Image source: PDF presentation.

Yes, that’s the kind of news we like to get from Olympus! At last they are reporting strong growth in all their business including the Imaging Segment! They write:

In the mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera field, the OM-D series continued to perform solidly, such as the “OM-D E-M5 Mark II,” which was launched in the previous fiscal year. Sales were also boosted by a contribution from the high performance interchangeable lenses “M.ZUIKO DIGITAL PRO” series with additions of new models bringingthe lineup to four models. In the compact camera field, the Company continued to limit the number of units sold in response to market shrinkage, while retaining sales on a par with the previous year by further advancing the shift to high-value-added models. As a result, sales in the Imaging Systems Business overall increased year on year. The Imaging Systems Business returned to profitability, recording operating income after recording a loss in the same period of the previous fiscal year, mainly due to the increase in sales and progress in reducing expenses.

Full reports can be downloaded at olympus-global.com/en/ir/data/brief/2016/

Panasonic released firmware updates for many MFT lenses to support Dual IS on the new GX8: av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/index2.html

GX8 Preorders:
Black GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at Amazon DE, Amazon UK, WexUK.
Silver GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at Amazon DE, Amazon UK, WexUK.

Mario (video on top): “I am a video artist and I have recently switched from Canon to the MFT format. I got a new Panasonic G7 camera after reading many reviews here. I created a video with my initial tests with the camera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e23f_lNnP5M. I tested both day and night shots, auto and manual focus, different resolutions and speeds and pretty much all functions used for video. The video is short, but it gives a nice idea of the camera in action.”

Panasonic 42,5mm f/1.7 lens test at DC.watch.
The winners of the “2015 Drone Aerial Photography Contest” (TheNakedCamera).
List of Refurbished Olympus cameras at [shoplink 22691 ebay]Olympusmarket Europe[/shoplink].

Onward Photo: “We just recently published an article about 11 must-see destinations for any photographer in Tokyo, looking at some phenomenal spots for shooting but also for camera gear, galleries and collaborative spaces, and photobooks. One of our highlights is the Olympus gallery, which features work by photographers as well as all of their newest cameras and equipment: http://bit.ly/1OxtqgV”

Stefano: “Just to tell that the Olympus Summer cashback promotion is running across entire europe, check this: olympus-summer-special.sales-promotions.com/
This is the dedicated Amazon Italy page: amazon.it/b/ref=amb_link_189009527_1”

Anonymous: “With the 4K recording, the cameras are trying to deliver a better image without aliasing and moire, and a good low light performance in low iso. The pixel count in sensor are very important to get these goals. Another important achievement is to keep a good big area on sensor when recording 4K to keep a good shallow dof.
This is a challenge for M43 cameras because the sensor is smaller than Sony full frame mirrorless, so using the largest area on M43 cameras to record video is very important for good low light performance without so much noise in high iso, and to keep a good shallow dof.
This discussion in PV website shows two draws with interesting sensor design for M43 reducing the total pixels count in amultiaspect sensor design to get the best possible 4K recording:
http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/13408/micro-four-thirds-4k-cine-ultra-hd-multiaspect-dream-sensor“

Olympus Tough TG 4 macro video sample

Panasonic-Leica 25mm lens review at ToolsAndToys.
Olympus schickt Photography Playground nach München und fördert Fotokunst nun auch in Frankfurt und Amsterdam (Photoscala).
GX8 press in Japan (DC.watch).
VariCam AU-V35C1G / V23HS1G / AU-VREC1G Software Updates (Panasonic).
The first proper use of a selfie stick (TheNakedCamera).
List of Refurbished Olympus cameras at [shoplink 22691 ebay]Olympusmarket Europe[/shoplink].

Capion: “The Journey of Hope: https://vimeo.com/131886264. The Journey of Hope is a film telling the story of a very important organization that shares hope with children who are terminally ill or have chronic life threatening diseases. Shot with the Panasonic GH4, GH3, BMCC 2.5k, and DJI s900. We did our best to match the cameras as closely as possible and we also utilized a gorgeous vintage anamorphic 2x lens in the beginning of the film with the GH4’s new 4:3 mode. For more information on how you can get involved and share hope, please visit www.messageofhopefoundation.org“

The Korean company Samyang will announce a new line of Cine lenses named XEEN. On August 10 they will unveil three 24mm 50mm and 85mm t/1.5 lenses which will also be available in native Micro Four Thirds mount. Each lens will cost $2495!

Cinescopophilia via Mirrorlessrumors.

Egami spotted a new Olympus sensor patent. Under the classic RGB bayer sensor we have a second sensor capturing the info about the polarization of the light. This would allow you to get rid of the polarizing filter and as an ulterior benefit you would not have a light loss!

Of course as usual we don’t know if such a sensor will ever make it into a real mass production camera…

LUMIX DMC-GX8: Premium G Series camera for the enthusiast

G6 vs E-M5II (Soundimagesplus).
Goodbye D800, Hello GH4! (Photographylife).
7-14mm PRO lens test at Yodobashi.
Rollei 35 T, Minox 35 GT-E Y Olympus XA (DSLRmagazine).
Supermodels mit langen Beinen – und Stabkirche in HDR (PenAndTell).
Generating 3D-images in the 19th century (TheNakedCamera).
List of Refurbished Olympus cameras at [shoplink 22691 ebay]Olympusmarket Europe[/shoplink].