Yongnuo’s YN450 was first teased at the end of 2018 and the specs were released a little while later. It was an odd, but interesting camera. An Android-powered mirrorless camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor but, strangely, a Canon EF lens mount. Visitors to CP+ 2019 managed to see one in person early last year, and it was slated for an April release, but only in China.
Now, though, things have changed. Yongnuo has joined the Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group (MFTSSG) and it looks like they’re releasing an update to the camera that’s a little less… Frankenstein. This time, according to images leaked on Photo Rumors, the Canon EF mount appears to have been replaced by a standard Micro Four Thirds mount to match the sensor.
I have to admit, I’m not very surprised by this development. As soon as it was announced that Yongnuo had joined the MFTSSG, this was the first thing that sprung to my mind, and I even speculated about it at the bottom of that article. I mean, it’s the most logical course of action if they’re now part of the club and have full unfettered access to all the MFT specifications. They don’t actually have to try to reverse engineer anything anymore.
The full specs haven’t been announced yet, although I would suspect it’s largely the same as the original YN450, except for the lens mount. Photos have leaked on Photo Rumors which show the camera side-by-side with what looks like a Panasonic Lumix GX85. The Yongnuo camera has a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Micro Four Thirds lens attached to it.
As a reminder, here’s how the specs looked before (with a few notes in bold)
- Sensor: 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor
- Lens mount:
Canon EFMicro Four Thirds - Front camera: 8MP front camera (oh yes, it has a front camera)
- Display: 5″ 1080p Multitouch LCD
- Operating System: Android Nougat 7.1 (Hopefully this is newer now)
- Photos: Supports RAW format (presumably DNG)
- Video: 4K video @ 30fps
- CPU: Qualcomm 8-core processor
- RAM: 3GB
- Connectivity: 4G, 3G, WiFi
- GPS: Yes
- Storage: 32GB + microSD slot up to an extra 32GB (I really hope this has increased)
- Mic input: Dual-mic Stereo input
- Headphones: 3.5mm headphone jack
- Battery: 4000mAh
- Flash: Built-in dual LED flash (no hotshoe)
There’s been no official announcement from Yongnuo yet. More than likely, they were hoping to launch it at the cancelled CP+ or MWC this year. Or maybe the also cancelled NAB or delayed Photography Show. Well, I suppose they still have Photokina… For now (I’ll be amazed if this one doesn’t get cancelled, too).
It is a very unique camera. Not just amongst the Micro Four Thirds system, but in any system. The only company that’s really tried to do anything similar was Samsung, with its NX line of mirrorless cameras. Perhaps Yongnuo will suffer the same fate, or maybe Samsung was just a little ahead of its time and people just didn’t “get it” yet?
Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure. I really hope they release this thing outside of China this time. I’m dying to get my hands on one of these for a good play to see what it can really do.
[via Photo Rumors]
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