New Panasonic camera LF1 to be announced in late April

[Mikedigi]

MaartenSFS wrote:

If this camera is like the LX7, but with a larger/better sensor and built-in EVF, filtre thread, articulated screen, good macro capability, and reasonable focal range with at least F2.8 lense - and 800$ or less - I will have to do some major campaigning to get my wife to let me buy this...

Hi Maarten,

As long as it's black, like my FZ200, FZ5 and D90, my wife would not notice that I had a new camera. She can just about see the difference between the D90 and the FZ5, if they are side-by-side. So the trick is, to have only one camera visible at a given time.

Mike

 

[Pele1973]

Mikedigi wrote:

As long as it's black, like my FZ200, FZ5 and D90, my wife would not notice that I had a new camera. She can just about see the difference between the D90 and the FZ5, if they are side-by-side. So the trick is, to have only one camera visible at a given time.

Mike

 

[SHood]

James Pilcher wrote:

PdL59 wrote:

According to "4/3 Rumors" there will be a new line of Panasonic high end compacts with viewfinder.

http://www.43rumors.com/ft5-panasonic-lf1-high-end-compact-to-be-announced-in-late-april/

How will it compare to my LX7 with a LVF2? Interesting!

I suspect the new Panasonic will be a response to the phenomenal success of the Sony RX100. Sony created this market niche and Panasonic will grow it, but enters the race already behind. Panasonic has to show benefits to choosing the LF1 over the RX100 so:

• 1 inch multi-aspect ratio sensor, probably 17Mp
• Built-in EVF, probably better than the LVF2.
• Fast Leica lens, again starting at 24mm equiv, but the long end? Cannot keep it at f/2.8 if the lens has any reach with a 1 inch sensor. Remember, Panasonic had to slightly reduce the size of the LX7 sensor to get f/1.4, so don't expect anything faster than f/2 for the LF1 lens on a much bigger sensor. So, my guess is a 24-70mm f'/2-2.8 Leica Summicron zoom. It s a tough marketing call between telephoto reach and maintaining a fast lens. Panasonic has to guess the market. I'll take a fast lens any day.
• Smart hot shoe, maybe with accessories such as external microphones
• Some sort of wireless connectivity, social media, gps battery-eating nonsense
• And some other feature to set it apart, such as an articulating LCD of some sort.
• Price: $699 USD; you have to charge extra for the extra features!

Just my $0.02 worth.

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA

Too funny. You basically want them to give the EVF for free. Not going to happen.

 

[jhorse]

elemenoP wrote:

LX3-5-7 owners: which would be more important to you, EVF or a bigger sensor? I would want a bigger sensor!!! That's probably the only thing that might make me sell my (brand new!) LX7. Assuming it has the same great lens, of course.

Let's hope for both, since it is a whole new camera line and not an LX9, but if you *did* have to choose, which would you want? Or what other improvement would you want?

eP

I'll play the game! As a LX5 (and LVF1) owner/user and one who thinks the IQ is above average and one who uses it mostly outdoors (in the mountains, on the beach, skiing, hiking, sailing), out on family outings and trotting around cities on business trips, all when I do not want to carry a Nikon D300s kit, the absolute one requirement is a view finder. Sure, I'll take better DR, better low light performance, but I want a view finder built in. I doubt I will ever buy another camera without a VF. I do not want/need an articulating screen as it adds bulk/weight.

I have not upgraded to the LX7 as the LVF2 is completely overpriced and the IQ enhancement does not warrant the total upgrade price/cost to change. So, if the rumoured camera has better IQ, remains reasonably portable (say in the Fuji X20 space) and has a built in VF - I'll go for it.

 

[Pele1973]

It's a pity, but this isn't what I was hoping from Panasonic:

http://www.43rumors.com/ft5-panasonic-lf1-has-11-7-inch-sensor-like-the-lx7/

 

[John Miles]

It is for me though! Dare I unzip the body bag that contains my enthusiasm for Panasonic?

 

[elemenoP]

Well I guess that's good news for me I guess... since it means I don't have to regret the LX7 I just bought.

eP

 

[Day Hiker]

SHood wrote:

James Pilcher wrote:

PdL59 wrote:

According to "4/3 Rumors" there will be a new line of Panasonic high end compacts with viewfinder.

http://www.43rumors.com/ft5-panasonic-lf1-high-end-compact-to-be-announced-in-late-april/

How will it compare to my LX7 with a LVF2? Interesting!

I suspect the new Panasonic will be a response to the phenomenal success of the Sony RX100. Sony created this market niche and Panasonic will grow it, but enters the race already behind. Panasonic has to show benefits to choosing the LF1 over the RX100 so:

• 1 inch multi-aspect ratio sensor, probably 17Mp
• Built-in EVF, probably better than the LVF2.
• Fast Leica lens, again starting at 24mm equiv, but the long end? Cannot keep it at f/2.8 if the lens has any reach with a 1 inch sensor. Remember, Panasonic had to slightly reduce the size of the LX7 sensor to get f/1.4, so don't expect anything faster than f/2 for the LF1 lens on a much bigger sensor. So, my guess is a 24-70mm f'/2-2.8 Leica Summicron zoom. It s a tough marketing call between telephoto reach and maintaining a fast lens. Panasonic has to guess the market. I'll take a fast lens any day.
• Smart hot shoe, maybe with accessories such as external microphones
• Some sort of wireless connectivity, social media, gps battery-eating nonsense
• And some other feature to set it apart, such as an articulating LCD of some sort.
• Price: $699 USD; you have to charge extra for the extra features!

Just my $0.02 worth.

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA

Too funny. You basically want them to give the EVF for free. Not going to happen.

I'm glad I can entertain you. Given current news, it seems that my post was not just funny, but rather hilarious. My crystal ball must be on the fritz.

Really, Panasonic? Another 1/1.7 premium compact in 2013??? ROTFLOL! Now, THAT is seriously funny. :-O

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA

 

[SHood]

James Pilcher wrote:

SHood wrote:

James Pilcher wrote:

PdL59 wrote:

According to "4/3 Rumors" there will be a new line of Panasonic high end compacts with viewfinder.

http://www.43rumors.com/ft5-panasonic-lf1-high-end-compact-to-be-announced-in-late-april/

How will it compare to my LX7 with a LVF2? Interesting!

I suspect the new Panasonic will be a response to the phenomenal success of the Sony RX100. Sony created this market niche and Panasonic will grow it, but enters the race already behind. Panasonic has to show benefits to choosing the LF1 over the RX100 so:

• 1 inch multi-aspect ratio sensor, probably 17Mp
• Built-in EVF, probably better than the LVF2.
• Fast Leica lens, again starting at 24mm equiv, but the long end? Cannot keep it at f/2.8 if the lens has any reach with a 1 inch sensor. Remember, Panasonic had to slightly reduce the size of the LX7 sensor to get f/1.4, so don't expect anything faster than f/2 for the LF1 lens on a much bigger sensor. So, my guess is a 24-70mm f'/2-2.8 Leica Summicron zoom. It s a tough marketing call between telephoto reach and maintaining a fast lens. Panasonic has to guess the market. I'll take a fast lens any day.
• Smart hot shoe, maybe with accessories such as external microphones
• Some sort of wireless connectivity, social media, gps battery-eating nonsense
• And some other feature to set it apart, such as an articulating LCD of some sort.
• Price: $699 USD; you have to charge extra for the extra features!

Just my $0.02 worth.

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA

Too funny. You basically want them to give the EVF for free. Not going to happen.

I'm glad I can entertain you. Given current news, it seems that my post was not just funny, but rather hilarious. My crystal ball must be on the fritz.

Really, Panasonic? Another 1/1.7 premium compact in 2013??? ROTFLOL! Now, THAT is seriously funny. :-O

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA

Well, with the smaller sensor the $699 price won't be far off. Although I would wait 3 months for the price to drop in half just like the LX7 did. Definitely a head scratcher from Panasonic.

 

[morepix]

Amid all this wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth, I continue to look forward to several other interesting aspects of this new camera that will put it on my shopping list. Sensor size is one aspect of a camera, but there are still many other aspects, as I recall. I'm still looking forward with much interest to the forthcoming announcement.

How many here mourned when the FZ200 was released with only a 1/2.3" sensor?

--
David
www.pbase.com/morepix

 

[Day Hiker]

morepix wrote:

Amid all this wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth, I continue to look forward to several other interesting aspects of this new camera that will put it on my shopping list. Sensor size is one aspect of a camera, but there are still many other aspects, as I recall. I'm still looking forward with much interest to the forthcoming announcement.

How many here mourned when the FZ200 was released with only a 1/2.3" sensor?

 

[sigala1]

The LF1 looks like it's just going to be a more deluxe version of the LX7.

This makes sense. The lens in the LX7 was probably expensive to design and is state of the art. Panasonic can minimize R&D costs by utilizing the existing lens.

The new camera will have a viewfinder, and probably a better LCD, probably have a more solid-metal feel to it. For some people, this is worth paying extra.

I would also add that Panasonic already offers a small camera with a big sensor, the GF6 with the 14-42mm PZ pancake zoom. I don't think they want to canniblize sales of the GF6.

 

[morepix]

Even tho I have an LX7 with LVF2, I'd be terribly tempted by the new camera even if it had no more than:

1. The rumored built-in EVF.
2. An articulated LCD screen.

Some further improvements would be icing on the cake. I won't list them, as none of this is really relevant. Just felt like spouting off a bit. There are only 14 more days in April. It's interesting to see that LX7s haven't tanked even further since the launch of this rumor.

 

[David25]

Mikedigi wrote:

David25 wrote:

Any other candidates?

Canon G or S?

Mike

Ah yes, forgot the Canon G1X.

 

[walkaround]

I'm saving for a GH3. ;-)

 

[mredden]

I have been holding off buying a Sony RX100 pending the release of this camera. You know, brand loyalty to Panasonic.

However, if the rumors are true it sounds like I should probably just order the RX100.

 

[Menneisyys]

sigala1 wrote:

The LF1 looks like it's just going to be a more deluxe version of the LX7.

This makes sense. The lens in the LX7 was probably expensive to design and is state of the art. Panasonic can minimize R&D costs by utilizing the existing lens.

The new camera will have a viewfinder, and probably a better LCD, probably have a more solid-metal feel to it. For some people, this is worth paying extra.

I would also add that Panasonic already offers a small camera with a big sensor, the GF6 with the 14-42mm PZ pancake zoom. I don't think they want to canniblize sales of the GF6.

The LX series still has a BIG advantage over the RX100: it starts at 24mm. A HUGE difference, I'd say. (And also it has a hotshoe.) And its IQ is sufficiently good for a family / travel shooter (not a "pro" making both ends meet by shooting) like me.

That is, if they add some nice features like compass + GPS (also working while shooting video), preferably full-res image capture during video recording, I'll surely prefer the new model over the RX100. (Hope Sony comes out with an 1" compact with a lens starting at 24mm, though.)

 

[Kevin Coppalotti]

This looks like a LX7 MKII, so was the LX7 a failure? I mean the product life was supposed to be 2 years. Too many good compacts around now?

 

[morepix]

Look what we're doing to each other here on the basis of essentially thin air, nothng. Suppose 43rumors.com had never published their few words. These 2-3 dozen disappointed, hopeful, cynical responses would never have happened. But they did, and we do.

I wonder if it adds to, or subtracts from, our life satisfaction to behave in this way. There are 14 more days in April, and then we'll know. Or we won't know. So what? What's it all worth?

 

[Sean Nelson]

morepix wrote:

Even tho I have an LX7 with LVF2, I'd be terribly tempted by the new camera even if it had no more than:

1. The rumored built-in EVF.
2. An articulated LCD screen.

I'll second that. An LX7 with no more improvements than an articulated screen would be my ideal take-everywhere camera, and an EVF would be icing on the cake.

The 1/1.7" sensor is fine by me - any larger and either the compact body or the optics will have to be compromised.