The latest Panasonic patents

Panasonic patent for what appears to be a GH2 model with a metal body:

“The main claim of this patent is the ‘heat radiators and heat conductors’ inside a ‘metal body’ which remove heat from around the image processing unit and the CMOS sensor itself.

The CMOS image sensor 110 is able to acquire high-resolution moving images used for recording, and to acquire low-resolution moving images used as through images. An example of a high-resolution moving image is a moving image in HD size (high definition size: 1920×1080 pixels). The CMOS image sensor 110 is an example of an imaging element that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical image signal. The concept of imaging element here encompasses CCD image sensors and other such opto-electric conversion elements in addition to the CMOS image sensor 110.”

There is another patent application that describes a tiltable EVF and pop-up flash (on the drawing 132 is the pop-up flash):

“The technology disclosed here is intended to reduce the size of a camera body.
The EVF 180 is able to selectively display both moving pictures and still pictures.
The EVF 180 is connected by a rotary shaft 184 so as to be rotatable with respect to the camera body 1. By rotating around the rotary shaft 184, the EVF 180 can assume a state other than the eye level position (first disposition).”

Disclaimer: patent applications are not necessary a sign of upcoming products.

Posted in Panasonic| Tagged | 2 Comments

Ricoh GXR prototypes shown in Japan

DC Watch has multiple pictures of different Ricoh GXR prototypes shown on the CP+ Camera and Imaging Show 2010 in Japan. One of them is the previously rumored 28-300mm GXR cartridge:

On display was also a Ricoh GXR A12 28mm f/2.5 cartridge and Ricoh GXR Leica mount cartridge:

    as well as Ricoh GXR Hasselblad cartridge:

      Posted in Hasselblad, Leica, Ricoh| Tagged | 27 Comments

      Sony EVIL menu screenshots

      Here are some screenshots from the menu of the Sony EVIL camera (click on image for a slightly larger view):

      Source

      Posted in Sony| Tagged | 7 Comments

      Pentax 645D will not be sold in the US

      “Pentax has finally introduced a medium-format digital SLR. The ruggedized, outdoor-friendly 645D is compatible with Pentax 645 lenses. The Bad news? No plans as yet to sell it in the U.S.”

      The source is Adorama. Their source was a Pentax US rep (twitter link):

      Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 13 Comments

      Pentax 645D and FA 645 55mm f/2.8 AL[IF] SDM AW announced

      Read all the Pentax 645D details @ Pentax Japan and dpreview (price aprox. US $9,400).

      Read all the 645 55mm f/2.8 lens details @ Pentax Japan and dpreview (price aprox. US $1,100).

      Full press releases after the break:

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      Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 25 Comments

      Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) lens for Canon, Nikon and Sony announced

      Back in January I reported about two upcoming Tamron lenses. Today one of them was officially announced – the Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) for Canon, Nikon and Sony. We are still waiting for the new 18-200 Tamron lens.

      Full press release after the break:

      Read More »

      Posted in Tamron| 17 Comments

      Pentax 645D will have a 40MP sensor

      DC watch reports (in English) that the upcoming Pentax 645D will have a 40MP sensor.

      Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 15 Comments

      Canon rebates now online

      The rumored Canon rebates are now live @ Adorama (just a week after Nikon announced their rebate program):

      Some Tamron rebates:

      Some of the recently announced Sigma products are now available for pre-order:

      Posted in Canon, Sigma, Tamron| Leave a comment

      Panasonic G2/Panasonic G10 official

      Today Panasonic announced the G2 and G10 additions to their Lumix line. A new Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega O.I.S. image stabilized lens was also introduced.

      Amazon has already listed the new models on their website but prices are not yet official (Panasonic announces prices 30 days before the product will start shipping).

      Read More »

      Posted in Panasonic| Tagged , | 4 Comments

      Samsung NC110 = Samsung NX10 + touchscreen?

      The UK retailer Littlewoods displayed a picture of Samsung NC110 camera under their Samsung NX10 listing:

      The camera looks identical to the recently announced Samsung NX10. The only difference appears to be the 3″ AMOLED touchscreen. A new Samsung NX10 with a touch screen was already reported as a possibility back in January, 2010 which makes this NC110 rumor plausible.

      Here is a picture of Samsung NX10 for comparison:

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      Posted in Samsung| Tagged , | 2 Comments