Four Thirds Cameras
For those of you interested in the Four-Thirds DSLR system (I'm probably the only one reading my LJ, but I'll bore you all with it, anyway), this year's PMA has some very exciting news.
Panasonic have officially announced that they're making a Four-Thirds body, making them the first non-Olympus company to do so. Both Panasonic and Kodak have been widely touted as having bodies in development, but this is now less likely to turn into vapourware. The fact that it shares a lot of technology with Oly's latest E-330 body is also a good sign that it'll reach market. Though I'm sure that more differences between the brands would help stimulate the system on the market more.
Leica have joined the party, though the press release doesn't say much about what they plan to do. They've announced one lens (a 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 (28-100mm equiv)), so far. Which is going to be the kit lens for Panasonic's camera.
Sigma, the only company other than Olympus with Four-Thirds lenses currently on the market has announced five more lenses. I'm very glad to say that three of those lenses are primes, and that one of them (joy of joys) is a ever-so-slightly-long 30mm f/1.4 (60mm equiv). I shall be getting one as soon as they hit the market, and I suspect I won't be the only one. I've been saying for as long as I've had my E-500 that the one major flaw in the Four-Thirds system is the lack of a fast normal prime. Thank you, Sigma, for filling this gap.
So, I think it's fair to say that the system is better off than it was yesterday, and harder to dismiss as a fringe system. Of course, it's nowhere near as solid as Canon EOS or anything, but it's definitely a serious contender, in for the long haul, now.
Panasonic have officially announced that they're making a Four-Thirds body, making them the first non-Olympus company to do so. Both Panasonic and Kodak have been widely touted as having bodies in development, but this is now less likely to turn into vapourware. The fact that it shares a lot of technology with Oly's latest E-330 body is also a good sign that it'll reach market. Though I'm sure that more differences between the brands would help stimulate the system on the market more.
Leica have joined the party, though the press release doesn't say much about what they plan to do. They've announced one lens (a 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 (28-100mm equiv)), so far. Which is going to be the kit lens for Panasonic's camera.
Sigma, the only company other than Olympus with Four-Thirds lenses currently on the market has announced five more lenses. I'm very glad to say that three of those lenses are primes, and that one of them (joy of joys) is a ever-so-slightly-long 30mm f/1.4 (60mm equiv). I shall be getting one as soon as they hit the market, and I suspect I won't be the only one. I've been saying for as long as I've had my E-500 that the one major flaw in the Four-Thirds system is the lack of a fast normal prime. Thank you, Sigma, for filling this gap.
So, I think it's fair to say that the system is better off than it was yesterday, and harder to dismiss as a fringe system. Of course, it's nowhere near as solid as Canon EOS or anything, but it's definitely a serious contender, in for the long haul, now.