With everything announced for 2024, the camera rumors are the biggest signposts as to what is coming in 2025 – and it looks like some huge launches are on the way.
Month by month I've watched as successive camera rumors turned into actual products on store shelves – from flagships like the Canon EOS R1 and Sony A1 II to compacts like the Leica Q3 43 and even instant cameras like the Instax Wide 400.
While we still need to be careful about taking everything at face value, it feels like there is more fire to the smoke than ever before.
So, while I'll mix my metaphors and advise that you still take things with a healthy dose of salt, today's camera rumors are more accurate than ever. And here's the latest gossip from around the imaging industry…
Canon rumors 2024
Canon is always the subject of more camera rumors than any other manufacturer, in large part because it has been the most prolific photographic patenter for 38 consecutive years. And these patents are often the first clues we get as to what is coming in the next wave of cameras.
While the first half of the year was uncharacteristically quiet for bodies, we've now had the Canon EOS C80 and EOS C400 (the first-ever cameras with triple-base ISO), along with the EOS R1 and R5 Mark II (the first-ever bodies with in-camera neural net upscaling and denoising).
So, with a new flagship, two new cinema cameras and the most important product in its lineup both safely launched, what else can we expect from Canon?
Canon EOS R7 Mark II
More stacked sensor smoke was added to the fire recently, when reports surfaced that the Canon EOS R7 Mark II will indeed feature an image sensor with a stacked design.
However, what's new is that this signifies a "significant" shake-up for Canon's APS-C bodies – with the R7 Mark II leading the way by "going upmarket", as only Canon's very top tier cameras (the EOS R1, EOS R3 and EOS R5 Mark II) currently have stacked sensors.
I've been hearing about the R7 Mark II having a stacked sensor for quite a long time, and it certainly made sense following the rumors that Canon would put stacked sensors in at least three cameras. Since that rumor we've had the R1 and R5 Mark II, so this would mark the third.
Could the R7 Mark II even be the launchpad for Canon's triple-layer stacked sensor? I always thought that the flagship R1 would be the camera to get that, but if Canon is serious about the R7 "going upmarket" then it would make perfect sense to debut the tech in its new APS-C flagship.
Canon EOS R6 Mark III
While I still don't think that the R6 Mark II needs replacing, I've changed my tune on the Mark III rumors – because now it isn't just wishful thinking, there actually seem to be breadcrumbs to follow.
Not only that, but my biggest reservation about replacing the Mark II was that it just seemed too short a life cycle (my opinion originally being that the OG R6 was replaced so fast due to misjudged specs when it launched). However, I had the chance to chat to a senior exec who explained Canon's camera life cycle philosophy, and it feels that a two-year lifespan for the R6 may be the norm.
Anyway, I'm hearing that protoypes of the Canon EOS R6 Mark III are in the wild and being tested by trusted ambassadors and pros. Little in the way of concrete specs are out, but it's believed to have a 24MP stacked sensor very similar to that of the R3, with the 5.69 million-dot viewfinder similar to that of the R5, with 4K 120p / FullHD 240p video (with audio) and improved stabilization and autofocus. It is also said to inherit the dual CFexpress B / SD card setup of the R5 series.
Crucially, however, it will not possess any of the in-camera AI upscaling or denoising of the EOS R1 or EOS R5 Mark II – nor the new Digic Accelerator-powered autofocus systems (such as Dual Pixel Intelligent AF or Action Priority mode). That said, recent chatter suggests that it will have a mysterious new button or dial on the top – the last time I heard about something like this, it was the Film Simulation dial on the Fujifilm X-T50… though I wouldn't count on Canon doing the same!
Despite initial rumblings that it would appear in Q4 2024, it's now being whispered that we're actually looking at a Q1 2025 slot as Canon appears to be struggling with the longstanding component crisis (which is presently delaying shipments of the R5 Mark II by up to six months in Japan).
Canon gimbal camera
Going back about three and a half years, Canon designed a gimbal camera featuring an interchangeable lens mount (which was widely believed to be EF-M, but on closer inspection I think it might have been RF or RF-S).
Fast-forward to today and Canon has resurrected its plans, and designed a camera that is strikingly similar to the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 – but now featuring a fixed zoom lens instead of an interchangeable one.
This looks to be a small sensor system, and it's probably a fair guess that we're looking at the kind of 1-inch sensor featured in the Canon PowerShot V10 and G7X Mark III. If Canon can actually get the product to market this time, it could be hugely popular.
Canon RE-1
Fujifilm and Olympus have been doing it for a decade. Nikon has done it with the Nikon Zf and Z fc. And Canon could be the next manufacturer to produce a vintage-styled mirrorless camera – possibly a modern version of the iconic Canon AE-1.
I recently asked one of Canon Inc's top execs about the market's growing appetite for retro and film-style cameras. "There’s a certain amount of people who really love film and cameras with a more vintage look. Therefore there is a possiblilty that we will address those needs from the industry".
And when he was pressed further on which Canon film camera he would most like to see resurrected in digital form: "My favorite is the AE-1 – for myself, that would be my choice. But whether as a company, as the Canon brand, we would revive that in digital format or not is a different topic. So I cannot make any clear comments on that, unfortunately, but my personal preference is the AE-1."
If you need any more indication that the company is looking at retro cameras, Canon conducted a market survey asking which of its film cameras customers would like to see made digital. Some posited options were the Canon P, Canon F-1, Canonet QL17… and the Canon AE-1.
Canon 3D VR Camera
I had a chance to talk to Canon about its prototype 360° / 180° 3D VR Camera. It's clear Canon is really doubling down on virtual reality, having introduced the Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye lens a couple of years ago and with a pair of APS-C 3D / VR stereoscopic lenses on the way as well.
This new camera, which physically looks like a mashup of the Dual FIsheye and the Canon PowerShot V10, combines all the tech in one: 360° / 180° 3D VR 8K capture, along with VR live streaming.
While this wasn't something Canon said to me, I've heard that the camera has a target price of under $1,000 (about £820 / AU$1,590). This is definitely something to keep an eye (or even a Dual Fisheye) on…
Canon Powershot V1, 10 Mark II, V100
Rumors of a Canon vlogging camera swirled for years until the Canon PowerShot V10 finally dropped. And with vlogging cameras being the hottest thing in the industry right now, it looks like Canon is following Sony's lead and producing a whole range of dedicated vlogging devices.
Canon PowerShot V1
An APS-C sensor will be the primary way that this flagship model differentiates itself from the mid-range V10 with its 1-inch sensor – though it is possible that the V1 will feature some flavor of Dual Pixel AF II. It has also been suggested to us that weather sealing (with new microphones, to accommodate the disrupted audio caused by water build-up) is on the agenda.
Canon PowerShot V10 Mark II
Improved autofocus, FullHD video up to 120p, along with a better solution to windshields and other accessories (compared to the slightly haphazard region-by-region products available for the current V10) are said to be coming to the Mark II.
Canon PowerShot V100
Following the naming convention of the mirrorless EOS R line, the V100 (like the Canon EOS R100) will be the entry-level model of the PowerShot vlogging family.
Canon Posture Fit
Back in 2021 Canon introduced us to Posture Fit: a concept camera that looks like a Pixar character and sits on your desk, where it keeps an eye on how you're sitting using a wide-angle lens and skeletal mapping. When it spots you starting to slouch, it flashes and wobbles and beeps on your desk to tell you to straighten up – and it'll even remind you to get up and move around, if you've been sitting too long.
After falling off the radar ever since, recently a patent was filed in Japan describing a Posture Fit that could monitor multiple subjects in its field of view – not just the person sat at the desk in front of it. Again, it's not a photographic camera (so it can't be used for spying or surveillance) but it's a very clever lifestyle device that anyone who sits in front of a computer will surely benefit from.
Canon EOS R3 Mark II
The R3 sits in a strange position in Canon's lineup, now that the R1 is here. Once the placeholder product until an official flagship was announced, some feel that it's a lame duck given that the actual flagship outclasses it in every way.
However, many of the innovations of the R3 made their way into the R1 (and indeed the R5 Mark II). Does the R3, then, become the technology launchpad of the EOS R family? The camera that debuts the latest tech, before it is further refined for the tentpole products?
I can certainly see sense in that. The Canon EOS R3 Mark II could, for example, be where the company debuts its first global shutter sensor – testing the waters with the sensor tech (which, it should be remembered, does come with a number of compromises) before doubling down on it in the R1 Mark II. Indeed, there are rumors that Canon is ready to launch a camera with a global shutter sensor.
At the same time, though, it could equally be that there is no further need for the R3. With the original camera now being three years old, the next few months are going to be very interesting…
The Canon verdict
What we think: After six months of near-silence, Canon has now launched its two most important stills cameras and a pair of crucial cinema cameras. It seems a smart bet that the R6 Mark III could appear at the start of 2025 – and maybe even this "upmarket" new R7 Mark II.
More camera rumors: Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors • GoPro rumors
Nikon rumors 2024
The Nikon rumors have, of late, all come to fruition – which only gives further credence to the old "where there's smoke, there's fire" adage.
Longstanding reports about everything from the Nikon Z6 III to Z8, Z9 and Zf all came to pass – and now that Nikon owns Red, all eyes are on every sliver of information that might affect not just the mirrorless world but the world of cinema cameras as well.
So, with the Z lineup now comprising everything from entry-level to professional to prestige retro cameras (along with the Nikon Z fc Heralbony collabs, which might be the grooviest cameras the company has ever made), what are the latest Nikon rumors as 2024 winds down?
Nikon Coolpix P1000 II
It may be hard to believe, but this is the camera rumor I'm most excited about! But why am I so excited about a humble bridge camera? Well, I'm a huge fan of the original Nikon P1000 for one simple reason: the utterly absurd 24-3000mm focal range.
Yes, there are compromises in terms of the smaller image sensor with lower pixel count and reduced ISO sensitivity. But fact that I have an all-in-one camera with an impossible superzoom range just makes this an incredible tool.
So what can we expect from the Nikon P1000 II, or possibly the Nikon P1100? Well, if the "new" Panasonic FZ80D and FZ82D bridge cameras are anything to go by, it may be more of the same as opposed to anything revolutionary.
I would be truly astonished if Nikon can improve on that 3000mm maximum reach, but if it does then this could be the best bridge camera ever made when it arrives later this year.
Nikon Z7 III
There has been so much noise about the Nikon Z7 III that it's difficult to separate genuine information from wishful thinking. The launch of the Z6 III has forced rumors about the new Z7 to kick into overdrive, with some whispers insisting that the camera isn't coming any time soon and others insisting that it's imminent – and even positing specifications.
Having heard all the rumors, here's what I think: the original Z7 launched in 2018 and the Z7 II arrived in 2020 – and each saw the simultaneous launch of the Z6 and Z6 II respectively. Whatever we make of the fact that the Z6 III has broken this synchronous cycle, it has still been four years since the Z7 II – so it is due an update sooner than later.
Expect a traditional resolution of 45.7MP, but perhaps a partially stacked sensor a la the Z6 III. It is likely that 8K will remain the domain of the Z8 and Z9, so we're probably still looking at 4K video (or 6K at best), but the bump in image stabilization seen in other bodies is sure to appear here – so you can look forward to 8 stops of compensation.
I'm hearing conflicting stories about whether or not the sensor will be stacked – and, further, whether it will be fully or partially stacked, like the Z6 III. Again, I wonder if Nikon will shore up the product line delineation – with the Z6 III being video-focused, and the Z8 and Z9 being speed-focused – meaning that the Z7 III won't actually need a stacked sensor at all, and can focus more on being a stills and resolution specialist…
Nikon Z5 II
The original Nikon Z5 was launched back in 2020, so is very much due an update. And with Nikon's recent admission it has "underserved" first-time camera buyers, it will be interesting to see what changes it makes to its entry-level full-frame camera.
The Nikon Z5 II will likely retain the key features of its predecessor; a standard CMOS image sensor in the 24MP range and a 5-stop in-body image stabilization system (rather than a BSI sensor and the updated 8-stop IBIS, to keep costs down) and 4K 30p video.
I was always confused (if grateful) that an entry-level camera had dual card slots. While there might be raised eyebrows if Nikon downgraded the mark II by removing a slot, it would no doubt minimize the price and size – both key factors, given the competing bodies from Sony and Canon.
Nikon Zf II
I've heard some scuttlebutt about a Nikon Zf II, but honestly it feels like wishful thinking more than anything.
To me, the whole point of the Nikon Zf is that it's a premium, special camera series – so the notion of iterating it into spin-offs with incremental improvements can only devalue that specialness.
Still, if the rumblings of an upgraded version with a 33MP sensor are true, that would certainly be interesting – though, truthfully, I think Nikon would be far better served producing some complementary retro lenses for the Zf and Zf c, rather than making new versions of cameras without enough lenses to go with them.
"Yellow" Red camera
In case you haven't heard, Nikon has acquired Red – the cinema camera powerhouse that is a pretty big player in Hollywood and filmmaking in general.
What does this mean for the future – will Nikon leverage its new cinema stronghold to launch a line of Nikon cinema cameras, the way Canon and Sony do? Will it start adding the Nikon branding to Red products? Will it start releasing Red cameras with the Z mount, rather than the Canon RF mount that has just been offered?
So far there has been very little said officially. The new, Nikon-appointed, CEO has confirmed that Red will continue to produce cameras with the RF mount, and added that he would like to launch models with a Z mount in the future.
The first real, tangible crossover has materialized in the form of Red LUTs for Nikon cameras – a gentle start, for sure, but it's only a matter of time before more substantial specs start coming across.
Nikon Z90
Said to be the mirrorless equivalent of the venerable Nikon D500, this is the designated "APS-C flagship" of Nikon's Z series cameras – and is set to be a direct competitor to the Canon EOS R7.
Taking advantage of the 1.5x crop factor's amplification of focal length, the Nikon Z90 is reportedly built around a 33MP DX sensor capable of oversampled 4K 60p video (as well as FullHD at either 120p or 180p) and 15fps burst shooting.
Other supposed specs include 6 stops of in-body image stabilization, a 3.2-inch tilt-only touchscreen, and a hybrid memory card combo with one CFexpress B and one SD slot.
This is a camera that Nikon desperately needs in its lineup, so I would expect this – or something similar to it – to come to market sooner than later. That said, recently this rumor has started doing the rounds…
Nikon Z80
If you believe that the Z90 might be a real thing, does that make you more or less inclined to believe that the Nikon Z80 might also be on the cards? Either way, I've heard what feel like highly sketchy rumors about a Z80 – which would, purportedly, replace a potential Nikon Z50 II.
This camera would supposedly have more in common with the new Nikon Z6 III and Zf, potentially suggesting a more conventional APS-C resolution of 24MP. Could we also get a similar partially stacked image sensor?
What little information is currently swirling about this camera feels pretty dubious, but hey – Nikon certainly needs to do something with its APS-C line of Z cameras, so all bets are off.
Nikon Z4
Take plenty of salt with this long-in-the-tooth scuttlebutt, as advised by Nikon Rumors. The site reports that this is an EVF-free camera along the lines of the Sony A7C – "think Z50 but with an FX-format sensor". It is said to be smaller (63 x 129 x 96mm) and lighter (565g) than the Nikon Z5, and may even be an "iCamera" with all-new interface and potentially apps. However, as Nikon's recent re-strategizing has seen the company move away from entry-level mirrorless, this one might be a relic of past concepts.
Nikon 1000fps 4K camera
Frames per second hadn't been Nikon's forte up until the release of the Z9, but the change looks set to continue with the advent of an astonishing new 4K sensor that can capture up to 1000fps – all while delivering what Nikon calls "the world's highest levels of sensor performance".
"This new stacked CMOS image sensor uses a fine-pitch wafer level wire connection technology consistent with the 2.7 um pixel size," Nikon told us. "Also, it has a total pixel count of approximately 17.8 megapixels that realizes 4K × 4K high-resolution imaging of 1,000 frames per second and 110-dB high dynamic range (HDR) characteristics. This is one of the widest dynamic ranges in the industry."
The caveats are that this is a one-inch sensor, and is likely to be intended for industry rather than consumer use. However, with Nikon working on such bleeding-edge technology, it could open some very interesting doors for its consumer cameras going forward.
The Nikon verdict
What we think: Nikon has struck gold with the Z8 and Z9 pro cameras, and the Zf and Zfc retro cameras. Does the Z50 II pave the way for an updated Z fc? Personally, I think Nikon will focus on more special editions and color options of the original camera for now. The next big release feels like the Z7 III, which will hopefully be as big an update as the Z6 III was.
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors • GoPro rumors
Fujifilm rumors 2024
The Fujifilm rumors are as reliable as a Japanese train at this point, with plenty of water cooler talk proving to be prescient.
As was extensively rumored, the Fujifilm X100VI was launched just before CP+ 2024 while the Instax Mini 99 was launched days before The Photography & Video Show 2024 – and they're both already proving some of the most successful launches of the year.
With rumors that Fujifilm will unleash even more cameras this year, what else is on the way from the creative powerhouse?
No Fujifilm film camera
Despite film cameras experiencing a renaissance so great that many of the iconic brands – from Pentax to Rollei to Kodak – are all back in the game, Fujifilm has no plans to launch a new film camera of its own.
"For now, I don't think a new film camera is on the agenda," Franck Bernard, director of Fujifilm France's photo division, told Phototrend. He went on to suggest that the current boom may not quite be what everyone thinks.
"I would, however, qualify the idea of a 'return to film'. As a film manufacturer, we have access to market data and know whether this is really a large-scale phenomenon. It is true that there is a real craze for film, particularly among young people, who are looking to understand and learn.
"However, we also see its limits. We know exactly what we are offering: disposable cameras, films… There is indeed a return to film, but its importance should be put into perspective."
So, there you have it: a company that used to make film cameras, and still makes film, will not be making a new film camera.
No more entry level cameras (X-Txxx and X-Ex)?
There is conflicting chatter on the future of Fujifilm's entry-level cameras – mainly because there is conflicting ideology within the industry as a whole on the future of entry-level cameras. While Canon still makes affordable cameras for beginners, Nikon and the rest of the big players have seemingly abandoned this sector.
So what, then, of successors to the Fujifilm X-T200 and Fujifilm X-E4? It depends who you listen to.
Japanese execs told DP Review that "We haven’t lost focus on any of our existing range, so we’re always thinking about what will be next for us," when asked about the X-E series. However, a French exec told Phototrend that, "If we have decided to stop entry-level products such as X-T200 or X-E4, it is because it is not promising as a market."
Reading between the lines, it does feel as if these lines' days may be numbered. (It has long been rumored that these two camera lines had been outsourced to manufacturer Xacti, and weren't produced by Fujifilm anyway.)
That said, the company has just resurrected the entry-level Fujifilm X-M5 after 11 years – so perhaps attitudes are shifting. Or Fujifilm is just looking to capitalize on the current trend for compact-sized cameras…
Fujifilm X-Pro4
With no sign of the Fujifilm X-Pro4 on the horizon, and rumors that the manufacturer has stopped production of the Fujifilm X-Pro3, could this be the end of the line for the beloved rangefinder series?
Fujifilm wanted the X-Pro3 to be a camera that made you “rely more on your instincts” so, in a bold move, it removed the standard rear screen for a 'hidden' one that you had to flip out. Needless to say, not everyone loved this change. And although there has been no official announcement from Fujifilm, the X-Pro3 has been listed as discontinued by a number of retailers. And with the X-T5 and X-H2 being such phenomenal cameras, is there still demand for the quirky X-Pro line?
It's always been a prestige camera for the brand, given its position as the first interchangeable lens member of the X Series family. So the daddy of the X Series is highly symbolic – and I don't think we've seen the last of it, even if it becomes an even more niche product.
The Fujifilm verdict
Fujifilm has now successfully updated all four pillars of its imaging business: the GFX, X Series, X100 and Instax lines. Without an entire product line needing an upgrade, the only glaring holes I see are the MIA successors to the X-Pro3 and X-E4…
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors • GoPro rumors
Sony rumors 2024
The Sony rumors are flying thick and fast. Even though the launch of the Sony A9 III and now Sony A1 II have squashed some of the most recent chatter, it has ignited all new rumors in other departments!
There's also a lot of movement in the world of vlogging cameras, too, which is increasingly becoming the noisiest area of the industry. And with the company doubling down on this category, the Sony rumors are super strong when it comes to content creation…
Sony A7 V
While little is known about the successor to 2021's Sony A7 IV, having missed its planned 2024 release, it is expected to launch in Q1 2025 – and indeed, Sony has recently registered a new body with certification authorities that is widely believed to be the A7 V.
I've also heard a lot of unsubstantiated talk that we're getting a resolution bump that would rival the 45MP of the Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z8 – but, crucially, wouldn't be enough tocross the streams with the 50MP Sony A1 or 61MP Sony A7R V. It's been suggested recently that the camera will use Sony's new 44MP sensor, and there is persistent chatter that big addition will be AI-driven features.
Personally I can't see the A7 V jumping into 50MP territory, as that's not what the A7 series is all about. I think it's much more important for Sony to address the core functionality of the camera – such as improving the meager 10fps burst speed to bring it more in line with competitors, and hopefully getting rid of the crop in 4K 60p.
A slew of AI features – perhaps similar in tone to the upscaling we saw in the Canon EOS R1 and R5 Mark II and – would certainly be much more interesting to me than a resolution bump. And with AI being all the rage right now, Sony could do worse than market an "AI camera".
Sony A7S IV
The Sony A7S III was launched back in October 2020, meaning that the video-centric Alpha camera is long overdue a refresh (though arguably it's already had at least three, in the guide of the Sony FX3, Sony FX6 and Sony ZV-E1, all of which have the same sensor and all but the latter have much the same features).
Good thing, then, that the long-awaited successor is currently rumored to release in 2024 – apparently later in the year, which would seem to sync nicely with the October launch of its predecessor.
Some extremely salt-worthy rumors have been whispered, including the omission of 8K (which would be unusual for Sony's video flagship) and the debut of a new dual-layer sensor. While there were initially some suggestions of a global shutter sensor, I've heard it suggested recently that the A7S IV could actually feature the same new partially stacked image sensor seen in the Nikon Z6 III.
This clever 24.5MP sensor is capable of internal full-frame 6K 60p RAW, full-frame 1080p 240p and APS-C 4K 120p. This would seem to make more sense than the previously rumored 40MP sensor, since keeping the resolution low would keep the low light and dynamic range performance high.
Sony FX3 II (instead of an A7S IV?)
It's long been rumored that another FX camera is on the way, and the current chat is that it's going to be the FX3 II. However, what's really interesting is the suggestion that we might actually get an FX3 II instead of an A7S IV rather than in addition to it.
Whether both cameras make it to market or not, it's very plausible that they share the same architecture – given that the FX3 and FX6 were in many ways rebodied A7S IIIs. Whether Sony decides to keep the A7S series alive or merge it with the content-come-cinema halfway house of the FX3 line will be very interesting.
Rumors from China suggest that the camera will have a 12MP global shutter sensor, which seems more than a little outlandish to me. When it comes to camera rumors, Chinese whispers are about as reliable as the stereotype – but given that Sony has thrown its weight behind global shutter tech, it's not out of the question.
Personally, the rumor that the A7S IV would feature the new partially stacked sensor seen in the Nikon Z6 III would make just as much sense for the new FX camera – and is where I would personally put my money.
Sony A6200
Originally expected to arrive in the summer, the Sony A6200 is said to possess the same excellent 26MP image sensor as the Sony A6700 – which has also been used in the ZV-E10 II.
My question is, does Sony – or the consumer, for that matter – really want or need both cameras, especially with the ZV camera as a third option?
New Sony RX1
If you've been waiting for an affordable alternative to the Leica Q3, you might be in luck. Sony Rumors has speculated that we could see Sony resurrect its full-frame compact camera line, with a new RX1 – which would be the first since 2016's RX1R II.
Compact cameras have been seeing a resurgence of late, thanks to the likes of the Q3 and Fujifilm X100V, so it would be interesting to see what Sony brings to the party.
The Sony verdict
What we think: This looks to be a video-centric year in the form of new A7S, FX and ZV cameras, but could Sony also resurrect its full-frame compact to cash in on the current X100VI / Q3 / GR III craze?
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors • GoPro rumors
Olympus rumors 2024 (OM System)
Technically "Olympus rumors" are "OM System rumors", but old habits die hard!
We've had two years to get used to the new name, and the last ever camera to bear the Olympus logo (the OM System OM-1) has now been replaced (by the OM System OM-1 Mark II).
After launching its new flagship in the first half of the year, rumor is that OM will be dropping another new camera in the second half – and I'm intrigued as to what it will be. My fingers are crossed for a new (and long overdue) member of the PEN family, but equally we could be looking at another SLR-style camera.
So, what does the rest of 2024 hold for one of the most storied legacies in the photographic industry? Let's see what's in the pipeline…
OM System Retro Camera
There's currently a lot of chatter online about a new OM System retro camera that's due to launch early next year – but it's apparently not a PEN-F successor.
Which is fascinating. Obviously the OM-5 and E-M10 Mark IV are both already retro cameras – so could we be looking at a successor to either of those? Neither would surprise me.
However, I wonder if we're actually looking at more of a special edition of an existing product. In 2015 we had a Titanium version of the E-M5 Mark II, bearing the same colors as the Olympus OM-3T/Ti. In 2014 there were Limited Editions of the original E-M10, one with green leather and the other with orange.
And twice (most recently in 2019, to celebrate Olympus' 100th anniversary) we've had special silver versions of the E-M1. And I think this one might be the most likely, so it wouldn't at all surprise me to see a silver OM-1 Mark II on its way.
Of course, there's another candidate for a non-PEN retro camera…
OM System Trip 35
I've no idea where this rumor started, but it certainly jibes with the wishlists of people I've spoken to at OM over the years. Following the cult-like popularity of the digital Olympus PEN-F, Oly employees often said that they hoped the beloved Olympus Trip 35 would follow suit.
Well, mention of a mirrorless revival in the form of an OM Trip 35 has recently hit the web. And this certainly makes a lot of sense, given the rampant popularity of compact cameras recently, as the original Trip was one of the most popular compacts ever made.
If OM were to release a modern version, with an equivalent of the fixed 40mm f/2.8 lens (which would be a 20mm lens, assuming that OM sticks to its Micro Four Thirds pedigree), this could be one of the biggest cameras of the year.
OM System OM-10
The OM System OM-10 seemed to be the next most obvious camera to be announced. After the transmogrification of the OM-D EM-1 and E-M5 to the OM System OM-1 and OM-5, it felt like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV was next in line to be reborn.
Except, it hasn't happened. And perhaps it never will. The E-M5 was the original OM-D, and a truly pioneering mirrorless camera, when it launched in 2012. It was followed by the first E-M1 in 2013 as a professional model, then the OG E-M10 in 2014 as the entry-level member of the family.
As the generations progressed, however, the product line became increasingly incestuous, with the different models leapfrogging each other in terms of the features they offered – leading to a slightly muddy product lineup where the E-M10 felt like the odd man out.
It feels like there may not be a demand for an OM-10 in the current market, with a much cleaner delineation now existing between the OM-1 as the flagship and the OM-5 as the enthusiast model.
Of course, now that everybody knows Taylor Swift uses an E-M10, perhaps that's reason enough to launch an OM-10!
OM System PEN
Speaking of things that haven't happened yet, despite widespread expectation (and confirmation) that they would, we come to the PEN line of cameras. Under the Olympus regime, there were two tiers of interchangeable mirrorless cameras: the OM-D series of SLR-styled performance cameras (with an EVF), and the PEN series of rangefinder-style, fashion-first cameras (typically without an EVF).
While the OM-D series (now the OM range) was aimed at a core photography crowd, the PEN cameras were geared towards creators, street shooters and entry-level users… with the exception of the powerhouse Olympus PEN-F, which was a prestige camera and has become a cult classic. PEN cameras were (and, in fact, remain) blockbuster sellers in Japan, but never found much success in the US. Indeed, the most recent camera – the brilliant Olympus PEN E-P7 – wasn't even released in the States.
In any case, OM Digital Solutions confirmed that the PEN line would continue after it purchased the camera business from Olympus – but that was years ago, now, and we haven't seen a peep of a new PEN. The company has teased interest in a PEN-F successor in various interviews, and even briefings with the press, but nothing official has been said… until now.
"In Japan and Asia we continue to sell PEN E-P7," OM executive Kazuhiro Togashi told DP Review. "The E-P7 is small, with compact bright lenses, making it highly advantageous for travel photography. Therefore, we’ll reinforce such products in our lineup in the future." Which gives a glimmer of hope that we might get a new PEN.
However, given OM System's overt rebranding as an outdoor and adventure camera company, a new PEN doesn't seem to make sense. OM is courting landscape and wildlife shooters, not street photographers or the influencer crowd – despite PEN cameras being such an obvious alternative to the Fujifilm X100VI.
Togashi did note that "our definition of outdoor use extends beyond just the adventurous; it encompasses outdoor activities in everyday life as well," adding that "we’d like to try to expand the scope of people enjoying cameras for travels or for everyday use to capture scenery."
In short… who the hell knows what's happening. But I'm way more interested in a new PEN than I am anything else!
OM System OM-1X
Rumors arose late last year that OM Digital was working on a new powerhouse camera for 2024, but I don't think that was in reference to the OM-1 Mark II. When it comes to powerhouses, though, the only other camera that fits the bill would be an OM System OM-1X. And, sure enough, I've just heard fresh rumors that a new "X" is indeed on the way.
This would be the spiritual successor to the Olympus OM-D E-M1X, which was the company's co-flagship camera for a time (sitting alongside the E-M1 Mark II). It had a much chunkier body, with a pro-DSLR form factor body and integrated vertical grip, as well as twin processors to power the then-new features like Deep Learning AF and software-driven ND filters.
It never felt like the original E-M1X found an audience, as obviously a double decker DSLR-sized camera goes against the principles of Micro Four Thirds. But, as an all-guns-blazing option for pros who use big lenses, long battery life and as much firepower as possible, it does make sense.
I just hope it comes with a new sensor and ideally more megapixels (as Panasonic managed with the G9 II)…
The OM System verdict
While the original OM-1 was a huge hit with reviewers and consumers alike, since then the OM-5, Tough TG-7 and most recently the OM-1 Mark II have been criticized for being too iterative. Customers are questioning how much the company is willing or able to push the envelope – now it's up to OM to provide an answer.
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors • GoPro rumors
Panasonic rumors 2024
The Panasonic rumors are still swirling, with the manufacturer having plenty to whisper about when it comes to both full-frame mirrorless cameras and Micro Four Thirds cameras.
It's been super busy of late, launching the Lumix S9 compact full-frame camera and the Lumix GH7 flagship MFT video camera – confirming its commitment to the smaller sensor format.
So, what else can we expect this year from the first manufacturer to make a mirrorless camera certified by Netflix? Here are the latest Panasonic rumors…
Panasonic Lumix S1R II
Rumors persist that the Panasonic Lumix S1R II is going to be a largely rebodied Leica SL3 – with a fascinating report claiming that, unlike the past (where Panasonic released its camera first, before Leica launched a rebranded version), Leica got timed exclusivity on the technology this time.
In case you were unaware, 2021's Leica SL2 and 2019's Panasonic S1R were essentially the same camera. Leica has a history of rebadging Panasonic cameras, such as the Leica V-Lux 5 (a Panasonic FZ1000 with a red dot on the front) and Leica D-Lux 7 / 8 (a Panasonic LX100 II in a new body).
If these reports are true, the Lumix S1R II is going to be a 60MP camera, potentially with triple-resolution for stills (30MP and 18MP), along with 8K 30p video. Though I do expect Panasonic to inject the camera with its own proprietary features, namely its superior Phase Hybrid AF system.
Panasonic Lumix LX200
You might have heard that Leica has just released the D-Lux 8 compact camera. And if you know your Leica history, you'll know that D-Lux cameras have been rebodied versions of Lumix compacts; the D-Lux 7 was an LX100 II, the D-Lux 109 was an LX100, the D-Lux 6 was an LX7…
In short, Leica copies / upcycles / reimagines Lumix compacts to make its D-Lux cameras. This year, though, there is no new Lumix compact to do that with. So what's going on?
Well, much as the Leica SL3 was the first time that a Leica SL came out before the Lumix equivalent, it could be that the D-Lux 8 comes out ahead of Panasonic's version later this year.
Panasonic Lumix G100 II
While the Panasonic G100D launched late last year, it's a very minor update with a new EVF and USB-C port. However, it's been reported that a full Panasonic G100 II is on the way.
It will apparently possess phase detect autofocus – something that was sorely, sorely missing on the original, which was marketed as a vlogging camera but often struggled to keep vloggers in focus. It will also feature the same 25.1MP image sensor as the Panasonic Lumix G9 II and boast 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit video, but keep the same single memory card setup.
Panasonic Lumix S1 II & S1 IIX
The flagship Panasonic Lumix S1 has been discontinued, and it's also five years old, which means that a successor is almost certainly on the way. And some wild specs have surfaced suggesting that we might actually get two successors, following the template set by the hugely successful S5 II and S5 IIX.
We could be looking at a 34MP stacked CMOS sensor in a smaller, weather-sealed, magnesium-constructed body with an active cooling system and built-in ND filters, and video that offers both 6K and 4K uncropped at 120fps.
Panasonic Lumix S1H II
There are whispers afoot that a successor to the Panasonic Lumix S1H, the company's full-frame video specialist, is on the way. Most recently, rumors are circulating on Chinese social media that an S1H II would follow the launch of the S9 and GH7 – and that it is expected to arrive by the end of the year.
It has previously been suggested that the camera could have a 50MP sensor, along with a much-needed bump to CFexpress for at least one of its dual memory card slots.
However, while 50MP is enough resolution for 8K video, don't get your hopes up for 8K support; as outlined below, Panasonic doesn't believe there is sufficient demand for 8K yet. Instead, the S1H will focus on oversampled 6K and 4K.
An interesting development is that Panasonic has patented a camera with built-in ND filters – something usually reserved for cinema cameras (or, bizarrely, the Ricoh GR III). That would be a killer feature in the S1H II, and would make a huge amount of sense.
Either way, expect it to inherit some of the video features seen in the GH7 – along, no doubt, with the Lumix LUTs that seem to be Panasonic's big popularity play.
Panasonic Lumix S5R
Recently there has been mention of an entirely new camera: the Panasonic S5R. This is an interesting one, as it would mark a divergence from manufacturer's previous product segmentation: the flagship Panasonic S1 (recently discontinued), the resolution-focused Panasonic S1R, the video-focused Panasonic S1H and the enthusiast-level Panasonic S5.
Of course, when the Panasonic S5 II became the company's first camera to feature phase detect autofocus, it threw the wider product line into disarray – to the point where the S5 series may not be the primary point of interest.
Indeed, the Panasonic S5 IIX is so video-savvy that many question the need for the S1H II. And now, with chatter of a resolution-oriented S5R, it feels as if the market is demanding the S5 as its champion and leading Panasonic in a different direction.
Panasonic Lumix S1X
If you think the S5R rumor seems like a stretch, then you're going to love the reports of a Panasonic S1X. It feels super sketchy to us; at least there is some merit to the thought process of Panasonic expanding the newly successful S5 product line, but to introduce another new one? Not impossible, just implausible.
Much like the whispered specs, as shared by L-Rumors, which include the likes of a 49MP BSI sensor, 8.5K 48p video, 60fps bursts, 17 stops of dynamic range and omnidirectional phase detect autofocus. More salt, please, waiter…
The Panasonic verdict
It may feel like hyperbole, but now that Panasonic has embraced phase detect autofocus it really is in the hunt (pun intended). The Micro Four Thirds product line feels increasingly sidelined in favor of the full frame bodies, with the Lumix S1R II set to continue the trend when it appears in the second half of the year (likely looking very Leica-like).
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors • GoPro rumors
Sigma rumors 2024
After delivering the full-frame mirrorless Sigma fp, a highly conceptual modular camera featuring a 24.6MP Bayer sensor that literally fits in your pocket (without a lens, obviously) Sigma announced at CP+ 2019 that it would release a 61MP camera using its own proprietary Foveon sensor (an interesting choice, in our book, as we've never been sold on what the tech delivers).
After confirming that the camera would release in 2020, those plans were derailed when Sigma scrapped all its work on the Foveon sensor and started over completely from scratch. And it seems that those plans are little closer to fruition, with Sigma confirming that it has terminated its relationship with its previous sensor partner and will now be handling development in-house.
It did, however, release a 61MP camera with a conventional image sensor in the form of the Sigma fp L in 2021. So can we expect anything new in the way of camera bodies this year?
New Sigma fp
The Sigma fp and fp L have experienced sharp, surprising growth this year, with a survey (albeit a small, informal one) by the manufacturer suggesting that 43% of current owners bought their cameras in the past 12 months.
After the initial interest peaked when they launched, interest in the cameras was so low that production stopped. However, with the upswing in popularity, CEO Kazuto Yamaki said in June that "we want to continue to pursue [the fp] in the future," noting that "we want to evolve it".
While Sigma held a big "fp Day" event on October 25 to celebrate the fp's fifth birthday, there was no news or indication of a new camera. The fp continues to sell in Japan, and particularly in China, but does not have much of a foothold in the West, so Sigma's next move will be an interesting one…
No Foveon camera any time soon
Another year, another Foveon delay – or rather, the same Foveon impasse. There's a reason that Sigma hasn't announced any updates since 2022: there haven't been any, because the project is largely stuck.
The company has stalled at stage two of sensor development (prototyping a smaller sensor) due in large part to the manufacturing process – and the biggest part of that is actually finding a manufacturing partner, having ended its relationship with the company that had previously produced Foveon sensors dating back to 2016.
"Back in 2016, we made a contract with a new manufacturing partner, which [is] based in America, and we developed the new sensor," Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki told PetaPixel.
"But in the middle of development we found some fundamental issues in pixel architecture and also [the] manufacturing method that we were studying. That’s why we stopped the project and transferred the development [to Japan].
Yamaki noted that COVID and the long-running silicon shortage caused problems with development, but ultimately Sigma needs a manufacturing partner to proceed.
"We make most of the parts – almost all parts required for camera and lenses – but we cannot make the sensor, so we need to find the right manufacturing partner. And we have not found it."
Despite the project being in gestation for so long, a finished product is still a long way off. "At least a few years, minimum," Yamaki stated. "Please know that our engineers are still working hard to make it happen… But right now, I personally cannot guarantee to go to mass production at this moment, but the engineers are still working hard."
Full frame Foveon sensor timeline
Sigma first promised an L-mount Foveon full-frame camera at Photokina 2018, during the birth of the L-mount Alliance. In 2019 it announced that it would launch this 61MP camera in 2020.
However, the camera – and perhaps the future of Foveon sensor technology in general – was dealt a massive blow in 2020. "As a result of careful and rigorous testing based on the latest development information, it has become clear that the launch of such a camera would be infeasible within this year," said CEO Kazuto Yamaki.
In 2021 Sigma clarified the extent to which its plans had been abandoned – revealing that it had terminated its relationship with its sensor manufacturing partner.
"In February 2020 we announced our decision to restart the full-frame X3 sensor technology," said Yamaki. "Due to a critical flaw we judged that we couldn’t go into mass product, and scrapped all the schematics and all the tooling for it. And then we restarted the project from the beginning.
"This restart of the project included the revision of the image sensor specification that we had worked on, which was Foveon X3 1:1:1 technology – 20MP x3. Also we have terminated the contract with the sensor manufacturer with whom we had been collaborating."
Yamaki further confirmed that, while development of the sensor continues, specifications are not yet finalized – and that development had not yet extended to the camera system itself.
"At present, we are fully engaged in the research and development of the full-frame X3 sensor technology led by our head office. We are also reviewing the sensor’s specifications that meet the expectations of customers today. Although we have not proceeded to the development of a camera system, we will do our utmost effort to create a camera in which we have full confidence."
Another update from Yamaki came at CP+ 2022.
"Based on the evaluation results of the prototype sensor, we will decide whether to proceed to Stage 3 [final prototype evaluation using a full-frame sensor] or to review the design data and re-prototype Stage 2 [prototyping a smaller sensor]. When we proceed to Stage 3, we will verify the mass-producibility of the sensor with research institutes and manufacturing vendors based on the evaluation results, and then make a final decision on whether or not to mass-produce the image sensor.
"Although we have not yet reached the stage where we can announce a specific schedule for the mass production of the image sensor, we are determined to do our best to realize a camera that will truly please our customers who are waiting for it, as soon as possible."
Most recently, Yamaki said in July 2023 that the Foveon sensor will arrive "this year" – however, that is an update for the sensor alone, rather than a camera containing it. And still, the wait continues…
Sigma APS-C camera
While the news that the company had literally gone back to the drawing board in terms of its full-frame Foveon camera, the company has previously stated that it is considering an APS-C L-mount camera – one that may or may not use Foveon sensor technology.
"We might even use an APS-C sensor again," said Sigma, noting that "If we find another very good sensor we might use it as well but Foveon belongs to Sigma so in the future we will continue to develop the Foveon sensor cameras. Maybe from time to time we may use another type of sensor but so far we haven't had such plans."
Foveon or not, it seems that an APS-C camera may be much closer to fruition for Sigma right now. And while an L-mount camera with an APS-C sensor would be an unorthodox move, Sigma's traditional Foveon sensors have been slightly smaller than APS-C size – with the Sigma SD Quattro H using a larger APS-H 51MP sensor (with a spatial resolution of 25.5MP).
With the future of the 61MP (if that's even still the plan) full-frame camera up in the air, an APS-C Sigma camera might well be next on the horizon.
The Sigma verdict
While Sigma has successfully delivered the intriguing fp L, the future of its troubled Foveon camera – and Foveon technology in general – appears to be fairly rocky right now. Will we ever see this technology materialize? We don't see Sigma giving up on cameras, but its past releases have always been experimental and avant-garde designs aimed at auteurs rather than the mass market, and we don't see that changing any time soon.
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors • GoPro rumors
Hasselblad rumors 2024
Once the go-to name for medium format photography, Hasselblad has given ground to Fujifilm in recent years thanks to affordable cameras like the Fujifilm GFX 100S and Fujifilm GFX 50S II democratizing the larger sensor landscape (even if these aren't true medium format sensors in strict size terms).
Hasselblad still makes some of the best medium format cameras in the world, though, and continues to bring to market more traditional form factors such as the Hasselblad 907X – keeping not just the technology, but the spirit of medium format photography alive.
As rumored, the Swedish imaging specialist launched the Hasselblad 907X & CFV 100C earlier this year– pairing the existing 907X camera with a brand new 100MP digital back (the CFV 100C), using the same image sensor as the rather brilliant Hasseblad X2D 100C.
The CFV 100C can also be used with legacy Hasselblad film bodies, such as the 500C, as well as technical cameras – making it a supremely versatile digital back.
Right now I'm not hearing any whispers about a brand new Hasselblad – though there are rumors that its parent company, DJI, might be entering the mirrorless camera market.
Given that DJI is a member of both the Micro Four Thirds group and the L-Mount alliance, it could jump into either the crop or full-frame arenas (using an MFT sensor in its Zenmuse X5R aerial camera and a full-frame sensor for the DJI Ronin).
Current whispers are that it is leaning towards the latter, but either way – since it owns Hasselblad, don't expect to see a DJI medium format camera any time soon.
The Hasselblad verdict
With the rumor being realized that a 100MP digital back was on the way, we're probably looking to Hasselblad's next camera phone collaborations (most recently seen in the OnePlus 12 and Oppo Find N3) for the next big rumor dump.
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors • GoPro rumors
Leica rumors 2024
The year started with a bang, thanks to the much-leaked launch of the Leica SL3 – the SL mirrorless line being one of the company's "three pillars" along with the Q series and M series cameras.
Taking a cue (pun intended) from Ricoh, the company just launched a sister version of the Leica Q3 (with its 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens) in the form of the Leica Q3 43 – a version of the camera, with a 43mm Apo-Summicron f/2 Asph lens and a new grey leatherette finish.
It also gave its "latest" (well, its latest upcycle of the Panasonic LX100 II) compact camera, the distinctly Q-like Leica D-Lux 8.
All that's left now is a new M camera and the pillars are thoroughly bolstered…
Leica SL3-S
Leica's mirrorless lineup has two tiers: the higher-resolution SLX series and the lower-resolution SLX-S range.
Historically these have taken their cue from the Panasonic SX bodies, with the Leica SL2 being modeled after the Lumix S1R and the Leica SL2-S sharing heritage with the Lumix S1.
This year, of course, has been different, with Leica taking the technological lead – so the SL3 was completely of its own, rather than being an upcycled Lumix. The question is, will the Leica SL3-S also be unique – or will it take its cues from the Panasonic Lumix S5II?
Either way, it's currently being whispered that the SL3-S will launch at the very beginning of 2025. And it has recently been revealed by some clever reverse-engineering that there is an unreleased Leica camera codenamed Warp. And do you know what the regular SL3 was codenamed? As I discovered, when I used the prototype, its name was Picard.
I suspect it won't be long before Leica makes it so…
Leica M12
Another year, another M camera – but could this finally be the year that the M series goes all-electronic – and gets in-body image stabilization (IBIS), to boot? Leica has previously lamented that the M bodies are too small to implement IBIS, but later noted that omitting the mechanical shutter would free up the necessary space.
We've been hearing noise forever that an electronic viewfinder might be on the way to M cameras, too, so perhaps the Leica M12 could be the launchpad for a sweeping suite of changes.
There are also rumors that the M12 will be some 3mm smaller than the Leica M11, and that the screen could be almost an inch bigger – with chatter that this could be done to replace some or all of the physical buttons, as was the case with cameras like the Leica TL2.
According to FCC certification documents, the camera (or at least, a camera) was set to be announced on May 16. That obviously hasn't happened, though – and Leica's next camera is believed to be among those delayed by mysterious external circumstances.
Leica M11 Black Paint
Word is that we're about to get a Black Paint version of the Leica M11 – often seen as the last dance for an M camera before it is replaced by the next model.
These celebratory editions are often made from brass and, as the name suggests, are coated in gorgeous glossy black paint. This gives the camera a stunning vintage look when it's brand new, but also makes it more susceptible to wear – and as the paint wears, it produces the coveted patina "brassing" effect common to genuine vintage cameras.
However, it sounds special edition might be merged with the…
Leica S4
Leica has discontinued its medium format DSLR, the Leica S3. It has long been dropping Easter eggs and teasers about going mirrorless for its next medium format camera, though, and a company exec recently all but spelled it out.
"For the moment, we are stopping S3, but I think there will be plans for a future S4," Cyril Thomas, CEO of Leica France, told Phototrend.
"When will it happen? It's not tomorrow, it's not in the near future. I don't think we will see this in 2024, I don't know about 2025, but I know that Leica has plans in terms of mirrorless cameras in the medium format."
The Leica verdict
Having renewed the SL and Q lines, I'm excited to see the inevitable M12 along with the long-rumored return to medium format with the S4 – and I'm intrigued to see how it fares against the rest of the market, given the successes that Hasselblad and Fujifilm have been enjoying lately.
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors • GoPro rumors
Ricoh & Pentax rumors 2024
Being one of the most intriguing camera brands in the business, there are plenty of Ricoh rumors to digest - particularly as it also makes Pentax cameras. This is a manufacturer that truly marches to the beat of its own drum.
It remains absolutely adamant that it won't be going mirrorless with its Pentax brand (after briefly flirting with a mirrorless system years ago) and instead will concentrate on making the best DSLRs – a category that is very much an open goal, with Canon and Nikon both ceasing development of new products.
It's also focusing on the best compact camera sector, with the various flavors of its Ricoh GR III and Pentax waterproof compacts.
Its most exciting plans, however, revolve around the renaissance of analog photography. Some of the best film cameras in history have born the Pentax name, and the first new entry in 21 years – the Pentax 17 half-frame camera – seeks to start that tradition all over again.
So what exactly is the company up to? Here are the latest Ricoh and Pentax rumors…
More Pentax film cameras?
Now that the Pentax 17 is officially here, we can turn our attention to the other film cameras that Pentax has in development – though it has been frustratingly coy about giving us proper details.
In December 2022, it made the very nebulous announcement of its Film Camera Project – but the details were so woolly that consumers were left to speculate on what exactly that meant. Since then, Pentax continued to be elusive when it comes to details – until a European executive gave an interview stating that two affordable compact cameras would come in 2024, followed by a pair of traditional SLRs.
However, it appears he spoke out of turn – perhaps spilling the beans before Pentax Japan's notoriously secretive Film Camera Project team were ready to reveal details. This prompted an official statement disputing, specifically, the two compact cameras – but not, explicitly, the two SLRs:
"We found information on several websites regarding our film camera development. This included two compact film cameras for spring 2024 as mentioned by a colleague working for Ricoh Imaging Europe. This is not our official remark, nor is it based on any fixed information. We are indeed challenging the development of a compact film camera; however, we have not yet decided whether or when we will launch such a product."
While this seemed like a standard bit of PR damage control at the start of the year, to spin the fact that potential development plans had leaked, it looks like the company really hasn't decided what's next – if anything.
A European Pentax executive recently noted that "it is still too early to say if the product will be a long-term success or if it will have a successor," after initially strong sales of the Pentax 17 hit a slump over the summer that is yet to recover.
Pentax 645 film camera
One of the more tantalizing possibilities for the Pentax Film Project is the prospect of a medium format film camera.
Pentax used to make some of the best medium format cameras, such as the Pentax 645Z – but that camera came out a decade ago. The company's general manager was recently asked about a new 645 camera, and said that there were no current plans.
However, he was asked in a follow-up question about a medium format camera in digital or film form. This propted the exec to note that they identified a big demand for medium format when researching possible film cameras.
So, it's a long shot, but a film-based 645 may not be out of the realm of possibility!
Pentax K-1 Mark III
After Pentax confirmed that the Mark III is in development, telling customers to "rest assured it is currently in progress and please be patient for further news," it's now being reported that the camera is going into production in October in Vietnam – and I've even heard some specs.
We can apparently expect the Pentax K-1 Mark III to boast a 61MP back-side illuminated sensor with in-body image stabilization, GPS, Astrotracer and the latest version (14) of the company's SAFOX autofocus system.
The camera will boast dual CFexpress card slots, supporting "very fast fps" and "4K (and higher) video". We're also said to be getting a new smartphone app, complete with live view for remote shooting and monitoring.
Ricoh GR IV
The designer for the Ricoh GR series, Inaba Toshiya, recently teased an announcement for a new product – though stopped short of revealing anything too insightful. Given that the GR II was launched in 2015, and the GR III in 2019, smart money says that a GR IV is imminent.
"The GR is a camera that has been well honed as a snap shooter, so it will not go against that concept," said Inaba. "For example, it will not be an all-mighty camera that can do anything. But it will be a camera that specializes in snap shooters, and that will never change."
Of course, we might have been psyched out by the recently released Ricoh GR III / GR IIIx HDF models…
Ricoh GR IV Monochrome
After opting not to release a monochrome edition of the GR III (ostensibly so as not to cannibalize sales of the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome, if you believe the gossip), I'm now hearing talk that a Ricoh GR IV Monochrome edition may follow the launch of the base model later in 2025.
There has long been demand among GR users for a black-and-white camera, but despite five different variants this never happened with the GR III.
While I still suspect that we'll be getting a rinse and repeat of those, since they're so cost-effective to produce (a GR IVx, GR IV HDF and so on), putting an entirely different sensor in the package is a much bigger proposition… but one that looks like yet another license to print money.
More Ricoh GR III "filter editions"
In case you missed it, Ricoh launched two "new" versions of the GR: the GR III and GR IIIx HDF. These are identical to the base cameras but, instead of the built-in ND filters, these models have a Highlight Diffusion Filter instead – and both sold out within moments of going on sale.
Now, Ricoh is no stranger to special models – whether it's the multitudes of rainbow-colored Pentax cameras or the endless GR III Diary / Urban / Street / Ing editions, it's not afraid to do a glorified recycle of a popular product.
And it looks like the popularity of these new filter-based models has given Ricoh another bright idea on how to get new money for old rope. "We will consider the possibilities and development of new filters that can contribute to the culture and history of cameras and photography," says the manufacturer on its website, suggesting that more filter-based models might be on the way.
Could we be getting GR IIIs with soft focus filters, pro mist filters, starlight filters? The mind boggles…
Ricoh GR III Monochrome
Given Ricoh's penchant for releasing special editions, after the blockbuster launch of the K-3 Mark III Monochrome, chatter soon started that a black-and-white version of the GR III could be in store.
It's a reasonable assumption, particularly given how many versions of the GR III Ricoh has launched – such as the Ricoh GR IIIx and Ricoh GR III Diary Edition. While the latest word from Japan is that there are no plans for such a camera, it would be such an easy win – given that Ricoh doesn't even have to make a new body, just change the sensor – that we really wouldn't be surprised to see it appear.
Pentax K-3 Mark III Astro
The company announced plans back at the start of 2022 for an astrophotography-focused Pentax K-3 Mark III. Much as the Monochrome edition was a dedicated black-and-white camera, so the Astro version will be specifically for shooting stars.
This model supposedly has a Hα (hydrogen-alpha) sensitivity of x10, so it's likely that nebula will photograph well using this proposed camera. A hydrogen-alpha filter is commonly used among other filters in astrophotography kits to assist in photographing deep sky objects in what's called true-color or broadband. It's been over a year now – does Pentax still plan to challenge the best cameras for astrophotography?
Pentax K-3 Mark III Gunmetal
Announced in January 2022, this seems to be a purely cosmetic makeover of the K-3 Mark III – as was the case with the darker-than-Darth Vader Pentax K-3 Mark III Jet Black.
The Gunmetal variant looks pretty much the same as the Prestige Edition of the original Pentax K-3, released back in 2014, and appears to come with the same Gunmetal grip and 20-40mm lens.
We've heard no updates but – since the cosmetic Jet Black launched in 2022, followed by the new-sensor Monochrome in 2023 – we can see this new cosmetic design materializing in 2024.
Pentax K-3 Mark III Shutter Stroke Change
We really weren't kidding when we said that Ricoh has a penchant for special editions. All we know about this one, announced in 2022, is that it's designed for faster shooting with a shallower shutter stroke.
With it being designed for speed, it might also make sense to up the 12fps maximum burst speed. This could be a big ask for Ricoh's R&D team, especially since Nikon once claimed that 12fps was as fast as DSLR shutters could fire. However, since the Nikon D6 can hit 14fps and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III hits 16fps, it would be nice for the only DSLR maker left in town to catch up with the ghosts of its rivals.
Pentax K-3 Mark III MF
The final K-3 Mark III variant that Ricoh announced was the MF, which stands for Manual Focus. Again, Ricoh really loves a special edition body – especially since it requires relatively little in the way of additional R&D, since it's using the same camera design with slightly different tech and tweaks inside.
We'll admit, an exclusively manual focus camera in (we assume at the earliest) 2024 is a pretty hard sell. But Pentax fans are the hardest of the hardcore DSLR users, and the nichest of the niche photography aficionados – if anyone can make it work, it's Ricoh.
The Ricoh verdict
Ricoh gonna Ricoh. Far from jumping on trends like the rocket-like growth of vlogging cameras, Ricoh is instead doubling down on DSLRs and SLRs. Why go mirrorless when you can go analog? Pentax cameras are selling well, now that nobody else is making new DSLRs, so Ricoh is making more K-3 Mark IIIs. And given that nobody besides Leica is making new film cameras, it will have another captive audience with its new SLRs. With both Leica and Fujifilm proving that there's life left in the compact camera market, we also expect to see a Ricoh GR IV before long…
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • GoPro rumors
GoPro rumors 2024
As the brand expands, I'm seeing more GoPro rumors about applications for its mobile imaging tech beyond the core action camera segment.
We've just had the expected GoPro Hero 13 Black, along with the rumored $199 GoPro Hero 2024, but it looks like we're imminently going to see another 360 camera and maybe even a helmet camera from the Californian company.
These are the GoPro rumors that have been whispered around the water cooler lately…
New GoPro Max
After an excruciating 5-year wait, we will finally get a new GoPro Max this year – though it could carry an excruciating $599 price tag.
Since the original Max was launched in 2019, GoPro has fumbled the ball and allowed Insta360 to dance all over the end zone with it. Again there haven't yet been any leaks on specs or info, but with the company alluding to a $599 camera in its most recent earnings call we could very much be looking at a premium product.
With two of GoPro's three registered cameras now having launched, in the shape of the Hero 13 and Hero 2024, all signs are pointing towards the last remaining model being this new Max. And if it is indeed going to be a bank balance buster, GoPro probably played its hand well by releasing the $199 Hero first…
GoPro tech helmet
GoPro has acquired Australian tech-enabled helmet manufacturer Forcite. However, while Forcite specializes in motorcycle helmets, GoPro intends to expand into other helmet markets – and also plans to partner with other manufacturers.
"In addition to our plan to develop our own GoPro-branded line of helmets, we are excited to partner with other leading helmet brands to help tech-enable their own helmet lines," said GoPro founder Nicholas Woodman. "We have great respect for established brands, and we look forward to working with them to help drive the industry forward, together."
The GoPro verdict
As predicted, GoPro has dropped the Hero 13 as well as a $199 entry-level camera. Next on the agenda is almost certainly a new Max – and you'd probably better get saving for it now, because it's looking to be expensive.
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Nikon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh & Pentax rumors
