Olympus announced they will show the mockup of a “high-end” M.Zuiko Micro Four Thirds prime lens at the CP+ 2011 show (which starts today). That’s the way Oly wants to celebrate the 75 years of Zuiko-branded lenses! There are no details about the lens focal length or aperture but they said it will be available in 2011.

This is part of the press release:

ABOUT THE ZUIKO BRAND
It was in 1936 that the Takachiho Corporation, forerunner of today’s Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., introduced its first camera, the Semi-Olympus I. The camera’s lens was given the name Zuiko, a Japanese word that means “light of the gods.” It was an auspicious name, chosen partially because the lens had been developed at the Mizuho Optical Research Laboratory and partially because the corporate name, Takachiho, is a Japanese word that means “mountain of the gods.” But more than the name, it was the quality of the lens that sparked conversation at the time. Ever since, Zuiko lenses have been featured on succeeding generations of Olympus cameras. The Zuiko lenses are widely acclaimed for their remarkable imaging power, and have become one of the world’s most respected high-performance lens brands.

Semi-Olympus I (1936)
Launched in 1936, the Semi-Olympus I was the first Olympus camera fitted with the newly developed Zuiko lens, which was mounted on a Semi-Proud body supplied by Proud.

The lens looks nice but I want it for now! :)

Fuji announced that the X100 will be available in March in USA and in April in Europe. It will be priced at $1,199.95 (US) or 1.000 Euro. You can preorder the camera at Amazon (Click here). Sorry, I didn’t find any preorder option in Europe.

They also announced a new list of accessories:

Case
To perfectly complement the look and premium quality feel of the X100 camera body, a retro leather “quick shot” case with matching strap has been designed to fit the X100 like a glove. Made out of luxurious leather it has been thought out with uncompromising attention to detail, ensuring the ultimate ease of use and practicality .

Lens Hood and Adapter Ring
Precision milled from metal, the lens hood and adapter ring will be available as a set. The adapter ring is also compatible with commercially sold 49mm filters.

TTL Flash
EF-20 (Guide Number:20) and EF-42 (Guide Number:42) will be newly added to the TTL flash line-up.

Fuji posted a few official image samples at finepix-x100 (Click here). We do all agree the camera looks very nice but I do believe the camera will NOT sell well simply because it doesn’t take interchangeable lenses. You know the features, the price and you have see the image samples…so what are you going to do?

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Via Enagadget and Photoscala.

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I repeat: There are three reasons why we talk about that camera on 43rumors:
1) Fuji is part of the Four Thirds group
2) We were told by an anonymous source that Fuji is getting help from one of the current Micro Four Thirds members (which is making some parts of the cameras).
3) Because many 43rumors readers do like innovative concepts and well made cameras and I hope Panasonic/Olympus will take notice of our interest to make a [shoplink 17020]DMC-LC1[/shoplink] or [shoplink 17129]Olympus 35RC[/shoplink] version of the X100 (of course with interchangeable lenses!) :)

Sony didn’t wait long time to respond the latest Micro Four Thirds group announcements. Sony said that they will share the basic E-mount specifiactions with third party companies. Read more at Mirrorlessrumors (Click here).

Although this is not a Micro Four Thirds related news it is interesting to note that Olympus announced their first 3D compact camera with super zoom. Don’t know if that means that future m43 cameras will be able to do 3D too. Don’t know why I can’t get excited about 3D…and you?

Read more at Engadget!