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December 2022 press junket in Japan: rumours about future phase detect cameras coming soon.
  • EspenBEspenB

    We all know that a bunch of Lumix users/influencers/ambassadors was in Japan for a press junket at Panasonic earlier in december. No leaks so far. Influencers usually get 14 days or so to make their review before anything is announced and embargo lifted.

    Rumour: Lumix S5 replacement with phase detect autofocus...

    Also the Lumix G 12-35 f2.8 lens was annouced with a Leica DG upgrade this week. This is clearly again a "kit zoom" for the upper end packages. It was one of the kit zooms back in the GH3 and GH4 days. Before the switch to the 12-60 f2.8-4 for GH5 and GH6. I guess there will be a new m43 camera announcement soon also with this as a kit lens. Hopefully also with that new phase detect autofocus which is rumoured after the december press junket in Japan. CES in january 2023 og CP+ show late february.

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  • 14 Replies sorted by
  • EspenBEspenB

  • EnoEno

    PDAF in Pahansonic cameras sounds too good to be true!

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    Someone died?

    May be something else happened?

  • EnoEno

    @Vitaliy_Kiselev

    Death from Defocus killed their sales?

  • EspenBEspenB

    @Vitaliy_Kiselev

    No personal leaks from that recent press junket?

  • EspenBEspenB

    Some claims from L-rumors users about the press junket in Japan:

    "nothing is getting leaked until early next year dudes."

    "embargo is till January"

  • EnoEno

    IMO Panasonic really needs to produce best-selling cameras in most if not all categories if they want to make some sales at all.

    I don't know how it is in other countries but in mine, the cost of living rose more than double compared to pre plandemic levels. Clients are way pickier and search for lower prices. Realistically it has become very hard to live from photography nowadays. In this context, the remaining photographers spend less often on gear and what they buy must be really good, or else the purchase makes no sense at all.

  • EspenBEspenB

    @eno The market for interchangeable lens cameras has declined the last 10-12 years. The move to mirrorless also in the FF segment made Sony one of the top players and dethroned Nikon down to third place.

    I don't think Panasonic FF sells in any significant numbers. Probably worse than the Lumix G / m43 stuff. That said the video cababilities have gotten a lot of praise, but the lack of phase detect auto focus has been a nail in the coffin for many years. Hopefully the rumours are true and there will now be some significant changes to the AF video performance.

  • EspenBEspenB

    Digicameinfo confirmed the following products will be announced soon:

    LUMIX DC-S5M2
    – Body/Standard Zoom Lens Kit/Double Lens Kit-
    Scheduled release date: February 16, 2023

    LUMIX DC-S5M2X
    – Body/Standard zoom lens kit/Double lens kit-
    Scheduled release date: Late June 2023

    LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO
    – Model number: S-R1428
    – Release date: March 16, 2023

    https://digicame-info.com/2022/12/lumix-dc-s5m2-dc-s5m2xlumix-s-.html

  • EnoEno

    The question is: will it feature a proper PDAF system or will be another Dead from Defocused camera announcement?

  • EspenBEspenB

    @Eno While the rumours seems to circle around to the same sources at this point in time, at least there are rumours about a new auto focus system.

    While such rumours also was propagated before the GH6 launch, there has been some statements and products like that studio cam with PDAF which signifies that Panasonic currently has implemnted PDAF tech. Also, for the GH6 I believe that Pansonic stated that with the current (GH6) edition of the new sensor (of "unknown" origin) they did not manage to implement PDAF at this point, but was considering for the future.

    So at least PDAF AF sounds plausible.

  • EspenBEspenB

    Seems like there is some active cooling vent next to the drive dial.

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  • EspenBEspenB

    It was true: http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/27451/panasonic-s5m2-with-phase-hybrid-a

  • EspenBEspenB

    Is the GH6 inventory being cleared out?

    B&H and Adorama in the US = USD 500 instant discount

    Mediamarkt & Saturn in Germany = both GH6 lens kits listed as unavailable (until mid march 2023) suggesting that Panasonic Marketing in Europe is empty.

    Probably a GH6M2 with the new PD hybrid AF coming soon?!

    Also suspect that the recently revamped 12-35 f2.8 Pana Leica will be issued as a kit option going forward.

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