a bit of everything…


2015 – My Year In Micro Four Thirds by David Thorpe

New Olmypus 300mm preorders at Amazon DE (Click here) and at WexUK (Click here).
Hands-On Review: Olympus PEN Lite E-PL6 with M.ZUIKO 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Explora).
Plenty of Olympus EU auctions at [shoplink 22691 ebay]Olympusmarket[/shoplink].
Allison’s choice – Olympus Tough TG-4 (Dpreview).
Panasonic g7 super deal in Sweden at Cyberphoto.
Article about Panasonic lenses at DC.watch.

Ivan Mazza‎:Wien in 4K [GH4 – Low Light] https://youtu.be/s4UnmnxEixs

Moro Tere‎:GH4 4K. Helsinki Cruising Night 3.7.2015 panasonic 35 -100mm, tokina 11 -16mm and Sigma 18 – 35mm with metabones speed booster. (+ Guitar: Andy McCoy) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlXHri_yT9g

Poll: What are you going to buy? New Olmypus or new Panasonic lens?

OLy-vs-panaa

Preorder links to the two new MFT lenses:
Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In EU at WexUK.
Olympus 300mm f/4.0 PRO lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, GetOlympus. In EU at Amazon DE. WexUK.

We finally got two very high quality tele lenses. And now tell our readers what you are going to buy: The Panasonic, the Olympus or both? :)

What new lens are you going to buy?

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Olympus 300mm PRO lens review at SLRgear: “thoroughly impressive on all fronts”.

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Preorder links to the two new MFT lenses:
Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In EU at WexUK.
Olympus 300mm f/4.0 PRO lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, GetOlympus. In EU at Amazon DE. WexUK.

SLRgear posted the full review of the new Olympus 300mm PRO lens and writes:

The Olympus 300mm ƒ/4 Pro is one heck of a lens. Simply put. After a long time in development — it was announced as “in-development” back at CP+ in 2014 — the biggest, brightest supertelephoto lens of the Micro Four Thirds system is, well, not so “big” after all, physically at least. An impressive feat of engineering, the folks at Olympus have managed to shrink down a 600mm-equivalent supertelephoto lens, with a constant, relatively bright ƒ/4 aperture and image stabilization into a remarkably small, comfortable, hand-holdable, weather-sealed lens.
Like Olympus’ other Zuiko Pro lenses, image quality from the 300mm ƒ/4 is thoroughly impressive on all fronts: excellent sharpness and all-around wonderful optical qualities with little to no distortion, aberrations or vignetting. What’s even more impressive is the lens’ stunning image stabilization. Combining lens-based and body-based I.S., the Olympus 300mm ƒ/4 Pro lets you capture handheld images down to shockingly slow shutter speeds. All this, plus impressive close-focusing capabilities, make the Olympus 300mm ƒ/4 Pro a stunning lens for the professional and advanced photographer looking for a top-notch wildlife, sports, stage performance and close-up lens no matter the weather or lighting conditions. It may be pricey, but this is one of the best lenses Olympus has made thus far.

MTF

Olympus officially announces the new 300mm PRO lens

Olympus_300mm_PRO_amazon

Preorders:
300mm f/4.0 PRO lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, GetOlympus. In EU at Amazon DE. WexUK.
Olympus 77mm PRO ZERO Protection Filter at BHphoto.
TG-870 compact ar Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, GetOlympus.
Note: 5% reward ($125) on the lens sold by Adorama!

Full reviews:
Review by Peter Baumgarten. Test by Warren Fleming. Review by Imaging Resource. Review by Mirrorlessons. Russian review at Kroupski.

Hands-on and previews:
Hands-on at Dpreview.

Image samples:
Dpreview.

Videos:

First impression by Peter Baumgarten
5 axis Sync Image Stabilization (Olympus)
Review by Mirrorlessons.
4K video samples by Mirrorlessons.

Press text:
Full press text at 43rumors. Japanese text at DC.watch. Spanish at Quesabesde.
lens added at the Matching Simulation tool

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Panasonic 100-400mm lens and new compacts officially announced!

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This post will be continually updated:

Preorders:
Leica 100-400mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In EU at WexUK.
ZS100 (Black) at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic.
ZS100 (Silver) ay Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic.
European and Asian price has yet not been unveiled.

Hands-on and previews:
Lens preview by Daniel Cox.
Lens hands-on at Dpreview. ePhotozine. Quesabesde. German press text SystemKameraBlog.
Compact camera hands-on: Dpreview. CameraLabs. TheVerge. Press text at WexUK. Preview at ePhotozine. TZ80 hands-on at ePhotozine. TZ80 preview at Cameralabs. TZ100 at Quesabesde.

Press text:
Leica 100-400mm lens at 43rumors.com

Video:

MTF graph and lens design:
Bildschirmfoto 2016-01-05 um 20.20.49

Bildschirmfoto 2016-01-05 um 20.20.55

Poll:

will you buy the new Leica 100-400mm lens?

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3694390683

Press text: Panasonic Launches LUMIX G 100-400mm Telephoto-Zoom, LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR Lens

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The new Panasonic-Leica lens can be preordered at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto. In EU at WexUK. And here is the official press text:

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Panasonic announced today at CES 2016 a new telephoto lens for its LUMIX G range of Micro Four Thirds System cameras – the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH. Telephoto-Zoom (H-RS100400) with Power Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.).

Small, light and highly durable, the latest addition to Panasonic’s range of interchangeable lenses is perfectly suited for photographing birds and other wildlife in all types of environments.

The lens is constructed of 20 elements in 13 groups and incorporates a number of aspherical and extra low dispersion elements to assure best quality and avoid flaring. The advanced construction of the new Telephoto-Zoom leads to highest quality standard earning the LEICA Logo for a LUMIX Lens once again.

Outstanding image quality and Telephoto-Zoom performance
Elegantly designed with a metallic black finish, the new 100mm-400mm LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR lens from Panasonic provides superb image rendering across the entire zoom range. The lens’ 200-800mm focal length (35mm equivalent) and 0.5x Magnification capability provide highly detailed shots from distance, as well as stunning close up capability– ideal for subject matter regardless of shape and size.

In order to capture steady, vibration free images across the entire zoom range, the lens also incorporates Power O.I.S. to keep unwanted shaking under control and ensure pictures look crisp and clear.

The 100mm-400mm lens is also suited to a variety of photographic styles – with nine diaphragm blades providing a circular aperture to produce a smooth and beautiful bokeh.

Smaller and lighter than other Telephoto-Zoom lenses
When compared with conventional super telephoto DSLR lenses, the latest addition the LUMIX G line up offers outstanding mobility – perfect if you’re travelling and don’t want to pack too much. Similarly, the lens also boasts a durable, gapless construction so you no longer have to worry about unwanted dust or light rain damaging your equipment.

In addition to the lens’ practical size and weight, a compact, two-part tripod mount has also been incorporated to enable faster conversion between landscape and portrait orientation.  While conveniently and speedily turning to the 90 degree angle, the levers for Focus Limiting, Power O.I.S. and the manual focus switch remain right at your fingertips as they do not move when you turn the lens.

The lens also incorporates an integrated, hideaway hood to help you capture that perfect shot, without having to worry about sun glare.

Stunning 4K video capability
Panasonic’s new LEICA Telephoto-Zoom lens is perfectly suited for 4K video recording with its construction assuring the best contrast and colors. Furthermore the Telephoto-Zoom incorporates Panasonic’s high speed and precise 240 fps AF-motor. Due to the modern design, filming can also be conducted silently, so you can get up close to the subject without drawing attention.

As well as high resolution video, the lens’ 4K capability also enables you to take photos like never before. Panasonic’s 4K Photo function – found on LUMIX G cameras including the LUMIX DMC-G7 – lets you extract an 8-megapixel still from 4K video (30fps) easily right on the camera’s screen with a simple fingertip touch.

Key features:

  • Longest focal length for Micro Four Thirds
  • Compatible with Dual Image Stabilization
  • 240fps AF Drive
  • Zoom ring lock
  • Weather Sealing
  • Integrated Quick Shifting Tripod Mount
  • Integrated shift-away lens-hood

The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm lens will be available at www.shop.panasonic.com and valued channel partners for $1799.99 in early April.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Newark, NJ, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. The company offers a wide range of consumer solutions in the U.S. including products from VIERA Life+ Screens, Blu-ray players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Beauty, Grooming, Wellness and Personal Care products and more. In Interbrand’s 2014 annual “Best Global Green Brands” report, Panasonic ranked number five overall and the top electronics brand in the report. To learn more about our products, visit panasonic.com. Follow Panasonic on Twitter @panasonicUSA; additional company information for journalists is also available us.panasonic.com/news.