The 90mm f/3.5 macro lens has now been listed at BHphoto (Click here). Maybe the official announcement will happen next week already?

This session will focus on why firmware updates are important and the different ways that they can be done for both cameras and lenses. David will talk about how to make sure you are up to date with all the latest tech for your camera!

Dpreview had a chat with Yosuke Yamane from Panasonic. He strongly believes that MFT will be more popular in future particular among younger people:

He emphasized that the size and portability of Micro Four Thirds lets it deliver things that full-frame systems can’t. ‘Micro Four Thirds is a compact and lightweight system that enables hand-held photography in combination with a telephoto lens, which is not possible with full-frame,’ he said. ‘And we believe it is an indispensable system for achieving a compact body that can be easily carried.‘

‘I think the need for small, lightweight cameras that can be carried around all the time like smartphones will increase, especially among the younger generation.‘

That combination not only underpins its appeal to groups such as wildlife photographers, but could also give it a role as a gateway for younger users more used to smartphones, he suggested. ‘One of our goals is to tell the story of the benefits of a dedicated camera to teens and people in their 20s. We need to tell them that there is a world that can’t be achieved with a smartphone.‘ But to achieve this, ‘you need the portability the smartphone has,‘ he said. ‘I think the need for small, lightweight cameras that can be carried around all the time like smartphones will increase, especially among the younger generation.’

He wouldn’t be drawn on whether this might result in a return of the GM series, but said we weren’t the only people expressing an interest in a small, capable camera. ‘The press in Japan ask the same thing,’ he said, ‘but for full-frame.’

He also talked about the AI implementation on cameras:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) could also play an increasing role in workflows, he suggested. ‘If cameras automatically reflect the intentions of creators through AI – such as AF, which is already being used with AI – as well as color, exposure, and framing, we believe that shooting mistakes will be greatly reduced in the future, and this will contribute to reducing shooting time.

‘Furthermore, we believe that using AI in editing will make workflows more efficient. In terms of the overall workflow, one-man-operation creators spend a great deal of time editing, and if they can automatically edit as the creators intend with one push, I think they will be able to produce more and more attractive content, which will broaden the field for creators.’

The idea of the camera being able to anticipate what you’re trying to achieve could have benefits for people less familiar with dedicated cameras, he suggested. ‘By combining Micro Four Thirds with AI and other technologies, we hope to convey the advantages of cameras to casual users.’

Today OM digital released firmware updates for many cameras. The update adds compatibility with the 90mm f/3.5 IS PRO Macro lens. Definitely a solid sign the lens will be announced within the next days/weeks!

The Panasonic S5 II autofocus tech will surely be implemented on this years 2023 MFT cameras!

Laowa 6mm f/2 Zero-D MFT X Zhiyun Crane M3 | BTS | 4K

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Best Hybrid Camera (for Photo and Video) in 2022 (42West).
Micro Four Thirds for Everyday Photography (Gary W).
OM Systems/Olympus How to Add GeoTags to Images – Ask Rob Trek
How to Use Natural Light in Photography (42West).

Plenty of news on the facebook OMD group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.

Compared to 2022 OM Digital had a market share increase of 1,6%.

The Japanese BCN organization collected the exact sales number from 40% of the Japanese stores. And this is the market share of the camera companies:

･BCN AWARD 2023 Category Camera

• Digital camera integrated lens category (*The share in parentheses is last year’s share)
  1st Sony: 22.1% share (23.1%)
  2nd Canon: 18.0% share (34.01%)
  3rd Fujifilm: 17.1% share (11.6%)
• Digital camera SLR category
  1st Canon: 76.8% (59.8%)
  share 2nd Nikon: 17.2% (33.9%)
  share 3rd Ricoh Imaging: 5.7% (5.8%) share
• Digital Camera Mirrorless SLR Category
  1st Canon: 31.7% (28.2%)
  share 2nd Sony: 29.4% (32.0%)
  share 3rd OM Digital Solutions: 14.3% (12.7%) share
• Digital video camera category
  1st Panasonic: 42.4% (43.6%)
  share 2nd place Sony: 34.7% (26.3%)
  share 3rd place DJI: 9.4% (11.2%) share
• Action camera category
  No. 1 GoPro: Share 57.7% (70.4%)
  No. 2 DJI: Share 20.5% (5.3%)
  No. 3 Shenzhen Arashi Vision: Share 7.9% (-)

･BCN AWARD 2023 Category Camera Accessories

• Interchangeable lens category (*Last year’s share in parentheses)
  1st Sony: 16.4% share (17.2%)
  2nd Canon: 15.9% share (17.6%)
  3rd Sigma: 14.5% share (12.6%)
• Tripod/monopod category
  No. 1 Hakuba Photo Industry: Share 30.9% (29.1%)
  No. 2 Videndum Media Solutions: Share 15.1% (15.5%)
  No. 3 Slick: Share 14.4% (12.6%)
• Camera case/bag
  No. 1 Hakuba Photo Industry: Share 41.0% (33.3%)
  No. 2 Elecom: Share 17.5% (18.8%)
  No. 3 Etsumi: Share 5.9% (-)

via Digicameinfo