FUJIFILM is currently in the process of developing its first-ever filmmaking camera, the GFX ETERNA, with plans for a release in 2025.

The GFX ETERNA will feature a large format sensor, GFX 102MP CMOS II HS, which is approximately 1.7 times larger than a 35mm sensor, and the high-speed image processing engine X-Processor 5, enabling filmmakers to capture rich, true to life visuals and have enhanced flexibility in post-production.

Both the GFX 102MP CMOS II HS sensor and X-Processor 5 are the latest technologies featured in the FUJIFILM’s mirrorless digital camera GFX100 II, which delivers extraordinarily high image quality with its 102 million pixels.

The Sony A1II introduces key advancements over its predecessor, the Sony A1, especially for professional photographers and videographers seeking refined features and performance.

1. **Enhanced In-Body Stabilization**: With up to 8 stops of in-body image stabilization, the A1II offers superior steadiness, allowing handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds and reducing reliance on tripods or gimbals.
2. **AI-Driven Autofocus**: Borrowing from the A9III, the A1II incorporates an advanced AI-based autofocus system that improves subject tracking, particularly for challenging action and wildlife shots.
3. **Pre-Capture Mode**: This feature offers significant advantages for capturing fast-moving subjects, buffering frames just before the shutter press, helping photographers capture fleeting moments they might have missed otherwise.
4. **Faster CFexpress Type A Support**: The addition of faster CFexpress Type A card support reduces data transfer times and allows users to work with high-resolution files more efficiently, making it ideal for professionals handling large volumes of high-bitrate video and images.
5. **Potential Price Adjustment**: If the original A1 sees a price reduction with the A1II’s release, professionals on a budget might find the A1 more accessible, while those investing in the A1II gain the most current technology.

While the core specs like 30fps burst and 8K at 30p video remain the same, these targeted upgrades make the Sony A1II a strong candidate for professionals looking to improve image stabilization, autofocus precision, and workflow efficiency.

You can preorder the lens now at BHphoto.

Nikon’s latest camera can now be preordered at BHphoto. A presentation can be read at Explora.

An anonymous tipster just told me that the Ricoh GRIV should be announced in very early 2025. And a monochrome version will be released later in 2025!

Venus Optics just announced the new 12-24mm f/5.6 Shift APS-C lens you can buy for $699 on the Venus Optics Global Store.

Press text:

Anhui China, 5 Nov 2024 – Venus Optics announced a groundbreaking Zoom-Shift lens – Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom Shift lens! This extraordinary APS-C lens for mirrorless cameras combines two powerful features in one compact package: an ultra-wide zoom with an impressive shift capability. The lens allows you to seamlessly zoom from 12mm to 24mm while also being able to shift up to 7mm! This zoom-shift combination gives you all the flexibility in perspective control for capturing expansive landscapes or towering architecture. The compact 575g size also puts no burden on your kit. Truly a game-changer for photographers who want both versatility and creative control in their ultra-wide shots.

12-24mm Zoom Range with Constant Aperture
The Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom Shift lens offers a versatile zoom range of 12mm to 24mm, providing an expansive angle of view from 102.5° to 63.9°. This allows photographers to capture a wide variety of scenes. With a constant aperture of f/5.6, the lens ensures consistent exposure throughout the entire zoom range, offering great flexibility while maintaining high image quality.

Precise ±7mm Shift Amount
The remarkable ±7mm shift capability set this lens apart. All shift lenses currently available in the market are primes, which makes this lens the WORLD’s first wide-angle zoom shift lens. This feature enables photographers to achieve precise perspective control and effortlessly minimize distortion.

Compact & Lightweight Design
The Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom Shift lens offers exceptional performance in a compact and lightweight package, weighing only 575g. Its portability makes it perfect for photographers on the move, ensuring mobility and effortless shooting.

Exceptional Distortion Control
The lens showcases excellent distortion control, allowing users to capture accurate and true-to-life images. This makes it an excellent choice for architectural and interior photography, where precise image quality is crucial.

15cm closest focusing distance
The Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom Shift lens also has an exceptionally short focusing distance. Capable of focusing as close as 5.9 inches (15 cm) from the sensor. This lens offers photographers plenty of opportunities for creative experimentation.

77mm filter thread
The Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom Shift lens offers the convenience of a 77mm filter thread, which can be used when the lens hood is attached.

Image translation via PetaPixel. Sony is totally absent here.

The Japanese organization BCN shared new insights on the Japanese fixed lens camera market. Digicameinfo summed up the most interesting points:

• Casio has left the compact camera market, Nikon has stopped development, and Sony and Fujifilm have significantly scaled back their lineups. Some may fear that the category itself will disappear as it is pushed aside by smartphones. The bottom line is that it is not dead at all. Compact cameras still account for more than 60% of camera sales. Although their sales value composition ratio is small, ranging from the upper 20% to lower 30%, a certain level of sales continues.
• The average price is also rising, just like with interchangeable lens cameras. In particular, the increase in the proportion of relatively high-priced models over 50,000 yen stands out. As of September 2021, this was only 6.8% of the total number of units sold, but this September it had risen to 33.2%. This is thought to be largely due to the impact of inflation, but at the same time, it is also highly likely that there are an increasing number of users who want better products even if they are a little more expensive.
• Year-on-year sales of interchangeable lens cameras fell significantly in both unit volume and value. Although the decline narrowed in October, sales remain below the previous year’s level. Compact cameras are also showing a slowdown, with unit sales declining slightly in September and October. However, sales value remained above the previous year, with October sales value increasing by double digits to 115.3%. With prices of mirrorless cameras rising, it could be said that even relatively high-priced compact cameras are now looking cheap.
• The compact camera market structure has changed significantly in the past few years. Canon is by far the top five in terms of sales volume in September, with a large share of 31.1%, backed by the PowerShot and IXY series. Meanwhile, Fujifilm, in second place, took a 13.4% share, largely due to the huge sales of its instax mini Evo. Kodak and Kenko Tokina, in third and fourth place, moved into the “vacant lot” left by major manufacturers. They are the main players who have expanded their market share by leveraging their good cost performance, and have greatly changed the market. And Ricoh Imaging, with its GR series, has made it into the top five with a modest single-digit share. The GR brand, which has been around since the film era, still has many die-hard fans.

I wonder if 2025 will be the year where Sony finally revives their RX camera series. What do you think…is this going to happen or not?