Samsung announced the NX200 and you can read a list of all previews and press releases at MirrorlessRumors. What surprises me is that for the second time in one year I see a wrong size comparison between Samsung APS-C sensor and the Micro Four Thirds sensor. As you can see from the image on top they showed the m43 sensor area much smaller than it really is! Korean friends at SLRclub calculated that Samsung advertising material shows a APS-C vs m43 sensor area difference of 2,25. But in reality the Samsung APS-C sensor (whihc has a 1,54 factor) is “only” 1,6x larger. And what will really piss off Olympus and Panasonic is the “fake” image comparison made by Samsung that you can see at SLRclub (Click here).
Fuji X10
It is not exactly a Micro Four Thirds competitor but many readers here liked the Fuji X100. So it might interests you to know that Fuji announced the new X10. Press release at Dpreview. A Fuji guys youtube presentation is available at MirrorlessRumors. A product page is available here fujifilm-x.com and one mroe article at ThePhoBlographer.
At British Journal of Photography Barney Sykes (Lumix product manager) explained why the new X lenses are not having the Leica brand: “Leica has very strict standards when making lenses,” says Sykes. “For the X line, we’re using digital technology to get the same quality [in a more compact product]. This would not have conformed to Leica’s standard.”
Amy Davies from Techradar (Click here) interviewed Mr. Uetmatsu from Panasonic. The most interesting points:
– Mirrorless are no second rate compared to DSLR.
– Image quality is not only about sensor size, but also about signal processing and optical performance.
– compact system cameras have an advantage is in the camcorder market.
– Many manufacturers will introduce mirrorless cameras, but we have a distinct advantage because we are already two years ahead
It is the second interview from Amy with Mr. Uematsu. A couple of months ago Uematsu confirmed to Techradar that they are working on a GF PRO model.
The two new X lenses will start worldwide shipment on October 13. And looking at Panasonic (not so reliable) history this means it will hit European and American stores in November. Preorders are only available at Amazon US but please drop me a mail or comment this post if you find more stores accepting preorders! Thanks!
Black 14-42mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Silver 14-42mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Black 45-175mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Silver 45-175mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Black GF3 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here).
Red GF3 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here).
White GF3 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here).
Firmware update
Panasonic announced a new firmware update program for the digital interchangeable lens system cameras DMC-G3, DMC-GF3 and DMC-GF2 of LUMIX G Micro System (Source: Panasonic.net). Those are the new features: – Display of the local length
When you zoom, the focal distance is displayed and you can confirm the zoom position. – Step zoom
When you operate the zoom, the zoom will stop at positions corresponding to predetermined distances. – Zoom resume
When you switch the power switch [ON], the zoom positions when you last switched [OFF] are automatically restored. – Zoom ring operation
This may only be selected when a power zoom-compatible lens with a zoom lever and zoom ring is attached. The operations controlled by the zoom ring are disabled to prevent accidental operation.
–
P.S.: Please note that the electric zoom will work on the GH1, G1 and GF1 too!
Firmware update for GH2 will bring 25p support?
ePhotozine (Click here) had a talk with Mr Uetmasu (product developer from Panasonic Japan). And he said that “A firmware update may be coming for the GH2 to add support for 25p, and additional improvements in video abilities.”
P.S.: Click on thumbnails to see the full size image:
Panasonic Lumix X 14-42mm Lens, expected price $399 or £350.
Panasonic Lumix X 45-175mm Lens, expected price $449.99 or £400.
Panasonic Lumix GF3X Lens and Camera Kit, expected price <£600.
Availability: end of October.
According to Panasonic the X lenses it will be fully compatible with Olympus cameras!
Not fully compatible with G1, G2 and GF1.
PowerZoom is multi-speed
It doesn’t rotate on focusing (you can use filters!)
Previews and Image samples
Hot!Nice X lens preview with video at Techradar. Hot! MTF charts and Image samples of the 14-42mm X lens at Panasonic.net. Hot! MTF charts and Image samples of the 45-175mm X lens at Panasonic.net.
New X versus old 14-42mm lens spec comparison at SLRclub.
Panasonic 14-42mm X Lens Hands-On Photos at Photographyblog.
Panasonic 45-175mm X Lens Hands-On Photos at Photographyblog. Hot! Lens size comparison at SLRclub. Hot! 14-42mm X lens preview at Dpreview.
Panasonic X Lens 14-42mm Hands On at ePhotozine.
Panasonic Lumix X Lens 45-175mm Hands On at ePhotozine
Video
More videos: Dpreview 14-42mm X af test on vimeo.
Panasonic GF3 14-42mm Power Zoom lens demonstration on vimeo.
Panasonic X retractable pancake zoom on youtube.
“There may be a more lenses such as macro, more zoom, large aperture, and prime lenses in the pipeline. While we were unable to have specifics, more lenses are already in the works, and on the X lens roadmap. High quality lenses have been developed after learning Leica qualities and applying them to their own designs, and by using software correction they are able to correct any distortion caused by the more compact lenses. This will mean that the distortion will / may show on RAW images, and that Panasonic will need to update RAW support for these new lenses.”
“He also said that the GH3 is not due imminently, as the GH2 is still extremely popular, but that there is a high end GF series camera in the works.”
Poll
Read the tests and previews first and than vote!
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More Panasonic news
Panasonic firmware updated coming (CNET Asia).
Panasonic is launching a new photo sharing service called Lumix Club (Photographyblog).
Panasonic launches Lumix DMC-FZ150 12MP 24x 1080p60 MOS superzoom (Dpreview).
Lumix FX90 Wi-Fi-enabled touchscreen compact camera (Dpreview).
Panasonic DMC-LX5 firmware 2.0 brings image and handling improvements (Dpreview).
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