I am sure many of you already saw those nice mirrorless concept videos and images floating around the web. But for those that might missed them here is a short recap. The video on top shows the WVIL camera. It is a concept camera envisioned by Artefact’s award-winning design team. It answers the question: “what’s next for camera design?”. You can read more info at http://www.artefactgroup.com/wvil/.

And there is also that cool Leica i9 concept (See the image on Engadget). It transforms your in a real rangefinder-mirrorless looking camera.

Samsung released a new firmware for the NX10 and NX100 (Download: samsung.co.uk):
“Released today, the upgrade for the NX10 and NX100 models is designed to enhance the ‘steadiness of video recording when moving from subject to subject’, according to Samsung.
‘It also incorporates an enhanced Contrast Auto-Focus, to deliver clearer low contrast shots, even in low light conditions,’ adds the firm.
‘The firmware upgrade also makes these functions faster and quieter than ever, giving photographers the ability to take noise-free professional-looking movies with ease,’ claims Samsung.
Billed improvements also include the availability of the Panorama Shot function in Scene Mode.“

Brandon Remler claims to know that Fuji will release a new X100 firmware upgrade “is set for Thursday the 21st“.

Thom Hogan (Click here) tested the Ricoh GXR and all the available modules: “An oddball in the “mirrorless” sweepstakes is the Ricoh GXR. I include it in the mirrorless end of things, because, well, it’s mirrorless and it has interchangeable lensors (more on that term in a moment).”

What does he think about? “I actually like the GXR. It’s not quite a pocket camera with the APS modules (though it may be with the P10 module if you’ve got largish shirt pockets). But it’s definitely a jacket pocket camera, and a very rugged one, at that. The two APS modules perform extremely well in terms of image quality, on par with most 12mp DSLRs. I find that I actually strongly prefer the GXR with the two APS modules to carrying a D3100 with the Voigtlander 20mm and Nikon 35mm f/1.8G lens (the closest I can match to the Ricoh’s focal lengths)” and “In the end, we’re still waiting. The 24-70mm and Leica M-mount modules promise to make the GXR a much more interesting beast, though I’m getting a little tired of buying the same sensor over and over. Especially considering how the 12mp Sony sensor is now a generation behind the times. Still, 12mp is good enough for my carry-all-the-time camera, so the two future APS modules may be just what the doctor ordered. Overall, I think you have to think of the GXR as an odd little DSLR substitute, especially if you use the EVF. As I noted, I like it better than carrying a D3100 around with a few prime lenses.“

Check out the current GXR price at [shopcountry 100059].

Good news for all X100 fans. Fuji resumed the production and shipment of the X100 camera (Source: DC.watch). The shipment had been stopped after the earthquake. !). The last two weeks only [shoplink ‘Fuji X100’]eBay had a few cameras in Stock[/shoplink] (but for over the double of the real prize).
You can preorder the X100 at [shopcountry 100018].

T3 (Click here) reviewed the camera.

As you see from the graph above (Source: Itmedia.jp) five of the TOP 10 most sold system cameras are mirrorless. The data do referr to the last week sales in Japan.

Ricoh announced a new firmware for the GXR system camera. You can download it here: ftp://download.ricohpmmc.com/DC/. The firmware adds new AF and AE tracking systems, along with new scene modes (via Amateur Photographer).

Nikon Sony and Panasonic are the three companies that should announce new mirrorless products in April. But the earthquake disaster may will force them to delay the new product announcement.

Nikon officially suspended the operations at the Nikon plant at Natori in Sendai “We are unable to announce how soon the operation will resume due to the regional interruption of life-lines although endeavor for restoration are under the way by some of our maintenance personnel.“. And “Injury is reported to some of our group employees. We are currently continuing to gather safety information of our personnel and its family members.“

Panasonic said that “A few employees working at the Fukushima factory, the Sendai factory of AVC Networks Company and at the Koriyama factory of Panasonic Electronic Works received minor injury. Some part of the ceiling and wall were damaged, but there has been no fire or collapse. As regards the impact on our business operations we are in the process of investigation“

Sony halted and evacuated six factories in northeastern Japan: “The company is assessing the impact of power outages and damage to its facilities in the region, which make Blu-ray discs, magnetic heads and batteries.“