Just for fun guys: This is a Olympus OM-D design made by blog.livedoor.jp. It’ based on the current rumors and looks like a mix between the [shoplink 28222 ebay]OM-1[/shoplink] and [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink]. But that grip doesn’t look that nice for me. Would prefer no grip at all :)

Panasonic announced a new firmware updated for the new [shoplink 26836]GX1[/shoplink] camera and the 100-300mm zoom lens. You should soon be able to download the firmware at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/. For some mysterious reasons the download is still not available but the new features are already here:

DMC-GX1
-Enhancement in the performance of AWB
-Enhancement in the performance of [AFF] (AF Flexible) and [AFC] (AF Continuous)
-Improved stability when used with the SD Memory Card complying with UHS-I
-Addition of [STEP ZOOM] and [ZOOM SPEED] in the setting of [Fn] (Function) button and [Q.MENU] -Reflection of [DRIVE MODE] settings to [CUSTOM SETTING] -[MENU RESUME] in each menu tab
-Page flip in the menu tab with [DISP.] (Display) button

LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS100300)
-Improved performance of O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)

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Jordan Steele (Click here) posted a new GX1 review: “for still imaging, this is easily Panasonic’s best compact style CSC to date, and rivals the flagship of the Lumix line, the GH2, in everything but video. Outstanding.”
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For USA readers: The Silver GX1 body only is in Stock at Amazon (Click here) while the black body will be in Stock within 3-5 weeks again at Amazon (Click here). More Panasonic GX1 search links: [shopcountry 26836].

Imagin Resource (Click here) had a long talk with MR. Darin Pepple, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Imaging at Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Here are some of the interesting points:

– Again Panasonic explains the advantage of m43 over the NEX system: “it allows us to produce really small lenses, still extremely good optical quality, and at the same time make small bodies.” Edge detail of NEX lenses suffers from lens size.

– He confirms that Panasonic is “seriously” following the hacked GH2 improvements: “Yes, you can go outside that with some hyped-up features and firmware updates and that sort of thing, but then you’re outside the normal specification, and for us as a manufacturer, we really have to stay within it. ”

– About the new lenses: “By this time next year I hope to come back to you and say, ‘Look at our lens line-up now. We’ve added four or five more lenses.’ ”

– Panasonic says real innovation is coming not from Full Frame but from small sensors. Those technologies will be implemented in future m43 cameras. It sounds like the future GH3 camera could have BSI technology!

– Panasonic doesn’t believe a big sensor in a compact camera makes sense. They will not go the same path with the LX5 successor as the Canon G1 X.

In summary: When reading the interview you really feel how “video” is very important for them. There is also no plan to create a new system with bigger sensor as the market really focused on sub-fullframe sensors size. Panasonic approach is more “little steps” forward instead of looking for big revolutions. They have a very practical and rational approach and this is also something I like. As I always said, the first problem with Panasonic is their management. It is not possible that every time they release a new product you have to wait up to 6-7 months to get them! P.S: Easy to guess that the next products they will announce are the LX5 and GH2 successor :)

Image courtesy DC.watch

Kenko announced a new T to m43 mount adapter which will allow you to use that super 400mm f/8.0 Tokina lens (800mm full frame equivalent). There is no official price and release date yet but the adapter should cost around $200-$250. P.S.: There are many such mirrorless lenses made by [shoplink 28248 ebay]Opteka (they also go far to 1.600mm!)[/shoplink].

A short CES recap:
Panasonic showed two camera prototypes: A head camera (Click here to see the pic) and an unspectacular WIFI compact camera (Click here to see the pic).
Hands-On With Olympus’ New Digital Cameras (ePhotozine).
Panasonic stand at dpreview and Dc.watch.
Olympus stand at dpreview.

[shoplink 28221 ebay][/shoplink] The very first [shoplink 28221 ebay]Olympus M-1[/shoplink], announced back in 1972.

You know what happens in 2012? The Olympus OM system becomes forty years old. From Wikipedia:
“The system was introduced by Olympus in 1972, more than a decade after Nikon, Canon, and other manufacturers had established their own SLR ranges. The range was designed by Yoshihisa Maitani, chief designer for Olympus, and his staff. The nucleus of the system was a series of compact bodies divided into a professional series and a later consumer-orientated series. The first model introduced was the all-mechanical M-1, which after pressure from Leica was renamed OM-1.”
And what do you think is Olympus going to do to remember the OM? :) Maitani would be proud to know that finally the digital OM is coming!
One more thing: The Hong Kong invitation text said that Olympus will release also a “new line of products“. I wouldn’t go to far with your imagination. My guess (no rumor yet) is that there will be OM related “special products”. Let’s see if I am right.

Here is a list of all OM cameras (click on name to see them on eBay)
[shoplink 28221 ebay]M-1[/shoplink] [shoplink 28222 ebay]OM-1[/shoplink] [shoplink 28223 ebay]OM-1 MD[/shoplink] [shoplink 28224 ebay]OM-1N[/shoplink] [shoplink 28225 ebay]OM-2[/shoplink] [shoplink 28226 ebay]OM-2N[/shoplink] [shoplink 28227 ebay]OM-2S/SP[/shoplink] [shoplink 28228 ebay]OM-3[/shoplink] [shoplink 28229 ebay]OM-3Ti[/shoplink] [shoplink 28230 ebay]OM-4[/shoplink] [shoplink 28231 ebay]OM-4T/Ti black and chrome[/shoplink] [shoplink 28232 ebay]OM-10[/shoplink] [shoplink 28233 ebay]OM-20 (OM-G)[/shoplink] [shoplink 28234 ebay]OM-30(OM-F)[/shoplink] [shoplink 28235 ebay]OM-40 (OM-PC)[/shoplink] [shoplink 28236 ebay]OM-77AF (OM-707)[/shoplink] [shoplink 28237 ebay]OM-88 (OM-101)[/shoplink] [shoplink 28238 ebay]OM-2000[/shoplink]

I own the [shoplink 28232 ebay]OM-10[/shoplink] and you?

The new Sigma lenses on Olympus cameras (Source: Personal-view)

Dave from Imaging Resource (Click here) interviewed MR. Terada from Olympus. Some interesting points:
1) Camera work isn’t affected by the Olympus fee scandal: “we are working usually. Nothing special.”
2) Because fo the Thai flood consequences there are production problems especially for the E-P3. Not Olympus itself is having problems but some of their suppliers: “we cannot fulfill the whole demand from the market at this moment.”
3) Olympus is now working on new prime lenses: “we already almost fill up the zoom lens line-up. Then, now we are concentrating on single focal lens line-up.”
4) Olympus asked other companies to join the m43 system: “but no success at the moment.“

Today I wrote how the Fuji X PRO 1 was too highly priced to compete against the Micro Four Thrids world. An anonymous source yesterday told me that the real price is in relaity much cheaper and that it was a sort of “marketing trick” from Fuji to announce a higher price. Didn’t believe him first but now the very frist preorder is up and indeed the price is MUCH lower. Check it out:
Fuji X PRO 1 worldwide first preorder at Expansys USA (Click here), Expansys Canada (Click here) and Expansys UK (Click here).

That would completely change the situation and put a hard pressure on Olympus and Panasonic!

UDPATE: I am still not sure this is the full price you pay!