Panasonic issued three new firmware updates:

G85 firmware update (download here)

1. Reduced operation noise during the shooting standby or the motion picture recording.
2. Dual I.S.2 function with the interchangeable lens H-RS100400 is available.
   (Firmware update of the H-RS100400 is required.)

GX85 firmware update (download here)

1. Reduced operation noise during the shooting standby or the motion picture recording.
2. Fixed a problem that camera fails to connect to the Picmate server.

100-400mm firmware update (download here)

1. Dual I.S.2 function is available.
   (Firmware update of Dual I.S.2 compatible model is required.
   The firmware of the DMC-G80/81/85 should be ver.1.2 or later.)
2. Fixed the instability of Auto Focus when the focus switch set to [5m – ∞], using Olympus Imaging Corporation’s OM-D E-M1 MarkII.

The Panasonic GH4 sells for $1,197 with free $200 gift card at Adorama (Click here).

Panasonic-Olympus deals and in Stock status updates:
Check out the very long list of new WPPI deals at BHphoto (Click here). There are savings on Adobe software, Rokinon–SLRmagic lenses and more!
Full special deal pages at BHphoto and GetOlympus.
Full special Panasonic deals page at BHphoto.
$400 off and free 12-50mm EZ lens with the E-M5II at BHphoto.
$150 off on the 40-150mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and GetOlympus.
The new Panasonic GX850 is in Stock for the very first time in USA at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama and Panasonic store.
The E-M1II is finally in Stock in larger quantity at Amazon US (Click here).
$20 off on the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography 12 Month Subscription Plan (Use Promo Code “BHWPPI17“).
The Panasonic GX8 sells for $890 only at Amazon US (Click here). This is $100 lower than the best price in other stores.
Free $100 gift card with the G85.

Sony Japan informed that their SF-M32, SF-M64, SF-M128 cards are not compatible with the E-M1II. At least in Japan they will offer a free trade-in. Not sure what they plan to do outside Japan…

Peter’s Panasonic GH5 Thoughts

Panasonic GH5 – Overview (Pro AV Tv)
Lumix GH5 Cinematic LUTs (Neumannsfilm).
100 megapixels : the new standard (Blair Bunting).
The Apple Touch Bar and Adobe Photoshop CC (Explora).
Politics & 40,000 Frames: A Case Study in Digital Photo Storage (Adorama Learning Center)
Plenty of news on the facebook E-M1II group and the GH5 group.

Jacob: “Panasonic Lumix G workshop in Malta with National Geographic photographer Mikolaj Nowacki. Cameras and lenses available to loan. Early bird discount still running: https://intrepidexposures.com/photo-tours/malta-masterclass/“

Panasonic Japan issued a note about the GH5 availability. Because of higher than expected preorders they expect a delay in the GH5 delivery. There is no detailed info about when we can expect to get our hands on the GH5.

As reported yesterday BHphoto expects to start shipping out the camera on March 28. But it’s likely that not all those of you who preordered the camera will get it on that day.

Preorders (use these links to support my work thanks!):
GH5 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama and Panasonic US. In EU at Amazon.de, Cyberport.de and ParkCamera.
Battery Grip for DC-GH5 at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
Leica 12-60mm at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
12-35mm F/2.8 II Asph at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
35-100mm f/2.8 II ASPH at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
45-200mm f/4-5.6 II POWER OIS at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 II POWER OIS at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
Panasonic DMW-XLR1 XLR Microphone Adapter at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
DMW-DCC15A DC Coupler at BHphoto and Adorama.

Today Samyang announced the new 20mm T/1.9 Cine lens which also comes with MFT mount. Price and shipment date have yet to be determined.

BHphoto (Click here) gave us the exact shipping start date for the new GH5. It’s March 28!  And Amazon will start shipping out two days later.

New Olympus deals and in Stock status updates:
Full special deal pages at BHphoto and GetOlympus. A few special mentions:
$400 off and free 12-50mm EZ lens with the E-M5II at BHphoto.
$150 off on the 40-150mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and GetOlympus.
The new Panasonic GX850 is in Stock for the very first time in USA at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama and Panasonic store.
The E-M1II is finally in Stock in larger quantity at Amazon US (Click here).