Also Panasonic Manager Ichiro Kitao has been interviewed at DC.watch (google translation here). Here are some key info:

– One of the key are of that needs improvement is connectivity with smartphones.
– Yes, the compact camera market is shrinking but High magnification zoom compact cameras are still selling fine (read Panasonic FZ series).
– What’s changing now in the mirrorless interchangeable market is that we see a shift towards more pro products (read Sony A7-A7r). Initially mirrorless cameras were not sees as “professional” tools. Now that perception is changing.
– The key development areas to make better mirroless cameras are : Imaging processor, sensor and EVF.
– The GH3 is particularly popular among people who shoots videos.
– A GH with 4K is likely to come within 2014

In Summary: Guys, start saving your money for the GH 4K camera :)

The last two weeks I got more feedback from trusted sources about the next (very soon to come) new MFT camera announcements:

Panasonic GH 4K
Two more sources confirmed a new GH 4K camera announcement for the first half of 2014.  They also said that the specs we posted here on 43rumors are very close to the final camera specs. Here they are:
16mp
1/8000 shutter
1mil dot OLED screen
21mm OLED viewfinder, 3,000+ dot.
Time code
200mbps mp4 All-i/100mbps IPB
4k/30p
4:2:2 10/8bit output
3G-SDI and XLR adaptor (An adaptor that the camera sits on with XLR x2, HD-SDI x4)
Price: €2799

Olympus OMD
And other sources also confirmed the entry level OMD will be announced in February. No specs yet although we can expect the camera to have minor differences only (compared with the EM5).

In short:
Both cameras are coming for sure! I didn’t get any info yet about new PEN and other G or GF cameras.

Leica and Sigma Suprises:
I am currently working to see if Sigma will make a new MFT camera. What’s 100% sure is that Leica will NOT launch an MFT camera.

P.S.: More rumors about the new lenses will be posted soon!

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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!
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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

Two very trusted sources can confirm that Leica is not going to launch a Leica branded copy of a Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera. What Leica will launch is a completely new system using their own mount. That is the part of the rumor that can be rated as FT5.

The possible surprise: One of the sources also said that a couple of months ago he learned from very reliable sources that Panasonic was…let’s say “Playing with the idea” to join the new Leica system. The new Leica system will not compete against the MFT system but play a role in a much more higher and more expensive market. The source promised to let me know soon if Panasonic will join that new Leica system. This could become a HUGE change in Panasonic strategy.

One more thing: Olympus has definitely nothing to do with that Leica-Panasonic partnership and will never join that system.

Stay tuned on 43rumors. This could become one of the biggest Panasonic news of the last years!!!

—
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

Image via Olympus Nordic

So, trusted sources responded fast on my previous rumor and this is now a full reliable FT5 rumors:

1) The 40-150mm PRO zoom got a slight delay and will hit the market the second half of the next year (and not the first half of 2014 as previously expected).

2) The new Ultra wide zoom will be shown at Photokina but be available in 2015 only. And it’s not a 7-14mm f/2.8 Specs are slightly different!

—
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

Image courtesy: ePhotozine.

UPDATE: One anonymous source said the 7-14mm f/2.8 wide angle zoom will be released at  Photokina in September 2014. But after posting that rumor one very trusted source contacted me and said that Olympus likely will not release exactly that lens and unless they change their mind the lens will have slightly different specs. In short, take that rumor with a grain of salt yet. I am now trying to get info about the final specs.

P.S.: There is still no rumor about the super telephoto lens although “some sites” guessed this will be a 300mm f/4.0 lens.

—
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

Egami spotted a new Panasonic patent describing a new Panasonic 12-100 or 12-120mm f/4-5.6 zoom. Very handy to have a low cost zoom with 12mm at the wide and 100-120mm at the tele end. Hope this design gets approved for mass production!

Leica GM1 clone design by Seung-hun Han via Dicahub. Yep…just change the logo and charge $500 extra 
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Leica CEO Alfred Schopf said that Leica won’t be building on Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds format (Source: Leica Camera Forum). That said it’s 100% sure they will launch a new mirrorless system in collaboration with Panasonic (Panasonic will build the cameras).

To be honest, I still don’t believe Alfred is telling us the truth here…