(A postscript has just been added by the original author of the Chinese post that the whole thing is faked. That's bad taste.)
It's time to save up some money! The following fresh gossip is believed to be an intended leak from some person in the know about the next challenger in the pipeline after the E-P1 and E-P2.
In view of the pent-up demand among photographers for lighter and more portable photographic products, Ricoh, Pentax and Samsung are working jointly on an upcoming camera which will incorporate the image quality afforded by a DSLR and the portability of a DC. Pentax is responsible for engineering the down-sized version of its DA15 Limited lens (re-branded to Ricoh) while Samsung will supply its 14MP CMOS sensor adopted in K-7, K20D and other DSLRs. Ricoh releases the patented body of its quick-selling GRDs which is to be adjusted and expanded to be the GZ-1, an interchangeable-lens type of portable serious camera.
The above photo is reproduced from callbusy's website, which it claims to obtain from a special channel. Obviously, the GZ-1 retains the twin-wheel design of the GRD and the GX200. The dimension of the camera is a wee bit bigger than the GRD. There is a square LCD screen on the top, which does not seem to give much space for adequate information display. The LCD, understandably, will feature Ricoh's new 3 inch high-resolution LCD screen as seen on the GRDIII. Besides these, the built-in flash and the red LED focusing assist-light will be added on the top of the camera. The shutter-priority mode is available as observed on the dial. The lens attach-release button is situated in the front of the camera body. It is a fair bet to say that the next step for the three musketeers is to develop more lighter interchangeable lenses.
It is learned that the lenses will adopt the like of the M4/3 mindset, meaning that conversion mount-ring will be developed to make the PK Mount lenses available to the GZ-1. It is also reported that Ricoh will come up with a new algorithmic solution specific to the 14MP CMOS.
The collaboration is believed to take the three parties to a, well, win-win-win situation with Ricoh diversifying its photographic products, Pentax expanding its market share in the lenses market and Samsung covering a wider territory in camera sensors and electronic consumer items.
The release date of the new camera is yet to be known (I would say around Christmas, the traditional spending season).
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