Firmware1.3 v.s. 1.4 – Focus speed test for Olympus E-P1 (17mm/2.8) (via fotoactualidad)

E-P1+20mm f/1.7 AF SPEED ver1.4

Click on the links to visit the panasonic compatibility information page:
• Compatibilities of DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 NEW
• Compatibilities of DMC-GF1, DMC-GH1 and DMC-G1 NEW
• Compatibilities of DMC-L10K NEW
• Compatibilities of DMC-L1K NEW
• Compatibilities of Four Thirds lens NEW

Leica just released the new Leica V-LUX 20. You pay $699.00 for the Leica version of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 ($335.34).

MicroFourThirds user will probably be more interested in knowing more about the new Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 (check out leicarumors). Does this mean the “older” Leica 35mm f/1.4 will become cheaper? It’s a Leica! Forget it!

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/oima_slr_penfirmware.asp?intCmp=geto_rdrct_penfirmware

Auto Focus Performance
This update will improve camera AF performance when shooting both stills and videos with the E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras when using any Micro Four Thirds or Four Thirds lens. Auto Focus Lock time when shooting stills is improved by 15%. Auto Focus tracking accuracy when shooting movies is also improved.

Viewfinder/LCD Simultaneous Playback Function
This upgrade also brings additional display functionality to the E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras when fitted with the VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder. Photographers using these combinations can now view menu and recorded images on the LCD while the VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder is in use.

Movie-Still-Compatible (MSC) Lens Compatibility
This update also ensures that like the E-PL1, the E-P1 and E-P2 camera models are fully compatible with and able to take advantage of two recently announced and soon-to-reach market lenses; the M. Zuiko Digital™ ED 9–18mm F4.0–5.6 and M. Zuiko Digital ED 14–150mm F4.0–5.6 lenses. Olympus is designating these two lenses as MSC, or Movie-Still-Compatible. They are optimized for shooting high definition video with accurate and silent autofocus.

26 cameras of the 80 most sold DSLR (during the last week) listed on BCNranking are Panasonic or Olympus cameras.

From the most sold 80 DSLR:
17 are Canon cameras
14 Olympus cameras
12 Panasonic cameras
12 Nikon cameras

Ranking+ camera:
10 Black Panasonic GF1+20mm
15 White Panasonic GF1+20mm
16 White Olympus E-PL1 +14-42mm
20 Red Panasonic G1 +14-45mm
22 White Olympus E-PL1 (double kit)
30 Silver Olympus E-PL1 +14-42mm
35 Black Olympus E-PL1 +14-42mm
35 Silver Olympus E-PL1 (double kit)
40 Black Panasonic G1 +14-45mm
41 Black Olympus E-PL1 (double kit)
44 Black Panasonic G1 (double kit)
47 Red Panasonic GF1+20mm
48 Silver Panasonic GF1+20mm
61 Olympus E-620 (double kit)
61 Black Panasonic GF1+14-45mm
64 Silver Olympus E-P2 +14-42mm
65 Olympus E-P1 (double kit)
66 Black Olympus E-P2 +14-42mm
66 Blue Panasonic G1 +14-45mm
70 Gold Panasonic G1 +14-45mm
71 Silver-Brown Olympus E-P2 +17mm
74 Olympus E-620 +14-42mm
74 Panasonic GH1 +14-140mm
77 Silver Olympus E-P1 +17mm
79 Red Panasonic G1 (double kit)

Firmware ver.1.2 for DMC-GF1

• 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)
• Improved AF performance with lenses of other manufacturer

Firmware ver.1.3 for DMC-GH1

• 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)
• Availability of AF performance in FHD (full HD) movie recording mode with Four Thirds lenses that are compatible with contrast AF
• Improved AF performance in movie recording with LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)
• Improved modulation accuracy of flash
• Improved AF performance with lenses of other manufacturer

Firmware ver.1.5 for DMC-G1

• 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)
• Improved modulation accuracy of flash
• Improved AF performance with lenses of other manufacturer

The new firmware will be available worldwide at GMT: 8:00 the 10th of May, 2010 at
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/.

As you know Olympus will release the new firmware for MicroFourThirds Pen cameras on April 22.
Lori Grunin from CNET had the chance to test the firmware. The good news is that they measured “22 percent improvement in shot lag”

They also tested the autofocus performance of the new Olympus 9-18mm lens -> “did feel zippier, with more decisive autofocus”

Preorders:
Amazon US / Adorama / BHphoto / Amazon Japan / Amazon Germany / Amazon France