CIPA will use the term “non-reflex” to define mirrorless cameras. Sales in Germany growing much slower than in Japan.

In Japan you can get full details about the exact camera market shares. And those clearly show that almost 50% of all sold system cameras are mirrorless (the rest is DSLR). Finally we got our hands on the mirrorless sales percentage in Germany (via DC.watch). The sales share in 2011 has been 12,7%. That’s a lot less but still…the market is growing. DSLR sales have been constant the last four years but I guess in 2012 mirrorless sales will grow much faster and DSLR sales will slightly fall. That’s just my personal guess, we will see in one year if that will become true.

Mewanwhile the CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association in Japan) announced that from now on they will use the term “non-reflex” for the so-called mirror-less cameras (via DC.watch). This clearly goes against my policy :) I will always prefer the term “mirrrorless” over “compact system cameras (CSC)” or “non-reflex” or “evil” cameras.

—-

Check out the current rankings:
– Mirrorless camera ranking at Amazon US (Click here)
– Mirrorless camera ranking at Amazon Deutschland (Click here)
– Mirrorless camera ranking at Amazon UK (Click here)
– Mirrorless camera ranking at Amazon France (Click here)

 

Massive new Fuji X PRO 1 image and video samples (Brandon Remler says it’s better than M9)

Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – (Pre Production) from Michael Fletcher on Vimeo.

Brandon Remler is busy testing the new X PRO 1 and you can read his daily updates and thoughts on his website (Click here / via Fujirumors):
1) Fujifilm X-Pro1 First Day Stroll (Click here)
2) Fujifilm X-Pro1 First Night Out (Click here)
3) Full image samples (Click here)
In short he writes that “I do feel the AF speed is faster than the X100 and the file looks gorgeous. The noise levels at ISO 3200 look great to me.“. He also had the chance to make a very quick comparison with the Leica M9: “I feel the X-Pro1 is delivering a nicer color palette and I don’t want to set any precedents here – but when the tests are done I think the X-Pro1 will show a higher resolution.“
And if you want to see some image samples be sure to follow his youtube channel (Click here).
Meanwhile Fuji itself posted a set of new image samples on his dedicated X PRO 1.

Now you have plenty of images to analyze! The camera will ship in Asia first in March. Europe and USA should follow soon.

The Fuji X PRO 1 camera can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here), Epxansys US (Click here) and Expansys Canada (Click here).
in Europe at Jessops UK (Click here), eBay Italy (Click here) and Expansys UK (Click here).
in Asia at Amazon Japan (Click here) and eBay Japan (Click here).

The Fuji X 18mm f/2.0 can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
in Asia at Amazon Japan (Click here).

The Fuji X 35mm f/1.4 can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
in Asia at Amazon Japan (Click here).

The Fuji X 60mm f/2.4 macro can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).

New Dalsa 24 Megapixel sensor for the Leica M10?

A Luminous Landscape forum post (Click here) created some buzz about a possible Dalsa-Leica partnership. As you may know Dalsa announced a new 24 Megapixel CCD sensor (Click here to read the specs). And Leica is actually the only Full Frame camera maker still using CCD sensors. So how do we say…where there is smoke there is fire!

One more thing: The new Leica mirrorless system with electronic viewfinder that will be announced in September will certainly use a CMOS sensor. And I guess Sony will be the supplier for Leica…

 

via Fotoactualidad via 1001noisycameras.

Nikon 1 firmware and tests (+ Canon G1X news + iPhone book)

The Big Freeze from Andrew Reid on Vimeo.

There are plenty of new Nikon and Canon news: Andre Reid is wxperimenting with Hitchcock and the Nikon J1 with 16mm c-mount lenses (EosHD). There is also a new Nikon 1 Field Report Diary  at Outbackphoto. And if you alreayd own a Nikon 1 camera than you should know that Nikon (Click here) just released a new Nikon 1 firmware upgrade (1.11) : “An issue that sometimes caused images captured using the built-in flash to be over-exposed has been resolved“.

Techradar (Click Here) had a chat with Canon about the new Canon G1X. New G1 X Photos  have been posted at Photographyblog (Click here).

Outback photo (Click here) published a new iPhone book “The Art and Craft of iPhone Photography“. The is the currently most sold mirrorless camera :)

Fuji X PRO 1 with M-mount adapter and new full size images!

Those of you living in Japan can visit the CP+ Fuji booth in Yokohama. The picture on top shows the new Fuji X PRO 1 with M-mount adapter and attached! A full set of Fuji booth images can be seen at DC.watch (Click here).

And there is are many new Full Size X PRo 1 image samples at http://www.pbase.com/hpicckcy/fujifilm_xpro1 (via Fujirumors.com). They have been posted by Hugo Poon which says: “I’m not a reviewer and this is no review. Have to be frank, I never have the time (nor interest) to do detailed tests and comparison. My only interest in an equipment is how well it can help me capture the moment and document the familiar places that are fast changing and even disappearing… Though I had had only a couple of days to shoot with this new gear, I couldn’t be more convinced that this is Fuji’s one most powerful photo taking machine to date.
PS. Click “original” for best viewing quality. “

Not many websites posted X PRO 1 image smaples. Here is the short list: Fuji (Click here to see), Christian Fletcher (Click here),vladdodan (Click here), F64 (Click here), Focus Numerique (Click here) and Fotodigitalonline (Click here).

The question to you is:

The Fuji X PRO 1 camera can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here), Epxansys US (Click here) and Expansys Canada (Click here).
in Europe at Jessops UK (Click here), eBay Italy (Click here) and Expansys UK (Click here).
in Asia at Amazon Japan (Click here) and eBay Japan (Click here).

The Fuji X 18mm f/2.0 can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
in Asia at Amazon Japan (Click here).

The Fuji X 35mm f/1.4 can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
in Asia at Amazon Japan (Click here).

The Fuji X 60mm f/2.4 macro can be preordered:
in USA/Canada at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).

New NEX lens roadmap. And three new NEX cameras coming within 2012!!!

Sony unveiled the new NEX lens roadmap. As you see four lenses will be announced within 2012. A high magnification zoom lens, a standard zoom, a wide zoom and a fast aperture prime lens. The other four new lenses will arrive in 2013: The high quality G standard zoom lens, the Mid-magnification zoom, the mid-telephoto lens and finally a pancake lens!

But this is not enough. I have been  told by TOP-sources that Sony will launch three new NEX cameras within 2012 only! Yeah, I also think that’s a it of a madness. The Sony NEX-5n and NEX-7 are already top cameras and I don’t see any reason to announce three(!) new NEX cameras. But maybe Sony has some secret reason to do so?

P.S.: The first of the three new NEX cameras will arrive in April!!!

Pentax K-01 hands-on and new lens roadmap. Ricoh takes full control of Pentax camera division.

Engadget (Click here) tested the new K-01 and wrote that it “doesn’t feel as cheap as it looks”.

Ricoh now took full control over the Pentax imaging division. Here is the press release:

“Tokyo, February 9, 2012 – Ricoh Company, Ltd. (President and CEO: Shiro Kondo, hereinafter Ricoh) announces an organizational change to its imaging system business including security system business and consumer digital camera business.

Since October 1, 2011 when PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY (President and CEO?Zenji Miura, hereinafter PRI) was established, Ricoh managed its global imaging system business under two brands, RICOH and PENTAX. Specifically RICOH brand digital cameras were designed, developed and sold by Personal Multimedia Product Company (hereinafter PMMC), an internal organization of Ricoh, while PENTAX brand digital cameras were designed, developed and sold by PRI.

In an effort to strengthen customer relationships and provide innovative products and services, Ricoh will re-organize its structure.

1.Effective date?
?April 1, 2012?plan?

2.Scope?
?Worldwide

3.New functions of each business unit?
?PRI: Consumer businesses such as digital cameras for B2C market
(This includes Ricoh development resources to improve capabilities and support
Ricoh branded cameras )
?Ricoh PMMC: B2B businesses including security system business, and imaging solutions
business for B2B market

February 9, 2012
Ricoh Company, Ltd.“

 

Meanwhile Pentax announced the new 2012 lens roadmap (via Photorumors). There will be a new K-mount pancake,a 50mm f/1.8 standard prime lens, an unspecified tele photo lens, the Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 SMC lens (what a beast!), a Pentax D-FA 645 90mm f/2.8 SMC lens and the L to Q mount lens adapter. Clcik on pictures to enlarge: