Today, Panasonic Canada is confirming five new products for Canada. First up is the Panasonic Lumix DMF-LF1 which is the most compact camera to ever feature a built-in EVF and was described here last week.

Second is the all-new mid-range mirrorless Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6. This is a largish model for being mirrorless with a deep grip and built-in EVF with eye-start sensor. At its core is a 16 megapixels CMOS sensor capable of shooting continuously at 7 FPS until the memory card fills up for JPEG or up to 9 RAW images. As with its predecessor, the G6 offers full manual-controls with a traditional mode-dial and a single control-dial. A powerful battery lets the G6 manage 350 shots-per-charge according to the  CIPA standard.

The next product is the very compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 which features the same 16 megapixels Micro Four-Thirds sensor as its larger sibling.  A less powerful processor still lets it shoot continuously a respectable 4.2 FPS while achieving a battery-life of 330 shots-per-charge according to the CIPA standard.

The GF6 also offers full manual-controls which are accessible using a traditional mode-dial and a single control-dial. The slim body features a small grip and rounded top-plate with a built-in flash but no hot-shoe.

The headline addition to the G6 and GF6, besides the low-noise Micro Four-Thirds sensor, is wireless connectivity in the form of built-in WiFi and NFC which allows to transfer of images by tapping with another compatible device.

The fourth product is a redesigned 10X optical zoom lens with built-in image stabilization. This Micro Four-Thirds mount lens has a focal-range going from 14 to 140mm, like its predecessor, albeit with a brighter maximum aperture range throughout the zoom. It features a quiet focus-motor for use during movie-capture.

The last product is neither a camera nor a lens, so we know much less about it. For the curious, it is the WiFi-enabled HX-A100 Wearable Camcorder shown here.

Exact pricing and availability dates in Canada have not be announced yet for any of these products.

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Panasonic today unveiled the Lumix DMC-LF1, the very first compact digital camera with a built-in EVF. This premium model offers a stabilized 7X optical zoom lens paired with a larger-than-usual 1/1.7″ CMOS sensor just like the one on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 reviewed here.

Just like other premium compacts, the LF1 offers full manual-controls with both dual control-dials and a traditional mode-dial to access those feature efficiently. Its CMOS sensor can capture images continuous at 10 FPS or full 1080p HD video.

Given the very small size of the Panasonic LF1, it is neat how they managed to pack a 0.2″ EVF, a 3″ LCD and a 7X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28-200mm F/2-5.9. To round-off its bonus features, the LF1 manages to also pack WiFi and NFC communication capabilities.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 has a suggested retail price of $499 USD and is expected to be available a few days before July starts. B&H Photo is already accepting LF1 pre-orders.

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Sigma has gone a long way since it started out producing low-cost lenses. Their new Art series of lenses are extremely well regarded and deliver superb results, meeting and sometimes exceeded the quality of native lenses. Today, Sigma has outdone its rivals by being the first to ever produce a zoom with a constant F/1.8 maximum aperture, beating the F/2 zoom exclusive to Olympus and covering a smaller Four-Thirds sensor rather than APS-C like the new Sigma.

The new Sigma A 18-35mm F/1.8 DC HSM on an APS-C camera provides a wide-to-normal zoom range, while maintaining a constant F/1.8 maximum aperture across its range. It has a completely internal construction with no moving or rotating parts outside of the metal lens barrel. Focusing is powered by Sigma’s own Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) and allows for quick-shift manual focus.

This new lens has been announced for Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts. In other words, it supports all non-stabilized mounts and no stabilized one. It is a shame since it would be a low-light powerhouse if fitted on a stabilized camera. This may still be possible by adding it to a mirrorless camera with a suitable adapter. At this point though, the field-of-view would be reduced as APS-C mirrorless cameras with a short flange distance are not stabilized.

No price or launch date has been announced yet but one can hope it is soon, and it may well be, considering Sigma’s site has a complete set of specifications. We will update you as soon as this information is available.

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The big news today is the Pentax Ricoh GR which is a direct competitor to the Nikon Coolpix A. It possibly uses the same 16 megapixels CMOS sensor without anti-alias filter and pairs it with a 28mm F/2.8 equivalent prime lens, just like the A. This premium compact manages to stay slim while offering plenty of controls, including dual control-dials and a traditional mode-dial with the addition of Pentax’s own TAv mode.

The new Pentax Ricoh GR is modeled after older Ricoh cameras, yet it manages to stay virtually the same size while fitting in a much larger sensor. The ergonomics and control-system are clearly inherited from Ricoh, this looks like one of their better designed models but we have yet to see any such models here.

There is a 3″ LCD with a whopping 1.2 megapixels which serves as the only viewfinder for the GR. As one can see, this camera has a substantial grip for its size and an impressive number of controls.

The Pentax Ricoh GR is scheduled to be available in May for a suggested retail price of $799, making it the cheapest APS-C compact camera to date, yet will more pricey than entry-level DSLRs. It can be preordered immediately from B&H Photo.

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Today, Fuji unveiled the Fujinon XF55-200mm F/3.5-4.8R LM OIS to become the second zoom in their lineup of X-mount lenses designed for mirrorless cameras. The new 55-200mm telephoto zoom perfectly complements the XF18-55mm F/2.8-4R OIS released late last year. Like its companion, the 55-200mm offers a brighter-than-usual maximum aperture compared to other lenses with APS-C coverage.

If its name seems like a mouthful, that is because Fuji has packed an impressive set of features into this telephoto lens. Crucially for a telephoto lens, the XF55-200mm includes Optical Image Stabilization with a claimed advantage of up to 4.5 stops compared to hand-holding. This lens also includes dual Linear Motors to focus quickly. Recall that Fujinon X-mount lenses use fly-by-write Manual Focus, so the motors also help to focus manually.

There is also an unmarked aperture ring, just like on the XF18-55mm. This is Fuji’s solution to having an aperture ring on variable aperture zoom lenses. A separate switch selects between automatic and manual aperture selection. The aperture itself is made of 7 rounded blades for an ultra-smooth bokeh.

The XF55-200mm F/3.5-4.8R LM OIS features a durable metal body with three rings to control, zoom, focus and aperture. It uses two ED lens elements and one Super-RD with HT-EBC lens coating to minimize chromatic aberrations and flare.

Fuji expects this new lens to be available in June for a suggested price of $700 USD. It can already be pre-ordered from B&H Photo.

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