The polish website Optyczne (Click here) posted their final Olympus 45mm f/1.8 review. In short, this is a MUSTA-HAVE lens! It has a sensational image quality in the center of the frame and an excellent quality on the border. Very low CS, distortion,astigmatism and vignetting. The only minus is that it is not an all metal lens. But damn, it costs you 399 Dollars only! For that price you would be crazy to expect a [shoplink 23576]12mm f/2.0 quality[/shoplink] build quality!

You can preorder the lens at Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay. And there is already a price drop in Europe where you can get the lens for 256 Euro only at Amazon DE (Click here).

New US deals: Price drop on the Panasonic 7-14mm lens at Amazon (Click here) and on the Panasonic 20mm pancake again at Amazon (Click here).

Image courtesy: Jean-Baptiste Lefournier via Hybdricams.fr.

Which is better, the Nokton or the Leica. That is the question! While other mirrorless system still struggle to offer some decent lenses we are sitting on the conftable position where we can choose between an ultra-fast manual standard lens and a Leica af lens. The french website Hybridcams (Click here) compared the image quality of the two lenses. Look at the photos and than come back and let us know which lens you like more.

The Lecia 25mm is in Stock via asian resellers on [shoplink 23110 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink], at Amazon UK (Click here) and Amazon Japan (Click here). US readers can preorder the lens at Adorama (Click here).
The Nokton 25mm is in Stock at Amazon US (Click here), on [shoplink 15659 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and the cheapest price in Europe can be found at Amazon France (Click here).

Arkadiusz Olech from Lenstip (Click here) posted the very first full size image samples taken with the two new Panasonic X lenses, the Panasonic 14-42mmm X and 45-175mm X. The test images do look good or not?

The same website (Click here) also posted some Olympus 45mm f/1.8 image samples. Olympus Japan confirmed that the lens will ship to every corner of this planet from Spetember 9. You can preorder the lens by clicking those direct search links at [shopcountry 23577].

The polish website Optyczne (Click here to read the translation) intensively tested the new Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens. In short they say the image quality is “sensational” in the center of the frame (even at f/1.4!). The border quality is not exceptional at the widest aperture. You have to stop down to get top results on the edges of the frame. There is only a small amount of Chromatic Aberration and Astigmatism. You can also take pictures of light sources like Sun or Lights as there is no problem with flare. The only “negatives” is the little bit too high vignetting at f/1.4 aperture and marked coma.

The Panasonic Leica lens is in Stock at Amazon US (overpriced), Amazon UK (Click here), Amazon Japan (Click here) and of course plenty of them are sold via asian resellers on [shoplink 23110 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

More preorder search at [shopcountry 23110].

Engadget (Click here) posted an Olympus E-PM1 hands-on (The video is here on top): “Overall, our impressions of the PEN Mini: affordable, adorable and it took some pretty darn good photos. We really enjoyed this cam”
Also Digitalcamerareview (Click here) posted an Olympus E-PM1 preview: “Since size (or lack thereof) is the E-PM1’s biggest difference from other Pen cameras, know that those with big hands looking for a solid grip will not like holding the E-PM1. It’s designed for portability and mobility, and though I didn’t have any trouble getting accustomed to it for an afternoon of shooting, other shooters may find it hard to grip.”. The black E-PM1 is in Stock for the very first time at BHphoto (Click here). You can check the E-PM1 availability also at [shopcountry 23565].

Digitalcamerainfo (Click here) posted a full 21 page long (!) Panasonic GF3 review: “In total, the GF3 is a very appealing compact camera that, through sheer association with the Micro Four Thirds lens family, offers incredible upside for anybody—enthusiast or novice—willing to pick it up and give it a try.” Panasonic GF3 price check at [shopcountry 23109].

Something else: There is a new Panasonic GH2 page (Click here) with pictures from Bence Maté.

Olympus PEN E-P3 Mini Review at Photofocus (Click here): “The Olympus E-P3 is probably the best camera in its class – for now at least. Compared with the hot Fuji X100 the Olympus is in my opinion, a much better choice.”

Out on the street with the Olympus E-P3 and 12mm f/2 lens by Steve Huff (Click here): “If you have been on the fence about the E-P3 and are invested in the M 4/3 system, I’d say GO FOR IT. It is wonderful and a big improvement in just about every area over the E-P1 and E-P2.”

There is a nice field test written by Gakuranman.com and fiedl test at Hendralauw (Click here): “Just like my Panasonic GF1, the Olympus PEN E-P3 is great for street photography. It’s small, un-intimidating and powerful enough to create great images. And I love its combination with the new Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 lens. Great wide angle lens.“. He also posted an ISO 10.000 picture :)

And than we have a Nikon 5100 versus E-P3 battle at Mashable (Click here): “After extensive testing, the two cameras’ performance was similar, but I think the Olympus E-P3 does a better job of fulfilling that mission.”

Click those direct search links to check if the E-P3 is in Stock at [shopcountry 23568].

P.S.: Silkypix now supports the E-P3

REMINDER: Those are the direct search links to all the new Pana/Oly stuff:
Panasonic G3 search page at [shopcountry 22077].
Panasonic GF3 search page at [shopcountry 23109].
Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4 search page at [shopcountry 23110].
Olympus E-P3 search page at [shopcountry 23568].
Olympus 12mm f/2.0 search page at [shopcountry 23576].
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 page at [shopcountry 23577].

Quesabesde (Click here to read the translation) posted a full [shoplink 22077]Panasonic G3[/shoplink] review: “The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 deserves to rank among the best options for those who walk looking for a compact camera with affordable price“. Get the G3 at [shopcountry 22077].

Steve Huff (Click here) tested the 11mm f/2.4 Toy lens: “The lens is small, light, has a metal mount, and focuses quickly and easily. If you buy this lens, do not expect perfection, straight lines, or super sharp images. Instead, expect some cool “SLR Magic” funkiness and you will be quite happy“. You can check the Toy lens price on [shoplink 24931 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]