What’s 100% sure is that the new Panasonic high end X lenses are coming soon (Janaury-February). Those will be lenses with constant aperture (f/2.8 or faster). I am still crossing my fingers to have them as fast as the [shoplink 25320 ebay]14-35mm f/2.0 (here on ebay)[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 25119 ebay]35-100mm f/2.0 (here on ebay)[/shoplink] Zuiko lenses. And I know these lenses are weather sealed so like Olympus also Panasonic has to release a weather sealed camera. Time for the GH3??? :)

P.S.: At least in USA the price dropped considerably in December. Check the price in those stores: [shopcountry 16254].

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

That’s just my guess guys but look at what’s going on. Amazon itself is no more selling the Olympus E-P3 (Click here to check). There are only a couple of cameras sold by third party resellers. And in other stores like Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here), the other white and silver kits are out of Stock. USA stores are usually very quick in selling out their camera stocks before the new announcements. So this might be a sign that the new Olympus camera with integrated viewfinder will replace the E-P3? I repeat I am still not 100% sure this is Olympus real plan. In my opinion Olympus should reduce and simplify the product strategy. E-P1, E-P2, E-P3, E-PL1, E-PL2, E-PL3, E-PM1. Olympus those are to many cameras with most of the times to small differences between each other. I would do something like that. An entry level m43 camera (like the [shoplink 23565]E-Pm1[/shoplink] but smaller), a more advanced PEN (Sort of [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink] with the tilting screen from [shoplink 23567]E-PL3[/shoplink]) and a semi pro model with integrated viewfinder. What do you think?

The [shoplink 22259 ebay]Olympus 35 SP rangefinder film camera[/shoplink]. Will Olympus take inspiration form the past for the new m43 camera?

Finally the time has come for us to see a real new kind of a camera! Our top sources just sent me a huge “warning”. Olympus is going to announce a new product very soon….within the next couple of weeks!!! The big PMA event starts on January 10 so it’s easy to guess that Olympus will show the new camera there. It’s a weather-sealed camera with integrated viewfinder. I didn’t get any detailed specs now but I have been told it’s a damn nice product, a camera “that many at 43rumors will like to buy“. I don’t know yet if the camera will have a rangefinder style (viewfinder on the corner like on that [shoplink 22259 ebay]Olympus 35 SP (See here on eBay)[/shoplink] or a more classic DSLR alike design like the glorious [shoplink 27042 ebay]Olympus OM-1 (See here on eBay)[/shoplink]. Can’t wait to see get the images of the real cam soon!

I am currently asking my sources to send me as much info as possible. If you find something on the web, or if you heard a “rumor” help me by sending me a message at 43rumors@gmail.com or use the contact form on the right sidebar (It’s anonymous!).

P.S.: There will be other new products too. (like the XZ-1 successor). And Panasonic will also have an announcement soon!

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

P.S.: The new weather sealed Olympus 12-50mm lens is already shipping. I guess it will sell like hotcakes once the weather sealed camera is out! Check these search links to see if it’s available: [shopcountry 27977].

The japanese Blog Egami (Click here) found a new Panasonic patent disclosing a new organic sensor technology. It’s the same idea from Fuji and as you know Fuji claims that their APS-C organic sensor can beats the image quality of any current fullframe sensor. Of course a patent is just that….a paper! It might take a long time before it gets used for real or it might will never happen at all.

Micro Four Thirds needs a new generation of sensor with a boost in image quality. Fuji is going to do that with the organic sensor, and Sigma said they will announce a surprise in early January (maybe a new foveon sensor that doesn’t cost as much as the one used for that crazy priced [shoplink 27986 ebay]Sigma SD1 (See price on eBay)[/shoplink]). Would be nice to see some surprises from Panasonic and Olympus too!

If Fuji is ever going to acquire or “invest” in Olympus than it’s certainly because of the very profitable endoscope division and NOT because of the camera business. Reuters reports that when asked about a possible investment in Olympus Kouichi Tamai (head of Fujifilm’s medical systems unit) said that “Until we know what will happen to Olympus as a company, it would all be theoretical, so we don’t know“. The news here is that indeed Fuji is clearly interested in what’s happening around Olympus. The only thing I can add via my source channels is that indeed Fuji’s name is floating around the Olympus headquarters more than any other big names.

One more thing: You already know that in February Fuji will announce their new LX mirrorless system with the first camera having an organic sensor. Actually it’s an APS-C sensor that beats the image quality of ff sensors. There is a rumor saying that to cut the production costs Fuji is willing to sell sensors to third parties. As Olympus is having a good relationship with Fuji I guess there is a small chance Olympus could be one if not the only one using those sensors. It would suddenly let make a quantum leap forward. Couple that with the new Olympus viewfinder technology and …..keep dreaming ;)

For almost a year now we are waiting for Sigma to announce the first m43 lenses. The image on top shows the first prototype lens that has been displayed on many shows. It’s a 30mm f/2.8 macro lens. But I really do hope there is more than that coming on January 10th when Sigma has scheduled a new press release (see Sigmaphoto.com / via Photorumors). Sigma managers revealed at Imrpessjpana that they want to launch m43 lenses soon. So this may be the right time to finally see those new lenses! In general we expect a new Olympus and Panasonic announcement in January too, this means for me that it will be a very busy month! Stay tuned!

Just a reminder. Sigma is part of the Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds coalition and already offers a nice amount of Four Thirds lenses:
[shoplink 18947 ebay]Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18948 ebay]Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18948 ebay]Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18949 ebay]Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18950 ebay]Sigma 24mm f/1.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18951 ebay]Sigma 30mm f/1.4[/shoplink] [shoplink 18952 ebay]Sigma 50mm f/1.4[/shoplink] [shoplink 18953 ebay]Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3[/shoplink] [shoplink 18955 ebay]Sigma 55-500mm f/4-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18956 ebay]Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18957 ebay]Sigma 105mm f/2.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18958 ebay]Sigma 135-400mm f/4-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18959 ebay]Sigma 150mm f/2.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18960 ebay]Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6[/shoplink]