Yesterday we found a new Panasonic patent (from December 10) which shows a new FourThirds camera (not MicroFourThirds!).

It is very difficoult to read patents that’s why we made a small summary of the most interesting parts:

Live-View, Optical Viewfinder, mirror and prism, of course interchangeable FourThirds lens mount, CMOS sensor, supersonic vibration generator, No Video recording, No in body stabilzation.

And Photographybay just published their CES 2010 predictions and they say Panasonic will drop another FourThirds DSLR!!!

“Panasonic
I’m holding my breath for Panasonic to drop another Four Thirds DSLR that has their cool live view system that’s found on the G1, GH1 and GF1. That’s DSLR – with a mirror. Just a hunch based on some info that I’ve recently seen. Otherwise, point and shoots may rule the roost for Panasonic as well.”

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More patent details:

– “The present invention relates to a digital camera. In particular, the present invention relates to a digital camera having a movable mirror, which enables a subject image to be observed through an electronic viewfinder.”

– “A digital single-lens reflex camera has an electronic viewfinder and an optical viewfinder, so that a subject image formed by an image pickup optical system is switched with a movable mirror, and can be observed through the optical viewfinder.”

– “The OVF is configured in an optimum shape for displaying an image having a composition with an aspect ratio of 4:3. It should be noted that the optical viewfinder may be configured in an optimum shape for displaying an image having a composition with another aspect ratio. For example, the optical viewfinder may have an optimum shape for displaying an image having a composition with an aspect ratio of 16:9, or an optimum shape for displaying an image having a composition with an aspect ratio of 3:2.”

“FIG. 3 is a back view of the camera body 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the back surface of the camera body 100 includes a menu button 140a, a cross key 140b, a set button 140c, a rotation dial 140d, a viewfinder switch 140e, a focus mode switch 140f, a strobe activation button 140h, an LV preview button 140j, a stop-down button 140k, an AV button 140m, and a power supply switch 142. On the upper surface of the camera body 100, a hand shaking correction mode switch button 140g and the release button 141 are placed….The menu button 140 allows the liquid crystal monitor 15010, thereby enabling the user to change the setting. The cross key 140b selects various settings, items, images, or the like displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150, and for example, can move a cursor or the like. The set button 140c determines the selected various settings, items, images, or the like displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150. The rotation dial 140d is an operation member that selects various settings, items, images, or the like displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150 in the same way as in the cross key 140b, and can move a cursor or the like, for example, by rotating. The viewfinder switch 140e selects either guiding an optical image to the eyepiece 136 or displaying a captured electric image on the liquid crystal monitor 150. The focus mode switch 140f selects either setting a focus mode in a manual focus mode or setting the focus mode in an autofocus mode. The hand shaking correction mode switch 140g is capable of selecting whether hand shaking correction should be performed. Furthermore, the hand shaking correction mode switch 140g can select a control mode of hand shaking correction. The stop-down button 140k adjusts the diaphragm in the live view mode. The LV preview button 140j adjusts the diaphragm and displays a part of an image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150 in an enlarged state, in the live view mode. The AV button 140m adjusts the diaphragm in the OVF mode. to display setting information on the camera body”

Please read for yourself the patent, may I missed something…

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source: nolimitpictures.com.au
“Just thought you guys might want to see what else the is capable of…
We shot a music video recently with three GH1s using various canon lenses even a tilt shift.”

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G11 vs GRD3 vs GF1 comparison at Adorama
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Pentax K-x, Canon XSi y Olympus E520, Frente a Frente (Fotoactualidad / google english translation)
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All the Kevin Spacey videos are now available at Olympus UK!
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Japanese DSLR weekly sales ranking at bcnranking.jp. The Panasonic is loosing some terrain.
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In case you missed it: an old 50 mm om prime lens tested with the ep-1 (slrgear)
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Today Deals:
Amazon US: Olympus E-P1 Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Silver Body/Black Lens) for $673.04
Amazon US: Panasonic G1 Camera with 14-45mm Lens (Blue) for $636.69 (cheapest amazon price ever seen)
Amazon US: Olympus E620 Camera with 14-42mm Lens for $565.00
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