UPDATE: This is not a fools day joke!

One month ago we received a rumor from one single source saying that Fuji has choosen to not join MicroFourThirds. Now photorumors received a new rumor which seems to confirm the rumor I had.

Fujifilm Japan will cease production of F200EXR in May 2010. Also, a new S-Pro series professional camera is currently in planning:

* Not a Micro Four Thirds camera
* Using a 12-Megapixel APS-C SuperCCD EXR Pro sensor
* Possibly incorporating either M-mount (Leica) or F-mount (Nikon)
* Extended 1000% wide dynamic range
* Full HD photos and video with HDMI connection
* Built-in Dual IS image stabilization
* ISO 12,8000″

During the past month I received some rumors about Fuji. I didn’t write you anything because it is not clear what’s happening with Fuji. My “feeling” is that Fuji will play a role together with Olympus sooner or later…

Although one reliable source confirmed that one FourThirds entry-level camera should be released in April, other sources expressed some doubts. I thought it would be better to let you know that. I asked the sources to check again the info they received about the next FourThirds camera.

Important editors note:
Lately I have noticed how difficult it has been for us to get reliable FourThirds rumors. The latest official Olympus statements make me believe the roadmap for FourThirds isn’t that clear. It surprises me how well our sources are doing with MicroFourThirds rumors but not so much with FourThirds rumors. That’s why I think that Olympus might have developed a new FourThirds working model but they are holding them back for unknown reasons.
I repeat, this is just my opinion, but I believe some kind of revolution is going on Olympus strategy.

Ohhh things are becoming hot! The next Olympus Pen is coming!

Just received this:
New Olympus MFT camera with built-in finder
Size 109 x 70 x 50mm – 417.3g
It comes with a 42mm f/2.8 lens (3 feet close focus)
Two-bladed mechanical leaf shutter
It has a higher dynamic range (16 EV in Black and White) than the Nikon D3X, a higher resolution than the Canon 7D.
This results has been archieved because the camera is not only mirrorless but also sensorless! It directly captures the light without the need of a digital sensor. The organic sensible material replaces it!
And it costs you $100 only!

This one comes from one of my best sources:
(Thanks April !)

Global shutter is one of the most requested features of MicroFourThirds user. K-rumors has got some evidence that Samsung is developing such a sensor. Anyway there is not only Samsung working on it. We found a new Olympus patent (published on 03/30/2010). The patent description is pretty complex! The most understandable part is the initial description:

“The present invention relates to solid-state imaging apparatus having a concurrent shutter (hereinafter referred to as global shutter) function, and more particularly relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus having a global shutter function so as to be capable of obtaining imaging data having a high image quality.”

For those interested to read more about it go here: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7689113.html

Oh! And if you really want to know everything read the complete patent list with all Sony-Canon-Samsung-Olympus related global shutter patents!

UPDATE: What is a global shutter?
“With Global/Synchronous Shutter, all rows in the ROI are reset then exposed simultaneously for a specified time. At the end of the exposure/integration time, each pixel value is transferred immediately to an adjacent storage area to await read-out. The pixel values are then read out row-by-row from storage, building the frame. This use of intermediate storage reduces the gradual overexposure that can occur down the image when the rows are read out directly from the active area.
Because all rows are exposed simultaneously, Global Shutter avoids jagged or blurred affect produced by Rolling Shutter for fact action images. However, because it stops exposure to perform read-out, it does not provide the fastest possible sequence of frames. ”
source: Pixelink

For our Samsung readers: Now you have your Samsung NX10 in Stock on amazon.