The new B&W MP camera will costs $1,000 more than the new MP-9 you see here on top ($7999 at BHphoto).

This will be a very important week for all Leica fans. Finally Leica is going to announce a digital camera with “pure” Black and White sensor. And you have to pay quite a lot for that unique feature! According to Leicarumors the Leica MP Black and White camera will cost close to $9,000!!!

One the mirrorless front it is also to report that there will be a new X2 camera with fixed 35mm f/1.4 Summilux lens for….$3,000! That’s $1,000 more than you pat for the current Leica X1 (here at Amazon). It has a 16 or 18 MPX sensor (according to Leicarumors) and an optional EVF: LCD and AF are also improved. Too bad this camera doesn’t come with an interchangeable mount!

Canonrumors just posted a bunch of Canon mirrorless specs. He rated the rumor with a very low value so don’t take it too seriousely! According to him this is what we will see within 2012:

• Two Cameras
• G1 X Sensor Size
• APS-C a possibility in one camera
• 14 & 24 megapixels
• EF compatibility, but not EF mount.
• EVF on one camera
• 3-5 Lenses announced at launch.

Sounds good!

Yesterday we praised the superb 85mm NX lens but epxressed our doubts about Samsung NX system future. Maybe as reaction on that post one of our sources sent us some bits about the possible future Samsung roadmap. He writes:

1) Samsung plans to announce the EX1 successor, two new NX lenses and accessories at Photokina 2012
2) They are working on a new APS-C sensor with improved rolling shutter performance (too early to say “electronic shutter”), but with “normal” megpaixel number (bye be Megapxiel race)
3) There also is a new NX model coming before end of the year, a top line NX.

Sounds good or not?

Our super good sources informed us that the new Leica M camera coming on May the 10th will feature a Black and White Full Frame sold by Platinum Equity. As you know Platinum acquired the Kodak business and they are going to sell the Kodak developed Black and White sensor to Leica.

The list of available Black and White CCD sensors is still available on Kodaks website (Click here). The sources didn’t tell me which one it is but they said the camera pixel per pixel sharpness is unmatched by any of the current Full Frame cameras. Not even the super new Nikon D800 (36Megapixels) can match it!

Canon concept mirrorless camera by David Riesenberg (Click here)

Canon released the Q1 earnings call and included some info about the future strategy. Canon says that they will launch compact cameras “offering the image qualities that approaches SLR cameras, with improved design and network connectivity features“. This sounds like they are clsoe to launch the interchangeable mirrorless system. And that word” approaches” may give us the hint that they will use the Four Thirds sized sensor of the Canon G1X.

Sony didn’t manage to keep the secret on the new upcoming new cameras. Their Malaysian press event is now all over the web :)
Here are the specs of the NEX-F3 and the new 18-200mm lens:

Sony NEX F3
16.1 MP same as A37
latest Bionz processor
ISO 16,000 from 100.
24p 1080p HD or 60i
MP4 Codec
3:2 in MP4 mode
Auto Portrait Framing
180 degree LCD for easier self portraits
Clear image zoom is present if you want
Built in flash
Improved battery performance to 470 images per charge
Charge on the go via USB to pc
Accessory terminal: you can add the trufinder or the microphone
Ergonomic grip addition like the 5n
3fps
No touchscreen
Silver, black and white.
June $599 with kit lens no 16mm f2.8 bundle

18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS in black going to be announced in summer.

The until today very unkown chinese website Yangcanggih (Click here) leaked a full set of picture of the new NEX-F3 that is going to be unveiled in mid May. Cpmpared to the NEX-C3 the camera looks like to be thicker due the new 180 degree tiltable LCD screen. Plus a new grip. Looks like Sony miniaturization war is over! CLick on the thumbnails below to enlarge the picture.