Shit happens :)

You get a free tutorial and the chance to win a $5,000 camera when buying new DxO software (Click here to read the details).

Reminder: You still save a lot of $$$ on most MFT gear:

• Panasonic deals at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
• OM digital deals at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.

You save 10% on nearly all products using code “SV10” at Keh.com (Click here). You can find the MFT cameras here and the MFT lenses here.

PhileWeb chatted with the manager of one of the largest stores in Japan. He shared a couple of insights:

• After the slow sales during the Corona demand is definitely coming back.
• Demand for compact Full Frame cameras is increasing particularly driven by the younger generation
• Vlogging is also getting an important sales drive factor.
• A product that is now selling particularly well is the DJI Osmo Pocket 3.

“What young people want is something that is easy to use. They have the impression that conventional cameras are difficult to use because they have to be configured in various ways. Smartphones can overturn that. Touch-operated devices like these are gaining popularity.

• INSTAX Pal, the first palm-sized camera in the Instax series that specializes in photography, is popular among inbound tourists, and Canon’s PowerShot V10 is a Vlog camera that claims to “make videos look beautiful.
• There are two trends:
  Small and lightweight. The Sony A7c cameras are selling particularly well.
  The joy of ownership also plays a big role: That’s why the Nikon ZF is selling well

”There is a need for new cameras that are differentiated from smartphones. It is noteworthy that this is becoming evident.

Inside this interview there are no words about how MFT cameras are doing. But the trend is clear: Intuitive to use cameras, vlogger capability and attractive design are of importance. So it’s up to OM Digital (PEN-F1II?) and Panasonic (GM?) to meet this kind of demand!

PhileWeb had a chat with Toshiyuki Nagatsumura (Vice president of Panasonic imaging). Here are couple of things he said:

The response to “LEICA Monochrome” has been great:

There are still many Micro Four Thirds fans out there, and we’ve heard many say, “I’ve been waiting for real-time LUT.
The feature we are currently focusing on is the “real-time LUT.” It’s a really fun feature to use. The younger generation enjoys creating original colors and creating unique expressions. It seems to be trending to enjoy a retro look by taking pictures with film cameras or compact digital cameras with poor image quality.

Lens sales:

In conjunction with the purchase of “DC-G9M2,” we have received more orders than expected for “LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm / F4.0-6.3 II ASPH. / POWER OIS.“

About the S5II:

Almost half of the buyers of the “DC-S5M2” and “DC-S5M2X” were in their 20s and 30s, which is much younger than expected. We strongly feel that new customers, mainly young people, are coming in, as double lens kits account for an overwhelming proportion of the product, to the point where they were temporarily in short supply.

The manager said that younger people appreciate that their images get more “likes” on social when shot on a mirrorless camera instead of using the smartphone. Panasonic wants to satisfy their needs.

I spent a week with LUMIX creators in California, here’s what happened w/@Ansonandco

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Using the OM-1 and 150-400mm lens to film and photograph my favourite thrush (Mike Lane).
Why it’s time to ABANDON the most popular M43 stock lens (Caleb Hoover).
How to Sell Your  Photography at Art Fairs and Exhibitions (42West)
Moving from Stills to Video: Audio, Audio, Audio (Explora).

Plenty of news on the facebook OMD group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.