Could Ricoh join m4/3 at CP+?

JPT · 02-02-2015, 08:44 PM

The micro four thirds consortium has announced that a new member will join at CP+.
One more company will join the Micro Four Thirds system soon! | 43 Rumors

When you consider who this could be, it is quite interesting. According to my line of thinking, it has to be a company that:
- isn't already a member
- is an exhibitor at CP+
- doesn't have a similar system already

Most third party lens makers already make lenses for the mount, but pehaps a lens maker is the most likely explanation.

If it's a camera maker, most of them are ruled out by the criteria I mentioned above. It's been suggested on other forms that it could be a new entrant like LG or Konica-Minolta, but no likely candidates are on the exhibitor list at CP+.

That leaves Casio and Ricoh. My money would be on Casio, because they have released a couple of more serious cameras recently.

But I think there is an outside chance that Ricoh could step into m4/3 as a replacement for the GXR system, or even as a new unit within the GXR system. Some would say that the Q is their mirrorless camera, but I think it targets a much more casual user than a Ricoh m4/3 camera would.

ruggiex · 02-02-2015, 09:01 PM

The size and balance of m4/3 system definitely fits with their (Pentax's) design philosophy. They aren't as off balanced as APS-C w/ long lenses. M4/3 def feel like a larger Q system. The only thing is coming in this late in the game, what does it do for them financially? There are plenty of lenses already and selling camera bodies alone isn't going to be that profitable.

rrstuff · 02-02-2015, 09:04 PM

It's probably Kodak, which produces a 4/3rds camera and lenses, but is not listed as a part of consortium.

JPT · 02-02-2015, 09:06 PM

I think it works both ways. If they come up with compelling lenses, they have a pre-existing market to sell them into. The proportions of m4/3 are almost perfect for a GXR-sized body.

---------- Post added 02-03-15 at 01:14 PM ----------

Originally posted by rrstuff

It's probably Kodak, which produces a 4/3rds camera and lenses, but is not listed as a part of consortium.

They're already a member. They aren't listed here because they aren't coming to CP+.

**boriscleto** · 02-02-2015, 09:18 PM

Not going to happen.

VoiceOfReason · 02-02-2015, 10:07 PM - **1 Like**

An m4/3 sensor in a Q body would be nice though...

Sandy Hancock · 02-02-2015, 10:14 PM

Pentax is committed to Q, K and 645 mounts. Adding a fourth would be crazy.

aleonx3 · 02-02-2015, 10:29 PM

I doubt it.. not much advantage to have something in between the Q series and the APS-C K series.

rrstuff · 02-03-2015, 01:06 AM

Konica Minolta is Rumored to Be Developing Micro Four Thirds Lenses - The Phoblographer

sapporodan · 02-03-2015, 02:57 AM

That would be fantastic, I think it would suit Pentax/Ricoh well, but I cant believe it will ever happen.

Most likely the new company will be another video manufacturer like BlackMagic, but I would so love to see Sigma or Casio to join though.

Does anyone even know what happened to Kodak, they released the Pixpro S-1, the reviews were not that bad, and then it completely vanished! I cant even find them on ebay!

Unregistered User · 02-03-2015, 03:00 AM

Originally posted by sapporodan

That would be fantastic, I think it would suit Pentax/Ricoh well, but I cant believe it will ever happen.

Most likely the new company will be another video manufacturer like BlackMagic, but I would so love to see Sigma or Casio to join though.

Does anyone even know what happened to Kodak, they released the Pixpro S-1, the reviews were not that bad, and then it completely vanished! I cant even find them on ebay!

Sigma is already part of the club.

sapporodan · 02-03-2015, 03:02 AM

Originally posted by rrstuff

Konica Minolta is Rumored to Be Developing Micro Four Thirds Lenses - The Phoblographer

Didn't Sony buy them then re-badge them into the Alpha SLR's? Unless a company bought the name from Sony like JK Imaging did with Kodak I cant see it happening. Would be nice to see though.

Unregistered User · 02-03-2015, 03:04 AM

Originally posted by JPT

The micro four thirds consortium has announced that a new member will join at CP+.
One more company will join the Micro Four Thirds system soon! | 43 Rumors

When you consider who this could be, it is quite interesting. According to my line of thinking, it has to be a company that:
- isn't already a member
- is an exhibitor at CP+
- doesn't have a similar system already

Most third party lens makers already make lenses for the mount, but pehaps a lens maker is the most likely explanation.

If it's a camera maker, most of them are ruled out by the criteria I mentioned above. It's been suggested on other forms that it could be a new entrant like LG or Konica-Minolta, but no likely candidates are on the exhibitor list at CP+.

That leaves Casio and Ricoh. My money would be on Casio, because they have released a couple of more serious cameras recently.

But I think there is an outside chance that Ricoh could step into m4/3 as a replacement for the GXR system, or even as a new unit within the GXR system. Some would say that the Q is their mirrorless camera, but I think it targets a much more casual user than a Ricoh m4/3 camera would.

amazon is my guess

sapporodan · 02-03-2015, 03:06 AM

Originally posted by DominicVII

Sigma is already part of the club.

Sorry my fault I meant the Sigma Cameras, they already have those fantastic Art DN lenses out (Reminds me I need to buy that 60mm at some point!).

Unregistered User · 02-03-2015, 03:11 AM

Originally posted by sapporodan

Sorry my fault I meant the Sigma Cameras, they already have those fantastic Art DN lenses out (Reminds me I need to buy that 60mm at some point!).

That 60mm is compatible with Sony E-mount APS-C. Maybe a slightly altered version of it will become available in K-mount at some point. I am not a big fan of the 2x crop factor of m4/3 anyway.

02-02-2015, 08:44 PM	#1
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Could Ricoh join m4/3 at CP+? The micro four thirds consortium has announced that a new member will join at CP+. One more company will join the Micro Four Thirds system soon! \| 43 Rumors When you consider who this could be, it is quite interesting. According to my line of thinking, it has to be a company that: - isn't already a member - is an exhibitor at CP+ - doesn't have a similar system already Most third party lens makers already make lenses for the mount, but pehaps a lens maker is the most likely explanation. If it's a camera maker, most of them are ruled out by the criteria I mentioned above. It's been suggested on other forms that it could be a new entrant like LG or Konica-Minolta, but no likely candidates are on the exhibitor list at CP+. That leaves Casio and Ricoh. My money would be on Casio, because they have released a couple of more serious cameras recently. But I think there is an outside chance that Ricoh could step into m4/3 as a replacement for the GXR system, or even as a new unit within the GXR system. Some would say that the Q is their mirrorless camera, but I think it targets a much more casual user than a Ricoh m4/3 camera would.

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02-02-2015, 09:01 PM	#2
ruggiex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: East Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 811	The size and balance of m4/3 system definitely fits with their (Pentax's) design philosophy. They aren't as off balanced as APS-C w/ long lenses. M4/3 def feel like a larger Q system. The only thing is coming in this late in the game, what does it do for them financially? There are plenty of lenses already and selling camera bodies alone isn't going to be that profitable.

02-02-2015, 09:04 PM	#3
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	It's probably Kodak, which produces a 4/3rds camera and lenses, but is not listed as a part of consortium.

02-02-2015, 09:06 PM	#4
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821 Original Poster	I think it works both ways. If they come up with compelling lenses, they have a pre-existing market to sell them into. The proportions of m4/3 are almost perfect for a GXR-sized body. ---------- Post added 02-03-15 at 01:14 PM ---------- Originally posted by rrstuff It's probably Kodak, which produces a 4/3rds camera and lenses, but is not listed as a part of consortium. They're already a member. They aren't listed here because they aren't coming to CP+.

02-02-2015, 09:18 PM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Not going to happen.

02-02-2015, 10:07 PM - 1 Like	#6
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	An m4/3 sensor in a Q body would be nice though...

02-02-2015, 10:14 PM	#7
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Pentax is committed to Q, K and 645 mounts. Adding a fourth would be crazy.

02-02-2015, 10:29 PM	#8
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I doubt it.. not much advantage to have something in between the Q series and the APS-C K series.

02-03-2015, 01:06 AM	#9
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	Konica Minolta is Rumored to Be Developing Micro Four Thirds Lenses - The Phoblographer

02-03-2015, 02:57 AM	#10
sapporodan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 123	That would be fantastic, I think it would suit Pentax/Ricoh well, but I cant believe it will ever happen. Most likely the new company will be another video manufacturer like BlackMagic, but I would so love to see Sigma or Casio to join though. Does anyone even know what happened to Kodak, they released the Pixpro S-1, the reviews were not that bad, and then it completely vanished! I cant even find them on ebay!

02-03-2015, 03:00 AM	#11
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by sapporodan That would be fantastic, I think it would suit Pentax/Ricoh well, but I cant believe it will ever happen. Most likely the new company will be another video manufacturer like BlackMagic, but I would so love to see Sigma or Casio to join though. Does anyone even know what happened to Kodak, they released the Pixpro S-1, the reviews were not that bad, and then it completely vanished! I cant even find them on ebay! Sigma is already part of the club.

02-03-2015, 03:02 AM	#12
sapporodan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 123	Originally posted by rrstuff Konica Minolta is Rumored to Be Developing Micro Four Thirds Lenses - The Phoblographer Didn't Sony buy them then re-badge them into the Alpha SLR's? Unless a company bought the name from Sony like JK Imaging did with Kodak I cant see it happening. Would be nice to see though.

02-03-2015, 03:04 AM	#13
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by JPT The micro four thirds consortium has announced that a new member will join at CP+. One more company will join the Micro Four Thirds system soon! \| 43 Rumors When you consider who this could be, it is quite interesting. According to my line of thinking, it has to be a company that: - isn't already a member - is an exhibitor at CP+ - doesn't have a similar system already Most third party lens makers already make lenses for the mount, but pehaps a lens maker is the most likely explanation. If it's a camera maker, most of them are ruled out by the criteria I mentioned above. It's been suggested on other forms that it could be a new entrant like LG or Konica-Minolta, but no likely candidates are on the exhibitor list at CP+. That leaves Casio and Ricoh. My money would be on Casio, because they have released a couple of more serious cameras recently. But I think there is an outside chance that Ricoh could step into m4/3 as a replacement for the GXR system, or even as a new unit within the GXR system. Some would say that the Q is their mirrorless camera, but I think it targets a much more casual user than a Ricoh m4/3 camera would. amazon is my guess

02-03-2015, 03:06 AM	#14
sapporodan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 123	Originally posted by DominicVII Sigma is already part of the club. Sorry my fault I meant the Sigma Cameras, they already have those fantastic Art DN lenses out (Reminds me I need to buy that 60mm at some point!).

02-03-2015, 03:11 AM	#15
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by sapporodan Sorry my fault I meant the Sigma Cameras, they already have those fantastic Art DN lenses out (Reminds me I need to buy that 60mm at some point!). That 60mm is compatible with Sony E-mount APS-C. Maybe a slightly altered version of it will become available in K-mount at some point. I am not a big fan of the 2x crop factor of m4/3 anyway.