Imaging-resource had a chat with Fujifilm managers, including Toshihisa Iida. The one think that made me think most of what iida said is that he is sure the GFX system can challenge the FF system. He said that to achieve that “GFX has to become smaller and cheaper“. The problems I see here are multiple:

1. GFX can never be as cheap as FF. The sensor is bigger, produced in a much smaler number which increases the cost a lot. And that ain’t going to change unless more manufacturers start to make medium format cameras
2. The pace of innovation on MF sensors is much slower than on FF. Sony releases new MF sensors every 3-4 years. And it’s a one of a kind sensor where Fuji has little saying on the development
3. Lenses are also bigger and in theory more costlier.

Just my two cent. If fuji wants to make GFX a success they may have to look elsewhere for sensors. Maybe ask Samsung to make MF sensors for them? This way they can tailor the sensor development and fasten the innovation path. Still, costs and size of their GFX cameras and lenses will always be higher.

CineD published a full interview with Panasonic’s Director of Imaging Business Unit. The English translated text of the interview can be read on their site. Here are some hints about future products:

S1H successor:
Of course, we are thinking about a successor model to the S1H. Regarding the video performance of the S1H’s successor model, I am thinking of one rank higher, so I think that the technical difficulty will become even higher, too. We are continuously developing technologies regarding heat dissipation, and we hope to develop this technology will make it an attractive product.

GH5 successor:
Nearly 3.5 years have passed since the launch of the GH5, and many customers are still purchasing GH5, but many creators still shoot movies in a Micro Four Thirds format. As I have assured many times, we will continue to develop products for Micro Four Thirds as well as Full Frame to meet the needs of a wide range of creators. Regarding the replacement model for the GH camera that you asked about, I will inform you but the information may be spread. Of course, we are considering it, and we look forward to seeing you there.

8K:
We are currently exploring the future potential and marketability of 8K, and continue to develop technologies for the future and the expanding needs of the market. I feel like the needs of the market are a little behind from what I thought 3 years ago.

I wonder how serious Panasonic really is about MFT. It may be that they simply will slow down the pace of innovation and product announcement with MFT to cut the costs….

Skylum just launched the brand new Luminar AI (Click here to read all details). There will be  launch discount for first 30,000 pre-orders! The whole idea behind Luminar AI is to make photo editing super easy thanks to automated tools.

Press Release

Skylum aims to reinvent traditional photo editing, announces LuminarAI

LuminarAI empowers visual communicators to make great photos with unique AI. Everyone can create amazing images faster while having fun.

NEW YORK, NY – September 3, 2020​ —​ ​This morning, Skylum unveiled a revolutionary approach to photoediting, LuminarA​I​.​​ Unlike other photo editors that takea time-consuming approach based on tools, LuminarA​I ​focuses on results. This revolutionary application and plug-in will be released this holiday season.

LuminarA​I makes complex editing easier than ever before thanks to unique AI-powered tools. LuminarA​I removes boring and complex tasks without sacrificing professional quality. Artificial intelligence lets the visual artist focus on results and not the process. Everyone can make amazing photos free of complexity, yet full of creativity, thanks to artificial intelligence.“

LuminarA​I​ will bring an entirely new,non-conventional approach to the world of photo editing, focusing on the results instead of the process,” said D​ima Sytnik, CPO of Skylum​. “We’ve designed LuminarA​I​from the ground up to change how people interact with their images. We’re really excited to see what Luminar​AI​ can do for creatives everywhere.”

LuminarA​I is designed for visual communicators, every day people and professional photographers alike. It’s made for those who rely on pictures to communicate their important messages and grow their opportunities or reputation: Bloggers, entrepreneurs, educators, marketers, small and medium-sized businesses, and many others. It lets everyone tell their story with rich and expressive images like never before. With LuminarA​I everyone can make amazing images in an efficient way.

Artificial intelligence is the core of LuminarA​I

Compared to traditional image editors, LuminarA​I​offers acompletely different approach. Built from the ground up to leverage artificial intelligence, LuminarA​I ​simplifies complex tasks and removes boring manual work.

Portraits take on new life​.

• Use​ BodyA​I ​and ​FaceA​I ​to gently sculpt and refine a portrait.
• Create eyes that are rich and expressive with ​IrisA​I​.
• Remove blemishes and imperfections naturally with ​SkinA​I​.

Landscape photography has never looked better.

• Add depth and detail to skies with ​AtmosphereA​I ​and SkyEnhancer​.
• Transform a photo and add an all-new sky in seconds with​ SkyAI
• Bring warmth with ​Golden Hour​ or even enhance the sun with ​Sunrays.​

Professional finishing with less hassle.

• Looking for more detail and texture? Then​ StructureA​I​ is the perfect addition.
• Get the perfect crop with​ CompositionA​I ​and fix crooked images
• With AccentA​I​, a photo has perfect exposure and color.

With LuminarA​I​, amazing photos are just two clicks away.

Templates ​are at the very core of the new LuminarA​I​. LuminarA​I​recognizes the contents of a photo, suggesting the best templates to speed up the editing process. Each template collection helps tell a story. These edits can be applied and refined instantly. While artificial intelligence guides the way, throughout the entire editing process, artists retain complete control over the edits they make, the tools they choose and how they interact with their photos.

Great photography is for everyone, and with the brand-new LuminarA​I​, digital artists across the globe can tell their story through photography. LuminarA​I ​simplifies photo editing without sacrificing quality and creativity.

“LuminarA​I will help make image editing easier for everyone. We’ve removed the boring and difficult parts of photo editing without sacrificing creativity. LuminarA​I ​will be a great tool in a creator’s workflow. They can focus on great results — not on the process of editing,” said Alex Tsepko, CEO of Skylum.

LuminarA​I​ will be available as a stand-alone application and plug-in for macOS and Windows. To learn more about LuminarA​I​ and to sign up for updates, visit ​skylum.com​. Early-bird pricing is available here and the product includes a 30-day money-back guarantee from the time of shipping.

About Skylum Software

Skylum is a global imaging technology company focused on creating tools that make it easier for creatives to get things done. Skylum’s Luminar platform unleashes creativity through the innovative use of automated and intelligent image processing which still allows the artist complete control over the final product. Skylum has won the Red Dot Award, Apple’s Best of Year, “Best Imaging Software” by TIPA and EISA as well as several other top industry awards.​ ​To learn more about Skylum, visit​ ​skylum.com​.

Preorder Luminar AI (Click here to read all details) for 79 Euro/Dollar instead of 99 Euro/Dollar

Fuji has announced it’s fastest APS-C lens yet: The 50mm f/1.0 is now available for $1,499 at BHphoto, Adorama and Amazon. If you want to know the FF equivalence: It’s like having a 76,5mm f/1.53 lens :)

Full live blog coverage at Fujirumors.

Panasonic has announced the new S5 and you can preorder it now at BHphoto, Adorama. As usual there is only one review I recommend to understand what’s good and not so good on a camera. This one from Geral Undone: