UPDATE: There is big Panasonic 4K presentation right now in Amsterdam. I was told Panasonic would announce “something” today. And indeed Panasonic unveiled the pricing and shipping info of the Panasonic 15mm lens!

Two anonymous sources told me that Olympus plans to launch a “TRIP-D” fixed lens camera with large sensor. The sources didn’t unveil sensor size or lens specs (they only said it’s a fast prime). For those (few) of you that don’t know where the name “TRIP” comes from just look at the great [shoplink 35471 ebay]Olympus Trip 35 cameras on auction here on eBay[/shoplink].

A bit of history: What’s so special on the Olympus Trip 35mm?
First of all that Olympus sold ten million(!) of these cameras from the ’60’s to the early ’80’s. It has a super sharp 40mm f/2.8 lens. And Olympus managed to give you Automatic Exposure while the Trip 35mm uses no battery! How is it possible? It used a solar-powered selenium light meter.
It is a very compact camera with a rangefinder. I suggest you to watch this youtube review video to get an idea of the size and superb build quality of the camera. This was the perfect holiday camera of the time but also pro photographers used like the British photographer David Bailey.
That is simply put one of the most popular Olympus camera ever made.

I would certainly be happy to see a camera ike that! But I fear that the market for these kind of cameras is already full with great cameras like…
– The [shoplink 41706 eBay]Fuji X100S (here one Bay)[/shoplink] with the superb hybrid viewfinder and unique sensor.
– The [shoplink 41707 eBay]Ricoh GR (here one Bay)[/shoplink] which is the smallest and also the cheapest
– The [shoplink 41708 eBay]Nikon Coolpix A (here one Bay)[/shoplink] fixed prime lens.
– The [shoplink 41709 eBay]Canon PowerShot G1 X (here one Bay)[/shoplink] fixed zoom lens.

So what the heck can/should Olympus do to sell the TRIP-D???

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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct

This is not an official info but a 43rumors readers visited the Tamron booth at the CP+ show in Yokohama. And when he asked about the release date of the 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III VC Lens for Micro Four Thirds the answer was that they will not release the lens anymore. Apparently the reason is that also future Panasonic cameras will have in body stabilization and that’s why a VC (Vibration Compensation Mechanism) in lens stabilized lens was no more necessary. The lens is still listed at BHphoto (without preorder option).

The interesting news here is also to learn that future Panasonic cameras may have on sensor stabilization just like the Panasonic GX7…

I just got words from trusted sources that tomorrow (Monday March 10) Panasonic will officially announce the GH4 pricing. And preorders (with corretc pricing info) will be online at stores like Amazon, BHphoto and Panasonic.

Be sure to be online tomorrow morning on 43rumors. I will give you all preorder links to EU, US and Asia! If you find a store accepting preorders send me a message at 43rumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

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For sources: Sources can send me anonymous info at 43rumors@gmail.com (create a fake gmail account) or via contact form you see on the right sidebar. Thanks!
For readers: Don’t miss any news. Join our group on facebook and follow our tweets.

Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct

Over at MirrorlessRumors I posted a new rumor about the new Leica mirrorless system launch on April 24.. The reason why this could be interesting for us MFT camera owner is that Panasonic will produce camera and zoom lenses for Leica! Obviously the design and logo will be from Leica. But it will be interesting to see if one day Panasonic will join the system with their own Panasonic branded camera. We don’t know yet for sure if this will be an APS-C or FF sensor system. All I know is that it is certainly not a MFT camera :(

Mockup 35-100mm lens without aperture marks (Image courtesy: ePhotozine).

Marc Baber (Panasonic) said in an interview (youtubevideo below at 8.30) that the compact 35-100mm lens that will come later this year has a constant f/2.8 aperture just like the 35-100mm X Panasonic lens.

One of my very trusted sources (Thanks!) said that Marc Baber made a mistake. The lens will not have a constant f/2.8 aperture. Probably Marc was caught in a moment full of stress and made that error. Obviously we understand Marc had a busy time so don’t worry :)

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For sources: Sources can send me anonymous info at 43rumors@gmail.com (create a fake gmail account) or via contact form you see on the right sidebar. Thanks!
For readers: Don’t miss any news. Join our group on facebook and follow our tweets.

Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct

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I got word the new Panasonic GF camera will be launched in late Spring. There is no bog surprise to expect on these cameras. It will be an evolution of the current Panasonic GF6. Patent images of the new GF have been found and posted here a couple of months ago (See images on top).

Question: GF, GM, G, GH, GX…a bit confusing. Why not merge GF and GM into one system?

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For sources: Sources can send me anonymous info at 43rumors@gmail.com (create a fake gmail account) or via contact form you see on the right sidebar. Thanks!
For readers: Don’t miss any news. Join our group on facebook and follow our tweets.

Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct