Nikkei just released some info about the 2014 Panasonic camera strategy:

– Panasonic will launch five new (fixed lens) compact cameras. That’s exactly the half amount of the cameras released in 2013
– These compact cameras will cost around $300 or more. Focus is on high-magnification zoom cameras
– Main focus of the company will be on the mirrorless interchangeable market.
– Panasonic will also launch a device capable of capturing 4K ultra-high-definition video  (it’s now in development).
– Panasonic is working to increase the sales of lenses (also for surveillance cameras)
– Panasonic anticipates a second consecutive year of losses for its digital camera business in fiscal 2013 on the back of weak sales of compact offerings. Global digital camera sales are expected to shrink by over 2 million units this fiscal year to about 4 million.

Mirrorless strategy summary: In short this means Panasonic will now focus on making a breakthrough in the more profitable high-end amateur or pro market. A 2.500 Euro “cheap” GH4 with 4K recording and modular design is the one camera that should allow this. On the other side the focus goes on the supertiny GM mirrorless camera and lens development. Overall it’s going to be a challenging time for all digital camera makers. The economic crisis and the “natural” slow down of the digital camera market are hitting hard on all companies balance.

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link found via Photorumors.

You can now have a lot of fun by virtually combining the tiny Panasonic GM1 with a lot of FT or MFT lenses using the Special matching Simulator (Click here). Too bad the simulator only shows small size images! To see some bigger images of Gm1 lens combination click over at ePhotozine.

This is also one of the best cameras of the year according to Dpreview:

“Here’s where the GM1 is set apart from other cameras I’ve tested: I want to have it with me, even when I’m heading out of the apartment to run errands, or go to the coffee shop, and I don’t have any specific intentions of Going Shooting. I might just see a nice shot and the GM1 will get it. When I take my DSLR out on these kinds of trips, I’m acutely aware that it’s there the whole time.”

A report about a big GM1 presentation day in Japan can be read at DC.watch (google tranlsation here). New GM1 review at Lesnumeriques (google translation here).

GM1 preorder list:
In US at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
In Europe at Amazon Germany, Wex Germany, Amazon UK, Fotohanskeuzekamp, Cyberphoto Sweden and Wex UK.

HolyManta VND from Holymanta on Vimeo.

I just got that new press release about a new HolyManta Micro Four Thirds product. And be sure to check out the video on top to see how this works!

PRESS TEXT: ”

The all-new HolyManta VND is finally available! With this lens adapter (initially for Canon EF lenses) setting manual exposure has newer been easier and quicker. Video filming has always been for restricted compared to photography in terms of exposure – due to the shutter which most often should be set to a 180 degrees angle. The built-in variable ND filter allows you set the perfect exposure in second without taking your eyes from the viewfinder, and inserting the dust protected filter now takes less then a second instead of almost minutes as with external filters.
For more info, please visit www.holymanta.com or send your question to info@holymanta.com

All the best
/The HolyManta team”

Really smart idea!

Olympus Japan just issued an official statement. It says that the demand of the lens has been higher than expected and therefore not all that preordered the lens will get it in time (late November-early December). The lens has still an ETA of December 7 at Amazon US (Click here). But a couple of 43rumors readers luckily told me that their US preorders already shipped! And there is even a first lens auction on [shoplink 42953 ebay]eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink]. So I guess the supply shortage will only affect those of you that will preorder the lens now.

Preorders: Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE (viaDL), Amazon ES (via DL).

JP (Click here) published an interview with Olympus president Sasa. If google translation didn’t fool me this is what he says:
– Olympus and Sony are working together on the camera and lens front. This means “one-step” integration in the distribution network and camera parts purchases to reduce the costs.
– He confirms the low-end compact camera market is of no more interest for Olympus
– There is room for growth in the Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens market. Olympus expects annual sales number to increase from 75000-80000 to 90000-140000 units.

article found via Digicameinfo.

This is an image of the new Micro Four Thirds OWL drop in filter adapter devleoped by MXcamera.

The advantages you get with that drop in filter are:
1. for ultra wide angle or fish eye lens, no way to install the filter. Rear drop filter is the only way to solve the problem.
2. For Cine lens, like Canon CP / Zeiss CT lens, the filter is thread is 95mm, very expensive filter, a rear drop in filter can reduce the cost
3. easy to change drop in filter and will not affect the setting, front lens filter may change your setting when un-installing, especially the lens is not internal focus….
4. The setting of rear drop in filter will not change while you change the lens, more efficient
5. For telephone lens, the lens body is too long, when you attached the lens on tripod, this is difficult change the filter.
using rear drop in filter, you can change the filter and keep an eye in the viewfinder.
6. MX is now developing the tele-converter lens for this adapter, so you can upgrade this adapter to tele-converter easily.

The filter will go on sale early 2014. And they will sell it on their eBay Store.

another video by Jamie MacDonald about the opportunity to provide feedback to Olympus engineers in Japan.

The GX7 vs the OM-D E-M5, battle for my affection, Round 3 – IQ, Interface, Features and the Final Decision (tysonrobichaudphotography)
Voigtlander 42.5mm f/0.95 Nokton Lens Review at ePhotozine.
Olympus 17mm f/1.8 lens review at Soundimagesplus.
GF6 review at Der Spiegel.
Olympus PEN E-P5 Offer (ePhotozine).
Panasonic GM1 image samples by Mapcamera.
E-M1 vs E-M5 image stabilziation test by Pekka Potka.
Olympus Stylus 1 Hands-On Preview (ePhotozine).
Olympus stand in Paris by OpenPn.
Win An Olympus Camera With Olympus Impressions (ePhotozine).
Photo Ninja – Some comments from Jim Christian, the developer at Soundimagesplus.
GX7 review at Neocamera.
The top 10 cameras of 2013 by Photographytalk.
GM1 test by DCfever.
2013 Rueckblick by SystemKameraForum.