In an exclusive interview with the Chinese website IT168.com, Panasonic confirmed its plans to release an updated model (or models?) to the DMC-LX2 this autumn. The interview, in Chinese, is here. Unfortunately I do not speak Chinese, so I had to rely on the Google translation. Here is an excerpt from the translated interview:

Answer: LX2 is a very successful product (laughter), Matsushita concerned friends all know, every year, we will release two new products on time, is a spring in the March-April, mainly published consumer and household-level Cameras and camcorders, and the other is the Jiushi Yue in the autumn, before and after National Day, will release high-end cameras and camera products. LX2 has launched such a long time, the market performance is also very good, we began immediately after the launch of the new models of research and development, the current can say is that the new models have basically completed in the autumn of this year and will meet you.

The short interview also contains some discussion of sensor type considerations and Panasonic's role in the DSLR market.

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If one is in the market for a current model compact camera with RAW capability and an optical zoom lens covering wide to telephoto, there are basically two choices, the Panasonic DMC-LX2 (including the Leica version, D-LUX 3) and the Ricoh Caplio GX100. Both of these are highly capable compact cameras. Recently, we have been providing quite a bit of GX100 coverage. To see some excellent work with the D-LUX 3, check out Jim Radcliffe's D-LUX 3 page here.

When faced with the prospect of buying one versus the other, I personally went for the GX100 due to its wider wide and, arguably, rawer RAW. I also liked having a hot shoe, mainly for the prospect of attaching an external viewfinder. However, the LX/D-LUX series has several notable strengths including a native 16:9 sensor, a format which I greatly enjoyed with the LX1. Since the "28mm equivalent" is based on the diagonal angle of view (AOV), a 16:9 format also means that the horizontal AOV at 28mm equivalent is significantly wider (and the vertical AOV significantly shorter) than it would be for a camera with a 4:3 aspect ratio. For a side-by-side view of the features offered by these two cameras, look to DPReview's feature comparison here.

The GX100 and LX2 offer widely distinct feature sets yet stand together and alone in their class. With these two cameras, Ricoh and Panasonic are leading the way with regards to what can be done with an excellent wide zoom lens and user access to RAW in a compact camera. The reason for this post is that we are hearing rumors (and in some cases more than just rumors) that both the GX100 and LX2 replacements will be introduced for Photokina in September. Panasonic made a point of holding back the LX2 replacement while introducing eight new models for PMA, and the Lets Go interview (via 1001 Noisy Cameras) suggests that Panasonic knows the importance of the LX2 in their lineup. Ichiro Kitao, Product Planning Manager Panasonic Optical Group, had the following to say when asked about the advanced compact camera market, particularly in relation to the Canon G9:

I think it is a very important segment. We have a camera in the pipeline for that segment; the Panasonic LX2. It is the year of the Photokina show so you can expect a lot from us. I suppose you can compare the Lumix LX2 to Canon's G9 camera. Not only the enhanced amateur is using this camera; we know that there are professionals too that use the Panasonic LX2 as an extra camera and for personal use. The concept of the Lumix LX2 is different than that of the PowerShot G9. We try to aim more at the emotional aspect of a compact camera. However; the possibilities of both cameras are quite alike.

Some have speculated that all we'll see is a couple of 12MP sensors thrown into the same old bodies, but I am more optimistic than that. Ricoh and Panasonic each have strong recent records of innovation. Invigorated by the introduction of the Sigma DP1 in the high end compact space, I believe both companies will come ready to battle for the advanced compact segment at Photokina this year. If Sigma brings out a DP series camera featuring a zoom lens, things will be even more interesting. What do you want to see in these upcoming serious compacts? Let us know in the thread over in the SeriousCompacts.com discussion forum on Flickr.

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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.

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