With Panasonic completely silent and OM having released only the new OM-3 Astro version, I was ready to call it a day at CP+. But now we have a little surprise! Chinese company Songdian is previewing the launch of a new MFT camera!

There are no specs yet but at leats we will get some kind of new camera…

Panasonic has officially registered two new cameras in China (Source: E8M on Weibo). According to the few details we got we can expect to get one nee entry level and one new high end camera. There is no way to know from the papers if one of these cameras is MFT or not. This is all we know:

The entry level camera: This could be a Lumix ZS99 successor or another fixed lens affordable compact camera. On paper also the G97 successor could be a possibility but I have not heard anything about this yet.

The High End camera: Here we have a couple more options in the L-mount range. The GH8 is not coming in 2026 so the only MFT camera I can see coming is a new GM/GF kind of camera or a G9III. But again, I got no indication yet that a MFT camera will be announced soon.

When will those be announced? It takes a maximum of 3-4 months for a newly registered camera to be released on the market. Therefore, the announcement will be made between the end of February and May.

A couple of days ago the Insta360 CEO posted this image (seen on top) of a new camera prototype. I didn’t know what to expect from this but a few days ago he posted this image samples:

Now here comes the interesting part. The original resolution of the image is 5280 x 3956 pixel which is the native “Active Pixel” count of the Sony IMX472 sensor. This is the same Four Thirds sensor in use on the OM-1II and OM-3! Could this mean Insta360 is about to launch a camera with Four Thirds sensor? If the answer is yes we still don’t know if this is a fixed lens of interchangeable MFT camera.

For now let’s sum up what we learned from these images:

• 5280 x 3956 pixels (20MP)
• f/1.8 lens (fixed or interchangeable?)
• Screen layout is an evolution of the Insta360 Ace Pro interface, including a large flip-up touchscreen.
• A white body coating
• The camera has a distinct tan/beige rugged casing in the photo (which may be a prototype skin or a “Desert Edition”). It features physical control wheels for aperture and exposure compensation, a first for the brand.
• Seems to have no EVF

on Rednote a user made these AI generated images based on the design language of the original prototype:

Now that would be a big news if Insta360 would join the MFT system! What do you think about this?

Highly reliable sources report that Sony will soon launch a new 180-megapixel medium format sensor. A new generation of partially stacked sensors is imminent and will likely be implemented for all different sensor sizes.

I don’t currently know with 100% certainty whether Sony will also develop a new partially stacked Micro Four Thirds sensor. However, I consider this very likely, and if we assume that it will have the same pixel size as the new 180 MP medium format sensor, this would mean that we would get a new 28 MP MFT sensor.

I think this would quite be a welcome sensor within the MFT community. Particularly for OM shooters a jump form 20 to 28MP would be appreciated. Also keep in mind that the partially stacked sensor tech not only allows for much faster readout but also has a much improved dynamic range performance and low-mid ISO (mechanical shutter only).

So I hope that sources can soon tell me if such a sensor will be coming soon. Imagine it being used on future OM-1III or GH8…that would be great!

DClife predicted what OM SYSTEM could announce in 2026:

It’s about time to expect the arrival of a new generation of cameras. For example, I’d love to see the release of the “OM-1III” or a new Micro Four Thirds camera similar to the “PEN-F.” While the compact digital camera market seems to be booming recently, OM SYSTEM hasn’t seen any movement since the release of the “Tough TG-7” in 2023. Hopefully, we’ll see some movement in 2026. OM SYSTEM tends to announce new products in the lead-up to CP+, so we should expect information (rumors) starting around the new year. CP+ 2026 will be held February 26th-March 1st.

Yes, I think OM will announce something new before the CP+ show. Don’t see the OM1III coming yet, also a new PEN seems far out if we believe the statements from the manager. A new Tough camera is highly likely to be announced and maybe also a new MFT lens.

Panasonic has officially begun teasing a new product announcement for October 17. After so many recent L-mount launches, I really hope this time we’ll finally see something for the Micro Four Thirds system!

They previously said that compact camera development hasn’t been done so we might finally get a successor for this camera series?

UPDATE: Panasonic made the video private. Here is the screenshot:

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First leaked image of the upcoming M.Zuiko Digital ED 50–200mm f/2.8 IS PRO, set to be announced on September 10! The great news: this is not a rebranded Sigma 70–200mm, as many feared. Instead, it’s a true OM System design — and it just might rival the legendary 150–400mm PRO in performance!

I have no info yet about the pricing and other specs. But it sounds exciting don’t you agree?

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Thanks to the source for the image! ;)