43 Rumors

It could be that the next compact GFx will have a built in EVF

Either way it is good news especially if means the model with EVF like that depicted in Pany’s patent application may be coming soon.

The problem confronting Pany with the hotshoe mounted EVF as needed to be small for GF1 form factor and also not interfer with operation of the flash! The existing size is fine although small but making it higher resolution inevitably results in greater size so may indeed be a problem to upgrade significantly unless new technology like OLED EVF enables them to keep size down?

Alternatively I do hope they have developed a better resolution EVF and since it is optional hotshoe mtd they can introduce at any time it becomes available and not wait for new camera model debut especially as needed to counter E-PL1 sales with EVF2.

I wish we could see this FT5 soon. I don’t think we will see a GF2 with an integrated viewfinder due to the size constraints the model has. Even if there’s a patent in that direction I think it is not feasible in such a compact size YET! Maybe for the GF3/4 when OLED will be more developed it might become a reality.

Javi – If you look at the patent sketch closely you will see that is for a low height model likely even less height than the GF1, possibly a little longer and would look chunkier because of depth of EVF. Just look at the back of the Leica X1 and install the existing Epson LVF2 tilting viewfinder in the upper left corner and that is what you get with the screen in middle to right of EVF. It would look just like a mini LC1 but the innards would be mainly GF1 sensor, lens mt, shutter motor module. Pany may be using another manufacture like Hitach or even Ricoh for their version but no reason they could not buy product or high resolution one slightly smaller from Epson as their own G1 version would not fit – ie too wide.and big. I would expect the high resolution magnification would be 1x compared to G1 1.3X ( present 0.5x EVF on GF1).