CNET Asia wrote an article analyzing the Large-sensor compact market.
http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001469,62058412,00.htm
Interesting Andrew Kohle (director and general manager of Canon Consumer Imaging and Information Division of Canon Singapore) said “...that the company views the Micro Four Thirds system as a niche market and the firm will continue to focus on its dSLR business instead.“.
Should we believe him? Nope. They know there is a lot of money to make in this “niche market”!
2 Responses
Basically, I think this is a good way to view comparisons. I think it is worth mentioning that APS-C ranges in size quite a bit. The figures and size listed is Canon APS-C. Nikon and Pentax are slightly larger with their APS-C and Sigma is quite a bit smaller, though still considered APS-C. Thus, APS-C is not one standard size, but a range of sizes in the middle between digicam sensors and 35mm sensors. (and some of Canon’s FF cameras are not really 35mm in size, but are smaller). 4/3rds is a standard size that is smaller (but to different degrees) compared with APS-C.
I think Canon is foolish not to jump in. Personally I think they will tiptoe in, but with a fixed lens camera, and not 4/3rds or proprietary removable lens mount.
As companies join MicroFT, it becomes even more of a threat to Canon and Nikon which already have two mounts to worry about. Fuji joining is very good news even if you prefer other FT bodies imo. It would be great if Ricoh or Casio joined MicroFT too and if indy lens makers like Tamron and Sigma would jump in. These additions would make rock!
Cheers,
Seth
The new Fuji APS-C format digital camera is a welcome news for all seeking the biggest sensor in a small camera. If priced right(under $700), it would fly. I want one!
Olympus’s new compact camera fitted with smaller than M43 sensor is for the mass market production, rather than for high end users. The current Olympus strategy is for the mass, make it cheap, make it in quantity. So I would not consider Olympus at this time, even the camera is fitted a lens with Zuiko name.
APS-C compact will be the future of mirror-less cameras. M43 started early for where it is, it may loose its lead very soon when Nikon, Pentax, Fuji and others come with APS-C format. The future of M43 is heading for low cost. Olympus should go for a full frame compact camera (like Leica M9), that is where a small company can catch the biggest attention and the biggest name recognation and marketing success.
Richard W