DJI announced their new NEO drone. You can reorder it now at Amazon, BHphoto, DJI, Adorama, FotoErhardt, WexUK. This is their smallest and most affordable drone ever made.

Nikkei magazine has published the global sales number and market share of digital stills and video cameras sold in 2023. The numbers are based on data from CIPA and JEITA and have been reported by the Japanese website dclife.

Here are the worldwide market shares for 2023

1. Canon … 3.34 million units (46.5%)
2. Sony … 2 million units (27.9%)
3. Nikon … 810,000 units (11.3%)
4. Fujifilm … 430,000 units (6.0%)
5. Panasonic … 260,000 units (3.6%)
6. OM Digital … 180,000 units (2.5%)
7. Ricoh Imaging … 60,000 units (0.8%)

Nikkei writes:

The rate of decline in the global digital camera market share has slowed compared to before, and demand for high-performance mirrorless cameras is increasing, with our magazine describing it as “high-performance mirrorless cameras are strong and the market is recovering.” The ranking of sales volume share remains the same as in 2022 , with Canon in first place, and if you add Sony’s share in second place, the two companies will exceed 70% of the sales volume share. Canon and Sony still seem to be overwhelmingly strong. I would like to see the share based on value as well.

Peak Design finally launched their first full adventure-outdoor Backpack and Sling lineup on Kickstarter (Click here). If you back this project you get up to 25% off MSRP. The campaign ends (as well as that discount) on October 16th, and orders will ship from January 2025. There are so many features about them that you best check out their page to learn them all. And this is a video displaying the full specs and options:

Fujirumors reports that also the upcoming X-M5 entry level camera will have the Film Simulation Dial of he Fujifilm X-T50. Smart move from Fuji!

A reliable leaker on Weibo wrote this:

Chinese zoom autofocus lenses are under development. Mr. Ma has confirmed through news channels that two domestic brands are currently developing new zoom AF lenses. One of them has approved two full-frame zoom AF lenses and at least one APS-C frame zoom AF lens, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.

In addition, the news of domestic F1.4 full-frame large aperture AF lens has been confirmed. If everything goes well, it is expected that one or two F1.4 large aperture AF lenses will be launched in 2024, ensuring one and striving for two, with commonly used focal lengths, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.

Companies like Viltrox and 7Artisans already offer autofocus prime lenses. Making zoom lenses is much harder because the autofocus algorithm gets much more complicated. Now it seems like Chinese manufacturers tackled the issue and we are getting three E and Z-mount zoom lenses this year already!

My bet is that Viltrox will be the first Chinese company launching an AF zoom lens in 2025. Just a reminder: Viltrox teased the launch of many fast primes…including f/1.4 primes like mentioned by the leaker:

• Viltrox AF135mm F1.8 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF35mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF50mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF85mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF35mm F1.4 Pro E full frame
• Viltrox AF50mm F1.4 Pro E full frame
• Viltrox AF85mm F1.4 Pro E full frame

Leaker How2fly reports about two new lenses coming soon:

• The current Tamron 50-400mm E-mount lens will be soon available as Z-mount version too
• Hasselblad will announce a new wide angle zoom lens in September