(FT4) No more “classic” Four Thirds products from Panasonic?
Many of our sources are telling us that Panasonic has no plan to develop new Four Thirds cameras or lenses. They will focus their resources on new MicroFourThirds products. One more thing: Panasonic is working hard to improve the video capabilities of their next cameras (24MB/s compression and 1080 60/50p recording).
It will be interesting to see how Olympus will balance their resources between new Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds products. Akira Watanabe CEO from Olympus pre-announced two new MFT lenses and a second MFT camera but gave no indications about new FourThirds products.
Surprised about Panasonic’s move? We are not!
P.S.: Remember that this is a rumor and not an official Panasonic news!
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Recent comments
Comment from AT: It is obvious that Panasonic will focus ...
Comment from Hector: Well, it's very sad. The L1 is a fantast...
Comment from Andrew: Kinda sad to see that though, 4/3 was ni...
Comment from Big Mike: I think it is pretty obvious that Panaso...
SL
3 years ago |why have you got a picture of the LC1 here? it’s just a compact with a nice Leica lens…Panasonic’s two attempts in 4/3s are the L1 and the L10.
Thyl Engelhardt
3 years ago |Maybe it’s actually a healthy sign, meaning that we might eventually return to a somewhat slower refreshing cycle in the camera industry, now that the sensor resolutions are approaching the diffraction limit.
It’s not been that long ago that a particular (film camera) model could have lasted for 5-10 years. As long as there is an option to record in some RAW format, we might still be able to benefit from progress in software development.
kurth
3 years ago |well the lc1 wasn’t 4/3s’ – it had a 2/3″ sensor – it however was probably panasonics’ most beautiful camera to date – shame they couldn’t have followed that designers recommendation
Eric
3 years ago |I don’t think it’s so much of a DSLR’s have plateaued type of a thing. I suspect Panasonic have simply realized the future of the 4/3′s sensor is in m4/3′s, not in DSLR’s. Unless you are a telephoto junkie I just can’t make much of a case for choosing the 4/3′s system over APS-C and especially FF. However, since small size is arguably the most important feature of mirror-less systems then the 4/3′s sensor will have a huge advantage there. I just see a much broader appeal for m4/3′s over standard 4/3′s. The E-30 and upcoming E-4 should keep wildlife people happy for a few years, So what really is left for Panasonic to offer that Olympus doesn’t already do? They should spend all their resources focused on m4/3′s from now on.
KWW
3 years ago |All I want in a camera is a m4/3 version of the LC1! Manual aperture and shutter controls, ie physical aperture ring and shutter control knob.
maenju
3 years ago |i want a petition to make pana bring back the LC1 + lens as mFT models
coconut lime
3 years ago |i totally agree =)))
i haven’t bought another camera since the LC1
i really hope they make another camera as nice as the LC1
Thyl Engelhardt
3 years ago |Eric: you may well be right; the more so when considering that by avoiding as much of the classical camera stuff as possible, panasonic will gain more independence from olympus’ skills in this regard.
The l1and lc1 designs have certainly been heavily influenced by leica. They are clean bauhaus designs, and iirc have been designed by a designer from Germany ?!. So, don’t expect too much from pana after this collaboration seems to have been -err-restricted.
Big Mike
3 years ago |I think it is pretty obvious that Panasonic is no longer interested in 4/3 and is going all-in with m4/3.
Andrew
3 years ago |Kinda sad to see that though, 4/3 was nice to have as an option to give you a OVF rather than a EVF although I have to admit Panasonic’s EVF’s are solid and pretty high resolution. I’m still waiting for the cheap m4/3 camera with better video than the 7D, (which even in test camera footage looks better than the GH1). Hopefully they give the ability to shoot 60P as well as 30P and 24P for 1080 for the next. I shoot video as well as stills so I am torn between Canon and m4/3′s (Rumors for the next iteration are sounding great. Good thing I can’t buy anything right now so I have to wait and see what else will come out) Heres to 24/Mbps minimum bitrate and variable frame rate.
Hector
3 years ago |Well, it’s very sad. The L1 is a fantastic body. (And the L10 wasn’t bad either) I have both an L1 and an E3, and when it comes to usability/ergonomics the L1 is a pleasure to use. It’s not too heavy, shutter speed is on the top dial, aperture ring on the Pany lenses is awesome, bounce flash is extremely useful, moving from auto to aperture or shutter speed priority is as easy as one tactile click. If a replacement L1 had ever been produced, I’d be first in line for it. Think of an updated L1, with a brighter viewfinder, and a pancake lens!
But, I can clearly see how Panasonic views this as a wise business decision. Why compete in a saturated market with Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, and Olympus? It’s much better to be where the market is growing and there are less competitors.
As far as 4/3 as a standard, I think there are plenty of people who will stick around, and m4/3 will actually help. Lets say you’re shooting a wedding with an E3 and a 520 or L1 backup. Well you could downsize your backup to a GF1 and use all your great glass. But if you’re going somewhere where you need to be more discrete, or just don’t want to carry a big camera, then the GF1 and a pancake can be used as the main camera. It’s really a very versatile standard, and not just for telephoto junkies.
AT
3 years ago |It is obvious that Panasonic will focus on M4/3 as long as they can make money from their lenses without the high price tag of Leica 4/3 lenses, and simplify the implementation of their technology on video recording and make compact-sized camera without mirror on the camera.