One of the big downsides of the Fuji X RAW files is that they are not native supported by current RAW converters. I mean, they do the job, but none of them do it flawlessly. The good news is that Lionel12 of the Phase One Crew writes in this forum (click here): “Let me be a bit on lim here, all you Fuji lowers – look for next Capture One release – real soon now.” Rumor says that Capture One will be the first software to 100% support the X-trans sensor characteristics.

And the second little good news is that Rico Pfirstinger (author of the X PRO 1 book) shared me two links with a preview to his books:
For the English sample version click here. To see the book at AmazonUS click here (47% price drop).
For the German sample version click here. To see the book and read customers reviews at AmazonDE click here.

via Fujirumors.

Egami (translation here) spotted the new Nikon 1 lens patent. It is the Nikkor 37mm f/2.4 that covers the 1 inch imaging area of the Nikon 1 system. It is a 100mm equivalent tele lens. And it appears to feature macro capability too.

And there is a new Nikon 11-27.5mm Review at Camerastuffreview.

Fuji and Sony are both hot candidates to launch the first Full Frame mirrorless system competing the expansive and luxury [shoplink 100116 ebay]Leica M series[/shoplink]. For months now I am working to collect info about their 2013 strategy and form what I got from trusted and also from new sources neither Fuji nor Sony will announce such a system within the next 8-10 months. At the same time I have been told that both are developing a FF system but there is a series of challenges that will have to be solved first. Both Fuji and Sony for example have to develop lenses for their current X and NEX systems. They cannot afford to launch a new system yet.

After all these years that Leica is cashing money on the [shoplink 100116 ebay]Leica M series[/shoplink] I am still surprised that nobody ever made a competitor!

Sigma stated multiple times that they will not launch their own mirrorless system so I guess the patent you can see at Egami will be applied to expand their fixed lens DP camera series. There you can see the design and specs of a 30mm f/2.8, 30mm f/2.5, 28mm f/2.8, 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/2.8 and a 55mm f/2.8 lens. All these will come with built-in stabilization system and inner focusing.

I still believe they should do a full interchangeable mirrorless system. But of course that’s just my modest opinion… :)

Last week we had the new Olympus 17mm f/1.8 lens announcement. But we are always hungry of new rumors and it looks like we don’t have to wait a lot to see the next bunch of announcements. According to multiple sources on SAR and 43rumors both Olympus and Sony will announce new products in early January. From Sony we can expect new NEX lenses and entry level cameras while Olympus will almost certainly announce the new 40-150mm f/2.8 zoom. Their first High Quality and constant aperture zoom.

Is that all? I think there is a chance that Samsung will announce their first Android powered NX cameras. Haven’t heard anything about possible Panasonic products yet while Canon is expected to announce new EOS-M lenses in February-March.

The CES show is a more consumer oriented show where usually we don’t have to expect semipro stuff to be announced. So no Full Frame Mirrorless camera coming for now…