OM Digital should launch the PEN-FII on Kickstarter!

Many are calling for OM Digital to release a new PEN-F successor. But in many interviews OM Digital has made it clear that it has no plans yet to develop such a model. In past years we have seen OM Digital often release lukewarm products that represent minor improvements over the predecessor. OM Digital is a small company with few resources, and it seems to me that it is afraid to take risks that could jeopardize its entire business model.

But history has shown many times that to grow you need innovation and bold risks. Otherwise you only delay your own inevitable death. Small companies like Blackmagic and lately even Pentax (with its beautiful and popular Pentax 17 film camera) have found an unexpected path to growth and popularity.

I am therefore officially asking OM Digital to launch a Kickstarter project for the PEN-FII. Make your case to the public, ask them to fund this journey. Let’s see if there is a real demand for this model. But please include all the best technologies you can:

Make it a camera that is easy to use for content creators AND photographers. What do you think about this idea?

Would you consider to fund the PEN-FII project trhough Kickstarter?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

New Panasonic (MFT?) Camera announcement on June 5?

Our reader Jakub sent me a link to a ‘leaked’ information about a new camera. Now, if I shared this link publicly someone would get in trouble and probably get fired. So I’m keeping it under wraps for now, unless some other website publishes it and forces me to report it. In essence, this ‘leak’ tells us this:

  • On 5 June Panasonic will announce a new camera.
  • This camera will NOT be Full Frame

I see three options:

  • It will be a new MFT camera
  • A compact fixed-lens camera (possibly the successor to the LX100).
  • It is an APS-C L-mount (I think this is very unlikely).

We know that Panasonic has registered three new Lumix cameras in China. One is for the new Lumix S9. The other two cameras have yet to be announced. it sounds pretty unusual for Panasonic to unveil a new camera two weeks only after the major S9 announcement. But the “leak” seems pretty accurate to me. I still don’t know what to expect, all I got is info from a new source saying this is a new MFT camera…but this is not a confirmed info yet.

Please drop me a message at 43rumors@gmail.com or use this contact box if you have some more info to share! Stay tuned folks!

 

CONFIRMED: One more OM Digital camera announcement in 2024

One trusted source confirmed there will be ONE more camera announcement from OM Digital. Likely to happen in second half od 2024. The source did not share details about what camera we can expect. I can see three possibilities:

  • OM-10V
  • OM-5II
  • Pen-FII

I see no chance this being a OM-M1x…

Let’s see if I can gather some more info the upcoming weeks.

Super wild rumor: New entry level MFT camera coming in May too?

I just got this message from a reader that recently had a chat with Panasonic. He claims that a new MFT Lumix camera is coming in May too.

Sadly no trusted sources could confirm this yet so take this rumor with huge skepticism.

All I know is that:

  • Panasonic has NOT excluded making new entry level cameras
  • Panasonic actually has three new camera codes registered in China. So definitely a ton of cameras will be announced within the next few months!
  • Trusted sources confirmed one Panasonic announcement will happen in May with new “non High End” camera coming

Personal note: A new GM1 successor would make me happy :)

If you happen to know more about the Panasonic announcement drop me a message using this anonymous contact box or send me an email at 43rumors@gmail.com.

 

OM says it is planning to continue the development of the PEN line!

Dpreview had a chat with Kazuhiro Togashi, OM System’s VP for Brand Strategy and Product Planning. The most important news is that OM System says it’s focusing on outdoor photographers but hinted that the PEN series could yet return to the North American market. As you know the PEN E-P7 is still being produced and sold for the Asian market but it’s no more sold in Europe and America. When asked about the development of new PEN cameras the manager said:

The E-P7 is small, with compact bright lenses, making it highly advantageous for travel photography. Therefore, we’ll reinforce such products in our lineup in the future.

What that “reinforce” means is a bit unclear. There might be an E-P8 for the Asian market only…or they might be seriously considering the return of PEN sales on all worldwide markets. The other statements are repetition of what we heard in the past:

  1. The focus is on higher end products
  2. The focus is on creating products for outdoor photographers.
  3. AI will find it’s way in cameras (like for example AI noise reduction applications)

As you know, I a am a big fan of the idea to make a new PEN-FII…let’s see if my dreams will come true !

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases