Olympus claims title of best-selling mirrorless camera manufacturer for 2011 in Japan

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  • January 26, 2012 at 6:17 am

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Olympus new PEN cameras: E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1

Embattled Olympus didn’t have such a bad year after all. The Japanese camera manufacturer has just claimed top position for the mirrorless camera category in the 2012 BCN Award.

The BCN Ranking pulls in point-of-sale data from a number of major Japanese electronic stores, including online stores like Amazon Japan, and once a year hands-out awards based on the number of actual sales. Olympus has moved ahead of both Sony and Panasonic, capturing more than a third of the market with sales numbering 36.6% of total. Panasonic has the number two spot with 29.3% of sales.
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First leaked image of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 MFT camera

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  • January 20, 2012 at 6:45 pm

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Olympus OM-D leaked image - right side

Though not much of image, we’ll get what we can for now. We’ve been slowly getting more information on the latest compact Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus, the OM-D. We know it will probably be announced around the 8th of February, we’ve confirmed the Olympus OM-D name from the company’s trademark fillings, and we got our first specs.

The leaked image above comes form 43rumors and shows the shutter button combined with a dial, an extra dial to its left, a function button and a dedicated video button at the top of the camera. The camera should be all black, and there is also a slightly oddly shaped OM logo as well. Not much more for now, but we hope we can update you soon with more images and info.
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Panasonic GX1 Micro Four Thirds camera and 100-300mm lens getting firmware updates for improved performance

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  • January 19, 2012 at 6:32 pm

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Panasonic Lumix GX1 MFT camera black and silver side-by-side

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 will soon be getting a firmware update that is said to improve the camera’s functionality. The GX1 is Panasonic new flagship compact Micro Four Thirds (MFT) digital camera and the proud successor of the venerable GF1.

As a reminder, the Panasonic GX1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) has a 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor, similar to the one in the Panasonic G3 and a 3-inch 460k dot touchscreen LCD with touch-focus. The GX1 uses contrast autofocus, claiming to be as fast as 0.09 seconds. It’s all nicely contained in a compact aluminium body. You might want to check out our comparison of the GX1 against other flagship compact MILCs.
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First rumored specs for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera: Micro Four Thirds, EVF and weather sealed body

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  • January 17, 2012 at 5:06 pm

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Olympus OM-2 camera

We finally had a name for Olympus’s latest compact interchangeable lens camera this week. The Olympus OM-D was confirmed after the Japanese camera maker registered the trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Olympus has also began an ‘Om My Goodness’ teaser campaign. However, we are still mostly in the dark as to what we can expect from the new OM-series digital camera.

A Japanese website, Digicame-info, is now claiming to have received reliable information on some specs for the Olympus OM-D. The camera will be a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system camera with key differentiating factors to Olympus’s PEN MFT cameras being the built-in EVF and weather sealed body:
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Sigma introduces new fast prime lenses for Micro Four Thirds and Sony NEX cameras

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  • January 10, 2012 at 10:41 am

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Sigma Digital Neo 30mm F2.8 EX DN and 19mm F2.8 EX DN lenses

Sigma has just announced the launch of a new line of lenses titled Digital Neo (DN). The DN lenses mark Sigma’s foray into the world of compact system cameras. Sigma is getting into the game with two fast primes, for the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) and Sony’s NEX camera E-mount systems.

The two lenses are the 19mm F2.8 EX DN and the 30mm F2.8 EX DN. Both lenses have a new linear autofocus (AF) motor for quiet operation, making them suitable for both stills and video.
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First preview and hands-on videos of the Fujifilm X-Pro1: 40 minutes of pure camera lust

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  • January 9, 2012 at 4:51 pm

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Fujifilm X-Pro1 hands-on videos preview

Sure specs, pictures and comparisons are great, but we are sure you want to see Fujifilm’s latest marvel in action. We are not sure how else to foreword this, other than grab your pop-corn, sit comfortably and prepare for a total of 40 minutes of manual knob turning, metal body handling, hybrid viewfinder switching, retro camera lust.

The Fuji Guys, Fujifilm’s Canadian duo, take you on a video tour of every minute detail around the new X-Pro1 interchangeable lens camera. Head over after the break for the three hands-on videos and be sure to check out the rest of our coverage as well.
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Fujifilm X-Pro1 interchangeable lens camera is official with 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor, February release date

FeaturedNews

  • January 9, 2012 at 3:57 pm

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Fujifilm X-Pro1 digital camera

Fujifilm didn’t exactly keep the lid on its X-series mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) system. We’ve seen pictures and specs of the Fujifilm X-Pro1 in a number of leaks last week, but now we have the official announcement by Fujifilm with all the minor details we are sure you’re anxious to hear.

The X-Pro1 is a retro beauty following in the footsteps of the X100 and the X10. The camera has a new 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor that was developed in-house by Fujifilm together this its proprietary EXR technology. Fujifilm claims that the new X-Trans CMOS sensor is able to deliver image resolution that bests other APS-C sensors. This is achieved by a new color filter array that does not require an optical low-pass filter, which degrades resolution. The new EXR Processor Pro is capable of processing the increased signal data coming from the new sensor.
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Fujifilm X-Pro1 vs. Panasonic GX1 vs. Sony NEX-7 vs. Olympus E-P3 comparison

The Lab

  • January 8, 2012 at 6:31 pm

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Fujifilm X-Pro 1 camera with 18mm lens

Digital mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MILCs) have gone a long way since Panasonic released the first Micro Four Thirds camera over 3 years ago. During this time, we’ve seen practically all major camera manufacturers (except Canon) entering the space that was once the privilege of multi-thousand dollar Leica Rangefinders. Fujifilm showed us what they can do with a high-end compact camera in their excellent fixed-lens FinePix X100 shooter last year. Now, Fujifilm plans to release a new X-series MILC system led by their X-Pro1 camera.

Despite coming late to the party, Fujifilm intends to enter with a bang. The X-Pro1 has Leica-like controls with individual shutter speed and exposure compensation dials, while each lens has a manual aperture ring. Fujifilm has also improved on the X100’s hybrid electronic/optical viewfinder, and the second generation has found its way in the X-Pro1.

In our comparison below we have pitted the Fujifilm X-Pro1 against the best of the competition, the Panasonic GX1, the Sony NEX-7 and the Olympus E-P3. All four share the same rangefinder-style body, though not all come with a built-in viewfinder. It’s interesting to note that the X-Pro1 includes a number of technologies which are unique, including the new X-Trans CMOS sensor and hybrid viewfinder.
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More images of the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 camera system emerge together with flash unit and leather case

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  • January 8, 2012 at 11:00 am

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Fujifilm X-Pro 1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera top

No matter how many pictures of the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) system we see, we still want more. Photorumors has just fed our appetite for more camera porn with a fresh bunch of X-Pro 1 related pics. Above and below you can see the new bounty of razor sharp images of the upcoming all black Fujifilm shooter said to be sized 138 x 83 x 38 mm, full details on X-Pro 1 here. For comparison the X100 measures 126 x 74 x 54 mm.

Controls are very similar to the X100; from the images we can clearly see the exposure compensation and shutter speed dials, while we can make out the old-style cable release shutter button option.
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Fujifilm X-Pro1 camera lenses get Amazon product pages, priced $500-600

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  • January 8, 2012 at 2:52 am

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Fujifilm X-Pro 1 MILC

Amazon has jumped the gun on the yet unannounced Fujifilm X-Pro1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC). We saw details of the X-Pro1 camera leaked two days ago together with its three lenses.

Now each of the lenses has acquired an Amazon product page and a price. Although all lenses were rumored to be priced $600 each at launch, both the 18mm (27mm equivalent) f/2.0 and 35mm (53mm equivalent) f/1.4 lens have been priced at $500, while the macro 60mm (90mm equivalent) f/2 lens is priced at $600.
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Fujifilm X-Pro 1 (LX10) interchangeable lens camera system specs leaked with three fast prime lenses, March release date

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  • January 5, 2012 at 4:55 am

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Fujifilm X-Pro 1 MILC

Someone has been quite trigger happy today. The same source that has given us the Nikon D4 leak, has also leaked a wire on Fujifilm’s X-series mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) system. Though several names for Fujifilm’s new interchangeable lens camera have been rumored, such as LX10 or X1, it seems that it may eventually be called the X-Pro 1.

Thanks to this latest leak we finally have some more detailed specs on the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 MILC. If the leak is to be believed, the X-Pro 1 will receive a new custom-developed 16-megapixel APS-C EXR sensor (up from the 12.3-megapixel sensor in the Fujifilm X100) with a new filter array. The camera will include a second-generation hybrid viewfinder, building on the success of the X100.

Fujifilm will release the X-Pro 1 system with three fast prime lenses. Though a zoom lens was also initially rumored, there isn’t any indication of one for now. The three prime lenses will be 18mm (27mm equivalent) f/2.0, 35mm (53mm equivalent) f/1.4 and 60mm (90mm equivalent) f/2.4 macro.

For more images of the X-Pro1 check out the previous leak this week. More information is bound to come soon as Fujifilm takes the stage at PMA @CES 2012.
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Fujifilm X-series mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, LX10 (X-Pro1), images leaked before CES

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  • January 3, 2012 at 6:14 pm

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Fujifilm X-series interchangeable lens mirrorless camera system LX10 / X-Pro1 mount

We’re expecting Fujifilm to announce their new X-series mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) soon with the first hands-on glimpse coming at CES 2012 next week. The camera, which is rumored to be named LX10 or X1 or X-Pro1, has been leaked in pictures before but this latest leak shows it in its full assembled glory together with the new Fujifilm proprietary mount.

This latest leak seems to be the real thing, just compare the different features of the camera from this older picture leaked from the assembly line in November:
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Olympus weather-sealed mirrorless camera with integrated viewfinder pegged for February release

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  • January 3, 2012 at 9:56 am

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Mockup of Olympus mirrorless camera with integrated viewfinder

Olympus is rumored to skip any new major product announcements at CES this January and instead announce its new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) camera in early February. 43rumors is claiming that a trusted source has indicated that Olympus will announce a new MILC in the week of 6-11th of February. The new camera will be weather-sealed and have an integrated viewfinder, both of which will be a first for Olympus digital mirrorless cameras.

The new camera could also sport a new sensor, which would make the complete package even more appealing. Things have been heating up to a melting point in the MILC space, with Panasonic finally releasing a worthy GF1 successor, the GX1, Sony has come out with the 24-megapixel NEX-7 with OLED viewfinder and Fujifilm has promised us an X-series interchangeable lens camera for CES following in the bloodline of the very successful X100. We’ve also speculated that we might see the Panasonic GH3 at CES next week as well.
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Panasonic GH3 (GH2 successor) could be announced at CES in January 2012

News

  • January 1, 2012 at 6:48 am

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Panasonic GH3 rumor

We have to foreword our report by saying that it’s mere speculation based on information we’ve received. What we’ve been hearing from a couple of European retail sources, is that the current Panasonic GH2 has come to an end-of-life (EOL) and brick-and-mortar stock has dried up in anticipation of a successor.

The Panasonic GH2 Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) was announced in September 2010 at Photokina in Germany. It’s Panasonic’s higher-end MFT shooter with a 16.05-megapixel sensor, built-in EVF, advanced manual controls, articulated touchscreen and amazing video capabilities. In fact it has become an incredible creative tool for aspiring videographers. We’ve covered how the GH2 has been hacked into recording video at an insane 176Mbps and 12,800 ISO.

Though there were hopes for one, there was no successor to the GH2 in 2011; Panasonic debunked any rumors in September. However, the company also indicated, through the mouth of Ichiro Kitao, the head of Panasonic’s camera division, that the GH line had become their flagship and that they would certainly be looking for a 2012 refresh.
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