More bad news for Panasonic: in addition to the latest statement from the company's president and reports for the marketing department trying to influence reviewers, Panasonic is now also being accused of using stock photos in their latest Lumix S9 camera campaign. One of the photos seems to be taken with a Nikon camera by... a Nikon Ambassador. Currently, this issue has only been confirmed for Lumix Japan, but it's possible that similar promotions are being conducted in other countries. In summary, some of the photos on the Lumix S9 product page are stock photos, and the camera screen images seem to be composites.

For example, the dog picture from this page:

can be found on Shutterstock:

The next screenshot is from this page:

The birds picture is taken by a Nikon Ambassador:

and the dog to the right is all over the Internet (famous dog!):

Update: Lumix Japan has issued an apology for this issue. The PDF document includes an apology and mentions that they will review the content of the Lumix site. However, the PDF document is very brief (it lacks company names and other details), leading to further criticism for not being in an appropriate format for an official release.

Additionally, this issue has been covered by Japanese TV news.

Also: this image is part of the introduction for the LUMIX G VARIO 12-32mm lens, but it appears that the photo of the girl on the right was taken with a Canon EOS 5DsR and a TAMRON 150-600mm G2 lens. The caption implies that the photo was taken with a Lumix camera and lens. This could potentially be considered a violation of Japan's Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The issue is highlighted in the following tweets:

マーケティングは失敗してるけど、チャレンジは評価すると言いましたが、ごめん前言撤回どころか、違った。真逆だった。

フリッカー写真どころの話ではなく、S9の製品ページ、コピーライト無しの写真、殆どストックフォトじゃん。撮影画面の写真ですらはめ込みなところも。

続く#lumix https://t.co/WVCkOzQwNr

— HertZ（金豚） (@zaq_de_la_rocha) May 27, 2024

マーケティングは失敗してるけど、チャレンジは評価すると言いましたが、ごめん前言撤回どころか、違った。真逆だった。

フリッカー写真どころの話ではなく、S9の製品ページ、コピーライト無しの写真、殆どストックフォトじゃん。撮影画面の写真ですらはめ込みなところも。

続く#lumix https://t.co/WVCkOzQwNr

— HertZ（金豚） (@zaq_de_la_rocha) May 27, 2024

被写体検出とかレンズの説明はダメでしょ
Lumix S5https://t.co/n6iovC0ygohttps://t.co/kWpGsOrLDJ
DC-G100DWhttps://t.co/6z7UJP4sVihttps://t.co/yFjIfWLFb2 pic.twitter.com/TMc1TJtH2r

— studio9/写真のことが全部わかる本 完全版 発売中！ (@photostudio9) May 27, 2024

なるほど。Nikonで撮られた写真なのか。https://t.co/aEa1PgLouC pic.twitter.com/HM4cPWGSnL

— 老人と文学社 武川【みんなのクラスメイト】 (@takekawa_oldman) May 27, 2024

ちなみに12-32mmの作例っぽい写真で話題になってるアレはコレらしい。

EOS 5DsR
428mm F5.3
レンズはタムロン150-600mm G2https://t.co/VxN9pxCrlw https://t.co/sAC1zMPLzY pic.twitter.com/XZXn6jQc0A

— とるなら (@FukuiAsobiWeb) May 27, 2024

ニュースになってたもんなーー

まあ。明日から予約だし。良いものだし。俺は楽しみにしてるけどね
予約争奪戦にだけならないといいなあ。 https://t.co/nNphdYUVIh pic.twitter.com/lvDdG48E7A

— しんのすけ (@SGMsdQuattro) May 28, 2024

Panasonic in trouble: the company is considering transferring or withdrawing from businesses with low growth potential by fiscal 2026, President Kusumi calls it a “crisis situation”

Finally someone said it: “camera reviews need to change” or how camera companies are influencing the influencers

The post More bad news for Panasonic: Lumix S9 product page controversy and the use of stock photos *UPDATED* appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Asahi reports that Panasonic has not achieved its medium-term strategy goals and President Kusumi calls it a "crisis situation":

Panasonic Holdings (HD) has revealed that it expects to fail to achieve two of the three targets set in its three-year mid-term strategy ending in fiscal 2024. President Yuki Kusumi acknowledged that the situation is "critical, as we are not meeting expectations."

Furthermore, the company announced that it will take drastic measures to eliminate "challenging businesses" with poor growth potential by fiscal 2026, with consideration given to business transfers and withdrawals. While he did not reveal the specific names of "challenging businesses,'' he cited home appliances, televisions, and some air conditioning businesses as examples of "challenging'' businesses.

Dclife writes further:

There have been reports in the past that Panasonic's camera business will be at a critical juncture in 2022 (see PR post here), so we can only hope that the camera business will not be affected in the future.

Related previous coverage:

Japanese website reports that Panasonic may also exit the camera business just like Olympus

Nikkei: Panasonic camera business at a critical moment

Ymcinema talks about Panasonic abandoning the cinema camera lineup

Panasonic to dismantle digital camera business and place it under the umbrella of other operations

The post Panasonic in trouble: the company is considering transferring or withdrawing from businesses with low growth potential by fiscal 2026, President Kusumi calls it a “crisis situation” appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Panasonic released an updated Lumix S lens roadmap as of May 2024 (see previous L-mount roadmaps):

*1 When teleconverter DMW-STC14 is attached.
*2 When teleconverter DMW-STC20 is attached.
*3 Scheduled for release in fall 2024.

Two new lenses are expected:

• Standard zoom lens
• Super telephoto zoom lens
• The third lens marked in blue is the new Panasonic Lumix S 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3:

The post Updated Panasonic Lumix S lens roadmap (L-mount) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The already leaked compact Panasonic Lumix S9 camera with L-mount is now officially announced:

• Pre-orders: Adorama | Amazon | B&H | WEX | Koch | Erhardt (free 26mm f/8 lens with the purchase of Lumix S9 camera or kit)
• Update: there is also a new Panasonic Lumix S 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3 lens
• Panasonic announced a new real-time LUT feature and a new LUMIX Lab app
• Additional information
• Sirui handgrip for Panasonic S9
• Press release
• Additional information:

Overview:

The LUMIX S9 compact full-frame mirrorless camera is the ultimate tool for content creators looking to stand out in social media, with superior image quality, easy-to-use functions, and a sleek, colorful design. REAL TIME LUT applies signature presets directly in-camera with super-fast sharing through your phone with the LUMIX Lab app. The full-frame sensor allows for exceptional image clarity even in low light and frames for any social media aspect ratio.

Features:

• 24.2MP full-frame sensor
• Real-time recognition AF with PDAF
• 6.5-stop 5-axis dual IBIS
• 6K Open Gate 30p/25p/24p
• Human/Animal/Car/Motorcycle AF detect.
• Active I.S. ensures highly stable video
• Revolutionize Your Content: In-camera REAL TIME LUT presets for standout social media
• Quick and Easy Sharing: Seamlessly transfer to smartphone with LUMIX Lab and ultra-fast Wi-Fi
• Think Big, Pack Small: Compact camera packed with professional-grade features
• Stunning Results Even in Low Light: Full-frame sensor for high-res videos and photos
• One Shot, All Aspect Ratios: Flexible framing covers every format in heightened detail

The new Panasonic Lumix S9 camera already shown on Amazon, the official announcement is tomorrow

The post Panasonic Lumix S9 compact camera with L-mount officially announced with a new Panasonic S 26mm f/8 lens (L-mount) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The previously rumored Panasonic Lumix S9 camera with L-mount is already shown on Amazon on another accessory listing from SIRUI:

Additional pictures:

The official announcement is tomorrow:

New Panasonic Lumix camera announcement next week

Update: Panasonic to announce a new Lumix camera on May 22

The post The new Panasonic Lumix S9 camera already shown on Amazon, the official announcement is tomorrow appeared first on Photo Rumors.

A reader sent me this picture of what appears to be a new Panasonic camera (Lumix S9?) - the only problem with the image is the label "DUMMY" present on several spots - maybe this is not the final version or perhaps this is just a prototype:

See also this very similar compact Panasonic full-frame mirrorless camera with L-mount mockup found on Weibo:

Panasonic already has teasers for a new Lumix camera announcement on May 23:

Update: Panasonic to announce a new Lumix camera on May 22

Both Leica and Panasonic to announce new L-mount cameras in the next few months

Two additional Panasonic cameras registered in Asia

The post New Panasonic Lumix camera announcement next week appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Panasonic has a new patent for a box-style camera with a grip similar to the existing LUMIX BGH1 (MFT mount) and LUMIX BS1H (full frame) models (JP2024-065694):

Problem: To provide an imaging device that can easily realize two shooting styles.
Solution: The imaging device includes a camera body having a housing, an imaging sensor placed inside the housing that converts light into an electrical signal, a grip part that is detachable from the housing, and a camera body that converts light into an electrical signal based on the electrical signal. An output unit that outputs the captured image. An image sensor is arranged at the center of the housing in the direction in which the grip section is attached and detached.

Announced: Panasonic BGH1 mirrorless box-style cinema camera featuring C4K/4K 60/50p and 10-bit video recording

Announced: Panasonic 6K Lumix BS1H mirrorless full-frame box-style cinema camera (L-mount)

The post Panasonic’s patent for a new box style camera appeared first on Photo Rumors.

A quick update to my previous post: Panasonic to announce a new Lumix camera on May 22 US time (May 23 in China):

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LUMIX USA Official (@lumixusa)

Two additional Panasonic cameras registered in Asia

One of the models is rumored to be a new L-mount camera with specs similar to the Leica SL3:

Both Leica and Panasonic to announce new L-mount cameras in the next few months

What’s next?

 

The post Update: Panasonic to announce a new Lumix camera on May 22 appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Camera Insider reports that Panasonic will announce a new Lumix camera on May 23rd (±1 day). Panasonic already has two registered and not yet announced models:

Update - here is the teaser for the new Panasonic camera:

Two additional Panasonic cameras registered in Asia

One of the models is rumored to be a new L-mount camera with specs similar to the Leica SL3:

Both Leica and Panasonic to announce new L-mount cameras in the next few months

What’s next?

The post Panasonic to announce a new Lumix camera on May 23 appeared first on Photo Rumors.