The forum battle has started! People is “fighting” against each other in never ending discussions.

Let’s start with a surprise: Cgerrard from Alphamountworld lists all the “problems” of the Sony NEX camera. That’s called “friendly fire” :)

Thom Hogan “I’d say there are some ergonomic issues that need to be explored”.

Is the Sony Alpha line going to have the same problem like Olympus with the classic FourThirds line (dyxum)

NEX vs 4/3 (dpreview forum)

NEX-5 vs E-PL1 1600ISO samples (dpreview forum)

I guess Sony managed to keep the Sony NEX body incredible small. The “problem” is that the lenses are bigger.
Source: Imaging Resource

Full news coverage is available on SonyAlphaRumors.com

Source: CNET

Source: SonyAlphaRumors

And the price war has started:

Hopefully the Amazon ÖsterreichAmazon DeutschlandSony NEX camera will force Olympus and Panasonic to lower the price.

Firmware ver.1.3 for Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1

1. Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached).
2. Availability of AF performance in FHD (full HD) movie recording mode with Four Thirds lenses that are compatible with contrast AF.
3. Improved AF performance in movie recording with LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045).
4. Improved modulation accuracy of flash.
5. Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer.
Click here to download the firmware: Panasonic Japan

Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1 firmware update (Ver 1.2):
1. Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached).
2. Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer.
Click here to download the firmware: Panasonic Japan

Panasonic G1 firmware update:
[ Warning ] For our customers safety, after this firmware update to Ver.1.3 or later, your Panasonic Digital Camera (DMC-G1) cannot be operated by unauthorised 3rd party batteries.
(Currently there is no authorised 3rd party battery available in the market.)
1. Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached).
2. Improved modulation accuracy of flash
3. Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer.
Click here to download the firmware: Panasonic Japan

Thanks CK!

One of our readers just sent us the following Ebay link which shows the Macro extension tube set for micro 4/3 cameras. I tried to google around and did not find any user report.

If you ever tried the set please let our readers know your impressions!
Thanks!

Panasonic just published the “Reports Fiscal 2010 Annual Results” and the “New Midterm Management Plan”
“In the digital still camera business, Panasonic aims to be one of the industry’s top three makers by achieving sales of 20 million units per year. In the digital interchangeable lens system camera business, the company strives to achieve the world’s smallest and lightest camera. Establishing a dedicated marketing structure for its single lens cameras in each major region of the world, Panasonic will target a market share of 10 percent or more in the segment. In the compact camera category, Panasonic aims to capture new demand mainly in emerging countries by strengthening its lineup through collaboration with SANYO. Further, Panasonic will advance its black-box technologies in lenses and optical image stabilizer to build a super-thin, super-light and super-high picture quality camera”

A super-thin camera? Sounds good! Can’t wait to see that on Photokina :)

via: noisycamera

Press release:
Hamburg, 6 May 2010 – Next week the Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2, until now only cloaked in classic black, will also be available in silver. The camera unites the power and performance of an SLR with the ease and spontaneity of a compact.

Cloaked now in silver, the hybrid photo and HD movie Olympus PEN boldly brings fun and simplicity back in SLR quality. It’s a legend in the making – and available from mid of May 2010 for €799 including the M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6.