Panasonic Interview (Highlights)

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[/shoplink]Image on top: The current [shoplink 16340 ebay]Four Thirds Panasonic Leica branded 25mm f/1.4[/shoplink]

We had so many news yesterday! Today we have more time to take a closer look to the Panasonic interview and the future new Leica 25mm lens. Photographyblog (Click here) had a long talk with UK Product Manager for Lumix G John Mitchell (JM), plus Steve Lucas (SL), Product Specialist. Those are the most interesting news:

– Panasonic believes that mirrorless will cross the 50% share barrier in Japan within 2012.
– In UK people who bought Panasonic m43 cameras RE 50% novice AND 50% enthusiast or pro.
– Panasonic believes the G3 sensor closes the gaps witht the Sony NEX sensor (Really?).
– Between the G2 and G3 sensor at ISO3200 and ISO6400 and we have a 6 decibel and 9 decibel improvement
– The G2 production will continue throughout the coming year and we’ll just drop it down as our entry-level product
– Panasonic says the G3 uses an aluminium body (Didn’t know that!)
– The GF1 and GF2 are still being produced in Fukushima. But in fact production has now ceased on the GF1.
– And now the very interesting part: “Yes, here’s the first working sample of the 25mm f/1.4; really eagerly anticipated and not planned for launch until the second half of this year. It will be Leica approved and branded. For those looking for more affordable alternatives of course Sigma has recently announced that it’s going to start making Micro Four Thirds lenses. We’ve got a large following of consumers who are going to be looking for that affordability, and also the enthusiasts who want everything to be the highest quality. The factory is committed to three to four lenses every year so this won’t be the only product we’ll be showing you this year

As I already told you there will be one more Panasonic product announcement in June. I am not sure yet but I assume that we are going to see that lens very soon!

Links:
The current Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 Four Thirds lens on [shoplink 16340 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] Panasonic G3 at preorders at Amazon US (Click here) and Amazon UK (Click here).

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New Panasonic G3: A close focus on image quality

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Let’s focus on the performance of the new sensor. Please take into consideration that all images and tests have been performed using the beta firmware and JPG engine.

1) Let’s start with the Studio comparison tool from DPreview (Click here). jpg do look very good and can compete very well against the other entry level DSLR’s like the Canon 600d (Rebel T3i). Look at that 3.200 ISO comparison (Click here). I think Panasonic managed to improve the sensor and the imaging processor.

2) Photographyblog (CLick here) shows us the usefulness of the “Intelligent Resolution” feature: “The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3’s Intelligent Resolution feature identifies outlines, texture areas and soft gradation areas of the image and then automatically optimizes the edges and detailed texture areas while using noise reduction to make the soft gradation areas smoother. There are three available strengths – low, standard and high.” The image samples do prove that the feature seems to work fine.

3) Focus Numerique (Click here) posted a set of ISO samples. But take a look at SLRclub (Click here) where a forum user compared the Focus Numerique G3 results with those from other cameras. (Thanks Piscesen for sending us the link). UPDATE: You can find downloadable RAW files right below the image samples! (Thanks Jennekens)

4) You can find a Noise and Dynamic Range comparison at Techradar (Click here). A bit surprising to see that G3 is not so good a low ISO but much better at mid-high ISO! Look at the curve and you will be surprised!

5) Take a look at Imaging Resource (Click here). You will a couple of hours to analyze all those studio pictures! :)

Here is a list of real world (no studio) image samples: Flickr, Techradar, DPreview, Photographyblog.. So what do you think about the image quality of the new sensor?

Reminder:
Preorder the black,white, red or brown G3 at Amazon US (Click here)
Now preorders in Europe too! At Amazon UK (Click here).
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 14-42mm Lens Kit at Bhphoto (Click here)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Camera Body at Bhphoto (Click here)

Are you satisfied with the JPG quality (with beta firmware)?

View Results

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Continually updated: Panasonic G3 announced! Preorders available now!

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This post gets continually updated. Latest addition are on top of each categories. UPDATE: preorders now available!

Links to preorders

Preorder the black,white, red or brown G3 at Amazon US (Click here)
Now preorders in Europe too! At Amazon UK (Click here).
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 14-42mm Lens Kit at Bhphoto (Click here)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Camera Body at Bhphoto (Click here)

Reviews and Previews

First look at Amateur Photographer.
Full review at Techradar: “Panasonic appears to have a winner on its hands. The Panasonic G3 manages to combine the best elements of the G2 and GF2 and as a result is a camera that is likely to find favour with many enthusiasts, especially those who like street and reportage photography.
Systemkameraforum.de G3 test (You need to be a registered member)
First Impressions Review at ePhotozine.
Hands-on preview at Dpreview.
HOT! Full G3 review at Photographyblog. And the camera earns 5 of 5 stars!!! It’s an “essential” camera: “The Lumix DMC-G3 is the most well-rounded Panasonic compact system camera to date
HOT! Interview with Panasonic at Photographyblog (Nice job Photographyblog!). Panasonic confirms they will launch the m43 version of the [shoplink 16340 ebay]Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 Four Thirds lens (Click here to see that on eBay)[/shoplink]. And there is a small surprise, it will be Leica branded!
G3 unboxing (Photographyblog)
G3 size comparison (Photographyblog)

Image and video samples

Test images at Imaging Resource.
Image samples on Flickr (taken with beta firmware).
Panasonic G3 presentation from Panasonic Uk on youtube.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 hands-on and interviews at London 2012 HQ on youtube.
Panasonic DMC G3 first look from PhotoRadar on youtube.
Another G3 presentation video (italian) on youtube.
Stuio scene comparison at Dpreview.
Samples gallery at Dpreview.
ISO test at Focus Numerique
First video sample on youtube

Official press release

Le monde de la photo.
Engadget
Amateur Photographer
Photoscala.de
DSLRmagazine
Quesabesde
Fotointern.ch
Focus Numerique
Photographyblog
Hybridcams

Hot new features of the G3

16.3Mp Compact System Camera
3.0″ Free Angle Touch Enabled LCD
Micro Four Thirds 14-42mm Zoom Lens
Electronic Eye-Level Viewfinder
Multiple Lens Options Including 3D Still
Intelligent Auto Plus

Poll

Do you like the new Panasonic G3?

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(FT5) Panasonic confirms the Leica branded 25mm f/1.4

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Photographyblog posted a very long and very interesting Interview with Panasonic (Click here). And Panasonic confirmed the 25mm f/1.4 lens is coming, but there is a surprise. It will be Leica branded!!! So we will finally have an exact m43 version of the current [shoplink 16340 ebay]Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 Four Thirds lens (Click here to see that on eBay)[/shoplink]!

“Question: And there’s a new lens to go with the G3 isn’t there?

JM: “Yes, here’s the first working sample of the 25mm f/1.4; really eagerly anticipated and not planned for launch until the second half of this year. It will be Leica approved and branded. For those looking for more affordable alternatives of course Sigma has recently announced that it’s going to start making Micro Four Thirds lenses. We’ve got a large following of consumers who are going to be looking for that affordability, and also the enthusiasts who want everything to be the highest quality. The factory is committed to three to four lenses every year so this won’t be the only product we’ll be showing you this year.

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(FT5) Pictures of the G3 on Bhphoto!

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Click here:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 14-42mm Lens Kit at Bhphoto (Click here)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Camera Body at Bhphoto (Click here)

 

Product Highlights

  • 16.3Mp Compact System Camera
  • 3.0″ Free Angle Touch Enabled LCD
  • Micro Four Thirds 14-42mm Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Electronic Eye-Level Viewfinder
  • Multiple Lens Options Including 3D Still
  • Intelligent Auto Plus
Dimensions 3.29 x 4.54 x 1.84″ / 8.3 x 11.5 x 4.6cm
Weight 11.84 oz / 335.6g
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Surprise: Panasonic announces a 14 Megapixel sensor!!!

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Right before the G3 announcement Panasonic announced a new 14 Megapixel sensor that will be sold in December 2011!!!

PRESS RELEASE:

Current high-sensitivity MOS image sensors suppress unevenness in brightness. CCDs have low color-mixing characteristics that suppress color unevenness. The rapidly expanding market for digital cameras with higher image quality and a slimmer body has resulted in greater demand for a stable supply of image sensors that offer both high sensitivity and uniform picture quality.

Panasonic has achieved both MOS image sensor’s high sensitivity and uniform picture quality using the new MOS image sensor technologies, enabling digital cameras and camcorders as well as cameras incorporated in smartphones and other mobile terminals to be slimmer with higher sensitivity and improved picture quality.

The new MOS image sensor has the following features:

-The fine process technologies provide a sensitivity of 3050 el/lx/sec/μm2, the industry’s highest as a MOS image sensor.
-The new light-focusing structure significantly expands the incident light angle, ensuring uniform and high picture quality, as well as produces a slimmer camera.
-The simple manufacturing process is based on the current MOS image sensor structure, ensuring a stable supply.

The new MOS image sensor has been created using the following Panasonic technologies:
-The 32 and 45 nm (nanometers) leading-edge semiconductor process technologies lower the wiring layer profile, expand the opening area, and increase the photo diode volume.
-The low color-mixing characteristics are enhanced by light-focusing structure design technologies that use a three-dimensional wave optics design to minimize light leakage at the structural boundaries.
-Image sensor mass-production technologies allow stable production of MOS image sensors with high picture-quality.”

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