New Olympus and Pansasonic pancake zoom reviews.

Size comparison image on courtesy of ePhotozine.

We have the lucky choice between two great pancake zooms. But which one should you buy? Here are two new reviews to get an idea about their strenghts and weaknesses:

Tyson Robichaud (Click here) tested the Panasonic 12-32mm lens and writes:

I would buy this lens over any of the other 14-42 or 14-45mm kit lenses, including the new Olympus 14-42 pancake zoom.  Why?  Firstly because it gives us a 24mm equivalent versus the 28mm equivalent on the wide end. The Lumix lens is sharp, it has nice contrast and saturation while maintaining an absolutely minuscule profile.

Photographyblog (Click here) tested the Olympus 14-42mm pancake and writes:

Whilst we’re more than happy with the Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ‘s fast and reliable auto-focusing, the very slim manual focusing ring makes this method much more frustrating. Build quality is surprisingly good considering this is a humble kit lens – even the lens mount is made of metal rather than plastic.

 

Photographyblog reviews and marks the E-M10 as “essential”

The Olympus E-M10 is collecting great feedbacks every week! First Dpreview said it’s “truly an impressive camera” than DxO said it’s a “mini marvel” and now the camera earned an “Essential!” mark at Photographyblog (Click here):

Commendably the E-M10 is as solidly-built and stunningly designed as its more expensive brothers – the only real concession to price is the lack of weather-sealing, something that many users at this level won’t miss anyway, especially as the camera’s buttons are subsequently a little easier to press. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 is cheaper than the E-M5/E-M1 and most of its similarly-specified rivals too, making it a real bargain that importantly makes very few concessions to hit that very tempting price-point. Essential!

Store links for US and Europe:
Special page with all new products at Amazon.
E-M10 Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
E-M10 Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, AdoramaGetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
E-M10 with 14-42mm lens Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama , GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
E-M10 with 14-42mm lens Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, AdoramaGetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
25mm f/1.8 Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
25mm f/1.8 Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
14-42mm Black at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
14-42mm Silver at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex UK, Amazon Germany.
Olympus SP-100 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
Olympus TG-850 iHS at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
Olympus ECG-1 Black Camera Grip for E-M10 at Amazon, Adorama.
Olympus 9mm f8.0 Fisheye Body Cap Lens at Adorama, GetOlympus. In EU at Wex Uk.
Olympus V321200BW000 Macro Converter MCON-P02 (Black) at Amazon,

Again: Nocticron beats Fuji according to DSLRmagazine testing.

Image courtesy: DSLRmagazine

The meticulous Spanish tester from DSLRmagazine (translation here) compared three amazing lenses: The new Nocticron, the Fuji 56mm and the Olympus 45mm lens. On the site you can see a full bokeh and resolution test. The conclusion from the reviewer says that the Nocticron is the best overall performer with the best contrast, sharpness and bokeh!

And here are some more new Nocticron tests:

Tomek:I know you’re probably tired of Nocticron tests, but this one is a little bit different. I’ve added some comparisons, for example with Voigt. 42,5 mm or Olympus 45 mm. Pls take a look: http://www.m43.eu/obiektywy/test-panasonic-leica-dg-nocticron-425-mm-f12-apsh/7/
My conclusion is: Leica is not sharper or optically better then the other good, prime m43 lens, but it still worth to pay 1500 euro just because it’s brighter. I’ve also prepared a short but (I think so ;-) ) interesting movie about this lens. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGvAjksKyOE

A German test of the Nocticron can be read at Blog.krolop-gerst.com.

You can buy the lens at Amazon US (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). In UK at Wexphotographic (Click here). In Germany at Redcoon (Click here), Technikdirekt (Click here).

New GH4 videos (including a comparison with a $40,000 Arri Alexa).


Panasonic GH4 4096×2160 vs Alexa 2048×1152 24P

Cinematographer Sittipong Kongtong compared the performance of the $1,700 GH4 vs the $40,000 Arri Alexa. The GH4 footage looks a bit under exposed and cannot match the Arris dynamic range. Videofilmaker.com analyzed the results and writes:

Despite this (lower DR), the GH4 definitely holds its weight compared to the Alexa. For the most part it looks smooth with little to no motion blur when pausing. Although, the jagged movements on those reflectors being swung around (in the first vid) really screams DSLR; something you’ll need to consider if your film calls for action scenes. The results show that in daylight the GH4 is absolutely worth the price tag and a bit of a godsend for indie filmmakers. Whether or not it does as well in low light conditions will be another matter entirely.

And here are some more GH4 news and tests:
Panasonic GH4 4K 4096×2160 24p, night in available light on Youtube.
Nick Driftwood product release video on Youtube.
4K Panasonic GH4 Aerial Shot Test on Youtube.
Panasonic GH4 & Interface Unit: First Look by Videomaker on Youtube.
More information on 10bit 4K 4:2:2 via micro HDMI on the GH4 without external box (EosHD).

North American GH4 preorders, shipping date and price:
GH4 camera at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,698. In Canada at TheCameraStore (Click here) and Vistek (Click here).
GH4 camera with interface unit at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). Price: $3,298
Interface unit only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,998

European GH4 preorders, shipping date and price:
Germany: Wexcameras, Marcotec-shop.de.
UK at Wexphotographic, CameraWorld, UKdigital, CVP, TipTop.
Holland at Fotohanskeuzekamp.
Belgium at Fotokonijnenberg.
Norway at Fotovideo.
Sweden at Cyberphoto, Skandinavianphoto.
Finland at Telefoto, Topshot, Verkkoauppa.
France at Photocineshop.

Tested: Panasonic GX7 works fine in Antarctica!

The Scott Expedition – A Great Adventure from Studiocanoe on Vimeo.

43rumors readers Temujin sent me this video shot with the GX7 in Antarctica! And here is the text:

The GX7’s worked perfectly in Antarctica – as did my GH3. Here’s a quick overview video from the expedition. https://vimeo.com/87406935. The team sent back footage from the GX7’s via a custom made communications array – using the Iridium satellite system. The footage they sent back was reduced in quality to keep the file size down, but now I’m editing the raw files and we hope to make and finish a full documentary from the footage later this year.
Also – perhaps you will like this – https://vimeo.com/87651855. Shot with my GH3 and Panasonic lenses in Iceland over winter.

Nice work!

First Look at the Panasonic Lumix GH4 with Zacuto.

First Look at the Panasonic Lumix GH4 with Zacuto from Zacuto on Vimeo.

Zacuto posted that interesting GH4 chat with Panasonic manager Matt Frazer. A real must see if you want to learn more about the GH4! There are a couple of very “honest” answers from Matt about the real ISO improvement and native ISO of the sensor.

North American preorders, shipping date and price:
GH4 camera at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,698. In Canada at Vistek (Click here).
GH4 camera with interface unit at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). Price: $3,298
Interface unit only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,998

Europen preorders, shipping date and price:
Germany: Wexcameras, Marcotec-shop.de.
UK at Wexphotographic, CameraWorld, UKdigital, CVP, TipTop.
Holland at Fotohanskeuzekamp.
Belgium at Fotokonijnenberg.
Norway at Fotovideo.
Sweden at Cyberphoto, Skandinavianphoto.
Finland at Telefoto, Topshot, Verkkoauppa.
France at Photocineshop.

 

GH4 Hands-On Field Test by TheCameraStoreTV!

Chris and Jordan from TheCameraStoreTV tested the GH4. And once you will finish to watch this video you will want to buy a GH4 :)

North American GH4 preorders, shipping date and price:
GH4 camera at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,698. In Canada at Vistek (Click here).
GH4 camera with interface unit at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). Price: $3,298
Interface unit only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Panasonic (Click here). Price: $1,998

European GH4 preorders, shipping date and price:
Germany: Wexcameras, Marcotec-shop.de.
UK at Wexphotographic, CameraWorld, UKdigital, CVP, TipTop.
Holland at Fotohanskeuzekamp.
Belgium at Fotokonijnenberg.
Norway at Fotovideo.
Sweden at Cyberphoto, Skandinavianphoto.
Finland at Telefoto, Topshot, Verkkoauppa.
France at Photocineshop.