Pentax marketing: They launched a special web page to remind you all the future is DSLR!

After the Olympus imaging business sale announcement many eyes were focused on what would happen next to Pentax. And today Pentax made something odd…they launched a special website to explain their future:

When you take a picture with a single lens reflex (SLR) camera, the light passes through the lens, and in turn the optical viewfinder. You view the image directly with your eyes, and feel it with your heart. This is the unique experience you get when using an SLR. Not only do you enjoy the images captured, but also the entire process of taking a picture, from deciding on what to capture and where, to observing the scene, composing the image, then finally releasing the shutter. PENTAX was the first camera manufacturer in Japan to build an SLR, a progression that allowed our users to experience the joy of photography and the fun in creating images. PENTAX is committed to the future of SLR photography through the continued development of camera technology, making it more fun and exciting than ever before for all PENTAX users.

I hope this works out for the company!

Nikkei grim view about the mirrorless future: “Olympus exit foreshadows a Japan camera sector shake-up”

Nikkei is picturing a dark future for the camera makers:

With the market shrinking at such speed, companies are at great risk of falling into a fixed-costs crisis. Some analysts believe the entire industry will collapse unless companies undertake major reforms, like splitting design and development from manufacturing, and consolidating production.
The impact of Olympus’ decision to quit the camera business and discard 84 years’ worth of experience, may spread.

Interesting they do NOT mention Sony or Fuji being at risk: The brand names they make are Nikon, Canon, Pentax…

Canon says EOS-R5/6 preorders are higher than expected and shares details about the next EOS-R5 firmware update

From Canon Japan (google translation):

Regarding the following products announced on July 9, 2020, if you order more than expected, it may take time to deliver the products.

[Applicable Products] EOS R5/EOS R6/Battery Grip BG-R10

We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding.

Canon Japan (google translation) about the EOS R5 firmware update:

  • Full HD/120P recording size support
  • Added low bitrate mode to RAW and IPB for all resolutions and frame rates
  • Canon Log 3

via CanonWatch

Canon EOS-R5 rumor time is over…and the new Sony A7sIII rumor time has started: 12MP sensor with 4k120p recording

Sony is usually very tight when it comes to leaks. But this time it looks like something has changed. Maybe under the pressure of the Canon EOS-5R Sony felt like to be a bit more relaxed when it comes to teasing a camera :)

That’s why the past 48h SonyAlphaRumors has shared a list of specs that re likely to be accurate or at least very close to the real deal:

Rumored A7sIII specs recap

  • New 12MP stacked sensor with fast readout
  • records FHD 240fps, 4k120fps 10bit 4:2:2 and 4K120fps raw over HDMI
  • Looks pretty similar to a Sony A7rIV.
  • world’s highest resolution new 9.44 million dot EVF (QXGA resolution)
  • new kind of passive (noise free) cooling system
  • no overheating, no recording time limits
  • UHSII card support
  • announcement late July

My bet is that the Sony A7sIII will be a better video tool…but I wish it would have that stunning 8 stops stabilization of the Canon EOS-R5 :(

Do’h! Tony Northrup says in reality the Canon EOS-R5 is a 4k30p camera (because other recording modes are crippled)

It’s fun how the Internet keeps hitting hard on the EOS-R5. Somehow the Canon Cripple Hammer did come into action the very last minute :)

Tony Northrup sums up the “potential!” problems with the EOS-R5:

  • There are no independent reviews yet. Canon did not allow the few reviewers to test many aspects of the camera. Gordon Laing from CamerLabs for example was told explicitly to NOT talk about Rolling Shutter. All revivers could not share full size image samples
  • Only 4k30p allows for unlimited recording. All other recording modes are limited because of overheating.
  • There is a small 1.05x crop in 4K mode. Nothing serious but still Canon advertised this as “no crop” 4K camera.
  • It has an AA filter which might reduces sharpness of the stills images

Don’t worry Canonistas, as soon as the Sony A7sIII comes out the Internet will start to bash the Sony :)