Via the tireless 1001 Noisy Cameras comes news of Lets Go Digital's excellent interview with Panasonic. My read of the statements made by the Panasonic representative is that Panasonic has an LX2 placement in the works for Photokina and acknowledges the role of large sensors in the future of compact digital photography. I could have guessed both of these, but it is encouraging to hear them confirmed, even if only indirectly so.

Though most people seem to think of the Powershot G9 when they hear the term "advanced compact," I believe that companies like Panasonic, Ricoh, and now Sigma, are leading the way. The G9 is an outstanding execution of an evolving series, but Canon aren't innovating the way that these other companies are. As the market leader, I suppose there isn't much incentive for them to do so; but I can't help wondering what Canon could accomplish if they too were pushing the envelope. Meanwhile, of all the small sensor advanced compacts we are likely to see at Photokina, the Panasonic LX2 replacement has my greatest interest.