(FT 3) BIG! Panasonic and Leica to produce together a new compact m4/3 camera?
Fake rendered image of a possible LX5
So Panasonic folks. We have something for you. In the last week we received some informations from two sources who gave us some news over Panasonic and Leica micro four thirds plan.
That’s what we got and to bo honest this are the first Panasonic rumors we publish with (FT3) value. FT3 means that is not only a cheap rumor!
1) We from 43rumors are sure a Panasonic compact mico four thirds camera will come before the end of this year but what really surprises us is tht this will probably be made in collaboration with Leica.
2) In the same way they produced the LX3 /D-LUX 4 duo they probably will sell the similar camera with minor differences. Leica announced two things in the past:
a) They don’t plan to enter in the m4/3 market
b) They want a cheaper alternative to the M-series
It seems they were cheating us on point “a” 
May Panasonic has convinced Leica to enter in the micro for thirds market. It seems wise for Leica to go for m4/3 instead of doing all alone! And the Panasonic and Olympus m4/3 brand will gain a lot of credit having Leica (and his lenses) on board!
3) One single rumor claimed to know that “There isn’t a lot to improve on the LX-3! Yes they could try to make a little bigger sensor then the one inside the LX§3 but this doesn’t really make any sense. That’s why they choose to upgrade the LX series. That means the next LX5 will be the compact micro four thirds camera! Count on this! (translation from other language)”
4) If Leica enters the micro four thirds world expect to see the release of new Leica lenses specially made for m4/3!
It is to early for specs, I don’t have any certain onfromation. May I write a (FT1) post later with specs I got from anonymous people.
UPDATE: it is possible that such a camera could be announced this year but we are very doubtful that it will be called “LX5″. Probably it will have a new name.
UPDATE 2: Yes, one trusted source told us the compact m4/3 camera will not be the LX5.
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fotomik
5 years ago |Lovely! I like you rumours better than most.
Although the idea of Leica actually producing yet another line of lenses is rather insane. They already have the M-lenses, and the new S-system to take care of. Sure, with the killing of the R-line they SHOULD have some extra capacity, but this would have to be on a scale never seen by Leica to actually be successful.
More Leica-branded Panasonic-lenses? That I’d believe.
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John A. Stovall
5 years ago |No EVF? Then what’s the point? And we know it’s just a Panasonic with a red dot.
I hope Leica has not spent any time or money on this thing. It needs to be focused on the S2, D10 and future of the M line, not another camera you have to hold out at arms length to use.
Ranger 9
5 years ago |I love this rumor. Even if nothing were to come of it other than some Leica lenses in µ4/3 mount, it would be a good thing. (I’d love to use their current 25/1.4, but don’t want to mess with a 4/3>µ4/3 adapter.)
The fake-rendered camera body is pretty, although a major question mark in terms of actual utility would be the type of viewfinder offered. A big part of the reason the Pana G1 works so well with so many different lenses is its excellent eye-level viewfinder. If that viewfinder could be squished into a smaller body, it could be a real winner. But if all they could offer were a conventional back-panel LCD, I think it would discourage a lot of serious photographers.
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Joachim
5 years ago |I hope that Leica will present at the end of 2009 a better alternative to m4/3, namely a digital CM with image quality comparable to the Leica M8 and a builtin optical viewfinder and AF as in the analogue CM. No interchangeable lenses, therefore very compact.
ben
5 years ago |They may be able to recycle some old designs… Either way the Leica name lends prestige to m43, and raises the quality of the system. In no way a bad thing.
spence nicholson
5 years ago |I would trade in my DSLR and all my lenses for such a camera. A smalle retro styled interchangeable lens camera, much like olympus prototype but with leica glass.
Forester
5 years ago |I know Leica lenses are suppose to be great, but the cost is massive? Leica wants a new model camera cheaper than it’s $6000 M8 body… what do they mean? could this camera cost $3000 without a lens?! what do YOU think the price of this camera will be? I think it will be a panasonic m4/3 with a tougher metal case and sell for $1,500 to $2000… and I won’t buy it cause that’s too much. I WANT IT!… but I won’t buy it.
Joachim
5 years ago |Forester asked and I would like to answer: I think, that a digital Leica CM as described above, with objective 2,4/40 mm (equivalent) may cost 2000 – 2500 Euro, i.e. twice the price of the old analogous CM/CM-Zoom or one third of the price of M8/2 + 2,8/28 mmm.
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