(FT4) HOT! Panasonic GF2 with Built-in EVF?
The Panasonic GF2 has been finally announced! Click here to read all news and reviews: http://www.43rumors.com/panasonic-gf2-officially-announced-continually-updated/. You can see the camera specs at Amazon and BHphoto.
IS THAT THE PANSONIC GF2 (or GF3)???
We found a very interesting new Panasonic patent which displays a Panasonic GF1
MicroFourThirds camera!!!
If something is patented it doesn’t mean that it will certainly become real. Anyway in that case we also have our sources confirming that Panasonic is working on a Panasonic GF1 version with with built-in EVF!
Main features:
Built-In EVF
Titlable EVF
The EVF is able to selectively display both moving pictures and still pictures.
The EVF “could” be OLED
Built-in Flash
CMOS sensor
Here some interesting parts of the patent:
- “There has always been a great need for interchangeable lens digital cameras to be made more compact.”
- “However, if an electronic viewfinder is disposed where a conventional optical viewfinder function component used to be disposed, there needs to be the same amount of space above the body mount as when a pentaprism or the like is disposed, and the various parts cannot be disposed efficiently, which hampers efforts at making the camera body smaller.
The technology disclosed here is intended to reduce the size of a camera body.”
- “With this camera body, the electronic viewfinder is disposed beside the body mount. That is, the electronic viewfinder
- “The EVF 180 is able to selectively display both moving pictures and still pictures.”
- “The viewfinder image display unit is a device that displays images, and in addition to a liquid crystal monitor, it can be an organic electroluminescence device, an inorganic electroluminescence device, a plasma display panel, or another such device.”
- “The EVF 180 is connected by a rotary shaft 184 so as to be rotatable with respect to the camera body 1. By rotating around the rotary shaft 184, the EVF 180 can assume a state other than the eye level position (first disposition). ”
source: United States Patent Application 20100060771
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Recent comments
Comment from Danonino: Öh, lär dig engelska för sjutton!...
Comment from Dr.Manfred Semlitsch: Leider hat die im Januar 2011 auf den Ma...
Comment from christian: I have seen a Japanese photographer with...- Comment from Dr.Manfred Semlitsch: Kommende LUMIX GF2 wäre sehr gut geeig...
Rob
2 years ago |Whoo Hoo!! Maybe this is the one I’ve been waiting for, but damn, I was juuuust about to pull the trigger on the GF1! Wonder how long until we actually see this thing. Something tells me at least a year, if not more?
Might have to just bite the bullet on the GF1 for now. At least I’ll have lenses ready when the GF2 is here!
Also, one hopes that they will somehow improve the high-ISO capability of the GF1 in this possible successor…
Mike
2 years ago |This is ideal place for an EVF for every non-SLR-styled mFT cameras. It doesn’t bother me if this solution make rear display smaller but EVF has to be high quality (especially in terms of magnification, speed and resolution). That body design imitate L series, so maybe this gonna be the first high-end micro Four Thirds camera
.
Richard
2 years ago |*punches the air* Yeah!
The patent was filed over 6 months ago, but only published today, from what I can see.
Duarte Bruno
2 years ago |If this is the same quality as the GF1 EVF than why bother even if it’s a year in the future?
Alfons
2 years ago |Looks cool.
Already drooling of this + Olympus lens adapter that brings back the lense’s original field of view.
napalm
2 years ago |it looks more of a successor to the L1 than the GF1. might be an L-X for mFT?
Eric
2 years ago |As long as it’s the same hires EVF used in the G1/G2/GH1 then great! Better than great, perfect in-fact. However, if it’s the same turd of an EVF they sell for the GF1 then it’s totally worthless to me.
EOSHD.com
2 years ago |Shows what Panasonic’s intent is. I am looking forward to it’s release.
The thing about these patents though, is that I find them a bit greedy. Surely, if Panasonic won a patent for their ‘idea’ of a compact sized interchangeable lens camera with EVF, everybody else would have to pay them a licensing fee to use their technology in making a similar camera with EVF.
It’s a bit like patenting the colour ‘red’ and charging artists to paint with it!!! Surely a ‘small camera with EVF’ is far too broad a concept to patent?
Alan Gallery
2 years ago |I do not see anything here that is not prior art. Olympus has a series of compacts with an EVF in just that place and I understand that someone else had a built in EVF that tilted. I imagine that on the Olympus and Panasonic forums all over the place people have been discussing these very things.
There may be other things less obvious in the rest of the patent that is new and can be protected by a patent. The thing is that to file a patent that will stand up you have to put in in a lot of padding that is fairly obvious stuff. The new stuff will be in the claims part of the patent that may not even be published yet. The whole thing is a bit of a shell game.
The Leica for the rest of us « Photographs, Photographers and Photography
2 years ago |[...] ‘refresh’ that is the Panasonic G2 (see below) this patent filing from Panny (from 43rumors) shows a Leica rangefinder format micro four-thirds body with an EVF where a viewfinder should be [...]
Javi V.
2 years ago |Looks a way bigger than the GF1. As Mike said, it resembles much more the 4/3s L series.
Henry
2 years ago |This is probably the most exciting news coming from Micro Four Third universe.
I was about to order GF1 with the 20mm pancake, now this ! Fantastic news !
Next is of course is the 25mm f1.0 – Pana-Noctilux
I would love Olympus or Pana to produce 200mm f2.0. It will be large ‘n heavy
not as monstrous as Canon 200mm f2.0. Imagine 400mm f2.0 :-0
Also, reduce the size of the AF box for more accuracy in focusing.
Amin
2 years ago |Looks good to me, but they shouldn’t be able to patent any of this obvious stuff. As someone said, there is prior art. The fact that they are trying to patent this is yet another example that our patent system is broken.
As for the design, I don’t care if my EVF can swivel, and I’m fine if it’s 200k like the GF1 EVF. Just make it already!
Don
2 years ago |This is exactly what I hoped and projected would come out of Panasonic except I expected to see it earlier this year.
This model as projected in patent sketches definitely a mini LC1 or the GL1 fits the description to a tee. It appears to be about same height of GF1 but wider to accomodate EVF on far lefte corner with LCD screen in the middle and move the lens more to center to make room for larger flash. All you have to add to the sketch is the L1 handgrip. Model could small as 2.8″ H x +/- 5.0″ wide with body depth a bit deeper with lens flange flush with body. The screen in middle could be 2.7″ in size to reduce camera size and could be hinged at top to swing like that shown in previous patent.
Although this will contain the mechanical innards of the GF series I think it will not be named GF2 but rather an all new series maybe the F1/2 mentioned on Pany model sites? I would expect quite possible Pany will create two models of same one for the high end video like that projected for the GH2 and one more like the GH1 in capability.
Now Panys more conservative moves with G2 and G10 make a little more sense as they are concentrating everything on this new model. They want to keep the G2 and GH line established in mini DSLR form for those wanting a larger EVF and larger swivel screen and introducing touch screen will help that line get better established before this new high end model arrives on the scene.
My best wishes come true. Now only if they can get the 1080/50/60 P HD and electronic shutter implimented. There is a shutter in these drawings so maybe the electronic shutter further down the line.
Another very curious observation, there is a Body B in this patent for a OVF 4/3rds camera so maybe Pany possible future similar model to projected new Oly E5?
Alan Gallery
2 years ago |Don
The body with the traditional SLR mirror pentaprism layout is in the patent to illustrate the differences and advantages of the camera they are patenting.
jt
2 years ago |This is exciting news indeed.
Gary Ayton photography » Blog Archive » Which Micro Four Thirds camera to buy – March 2010?
2 years ago |[...] GF-2 (perhaps late 2010) – this would be similar to the GF-1 but according to this patent that has been filed, it may at last bring a Leica rangefinder style viewfinder placement – an [...]
Ark-kun
2 years ago |@EOSHD.com
>The thing about these patents though, is that I find them a bit greedy. Surely, if Panasonic won a patent for their ‘idea’ of a compact sized interchangeable lens camera with EVF, everybody else would have to pay them a licensing fee to use their technology in making a similar camera with EVF.
@Alan Gallery
>I do not see anything here that is not prior art. Olympus has a series of compacts with an EVF in just that place and I understand that someone else had a built in EVF that tilted.
Did you two read the patent? It has 20 claims and it’s pretty specific.
Chris Polis
2 years ago |I’ve read through the patent, and while the claims are specific, I still see no ‘invention’. Basically they are trying to make a claim for putting the EVF to the side.
Unlikely to be worth the time it took to put this together. You got to have something better than that.
dusty
2 years ago |id buy it if:
touch screen
amoled screen
kesztió
2 years ago |Need articulated (touch)screen on this camera too, otherwise G2 remains my favourite.
Panasonic GF2 z wbudowanym elektronicznym wizjerem?
2 years ago |[...] z 43rumors.com dokopali się do wniosku patentowego złożonego przez firmę Panasonic z ciekawym modelem aparatu. [...]
Alfons
2 years ago |If this camera is a step towards more professional or rangefinder like body, I would be glad to see some improvements suggested by Kirk Tuck! (http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-would-i-really-like-to-see-in-next.html)
Kersaint
2 years ago |A last… thanks !!!
Would it be relevant to guess about possible release of this marvel ? I said release, not announcement !
Not before third quarter of 2010 of course, but would you say …
3rd quarter ?
4th quarter ?
Early 2011 ?
That, in addition of likely viewfinder size, would help some of us trigger or not a GF1 purchase !
very interested in whatever answer… many thanks in advance !
Eric
2 years ago |“Need articulated (touch)screen on this camera too, otherwise G2 remains my favourite.”
Who cares about a touch screen on a camera like this? The G2 is already out for there for the gadget lovers. I want this camera to be as pure as possible. I want external controls for all the stuff PHOTOGRAPHERS care about with very little in the way of video and gadget lovers. Just give me a well-built small body with a built-in EVF and great external controls (the Ricoh GX200 comes to mind). I would like a rotating LCD, but only so I could close it up and not have to look at it. Come on, throw us purist that can’t afford a Leica M9 a bone.
Mike
2 years ago |@Eric: I agree with you, unobtrusive, purist camera with quick access for the aperture, shutter speed and ISO without going into camera menu is what rangefinder is all about (faster and less disturbing). There are many serious photographers waiting for this kind of camera. Not for a back-up camera, but only one camera. I think Olympus can make that pure camera rather than Panasonic.
Huge
2 years ago |No matter how good the current EVF are, the drawback is seeing the view in dark light situation. If someone can invent a finder that combine OVF and EVF so that the EVF image can be superimposed onto the OVF (just like the rangefinder that superimpose 2 patches) for focusing, then the MFT will certainly take off with one more follower (ME)!
John J.
2 years ago |It’s great to see someone out there thinking in an innovative way (albeit a bit retro) about camera design. I must agree with the others here though, the ELF must be better resolution the the GF1 viewfinder. It would be great to see a better sensor as well.
Mike
2 years ago |@Eric
Sounds like pure bull to me. There isn’t anything wrong with the G2 and nothing less ‘pure’ about it. If you want real ‘pure’ go back to your glass plates or film cameras and stop looking at any technology past that.
Stv
2 years ago |Actually think this will be the new GH2 body and announced in September this year.
El rumor de la semana: un visor electrónico integrado para la Panasonic GF2 « hasta los MEGAPÍXELES
2 years ago |[...] chicos de 43rumors.com ya se han puesto manos a la obra y han encontrado una patente de Panasonic que podría servir para incluir un visor electrónico en el cuerpo de la sucesora de [...]
Turner
2 years ago |Cool, this coul be my first M43 camera. I stick to the LX3 because there are no fast enough lenses available for M43 at the moment – besides the newly announced Noktor. I also would like to see some sensors with more dynamic range. Let’s see, what the GF2 will bring. Much to my regret, Leica is still not joining the M43 market – besides one lousy lens. In my opinion, this could be THE chance for Leica to gain more potential customers for their more advanced and more expensive cameras in the future.
milt
2 years ago |I would buy a camera like this. It seems to be in the “compact,” “style” stream of the G series marketing strategy.
I took out my old Konica C35, and the patent drawing looks extremely similar. (the GF1 also has quite similar dimensions to the Konica) The drawing seems to suggest a camera a bit thicker but not as quite as tall. Its difficult to say without measurements.
Something to look forward to. In the meantime, am going to buy a GF1, especially if they are replacing the EVF. It won’t hurt to have another body later as I collect the appropriate lenses for the compact form.
Olympus and Panasonic rumors » Blog Archive » (FT4) Panasonic LX5, GH2, GF2, AG-AF100 and one more surprise?
2 years ago |[...] Panasonic to release the camera earlier than expected. The GF2 will have a built-in Viewfinder (read our detailled GF2 rumor)! 2) Panasonic is also working on a ultr-slim m4/3 camera. But we do not have any concrete [...]
Joachim
2 years ago |I read: The EVF “could” be OLED. If true, that would be fantastic!
DP review - Page 3 - Micro Four Thirds User Forum
2 years ago |[...] The rumor is that the GF2 will appear late this year or early next year. Here is the link: Olympus and Panasonic rumors Blog Archive (FT4) HOT! Panasonic GF2 with Built-in EVF? [...]
GF2? - Page 3 - Micro Four Thirds User Forum
2 years ago |[...] [...]
Clark
2 years ago |Definitely a step in the right direction!
However I would also like to see this cam get a Tilt & swivel LCD (touch or non touch makes no difference to me), and lets finally get wireless flash control on these Pany bodies!
That pop up flash is a nice to have but doesn’t seem very proportionate in height to the actual space it’s supposed to fit in. If this cam is only as wide as the current GF1 than this flash wouldn’t likely clear anything more than a pancake lens…
Nigel Tufnel
2 years ago |Yeah, but you shouldn’t be able to patent something “connected by a rotary shaft” that enables rotation of a part. I mean, really? Jeez, if you’re going to get a patent on something it should be something non-obvious, ingenious. If I “invent” a swivel base for a computer monitor, should I be awarded a patent and should everyone else who builds a swivel base monitor have to pay me for it? No, that’s ridiculous.
Anyway, this looks really cool and exciting, if the EVF is a high quality one I will be all over this. I’d much rather have a big, high quality EVF than a big, high-resolution back panel screen.
Dr.Manfred Semlitsch
2 years ago |Kommende LUMIX GF2 wäre sehr gut geeignet Leica-M und Leica-R Objektive über NOVOFLEX-Zwischenringe zu benutzen. Neben LUMIX Objektiven 7-14mm und 14-140mm mit
ausgezeichneter Abbildungsqualität. Ich verwende erfolgreich seit 2 Jahren dafür die LUMIX GH1. Die GF2 wäre noch handlicher. Von der Konstruktion könnte auch ein LEICA-Logo drauf sein und etwas teurer für den roten Punkt! Auch das leica Makroobjektiv Elmarit 1:2,8/45mm ist ein Leckerbissen, den ich seit einiger Zeit schätzen gelernt habe und wärmstens empfehlen kann.
christian
2 years ago |I have seen a Japanese photographer with GF2 – So cool
Dr.Manfred Semlitsch
2 years ago |Leider hat die im Januar 2011 auf den Markt kommende LUMIX GF2 noch keinen eingebauten elektronischen, hochauflösenden Sucher wie bei der LUMIX GH1 und GH2.
Vielleicht kommt er erst bei der LUMIX GF3 und einem baugleichen LEICA-Modell mit rotem Punkt. Die könnte ich mir noch zum Anschluss von all meinen LEICA M- und R-Objektiven als Zweitkamera zu meiner LUMIX GHl vorstellen, wo ich das schon seit zwei Jahren praktiziere.
Danonino
12 months ago |Öh, lär dig engelska för sjutton!