By PR admin | Published: October 4, 2010

It all started with a teaser few days ago and now we have it – the new Panasonic Lumix Phone. The dedicated Japanese website got updated with some pictures but no further details are available:

Read More »

Posted in Panasonic| Tagged | 9 Comments

The latest patents applications

By PR admin | Published: October 4, 2010

Olympus filed a patent application in Japan for a new 26-100mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.8-2.4 lens:

  • Patent application: 2010-217478, filled on 03/17/2009
  • Focus length: 6.06-18.76
  • Fno: 1.85-2.39 (aperture)
  • Angle of view: 78.41-27.50°
  • Back focus: 7.33-9.19mm
  • Length 60.49-62.17mm
  • Zoom 3.88x

Apple attempts to patent a smarter camera flash – the patent is about a flash redirector that will let the user select an area on the touchscreen that needs to be illuminated and the camera will make the necessary adjustments to flash only that area:

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Posted in Apple, Canon, Olympus| Tagged | 3 Comments

Rumor: Olympus EP-3 by the end of the year

By PR admin | Published: October 3, 2010

Olympus EP-3 is expected to be a major upgrade, here are some of the rumored specs:

  • 16MP sensor, supports 1080 video and up to ISO 6400, 12800 extension.
  • Articulated LCD, 3″ and 920K.
  • No built-in flash or EVF, but there are connectors for optional ones.
  • The design “lines” are closer to EPL1 than EP2. The form factor, being slim with an articulated screen, is unique. The closest thing would be a scaled-up Samsung EX1/TL500.
  • Considerable improvements in AF. A headline feature is a new dual AF (CDAF+ PDAF). The PDAF aids CDAF to decide the right focus distance reducing the typical CDAF trial-and-error, particularly helpful for AF of heavy classic 4/3 lenses, (it works MUCH BETTER than any m4/3 body with legacy 4/3 lenses, excellent w m4/3 lenses).
  • A special accessory unit comprising a hand grip + 4/3 lens adapter. The unit covers the whole front panel and almost transforms the EP3 to a classic 4/3 camera when attached.
  • Expected in November/December for the holiday shopping season, price TBA.

I even got some information that a new Olympus EP camera is currently being tested in the UK.

Posted in Olympus| Tagged | 20 Comments

Pentax will not use Samsung’s NX mount

By PR admin | Published: October 2, 2010

In another post-Photokina interview, the Head of Marketing for Pentax Imaging Systems Division Mr. Eguchi Kazumichi, made some interesting comments: while Hoya will continue to evaluate the market opportunities of a mirrorless camera, they will not use the Samsung NX mount in the future. He even went a step further by saying that Samsung did not use any of Pentax technologies in their NX line. It sounds to me that the relationship between Samsung and Pentax went sour.

Posted in Pentax, Samsung| 5 Comments

RED Scarlet to include HDRx

By PR admin | Published: October 2, 2010

Red’s CEO Jim Jannard announced on the reduser forum that they will include HDRx™ capability to their Scarlet camera. This will increase the price by $1000 and a cause a “slight delay in the program”. The price for a basic Scarlet “brain only” will now be $3,750.

Here is a short HDRx test video:

Read More »

Posted in Red| Tagged | 30 Comments

Panasonic Lumix Phone announcement coming up next week

By PR admin | Published: October 1, 2010

Panasonic published a press release for a new “Lumix Phone” (Google translation):

“Panasonic Mobile Communications, the first camera phones which bear the brand “Panasonic Lumix“ developed. Phone Lumix digital camera, the Panasonic “LUMIX” I took over the mobile phone user interface technology and high quality. Not only beautiful and easily taken, has been enhanced collaboration features unique to mobile Internet devices.”

The Lumix phone (or a prototype of it) will be announced during the Ceatec IT & Electronics Exhibition next week in Tokyo (October 5-9, 2010). Here are the basic specs:

  • 3.3-inch LCD screen with 854×480 resolution
  • “Mobile VenusEngine” for HD images
  • camera with 13MP CMOS sensor
  • microSDHC slot
  • Wi-Fi
  • DLNA support
  • size: 116×52×17.7mm, weight: 146g

All future details on the Lumix phone will be published on http://lumixphone.jp.

Via MobileCrunch

Posted in Panasonic| Tagged | 8 Comments

Sony A55 and A33 translucent mirror cameras can overheat during video recording, in some cases after 6 minutes

By PR admin | Published: October 1, 2010

Sony Japan has issues a statement that their latest Alpha 33 and  Alpha 55 translucent mirror cameras can overheat during video recording, in some conditions even after 6 minutes:

Yesterday Sony announced that they will be outsourcing their image sensors to Fujitsu. Not sure if both news are related.

Posted in Sony| Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lens roadmap (kind of)

By PR admin | Published: September 29, 2010
Panasonic Roadmap

credit: dc.watch

After Ricoh GXR and Sony E-mount we are continuing the roadmap series with the expected Micro Four Thirds lenses from Panasonic. The title of this unknown document says that Micro Four Thirds lenses will cover the full range from 7mm to 300mm (equivalent of 14mm-600mm in full frame). Three specific lenses listed “under consideration” are:

Posted in Panasonic| Tagged | 8 Comments