Rumors New cameras on October 8th?

[dirk]

I am sure that Panasonic would be able to do that. But I do not think that this would be a smart move. This is too early for L-Mount's current status.

L-Mount has neither enough market share nor good enough AF to make this super camera profitable. On the contrary. This would hurt the sales. The majority of current L-Mount users do not have the money to buy cameras for 6.000€. The current S1R users would be disappointed and probably switch systems, because they would think that Panasonic starts now to focus on a similar target group like Leica. That would be a very dangerous move from Panasonic.

Panasonic needs more volume, more market share. The more buyers, the more profit to invest in R&D and in marketing. This again leads to more sales, more profit and more market share.

L-Mount needs a cheap entry level camera so that people buy into this lens mount easier. Additionally L-Mount needs 1 middle range and 1 high end model so that people see an upgrade path for the future, if they decide to do the next step. This is for photography.

For videocentric people you only need 1 camera. A S1Hii. No problem with high prices here. If someone needs more professional video than a S5x, they will not care about money. If they need more than a S5x has to offer, but do not want to have the price tag of a S1Hii, they can buy a Lumix GH7.

In my view there is no need for 2 professional video cameras with L-Mount. S1Hii is enough. If L-Mount's market share increases to 20% worldwide, this will be a different situation and different decisions can be made.

 

[Miker]

From my technical ignorance, I simply ask: couldn't Panasonic merge the S1Hii and the S1Rii and create a super camera, let us call it S1HR (or e en better "Super S1HDR" ), with the best of both photo and video worlds and thus create a flagship camera equivalent to the Sony A1 or the Nikon Z9, with a price of about 6,000 €?

I would buy it...

Theoretically yes, the problem is sourcing a sensor that will to do that. Sony isn’t going to sell anyone the A1 sensor, neither will Nikon, maybe someone else will. It is unknown if Panasonic has the capability to do it themselves or in collaboration. They clearly collaborated with Leica and Leica buys the sensors for their current FF cameras from Sony.

 

[cascadian]

I'd like to see a taller S9 (even a square shape!) to make space for a corner EVF. Put a hinge by the hotshoe for a flip-up only selfie screen like gf9.

In my dreams it would have a square 36x36, 36Mpx stack/bsi/pdaf sensor. Make it titanium too!

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

Well, you may be right. But the sensor in the SL3 doesn’t have a fast enough read out to deliver the video capabilities that a decent hybrid camera needs. So either it’s two bodies with one being stills-focussed, or they use a different sensor. Guess we’ll know soon!

Yes, we will indeed know soon.

It will be interesting to see how much video capability any given body needs in order to be considered "hybrid" in Panasonic's eyes. Perhaps they can squeeze enough video capability out of that sensor to pass muster, even if it ends up being the weakest video body they sell. I mean, not every camera body has to be a top-flight video camera. I would hate to see their lineup coalescing down to only a few bodies that all have market-leading video capabilities (for a given price point) but only "average" stills capabilities. But perhaps that is where they will take it.

 

[AlanC]

I'm not sure what to make of this post on Weibo from E8M_8888 (who primarily posts about new sensors and has been right in the past):

https://weibo.com/2424567755/OzZ4mtHfz#comment

SSS enters the active period,
The P family may launch the first four Bayer 61M BSI video bottom.

A mouthful of poisoned milk first:

LUMIX S5R.

Video specifications:
8K FF 16:9 30fps 25ms super sampling

5K S35 4:3 48fps 20ms super sampling
5K S35 16:9 60fps 15ms super sampling
4K S35 16:9 60fps 15ms super sampling

5K FF OG 3:2 60fps 10ms point-to-point
5K FF 16:9 60fps 9ms point-to-point
4K FF 16:9 96fps 9ms Supersampling
4K FF 1.25x crop 120fps 7ms point-to-point

Dynamic range: FF 16EVs (FF4K)

Translation via macOS Safari.

SSS is Sony Semiconductor Solutions, so it seems there are some new 61MP sensors coming.

 

[Nevyn72]

From my technical ignorance, I simply ask: couldn't Panasonic merge the S1Hii and the S1Rii and create a super camera, let us call it S1HR (or e en better "Super S1HDR" ), with the best of both photo and video worlds and thus create a flagship camera equivalent to the Sony A1 or the Nikon Z9, with a price of about 6,000 €?

I would buy it...

That would mean a better sensor than all the 'standard' competition for now has shown

IF they managed to get the expensive sensor from BMD, than yes, but I don't think we would like the price...

Otherwise, no... Normally a high resolution sensor has to much rolling shutter

 

[Nevyn72]

I'm not sure what to make of this post on Weibo from E8M_8888 (who primarily posts about new sensors and has been right in the past):

https://weibo.com/2424567755/OzZ4mtHfz#comment

SSS enters the active period,
The P family may launch the first four Bayer 61M BSI video bottom.

A mouthful of poisoned milk first:

LUMIX S5R.

Video specifications:
8K FF 16:9 30fps 25ms super sampling

5K S35 4:3 48fps 20ms super sampling
5K S35 16:9 60fps 15ms super sampling
4K S35 16:9 60fps 15ms super sampling

5K FF OG 3:2 60fps 10ms point-to-point
5K FF 16:9 60fps 9ms point-to-point
4K FF 16:9 96fps 9ms Supersampling
4K FF 1.25x crop 120fps 7ms point-to-point

Dynamic range: FF 16EVs (FF4K)

Translation via macOS Safari.

SSS is Sony Semiconductor Solutions, so it seems there are some new 61MP sensors coming.

This would meen the Rolling shutter in 8K 16:9 would be higher than than the 6K opengate of the S5ii(X).

4K FF 16:9 9ms would be very nice though.

So with a 'new' sensor like this... Perhaps a true highend hybrid cam is possible...

 

[Oíche]

Remember ye olde adage

"Jack of all trades, master of none"

 

[AlanC]

Remember ye olde adage

"Jack of all trades, master of none"

If Panasonic do introduce a camera based on the Sony 60MP sensor then it'll be photography oriented like the G9ii rather than a true hybrid like the S5ii. I'm really hoping that's what we're going to get because, from my experiences with the Sigma fp L, that sensor is as good as it gets from a photography point of view.

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

Well, an S5R is attractive as well, but I suspect that means no tilting screen - just the flippy screen. Sigh.

 

[pdk42]

Well, two days to go and almost no rumours out there with any degree of credibility. When the S5ii was launched, there were leaks weeks ahead of the announcement that turned out to be mostly true. Launch events these days normally involve wide “influencer” engagement in order that the launch coincides with an avalanche of YT videos from the usual names. It’s really hard to keep the lid on things once you involve a lot of people, even with a strict embargo. So, either:

- There’s nothing going to happen on Oct 8th, or it’ll be only a minor announcement
- Panasonic have managed to stop the leaks by more forceful policing of the embargo
- The launch is very low key with few people outside Panasonic involved

If it’s the latter then it’ll be hard for them to make a splash because camera marketing these days is all about getting social media influencers to push out their YT videos etc, so I find that hard to believe. I also find it hard to believe that they’ve nailed down the leaks. Human nature and gossip is hard to defeat. And if you’ve got hundreds turning up for some event in Kyoto or something then it’s pretty hard to hide it.

So, I’m tending to think it’ll be a “nothing to see here” day next Tuesday.

 

[dirk]

Good points.

But maybe Panasonic is going a different strategy after the experience with the Lumix S9 event.

What if they decided to make a more silent launch. No event in Osaka etc., only a few reviewers or ambassadors get the cameras beforehand and all the rest after the announcement?

 

[xaviergut]

Maybe it is a minor announcement:

- the 18-40mm Lens that was announced in the event of the S9, 6 months ago!!
- the update of the original S5 with just a new OLED screen, and with a new name : S5D. They did the same with the G100D.
- the firmware update of the S5II / S5IIx: hybrid zoom, Leica monochrome profile, mp4 lite codec, etc.
- and maybe a new telephoto Lens?

 

[pdk42]

Maybe it is a minor announcement:

- the 18-40mm Lens that was announced in the event of the S9, 6 months ago!!
- the update of the original S5 with just a new OLED screen, and with a new name : S5D. They did the same with the G100D.
- the firmware update of the S5II / S5IIx: hybrid zoom, Leica monochrome profile, mp4 lite codec, etc.
- and maybe a new telephoto Lens?

Yeah, that sounds more plausible. A new S1 (of any form) would have to be a major, major splash if they want to challenge the Z8/Z9 etc. If that were going to happen in two days, I find it hard to believe there wouldn't be some leaks happening. In some ways, a few leaks is good since it builds anticipation and awareness.

 

[dirk]

and maybe a new telephoto Lens?

please a small and light 70-200.....

 

[Nevyn72]

Maybe it is a minor announcement:

- the 18-40mm Lens that was announced in the event of the S9, 6 months ago!!
- the update of the original S5 with just a new OLED screen, and with a new name : S5D. They did the same with the G100D.
- the firmware update of the S5II / S5IIx: hybrid zoom, Leica monochrome profile, mp4 lite codec, etc.
- and maybe a new telephoto Lens?

This what I find very plausible.

I'm waiting mostly for the firmware update, so I would be very happy just with this 'minor' announcement , but we just will see.

 

[dirk]

In some ways, a few leaks is good since it builds anticipation and awareness.

The rumor site is one of those leaks, isn't it?

 

[pdk42]

The rumor site is one of those leaks, isn't it?

Yeah, but the rumours are all over the place which tells me that there is no real camera out there that people are using to build the rumours on.

 

[Pete_W]

Good points.

But maybe Panasonic is going a different strategy after the experience with the Lumix S9 event.

What if they decided to make a more silent launch. No event in Osaka etc., only a few reviewers or ambassadors get the cameras beforehand and all the rest after the announcement?

From memory the GH7 announcement was lower key than the S9 announcement. The GH7 was launched at the Cine Gear show in the USA and I don't recall that much info had been leaked ahead of time. As you say, maybe the S9 event has made them re-think their approach.

 

[Quentinquirelino]

Well, two days to go and almost no rumours out there with any degree of credibility. When the S5ii was launched, there were leaks weeks ahead of the announcement that turned out to be mostly true. Launch events these days normally involve wide “influencer” engagement in order that the launch coincides with an avalanche of YT videos from the usual names. It’s really hard to keep the lid on things once you involve a lot of people, even with a strict embargo. So, either:
...

I think you're memory stretched out the time frame between first leaks about the S5II and the announcement. The rumors about the S5II started around Christmas 2022 and the announcement was an January 4th 2023. That's not even two weeks. For the GH7 everything was even closer. The information that there will be something announced was on May 30th. The information that it probably will be the GH7 was on June 3rd. And the announcement was on June 5th.