Leica Monochrome sensor made by Platinum Equity (Kodak sensor).

Our super good sources informed us that the new Leica M camera coming on May the 10th will feature a Black and White Full Frame sold by Platinum Equity. As you know Platinum acquired the Kodak business and they are going to sell the Kodak developed Black and White sensor to Leica.

The list of available Black and White CCD sensors is still available on Kodaks website (Click here). The sources didn’t tell me which one it is but they said the camera pixel per pixel sharpness is unmatched by any of the current Full Frame cameras. Not even the super new Nikon D800 (36Megapixels) can match it!

Canon will launch compact cameras almost as good as DSLR!


Canon concept mirrorless camera by David Riesenberg (Click here)

Canon released the Q1 earnings call and included some info about the future strategy. Canon says that they will launch compact cameras “offering the image qualities that approaches SLR cameras, with improved design and network connectivity features“. This sounds like they are clsoe to launch the interchangeable mirrorless system. And that word” approaches” may give us the hint that they will use the Four Thirds sized sensor of the Canon G1X.

Sony NEX-F3 (specs leaked) and new 18-200mm NEX lens coming on May 17th.

Sony didn’t manage to keep the secret on the new upcoming new cameras. Their Malaysian press event is now all over the web :)
Here are the specs of the NEX-F3 and the new 18-200mm lens:

Sony NEX F3
16.1 MP same as A37
latest Bionz processor
ISO 16,000 from 100.
24p 1080p HD or 60i
MP4 Codec
3:2 in MP4 mode
Auto Portrait Framing
180 degree LCD for easier self portraits
Clear image zoom is present if you want
Built in flash
Improved battery performance to 470 images per charge
Charge on the go via USB to pc
Accessory terminal: you can add the trufinder or the microphone
Ergonomic grip addition like the 5n
3fps
No touchscreen
Silver, black and white.
June $599 with kit lens no 16mm f2.8 bundle

18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS in black going to be announced in summer.

Double leak: NEX-F3 and special Fuji X edition!

That is going to be an interesting day today! Here on top you can see the very first picture of the Sony NEX-F3 that is going to be announced in about two weeks. It’s a 16 megapixel camera with 180 degree tiltable LCD screen and built-in flash (a nice addition over the older NEX-C3). That sounds like a great camera for an entry-level mirrorless camera! But we also have some news for you reach guys!
There will be a special (and I guess super expensive) X PRO 1 package. You want to see the picture? Just check out at Fuijrumors (Click here). That’s one of the best looking cases ever! ;)

Mirrorless news roundup (Ken Rockwell reviews X PRO 1)

Sony NEX-FS700 commercial

Ken Rockwell (Click here) the most famous photography blogger posted his final X PRO 1 review: “The Fuji X-Pro1 is an amazing one-of-a-kind camera. It has image quality and lenses more like my LEICA M9 than any DSLR, and it’s smaller and lighter than any DSLR — or LEICA. The X-Pro1 does what the LEICA M9 does well, even better than the M9 does it!

Ricoh GXR A16 24-85mm Review at Photographyblog (Click here).

Full Canon G1X review at Photographic Central (Click here).

Panasonic GF5 review at Quesabesde (Click here for the translation). Full GF5 image samples at Focus Numerique (Click here).

Olympus E-M5 testing at Soundimagesplus (Click here).

New Fuji X PRO 1 firmware update and new reviews roundup!

And here it is the long time expected new X PRO 1 firmware update! You can see the press release at Fuji (Click here). Here are the new benefits:

  • 1.Reduction of chattering noise from iris of lenses in shooting mode.
  • 2.Improvement of phenomenon that parallax compensation does not work under condition of manual focus with OVF bright frame mode.
  • 3.Improvement of phenomenon that OVF quality as low visibility due to too bright OVF under the condition of power save mode during pressing the shutter button halfway.
  • 4.Improvement of phenomenon that delete function does not work after viewing continues shooting mode images.

I will also give you a short roundup of the latest X PRO 1 reviews and news:

A new leather case for the X PRO 1 (DCwatch). A new gallery by Pfflynn….what a name ;) The Fuji at the Madison Square Garden (Brandon Remler). A test with the 1974 Leica Elmarit lens by John Smith.

In stock status check:
Fuji X PRO 1 body is in Stock at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Jessops UK (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Fuji X 18mm f/2.0 in Stock at Amazon (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Fuji X 35mm f/1.4 in Stock at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Fuji X 60mm macro f/2.0 in not Stock at Amazon (3-4weeks) but is in Stock at Digitalrev (Click here). Mike Kobal made a short NEX-7 versus Fuji X PRO 1 comparison.