The creator of CameraKompare (J.D. Hodges) sent me following text:

“I’ve just released a new free update to Camera Kompare which includes the Panasonic LX5 and 24 other new cameras, plus optimizations for the iPhone 4 retina display.

Now I need to decide which features to implement first in the next free update. Your readers seem to have a really good grasp of what they’d like to see in a mobile camera app, so their feedback would definitely help me improve the app!”

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*This will increase the app download size from approx 12MB to approx 34MB.

NOTE 1 APERTURE – the next version (1.3) will compare apertures between cameras with fixed lenses (since it’s a definite include, that’s why it’s not on the poll).
NOTE 2 LENS COMPARE – How useful would a interchangeable lens comparison feature be? The idea would be that users could compare for example the 17mm Olympus m43 lens vs. the Panasonic 20mm m43 lens etc. If readers care to leave comments on this, that would help me gauge interest (it’s not in the poll b/c this feature will take a while and wouldn’t make it into the next immediate upgrade).
NOTE 3 ANDROID – if you’d like to see an Android version, please leave a note in the comments!

Thanks in advance to all your awesome readers!!!

Mirrorlessforum is currently collecting readers questions to Olympus and Panasonic: “Next month in Germany two big events will take place: The IFA in Berlin (September 3rd – 8th) and the photokina in Cologne (September 21st – 26th). All manufacturers will use these opportunities to present new products. Of course we will visit both events and will have interviews with product managers at Panasonic and Olympus.”

Feel free to add yours on http://mirrorlessforum.com/panasonic-g1-g2-g10-gh1-gf1/2419-ifa-photokina-your-questions-olympus-panasonic.html

Like every year EISA (european imaging and sound association) assigned the prices for the best products 2010-2011.

Olympus won the following prizes:
European Micro System Lens 2010-2011 – [shoplink 14818]Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4-5.6[/shoplink] European All-Weather Compact Camera 2010-2011 – Olympus µ Tough-8010

Panasonic won the following prizes:
European Multimedia Camera 2010-2011 – [shoplink 14834]Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2[/shoplink] European Travel Compact Camera 2010-2011 – Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10

PRESS RELEASE

Olympus Puts Purchasing Power In The Hands Of Consumers With Robust New E-Commerce Site

The Olympus Store’s Live Chat and Advanced Search Make Online Shopping Fun and Easier Than Ever Before

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., August 9, 2010 – Today, Olympus Imaging America Inc. is proud to announce the launch of the Olympus Store, a new, e-commerce website that makes shopping for Olympus products fun and easier than ever before. The site is easy to navigate and helps consumers find the right product by giving them access to knowledgeable customer care representatives, through live chat, e-mail and phone support. In the future, the e-commerce website will offer consumer reviews and recommendations on what products would best fit their lifestyles. At the Olympus Store you will enjoy a hearty shopping experience, utilizing the site to research and purchase a wide selection of products, including digital cameras, lenses, underwater housings, audio devices, binoculars and limitedly available accessories, allowing you to capture it all.

The Olympus Store has a variety of other features to make shopping simple, including:

* Advanced search capability to find the right product in a flash;
* An account dashboard to keep track of multiple orders and view past order history; and
* A wish list that enables visitors to choose and highlight their ideal Olympus presents, making gift shopping a breeze for their friends and family.

“Through every step of the purchase process, the Olympus Store makes shopping fun and easy by giving people all the facts they need to make an informed purchase,” said Dan Mastellon, vice president—operations, customer care and repair, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “With Live Chat, visitors to the site can instantly communicate with a customer care representative who will answer questions and help with selections. The site also lists accessories that can sometimes be hard to find making it a one-stop shopping experience for our customers.”

To access the Olympus Store and start the e-shopping adventure, please click here: https://us.buyolympus.com/.

Found via Photographyblog

The release of the Sony NEX cameras boosted the mirrorless market share up to 40% (in Japan). Interesting to see that MicroFourThirds didn’t gain any market share but they also didn’t lose anything because of the NEX cameras. Does it mean there is still room for growth? It would be nice to know the market share in Europe and US (My guess is that it is 15-20%).

Let’s see if Photokina will boost the mirrorless success story…

Source: Mirrorlessrumors

The japanese company Inon just announced a new waterhousing for the [shoplink 14828]Panasonic GF1[/shoplink]. It has a corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy body (diving limit is 75m). You can use the Inon compatible flash (Z-240, D-Series 2000, S-2000, D-series 180, Z-220 series). And all Panasonic lenses are supported. The full kit price (with grip and lights) is $2,200!

Source: DC.watch

Oktrends analyzed photography from a numerical angle. They collected the data from the dating site OkCupid, one of the largest, and most interesting, datasets on the web. This article aggregates 11.4 million opinions on what makes a great photo. Their goal was to see how to take a photo to gain “attractiveness”.

The result? You are more sexy if you take the picture with Panasonic MicroFourThirds cameras!

Source: Blog.okcupid.com