Sony lensor unit with 1" sensor

Sony is very innovative company. It has (arguably) the most popular mirrorless system, or at least one of the most popular. RX100 and RX100MII, the compact cameras with 1" sensor, are extremely popular despite of relatively high price. Sony essentially abandoned traditional DSLRs and switched to semi-transparent mirror. Now Sony is aiming on camera / mobile hybrids. The idea is pretty straightforward: smartphones have screens and can remotely control cameras. So, strip a camera from controls and fit it with WiFi or some kind of wireless connection. But Sony added another remarkable thing: magnet. It seems that it is possible to stick such lensor on smartphone and get a "proper camera". I guess the magnet will work on other metal surfaces, so it would add more opportunities to remotely controlled photography.

According to recently surfaced rumors (or here), Sony will release two lensors, 10x zoom with 1/2.3" sensor and another unit with 1" sensor used in RX100MII. The 1" lensor is fairly big, with a 3.6x Zeiss lens. Zeiss name, fairly conservative 3.6x zoom range, size of the lensor - all these things indicate a high quality product.

Olympus E-M1

A few days ago the specs of new rumored mirrorless Olympus camera appeared on the web (e.g. see this post on Mirrorless Rumors). Basically, the new camera (E-M1? - a bit strange numbering and confusing numbering if true) looks similar to E-M5 with several things updated and improved. One of the most interesting new feature: phase detection autofocus embedded into a 16MP sensor. This should (at least in theory) provide a decent autofocus speed with 4/3 lenses, but through 4/3 to m4/3 adapter. Occasionally Olympus bundles such adapters with cameras. 

New Olympus camera in September

Olympus is rumored to announce a mirrorless camera that can work both with 4/3 and m4/3 lenses. Technically, it is possible to use 4/3 lenses on current m4/3 bodies but at expense of an autofocus speed. The new camera is rumored would not require any adapter. One way of doing this would be a movable sensor: distance between lens and sensor is different in Olympus DSLRs and m4/3 mirrorless cameras. Besides of compatibility with two lens systems, this should add build-in macro capability, obviously at expense of f number. Technically it might work with any m4/3 lens. Autofocus (speed) might be an issue for kit zoom lenses, but this might open a really interesting opportunity for excellent prime lenses available for m4/3 system.

How big will be this camera?  It seems the camera is planned as a replacement for Olympus OM-D E-M5, but, on other hand, with such build-in adapter it might be similar in size to Olympus 4/3 DSLRs. Unless Olympus use some additional tricks :) 

Panasonic GX7

Panasonic GX7 have been announced some time ago. This is a milestone mirrorless camera for Panasonic, for several reasons. First, it has in-body image stabilization. This thing should work with third party lenses including Olympus primes. Second, it got a viewfinder in a small body. Finally we have a rangefinder-like m4/3 body. Third, the viewfinder is tiltable. Obviously, the new sensor is better (less noisy), and max 1/8000 with electronic shutter sounds very interesting. The DPReview site already published First Impressions page on the camera.