Annie Barton tested the [shoplink 56800 ebay]Kinoptik 150mm f/2.9 lens (here on eBay)[/shoplink] on the Panasonic GH4:

We think this copy we have could be a faulty lens, or a fake Kinoptik. It eats up quite a bit of light, so it flares a lot making the image less sharp. Maybe a longer lens hood might help?
Stay tuned for the upcoming Kinoptik 100mm. We like the 100mm much better than this 150 !!
This Kinoptik Focale is modified into a Nikon mount. The focusing barrel makes the lens fairly huge. The 150mm in Micro Four Thirds system makes the focal length even longer, and together with its size, this lens is not easy to use.

Admiringlight posted the full E-M1oII review:

In all, the E-M10 Mark II is a great upgrade for those using the original E-M5 and is worth a long hard look for those considering the E-M5 Mark II. If you rely on action shooting and need solid continuous autofocus, the E-M1 or one of the more recent Panasonic bodies should garner your attention, but for all other shooters, the E-M10 Mark II represents the best value in the Olympus lineup. It’s an excellent camera.

E-M10II store links: [shopcountry 57242]

Imaging Resource posted the full GX8 review:

Overall, the Panasonic GX8 is one impressive camera. Though the body shape feels slightly larger than average, the build quality and ergonomics are fantastic. The articulated LCD and characteristic tilting EVF really make the GX8 a versatile, easy to use camera regardless of where or how you’re positioned. The array of external controls will undoubtedly please advanced users looking for a highly configurable control scheme. It’s small and rugged enough to travel practically anywhere, and its speedy performance lets it capture pretty much all but the most challenging, fast-paced subject matter.
Its high-res sensor makes great images with impressive print quality results, and the GX8 is well-suited for the multimedia power user with a nice array of video features. All said and done, with its new sensor, impressive performance, high quality 4K video, as well as excellent, robust wireless connectivity features, the Panasonic GX8 wears a lot of hats, so to speak, and certainly deserves consideration if you’re in the market for an enthusiast-level mirrorless camera that can practically do it all. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the Panasonic GX8 gets the nod as a Dave’s Pick.

GX8 store links: [shopcountry 57216]

The E-M5II has been selected twice at Imaging Resource best 2015 camera reward:

Once because of the best “Camera of Distinction”:

Overall, the Olympus E-M5 II takes what we loved about the E-M5 and polishes it to perfection. Combined with the ever-growing lineup of fantastic Olympus lenses, the E-M5 Mark II is a top-notch system camera for the enthusiast photographer.

And also because it has the best “Technology of Distinction”:

We’ve tested the E-M5 II’s 40-megapixel mode, and the results are very impressive. While medium-format cameras with high resolution sensors will still win on the resolution front, the level of detail the E-M5 II can deliver in its 40 megapixel mode with a good lens (and Olympus makes many such) is truly impressive. When you consider the price point, it’s a tough act to follow.

E-M5II store links:
E-M5II in Black at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
E-M5II in Silver at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
E-M5II In Europe at AmazonUK, Jessops, WexUK, Namencolor.

TheCameraStoreTV selected the Best and Worst Gear of 2015. The only (and well deserved) notable MFT related mention are the new Veydra MFT Cine lenses. Watch the video as it’s pretty funny to see what’s the worst camera of the year!

The GH4-GX8-E-M5II are among the Top 10 Compact Cameras for Travelers from National Geographic. This is the camera they mention and why they are so good:

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

Pick for Travelers: This is a new version of an Olympus OM camera that dates back to the 1970s. Here, Olympus revisits its “smaller is better” philosophy and packs in the latest high-tech features. If you like technical features, particularly when shooting cities at twilight, you’ll like the multishot 40-megapixel mode. Like the Fuji, a complete setup fits in a smaller bag.

Pro Tip: Try the articulated screen with touch-screen focusing for video and stills. The option to touch-focus and shoot is set right on the screen. This works particularly well when shooting from a low angle. After framing up the shot, you can wait for someone to walk into the frame, touch their image on the screen, and the camera will focus and immediately take the picture. —Jim Richardson, contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine and National Geographic Traveler

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8


Pick for Travelers: The Panasonic G series has been a photographer favorite for a few years. The cameras are loved for their small size and excellent image quality, as well as for the huge range of lenses available from Panasonic, Olympus, and Leica. An added advantage is that the micro 4/3 cameras in this series all share a common lens mount and functionality. This is a good choice if you want a higher megapixel count than the Olympus cameras offer.

Pro Tip: David Alan Harvey used an earlier version of this surprisingly tiny camera to capture many of the pictures featured in a National Geographic magazine story on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4

Pick for Travelers: If you like a modern-looking, great-shooting still camera, this is a great choice. It has all the advantages of using the micro 4/3 format with a huge selection of lenses that don’t lock you into a particular manufacturer’s camera. But it’s a video-shooting powerhouse. The Lumix DMC-GH4 takes still-camera video into an entirely new class by shooting in ultrahigh definition, a resolution that is commonly referred to as 4K. This camera is the least expensive way to shoot ultra-HD video.

Pro Tip: To see what this camera is capable of, watch “Light of the Yucatan” by Bryan Harvey, an award-winning commercial and documentary director of photography.

Olympus TG-3

Pick for Travelers: Although this camera has the very small point-and-shoot-size sensor, its other attributes more than make up for that slight handicap. It’s pocket-size and completely shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof, as well as waterproof to 50 feet without a housing. Sometimes the best photos come from the sketchiest circumstances, and you won’t be afraid to bring this camera along—it’s one you don’t have to worry about. Olympus has added a new Tough camera, the TG-860, which incorporates a selfie-friendly, 180-degree flip screen.

Pro Tip: [I took] this camera on my first diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef. I was very impressed by the clarity of the images I got below the surface. All of my dive mates were jealous, especially the one who paid extra for housings and whose pictures weren’t as clear. —Carolyn Fox, former director of digital, Nat Geo Travel

Annie Barton tested the [shoplink 56744 ebay]Kern Paillard Pizar 26mm f/1.9 lens (here one Bay)[/shoplink] on the Panasonic GH4:

“This is a handheld video footage. Its motion inconsistency makes the viewing a lot less comfortable, and the focusing at f1.9 does not make it any easier. We need more practices, either that or we need to get a rig.”