(FT3) No spectacular changes on new PEN cameras?

An anonymous source juts sent me a message. He says he had the chance to test the new PEN cameras. He also says that there are “no spectacular changes, although the ergonomics have improved on the smaller models.

I may ask the source if he can explain me the following sentence I got from another anonymous source saying: “updates to the EPL range should include some sort of viewfinder.“. Does it mean there is some kind of new external viewfinder or what?

Thanks for your help :)

P.S.: Finally a great deal for my European colleagues: E-PM1 body for 199 Euro by [shoplink 33003 ebay]Fotoexperte on eBay Deutschland (Ships to all Europe)[/shoplink].

(FT3) Two new Four Thirds and two new M43 cameras coming?

On Sunday Olympus released an official statement saying that a “Pro camera” is in the works. A 43rumors sent me this small info that may confirm that:

This evening I took part in a survey about my last purchase of a DSLR/Mirrorless camera. I mentioned that it was from Olympus and in the next screen a list with all the actual system cameras made by Olympus came up. In this list where also mentioned E-6, E-650, E-PL4 and E-PM2. May be the author of that survey seams to know more about soon coming FT- and MFT cameras.

The new PEN cameras are certainly coming so it sounds plausible that Olympus is thinking on an E-6 and E-650 release too. But for now trusted sources only confirmed the two PEN release now (and another OMD model months after Photokina).

(FT3) a first short Panasonic GH3 user impression report.

Shape of the current [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink].

An anonymous sources sent me a short text about the GH3 handling. He had a short time “experience” with the camera. He asked me to rewrite the text he has written so enjoy my usual childish English rewritten report :)

The camera feels more solid in your hands than it was with the GH2. It gives you a more “pro” feeling…think at the 12-35mm X “feeling” as an example. The shape changed a bit, more rounded and camera feels a bit heavier. The real first change you notice when switching on the camera is the quality of the viewfinder. Hugely improved over the GH2. Makes feel like GH2 was crap. Can’t talk about specs and image quality yet (firmware is not not finalized). But I have been told image quality is very close to the best APS-C DSLR while image quality surpass what current DSLR can offer. As I said, can’t talk about image quality yet but the first impression is that this is the most “Pro” m43 camera ever made“.

This sounds nice but I hope to get some real more detailed specs soon too! Sources can send me anonymous info through the contact form on the right sidebar or at 43rumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

Meantime here are the specs we have got until now:

FT5: similar GH2 design, weather sealed, no global shutter, major improvements in AF speed and EVF quality, GH3X kit with 12-35mm X lens.
FT3: 15.5 mega-pixel sensor, Iso 160-12800 (extends to 80-51200), 6.7fps, 3.2″ inch LCD with 1050k-dots, EVF with 2.06 mega-dots, double SDXC slots, in-camera GPS, external battery grip.

(FT5) Don’t expect anything big from tomorrow. Big Oly announcement is coming mid September…


Is that weird Panasonic m43 camcorder coming too?

I now got confirmation from trusted sources that tomorrows (August 22th) announcement is pretty much insignificant (60mm macro release only). The real big thing is coming exactly mid September just a few days before the big Photokina start. The sources also confirmed that two PEN cameras are arriving. None of them yet mentioned an E-7 camera. And he High End OMD is something we have to expect in early 2013.

Panasonic will have announcement in mid September too (Gh3 and new lenses). I am also curious to see if the Panasonic camcorder we found on a patent will also come for real…More pictures here (Click on thumbnails to enlarge):

(FT3) Olympus announcement on Wednesday?

Good Morning!

Let’s start this week with the first good news. I still have no confirmation from top sources but it is likely that Olympus will have a product announcement on Wednesday (August 22th at 6-7 am London time). As I told you before this shouldn’t be a camera announcement but more likely a 60mm macro and accessory release. I still don’t know if the crazy little 15mm lens will also be announced on that day. Because a source told us the “New cheap olympus M43 body on his way and goes along with the cheap f8 lens“. This means it could be announced the same day of the E-PM2 (around mid September). But as I said I still have no super reliable confirmation of that. So stay tuned!

P.S: Panasonic announcement is likely scheduled for mid September too!

Another “meet an Olympus rep guy” rumor :)

For the series “an Olympus rep guy told me” here is the next non reliable rumor via Dpreview forum. RoAlmeida write: “When I was in Tokyo a couple weeks ago, I spoke to Oly’s sales rep from a famous camera store. Seems more likely the next steps are upgraded PENs with IBIS+EM5’s sensor next month – including a nice rangefinder/EVF surprise. The 43s line should continue with ‘high-end’ bodies arriving in Q3/2013 only. But it should bring a competitive tech package – including a new high-res Sony sensor that should make many FF users very jealous.

What makes me suspicious is that the PEN part of the rumor is exactly what I have posted weeks ago. While the second part related to a High End body I also posted here on 43rumors. The rep added two small info: Q3/2013 release and a mysterious (LOL) high-res Sony sensor.

I am still waiting for the day may come rep guys (from any manufacturer)! will really share a REAL info… :)

P.S.: I am pretty sure a higher than [shoplink 29074]E-M5[/shoplink] m43 camera willa rrive early next year. Working on that rumor too!