J.W. has taken a deep look on new Olympus patents at http://appft.uspto.gov/. J.W. found at leats 10 Olympus patents having to do with HDR processing. Some of them are software based HDR solutions and some of them sensor based HDR patents (which sounds really interesting). Panasonic developed a similar sensor based solution (read more here: https://43rumors.com/missing-panasonicsensor/) .

J.W. writes “The sensor based solutions have everything from an ISO HDR form, to two seperated timed redouts from the sensor, to two and I belive 3 types/size/sensivity pixel arangements. Obviously they are working very diligently on increaseing the DR of the imaging sensors.” What sounds really interesting is J.W.’s next statement “They are not apparently just relying on “kodak” promises of future sensors anymore.“. I asked him…What? Olympus had/have the idea to implement Kodak sensor on future cameras? His answer: “As for the Kodak comment, that was based on the rumored promises by Kodak to Olympus on the future sensor developments. Promises that the sensor tech would be advance fast enough that ccd 4/3 sensors would be just as good as the larger format cmos in a couple years. Also afaik from previos Olympus statments they are not tied to Pani for sensors, they tested several brand sensors for the E-3 body.” Remember that’s just rumors nothing else! We really don’t know if Olympus will implement such features in future cameras but we really like the idea the rumor could one day become true!

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After weeks of Panasonic GF1 talking we want to give you some E-P1 related news ;)

Photography Savvy wrote a “Olympus E-P1 Hands-On“. He really enjoyed the camera and has also some suggestion for future Olympus MFT cameras: 1) External Electronic Viewfinder. 2) AF-Assist Lamp. 3) Simplified Controls.

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The amateur photographer tested the E-P1 autofous speed (1.1 firmware).

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PhotographyBay posted some Panasonic GH1 image samples and Photofocus has some GH1 sample footages.

UPDATE: The German-language weekly news “Der Spiegel” made a Panasonic Lumix GH1 vs. Nikon D90 comparison. Click here to read the poor english google translation (Thanks Heiko!)
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Camerlabs tested two Panasonic compact cameras. The Lumix DMC-FS25 and the Lumix DMC-FZ38

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The Olympus 17mm f/2.8mm Lens is back in stock at amazon.
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Amazon US changed the Panasonic GF1+14-45mm lens status from available on September 24 to Not in stock; order now and we’ll deliver when available. It means that they are receiving the first GF1 camera stocks but the preorder list is too long to deliver you the camera now if you buy today!
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May today is not a rumor day but it is definitely a review day! CNET Asia just posted their GF1 test which you can read here: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001468,45001636p,00.htm (why such a complicated URL address?)

For them “…the GF1 is a very appealing choice for enthusiasts and users who wish to upgrade from a point-and-shoot.“

Google just released Picasa 3.5! You can download the software here at http://picasa.google.com/

The two most important improvements are Facial Recognition and Geo-Tagging. I also suggest you to try digikam (which I use since two years). Let me know if you find it usefull!

(UPDATE) Picasa reads RAW file but it works in 8bit only! But the main advantage of raw sensor data is that it contains 12 bit or even 14 bit depth and it contains much more room for shadows and highlights. That’s why I suggest you to use digikam.

Photoreview gained a place in the hall of fame! They now posted the Panasonic 14-45mm review!

Read the test: http://www.photoreview.com.au/

UPDATE: Link was wrong. Now it works!

Click here to preorder the Panasonic GF1 (amazon)
Merci Rahan!

The updated preorder table:

Amazon US:
Panasonic GF1 with 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Lens (probably early October)
Panasonic GF1 with 14-45mm Lens (Sep 24, 2009)
Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras (probably early October)
Panasonic 45mm f/2.8 Aspherical MEGA OIS Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras (probably early November)
Panasonic DMW-LVF1 Viewfinder (probably early October?)

Adorama
Panasonic GF1 with LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S Lens (probably early October)
Panasonic GF1 with LUMIX G 20mm/F1.7 Aspherical Lens (probably early December)
Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 Lumix Aspherical Lens for Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount Systems (?)

Amazon UK
Panasonic GF1 (all configurations and colours) (probably early October)

Amazon France
Panasonic GF1

Still no Panasonic GF1 in Amazon Germany

Hong Kong

availabile from 26 Sept 09 in all colours (but first shipment will be taken up V. quickly). price is 7490 hkd from Panasonic (both kits).

Australia

Panasonic Australia have indicated that they will receive their first shipment of the Panasonic DMC-GF1/20 PC lens and the viewfinder around late September to early October. The DMW-LVF1E Electronic viewfinder will set you back $379.00AUD