There are a few new info about the Fuji X100. Why do we care about Fuji? Many 43rumors reader demonstrated their interest for that camera. That’s why I am going to aks you what kind of aspect/feature you would love to see to be “copied” by Olympus/Panasonic. But first the news (via Fuji):

– The X100 offers three focusing options, selected by a switch on the left hand side of the body.
– The X100 has a dedicated RAW button
– In standard form, the planned ISO range is from 200 to 6400, but this can be expanded to include 100 and 12800.
– Autofocus points will be visible in the viewfinder. The autofocus points are also user-selectable, making it easier for photographers to focus on off-centre subjects without having to resort to the focus lock facility.
– HD video output is 1280 x 720 pixels at 24 frames per second with stereo sound recording. Aperture Priority AE can be used whilst shooting movies.
– The camera retain its existing settings when it’s turned off
– You can turn the LCD off.
– The shutter lag is 0.01 sec
– PROVIA, Velvia, ASTIA and mono chrome pictures will be able to be achieved with filter effects.
– It is not wheater sealed and has no built-in or in lens stabilization.
– There is an switchable integral ND filter.
– Price is still to be confirmed.

And here the poll. Let Panasonic and Olympus know what you like from the X100

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Links: Official Fuji X100 presentation page / Fuji X100 at Amazon

“A Verse Before Dying” – Trailer from Proof, Inc. on Vimeo.

Notes: “A Verse Before Dying” is the first narrative short film shot on the new [shoplink 16841]Panasonic AG-AF100[/shoplink] Digital Cinema Camera. The film was shot on location in Dripping Springs, Texas. For additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and more, go to dvxuser.com/​V6/​showthread.php?230414-quot-A-Verse-Before-Dying-quot-A-Borderlands-Spaghetti-Western. Thanks Stephen Mick for sending us the link!

A few european dealers contacted us to say that the first stock of [shoplink 16841]Panasonic AG-AF100 (Click here to preorder at BHphoto)[/shoplink] are already sold out!

The good news is that the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink] is now in Stock almost everywhere (in Europe). Today also Pixmania has them: Pixmania.fr, Pixmania.it, Pixmania.pl, Pixmania.es,

And a warning for US customers that wants to buy the GH2 at “The Price Pros“: “I ordered a GH2 from amazon after seeing your post on December 9th. The camera was being sold through a amazon partner store called “The Price Pros”. The Price Pros sent a confirmation email and charged my credit card, but then can cancelled the order late last night saying it was “damaged in shipping”. However, after speaking with them on the phone, they clearly never had the GH2 to begin with. I asked them what happened to the other GH2 they sold and they said that that was also damaged in shipping.
I’m sending you this email so that if the GH2 shows up on amazon again and it’s being sold by The Price Pros you might want to add a buyer beware disclaimer or maybe not report on it what so ever. I should be getting refunded for my order, but the bad part is, after I got the order confirmation from The Price Pros, I cancelled my pre-order for the GH2 from Amazon which I placed weeks ago.  Just want to help other 4/3 users and 43rumors readers so that they are not scammed like I was.”

GH2 AF-Tracking (Thanks Dieter)

Panasonic representative from Germany has confirmed that the AF-Tracking feature in movie mode has been taken out of Firmware 1.0. Source: vimeo.com/groups/gh1/forumthread:235149

The Gh2 (with Firmware version 0.2) had the AF-Tracking feature in movie mode enabled. But according to a german GH2 owner that feature has been removed with the official firmware 1.0. He had a talk with a Panasonic representative: “The good news is, that I got a call from the Panasonic manager who I talked to yesterday. The bad news is, that has confirmed information from Japan, that this feature has been taken out of Firmware 1.0.”

Meanwhile Philip Bloom updated his “Which… Video DSLR to buy?” post and added the GH2 which he highly recommends: “So all in all a big improvement over the Gh1 but PLEASE we NEEED 25p!!!!! If 25p is irrelevant to you this is simply one of the best “DSLRs” on the market for shooting video. The stills mode is pretty good too!”

Now let’s make a short GH2 in Stock status (as usual feel free to add your links to help other 43rumors readers to get the GH2 as soon as possible!):

US

In three days we saw two third party retailers selling the GH2 via Amazon (Click here). So keep checking. You might be lucky!
Other stores like Samys, Simplyelectronics sold out their (very few) GH2 cameras.
P.S.: At least the new Panasonic 100-300mm for $599 at Amazon (Click here)

Europe

Many stores do have the GH2 in Stock. As you can imagine in Europe we have dozens of online stores for every single country. That’s why I give you only a few link to the biggest known stores: Amazon.de, Pixmania.fr, Amazon.co.uk, Pixmania.it, Pixmania.pl, Pixmania.es.

Asia

A few friends from Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong mailed me to say the GH2 is in Stock almost everywhere at local retailers.

Thanks all for keeping me up to date with all deals! I want to see your unboxing videos as soon as possible ;)

Panasonic announced a new firmware for the [shoplink 14802]Panasonic 14-140mm[/shoplink] lens. The new FW improves the stability of O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) and AF(Auto Focus) in movie recording. According to a first 43rumors user report the “OIS does seem to be more efficient at the long focal length“.

Download: http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/index2.html

Thanks Rotislav, Helge, Forum Olympus France for sending me the link!

Adobe announced the new Photoshop Lightroom 3.3, Camera Raw 6.3 and DNG Converter 6.3. Support for the following Olympus/Panasonic cameras has been added:
[shoplink 17163]Olympus E-5[/shoplink] [shoplink 17361]Panasonic DMC-GF2[/shoplink] [shoplink 16254]Panasonic DMC-GH2[/shoplink]

glimpse of andalusia from emeric on Vimeo.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Review (DigitalPhotographySchool)

Novoflex adapter “marries” PEN E-PL1 and Canon FD lens (Pixiq)

Olympus Patents a Monocle Viewfinder (Petapixel)

Nokotn 25mm image samples at Zol.cn.

E-5 / E-30 Comparison – Resolution test chart (Dpreview forum)

OlympusCafè launched the Olympus Cafe TV, where users can see all Olympus/Photography related videos in one place on the site.

Panasonic will launch a new LCD protective film for the GF2 on March 12 (DC.watch.impress).

A 43rumors readers sent me following text: “G2 has the Extended Teleconversion feature of the GH2. I checked the manual and sure enough the G2 has the extra teleconversion feature that the GH2 has even for video. They called it EZ zoom for the G2 though. It is limited to a single 3.1x zoom for videos but it appears to be the near lossless version of the GH2. It crops the sensor instead of scaling.
I can’t believe no one has mentioned that the G2 had this before? Panasonic did not even advertise it.
Now that the G2 can be hacked it could be amazing with the 100 mb/sec MJPEG settings and the teleconversion feature. I think the G2 will increase in value in the near future.
G2 manual page 56 explains how its EZ zoom feature works for Video and Stills.
http://tda.panasonic-europe-service….90/vqt2s42.pdf
Thread about G2 teleconversion
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?230515-G2-has-the-Extended-Teleconversion-feature-as-well ”

Another mail form a 43rumros reader: “Not a rumour but you may be interested to know that I have posted full jpegs from my recently received Panasonic Vario 100-300 zoom lens for m43 platform. These are in a Flickr group I have created for the lens:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1577115@N21/
I also posted my impressions in the 4/3rds forum of GetDPI:
http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21481 “

Hunter Richards posted a very interesting GH2 1080/24p codec vs GH13 codec (44mbs 1080/24p hack) image comparison at DVuser.com. The [shoplink 16254]GH2[/shoplink] is definitely resolving more detail and at 3.200 ISO the image is almost clean! And Panasonic guru Barry Green explained why the 24Mbs AVCHD codec is better than the 44Mbs: “Even then, this isn’t as good as it gets. The AVCHD in the Gh2 is much better than the GH1’s version, but it’s still not up to the standards that the [shoplink 16841]AF100[/shoplink] can do. Bigger hardware, bigger memory buffers, more efficiency. Even at the same bitrate. I really do hope this dispells once and for all the notion that “more megabits = better footage” because, very frequently, that just isn’t correct. It’s the type of megabits, and how they’re used, that determine the efficiency and how good the final pictures look. The only way you can say “more = better” is if you’re talking about the exact same thing (i.e., AF100 at 21mbs vs. AF100 at 17mbps… in that case, yes, more = better).”

Meanwhile our canadian 43rumors readers are sending me many mails because they received the GH2 from Henrys, Downtown Camera in Toronto and other shops. You guys have to explain me why you are the first (non-japanese) to get stuff form Panasonic. I hate you ;)
British readers are the next! Mathers of Lancashire, Amazon UK and other known stores should have the GH2 in Stock next week.
US readers are using the guerrilla strategy with the hope to get the camera sooner or later. They simply preorder at any online store that has the GH2 on list :) Panasonic is now accpeting preorders and so Amazon and Adorama.

P.S.: Let me know if you find the GH2 in Stock in Europe! Thanks!