Based on the leaks, I don’t think I’m particularly interested in the X-Half. It looks like it will be JPEG only and basically an upgrade for Instax users. It also doesn’t seem to have a retractable lens, so it’s not fulfilling my compact camera dreams.
I’m definitely interested in what they do with the X-E4, although I’m more interested in the GRIV because I think this will be a truly pocketable camera.
Other than that, I’d really like to see a new Sony RX100, but not sure if they’ll revive that line…
Disappointed there’s no bump to resolution to be honest. I think the option to have a digital teleconverter on a fixed lens camera is really nice. And still no EVF or OVF. I know they want to keep the size down, but I was really hoping for that.
There look like there are some nice improvements. It looks thinner. The back button is going to be a dial instead of a rocker switch. The grip looks like a larger bump.
I can’t imagine the lens will get substantially better, but that’s new too. An almost six year newer sensor will be good in low light.
The GR IV I will preorder unseen. The company has proven they care about this thing I love, and I trust them to make the next one better. The 26 MP sensor is a known commodity that won’t improve image quality. But it scans faster, and will enable better autofocus. In the provided image, the grip looks slightly bigger, and they went with a micro-SD card, which makes me think it’ll use a larger battery.
The X-Half sounded good in the first vague ideas. The size is cool. But a vertical sensor? A small 1" sensor with a dim f/2.8 lens? NO RAW? For the same price as an X-M5? Sorry, lost me there. I’ll pass.
The X-E5 will be interesting to watch. The X-E4 was a bit of a sidegrade over the X-E3. They removed the drive button and AF-S selector, which I thought rather important in the X-E3. The EVF was still tiny, no IBIS, no weather sealing. But at least the screen was movable. We’ll see if the X-E4 is a return to form, or another misstep. I’m skeptical.
The rumored Sony RX1R III will be mighty interesting if it ever releases. I still miss the RX1 sometimes. It’s such a perfect form factor and lens. Earlier this year, I came very close to buying a used RX1R II. A new one might just tempt me.
It’s great that we have choices again. Between the GFX100RF, the X100VI, the GR III and IIIx, the Q3 and Q3 43, there is actually a good bit of variety now.
I am probably not the target market for the X-half, but I can see how it would be interesting for people who just want an EDC camera with a film-like aesthetic and experience out of the box, without having to fiddle with dials and RAW developers and whatnot. If anyone can pull this off, it should be Fujifilm. That said, I think it was a silly decision to cripple it by disallowing RAW.
The X-E4 is not really a compact, it is a MILC. I was seriously considering it before I decided on micro 4/3 but the lack of IBIS was a dealbreaker for me. I prefer “rangefinder” bodies so that I can use the right eye to look compose with the EVF and the left eye to check for surroundings. A refresh should be interesting.
I am glad that Ricoh is continuing the GR line. I never had one but I can see the appeal, especially the 40mm equivalent, I guess they will refresh that too after the wide angle one. I carry a camera frequently because if I don’t I always regret it, and the GRs are a fine option for this purpose.
Of recent cameras, I am most excited about the OM-3. It is still a bit pricey for me, but as people are replacing their OM-5 for it I hope to get the latter at a good price at some point. Or I may just wait for black friday deal or something and get an OM-3.
It may be wishful thinking, but I am still hoping Panasonic will come out with a smallish micro 4/3 body with PDAF in the near future, possibly this year. It is sorely missing from their lineup.
The Ricoh looks nice. While I have an X100V and it is great as a standalone camera, it is a bit bothersome to carry when using other cameras. For example when I go out with the XT-3 + 150-600, sometimes I want to take a landscape picture and it’s impossible. It will probably be too expensive for me at this moment as I have other properties in the pipeline (more storage for backups, experiences, Fuji 16-80) but who knows, maybe next year…
The film wind lever is a great thing to see. In the era of cynical designs, efficiency over everything else, minimizing production costs, etc, it’s nice to see that some designers still get a bit of freedom to do what they feel like doing.
I could see this year being the year I jump into the world of GR cameras.
The X half is kind of a neat idea, but I haven’t seen the price and that would really be the determining factor for me. I could see my wife having fun with it. The portrait aspect ratio is dumb as heck though, I think I would be forever irritated by that.
I want the pop-up viewfinder of the RX100! I’ve never actually used one, but it looks really cool
I really hope Sony jumps in and capitalizes on this renewed enthusiasm for compact cameras. I love what Fujifilm and Ricoh are doing, but Sony have always had good takes on the compact form factor, and competition is good.
Got out my old Canon SD300 recently. It needs a new battery but I was just admiring its size. And it has a viewfinder!
Pentax Rumors has speculates the GRIV to be $1500-$2000, ouch. No way it can be $2k, that’s crazy. I expect a price increase, but like $1300 seems more reasonable? At Amy rate, hope P.R. isn’t right.
I bought my daughter the Instax Mini Evo, and it has the same vertical orientation. In fact, the X-Half is basically an upgrade to the Instax Evo and incorporates a lot of the same ideas (lever, filters, vertical) but without the printer.
It felt very strange to me to have to put the camera in portrait orientation to create a landscape-orientation shot. It’s simply the opposite of what we normally do. I have no idea if kids today will find it more natural, but I suppose the smartphone generation just gravitates to vertical because it’s easiest on a smartphone. But for a dedicated camera, I’m not a fan of how illogical it is to have it back to front.
I would be very surprised if they price it the same as the X100V. Maybe PR are taking tariffs into account?
I would expect a bump up from the GRIII but it should only be a couple of hundred more. I think $1500 here in Canada sounds about right, considering the GRIII is $1200.
The question for me is whether I try to pick up a used GRIII once people start upgrading to the GRIV, or whether I just pay the extra for the newer camera… It’s hard not to go for the one with the latest features.
There will probably be a few up for sale in this very forum. But anything beyond €1500 would hurt. The current III is available for €1100, and the IIIx for €1200.
