Reminder: End of next week Panasonic will announce the new LF1 and the G6 camera. I am not sure about the exact day yet…
Another trusted source shared some info about the LF1:
1) The LF1 has the same size as the LX7. And it looks more like the [shoplink 38087 ebay]Canon S90[/shoplink].
2) The EVF is tiny and not of a very high quality
A second source confirmed that the LF1 has also the same sensor size of the LX7 and a 7x zoom lens.
The G6 has a 16 megapixel sensor, same Gh2 video quality and the size is close to the current G5.
—
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
66 Responses
G6 sensor ? size is close to the current G5
So, some of my hopes came true after all: Panasonic’s targets are the zx-10, g-15 and nikon 7700. Quick focusing and a good fast zoom might make this new camera the only meaningful alternative to the rx-100. Pity the evf is nothing more than a gimmick, though (although I doubt anyone would use it, anyway).
Now, if the price is right too…
A wider zoom range would be nice as long as it’s at least as wide on the short end and no slower than the LX7. But that would be a tall order.
lf1 – fail.
Panasonic is a master troll.
With a longer (= slower) zoom lens the LF1 would be tailored to suit a wider demographic than the LX7 is, so not quite as high end. I doubt it will have the little touches (aperture ring, MAR sensor) which has made the LX series so endearing.
Admin, does this mean this is not an lx7 replacement or the high end large sensor compact?
Actually skip all this and tell us something about those f2.8 zooms and anything you may have heard about the next OMD…..Thanks.
1000% agreed. Enough with LF1 news, what about the Oly fast Zooooom?
Looks like a Canon G12 competitor. This camera could sell well in 2008.
Panasonic doesn’t understand what enthusiast want….
That, or this site is publishing rumors about products that have nothing to do with what it is supposedly about (m 4/3 photography).
Panasonic makes a lot of other things that 4/3 enthusiasts don’t want too, like TVs and microwaves. Let’s hope they don’t start publishing rumors about them here too.
Don’t be a smartass. TVs and Microwaves don’t compete with 43 cameras. Enthusiast compacts do.
I really cannot believe that I am the only one to have something good to say about the new Panny. Has everyone really forgotten the day when Panasonic brought to the market the first travel super-zoom – IQ comparable to Canon’s G-series, in a smaller format and with the bonus of covering a longer range. All of a sudden Panny had created everybody’s favourite second camera. Now, there has been a lot of water after the bridge and the current crop of super-zooms is possibly worse than the first generation Lumix TZ-5. But the new camera might well be a return to the roots. And a 7X 1,8-4 zoom is actually non necessarily significantly slower than a 4X 1,8-2,8 zoom, within their common range. So, please, stop whining and count your blessings. The only thing that is still missing from the market is an ILC version of the RX100: tiny with high grade lenses (no, Nikon 1 series is not in the running: worse sensor than the Sony and almost as big as a 4/3 camera).
Saying about G6 that it has 16 MP sensor is somewhat similar to say about a girl that she has tits. 😀
I love how this is (micro) 4/3rds related….not.
As Panasonic are deep in the financial do-do maybe they just don’t have the money to develop and produce the cameras enthusiasts want?
I can see the GH3 attracting the vid crowd but I’m not into vid and I will not be buying warmed over the previous generation products Panasonic seems to be bringing to market these days, not when Olympus, Sony and Fuji are bringing interesting products to market with leading technology and image quality.
Whatever the reason, Panasonic don’t look like they’re going to make any camera I’ll want to buy in the near future.
Oh great, another junk from Panasonic. So why would someone buy this camera over the LX7? Please don’t tell me it’s because of the EVF…a toy EVF that is, lol.
When I was two weeks in Egypt earlier this year and about 2500 pics taken I had no problems to live without a EVF. In my opinion a bigger sensor always wins over a EVF, but thats me.
Forgot to say it was RX100 I used.
If the Lens collapse or at least some automatic lens cover I could see myself selling my Lx7 for the new LF1 … actually this is the same reason I am considering buying the Olympus (XZ10). But maybe I wasn’t the Type for an LX7 from the start. But a pocketable (an with that I mean -> able to put it in my back pocket) cam which Iam not afraid to throw in my Bag with a good quality … i would like that. If these Cam already exist help my find out. Best
automatic lens cover +100
My LX7 has an automatic lens cover. I think it was $10.
“The LF1 has the same size as the LX7. And it looks more like the Canon S90.”
The LX7 is considerably bigger than both S95 and S100 (not so sure about the S90)… so this sounds a bit wierd… 🙂
I think they needed this in a larger sensor than the LX7, so it could be a waste of time, at least for me.
Now the G6 sounds like the GH2 replacement (size wise) and if it has better image quality than the G5, then I’ll be getting one, as I have no problem with the G5 image quality, ergonomics, silent shutter etc..
It’s too bad they didn’t make it a mini GH3 that was weather sealed.
The other thing i think would have sold very well for them, if they are struggling, is a Fuji XE1 look alike. I just can’t see the reason they don’t do that.
Sorry, but Panasonic and Olympus just lost the battle. With the number of interesting cameras coming out with superb image quality in tiny packages – both compacts and interchangeable lens cameras – it seems that they are lagging behind.
In the compact department, we have the new Ricoh GR and Coolpix A coming out. Fixed focal lengths, for sure, but what enthusiast photographer nowadays will shell out money for a small sensor compact? Especially when the pocketable RX100 is out? Why would I buy the LF1 over an S90 for that matter?
In the ILC market, Fuji is eating Pana/Oly’s lunch right now. Unless you need weather sealing (E-M5) or video (GH3), what else is out there? Sony has failed to be a challenger because their optic were inferior, and Samsung has failed to be a challenger because of numerous issues. Fuji got it right straight out of the box, with the most used prime focal lengths available reasonably priced lenses (and in black, no less!)
Seriously, I’ve been excited about Panasonic and Olympus’s foray into mirrorless, as well as their LX and XZ compacts, for a while now but have not been able to justify the purchase of either. As a new customer, I’m looking elsewhere now. I’d love to get an E-P with a corner mounted viewfinder and a digital version of the weather-resistant Sylus Epic/mju-ii, but at this point it doesn’t look like either are going to come out of the Panasonic/Olympus camp. Right now, I’d probably buy an X-E1 and a Ricoh GR when I make the jump to digital.
To be honest I cannot really see lots of advantages of Fuji over Olympus/Panasonic.
The optics are really high-end, but very expensive and still not as many as to cover all needs, the focus speed even with current updates cannot match a decent level for prosumer usage, neiher touchscreen nor tilting/swiveling LCD or at least a good grip can help for valuable ergonomics.
The only advantage – beside the excellent image quality – is the coooool retro looooook, somewhat an euphemism for nostalgia–kitch. And of course the price tag any Leica-snob would be proud of.
Next gen (X100s) X cameras looks very promising, once AF got improved Xpro2 Xe2 are almost perfect cameras for still shooters.
It’s so funny: all Fuji fans claim that the features, the performace etc. makes the Fuji so good – and none of them admits that actually they prefer Fuji X series over other models rather due to so-called sexiness than the technical specifications. 😀
Have you tried the Fuji? I’ve used the X-PRO1 for a week and it’s way behind both my G5 and my OM-D: too big and too slow imho. And (as you can see with the recent 55-200 zoom) it has the same problem that Sony has: zooms are way way bigger than m43 ones. A XPRO1 kit with zooms is not too far from a reflex. So why choose it? Because it’s sexy? I really don’t think is a good idea…
Nah the fujis have a way to go still. Even with the lr update you still get the water color effect once in a while and now the resolution is lower. Noise is what it is cause the do noise reduction on raw files
Seriously, Fuji’s not eating anybody’s lunch in the mirrorless ILC market. Olympus’ and Panasonic’s “foray” have given them the largest market shares in that market, way ahead of Fuji. The #3 and #4 spots are taken by Sony and Nikon, respectively, and both have considerably larger market shares than Fuji. The reason is, of course, that Fuji is only catering to the enthusiasts, with nothing on offer at the entry-level. You don’t get to claim a large piece of the market by targeting only a (relatively) small niche of that market.
Those are extremely lame releases.. WTF is Panasonic doing?
I would expect the EVF is small ie same 0.2″ and 1.7mp as that used in the FZ200?
i want more G6 info,about LCD,wifi,EVF spec(sony will announce 3.86Mdot)
+100
Two words: RICOH GR
Thats not 2 words.
GR can be a word if designated as a brand name. eg: Golf GTI . when phonetically interpreted and if it’s understood by the general public, it can be a word by definition. But I am not going to argue with someone who’s profile photo shows him shooting a semiautomatic rifle, especially if he acquired it at a gun show 😉
Does anyone here have any interest in the LF1?…now that I know what it is ….I don’t have any at all. If Pany or Oly (or some other company), made a really small MFT camera with a fixed 17mm, 20mm or 25mm lens with lots of manual controls, (like a mini RX-1) I might be interested…
I prefer at this point to just slap the tiny Pany 14 on my GX-1 (with VF in pocket) and I am good to go with a lot of power in a small package. (EPL-5 would do just as nicely…or better actually…maybe when the price comes down).
At the Price of the GX1 right now, It is THE CAMERA to purchase right now.
Slap a 20mm on it… DONE.
I just might buy another one and gift my older one to a friend for his blogging.
+1000
Yep! The GX1 is a steal right now. What is it, around $270 for a body? If you already have M4/3 pancake lenses, why bother with an LX7 or LF1… whatever the LF1 turns out to be. Someday we’ll actually get some hard facts and be able to form intelligent opinions on it, rather than the knee-jerk blather written here and elsewhere.
I got my GX1 a couple of months ago and it’s a great little camera. Just bought a new 14mm on eBay ($179) to compliment the 20mm. Buh-bye Body Cap Lens… 😉 I may start eyeing the Oly 45mm to make a perfect compact kit.
I agree…the IBIS and Sensor in the EPL-5 would be nice..but the cost of the VF and the EPL-5 body is too much to justify selling off my GX1 and LVF2 at a loss…. I bet that the price of the EPL-5 body drops hugely in the near future..but probably not the Oly VF…but I think that set up is a step above the GX-1 without bringing price into the discussion. If we bring price in to the discussion the GX1 is the hands down winner!
The answer to your question is, the LF1 is not SUPPOSED to appeal to anyone who has that pancake already, to put on a GX1. It’s the GX1 (and GX2) that are supposed to appeal to them. Once more, for effect: THIS IS NOT *SUPPOSED* TO APPEAL TO YOU.
Why do so many people seem to feel that EVERY camera Panasonic makes MUST appeal to their demographic, or it’s a fail? I would argue it is a fail of Panasonic marketing if they DID do that!
Gee, a bit testy are we?
It’s amazing how much you manage to project onto a pretty vague statement. I was replying to “Really’s” comment (above mine) and addressing we M4/3 users when discussing the GX1 and pancake lenses. I doubt there are many P&S enthusiasts lurking here. Except, maybe you? 😉
As for the LF1… We know next to ZERO about it. I have no opinion about a rumored camera with absolutely NO hard information available. It might be cool, it might not. Hopefully it’ll improve on the LX-series in some way. Who knows? I can wait to read the spec, see what it looks like and THEN form an opinion.
WOW!…David…are you the camera GOD? Take you attitude and….
We are all just peacefully kicking the (camera) can around and talking about the developments and what we like…If you can’t join the discussion like a gentleman..um..you can get bent! 🙂
I mean that in the nicest way possible!
If you don’t have ANY interest in this camera AT ALL, why are you Here???
Hating to Hate, perhaps?
I liked the GR’s, but I no longer trust lenses that extend/retract, every time you power on. Eventually they jam up and then you don’t have a camera or a lens to use. They should have made it with interchangeable lenses.
The 7X zoom lens sounds like it will be a 28-200mm and since the small size is reportedly similar to LX7 then possibly they are using a lens similar to TZ/ZS series only larger sensor & shorter range and maybe a f2-2.8 speed? So not a replacement of the LX but entirely new line? I hope it also has a swivel screen?
We already know the LF1 is not a (m)43 cam. So why this info? May be it is better to rename this site then.
Too bad there is no news on the G6 side of things. I am sure mostof us want to know one thing: which sensorband is used. 16 Mpixel is meaningless now.
You´re right. The LF1 isn´t of any interest anymore.
I am interested in a compact with a useable zoom range at big apertures. It’s not possible in a m43 sensor size (because of physics) so it is relevant to this website, because some people who want nice quality but with a specific set of apertures will look for a camera like this.
I come to 43rumors for the 4thirds, but I stay for the mirrorless compact news.
Serioulsy, just don’t read 43rumors anymore than instead of this kind of stupid comment, pretty ungrateful by the way, you can’t even understand about related news? Or do you think that you are the only one in the Universe?
I don’t get these people, if don’t want to read about anything else besides m4/3, just don’t read, how much of your time is to just skip it? But instead you come all the way here and use such a precious time of yours to do a stupid and nonsense complain?
Because just in case you missed it, genius, the site is called “43rumors,” not “compact rumors.” I don’t go to Pizza Hut to order hamburgers.
+1
So, it’s an LX7 with an EVF and maybe better zoom (if it’s 7x, probably not brighter). I would have been tempted, and would prefer that over the LX7, as that does free up the flash shoe and is better in bright light. I’d call it a worthy upgrade attempt, and maybe their way of testing the resolve (and money-where-mouth-is) of the “I want a built-in EVF on a rangefinder-like body” crowd, including me.
Now that I have a bigger purse, however, my E-PM1 does the job I would have gotten the LF1 for. I guess it’s not Panasonic’s fault that I’m not in the compact market any more. 🙂
I predict that you are correct that Panasonic is testing the market a bit for an integrated rangefinder style EVF. The problem is that they will be missing the target market for such a camera in almost every other way (crappy evf, dim lens, small sensor). While some may prefer a 7x zoom, I think most enthusiast on up photogs would prefer a 24-70 range quality zoom (or 24-90), and not a 28-200 that they will likely be peddling.
I would love to be surprised and find this camera to be compelling…but I’m not holding my breath!
What a bold move Panasonic, congrats!
What interests me is how could they include a built in EVF and still retain small size as LX7? Maybe a a popup EVF? Also interesting is this small body also the shape and size of coming GX2?? I think there still will be a larger more pro model with tilting EVF in corner as a separate model.
Think of where all the money Panasonic is spending on the LF1 could be spent in stead!
This camera is a waste, sounds like it’s just an LX7 with less zoom, a slimmer body and cheap LVF. And I bet it doesn’t have the same ƒ/1.4 aperture.
This thing has fail written all over it. What a waste- are they incapable of listening to customers?
Is it not obvious that the only real improvement of the G6 will be the addition of WiFi? Of course there will be new Venus engine, the new kit lens and some marketing term upgrades, but the release is only to be competitive with the NEX-6 in those regards.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love a nice electronic shutter, but I doubt they’ll change much.
I disagree. At a BARE minimum, it will have NFC, and a much better kit lens.
Wow. Not a single spec sheet in site but people here magically know ite ginna suck.
LF1 expected to be with fixed 35mm equ.lense with m43rd sensor size,
then 1″ sensor with fixed 35mm equ. lense.
then lx7 sensor and size with 7x zoom,
so what is it ? if it’s with 1/1.7 ” sensor then this should be lx8 why should they call it something new while nothing is,
7x zoom is usefull, if it starts from 24mm or wider.