Nikkei report: Panasonic quits low end camera business and release a camera jointly developed with Leica

The prestigious website Nikkei reports:

The company (Panasonic HD) said, “We have stopped developing new models that can be replaced by smartphones.” Production of existing products will continue for the time being, but in the future, the company plans to concentrate on developing high-end mirrorless machines aimed mainly at enthusiasts and professional filmmakers. We are planning to release a mirrorless machine jointly developed with Leica Camera, which we formed a comprehensive partnership with at the end of May, in about a year.

via Digicameinfo

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Good news from Sigma: Their new Full Frame Foveon sensor will be “ready” end of this year!

Teh Sigma CEO released an interview and said the following:

  • We are still in development and are working on a prototype of a three-layer Foveon X3 sensor.
  • This sensor should be available later this year
  • The Foveon X3 sensor is not a versatile sensor and has disadvantages such as dark performance
  • But when the amount of light is widespread, this camera can produce very beautiful and wonderful pictures.

via DClife

Sigma will soon announce the new 20mm f/1.4 and 24mm f/1.4 L-mount lenses

The Japanese blog Digicameinfo spotted the specs of these two upcoming Sigma Full Frame L-mount lenses:

  • 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
    Lens configuration: 17 elements in 15 groups (2 SLD glasses, 3 aspherical lenses)
    Number of aperture blades: 11 (circular aperture)
    Minimum shooting distance: 0.23m
    Maximum shooting magnification: 1: 6.1
    Filter Diameter: 82mm
    Size: φ87.8 x 111.2mm (E-mount version 113.2mm)
    Weight: 635g (E-mount version 630g)
  • 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art
    Lens configuration: 17 elements in 14 groups (1 piece of SLD glass, 2 pieces of FLD glass, 4 pieces of aspherical lens)
    Number of aperture blades: 11 pieces (circular aperture)
    Minimum shooting distance: 0.25m
    Maximum shooting magnification : 1: 7.1
    Filter diameter:
    72mm Size: φ75.7 x 95.5mm (E-mount version 97.5mm)
    Weight: 520g (E-mount version 510g)

The new Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN L-mount lens will be announce don June 1

The same source that leaked the lens specs says the new Sigma 16-28mm L will be announced on June 1 at 21 Tokyo time.

16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary specs
・ Lens configuration: 16 elements in 11 groups
・ Shortest shooting distance: 25cm
・ Maximum shooting magnification: 1: 5.6
・ Number of aperture blades: 9 (circular aperture)
・ Filter diameter: 72mm
・ Size : Φ77.2 x 100.6mm (E mount version is 102.6mm)
・ Weight: 450g
・ Mount: L mount ・ Sony E mount

First rumors about a possible S5H…

For what’s worth. I got this from an anonymous source:

Panasonic S5H: It’s a lightweight camera, but likes the 15Mp version of S1H. S5H supports FF 4.8K oversampled UHD-4K 120fps with the DFD AI. Also, FF 16:9 4.8K 60fps or FF open gate 4.8K 48fps with the ‘Dynamic Range Boost mode’ is supported.

RUMOR: Sigma will soon announce the new 16-28mm f/2.8 L lens!

We will not only get a new Sigma 50mm f/1.2 and f/2.0 lens. But also this nice zoom:

  • 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary
    ・ Lens configuration: 16 elements in 11 groups
    ・ Shortest shooting distance: 25cm
    ・ Maximum shooting magnification: 1: 5.6
    ・ Number of aperture blades: 9 (circular aperture)
    ・ Filter diameter: 72mm
    ・ Size : Φ77.2 x 100.6mm (E mount version is 102.6mm)
    ・ Weight: 450g
    ・ Mount: L mount ・ Sony E mount

Announcement should happen within the next 3-4 weeks!

via Digicameinfo