http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/august31/levoy-opensource-camera-090109.html

I really like the open source philosophy but I never thought it could be applied to a photographic camera. After reading the article I can’t wait to see the first production open source camera which should be on market by the end of the next year.

And if you think it’s a joke take a look on the companies that supports the project: Nokia, Adobe Systems, Kodak, and Hewlett-Packard!!!

The “Frankencmera” should cost 1.000$ only. But we stil doesn’t know what kind of specifications the camera will have.

Read his article and then come back to 43rumors and tell us what you think about his review!

http://www.kenrockwell.com/olympus/e-p1.htm

Very interesting, now I know how to remove the annoying autofocus beep!

“Beeper

There is an annoying in focus beeper. You have to spend quite a while turning on the secret menu system to turn it off.

Once you’ve activated the secret menu system, press:

MENU > GEARS > GEARS D (disp / o)) / PC) > o)) > OFF > OK

to turn it off.”

Dear readers!

Here you have the Leica X1 specs! (translated with google form http://product.shanxiit.com/000199700/Detail.html).

UPDATE: As written in your comments we forgot to notice that the specs are close to the GF1  features. If the specs are true it would mean that Leica is using the GF1 tecnology and sensor.

Interchangeable lens type digital camera digital camera
Effective pixels 12.11 million
Maximum number of pixels 13.66 million
The maximum resolution 4000 × 3000
Multiple of 4 times digital zoom
Sensor Type Live MOS sensor
Focus Mode Auto Focus
Manual Focus
Face Detection
AF Tracking
Area – Focus / Focus on a region
Single or continuous AF
Autofocus detection range: EV 0-18 (F3.5 lens, using the ISO 100)
Pre-AF (rapid AF / Continuous AF), auto-focus + IF, IF auxiliary system (5 times, 10 times)
Pick the wrong
Release Date September 2009

Camera flash Pop-up pick the wrong
External flash support for external flash
Leica lens X1
Lens Model for M4 / 3 mount lenses
Leica X1 Shutter
60 -1/4000 shutter speed
Prolonged exposure (up to 4 minutes)
Flash X sync pick the wrong 1-160 seconds
Leica X1 Exposure Control
Exposure mode program AE, aperture-priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, movies, self-definition (2)
Exposure Compensation 1 / 3 EV stages, -3 – +3 EV
Auto Exposure Compensation 1/3-1 EV stage, three (cases)
Exposure Metering 144-point auto-metering, intelligent multi-point, the central focus, fixed-point metering
Scene modes portrait, skin and soft, creative portraits, architecture, sports
, Peripheral defocus, flowers, food, objects, Night Portrait, Night Scene, lighting, baby 1,2, pets, sunset
Intelligent ISO sensitivity range
The use of ISO 100, ISO 200 between the
Standard ISO 400
Standard ISO 800
ISO 1600
Pick the wrong ISO 3200
White Balance Auto, Pre-set
Preset White Balance Auto, daylight, cloudy, shade, halogen, flash, custom 1, custom 2, Kelvin temperature
Leica X1 shooting performance
Image size 4000 × 3000 (4:3)
2816 × 2112 (4:3)
2048 × 1536 (4:3)
4000 × 2672 (3:2)
2816 × 1880 (3:2)
2048 × 1360 (3:2)
4000 × 2248 (16:9)
2816 × 1584 (16:9)
1920 × 1080 (16:9)
2992 × 2992 (1:1)
2112 × 2112 (1:1)
1504 × 1504 (1:1)
Video capture AVCDHD: 1280 × 720 (30fps);
MJPEG: 320 × 240 (30fps);
640 × 480 (30fps);
848 × 480 (30fps);
1280 × 720 (30fps);
High-definition format support 720P  video capture
Video output NTSC / PAL standard
Leica viewfinder and display X1
LCD screen type TFT LCD display screen
3-inch LCD screen
460,000 pixel LCD screen
Viewfinder type LCD viewfinder
Leica X1 storage format
Memory Card Type SD Card / SDHC card / MMC card flash memory cards
RAW format, JPEG photo
Pick the wrong video format AVCHD
Other features Leica X1
Playback leaflets / 12, 30 thumbnail display, calendar display, overexposure tips;
Zoom playback (up to 16-fold) / image rotation (RAW format, except);
Slide presentation (interval adjustable, you can manually control);
Favorite Photo Play / recovery (number of pixels selectable);
Cut / protection / aspect conversion / PDOF print settings.
Connection type USB2.0, pick the wrong interface with MiniHDMI TypeC
Power Supply 1250 milliamperes 7.2v lithium-ion rechargeable battery chargers offer
Pick the wrong color Black
Size of 119 × 71 × 36.3mm view camera bags offer
Weight 448.0g
Printing support PictBridge Printing Protocol
Compatible operating systems Windows XP / Vista, MAC OS X
Standard screw tripod screw
Leica X1 environmental parameters
Operating Humidity “90%
Storage Humidity 10-80%
Operating temperature 0-40 ℃
Storage temperature -20-60 ℃

source : http://product.shanxiit.com/000199700/Detail.html

Bryan B. sent me an email from Olympus Australia with some good news for current and future E-P1 owners ;)

“Hello,

Thank you for contacting Olympus Imaging Australia.

There is a firmware update which will be released on the 15th of September,
which will address the AF issues of the EP-1. Please see below on details.

<< E-P1 >> Revision 1.1

– Improved operation when using C-AF (continuous AF).
* We recommend Version 1.1 or later of the lens firmware if you
are using
the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm F2.8 or the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED
14-42mm F3.5-5.6.
<< M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6  >>  Revision 1.1

– Improved AF operation.

<< M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm F2.8  >>  Revision 1.1

– Improved AF operation.

This update should solve all the AF issues you may be experiencing.”

It has been a busy day today. I had many small talks with some of my best sources. It looks like the Ricoh and the Leica rumors we posted in the last 24 hours are definitely real. I have spoken to people who is really close to both companies. That means things are getting very interesting with the MicroFourThirds alliance not beeing the only to develope and release compact cameras with mirrorless tecnique and interchangeable lenses. Keep in mind that on September 9th Leica will announce their new products and Ricoh will release the new camera before the end of the year. I believe that soon I will know more about both cameras ;)

UPDATE: Also Samsung will reveal their NX camera by end of the year or early 2010. Read more here: http://k-rumors.com/k4-samsung-nx-for-late-2009-or-early-2010/

Coming back to Panasonic rumors, I am happy the GF1 has been released because know I know which sources I should trust and which not.

And Olympus will probably release more cameras and lenses during the latest quarter of the year.

A small rumor summary about both companies will be soon posted on 43rumors…

Thanks to everyone who helps me and my collegues by sharing news and rumors! Your help matters and helps us all to know more about Olympus and Panasonic future strategies! And do not forget to preorder the  Panasonic GF1 or Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens or Panasonic 45mm f/2.8 lens using this or other affiliate links! (As soon as the new products are available in other stores we will inform you)

cheers!

Ale

P.S.: If some of the 43rumors subscribers wants to become a 43rumors writer contact me at 43rumors@gmail.com

Now you can preorder the red white and black  Panasonic GF1 models with Amazon JAPAN.

Europeans still have to wait :(