Olympus answered to a question list from FourThirdsPhoto.
Key points:
– When asked about future FourThirds development Olympus answered “expect to satisfy those waiting in the relatively near future”
– About lenses: “Later in 2010, we plan to announce additional M.Zuiko Lenses; both zoom and prime focal lengths”
[Thanks M.G.!]
Awesome! Our source were right (click here to read our rumor)! Panasonic is introducing a micro4/3
.
This could be one of the most important micro4/3 news ever! You will be able to use your MicroFourThirds lenses
We have no price indication yet.
UPDATE: Camera design and specs are subject to change. I bet the real camera will be slightly different. The camera on the picture has the Panasonic 14-140mmLens
Panasonic press release: LAS VEGAS, NV (April 11, 2010) – Panasonic Solutions Company today announced a game-changing AVCCAM HD camcorder, the AG-AF100, the first professional micro 4/3-inch video camcorder optimized for high-definition video recording. Scheduled to ship by the end of 2010, the AG-AF100 will set a new benchmark for digital cinematography.
Targeted at the video and film production communities, the AF100 delivers the shallow depth of field and wider field of view of a large imager, with the flexibility and cost advantages of use with a growing line of professional quality, industry standard micro 4/3-inch lenses, filters, and adapters. The full 1080 and 720 production camera offers superior video handling, native 1080/24p recording, variable frame rates, professional audio capabilities, and compatibility with SDHC
The design of the AF100’s micro 4/3-inch sensor affords depth of field and field of view similar to that of 35mm movie cameras in a less expensive camera body. Equipped with an interchangeable lens mount, the AF100 can utilize an array of low-cost, widely-available still camera lenses as well as film-style lenses with fixed focal lengths and primes.
“Designed in consultation with the filmmaking community, the AF100 eclipses the video performance of other cameras in this price range,” said Joe Facchini, Vice President of Sales & Product Management, Media & Production Services, Panasonic Solutions Company. “Ideal for film schools and independent filmmakers, this affordable, digital cinematography camera employs an advanced professional AVC/ H.264 Hi Profile AVCHD codec compatible with a wide range of editing tools and affordable players.”
The AF100 incorporates a 4/3-inch, 16:9 MOS imager. The camcorder records 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) and 720/60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) in AVCHD’s highest-quality PH mode (maximum 24Mbps). Ready for global production standards, the camcorder is 60Hz and 50Hz switchable.
The AF100 maximizes the potential of its high-resolution imager with built-in ND filtering and dramatically reduced video aliasing. Standard professional interfaces include HD-SDI out, HDMI, time code recording, built-in stereo microphone and USB 2.0. The AF100 features two XLR inputs with +48V Phantom Power capability, 48-kHz/16-bit two-channel digital audio recording and supports LPCM/Dolby-AC3.
This newest Panasonic AVCCAM camcorder is the first to enjoy the benefits of advanced SDXC media card compatibility in addition to existing SDHC card support. (SDXC is the newest SD memory card specification that supports memory capacities above 32GB up to 2TB). With two SD slots, the AF100 can record up to 12 hours on two 64GB SDXC cards in PH mode
The AG-AF100 will be available by the end of 2010. Panasonic will support the AF100 with a three-year limited warranty (one year plus two extra years upon registration).
source: panasonic.com
Triple deal on amazon:
1) Panasonic 7-14mm f/4.0 Micro Four Thirds Lens for $987.53
2) Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 for $384.00
3) Panasonic 45mm f/2.8 for $839.00
Today there will be a press conference from Panasonic.
1:00 p.m Las Vegas time
10:00 p.m Berlin time
Do not expect new MicroFourThirds cameras or lenses but mabe they will come with some surprise like the camcorder with m4/3 mount?
source: NABshow
March has been a memorable month for MicroFourThirds! We already told you that Olympus and Panasonic now do own 20.2% of the japanese DSLR sales share. And few days ago Amateur Photographer reported that “UK customers snapped up 2,909 mirrorless models in February, a 170% rise on the same month the previous year” and “More than one in ten interchangeable lens cameras sold in February were of the mirrorless variety, according to latest UK sales figures.”
Let’s take a look on amazon most sold cameras. This is not a precise tool for measuring worldwide camera sales but at least it can give you an idea how well MicroFourthirds is doing. You can check the camera DSLR rankings clicking here:
– Amazon US
– Amazon JP
– Amazon DE
– Amazon UK
– Amazon FR
Jeff sent me following mail and I found his proposal very interesting. That’s why I ask you your opinion!
“Hi , i had an idea , be it a crazy one. But since this is one of the more prominent sites for 4/3 photography , im sure olympus itself veiws the site.
Here is my idea , you should create a poll asking the olympus user base on what they think of olympus “re-inventing the 4/3 brand” through a sharp marketing campaign and camera redesign incorperating open source camera bodies.
If it gets a good positive response , it could spark research at olympus about adding open source bodies.
The problem is that companies think their profits will be destroyed by this since they cannot release annual body updates. they are partially correct , but the current robbery that happening to photographers is disgusting. If actual important things were applied to camera updates (actual hardware such as better sensors and screens) instead of art filters and stuff that can be added by the user with a computer. They could instantly gain a fanbase who would fall in love with the olympus brand and actually take a chunk out of nikonon since they will be the last to experiment with such technology.
Just imagine pulling out your ep2 , going through a menu and clicking the time lapse app you downloaded from a community website and placing it in your window. The software would put the camera on a timer and take a picture every 20 mins and then go back into sleep mode until the next shot, you get back from work and you have a time lapse of the day and you didnt have to do a thing.
that is the future of technology and i think olympus should capitalize on it and beat the other manufacturers to the punch.
make a poll and see if it peaks the interest of olympus”
Loading ...As you probably know Olympusamerica started a new rebates program valid from 4/1 through 5/31. Now all the major US shops do show the reduced prices of the single items:
One more thing for German 43rumors readers. One of our readers noticed a special Panasonic rebate program on the Panasonic GH1. “Today I bought an Panasonic GH1 at may local dealer here in Germany: 1199EUR. (see this link http://www.foto-haas.de/pdf/201003_aktion.pdf -> page 5)
Regular price 1399EUR but when you bring in your old camera you get 200EUR discount. For me this was an great offer. As far as I understood my dealer right, this is an offer from Panasonic …”
I checked on Panasonic Germany but they do not mention any special rebate program. And Amazon Deutschland
