A source told me that the

GH6 with phase detect AF is in development and that it will be named GH7 and not GH6II as some rumors suggested

The fact that it might be named GH7 suggests that this isn’t just an updated Gh6 with phase detection AF (like the S5II compared to the S5). But a major new camera update. Not sure when this GH7 will be announced but I guess the Gh7 is not coming this year and more likely sometimes in mid-late 2024.

Richard Wong had a chat with the CEO of TTartisan. He confirmed that there will be new autofocus MFT lenses coming soon!

Image courtesy: ePhotozine.

At the Photo & Imaging 2023 event in China Panasonic managers said that demand of 8K on digital cameras is very weak and therefore you should not expect 8K to be implemented any time soon. This likely means that the S1H and the GH6 successor will both NOT have 8K recording.

If you remember back in 2017 Panasonic promised to launch an 8K MFT camera by 2020. Well, we might have to wait til the second half od this decade before this might happen :(

via CameraBeta

A source told me that OM Digital had a deep discussion about what to do to succeed on the Chinese market. And the one major reason for weak sales has been identified: OM Digital doesn’t offer any high megapixel camera. If they want to succeed on the Chinese market future cameras like the E-M1XII need to have a higher resolution sensor.

Let’s see if OM Digital will really make such a camera!

Someone just sent me the specs of the newly listed SOny MFT sensor:

80 million pixels, MFT (M4/3) Type 4/3, double-layer stacked, full-pixel 2x2OCL phase focusing.
Adjacent Pixel Binning, 12bit 121fps, 10bit 151fps; high speed.
2×2 OCL means quadbayer.  4 pixels share same microlens .

UPDATE: This looks like the OM-1 sensor. If indeed that’s the case than this might means that Sony will sells that very same sensor to all third party companies.

PHILE WEB interviewed Mr. Yosuke Yamane of Panasonic The key info here is that Panasonic is aware that it needs to make affordable cameras too. They say they want to attract the younger generation. I surely would be happy if they somehow would continue the GM line :)

.Digicameinfo made this summary of the interview (google translated).

• The GH6 received a great response, with orders greatly exceeding our expectations immediately after its announcement. The high-sensitivity shooting and dynamic range have also been highly evaluated, and the reduction of concerns about image quality has given rise to a sense of security, allowing users to concentrate more on shooting than ever before.
• For the GH6, we started to review the core device and camera system from scratch. One of them is the image sensor, and the new technology realized during development is “Dynamic Range Boost”. Development was a series of hardships, but I am proud that we were able to create a camera that can render beautiful gradations, overturning the image of Micro Four Thirds.
• The GH6 is equipped with a new engine that uses an extremely high-performance CODEC in order to meet creators’ expectations for video expression and editing flexibility. In order to realize this, we were forced to further improve our heat dissipation design, which is also our know-how. , making it possible to shoot with peace of mind.
• We are confident that Micro Four Thirds is the best balanced format for video production where depth, depth and breadth are required.
• Development of the “LEICA DG SUMMILUX 9mm/F1.7” was initially started with the theme of “a compact and lightweight ultra-wide-angle lens”, but the engineers decided that it would be “small and lightweight, yet close-able” as part of its new expressive power. ‘ and ‘half-macro shots’ were proposed.
• At the beginning of the year, we are planning to hold a real CP+ for the first time in four years. & Considering trials, exhibitions, and seminars.
• When it comes to taking videos and stills and taking action to share them with everyone, the best cameras are probably smaller, more mobile, and more affordable. Currently, the focus is on cameras from a fairly deep world, but we want to target the younger generation, who can step up to such a field, to have a solid understanding of LUMIX, and to have something that they will be happy to use. I have to prepare.

Asobinet spotted the design of two new Sigma MFT lenses:

Example 1

• Focal length: 20.59
• F-value: 1.45
• Angle of view: 57.90
• Image height: 11.15
• Total length: 70.00
• Back focus: 3.6679

Example 3

• Focal Length: 14.65
• F-value: 1.47
• Angle of view: 74.12
• Image height: 11.15
• Total length: 65.00
• Back focus: 3.9367

Not sure if Sigma will launch those lenses or if they will let Olympus/Panasonic license this design. But it would be certainly nice to get this 14mm f/1.4 lens!