Expectations and Speculations of PMA 2010

PMA 2010 approaches; one of the major photography-related shows in the USA – and with branches worldwide – it annually brings lots of speculation. The event is being held at Anaheim, California from February 21-23.

Canon: 1Ds Mark IV, 60D and maybe three new lenses as a possibility; though there is a chance of a Rebel. Canon will be having announcements on February 9th, so we assume that’s when Canon will bring out its best.

Nikon: because we have not had an in-depth summary for Nikon, unlike the Feb 9 announcements in Canon, this may be somewhat longer. To see other brands, please look below these paragraphs.

– On the 20th, Mr. Tetsuro Goto, the Director of Laboratory Research and Development at Nikon Japan, did an interview with a French magazine. Here at some points:

• No medium format from Nikon: “We have no experience in the niche market of medium-format. It may simply be impossible for Nikon to go on the market.”

• On Micro 4/3 & Nikon: “If we follow this type of equipment, we change our frame (mount). The new frame will provide new opportunities or provide access to new technologies and to use targets smaller and lighter”.

• Large sensor compact camera: “We study this way. You’ll know soon enough.”

• On EVF: “In the near future, it is possible that we will also use electronic viewfinders, but for now the quality is not there yet.”

• On SWM (Silent Wave Motor): “We are currently investigating a new system for the future.”

A picture of a D700x (shown below, image NR):

A translation reads:

Nikon D700X
Price  350000 yen  (around?)
Special Feature: Fitted with the 24MP CMOS sensor that is the same (level?) as the D3X
The super high quality 24 million pixel CMOS sensor fitted in D3X

Another DSLR possibility is the D900. Previously, models listed as ‘compatible’ under different products have mentioned a D900 (Nikon Rumors has reported these, but Camera Tech has not mentioned these due to improbability). However, yet another one, from the back of a Phottix Titan battery case, it has mentioned the D900. Potentially, it could be real, although on their website there is no mention of this compatibility.

For a list of  previously reported products for Nikon D900 click here, here, and here (will link to Nikon Rumors).

Another translation from the same foreign source that linked the D700x:

AFS Nikkor 18-50 mm f3.5-4.5G
Reasonably-priced, high-quality FX standard zoom

as well as some discussion on a potential AF-S 85mm F1.8G and AF-S VR 80-400mm f3.5-5.6G.

In addition to the D700x, lies talk of D95 as well.

Every rumor is taken from just one of these predictions by three distinguished professional photographers you see on the lower left side of the page in the link Mr. Fool provided. On the upper right side, it reads “New Full frame camera will be the axis of Nikon’s new model in 2010″. They predict that D700X will be using the same cropped sensor as D3X and the price will be about 350k yen ($4000 US). They also predict that 14.2 mega pixel APS-C sensor ( the same one currently used on Sony A550) will be the new standard for Nikon’s APS-C camera, and the replacement of D90 (which they call D95) will adapt that sensor. According to them, it will have Full HD video. The least credible of all is listed lenses on the right page.  The source simply states “we want attractive lenses to fully experience new high-megapixel full frame camera”. So lens part is more like a hope than a prediction.

The above was a quote from a Japanese camera magazine, CAPA.

Panasonic: two compact (ie, point-and-shoot) cameras and a Lumix G replacement.

Olympus: several compact cameras.

Pentax: three new compact cameras, which should bring some variety in design.

Sony: a series of compact cameras and an a700 replacement.

Ricoh: new CX2 camera and a new 28-300mm GXR lens.

Samsung: a new k-mount for the Samsung NX-10 is expected, don’t have any other information at that point.

Tamron: two lenses; however, these could be released after PMA 2010.

Hasselblad: Hasselblad might feature whatever they’re releasing for the countdown (update in the link just mentioned contains news that it will be providing a service potentially similar to Canon’s World Of EOS.

Fuji: a new Micro Four-Thirds EVIL model; potentially some digital and film cameras.

Leica: Leica is not attending PMA 2010, but they should be releasing a 35mm Summilux M lens in March. Compact cameras then also are expected.

Epson begins producing Ultimicron panels for EVFs

Epson has started mass production of its new high-temperature polysilicon, or HTPS, Ultimicron  panels.

They allow electronic viewfinders the quality and ‘fidelity’ to match and even replace optical viewfinders of DSLRs. Similar to the resolution in Panasonic’s DMC-GH1/G1’s viewfinder, it also has a colour filter, preventing breakup of colour when shooting fast objects or when panning. This development is a major breakthrough, as up to now, electronic viewfinders cannot match optical viewfinders.