Interesting news reported by BBC – MIT created a camera that can produce an image of an object that is not directly visible by sending a laser beam and creating an image from the bounced light of the object:
“The prototype uses an ultra-short high-intensity burst of laser light to illuminate a scene. The device constructs a basic image of its surroundings – including objects hidden around the corner – by collecting the tiny amounts of light that bounce around the scene.”
Sony just annoucned the development of a new NXCAM HD camcorder with E mount (use of NEX lenses). Regular α lenses can also be used with an adapter. The camera will have 1080p (60p / 30p / 24p or 50p / 25p) recording modes and will be available in the middle of 2011. The recording format will be AVCHD.
Fulll press release after the break:
Olympus filed an interesting patent in Japan that will allow you to use the camera strap as a glare shield. This will make also the LCD screen visible in bright sunlight. Clever.
The rumors were true: the freshly announced Olympus E-PL1s features a new M. ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II kit lens and for now will be sold only in Japan.
Changes from E-PL1 version (all Google translated):
Some of the interesting sensor presentations from the 2011 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference are from Sony and Samsung:
“23.9 A 1/2.33-inch 14.6M 1.4μm-Pixel Backside-Illuminated CMOS Image Sensor with Floating Diffusion Boosting by Samsung
23.11 A 17.7Mpixel 120fps CMOS Image Sensor with 34.8Gb/s Readout by Sony”
The full program can be downloaded here.
Update #2: Panasonic GF2 will be available in Japan on December 3rd (source).
Update: another Amazon UK entry lists the GF2 at £599.
Panasonic usually reveals their pricing 30 days before the camera is released for sale, but according to Amazon UK, the Panasonic GF2 will cost £729.99 and will be released on January 24, 2011:
FYI: Panasonic GF1 currently sells for almost half price (£404).
InfoTrends published a report (digital camera market forecast for Western Europe) in which they outline that connectivity will play a major role in the camera development over the next 5 years:
“Sharing images instantly with friends and family is becoming a more important aspect of photography. Smartphones currently provide this ability, but digital cameras generally do not. Consumers will soon come to expect that cameras will interface with any device that they use to store, share, manage, and print their photos. As connected devices become more widespread, cameras will need to become connected to compete.” (Mette Eriksen, Director at InfoTrends)
Tamron filed a patent for what appears to be an update to the current SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II lens. For comparison, here is the current model:
The current Olympus E-PL1 model
Over a month ago I posted a rumor about a new Olympus EP-3 camera that will be released in the November-December timeframe. Today digicame-info reports that Olympus will release a new PEN E-PL1s camera with a new kit lens on November 16th, 2010. The article also mentions that this upcoming camera has been the reason for the E-PL1 price drop (currently selling for around $520).
The Olympus PEN line has been refreshed every few months in the past: E-P1 was announced in June of 2009, the E-P2 was released in November 2009 and the E-PL1 in February, 2010. A new model before the holiday shopping season makes sense.
Dpreview member redcrow has a very good track record when it comes to “predicting” upcoming Samsung NX products (see previous posts here and here). Redcrow’s latest comments suggest that Samsung is working on “multiple” image sensors for NX bodies that will be released next year. A new 85mm f/1.4 lens is also expected.
In another post from two months ago, redcrow mentioned that Samsung will release also a new “DSLR style” camera.
