So far, the title of world's smallest interchangeable lens camera fell (for the most part) to the cameras in the Pentax Q-series -- starting with the Q, then the Q10 and finally the most recent Q7. But that title won't be held by Pentax (or is it RICOH?) for much longer. If rumors are to be believed, October will see the release of the Panasonic GM1, which will claim the title for itself.
It seems camera companies are trying to target Japanese anime fans these days. In September 2011, we wrote about how Leica had teamed up with the designer of Gundam (not to be confused with Gangnam) for a limited edition mech-themed V-LUX 30 digital camera.
Now Pentax, the king of bizarre special edition cameras, has forged an anime partnership of its own. The company has announced a limited edition line of Q10 mirrorless cameras that carry Neon Genesis Evangelion branding and colors.
Pentax newest goal is, and we quote, "Heightening Individualized Photographic Expression." So if that just happens to be one of your New Years resolutions, and you also happen to be in the market for the "world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera system," you're in luck -- you can now pick from 100 different color combinations for the Pentax Q10.
Canon started quite a fad back in 2010 by handing out novelty lens mugs at the Vancouver Olympic games. Within two years, it seems like everyone is making and selling lens-shaped coffee mugs now. If you thought Leica had stayed out of the craze, think again. Leica Rumors spotted the pen and coffee cup above being sold on eBay last week. The luxury Caran d'Ache pen carries the familiar red dot, while the cup features Noctilux lens markings.
Pentax has officially announced its pint-sized followup to the Q mirrorless camera: the Q10. Although it shoots 12.4 megapixel images, the CMOS sensor size remains at 1/2.3-inches, the same size as the Q and a boatload of other company cameras on the market. The camera allows the Q system to hold onto the title of "the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera system."
Other specs include a 3-inch LCD, RAW mode, an ISO range of 100-6400, 1080p HD video recording, faster autofocus, a built-in pop-up flash, built-in HDR, 5fps continuous shooting, manual exposure modes, and in-camera image stabilization.
New details about Pentax's upcoming Q10 interchangeable lens camera have emerged. The tiny camera -- which likely has a tiny sensor -- is the followup to the Pentax Q, the world's smallest interchangeable lens compact. It'll be available in a number of colors, and will feature a 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor, an ISO range of 100-6400, 5fps continuous shooting, AF face detection, 1080p HD video recording, in-body image stabilization, manual exposure modes, and a built-in flash.
Sorry for the blurriness, but that's what you often have to live with in exchange for seeing cameras before they officially exist. Digicam-info has published leaked photos of the upcoming Q10 mirrorless camera and the K-5 II and K-5 IIs DSLRs.