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

LEAKED: Images of Sigma 20mm f/1.4 and 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

On Monday August 8th at 13:00 London time Sigma will announce these two new Full Frame lenses:

  • 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
    ・Mount: L mount, Sony E mount
    ・Reservation start date: August 9, 2022 10:00
    ・Scheduled release date: August 26, 2022
    ・Suggested retail price: 152,900 yen (tax included) In Europe 999 Euro

  • 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art
    ・Mount: L mount, Sony E mount
    ・Reservation start date: August 9, 2022 10:00
    ・Scheduled release date: August 26, 2022
    ・Suggested retail price: 132,000 yen (tax included)

via Digicameinfo

Sigma teases the launch of new products on August 8th

Sigma will announce new lenses on August 8, 2022 at 13:00 London time. They will announce these two wide angle primes for E and L-mount:

  • 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)
    AF assist function
    MFL switch (MF lock)
    rear filter holder
    lens heater retainer
    152,900 yen including tax
  • 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art
    Lens configuration: 17 elements in 14 groups (1 SLD glass, 2 FLD glasses, 4 aspherical lenses)
    Number of aperture blades: 11 (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)
    AF assist function
    MFL switch (MF lock)
    rear filter holder
    lens heater retainer
    Weight: 520g (E-mount version 510g)

Canon believes “the camera market has generally bottomed out”

During their Q2 financial report Canon stated:

We believe that the camera market has generally bottomed out at its current size. In the future, the world of professionals and advanced amateurs will expand further, and we believe that the products will evolve to a higher level, and we will continue to grow as a whole. We will continue to provide single-lens reflex cameras as long as there is demand.

via DCLife