Panasonic announces the new AG-AF100A!

AV.Watch (translation here) reports that Panasonic will release the new AG-AF100A on November 15th. New features include 10-bit HD output via SDI port, 18Mps data rate, Full 1080/60p recording, new focus assist and 16bit LPCM audio. This sounds more like a nicely upgraded AG-AF100 rather than a complete new camera. Here is the press release:

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Panasonic Introduces The AG-AF100A Series Micro Four Thirds Camera Recorder Featuring Full HD Progressive Recording And 10 Bit 4:2:2 Camera Live Output Via SDI Terminal

Osaka, Japan (November 5th, 2012) — Panasonic Corporation will release the new AG-AF100A Series Memory Card Camera Recorder in November 2012.

The AG-AF100A Series is the professional HD camera recorder with a Micro Four Thirds mount. As with the conventional model AG-AF100 Series, AG-AF100A Series can use a wide range of lenses* including Micro Four Thirds compatible DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) lenses and Cinema lenses with a mount adapter. AG-AF100A Series also features two-channel XLR audio input terminals and more functions to meet the professional needs.

In addition to the professional high quality PH mode (average approx. 21Mbps, maximum 24Mbps), AG-AF100A Series complies with the AVCHD ver. 2.0 (AVCHD Progressive) standard in its new PS mode (average approx. 25Mbps, maximum 28Mbps) for recording, playing and outputting (via HDMI only) Full-HD progressive (1080/59.94p, 1080/50p) images. The PS/PH modes support uncompressed 16 bit LPCM 2-channel audio recording.

The AG-AF100A Series can newly output HD signals with 10 bit 4:2:2 quality via the camera’s live output function and record onto the external devices, such as P2 Recorder, compatible with 10 bit high quality recording through SDI. P2 Recorder also syncs Rec Start/Stop with the AG-AF100A series trigger.

The AG-AF100A Series is newly equipped with the expand focus assist function, which enlarges the center of the displayed image, and 2.39:1 (cinema scope size) safety zone marker.

The AG-AF100A Series will be available in November 2012 at an open price in Japan.

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Readers work roundup (alJazeera, hacked GH2, Pakistan…)

D600 vs OMD comparison at Soundimagesplus.
Four refurbished FT lenses at Oly market: [shoplink 34673 ebay]35-100mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 34674 ebay]50-200mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 34675 ebay]12-60mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 34676 ebay]150mm[/shoplink].

Elena (and her E-PL1) are telling us more about the Greek-Suisse scandal at Greekdiaries.

Gregory: “I’m a regular follower of your blog, which I open each morning before drinking my coffee :), and I was wondering if you could mention mine, which presents my urban photography work in Istanbul – most exclusively taken with a GF1 or E-M5. www.semiocity.com”

Sam: “I just wanted to share some shots from an amazing website/blog I follow: http://www.alpineexposures.com/blogs/chamonix-conditions/6796926-charakusa-valley-pakistan On his last expedition to Pakistan, his 5D MkII died upon arrival. Luckily he brought an OM-D E-M5 as backup. He’s amazed by the quality. I’m into mountaineering myself, where everything has to be as lightweight and small as possible. My GF1 and pancake lenses have proven to be the perfect companion for this type of use.”

Andrew: “shot with a hacked GH2, intravenus apocalypse now patch, shot in 720/60p https://vimeo.com/52519478”

Plochmann: “No rumor, sorry.  I just finished a blog about using the GH2 for a videography camera.   I compare it to the FS100, its stiff competition, and I also mention things in light of the GH3s immediate release.  I haven’t read anything thorough on using the GH2 for event video work, so I thought it would be worth sharing.  http://www.production1studio.com/2012/09/29/880/”

Lazar: “noticed that you sometimes show published work taken with Oly cameras. I’m a freelance photojournalist and one of my first stories shot with the OM-D E-M5 (except for the second photo that was taken with a Pentax K-5) is now on Al Jazeera: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2012/10/20121031112633999227.html”

Atom: “Not a rumour, but good news for the often neglected Australian and Kiwi consumers.  Olympus Australia has just announced three promotions for AU and NZ, running from 1 November until end of January.
– 20% rebate of RRP on some of the lenses (I’ll be getting a rebate on the 60mm macro I bought on Thursday)
– bonus 15mm lens cap and leather strap with E-M5 (body or kit)
– bonus 8Gb FlasAIR card with E-PL5 or E-PM2 (tempted to get the E-PL5 as a back-up body now)
Details are at http://www.olympus.com.au/Learn—Explore/Current-Promotions.aspx“

a little bit of everything…

Paris / Nuit Blanche 2012 from Fabrys on Vimeo.

News and reviews:
G5 test at Dtown and DCview.
X-cap on the E_M5 on google+.
A 43rumors reader made this: MEMOVY photo app on iTunes (Click here).
Panasonic GF5 review at Imaging Resource.
Olympus XZ-2 preview at ThePhoBlographer.
60mm macor lens test at Fengniao.
Panasonic GX1 review at Photographylife.
Lensbaby Composer Pro for MFT with Sweet 35 Optic (ThePhoBlographer).
Adobe RAW now supports:

  • Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ200
  • Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G5
  • Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX7

Readers mail:
John: “I recently found a way to make the iDC System ZERO friction follow focus work with the GH2 and small prime lenses that I think your audience might appreciate in one of your catch all posts: https://vimeo.com/51918199”
Jam: “Long time reader here! I made this video with my Panasonic GF2, which I consider highly underrated for it’s video abilty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nD3rWjOCzI. I shot it using my GF2 and a canon FD 50mm f1.8 legacy lens. I would love if you could give this camera (and my video) some love on your site!”
Twills: “I entered a video contest for Misty Mountain Climbing. A link to the video I entered is below. If you want to help me out then please click on the picture at the link below and then “like” the picture on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=488161051214714. Here is the video that I entered: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otxKw48QyJw”
Ben: “Just finished up a video on the GH2 with the Voigtlander 25 0.95 and an old Canon FD 50mm  1.2. https://vimeo.com/51004409”
Anonymous: “This is not simply rumour but a very serious concern, in the EU it is illegal to price fix, i.e. to set a minimum price or to limit sales to certain region or to enter agreements formal or otherwise that would result in a region paying more for goods.  There appears to be at least some evidence the GH3 price is being made artificially high in the UK and that sales at the EU price are being prevented to UK citizens. I have detailed some findings here and will be making a formal complaint to the UK’s Office of Fair Trading on Monday 5th November if Panasonic has not replied.  Panasonic have been refusing to reply on questions about the UK’s GH3 price on their Twitter account and at least one large UK dealership has failed to honour its own claim of having an EU price match on the GH3. More details can be found here: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?295430-EU-retailer-leaned-on-by-Panasonic-to-prevent-affordable-UK-GH3-!”

For EU readers. Refurbished deals Reminder:
[shoplink 34605 ebay]Black E-M5 with 12-50mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34612 ebay]Black E-M5 with 12-50mm lens (auction two)[/shoplink] [shoplink 34619 ebay]Black E-M5 with 12-50mm lens (auction three)[/shoplink] [shoplink 34610 ebay]Silver E-PL3 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34611 ebay]Black E-PL3 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34615 ebay]Red E-PL3 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34616 ebay]White E-PL3 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34606 ebay]Brown E-PM1 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34607 ebay]Violet E-PM1 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34609 ebay]White E-PM1 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34617 ebay]Silver 75mm f/1.8 lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34618 ebay]Silver 12mm f/2.0 lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34608 ebay]Black 12-50mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34614 ebay]Silver 12-50mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 34613 ebay]9-18mm lens[/shoplink]

Full list of auctions is available at [shoplink 22691 ebay]Olympusmarket[/shoplink].

Surprise! Truesense (ex-Kodak) announces a new Four Thirds sensor with Global Shutter (and Monochrome version too!)

Back in 2011 Truesenseimaging was acquired by Platinum Equity through a transaction with Kodak. And one year after the acquisition they surprised us by announcing a new Four Thirds sensors! You can download the full specs as pdf (Click here). And there are some very intriguing specs. First this sensor is available in both Color and Monochrome version! I am probably among one of these few guys that would like to own a Monochrome MFT camera. The sensor also features global shutter.

Here are the key features:

  • Global shutter and rolling shutter
  • Very fast frame rate
  • High NIR sensitivity
  • Multiple regions of interest
  • Interspersed video streams

 

Resolution: 4000 x 3000
Total Resolution: 12 MP
Pixel Size µm: 4.7
Diag. mm: 23.5
Max Frame Rate (fps): 60
Configurations:
  • Monochrome
  • Color
Optical Format: 4/3

What is the strategy behind this? Are we going to see a Panasonic or Olympus camera featuring this sensor???

Panasonic reports six months financial results.

If you can read the complex language of financial reports than download that Panasonic pdf file. It contains the results of the last size months and a forecast for 2013 (see screenshot on top). In very short, the situation ins’t good. TV business is going worse than ever, restructuring expenses are 11 times(!) more expensive than predicted and when it comes to digital cameras that’s what Panasonic writes:

“AVC Networks
Sales decreased by 24% to 690.0 billion yen from 913.6 billion yen a year ago. This result was due mainly to significant sales decline in flat-panel TVs, BD recorders and digital cameras. Segment profit significantly improved to 19.9 billion yen, compared with a loss of 15.7 billion yen a year ago due mainly to fixed cost reductions and restructuring effects.”

Of course Panasonic already announced a long list of actions and some of them are described in the document. I am less worried about the relative small Digital Camera business. That’s not their main core business.  Panasonic has to fix the TV business first. On the good side of their report you can notice that Panasonic is doing profit on very future oriented business like green terminology and house electronic stuff.

More info at Bloomberg.

Panasonic losing shares in Japan. Olympus on first place.

BCNranking (translation here) released the mirrorless market shares of the current year. I don’t speak Japanese and google translation tool isn’t good enough. So dear Japanese readers correct me quickly if I say something wrong!

As you see from the graph on top Olympus leads the market with 28.6% closely followed by Sony (23.5%), Panasonic (17.3%) and Nikon (12.8%). Panasonic managers won’t be happy to see that their shares dropped from 30% to almost the half during this year!

One more news: In October these were the most sold cameras in Japan: E-PL3 (10.6%), NEX-5N (10.3%), EOS-M (9.2%), GF5 (8.9%).

There are no such analysis for EU and US countries. Only some purely indiciative and constantly changing popularity rankings by Amazon:
US ranking (Click here): NEX-5n on top followed by the GF3.
DE ranking (Click here): NEX-6 on top (E-M5 on pos. 6).
UK ranking (Click here): Nikon 1 on top followed by the G3.
FR ranking (Click here): GF5 on top.

The naked Panasonic panckaes at LR.


Image courtesy: Lensrentals.

Roger Cicala from Lensrentals disassembled the two Panasonic pancakes to show us what’s inside. There are many technical differences between the two pancakes. But what impresses me is how many pieces you can find in these small lenses. Panasonic really did a great work on these lenses, making them so small but at the same time with a very decent image quality for a relatively low price.

The 14mm can be bought Open Box for $183 on [shoplink 34538 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Price check of the 14mm at [shopcountry 16258].
Price check of the 20mm at [shopcountry 4796].

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