UPDATE: According to the Panasonic-Broadcast press release they have implemented variable frame rate inside the AVCHD function! Read: “variable frame rates available in 1080p, selectable in 20 steps from 12p to 60p at 60Hz and 20 steps from 12p to 50p at 50Hz. Playback is available at 1080/24p, 1080/25p or 1080/30p. Playback at 1080/60p and 1080/50p are not available on this product.”

Panasonic has introduced at IBC a further production stage of the MicroFourThirds HD Camcorders AG-AF101 (which is the European model of the AF100). 70% of the camera development is completed. According to Panasonic the price will be 5.830€ for Europe (VAT included and body only). Whether this is also a lens is to be understood, is not yet clear.

The good news is that it will have:
– variable frame rates up to 1080/60p
– 2.35:1 frame markings in the viewfinder
– simultaneous HDMI and HD-SDI output
– sync timecode through LTC
– LCD will actually be better than the one on the HPX370
– In addition, the camera body is held in modular parts for various enhancements (Example: You can remove the handgrip)

You can get in touch with Barry Green (Panasonic) at DVXuser-forum. And he said: “This prototype isn’t finished yet, so I can’t say some things definitively, but I can say this – I’m done with shooting on DSLRs. This thing is the bomb.” … “As for images – well, imagine a fully-hacked, fully-improved GH13 with better sensitivity and without the aliasing or low-light banding, and that’s a good start. It crushes the 7D/5D for clarity and detail, and I shot brick buildings at every possible zoom setting, and there just isn’t any rainbow moire.”
The NEX-VG10 Full HD Interchangeable Lens Camcorder (which has a price of $1999) is placed in a different category. Much cheaper but also less features…

Source: Slashcam.de

It’s time for a rumors recap! All those rumors are from our reliable sources so there is an 80-90% chance those rumors will prove out true!

Panasonic rumors:
1) Panasonic will announce new products on September 21
2) Following products will be unveiled:
– GH2
– 14mm (f/2.5?)
– 100-300mm
– 3D lens
3) The GH2 has a new 18Megapixels multi-scale sensor (16 effective Megapixels)  -> Click here to read more
3) The compact GF2 will be unveiled few months after Photokina (December-February) ->Click here to read more
4) There will be a new lens roadmap that will include the fast lenses we were talking about since months (faster than f/1.4!)

Olympus rumors:
1) Olympus will announce new products on September 14. ->Click here to read more
2) The E-5 will have a 12Megapixel sensor ->Click here to read more

Is that everything we are going to see at Photokina? Don’t believe that! What I can tell you is that I received tons of rumors about the following stuff:

1) Olympus new camera system (modular, super43 sensor, Kodak and more). Maybe Olympus will talk about that at Photokina…
2) Panasonic new technology (?)
3) One more company could release MFT products soon (and we will give you more news about that soon!)

A personal note: Talking with my sources I got the feeling that there is much more to come than just the GH2 and E-5. Don’t know if there will be other real products but my bet is that there will be some unexpected BIG news coming from both companies!

Stay tuned on 43rumors….

Ale

We just recieved that teaser posted onPphotofan.jp. Can someone please translate the text?

P.S.: Would be funny to make a call :)

UPDATE: There is some more info on Facebook

“E-?
2010.09.15
Great Launch
Wednesday 2010.09.10
Howard Hall III, Taipei Horward Hotel (one of the very prestigious hotel in Taipei)
2:00~2:50 pm. New Camera Body Fucntion & Specification Introduction, Q&A TIme
Special Guest
Olympus Japan
Marketing Support Group
Marketing Support Dept.
Mr. Ogasawara (Google translated name) here to present
2:50~3:30 pm E1/E3 Sharing Experiences
Presented by Olddo & Simon
3:40~4:30 pm New Camera Body Hand-On Experience“

Some days ago I received that crop from a supposed “Olympus E-5” camera. I thought that image was fake because it looks exactly like the older [shoplink 15032]Olympus E-3[/shoplink]. But two of my sources told me this is the real E-5 image! The trusted sources also sent me the camera specs.

– Weather-proof (Magnesium) body
– 12.1Megapixel sensor (We don’t know yet if it is the same Olympus PEN sensor!)
– ISO 100 – 6400 in 1/3 or 1 EV steps
– AVI Motion JPEG(30fps) HD (720)
– 5fps
– it can take a picture with sound.
– mono mic with stereo external microphone input
– 3 inch LCD with 920.000 dots resolution
– 11 points full-twin cross AF sensor (phase-difference detection system)
– 11 area multiple AF (contrast detection system)
– CF and SD dual slot
– Built-in wireless flash

The E-5 should be announced on September 14.

Reminder: That is what one of our sources told us a few weeks ago about the E-5: “Oh, will like to let you know that I have seen the new Olympus pro dSLR, the E-5, already. It’s a solid, wicked piece of camera that’s weather sealed just like the [shoplink 15032]Olympus E-3[/shoplink]. And, it will be announced prior to Photokina. I don’t have other specs on it, except i have tried it and the focusing is really fast. It still uses a 4/3 lens mount. From what i know, it will support HD video recording as well. The top control panel remains largely the same, and it will also have a flip and swivel screen like the E-3. Oh, the sensor resolution is still 12 megapixels, and it will compete against the 7D. Not sure if the megapixels will play a major role here as well. But olympus is hoping that it’s Zuiko lens can outdo Nikon and Canon. Early samples of photos taken with the E-5 shows that the picture quality is almost on par with the D300s and 7D.“

UPDATE: I post the following rumor because many people sent me the link to the rumor.  This is a lot simpler than answering everyone personally :)  I believe those specs are NOT real.

Via dpreview forum “Jason” gave us following E-5 specs:

“Excellent video,
perfect glass optical viewfinder,
remote flash control (without the need to pop-up the flash),
horizon indicator,
low noise,
high dynamic range,
multi-aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 3:2 and 1:1,

magnesium and titanium body (for lightness, strength and water-resistance), durable shutter,
very unique sensor design,
super high-res OLED 3.5″ articulating screen,
6 stops of built in image stability,
1080p/720p up to 60 frames AVCHD,
super fast Live vIew autofocus – like [shoplink 14828]GF1[/shoplink]/[shoplink 14826]GH1[/shoplink],
dual memory slots SD and Compact – with custom write functions,
more intuitive pro interface/layout on back and top of camera,
studio Liveview for direct connect to computer”

I don’t believe those are the correct E-5 specs :(

Weeks ago a very good source wrote me a text: “stay tuned for the upcoming surprises by panasonic ;-)”

I asked him if he was talking about the GH2 and the answer was: “No, we will definitly see a demonstration of a new technology, but I won’t tell you ,-)”

It doesn’t sound like he is talking about the 3D technology and it is certainly related to photography. I tried to get some more information (also from other sources) but I didn’t find anything. That’s why I ask you here if you heard something about the “mysterious” new tecnology. I am sure there is something because that source always gave me correct informations in the past!

So please help us ;)

P.S.: Dear readers, feel free to start your own speculation :)

Carl Zeiss will soon offer the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses with Micro 4/3 mount.!!!!!! Those lenses are very expensive $3.900 each at BHphoto (Click here) or [shoplink 15756 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] :(

Official press release (Source Zeiss.de):

“OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 08.09.2010.
In 4th quarter of 2010, ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 lenses will be available with F-mount. The Compact Prime CP.2 series, presented last April, were the first lenses developed especially for shooting with HDSLR cameras. Since then, the lenses have been highly sought after by cinematographers and film photographers alike. In addition to the PL-, EF- and F-mount, Carl Zeiss will soon also be offering the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses with Micro 4/3 and A-mount.

The [shoplink 15756 ebay]Compact Prime CP.2[/shoplink] lenses’ inter- changeable mount means the lenses can be used for many purposes. The lenses have a compact and robust build so that they can handle any demand on the film set.

“With the new enhancement of mounts we want to meet the needs of our customers”, says Michael Schiehlen, Head of Sales of Carl Zeiss AG Camera Lens Division. “The possibility of using our CP.2 lenses flexibly for three different camera systems is not only interesting for new customers. Stores that rent cameras and camera equipment also benefit from the lenses’ enhanced flexibility.”

Just in time for the IBC in Amsterdam, Carl Zeiss has announced two new focus lengths that will also be available with F-mount: Compact Prime CP.2 50 mm/T2.1 Makro and CP.2 100mm/T2.1 CF. They complement the seven focal lengths from 18 to 85 millimeters that are already available. ”

Current CP.2 lenses are:

Super Wide Angle	Aperture	CFD	AOV	Weight	EF	PL	F
CP.2 18mm/T3.6*	T3.6 – 22	0.3	69°	900 g
CP.2 21mm/T2.9	T2.9 – 22	0.22	60.9°	1000 g

Wide Angle					ZE	ZF	ZF.2
CP.2 25mm/T2.9	T2.9 – 22	0.17	52.2°	900 g
CP.2 28mm/T2.1	T2.1 – 22	0.24	47.4°	1000 g
CP.2 35mm/T2.1	T2.1 – 22	0.3	38.5°	1000 g

Standard					ZE	ZF	ZF.2
CP.2 50mm/T2.1	T2.1 – 22	0.45	27.3°	900 g

Tele					ZE	ZF	ZF.2
CP.2 85mm/T2.1	T2.1 – 22	1	16.7°	900 g

..