Panasonic announced it’s first “8k organic sensor” camcorder. Might be coming on future S cameras too!

You may remember that years ago Panasonic and Fuji launched a partnership to develop a new kind of “organic sensor”. It would allo a dramatic improvement in image quality and speed. Well, it seems like that finally we are going to see if the promises hold up the expectations. Panasonic Japan announced they will launch the first 8K camcorder with Panasonic-Fuji organic sensor in late 2019.

I think there is a good chance this sensor might be implemented on future S cameras as early as in 2020.

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This is the google translated text:

Panasonic Corporation has developed the 8K camera system equipped with the world’s first * 1 8K organic sensor. We plan to launch it in the fall of 2019 ※ 2 .

8K Multipurpose Camera AK – SHB 810 is a compact, lightweight, box – type camera that uses a PL lens mount. Equipped with 8K organic sensor which will be the first in the world * 1 . Efficient photoelectric conversion and charge accumulation are achieved at the same time by laminated structure using organic thin film for photoelectric conversion part. We realized a wide dynamic range corresponding to light / dark difference with 8K high resolution, global shutter without skew distortion and flash band * 3 , electronic ND filter function.

8K / 4K / HD video output is possible from the camera unit and the image processing unit AK – SHU 810 connected with optical fiber cable. We can accommodate a wide range of applications for broadcasting and video production, thanks to versatility of 8K video image and compact and light multi-purpose camera more than before.

We have been developing and providing 8K devices, including the release of 8K Super Hi-Vision recorder AJ – ZS 0580 last year. Looking ahead to 2020, we will continue to develop 4K / 8K devices / systems that can withstand actual operation, support high image quality of broadcast production and efficiency of broadcasting services, and contribute to the development of the broadcasting industry.

This reference machine will be exhibited to the International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition “Inter BEE 2018” held in Makuhari Messe, Chiba prefecture from Wednesday, November 14, 2018 to Friday, November 16, 2018.

  • * 1: As of October 2018, we looked into our company. As an image processing sensor of accumulation structure using organic thin film for photoelectric conversion part.
  • ※ 2: We will receive about half a year from order receipt to delivery.
  • * 3: The global shutter operates only when the shutter speed is faster than 1/120.

<Main features>

  1. 8K high resolution realizes wide dynamic range corresponding to light / dark difference
  2. Skew distortion and flash band are prevented by global shutter (simultaneous exposure of all pixels)
  3. A simple electronic ND filter function is installed, and freedom of shooting is improved

【Contact Information】

Panasonic Corporation Connected Solutions Company Media Entertainment Division Marketing Center Product Marketing Department Market Communication Division
TEL: 06 – 6905 – 4640 (direct)

1. A wide dynamic range corresponding to light / dark difference is realized at 8K high resolution

A newly developed organic sensor realizes a laminated structure in which an electric charge accumulation part is arranged in a lower layer by using an organic thin film for a photoelectric conversion part. With each structure completely independent, both photoelectric conversion and charge accumulation are efficiently compatible. First, in the photoelectric conversion part, the area of ​​the light receiving part is enlarged, realizing a wide dynamic range corresponding to the contrast difference. For example, even at the stadium, shooting at 8 K high resolution will be possible even for scenes with a large difference in brightness, such as a strong sunlight field and an audience seating shade.

2. Prevention of skew distortion and flash band by global shutter (simultaneous exposure of all pixels) Equipped with simple electronic ND filter function, improved freedom of shooting

By increasing charge accumulation and readout efficiency, it is possible to mount a global shutter that simultaneously exposes all the pixels. This makes it possible to perform accurate imaging with no skew in the rolling shutter mode (a phenomenon in which skew distortion occurs in a moving object at high speed), flash band (phenomenon in which light and shade difference occurs in the upper and lower portions of the screen due to the flash being exposed) I will.

  • * It operates only when the shutter speed is faster than 1/120.

3. Equipped with a simple electronic ND filter function, improved freedom of shooting

Organic sensors can change the sensitivity by controlling the voltage applied to the organic thin film. The electronic ND filter is capable of continuous continuous step-by-step sensitivity setting, and the degree of freedom of photography is further improved.

 

 

via 43rumors

Amateur Photographer interview with Leica and Panasonic

Interview with Leica:

Interview with Panasonic:

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You can join the new L Full Frame Facebook group if you plan to buy this camera. There you can discuss all features and tests once it’s released!

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TheVerge: “Panasonic’s Lumix S1R is an unapologetically blocky pro camera”

TheVerge thinks:

With its own engineering pedigree and a lens ecosystem that should grow faster than anyone else’s, Panasonic is making all the right moves to catch up with the likes of Sony, the undeniable leader in popularizing the full-frame mirrorless format.

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You can join the new L Full Frame Facebook group if you plan to buy this camera. There you can discuss all features and tests once it’s released!

To readers: While I am working to get some early specs I kindly invite you to stay tuned on L-rumors by subscribing here:
RSS feed: http://www.L-rumors.com/feed/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L-rumors-266550040642592/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lrumors1

New Sigma interview with Lensvid and says L-mount designed lenses will not be much smaller than DSLR lenses

Lensvid interviewed the Sigma CEO and here are some key info:

  • Sigma was working on their own mirrorless full frame camera for several years (with their own mount). However around 2015-2016 Panasonic suggested to Sigma to join forces and create a joint full frame alliance which was joined by Leica (when exactly Leica Joined is unclear) and the Leica L-mount (used on the SL cameras) was chosen for this new partnership.
  • Sigma will make both lenses and cameras with this mount (and will develop new FF Foveon sensor) for their camera which will be available sometime in 2019.
  • Panasonic, Sigma and Leica do not exchange information about future products but they do work on improve the L-mount and make sure future products will be compatible across the system.
  • The new system is currently only for the three companies (this isn’t an open system like micro 4/3 for example), but Mr. Kazuto Yamaki stated that he is not ruling out adding more companies in the future.
  • Some Sigma users asked the company for tilt-shift lenses for mirrorless cameras but this is not a priority for Sigma at the moment (as this is a niche area and the company has a lot of more urgent things on its plate).
  • Sigma always tries to make its lenses smaller and lighter but at least in the art series, it prefers optical performance over size/weight as opposed to the contemporary series which is more balanced.
  • Next year Sigma will start making dedicated mirrorless lenses (we are assuming the intention here is full frame lenses since Sigma already has a very nice APS-C dedicated FF mirrorless line).
  • These new lenses will be smaller but not by much. Mr. Kazuto Yamaki gives an example of Sony’s 35mm FF lens vs. their own DSLR lens with an adaptor and explains that making the lenses significantly smaller might not always be possible even if they are designed for mirrorless cameras from the ground up.
  • Sigma is interested in Phase Fresnel but this doesn’t mean that we will see any lens based on this technology (which Nikon and to some extent Canon) employed.
  • Mr. Kazuto Yamaki agrees that we are at the start of a new area in Photography, one that signifies the move from DSLR to mirrorless cameras. He also mentioned that he believes this is part of a process of change that has been going on for a long time and has been happening every 20-30 years. The last time was the move from analog to digital, before that we had the move from manual focus to autofocus and even before that the move from rangefinder to DSLR cameras.
  • Mr. Kazuto Yamaki predicts that we will see more mirrorless sales than DSLRs in about 3 years. However, DSLR lens sales will probably still be higher (as there will still be many more DSLRs around compared to mirrorless cameras).