Early 2013 sounds quite promising for us. The first half of the year we expect the release of the new GF5 and G5 successor along a new kind of PEN made by Olympus and maybe a new OMD too. I am still not sure if the GX1 successor is coming In February or in late 2013. So before to get into the next rumor storm we may decide what MFT camera was the most exciting event release of the year 2012.

Take time to think and pick up the one camera that is the most important addition to the system.

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Feel free to comment this post to explain the reason for your vote!

The GH3 body release in Asia has been postponed from December 13 to December 29 (Source: DC.watch).

As you know the body is already shipping in EU and USA, while kit versions have been shipped in Europe only.

GH3 store links and in Stock status check:
12-35mm GH3 kit: Wex UK, Wex DE, [shoplink 35309 ebay]Photoexpress UK[/shoplink], FotoHansKeuzekamp (NL),
14-140mm GH3 kit: Wex UK, Amazon UK, [shoplink 35310 ebay]Photoexpress UK[/shoplink], Wex DE, Amazon FR,
Body only: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Panasonic store, Samys, Henry, Vistek, Wex UK, FotoHansKeuzekamp (NL), Amazon FR, [shoplink 35311 ebay]Webdistirbution FR[/shoplink].

Click on the image to see the fully exploded view of the E-P1

43rumors reader Warren sent me this image of his broken Olympus E-P1. He wrote: “The main control wheel gave up on me, and decided I cant be asked to have it fixed as I have like 7 ep1’s, 2 epl3’s a
ep2, epl5, epm2, 2 omds and a few others kicking about, so really just decided to make an artwork!”

The Olympus E-P1 was the first MFT camera from Olympus and is also the camera I still own and sue for my everyday shots along the superb [shoplink 15659]Nokton 25mm f/0.95 lens (here ot find on eBay)[/shoplink].

[shoplink 35447 ebay]

The [shoplink 35447 ebay]Olympus ECRU[/shoplink].

Ok, the E-P3 has been discontinued and Olympus is likely going to announce a new MFT cameras with a very “different design” (so say the rumors I got). Was looking at possible design inspiring cameras form the Olympus film history. Particularly cameras with a rangefinder design. And I found an auction having a camera that 99% of you will likely never have seen before. It is the [shoplink 35447 ebay]Olympus ECRU (Click here to see the auction)[/shoplink].

Olympus Global writes: ” “Ecru” is French for “unbleached.” The name of this concept camera was chosen to symbolize its intended role as a tool for living an intellectually enhanced life as natural as unbleached cloth. This concept is symbolized in the white body of the camera, which was sold as a limited edition of 10,000 units in Japan and 10,000 overseas.”

I am pretty sure Olympus will not use that kind of design for their next MFT camera :)

List of all Olympus rangefinder can be found on [shoplink 35450 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] (or via Slidoo eBay if you prefer)

Panasonic GH3 Review 6 – People – ‘C’ Graded for Vimeo from Nick Driftwood on Vimeo.

Nick Driftwood posted the sixth part of his ongoing GH3 review. This time he shows you the different ways of shooting people. By the way, there is a long list of work shared and discussed at Personal View (Click here). It’s a never ending discussion about the GH3 possibilities.

Ryan sent me this message: “I created a slow motion test using the GH3 yesterday at a Philadelphia Skate Park called Hazzard Park. It was filmed using the ALL-Intra 72mbps format, which records in 720p. When I began to edit the footage, I thought it was 1080 at first. The 720p image from the GH3, in my opinion, is as sharp as a 5D Mark III in 1080p. https://vimeo.com/54972772″. There is also a new GH3 vs GH2 ISO comparison by Excuse Cie on vimeo.

GH3 store links and in Stock status check:
12-35mm GH3 kit: Wex UK, Wex DE, [shoplink 35309 ebay]Photoexpress UK[/shoplink], FotoHansKeuzekamp (NL),
14-140mm GH3 kit: Wex UK, Amazon UK, [shoplink 35310 ebay]Photoexpress UK[/shoplink], Wex DE, Amazon FR,
Body only: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Panasonic store, Samys, Henry, Vistek, Wex UK, FotoHansKeuzekamp (NL), Amazon FR, [shoplink 35311 ebay]Webdistirbution FR[/shoplink].

This camera has been released in 1975 and is the a compact Full Frame rangefinder and fixed lens camera. It had a couple of what I call “wow” features:
1) It had a leaf shutter which allows super silent shooting (developed by Seiko). For the record, you don’t have many professional digital cameras with this. The just announced Sony RX1 has it! And so my medium format [shoplink 28309 ebay]Mamiya 7[/shoplink].
2) it also had a tiny and f/1.7 fast 40mm lens.
3) And than of course there was that super body quality. The Austin University(!) has a lot of appraisal for the RD: “In addition to being versatile, the 35-RD is a solidly constructed, metal bodied 35mm camera with a professional grade of fit and finish that were hallmarks of Olympus quality.”

Of course little of this camera can be taken as inspiration for a new modern Micro Four Thirds “rangefinder” styled camera. Leaf shutter is out of question, but compact design and high quality body is certainly something most of us want.

Links:
Olympus 35D auctions on [shoplink 35305 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] or on Slidoo.
Source: info: Camerquest, Utexas, Olypedia, Image samples by Sean on Flickr. Review by Eric Rose.

E-P3 price drops and discontinued status:
All normal E-P3 kits are now marked as discontinued at BHphoto (Click here). And they are massively discounted at Adorama (Click here) and low in Stock at Amazon (Click here). You can get it for even less as refurbished item on Cametaauctions (via Slidoo) or directly at Cameta. In Germany price drops are also shown by Idealo.de price history.

What’s coming:
I am working on that rumor now. All I have heard from one source is to not expect a “successor” but rather “something different“. As usual these kind of rumors lead to all plenty of speculation. Let’s keep expectations low so that we won’t be disappointed if something unspectacular will be announced. Question…when will it be announced? I am getting rumors form anonymous sources that the new camera may come in February! Still to be confirmed by trusted sources yet…
For some unclear reason I keep checking old [shoplink 35422 ebay]Olympus rangefinder cameras one eBay[/shoplink]. Just to see how a digital version could look like -> of course without rangefinder tech but with rangefinder style. But as I said, the new PEN will not be spectacular, just a small update..or not? :)

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Deal sent by Eric (via NoisyC).