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Digicaminfo reports that Panasonic will launch a new ultra-compact Micro Four Thirds camera by end of the year. The camera will be smaller than the [shoplink 23109]Panasonic GF3[/shoplink]. The same rumor also confirms the rumor I posted about the GX7 camera that will be larger than any other GX-GF camera we have seen so far.
In short, the GF line will become ultra small, the GX line much larger. Makes sense to me!
P.S.: The source compares the new ultra small compact with the GF3 because this is the smallest MFT camera to date. Put a 14mm pancake on it and you can carry it in your pocket. In US you can have that combo for $249 at [shoplink 39186 ebay]eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink].
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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct
78 Responses
How can you make an MFT camera smaller than the GF3? The height of the GF3 is already shorter than the lens mount itself. Doesn’t the lens mount kind of dictate the size of the camera? Also you have to buy batteries, and the electronics to actually drive the thing/ And what about the back? The screen has to be big enough to be useful, and then there’s the buttons. The GF3 is already verging on cramped. Any smaller than that wouldn’t make much sense.
(Just for the record, I loved the GF3. Had it had the GX1 sensor or even the E-M5 sensor, I would’ve kept it.)
Its an ultra compact with a fixed zoom lens i believe maybe same big as the LF1 , but definitely an ILC camera
I meant definitely not an ILC camera,..
I wish they can come up with 12-70mm F2-3.5 zoom lens
4/3 sensor the size of LF1 with 12-70 f2-3.5 isn’t even remotely close to being possible.
Even 4/3 sensor + fixed 14 mm F2.0 the size of LF1 would be a strech.
M43_Shooter, I know, right? I don’t mind it becoming smaller, but will there be space left to grip? Are they gonna take the LCD out next? The sensor?
Damn Oly, if its a non-ILC, I assume they wouldn’t call it “超小型のm4/3カメラ”…
How do you know I am part Japanese? 🙂
Yup, the sensor and lack of hard buttons was the only thing I didn’t like about the GF3. Would have loved to had one with a better sensor and at least a couple hard buttons.
No click wheel.
“Ultra compact Panasonic MFT to be launched by end of the year”
“GX1 successor … will be the only Panasonic MFT camera announced this autumn.” ( http://www.43rumors.com/ft5-panasonic-gx1-successor-to-be-announced-in-late-august-and-we-will-like-it/ )
Therefore, the “new ultra-compact Micro Four Thirds camera” will be announced between December 22nd and 31st :).
And if GX line becomes “much larger”, something around Fuji X size, then count me out!
Personally I am hoping for around EX1 size to accomodate a tilt out screen. Features and handling is more important than size.
Hopefully the sensor will also have at least a stop better dynamic range and 14-16 bit read out.
Ditto. M43 core proposition is about size first. If I need to increase weight/size to have the functionalities (ie buttons etc) from GX1, and my other alternative to keep size down is to get a dumb done Point and shot with no buttons, then I’ll stick to GX1 and wait for the next EP to include VF…
maybe they will go with a touchscreen only interface, something like samsung nx2000… that would make enough difference with gf6 and point it towards a market that has no big competition (currently samsung is the only company there). Not of everyone’s taste, but still a niche where they could make profit (new generations that want a “smartphonesque” interface)
The GF6 shows that Panasonic has given up to build the smallest possible m43 camera, at least with the GF-line. I would actually be surprised if Panasonic can shrink the camera so far that it justifes a new model. It shouldn’t end up as GF6 without tilt screen and flash.
I think a compact camera with m43 size sensor and a swell zoom is also probable.
Yes, I think admin is mistaken that this new smaller mft body is a replacement for the GF6. Looks like Panasonic is doing the same as Olympus and creating 3 compact line GX, GF and G?. I still thing a fixed compact zoom that is fast at the wide end (ie. RX100) is a better approach at the entry level where you wouldn’t be attaching large lenses anyways.
All I want is a GF1 or GF2 body with a sony NEX low light sensor in it and the Oly in body image stabilization … and work it with my 20mm1.7 lens.
That’s it for me 🙂
Then probably you should look at the Samsung NX and the 20mm and 30mm pancakes.
The Samsung NX200 does not have the high iso sensitivity of the Sony sensors. It is no better than the GX1.
Do not have personal experience. But I’ve seen many great ISO 3200-6400 images on the Sammy forums.
Maybe something like Canon PowerShot N with lens mount?
Ultra small – maybe something like Canon PowerShot N with lens mount?
Great News!
Good to see Panasonic haven’t given up on delivering an ultra compact m43 package. I worried about that after seeing the GF6’s increase in size. The Epm-series is great, but I prefer the handling of the Panasonic cameras
I’d rather have a tiny m43 model to put small pancakes on than a fixed lens 43-camera, when I want to og small and put the camera in my Pocket. After borrowing a gf3 with a 14mm for street shooting I’ve come to like the form factor, but I’m nor crazy about the IQ of the GF3 and GF5 cameras..
Wow, the lens costs that on Amazon, so I went ahead and bought the camera and lens via eBay. I use an OM-D, so the body won’t be that useful, but it is small and it won’t go to waste since it was FREE.
Another thing, Panasonic did say in an interview a while ago that they now would “turn their attention to faster primes and smaller pancakes”. If they put out acouple of tiny pancakes, like a 12mm f/2.5 and 25mm f/2.8 that would be a great combo with a the small m43-cameras such as this, the Epl5 and the GX7..
m43 mount doesnt automatically mean m43 sensor. Maybe it’s smaller allowing smaller construction.
Tony, I feel dumb having read your comment.
Technically he is correct. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera has m43 mount but effectively a Super16 sensor size.
Just because BlackMagic put an M43 lens mount on it does not mean it fulfills the specification to be classed as an M43 camera.
Yes, it does. The lens mount determines the system a camera belongs to. A m4/3 camera is what it is, exactly because it has a m4/3 lens mount. The sensor size is not part of the specifications defining the system. There is no such thing as a m4/3 sensor, anyway – the sensor size is called Four Thirds, and is also used in cameras with the Four Thirds lens mount. You could put such a sensor in a Nikon 1 camera, and it would still be a Nikon 1 camera, not a Four Thirds or m4/3 camera. Likewise, a camera with a m4/3 lens mount and a Super 16 sensor, is still a m4/3 camera. It takes m4/3 lenses, and is therefore part of that system.
Uh no, the micro fourthirds system also defines the image circle, flange distance, hotshoe connections and other aspects. That is why it is called ‘system’, the mount is merely a part of that.
It’s kind of a double edged sword.
Having two different sensor sizes within a system will probably increase sensor size awareness in consumers. For Panasonic in particular this is a bit problematic because they don’t offer consumer models with sensors larger than FT.
On the other hand all manufacturers will probably enter this route since physical sensor size is the only obvious numeric property that can still be used for differentiation from smartphones.
smartfones will never match m43 iq cause their lenses are tiny …and the smartphones are big as brick and their batery last half day…its better to have very smallest possible body and 2.8 pancakes(25mm would be lovely)…I hope one day there will come compact body without lcd but with evf
Tony, the sensor size is part of the system, so much so that the system is actually named after it (same size as the 4/3″ format).
There exist some video cameras with a m4/3 mount but smaller sensor, but those are not really m4/3 cameras, as they do not comply with a significant, if not determining part of the m4/3 specification.
The lens mount defines the system, not the sensor size. The m4/3 system is named after the lens mount of the same name, which of course can be traced back to the 4/3″ sensor size used by both m4/3 and Four Thirds cameras. BUT, the sensor size is not a defining feature of the system, or even part of the specifications at all, only the lens mount is. If a camera takes m4/3 lenses natively, then it’s a m4/3 camera.
No, moint, image circle, sensor diagonal, hotshoe connections are all part of the system. Thats why it is called a system and not just a mount.
Such a wise man you are, Tony;
but I hope that’s not the case 🙁
Maybe they will do away with all the physical controls other than the shutter and on-off switch; everything else will be controlled by touch screen?
Don’t have any interest in a super-small MFT camera……. menu-driven with no VF…but
I cannot wait to see what the new GX7 has to offer. I don’t mind if the camera has to become “somewhat” larger to accommodate the VF, and since this accommodation will create more real estate on the body perhaps Panny can provide us with more tactile controls. That would be sweet!
when panasonic told that they will renew GF and GX lines, i think we are here now. GX7 will be bigger than GF1/GX like Fuji X (by exemple) and GF7 will be the smaller like GF3 and GF5.
GF6 will be not a success because it’s so expensive and bigger than the nex-3n (700$ versus 400$). In Europa, there is a cashback 100€ for buyers nex-3n/nex-5r. So you can get a nex-3n with 16-50PZ pancake zoom for 300€. i think i plan to buy one for 2nd body. My principal body is… still a GF1 that i love so much and think to replace it by a … GX7 if it does sounf good OF COURSE.
One think, i hope GX7 will be not so bigger than GF1/GX7. I would like built-in EVF (ok), Hotshoe and no built-in flash than built-in flash.
What do you think?
Panasonic just announced the GF6, so I don’t think they will do another 180 on the GF line. Imagine, it would be just half a year between beefed-up GF6 and a new, much smaller GF camera. Not even Panasonic would be so insane!
+1 But not too big please. GF1 size or very slightly bigger,I hope.
Just for fun, who can mock-up a GX7 with tiltable EVF 😀 like GX1 with EVF builtin before ! (by David i think)
And one more thing (im talkative tonight!!).
If GX7 big like Fuji x100s that’s fine for me ! but not bigger. And a big handgrip like NEX-7 would be nice also, not like GX1 or L1.
When I first saw pictures and specs of the small LF1 I immediately thought of the possibility that Pany would produce a similar model for m4/3. The LF1 is only 4.1″ wide by 2.44″ tall so definitely smaller than the GF3 even with a 3″ 3:2 screen and 0.2″ inbody EVF! The 4/3rds mount is not over 2.44″ in diameter it is the surrounding supporting body ring which makes it appear larger. I thought perhaps Pany would make it with a fixed zoom which if similar to LF1 would be 28-70 to cover the sensor. More likely would make it with ILS for small primes to compete with other high end mirrorless compacts with fixed focal length lenses. Furthermore than Pany would have a small EVF like the 1.44MP 0.2″ one from the FZ200. Such a camera is very feasible but would be sans hotshoe and limited flash. Maybe they would be implementing an electronic shutter to save space? Such a camera would really be a gem small enough to fit in any pocket. The big boys are reaping high profit sales on their small fixed lens products with larger sensors and such a model as described above would be great competition. Just my guesses.
“The camera will be smaller than the Panasonic GF3.”
That’s impossible. Unless of course Panasonic finally invented and implemented an anti-gravitation levitation technology. Because the only thing there is to cut on GF3 is the grip/handle. And if they cut the grip even more, how people are supposed to hold the camera? Unless it is capable of levitating on its own? 🙂
Unless they do a lens with a shutter button on the back. Theres a hotshoe on the zoom ring where you put the add on vf
I’m really tired of little cameras. Give me something I can wrap my hands around!
That would be the GH-3 or OM-D with grip then.
Ever since the arrival of a slightly larger GF6 upgrade closer to GX1 the emergence of a smaller m4/3 model by Pany seemed likely. So now we made have a GS or GL (super small or little), a GF, a GX2, G6, and GH3 models. Pany sure has been busy behind the scenes this year. Should be a very interesting year.
with the calculated demise of compact cameras in the spotlight, No harm in attracting that particular crowd to the mirrorless table. I would expect more attention to “lens in a cap” dimensioned options with better optics. Making the bodies a whole lot smaller isn’t really the issue. It is the lenses that could used reduction approach. Flat wide primes could make a lot of buyers take notice. How about a 6mm hyperfocal manual in the manner of a Voight 15mm? and a AF 15mm~ there abouts, a bright one.
One strength of microFT is the, one sensor to rule them all. Crop sensors are the tactics of the Canikon crowd. Cripple the lesser model lines. Seeing a Nikon V type adaption, or a Pentax Q approach with the mFT mount would be disappointing.
Absolutely.
What other system has the diversity of camera bodies that m43 has? With the GH3, G6, the retro styled bodies, the RF-styled body, the Kodak, the epm2 and now a tiny pana body..
Lot’s of options for main and back-up bodies.
Admin – Some off topic questions. On this rumor I had my first post noted “waiting moderation” and the second one simply disappeared shortly after posting? What is it that triggers the “waiting for moderation” ? Length of post, time to create post, or content??? Sometimes the post does not reappear for a day by which time it is irrelevant as most have moved on to newer rumors. Usually these are simply posts simply expressing what I think is coming from Pany and not slamming other products. I have noted that others also have experienced disappearing posts and hence the double posts we see on this forum from time to time. Any light you can shed on the above would be appreciated to avoid the same in the future. Thanks
I don’t know what’s going on. But I will redo the full website in October-November. I am tired off the “old” design and coding.
+1
The site needs an overhaul.
At least one in five of my posts goes into moderation, without any reason or just because I’ve included a link. I haven’t had many erased though – last one being with a link to a flash review :). I didn’t dare to post any flash related links since :D.
Other annoying problem is not being logged in every time I open the browser, although I checked “remember me” last time I logged. Happens on multiple PCs and multiple ISPs, maybe that’s the reason…
And 1MB for the homepage to load – without images??? If I wrote what I really think about it, this post wouldn’t pass the moderation ;).
One of the advantages of m4/3 is scalable. When I bought the E-M5, I knew I needed as well a smallish cam as a true ‘always with you cam’ and so I got for a song a PM1 to use with the diminutive 14/2.5.
Therefore those cams are not only entry levels, they work v. well as complementary cameras since they are not crippled.
So I concur that next to bigger, HQ lenses, there must be room for good pancakes, although what matters really in Street is to be ‘the right man at the right place’, more than expensive equipment.
Pana is the right move again .
If you look at the design of GF3 & GF5 are so compact & it’s a waste if Pana dump such lovely design .
I believe this small m4/3 camera is aim for ladies & to compete against EPM2 & NEX 3 .
For my part , I only interested in GX7 & OMD Pro .
Rumours on this 2 stuffs are most welcome .
I think Panny is going the right direction. As a GF1 and G3 owner, instead of all cameras a similar size, I think smaller with minimal controls for that crowd and bigger cameras for those who want more direct controls. Rumours on GX7 are sounding pretty good….
If i am not mistaken, a while ago there were hints of a reworked pancake PZ, that would sound very sweet when coupled with this new cam.. yummi!
Maybe super small means totally other shaped camera. I like the idea of a small camcorder shaped mFT camera. Like the yashica samurai, just with good image quality and smaller. 😉 it could be Cola can size with lens,and marketed as perfect video and still cam for family and travel.
Actually, altough I like traditional cameras, I would buy one. still wonder why the camera industry gave up all the new shape options that became possible because of digital tech.
no more film path issue, design could skip on the rectangular design shape and explore a more compact, cube roughly the same W X H of the lens & mount’s diameter? Simply pack backwards instead of to the sides … make the body itself the grip, or go the way of medium format style and build off a basic cube with removable handgrip, viewers, except a whole lot smaller in mirrorless dimensions …
Exactly my thought-you could add viewfinder to the back and use it like a scope, and a screen on the top for the hasselblad feeling.
The possibilities are endless,because the vf and controls are drive by wire, and the sensor isn’t wider than the lensmount. So you could start a design driven only by ergonomics and small size.
Even the sony L-shaped bodys are slot more compact then the classic lens in the middle design. so additional to the classic design there could be a modern ergonomic range as well
Yes, or something like the 2-piece swiveling bodies of the old Nikon CoolPix prosumer cameras. The lens and OVF was on one half and the LCD on the second half. I had 4 different ones (900, 950, 990 & 4500) and absolutely loved them because I could shoot in so many different positions: with the viewfinder, P&S style, from the waist, from overhead.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp4500/
Add a M4/3 sensor, mount and EVF and it could be great.
I bought a GH2 over a P&S style M4/3 body because the fully articulated LCD was the closest thing I could find to replicate shooting with the CoolPix.
+1
A PowerShot N square shaped base module with fully articulated touch LCD and ports ( + hotshoes ) on all four sides for grips ( that would include shutter button and battery ), VFs, flashes etc. Base kit should be with the smallest grip, addon flash and a lens cap similar to Olympus 15mm. Other kits could include a camcorder style grip, 14-42mm, 14 or 20mm pancake lens, as well as a ( for example ) new 40mm F2.5 pancake.
Unfortunately, that’s too radical for Panasonic IMO.
Smaller body? Ok, but IT needs more pancake lenses…
+1
Panasonic has done an admirable job of downsizing its kit and telezooms such as the 14-42 and the 14-140 respectively.
It has also given us the only pancakes for m4/3rds. More fast pancake primes please: 8-10mm rectilinear prime; 17.5mm, 25mm Nothing really wrong with the existing 20mm – make something else.
Ideal camera for me is GX7 in a smaller body. We have to wait one or two years for that.
Where did you get the specs for the gx7?! Post your photos!
Which sensor can be expected on this serie? On the GF7 we have already a GX1 sensor. GX2 sensor will be too recent.
What if as others have suggested that Pany will be using a 4/3 sensor like that in GX1 but covering only a portion of it of say 1″ sensor size? That way they could possibly use a camera just like the LF1 but the same size lens would now be 28-100/f2-4 and 10 MP? That way they could keep the camera very small inspite of included EVF and definitely pocketable.
What would be the point of that?? Why not just use a 1 inch sensor?
Pany produces their own 4/3 sensors while they have to buy a 1 inch sensor so maybe there would be a cost savings involved to Pany than expend for a new sensor. I mentioned use of the 4/3 sensor primarily because this rumor said it would be a micro sized m4/3 camera. I think such a camera (same size as the small LF1) using 1″ size sensor would be very popular and IQ close to m4/3rds.
“In short, the GF line will become ultra small, the GX line much larger. Makes sense to me!”
First make it bigger to make it then even smaller than before?
That doesn´t make sense to me. Guessing that it will not have a tiltable screen there then would be a gap in the lineup. maybe this is a new line to compete against E-PM, while GF remains E-PL competitor.
Just for fun I made a quick mock-up of how small I think they could get the camera. Based off GF5 though.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96881723@N06/8927231990/sizes/o/in/photostream/
lol! Can I post this on 43rumors? With credit of course!
Sure 😛 be my guest
That’s pretty funny. Makes me think of how silly the smaller Blackmagic unit looks here: http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/blackmagic-announces-pocket-cinema-camera-5.jpg
Sure 😛 be my guest
The aim of gf series is pointed towards compact camera users who what to upgrade to a better camera, for me its no wonder that Panasonic is thinking about even smaller m43 camera’s.
Anyone know how well the GF6 is selling worldwide? I wouldn’t mind if they axed production and pushed a successor forward, sooner rather than later. It’ll be good to see a GF with a GH3 image sensor, just look at the EPL-5. At least make the new model an upgrade in terms of IQ. When GF6 price drops to GX1 levels, I will snatch one up for leisure outings.