This is the official response from Panasonic (US) Customer Service on a customer inquiry:
“… this model has been carried over into our 2009 Digital Still Camera line up, and will be available through out the remainder of 2009 and early into 2010″
What do we know? Nothing….not yet ;)
Fake rendered image of a possible LX5
So Panasonic folks. We have something for you. In the last week we received some informations from two sources who gave us some news over Panasonic and Leica micro four thirds plan.
That’s what we got and to bo honest this are the first Panasonic rumors we publish with (FT3) value. FT3 means that is not only a cheap rumor!
1) We from 43rumors are sure a Panasonic compact mico four thirds camera will come before the end of this year but what really surprises us is tht this will probably be made in collaboration with Leica.
2) In the same way they produced the LX3 /D-LUX 4 duo they probably will sell the similar camera with minor differences. Leica announced two things in the past:
a) They don’t plan to enter in the m4/3 market
b) They want a cheaper alternative to the M-series
It seems they were cheating us on point “a” ;) May Panasonic has convinced Leica to enter in the micro for thirds market. It seems wise for Leica to go for m4/3 instead of doing all alone! And the Panasonic and Olympus m4/3 brand will gain a lot of credit having Leica (and his lenses) on board!
3) One single rumor claimed to know that “There isn’t a lot to improve on the LX-3! Yes they could try to make a little bigger sensor then the one inside the LX§3 but this doesn’t really make any sense. That’s why they choose to upgrade the LX series. That means the next LX5 will be the compact micro four thirds camera! Count on this! (translation from other language)”
4) If Leica enters the micro four thirds world expect to see the release of new Leica lenses specially made for m4/3!
It is to early for specs, I don’t have any certain onfromation. May I write a (FT1) post later with specs I got from anonymous people.
UPDATE: it is possible that such a camera could be announced this year but we are very doubtful that it will be called “LX5”. Probably it will have a new name.
UPDATE 2: Yes, one trusted source told us the compact m4/3 camera will not be the LX5.
P.s.: Sunday is webste redesign day. Hope you will enjoy it!
P.S.: if you like us may you support us! ;)
Leicarumors.com and 43rumors.com will soon publish a rumor over Panasonic and Leica plans. Sorry if I let you wait but we still have to wait for some confirmation…
I can say you now it has to do something with the LX5…
We are receiving some rumors over the LX3 successor. To be honest we havn’t expected such kind of rumors! We are working on this news to collect more details…Stay tuned ok?
We had a small talk with a japanese source who claims to work for Panasonic. We are going to see if he will become one of our trusted sources. So for now this is just a (FT 2) rumor
1) “Yes, Panasonic is working o a compact m4/3 camera but this camera is not a LX3 competitor“. The Lx3 will always be smaller and cheaper than a compact micro four thirds camera from Panasonic. So a Lx3 successor will definitely come.
2) The name could be “LX5”. The “4” number is unlucky to a japanese.
3) Sensor: Panasonic is trying to get new ways with the sensor like Fuji is doing. They already have a functionally HDR-Sensor, a Sensor who can capture a High dynamic range. If this is going to be implemeted in the LX3 successor is undefined but possible. Why should Pansonic do this? “Because improvement on megapixel basis are not so simple, more than 10 Megapixel on a small sensor are difficoult to manage in terms of image quality” .To know more about possible new Panasonic sensor read here: https://43rumors.com/missing-panasonicsensor/
3) People is happy with the zoom range and lens quality. There will be only small improvement here.
4) 2010 will definitely be the year of OLED screens. So I can safely say there is 90% of chance to see OLED screen on the LX5.
5) Panasonic is hardly working to improve the AVCHD lite quality. This will probably find his use inside the LX5
6) GPS tagging, Wifi connection….no plans yet.
7) And what about an auto lens cover? “Probably they will make it”. Oh yes WE HOPE SO!!!
