New G3 and Leica lens review at Luminous Landscape (+ new E-P3 tests)
[/shoplink]One of my favorite cameras gets a field review at Luminous Landscape (Click here). They tested the [shoplink 22077]G3[/shoplink] and the new [shoplink 23110]Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4[/shoplink] lens: “The new G3 may well be one of the best Micro Four Thirds camera yet. And, except for those that need more versatile video capability, the G3 may in fact be a preferable camera for some users than the top-of-the-line GH2…Overall image quality was very good indeed. The jump from 12MP to 16MP has not detracted from IQ in any visible way. At ISO 160 and 200 the camera is as clean as one could wish. ISO 400 and 800 start to show noise, but no worse that similarly priced cameras from Nikon, Canon, Pentax, etc. A bit of luminance smoothing in Lightroom and the images are certainly usable for most any purpose. Beginning at ISO 1600 noise begins to be problematic, and though it can be reduced, detail resolution starts to suffer.”
And about the 25mm lens: “I found little to fault and a lot to like. The lens’ resolution wide open is very good in the center, and naturally softens toward the edges, though by less than one would imagine. Vignetting is modest and I rarely bothered to correct it in post processing. Flare is minimal, even wide open.”
As you know the G3 is finally shipping everywhere in the world and you can find first kits in Stock in at [shopcountry 22077]! The Panasonic Leica 25mm lens is only available for preorder at Adorama, B&H, J&R, Digitalrev and [shoplink 23110]eBay[/shoplink]. Both the G3 and 25mm lens are highly recommended!
P.S: There is a new E-P3 hands-on at SystemKamera-Forum.de (german) image samples at Fourthirds-user.com and a Olympus EP-3 vs Olympus EP-2 comparison at ThePhoBlographer