Olympus just released the new firmware update 1.3 for the Olympus E-M1! Like reported a while ago here on 43rumors Olympus this update mainly improves the audio quality of the camera. Here is the full improvement list:

• Dynamic range has been expanded when using the external mic. The sound level adjustment has been changed to adjust to 21 levels in accordance with this.
  A function to turn the Volume Limiter on and off was added.
  • * When it is on, it automatically limits the mic input volume if sound input volume exceeds the designated level.
• A 0 second setting has been added to Anti-Shock mode.
• The camera operation when the Frame Rate of live view is [High] have been improved.

All info about the update can be found here: http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/firm/e1/

UPDATE with preorder list:
Olympus Stylus SH-1 Digital Camera (Black) at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Olympus Stylus SH-1 Digital Camera (Silver) at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Olympus CSCH-120 Body Jacket for SH-1 Digital Camera (Brown) at BHphoto (Click here).
Olympus CSCH-120 Body Jacket for SH-1 Digital Camera (Black) at BHphoto (Click here).
Olympus TG-3 camera in all colors at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).

The new compact cameras:
Olympus just announced two new compact cameras. The image on top shows you the very PEN-alike SH-1 fixed lens compact camera. It has a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor with 25-600mm f/3.0-6.9 lens, 3″ touchscreen LCD, some manual control. It will ship in May for little bit less than $400 (Full press release here). There is also a new Shockproof Tough TG-3 (Full press release here).

The SH-1 looks particularly interesting as it has quite some nice features and a very “traveller friendly” zoom range! These are the Feature highlights:

1. A sophisticated design inherited from the OLYMPUS PEN
2. Equipped with a high-performance 24x optical zoom lens (48xSuper Resolution Zoom) that covers from a 25mm wide angle to 600mm telephoto
3. The world’s first optical*5 axis image stabilisation compatible with both still images and movies
4. Built-in Wi-Fi* for easy image sharing and wireless shooting with a smart phone
5. The enhanced Advanced Movie mode allows in camera selection of four different types of movies

The Panasonic Nocticron 42.5 f/1.2 for Micro 4/3

Our friend Amos chapples just sent us this: “Today the Atlantic published a gallery of photos form St. Petersburg – camera of choice? The old GF5! (And Olympus and Panny lenses).
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2014/03/st-petersburg-from-above/100705/”

Comparison @ 30mm at M43photo.
New 3.5-5.6 Sigma 28-85mm mirrorless lens patent from Sigma (Egami).
Olympus 1,8/25m lens test (and compared to the Panasonic 25mm) by Josh Mc Leod.

Will: “For the past few months I’ve been developing and prototyping a small velcro pouch that fits inside of camera bags. It’s now for sale, and I thought you guys might be interested. Photos and more info can be found here: http://www.photographerspouch.com”

James: “Working on this new Web site…http://www.microfourthirdsphotography.info”

Roy: “Let me share with you and your readers the amazing performance of Olympus’ 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens when I shot some flowers. And gladly informing you and some of them returned me with amazing value and customer-satisfaction. I have put down my experience in my blog: http://www.samudranil.in/blog/?id=80360742941”

Felix: “I just got my new E-M5 a few weeks ago and wrote about my first impressions – in german though. Long sentence short: Olympus’s menue is confusing and the buttons don’t seem button-like. The Image-Stabilisator is just unbelievable crazy. After all I like it and for me it is a big step over the Pana G3. My last four blog-posts are all taken with the E-M5 and the oly 45 (mostly) or Pana 14-42kit. I shot during “Fasching” in Karlsruhe. A crazy tradition hier in Germany, where you try to chase off winter with a lot of noise (and candy and witches). http://fotooase.com/fotografie/2014/3/fasching-in-sw“

Image via Dicahub.

Tokina announced the new 11-16mm T/3.0 Micro Four Thirds Cine Lens. You can preorder it for $1,899 at Adorama (Click here). Not exactly cheap!!!

P.S.: List of all current Olympus deals can be seen at GetOlympus (Click here).

Eric Rock
Photograph of ceremonial dancer at sing sing, Papua New Guinea. photographed with Panasonic GX1, from the PNG gallery at http://ericrock.zenfolio.com/p422866641
15 likes

These are some of the picture our readers liked most on our 43rumors FB wall. If you have a nice image to share post it on the wall and if it gets a ton of votes I will post it on 43rumors.com next Sunday!

At NABshow in las Vegas Panasonic will show the new 4K camera module, which has a Super35-sized sensor and a PL mount. And a new 2/3” HD camera module, which has a 2/3” sensor set and can shoot FullHD up to 240fps (Source: Panasonicprovideo).

There is still no sign (or rumor) of a possible 4K Panasonic AG-AF100 successor yet :(

Belvilla’s Seasonal Inspiration: Winter from Hugo Goudswaard on Vimeo. Shot on GH3.

Panasonic 12-32mm review by Tyson Robichaud.
Nocticron tested at Camerastuffreview.
E-M10 review at Cnet Australia.
E-M10 sample gallery at Photographyblog.
E-M10 test at Pixinfo.
E-M10 test by MyNavi.
‘Touch And Try’ Olympus Events In John Lewis Stores (ePhotozine).
Panasonic Joins The Big Photo Show (Photographyblog).
Why Olympus’s OM-D E-M1 is one top pro’s camera of choice (Digitalcameraworld)
Olympus E-M10 Review: Shooter’s Report Part II (Imaging Resource).
E-M10 review at ThePhoBlographer.