
Sony filed a patent application (2013-37081) in Japan for a 35mm f/1.8 full frame E-mount lens. Another patent (2013-37080) describes a new 24mm f/1.8 and 24mm f/2.2 lenses for mirrorless APS-C based cameras.
Konica Minolta patented (2013-15778) 12-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens designed for Micro Four Thirds sized sensors. Another patent (2013-25202) describes a several other lenses for MFT: 26mm f/1.8, 19mm f/2.8, 17.5mm f/2.8, 16.6mm f/2.8; for APS-C: 23mm f/2.8, 18.7mm f/2.819.6mm f/2.8 and even a 28.7mm f/2.6 full frame lens. Sony filed patents 2013-15712 and 2013-15713 for a 100mm […]
Ricoh filed patent (2013-7853) for a new 23mm f/2.5 and 27mm f/1.9 lenses for mirrorless APS-C sensor. Not clear if those lenses will be used for the GXR system or for a new GR compact camera Tamron filed a patent (2012-242690) for a 50mm f/1.8 lens designed for an APS-C mirrorless camera.

Canon is expected to have an announcement on January 8th, 2013. Expect two new L lenses: EF 35 f/1.4L II and EF 14-24 f/2.8L. Canon EOS 5D Mark II is now officially discontinued (current price down to $1599.00!) New Canon patent for a Canon 18-70mm f/2.8-6 lens probably designed for a new fixed lens APS-C camera:
Tamron Patent 2012-242504 from Tamron is for a 300mm f/2.8 full frame lens for mirrorless cameras (?): Canon Patent 2012-247451 from Canon is for a 50mm f/1.2 lens: Canon 50mm f/1.2 full frame lens patent (for DSLR cameras) The next example is interesting – it looks like Canon filed a patent for a 50mm f/2.0 full frame mirrorless lens: Canon […]

Simga’s 2012-234169 patent has calculations for 30mm f/2.8, 30mm f/2.5, 28mm f/2.8, 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/2.8 and 55mm f/2.8 lenses designed for APS-C sized sensor. The interesting part is that the described lenses have built-in image stabilization. On few occasions in the past Sigma has made statements that they are not interested in developing a mirrorless interchangeable lens system camera. My […]

Few months ago Olympus did confirm their commitment to the Four Thirds format. The company recently filed a patent (2012-230323) in Japan for a Four Thirds to Micro Four Thirds mount lens adapter with built-in autofocus and image stabilization. This is not a surprise, since every manufacturer that has a mirrorless and DSLR cameras today also offers compatible lens adapters.

Ricoh filed patent 2012211956 in Japan for a 5.3-22mm f/2-3.5 lens designed for a 1/1.7″ sensor (24-100mm equivalent). The lens design contains 11 elements in 8 groups, including two aspherical elements. This lens could be designed for the Pentax Q system, which has a 1/2.3″ sensor, or for a new GXR module.