43rumors reader Tim tested the new 12-35mm X firmware 1.2 (download here): “I believe Panasonic finally fixes the shake issue in their 12-35mm f2.8 lens. anasonic has just released firmware 1.2 update for their 12-35mm lens which improves its stabilization system. Until now, this lens has been plagued with the infamous “shake issue”: when on a tripod and angled down, the image would shake. This was a well-known issue documented in numerous videos online. I did a quick test with the new firmware, and it does indeed look like the shake is completely gone. Here is link to my test on vimeo. https://vimeo.com/66329224 (video also embedded on top of this post). Not sure if this is newsworthy, but I was super thrilled to discover this and thought I’d spread the word.”
Photoreview (Click here) posted the very first full test of the brand new Panasonic 14-140mm lens. And their conclusion contains also a negative finding: “While subjective assessments of test shots and video clips showed them to be acceptably detailed, with natural-looking colours and an adequate dynamic range in outdoor lighting, our Imatest tests revealed the new lens suffered from the same performance issues as most extended-range zoom lenses. At no point did the resolution recorded in our tests reach expectations for the 16-megapixel sensor in the GF6. Interestingly, corner and edge softening was less than we found with the original 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 lens”
Gosh! Worse than the older lens? I just hope they got a non perfect prototype lens!
The main discussion around the new E-P5 was and still is the price. Robin Wong (Click here) posted a report about the Touch and Try Session with the Olympus E-P5 and wrote: “I have been monitoring the overall feedback and comments on the Olympus PEN E-P5, and many mentioned that they were taken aback with the rather high pricing. After all the E-P5 is a “Premium” camera, and it does have almost all the important features of OM-D E-M5. Nonetheless, Olympus Malaysia did have special offers for the E-P5 pre-orders, with MASSIVE discounts given for bundling with the amazing Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm F1.8 and the new electronic viewfinder VF-4!!”
More E-P5 news: Federico Cabrera (the OM-D photographer) is doing something artistic around the PEN E-P5 on facebook.com. The full shipping info of lenses and accessories has been posted at Olympus-global.com. E-PL6 vs E-PL5 specs comparison at Olympusimage.com. UK Preview event list at Photographyblog. First look and image samples at Photoreview.
Everything you need to know about the new E-P5 can be seen in this nice video review made by Blunty. Meantime the full kit E-P5 are still selling better than the body only version according to Amazon ranking (Click here to see the list).
The list you see below now contains Samys preorder links too. And if you want to get notified the day the E-P5 body gets a price drop on eBay just save this search in your slidoo account (change country in your settings if you need to).
The G6 is the real new updated GH2 or not? So it may be interesting to see if there is a difference in the video quality. It’s made by 43rumors reader Julian. He wrote me the following text: “The YouTube compression doesn’t do the footage much justice but it gives an idea. Everything shot with the same fixed white balance at 1/50s, various apertures but same on both camera’s at all times. My first impressions:
The G6 looks better to me. Better shadow detail and a bit more detail in the highlights. Probably due to the flatter picture style (contrast -5)
The G6 shares the picture styles with the GH3, so no smooth like on the GH2. Kept both camera’s on standard to keep it as close as possible. Everything dialed down maximum.
Less noise at high iso’s, less banding. Couldn’t detect any moire.
Looks a tad less sharp than (hacked) GH2, but that could be up to the sharpening at -5. With some sharpening probably same detail level.
Rolling shutter looks the same to me.”
The video on top shows you the new E-P5 WiFI and QR code features. There is also a video in German made by Digitalkamera. A couple of Image Samples can be seen at Olympus Imaging. But this may not be very interesting because the quality is exactly the same as the E.M5. And in case you missed it the new E-PL6 has been announced in Japan (DC.watch).
The camera will ship on June 14 according to Amazon US (Click here). Let me know if you can find preorder links and shipment info in Europe!
The new G6 high shoulder design seen before on the [shoplink 38236 ebay]Leica R9 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
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Photographyblog (Click here) posted the first full G6 review and wrote a surprisingly positive conclusion: “In our view the Lumix G6 is the best overall compact system camera that Panasonic have yet released offering a great mix of must-have features, intuitive DSLR-like handling and speedy performance, all at a reasonable price.”
