Competition for Dlux4

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Where Leica and Panasonic tread....

 

Canon is bringing back the S series after 5 years, and it borrows heavily from the Panasonic LX3, Leica Dlux 4. The fast lens, relatively large sensor and MP in the 10 range all come directly from the Panasonic Leica spec sheet.

 

The new S90 will have a control ring around the lens – just like the old times. You can assign the function, from aperture, speed or exposure compensation – or even a fixed focal length equivalent of 28, 35, 50, 85 and 105mm.

 

As Sean Reid notes in his Dlux4 review, that’s something Panasonic Leica signally failed to include on the LX3-Dlux4.

 

And then Canon dropped the ball by not including a hot shoe.. so you cannot fit the appropriate external viewfinder to match those fixed lens positions.

 

One note on the proposed G11.

 

Canon has finally joined FujiFilm, Panasonic and Leica in taking a break from the megapixel race.

 

The cheerleader has abandoned the Ra Ra Skirt for something more demure, cutting the new G11 to 10MP from the G10’s 14.7.

 

In its press release, Canon gives more than a nod to the rangefinder.. and its not just in the styling retained from the G10.

 

Canon’s press release says: Low Light mode enables photographers to shoot up to ISO 12,800 in reduced 2.5MP resolution at 2.4fps capturing brilliant shots indoors without the need for a flash.

 

It quotes Stephen Munday, Senior Operations Director, Editorial, Getty Images, “The unpredictable nature of news photojournalism requires our photographers to get shots in all kinds of situations, and the size of the G10 allows them to do that without drawing too much attention to themselves."

 

I'll keep my M8, thanks.

 

But the S90 is an interesting development. I'm sure I'm not the only one to predict Leica Panasonic will copy the control ring.

 

Regards,

Mark

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