GH3 gets DxOmarked! Is on par with the E-M5.

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The Panasonic GH3 sensor finally got “DxOmarked”! You can read the full test at dxomark.com. As you can see from the image on top the GH3 is basically on par with the other 16 Megapixel Olympus cameras. No surprise here. The real killer feature of the GH3 is his video quality which DxOmark doesn’t measure. DxOmark writes: “The Panasonic Lumix DMC GH3 is a very good camera, among the best tested by DxO Mark in this format. It is small and light and will make an excellent camera to travel with and fulfils all of the requirements that a serious enthusiast is likely to have. However, it is pricey for a hybrid and it has competition from several directions.”

Meantime the GH3 is still sold out in US and will ship from February 28th only according to BHphoto (Click here). By the way, there is a $30 price drop on the Panasonic GH3 battery grip at Shop Panasonic.

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Olympus denies the DSLR investment reduction news.

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In response to yesterdays article from Sponichi Annex (translation here) today Olympus officially denied that they are going to reduce their DSLR (aka Four Thirds) business (Source: DC.watch). And they underlined that their DSLR plans will remain “unchanged”. And regarding the compact camera business they said that they are now “focusing management resources on higher-priced models”.

Editor’s note: With no new Four Thirds lens released in three years and just one Four Thirds camera (the E-5) there is no need to read a press release to see that their DSLR investments and product strategy has been “reduced”. No matter what Olympus says. Of course, Olympus may could restart to push the Olympus FT system. But I don’t think this is ever going to happen (just my personal opinion).

In summary what to expect in 2013: Rumors are unreliable and unproven stories but they tell us that there will be a new PEN in June, new OMD in September, new MFT zooms and indeed a high end premium compact camera with fixed lens. It is also rumored that there will be a camera with a 100% lens support for Four Thirds lenses. But whether this will be a high OMD with phase detection AF pixels or an E-7 has yet to be seen.

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Panasonic 7-14mm tested by CameraLabs. And issues on the 12-35mm X stabilization system?

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Strange Panasonic 12-35mm Shakiness (w/14-140mm comparison), GH3 on tripod, image stabilization is off, manual mode, shown @200% from John Bklyn.NYC on Vimeo.

CameraLabs (Click here) just posted the full Panasonic 7-14mm lens review. The lens got a “Highly Recommended” mark by Gordon (the reviewer). So far s good but…there is also a not so good news for Panasonic. A DVXuser forum member sent me the link to his post where he explains an issue encountered on the 12-35mm X lens. Apparently the IS remains active even if you set it as “off”. And that’s a real issue for long exposure pics and causes a “shimmer” on the image. There is an example you can see here at http://vimeo.com/59358100 (video is also embedded on top).
The tester came to the conclusion that “this lens is not very suitable for tripod work or still photography with long exposures“.

UDPATE: A very detailed report of the issue is also available at Personal View Forum. There are more videos to watch like this one:

Panasonic 12-35mm Shakiness (Test #2 w/new lens) — unacceptable image jitter on tripod even when IOS is turned off from John Bklyn.NYC on Vimeo.

I hope Panasonic acknowledges it!

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Store price check links for the…
Panasonic 7-14mm lens at [shopcountry 14822] Panasonic 12-35mm lens at [shopcountry 31225]

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(FT3) E-P5 to be announced in June. More cameras in September.

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A source told me about the announcement time of the new E-P5. The camera will be announce in June and hit stores the month after. At the same time also the first Olympus f/2.8 constant zoom will be announced. More cameras will be announced in September. If the rumor is correct than it means that Olympus will wait 9 months (between September 2012 and June 2013) before to announce new products (I do not count the just upgraded 75-300mm lens).

Panasonic will announce the new GF and G cameras in Spring while there is a complete uncertainty about the GX. And the 42,5mm and 150mm lenses on roadmap are likely going to be shipped in early 2014 only.

Yesterdays news and interviews displayed a clear common challenge for Olympus and Panasonic Both are facing some economical challenges and both have to define a new product strategy. Not something we have to worried about, it’s in some ways also very normal. Panasonic is likely to move more and more in the upper more semipro and pro market. Olympus may will do exactly the same with the next High End OMD model.

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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct

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Detailed Panasonic Colour Splitter Sensor report.

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Last week Panasonic announced a new sensor tech that basically signs their first step out form the classic Bayer sensor paradigm. Now you can read a more detailed report about the new Colour Splutter sensor tech at readcube (Click here). Panasonic writes:

Sigma was the first company getting rid of the color filters. And now it’s Panasonic turn. And plenty of patents from Fuji, Canon and Sony shows that they are also working into the same direction. Exciting time ahead on the sensor front!

Found via Image Sensor World.

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(UPDATED) Olympus 40-150mm for $99. Panasonic GX1 X lens for $499.

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[shoplink 36738 ebay][/shoplink]

For the next 24 hours you will be able to purchase a limited quantity of Black Panasonic GX1 cameras with 14-42mm X(!) lens kit for $499 on [shoplink 36738 ebay]eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink]. This is the deal of the day officially advertised by eBay itself. The same kit but with Silver color is available for $599 at Amazon (Click here).

UDPATE: The Olympus 40-150mm lens is now for sale for $99 only at Amazon and Adorama.

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