Fujifilm 28mm f/1.4 lens for compact cameras patented in Japan

Fujifilm has patented a new lens for cameras with 1/3-inch-type image sensors, a lens that will provide a 35mm focal length equivalent of 28mm.

The battle of high-end compact cameras was supposed to intensify at the beginning of the summer. However, the Fujifilm X30 has not been launched and there are no new details regarding its alleged launch.

Moreover, the Panasonic LX8 announcement date has been delayed until August, leaving the Sony RX100 III somewhat alone in its segment.

The rumor mill is claiming that the Lumix LX8 replacement is coming indeed, but there are no gossip talks about the X20 replacement. There may be a reason for that, as Fuji may be focusing on other projects.

One of its future projects could consist of a compact camera with a 1/3-inch-type image sensor, as a Fujifilm 28mm f/1.4 lens for such devices has just been patented.

Fujifilm 28mm f/1.4 lens patent discovered in Japan

This is the Fujifilm 28mm f/1.4 lens patent which has showed up in Japan. The optic will be aimed at cameras with 1/3-inch-type image sensors.

The image sensors in compact cameras have become bigger in recent times. A 1/3-inch-type sensor is now more common in smartphones, so it would be rather weird to see such small sensor added into a compact shooter.

Either way, the Fujifilm 28mm f/1.4 lens is aimed at devices with such sensors. The lens has a focal length of about 4.2mm and the patent description says that the 35mm equivalent stands at 28mm.

Usually, a 1/3-inch-type sensor offers a crop factor of 7.21x, which means that Fuji’s lens should offer a 35mm equivalent of approximately 30.3mm.

The lens would offer a maximum aperture of f/1.4, which means that it would be really good in low-light conditions. It is worth noting that its internal design consists of 7 elements in 7 groups.

Fuji might enter the smartphone market or it may launch a 1/3-inch-type compact camera

Fujifilm has filed for this patent on December 10, 2012, while the regulators have approved it on June 26, 2014. This means that the company has been planning the launch of such product for a long time.

The rumor mill does not know what to make of this, as a compact camera with a small sensor would not make sense, while Fuji’s chances of entering the smartphone market are rather slim.

Meanwhile, we are still waiting for news regarding the Fujifilm X30 high-end compact camera that would compete against the Sony RX100 III and the upcoming Panasonic LX8. Stay tuned for more!