The factory in Xiamen.

The Japanese site Asahi (via Digicameinfo) reports that Panasonic is seriously considering to completely step out from the low-end compact camera business. Panasonic’s Chinese factory in Xiamen that produces Panasonic’s compact cameras will be converted to produce cameras for other manufacturers too.

This is part of Panasonic’s strategy tofocus on the more advanced mirrorless camera market. New High End models are expected to be alunched in 2014.

Image courtesy Namen Color (Spain).

Readers from US, Canada and Europe sent me messages to confirm that they already got their preordered E-M1 camera. On top you see an image of a Spain Store (Namen Color). Please let me know when a store shows them as in Stock so that I can share this with all 43rumors readers. Thanks!

P.S.: Submit the info by commenting this post or by submitting the store link via DealsRunner.com.

Mr. Terada from Olympus. Image courtesy: Focus Numerique

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Focus Numerique (google translated) and Onfoto (google translated) posted interviews with Mr. Terada from Olympus. I rely on google translation tool to understand the text so please correct me if there is some error here:

Focus Numerique:
– Development TruePic VII for OM-D E-M1 took more than 3 years.
– It is not possible to add 14bit encoding via firmware upgrade. The encoded 14-bit files require more computing power and thus more expensive processor.
– touch screen on the E-M1 will be improved via fw update. But we need more time for it. We also need to work on the work directly connected to a PC mode. But then again, we did not have time to develop all the applications. There are many applications to integrate and soon.

Onfoto:
– FT lens production will continue until there is a demand for it
– Support of FT cameras and lenses will continue
– There will be no silver E-M1
– There is no plan yet to add phase autofocus on future low end MFT models
– We don’t exclude to go Full Frame one day

So, how does it sound for you?

Preorder Links:
Olympus E-M1 body at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto, Amazon DE (via DL), Amazon UK (via DL), Amazon ES (via DL), WexUK, Topshot FI, CameraWorldUK.
Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE (viaDL), Amazon ES (via DL).
Olympus E-M1 with 12-40mm Lens kit at Amazon DE (via DL), WexUK and CameraWorldUK, Amazon UK (via DL), Amazon ES (via DL).
Olympus E-M1 with 12-50mm Lens kit at Amazon DE (via DL), WexUK, CameraWorldUK, Amazon UK (via DL), Amazon ES (via DL).
Olympus EP-13 Eyecup for E-M1 at Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus HLD-7 Battery Grip for E-M1 at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus LC-62D Metal Front Lens Cap for 12-40mm at Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus LH-66 Lens Hood for 12-40mm at Adorama and BHphoto.

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As you know Fuji and Panasonic are working together on a new generation of organic sensors. Fujifilm just issued a press release to say that they developed a new photoresist technology for organic semiconductors enabling submicron patterns. Image sensor world writes that “Generally, patterning of organic semiconductor materials degrades the property of converting light into electricity, but the OPD developed in this case were patterned without degradation”

I don’t expect organic sensors to be used on production cameras before 2015.

EOSHD Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Test – Part 1 – Low Light from Andrew Reid on Vimeo.

MFT Flash manufacturer petition at Lightingrumours.
Panasonic DMC-LF1 camera review: An amazing pocket multi-tool (Theinspiredeye).
Here’s a nice article of the use of the GH3 with a Tascam DR-60 for live interview work, this was done by Philip Jhonston.

Why I used the Lumix GH3 for IBC

Nokton 42,5mm review by Pekka Potka.
SLR Magic 35mm T/1.4 Cine Mark II Lens Review (ePhotozine).
SLR Magic 12mm T/1.6 Hyperprime Cine Lens Review (ePhotozine).
SLR Magic 50mm f/0.95 Hyperprime Lens Review (ePhotozine).
20mm/F1.7 II ASPH test at Itmedia.
LF1 test at DC.watch.
Blackmagic Pocket camera first impression review by EosHD.

Our friends over at Bestmirrorlesscamerasreviews interviewed MR Terada, Mr Guthmann and Mr Fandrey from Olympus. These are just some of the key points:

– Asked why the E-M1 lags behind the GH3 when it comes to video quality Mr Terada says: “We are concentrating on priority matters, specifically establishing nice still image quality. This is our priority as a camera manufacturer and our reputation on the market is for still.”
– He confirms again: “no plan to make new FT lenses”
– “The E-M1 is not the successor to the E-M5.” And there will be deifnitely an E-M5 successor.
– Regarding the FF vs APS-C vs FT sensor size matter he says: “I also feel that the balance of portability and IQ is what puts MFT above APS-C. The image quality is almost the same but the portability is totally different. Then, if you compare the lens size – DSLR, APS-C, and mirrorless APS-C – their lenses are much bigger than ours. I don’t think everyone will go to FF; only those who really need it will. But many journalists say that the E-M1 covers a lot. Somebody said 99% can be covered.”

Thanks BMCR for sharing the interview content!

Preorder Links:
Olympus E-M1 body at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto, Amazon DE (via DL), Amazon UK (via DL), Amazon ES (via DL), WexUK, Topshot FI, CameraWorldUK.
Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE (viaDL), Amazon ES (via DL).
Olympus E-M1 with 12-40mm Lens kit at Amazon DE (via DL), WexUK and CameraWorldUK, Amazon UK (via DL), Amazon ES (via DL).
Olympus E-M1 with 12-50mm Lens kit at Amazon DE (via DL), WexUK, CameraWorldUK, Amazon UK (via DL), Amazon ES (via DL).
Olympus EP-13 Eyecup for E-M1 at Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus HLD-7 Battery Grip for E-M1 at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus LC-62D Metal Front Lens Cap for 12-40mm at Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus LH-66 Lens Hood for 12-40mm at Adorama and BHphoto.

Sharp C-mount LINOS MeVis-C 35mm 1.6 on Olympus OM-D E-M5 from Seb Farges on Vimeo.

A blog post on using m4/3 as part of a portable studio setup for dog photography (Duncanmartin)
Panasonic 4K VariCam-Mockup at Cinescopophilia and Slashcam.de.
Are large sensor cameras really better? Read this before you answer (Redsharknews).
Still…Carl Gerrad (Click here) loves what is seen as the GX7 predeccessor…the LC1.
Blackmagic Pocket Camera shipping is slow. 2-4 months according to BHphoto.
SLR Magic 12mm T/1.6 Hyperprime Cine Lens Review (ePhotozine).
Capture One 7.1.4 is now availlable. This version now offers RAW support for the E-P5.