The silver finish LX3 has been discounted to $400 for pre-orders. Check out 1001 Noisy Cameras for the details on this deal and a round-up of LX3 reviews to date.

8/31/08 Update: The more popular black finish has now been discounted as well. Once again, 1001 Noisy Cameras has the scoop (link).

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Samsung has today revealed the development of a new interchangeable lens "hybrid" digital camera system for the Spring of 2010. According to an article in Amateur Photographer, the first model in the yet to be named system will utilize Samsung's 14 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor and feature a new lens mount.

Samsung Executive Vice President Byung Woo Lee explained, "Many people find DSLR cameras too heavy and big to carry, so Samsung will introduce a new hybrid system that will be small and light like a bridge type camera, but with interchangeable Samsung-made lenses."

The announcement comes just a few weeks after that of the Micro Four Thirds standard. Like Micro Four Thirds, the Samsung system will lack a mirror for direct viewing through the lens, allowing for a shorter flange back distance and thus smaller lenses than seen with current DSLRs. Samsung has revealed that the system will utilize rear panel LCDs in addition to EVFs for framing.

The major apparent difference between Samsung's system and Micro Four Thirds lies in format size and aspect ratio. The relative sensor sizes of the two systems are depicted below, along with that of a Canon G9 and Sigma DP1.



As you can see, both the Samsung "hybrid" system and Micro Four Thirds will have significantly larger sensors than conventional compact cameras. Presumably the Micro Four Thirds system, with its smaller sensor size and more efficient use of the imaging circle, has the potential to be more compact than the Samsung system. The Samsung, meanwhile, is likely to offer better high ISO performance.

If Olympus and Panasonic release a Micro Four Thirds product soon, they have the potential to reach get a comfortable lead in this new segment of the camera market. There is also plenty of time for a competitor such as Nikon to release an APS-C competitor prior to Spring 2010.

[Via Imaging Insider]

Read the full story at AmateurPhotographer.co.uk

Full coverage at 1001 Noisy Cameras
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Featured Comment by Bruce Mcl:

I have a minor gripe about your chart. The micro 4/3rds spec is not limited to a 4:3 aspect ratio. Quoting from the white paper:

(4) To facilitate the addition of movie capability in the future by providing compatibility with image aspect ratios from 4:3 to 16:9 within the diagonal length of the effective pixel area of the Four Thirds Specification.

White paper is here: http://www.four-thirds.org/en/microft/whitepaper.html

Note the words "diagonal length." I believe this means that micro 4/3 area of your chart could be longer and not as high and still be correct. You could use a 3:2 or 16:9 shaped area, as long as the diagonal was the same length as in the 4:3 area you show. The chart would still make the same points but people might learn something from seeing three slightly different areas for micro 4:3.

To me this sounds like Panasonic's input to the spec. They do this on the new LX3 camera. Each aspect ratio has the same diagonal length, so you get true 24mm at 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9. The first camera I know of with this feature was the Panasonic TZ3. That is one reason I own one.

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Bruce, thanks for pointing that out and for the link to the white paper. I didn't know about that part of the specification for Micro Four Thirds.

Here's a revised version of the relative sensor size figure, with the possible Micro Four Thirds aspect ratios each depicted in a different shade of blue and labeled:

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If you have an old, out of warranty Canon compact, Canon is quietly offering discounted refurbished current models through an upgrade program. That 2.1MP 1999 Canon S10 and $250 will get you Canon G9 along with a six month warranty!

Details are available at CheapShooter.com

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I have written an article about the folly of the megapixel race. The examples in the article are DSLRs, but the same arguments apply to compacts. Maybe even more, given the usually tiny sensors.

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Wouter Brandsma, a very talented photographer and Serious Compacts contributor has published his initial impressions of the Ricoh GX200. Wouter has extensive experience with that camera's predecessor, the GX100, and his article is full of insightful comments and, of course, excellent photos.

Read 'My initial Ricoh GX200 impressions' at Wouter Brandsma Photography

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