Panasonic won three DIWA awards with the Panasonic G2, the Panasonic DMC-FX66 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10.

“The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 features the world’s first touch-screen shooting control in a system camera. This small mirror-less system camera, tailor-made for the super-compact Micro Four Thirds System standard, makes the G2 package exceptionally portable, yet delivering professional image quality. In addition to its compactness, the Panasonic DMC-G2 receives its DIWA Gold Awards for its intuitive operation, first class screen and LVF (Live View Finder), and last but not least – its ability to capture high quality 12.1 MP stills and HD movies.”

P.S.: The Panasonic G2 is currently in Stock for $649.95 at Amazon (Click here)

Also the Olympus E-PL1 won the DIWA Gold Award:

“When it comes to user-friendly operation without losing creativity, the Olympus PEN E-PL1 really responds on demand. Special creative filters, HD-movie support, built-in flash and comfortable Autofocus Live View give photographers a complete set of photographic tools in a remarkably small package. Add to this its easy operation, photo shooting fun and professional image quality; a combination that made the DIWA organization honor the Olympus PEN E-PL1 camera with a Gold Award.

Kai Thon, test manager of DIWA Labs comments: <With the PEN range, Olympus has proved that it is perfectly possible to combine system cameras flexibility and professional image quality with a super-compact camera body. The Olympus PEN E-PL1 also has a built-in flash and improved control functions for added versatility. All in all, a full featured camera for any photographer who wishes to scale down in size, without compromising on performance and image quality. >”

The Olympus E-Pl1 is currently in Stock for $509 at Amazon (Click here)

During Photokina I received tons of mails from you with links to news, rumors and deals. With over 600 mails and comments per day it was impossible to answer every single message. That’s why I am writing to thank you for your help on this website. Without you 43rumors would not be alive.

In general 43rumors has a big role in my life now. There are many reasons why it is so. First it takes me several hours per day to work on it. And to find the balance between 43rumors, my real work as documentarist/photographer and my private life has been not easy! I always travel with my iPhone in my pocket and when there is some important news I write the article during coffeabreaks! That explains some of the misspellings, because I am always in a hurry. And when I am at home I am often in front of my laptop trying to chat with my rumor sources (I have 20-25 sources), to answer emails, check for news and fix issues. There are times (like Photokina) were I really had no time for my private life. But all works fine now, I have taken some rest, I will make some nice trip with my girlfriend (We will be in Barcelona soon) and in a few days I will know if I can shoot a documentary in Africa (Malawi).

There are so many stories I could tell you about the work behind 43rumors. There is so many people I am in touch with that I never met (and I wish to meet one day). There are so many mistakes I made so many things I learned and so many new ideas I have. I really like it to work on 43rumors and without you I could not do that. So once gain, I thank all of you!

Everything is written in Japanese and the website is in flash (google translation doesn’t work here). Some japanese 43rumors friend can help us to translate the text? Thanks!

UPDATE_2: Akihabara has some real world pictures of the new Lumix-phone (and so Engadget)

UPDATE_1: There is a first hand-on at mobile.cz

As you know Lensbaby is already selling the new TIlt-shift lens via Amazon US (Click here). What I didn’t know is that Arsat made a Tilt-shift lens with MicroFourThrids mount! One of those lenses is currently available on [shoplink 16586]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. I tried to found some image samples but I didn’t found anything. Did some of you test the lens?

Image courtesy: Norman Princen

Norman Princen just sent us the following text:

“I attended DV Expo today and sat through the AG-AF100 presentation by Jan Crittenden. I had my GH1 with me and snapped photos of her presenting the charts with intent to post them here. After the presentation, I asked Jan for permission to post my shots of the slides on DVXUser. To my surprise, she offered to give me the original presentation file! So, attached to this message are a link to a picture of Jan presenting the first slide and a link to the entire presentation converted to a PDF for everyone to read. There are a few new nuggets in the presentation, including the new official price of $5,000.”

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?2j3qiaa7gcu7snp

More info here: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=224660

Panasonic GH2 full auto 24p test

Panasonic Lumix GH2 test footage at 1920×1080 f/11 1/60th.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 official macro test video

Photokina 2010 – Panasonic GH2

Image Courtesy Reinhard (Pen and tell)

Kowa announced yesterday that they will be making the 350mm f/4, 500mm f/5,6 and 850mm f/9,6 telephoto lenses for MicroFourThirds!
A suggestion: Make a MicroFourThirds version of the [shoplink 16501]Kowa 67mm f1.2 lens (Click here to see it on eBay)[/shoplink]…That would be an interesting lens!