New Panasonic GX1 review at Photographyblog (+ more GX1 tests).

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ULB for CSC’s from CrockettCo Technology on Vimeo.

Photographyblog (Click here) posted the full Panasonic GX1 review: “The new GX-series unfortunately doesn’t quite slot into place between the GF and G ranges, costing as much as the G3 with the same 14-42mm lens, so it’s more of a direct alternative rather to our favourite compact system camera of 2011. We’d still just give the edge to the G3 thanks to its built-in EVF and rotating LCD screen“. Even if the conclusion sounds a bit disappointed they gave the GX1 a “Highly Recommended”.

David Babsky posted a GX1 hands-on review at Steve Huff (Click here): “For a little micro-four-thirds ‘system’ camera, with many different lenses to choose from, the GX1 is the absolute best value available today“.

Also the german magazine Colorfoto (Click here) tested the camera.

The GX1 is in Stock at… (Click on shop names to check price):
USA&Canada: Amazon, Adorama.
Europe: Amazon UK, Jessops.
Asia: Digitalrev, Amazon JP.

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(FT5) New Olympus camera to be unveiled between February 6-11th.

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An imaginary Micro Four Thirds camera with build-in viewfinder created by Livedoor.

Finally I have a FT5 rumor (FT5=from top source) about the new Olympus camera! Other sources already told me weeks ago that the camera was coming very soon. I thought (and hoped) that Olympus would unveil the camera at the CES show in Las Vegas which starts on January the 10th. No way! Olympus will “skip” that event and instead announce the new camera in February in the week between the 6th and 11th. All I know for certain is that the camera is weather sealed and that it has an integrated viewfinder.

P.S: Obviously the camera will be sold with the 12-50mm as kit lens. The lens itself is already in Stock in some stores: [shopcountry 27977].

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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(FT2) Also the GH3 is coming out soon?

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[shoplink 16254][/shoplink] Image on top: The current (and still amazing) [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink] A dpreview reader said that USA Panasonic Customer Service is now confirming that the GH3 will be here within weeks. The press announcement should be made around January 10 at the CES show in Las Vegas. I ask my US readers if they can try to call Panasonic and see if they really are sharing that info. I would be really surprised if they really do that!!! That’s why the rumor has the FT2 value only.

What’s 100% sure is that the new Panasonic high end X lenses are coming soon (Janaury-February). Those will be lenses with constant aperture (f/2.8 or faster). I am still crossing my fingers to have them as fast as the [shoplink 25320 ebay]14-35mm f/2.0 (here on ebay)[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 25119 ebay]35-100mm f/2.0 (here on ebay)[/shoplink] Zuiko lenses. And I know these lenses are weather sealed so like Olympus also Panasonic has to release a weather sealed camera. Time for the GH3??? :)

P.S.: At least in USA the price dropped considerably in December. Check the price in those stores: [shopcountry 16254].

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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Amazon doesn’t sell the E-P3 anymore. Out of Stock at Bhphoto. Will new camera replace the E-P3???

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That’s just my guess guys but look at what’s going on. Amazon itself is no more selling the Olympus E-P3 (Click here to check). There are only a couple of cameras sold by third party resellers. And in other stores like Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here), the other white and silver kits are out of Stock. USA stores are usually very quick in selling out their camera stocks before the new announcements. So this might be a sign that the new Olympus camera with integrated viewfinder will replace the E-P3? I repeat I am still not 100% sure this is Olympus real plan. In my opinion Olympus should reduce and simplify the product strategy. E-P1, E-P2, E-P3, E-PL1, E-PL2, E-PL3, E-PM1. Olympus those are to many cameras with most of the times to small differences between each other. I would do something like that. An entry level m43 camera (like the [shoplink 23565]E-Pm1[/shoplink] but smaller), a more advanced PEN (Sort of [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink] with the tilting screen from [shoplink 23567]E-PL3[/shoplink]) and a semi pro model with integrated viewfinder. What do you think?

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First product announcement of the year: Slrmagic 50mm f/0.95 M-mount (tested on GH2).

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Exactly on Midnight SLRmagic officially announced their new top quality Hyper Prime 50mm f/0.95 Cine M-mount Cine lens. Even if it’s not a native Micro Four Thirds lens you can use it via M to m43 adapter ([shoplink 28038 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay)[/shoplink]. Unlike the Noktor this is a high quality lens made specially for people looking for superb bokeh. It’s actually five times cheaper than the [shoplink 23018 ebay]Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95[/shoplink] and we have been told that it will have almost the same image quality (of course we have to see real tests to see if they are claiming the truth). Our friend Seb Farges tested the new lens on the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink]. After the video you can read the full lens press release and specs.

World Premiere !!! SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE T0.95 / 50mm Part I : The Night Tests from Seb Farges on Vimeo.

PRESS RELEASE
NEW: THE SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95
SLR Magic expands its M mount lineup with a new normal focal length lens

Hong Kong, China (January 1, 2012)  – SLR Magic opens up the M mount lens lineup with the new SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 ultra fast normal focal length lens. The world’s fastest interchangeable camera lens with an image circle beyond full frame coverage in its focal length, the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 concept lens will be publicly available for experience testing in September 2012 at Photokina in Cologne, Germany.

The field of view of this new HyperPrime Lens corresponds to a 50mm lens in 35mm format. It is optimized to be shot wide open. This ultra fast normal focal length prime lens opens up many new creative composition opportunities, particularly in the fields of available light, in portrait, and street cinematography. Built with modern non aspherical lens technology, the lens excels at defocusing busy backgrounds at T0.95. A minimum focus distance of 0.70m allows for artistic bokeh effect. A fast maximum aperture of T0.95 makes the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 ideal for available-light photography.

Our highest priority in the development of all HyperPrime lenses is to fulfill the demands of professional cinematographers and photographers. The design and build of the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 is solid and reliable.

The SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95, a concept lens, will be available from authorized SLR Magic dealers by the end of September 2012.

Technical Data
SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95
Lens Type: Fast normal lens with seven Tantalum glass elements to  ensure superior cinematic performance.
Compatible Cameras: All RangeFinder M mount, LM mount for cinematography,  E-mount, and micro four thirds cameras
Optical Design: 12 elements in 7 groups
Distance range:  0.70m to ∞, combined scale meter/feet
Aperture:  Manually controlled diaphragm, 12 aperture blades (circular), Lowest value 16
Bayonet:  M-mount, E-mount, micro four thirds
Filter Mount: 62mm; filter mount does not rotate.
Surface Finish: Black anodized
Length to bayonet mount: approx. 95mm (approx. 3.74in) without hood approx. 110mm (approx. 4.33in) with retractable hood
Largest diameter: approx. 73mm (approx. 2.87in)
Weight: approx. 975g (approx. 34.39oz)

Andrew Chan
Product Manager

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