Rumor: Samsung, Schneider – Kreuznach and Alpa to create the first, fully digital, medium format camera system

Alpa 12 TC

After the rumor that Canon wants to move to medium format territories, we now have three other companies (Samsung, Schneider – Kreuznach and Alpa) that reportedly want to create a photographic Association (SSA) and produce the first fully digital, medium format camera system. Here the Google translation:

Foundation benefits
A kind of noise caused by many large companies the agreement between the three incoming. The agreement will create a high-end photographers, photo artists and creators to create the new system.
Samsung, Schneider – Kreuznach finishing and Alpa is a big deal to create a photographic Association (SSA) to create the first fully digital, medium format camera system.
Samsung Electronics, Mr. President, Secretary Department of Justice Park said: “Each company in each of the consortium of professional and high quality system for the medium format of the sensitive components of the professional, we have completed the first medium-format CMOS sensor, and the first model electronic components. ”
Schneider Optics CEO Dwight Lindsey said: “To our actual Alpa lens system will fit with the new system, we have taken the same mount, but we are working on a new formula for the optical system and fully electronic oriented. ”
In fact, we do not have information, or in this new system will be published.
They are talking about a new system, MF CMOS sensor and Schneider lenses.

Photofan via PentaxForums

Posted in Alpa, Samsung, Schneider Kreuznach| 10 Comments

This looks like the new Samsung NX100 (plus new Samsung NX lenses)

Update #2: the video was of course removed from YouTube.

Update: The first camera on the video is the NX10 with the new compact zoom kit 20-50mm. There are some more new Samsung lenses in that picture:

  • The two lenses to the right of the NX10 are: in the back the 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 compact kit zoom and in the front is it the new 20mm pancake (see the full 2010 Samsung NX lens line-up)
  • The white camera has the new compact zoom kit.
  • The new cameras has the same design as the Samsung HZ30W.

We already know that the Samsung NX100 will come in white. Here is the proof:

Do you see the three cameras on the right? They don’t look like anything else in the current Samsung line-up and one of them is white. Maybe this is the expected Samsung NX100. The pictured cameras could also be the Samsung NX5.

Posted in Samsung| Tagged | 8 Comments

Canon interested in medium format?

Canon may be looking to acquire a medium format camera manufacturer. It is not clear which company is the target of this acquisition. Few months ago, rumors were floating around that Canon (and Sony) were interested in purchasing Pentax, which has a medium format camera (the Pentax 645D).

Posted in Canon| 29 Comments

Sony announcement on September 13th, 2010?

Sony sent out press invitations in Europe for a product announcement on September 13th, 2010. This seems to be DSLR related, probably the expected four new camera bodies.

Posted in Sony| 2 Comments

First picture of Pentax K-5?

Update: as a reader already noted, somebody on the PF claimed the fakery.

PentaxForums has an ongoing discussion about this picture of a Pentax K-5:

Same as above, but processed in PS:

And for comparison, a picture of the Pentax k- 7. Both cameras look identical. Maybe they will be:

Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 6 Comments

Pentax K-5, K-r and EVIL cameras at Photokina

A rather bizarre rumor showed up on dpreview yesterday – somebody who claims to work for Pentax Spain as a “sales promoter”:

  • Pentax K-5 will be a model above K-7.
  • Pentax K-r will use both a lithium battery and standard AAs and will cost 699€.
  • Pentax EVIL will likely be APSC.

The poster claims to work for the company that created Pentax.es website.

Posted in Pentax| Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Rumored Panasonic Lumix GH2 specs

Some rumored specs for Panasonic GH2:

  • 14 Megapixels sensor 1400 LiveMOS (new design)
  • 1080/60p (up to 24Mbps)
  • AVCHD video
  • EVF is 360Hz (RGB × 120Gz) / SXGA / LCD monitor can tilt back and forth movable / 960 × RGB × 540 / HD Hitachi Display
  • AF is slightly faster than ever
  • SDXC support
  • Real-time Output HDMI
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • Body colors – graphite and titanium
  • kit lens: 14-140mm F4.0-5.6 HD OIS , 12-75mm F2.5-3.3 HD OIS
  • Announcement on August 19th

Source

Posted in Panasonic| Tagged | 6 Comments

Pentax to release a mirrorless camera according to… CitiGroup

On page 2 of this CitiGroup report about Hoya (the owner of Pentax), you will see the following sentence:

“Hoya plans to release a mirrorless camera under Pentax brand that is distinct from models already on the market.”

No further information is provided. It is really weird that a financial corporation like CitiGroup would report rumors on their official report… unless they know something about this project.

Rumors of a new mirrorless camera from Pentax have been floating around for a while. Here are some of the recent quotes on this topic:

“Pentax engineers are continuing to pursue the possibility of launching a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, as the firm points to an ‘exciting’ few months ahead.”

“It’s quite clear that we don’t want to be seen as the same as everyone else. We would go down a different route. We are looking to grow. We want to grow. It’s going to be an exciting year. I think everybody will see a change in Pentax.”

Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 20 Comments

Sony patents honeycomb image sensor

Sony filed a patent for a honeycomb type image sensor. The sensor’s photodiodes are shaped like hexagons (regular sensors have square photodiodes) which should improve the sensor’s performance. Few years ago Fuji worked on a honeycomb type “Super CCD” sensor.

The Google translation is sufficient to get a basic idea about this patent:

  • Patent Publication No. 2010-161200
  • published 2010/07/22. Filled 2009/01/08
  • Distance of the pixel is equal with all courses in the case of a honeycomb
  • Less number of transistors used
  • Low cost
  • It can increase the number of the pixels
  • Good sensitivity
  • It assumes seven pixels one unit
Posted in Sony| Tagged | 25 Comments

The rumored white Samsung NX100 again

The previously rumored white Samsung NX100 appeared again on dpreview. This time the image is full size. The picture was reportedly taken during a commercial shoot for the already rumored Samsung NX100. The camera on the photo is definitely different than the previously released Samsung NX10 white limited edition.

Posted in Samsung| Tagged | 3 Comments