A reliable leaker on Weibo wrote this:

Chinese zoom autofocus lenses are under development. Mr. Ma has confirmed through news channels that domestic brands are currently developing new zoom AF lenses. One of them has approved two full-frame zoom AF lenses and at least one APS-C frame zoom AF lens, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.

In addition, the news of domestic F1.4 full-frame large aperture AF lens has been confirmed. If everything goes well, it is expected that one or two F1.4 large aperture AF lenses will be launched in 2024, ensuring one and striving for two, with commonly used focal lengths, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.

Companies like Viltrox and 7Artisans already offer autofocus prime lenses. Making zoom lenses is much harder because the autofocus algorithm gets much more complicated. Now it seems like Chinese manufacturers tackled the issue and we are getting three E-mount zoom lenses this year already!

My bet is that Viltrox will be the first Chinese company launching an AF zoom lens in 2025. Just a reminder: Viltrox teased the launch of many fast primes…including f/1.4 primes like mentioned by the leaker:

• Viltrox AF135mm F1.8 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF35mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF50mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF85mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF35mm F1.4 Pro E full frame
• Viltrox AF50mm F1.4 Pro E full frame
• Viltrox AF85mm F1.4 Pro E full frame

Statista published those two charts that once more highlight the impact of the smartphone business on sales of digital cameras. They writes:

According to CIPA, a Japan-based industry group with members such as OM Digital Solutions (formerly Olympus), Canon and Nikon, worldwide camera shipments dropped by 94 percent between 2010 and 2023, wiping out decades of growth. The steep decline was mainly driven by a drop-off in shipments of digital cameras with built-in lenses, the type that casual photographers used to rely on prior to the rise of smartphone photography. In 2023, CIPA members shipped just 1.7 million cameras with built-in lens, down from almost 109 million in 2010.

The downtrend seems to have been bottomed out. The next years should be more stable and there might be even some small sales increase with youngsters being very much interested in cameras that give them a certain edge over classic smartphone photography. For example: The Pentax 17 film camera and the FujiFilm X100VI are selling hot because of their unique values. Let’s see if Sony gets it and will update their RX lineup...

There is a new major update for Topaz Photo AI (Click here). This release of Photo AI includes:

• Three new Sharpen models: Lens Blur v2, Natural, and Refocus
• Personalized model and strength settings
• Presets in suggestions
• Auto-selection added to the controls tab
• Improved color accuracy for Canon RAW files
• Performance improvements for preview behavior
• Allow the Capture One plugin to save a DNG

Want to dig in deeper? Here’s a full breakdown of what to look for in this latest release:

Yodobashi reports that during the first half of August the APS-C camera sales did particularly well:

1. Sony α7C II with kit lens
2. Sony α7C II body only
3. Nikon Z8
4. Canon EOS R6 Mark II
5. Canon EOS R50 double zoom lens kit
6. FujiFilm X-T5 with kit lens
7. Sony ZV-E10II with kit lens
8. Canon EOS R10 with kit lens
9. Nikon Z50 double lens kit
10. FujiFilm X-T50 with kit lens

As you see, most cameras are APS-C. And the new ZV-E10II is selling well (as expected). Sitll think that a Sony A7000 high end APS-C would sell hot if Sony would have the courage to launch this!