John Matthews

Yes, it will. I was talking more in terms of "flagship," whatever that means. I'm really hoping they get the M43 cameras smaller with decent features. I want a small 4k 420 10bit camera with full-sensor readout. It's 2025 and should be possible for them now.

I have to hand it to Sigma for trying new and different designs. This is probably a niche product, but the design seems like the antithesis of Panasonic design. The Sigma BF seems "industrial," more like a solid chunk of metal straight from the machine shop and forgetting that a human is going to touch it. The Panasonic is about the human hand and practical at all cost. It's great to have L-mount as no other mount has this type of variety of design. We now have classic design (Panasonic), minimalist design (Leica), and ultra-minimalist, "industrial" design (Sigma). Also, this should bode well for more pancakes which makes me happy.

From the look of it, I'm just happy that the S1rii definitely doesn't sound like a BS update where everyone will be saying "that could have been done with a firmware update." Sure, they don't release very often, but when they do, they make the most of it. Now, give us some pancakes. Objectively, the S1rii will become the "video camera" over the GH7 in the line-up. It makes me wonder where M43 is going to go after this.

Well for you, it's all about the shutter sound, right? ;-)

Obviously, a main competitor for this camera is the Sony A7r V (also at roughly the same price). I've been looking through the specs and found advantages for the Sony like: webcam capable, maybe slightly better AF, better lens selection, better card slots, and a little more resolution. If these Panasonic specs are correct, the Panasonic will have a host of things: Opengate Maybe better IBIS Dual ISO sensor (couldn't find anything with the Sony) More Pro Codecs 32-bit audio with the accessory High Resolution photo mode, in-camera AND handheld Support for anamorphic Fantastic video tools Realtime LUTs Live View Composite Already, that would be great! Am I missing something?

Yeah, could be amazing, but would it do video? I have serious doubts. Going from the Merrill series taking quite a long time to output 50 shots on one battery to a camera that can output 61MP shots anywhere in the realm of a modern camera with a Bayer sensor would be a stretch IMO. However, going back to any of the previous Foveon equipped cameras, the output was amazing and I'd love to have one.

Same here. If I were to think RS were a problem, I'd simply shoot in crop mode because it keeps up with everything in that mode. RS performance is way over-rated anyway. I've never said to myself "look at that crappy RS"! You only say that kind of thing in reviews and when you A-B test cameras.

I believe he had brain surgery a few years back. I don't remember what exactly the problem was. He's clearly fighting something. There have been others too on YouTube. It reminds me to make more efforts to eat healthily and take care of myself that much more. Life is so fragile. I send my good wishes his way.

I think what we're seeing from the S5Rii might be Panasonic moving to more broadly appealing cameras rather than the more video centric cameras. I don't think there's going to be a S1Hii because it's too niche. This camera could be "the one" though, a super-capable photo and video beast with many of the usability functions many like. I also like the S5 and S5ii/x bodies, except for not having a flip up screen. Otherwise they're great. I really just want a smaller, more-efficient flip-up and out GH6 style of screen on the back. It's not a deal-breaker though!

Count on people saying "it doesn't have internal NDs" or "only 44MP".

Yes, I have it too. Those radioactive lenses never match anything, really. It’s a one-and-done lens due to yellowing. Still, it’s really great IMO.

I'd love to see an fp Mini, an APS-C camera with IBIS and decent AF. That could be interesting, but it would be tough competition with the S9 unless it has a EVF and proper shutter. Now, I'm just dreaming. :-)

FYI: There are 18 total cameras in L-mount- 17 are Full-frame and one APS-C. There are 2 box cameras and one gimbal. It would be great to see another APS-C from anyone. Even better, I'd like to see where DJI might take the system. I suppose Sigma, Blackmagic, and DJI are just waiting to see what Panasonic and Leica are going to do in the end. The intriguing one is Sigma. I think they've said the fp and fp L were largely failures for them, but don't get the impression they're giving up.

Quick question: Has anyone used Konica lenses? Which one is your favorite? I already have quite a few, but I'm considering others. Namely the 28mm f/1.8 and the 85mm f/1.8. Maybe some other zooms?

I understand that most M43 cameras are about value. The OM-3 is not that. The pricing of the OM-3 says it. It should be cristal clear at this point. They're going after Leica wannabes, something that Olympus had done time and time again back in the days of Maitani Yoshihisa, a well-documented Leica lover.

I agree it's overpriced, especially when looking at the market as a whole. However, it's one of one in M43 land (minus the PEN F, which is still expensive even used). I guess the Fuji phenomena has now carried over to M43. Over the past 2 years, I've seen used prices only go up at least 50% on the small M43 cameras of yesteryear. IMO, the reason for the pricing is most certainly to squeeze out every last bit of profit and also to protect it from being over-sold like the Fuji's. I think it will go down though, probably to $1799 within 6 months if it doesn't sell out too quickly.

I've been watching quite a few negative "reviews" or just people sharing their thoughts on the OM-3 (because they weren't given one to review). I've never seen so many comments saying basically "yeah, it's expensive and not innovative, but I'll buy it anyway".

Yes, that's right. The GH2 and LX100 sensors were worlds apart, possibly having completely different suppliers too. The GH2 had 16MP in 3:4, 2:3, and 16:9 ratios, but not the 1:1 oddly.

It won't happen because it wouldn't have functional IBIS, a feature that everyone knows panasonic for, unless you're talking about a M43 crop on a S35 sensor. I don't see the point. They just want you to buy a S5 or S9. The LX100/ii series had the standard 16MP and 20MP sensors respectively, but they included "cropping" features. The GH2 and the GH5S were the only ones that had the larger sensors with 1.86x crop (I believe). I don't believe the GH5S had crop modes like the GH2 though. Both cameras didn't have IBIS.

Reread my post: That's subjective. Watch the NarrowBand channel. He actually has it and compared it. Again, that was not my point. My point was that they have different use-cases. So many people were wrong about OM System when Olympus was sold to them. It must be hard to admit. There have been several releases; some were engineered by Olympus, for sure. However, this camera is not as it was engineered by OM System. No, it didn't turn into a cheap Chinese company making e-waste. No, it didn't fail 100% of the time like some would like to believe. Olympus Imaging is dead. Why? Scandals, bloat, and marketing probably. OM System got rid of some that. I'd say that's successful. Also, their products are unique, even today, with quite a following. Other manufacturers somehow cannot offer the same features. That's not bad and much better than I would have expected.

Here's a great walk though of build on the OM-3:

One could argue that the difference in the S5ii as the photo hybrid and the S5iix as the video hybrid isn't enough of a difference. A high MP sensor in a S5ii body would make that clearer.

Undoubtably, Panasonic will choose a cheeper sensor with great readout times in S35 mode and less so in FF. I cannot see them taking a global shutter, but I do remember Sean of Lumix admiring the Nikon one. I just think they'd need to ask TowerJazz or someone else to make one for them because I doubt Sony will. Could be wrong though. High megapixel is not necessarily a good sign because it seems that's what you do when you cannot do a more meaningful update. Specs sell though. I do think that, if done right, 8k will offer "more". I just hope they get the downresing right.

That's a good plan. I've now sold all of my M43 stuff (except a GH2). Honestly, if you couple DXO Noise reduction, you'll very usable shots in low light and good light for screen and print. The only thing FF does for photography is wide-angle shallow DOF for photos. Also, if you plan on using vintage lenses, FF is a better choice.

300 dpi is for photos you look at super close. A 16x20 in is not that; many photos printed at that size will have "enough detail" at 150dpi. It also depends on the printer, but print has even less of a difference than a screen because you simply cannot zoom in. Here's my favorite video on the subject: