Sorry guys!
We had some major issue with the server and we worked 6-7 hours to fix it. We even don’t know how we fixed it :)
Give me some time to take a Capuccino and than I will start to post the first news for today.

P.S.: My level of frustration is very high but I just received that nice [shoplink 15659]Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95[/shoplink] and that makes me a little bit happy now :)

Dear readers!

I invite you to become 43rumors member because of the following reasons:

1) To avoid spamming I usually have to allow your comments manually. That’s why sometimes you don’t see you comment displayed for many hours. But once you become a 43rumors member every comment you post will be instantly displayed!

2) Within the next 2 weeks I will install a complete new camera/lens user review system. Every registered user will be able to rate the product displayed inside the camera database (on the top of the website). See the examples at SLRgear or Dpreview. There will be 5 rating categories:

– body/lens quality
– usability
– features
– image quality
– price

You rate the product for every category and you can add a comment with links to your work. Readers will be able to comment your review and/or send you private messages on 43rumors. If you have more (or better) ideas feel free to contact me!

3) Within 1 month I will add the ability for every member to post images or link to their own flickr and youtube pages. That will make it easy for every 43rumors reader to see your work!

Click here to register: https://www.43rumors.com/register/

Reaminder: 43rumors runs on Buddypress. It’s still not a very mature software but it has a huge potential.

1. added a function for recording 3D pictures.
2. added a function for playing back 3D pictures.
   

   *1	The 3D interchangeable lens(optional) is required for 3D recording.
   *2	A 3D compatible TV is required to view 3D images.
   *3	To comfortably view 3D images in the correct way, be sure to read the safety precautions in the operating instructions of 3D lens.

3. Improved operability of AE lock by maintaining the setting even when touch shutter function is used.

Surprise! Olympus announced the E-PL1s! It is a slightly tweaked version of the existing [shoplink 14832]E-PL1[/shoplink] (it now shoots at 6.400 ISO and it also comes in red). It uses the new BLS-5 battery instead of the BLS-1 (To meet the new safety standards for lithium-ion rechargeable Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law). But the most interesting news is the new version of the current [shoplink 14816]14-42mm kit lens[/shoplink]…the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm II 1:3.5-5.6 kit lens! It has MSC (Movie and Stills Compatible) designation and it is smaller and lighter (112g= 25$ lighter) than the current version. The new kit should be released in Japan by December the 4th. The price of the lens only is 36,750 yen (US$440). There is no info about the possible release date in Europe and US/Canada. I was told the new lens will be available worldwide very soon. But there is no plan to release the E-PL1s in non-japanese countries.

More info:
Dpreview
Akhabaranews
DC.watch.impress
Olympus Japan
E-PL1.net forum

Now we have a more precise release date for the just announced Panasonic GF2 camera. For those people hoping the camera would be in Stock by early January..stop dreaming! According to Amazon UK “the item is due to be released on January 24” And as you can imagine only a few lucky people will get it on that day. The rest of us will still have to wait a little bit more.

(UPDATE) The price:
– GF2 with 14-42mm lens for £599.99 ($968 or 706 Euro)
– GF2 with 14 lens for £629.99 ($1016 or 742 Euro)
– GF2 with 14mm and 14-42mm lens for £729.99 ($1178 or 860 Euro)

No shop is accepting preorders right now. But you can sign up at BHphoto and Amazon and they will notify you when preorders will start.

Ifranznation.de just posted this very unusual but interesting GF1 vs GF2 sound comparison. The GH2 sound quality is actually better than the current GF1 recording. Franz also posted a few image samples on his blog (reminder he is testing a preproduction camera)

BHphoto confirmed that the GF2 approximal arrival is January (no price indication yet). Also on Amazon you can sign up to be notified when this item becomes available.

Lumix On The Road / GH2 From Paris to California from Jean-Baptiste Lefournier on Vimeo.

Many of you sent me links to new GH2 videos. That post will sum all those links (and thanks for your help):

Panasonic GH2 price and availability check:
Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon UK, Amazon France, Amazon Japan and [shoplink 17526]eBay[/shoplink].