Kazuto Yamaki talks about the state of the L-mount alliance: satisfied with the products but not satisfied with the market share as it is now

The french magazine Phototrend interviewed Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki. Here are the key points:
* Sigma fp is the basis for the future of camera at Sigma
* Sigma doesn’t want to impose his view on how to use the Sigma fp
* In the future, Sigma thinks that all cameras will no longer use a mechanical shutter
* The most important characteristics of the Sigma fp is compactness and high quality images
* Sigma Foveon FF camera is late because of issues with the sensor design and manufacturing delay from vendors
* Sigma wants to differentiate itself from other competitors with Foveon sensor.
* They are building a new building at Aizu factory to improve the manufacturing process, not increasing the production capabilities
* Yamaki-san thinks there needs to be more lenses for the L-mount system
* In terms of market share, Sigma is not satisfied by the L-Mount Alliance. But according to Kazuto Yamaki it is still too early to draw conclusions. There needs to be 3 to 4 years after the launch to assess the results L-rumors
* Kazuto Yamaki is satisfied by the diversity of lenses and cameras offered by the members of the L-Mount Alliance.

Fashion Photographer Bradley Thornber – LUMIX Full Frame Cameras

Bradly is a fashion photographer discovering the benefits of the LUMIX S Series Full-Frame camera system brings to his life as a professional photographer. Bradly is not just taking shots; he is now making his best shots thanks to the creative and innovative advancements in mirrorless cameras that Panasonic LUMIX brings to photography. Together we are Changing Photography.

L-mount news roundup…


Panasonic S1H vs. GH5 / 4k Dynamic Range and Bokeh Quality Test / Tokyo Tower

Plenty of L-rumors readers images on our L-mount Facebook Group.
Sigma fp Camera accessories as reviewed by SCA Paul Monaghan
Is The Foveon Sensor Still Relevant? (PhotoPXL).
Leica SL2 test at DC.watch

Links:
Panasonic S1R at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.
Panasonic S1 at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.
Panasonic S1H at Amazon, BHphoto. Adorama. FocusCamera. Park UK.
Panasonic 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens at Amazon, BHphoto. Adorama. FocusCamera. Park UK.
Panasonic 50mm f/1.4 S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.
Panasonic 24-105mm f/4.0 S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.
Panasonic 70-200mm f/4.0 S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.

 

January 2020 camera sales dropped by 19%

The latest Cipa reports contains some very worrisome data: The system camera market dropped by 19%. The system camera market sales were down 11% in terms of units sold and by 19% in terms of value. The rest of the year will be even worse due the effect of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Panasonic-Leica-Sigma might slow down their product release cycle because of that 🙁

Odd: No new L-mount product announced the first months of 2020

Usually the first two months of the year are full of announcements. CES and CP+ (although canceled) are good timings for new announcements. But as noted by SAR a couple of companies had no nearly no announcements at all. All we got so far from the Lecia-Sigma-Panasonic L-mount group is the updated Panasonic S lens roadmap.

Here is the list of profucts announced by all camera companies:

Nikon (6 products announced):
Nikon Coolpix P950
Nikon D780
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm F2.8E FL ED SR VR
Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 F2.8 VR S
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR
Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S

Fuji (5 products announced):
Fujifilm X-T200
Fujifilm X100V
Fujifilm X-T4
Fujifilm XC 35mm F2
Fujifilm GF 45-100mm F4 R LM OIS WR

Canon (4 products announced):
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
Canon EOS R5 (granted just development announcement)
Canon EOS Rebel T8i
Canon RF 24-105mm F4.0-7.1 IS STM

Olympus (2 products announced):
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4 Pro

Ricoh-Pentax: (2 products announced):
Ricoh WG-70
HD Pentax-D FA 70-210mm F4 ED SDM WR

Sony (1 product announced):
Sony 20mm F1.8G

Leica (1 product announced):
Leica M10 Monochrom

Panasonic (0 products announced):
no product announced (a part of a new L-mount lens roadmap).