Megapixel posted this videointerview with Sebastian Drawert from Panasonic. These are the key info from the interview collected by Megapixel:

• The huge success of the GH2 as a video camera was a surprise to Panasonic.
• The development of the GH3 was at least in part the result of a great deal of feedback from pro videographers.
• The GH3 abandons the multi aspect ratio sensor used in the GH2 in order to improve image quality according to Mr. Drawert .
• While the GH2 was a 60% video and 40% stills camera the GH3 is more of a 50%-50% according to Mr. Drawert.
• The GH3 we saw in photokina didn’t have focus peeking – this is not a hardware issue and might be added later on in firmware (although nothing is set at this point).
• Although Panasonic did not announce a sound grip (like Sony did with the A99) this is an option Panasonic will definitely look into.
• Panasonic showcased two new prototype lenses in photokina 2012 – a 150mm f2.8 (300mm in 35mm equivalent) and a 42.5mm f/1.2 (a 85mm in 35mm equivalent). Both lenses should be available next year.
• Panasonic developed applications for the GH3 for both android and iOS based devices including ones which uses the cellular device’ GPS (so no internal GPS is required by the camera) as well as a remote etc.
• It is possible to view images on the computer from the camera in “real-time” however bandwidth limitations meas that RAW image will still take 20-30 seconds to transfer.
• Panasonic currently doesn’t have plans to allow developers to create apps for its cameras but it doesn’t rule anything for the future and will continue to evaluate the development of the connected camera market.

Thanks Megapixel for sharing the interview!

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Panasonic and Olympus Preorder Links with specs and price:
Special GH3 page at Amazon (Click here) and a full Olympus presentation page at Amazon (Click here).
GH3 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here), Panasonic US and in Europe at Wexphotographic UK and Technikdirekt.
35-100mm X lens at Amazon (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here), Panasonic US.
E-PL5 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here). In EU at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK, Amazon France,
E-PM2 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here). In EU at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK, Amazon France,
XZ-2 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
60mm macro at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
12mm Black prime lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
15mm cap-lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).

[shoplink 25320 ebay][/shoplink] Image on top: The [shoplink 25320 ebay]Four Thirds Olympus 12-35mm f/2.0 lens[/shoplink].

Many times we read on forums and websites about the possibility that Olympus may use larger sensors on future Four Thirds cameras. But would current FT lenses cover a larger circle?

Lloyd Chambers (Click here) tested the [shoplink 25320 ebay]Olympus SHG 14-35mm f/2 ED[/shoplink] on the Nikon D800 and proved that the image circle is 23mm while the MFT diagonal 21.3mm. SO no, there is no chance FT lenses would work on larger sensor cameras. Lloyd seems to be surprised because he speculated that the image circle would be much larger: “based on the fact that the performance of the SHG lenses is so outstanding, even compared to Leica M glass.”

I bet many here would love to get some of these super FT lenses in a more smaller and native MFT package!

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14-35mm f/2.0 on [shoplink 25320 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] 35-100mm f/2.0 on [shoplink 25119 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

Dear readers,

this is just a short note to tell you that the last three days we worked on transferring 43rumors and mirrorlessrumors on a new server. We did a complete new installation and theme upgrade. There are still some issues to fix and I would like you to help me to send the problems you find on the website. One of them is that messages written through the contact form when using Chrome Browser are not being sent. UDPATE: Cna you pelase try to send me a message through the contact form? And If it doens’t get send please let me know what Browser, OS you are using and from what country you are sending it. Thanks!

New features:
There will be a small design change soon and also (finally!) a new iPhone and iPad version.

Personal note:
The last 10 days I was very busy because I moved from the mountains to Antwerp where I will stay for the next four months. SO again sorry if I didn’t manage to answer your question on the comment section or via email. I was super stressed.

Thanks!

Back in January Astro joined the Micro Four Thirds system and said they would make a new 4K camera. The full specs of the camera are now available at astrodesign.co.jp. It is a camera made for Geometric data capturing for academic, commercial, military, etc. application Social property scrutiny and maintenance for road, tunnel, bridge, etc. Cinema and broadcasting. Definitely not a mass product and something 99,999% of the 43rumors readers will not buy. But hey, it’s a mft camera and we need to welcome the small Japanese company! :)

Image courtesy: Amos Chapple.

Amos Chapple is a Pro Photographer using Micro Four Thirds cameras and lenses. He sent me a new mail I am posting here as it is:

“Italian Vanity Fair magazine have been buying my work fairly regularly and have used four images of mine in the past four months. Two images have been used as double-page spreads. The magazine runs a tight ship; image quality is thoroughly checked before they print things, and guess what? All of it was shot with M43 kit :)
Here is a link to the proofs: http://imgur.com/a/EHdbq
All pics taken with a [shoplink 16254]GH2[/shoplink]. Most of these images have also been used in newspapers and magazines throughout Europe including the Guardian, Daily Mail etc.
I don’t think the image quality of M43 is as good as full-frame DSLRs but it’s nice to know that if you’ve got good content you can use M43 kit without worrying about the sensor size.
All the best for now, keep up the great work!”

This is just to say once again that if you have talent you can achieve superb results with any camera system. No need to go Full Frame to be a PRO :)

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Private note: I am back from the mountains and will live for four months in Antwerpen. Will be back in my isolated place on the Pyrenees in France by February.

Purple Dance from Seb Farges on Vimeo.

Tonight Olympus released the new firmware update for the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 lens. This update fixes one issue: “Unstable exposure of still images taken while recording video while using the lens with a Panasonic camera was resolved.“. More info at Olympus Japan.

And here is the next news roundup:
Greece off the world map? Pics with the E-PL1 at Greekdiaries.
Alternative Handgriffe für die OM-D E-M5 by Pen And Tell.
LX7 underwater housing press release at Photorumors.
Lensbaby Spark Review at ePhotozine.
Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH on Olympus OM-D E-M5 on Diglloyd.
E-M5 photo gallery at Outbackphoto.
New C-mount lens adapter from Metabones (Dc.watch).
Ringfoto-Messe: Neues von Panasonic, Metz und Brenner (Pen And Tell).
Autumn Colours OM-D Event With Steve Gosling (ePhotozine).
Panasonic G5 review at Digital-photography-school and Steve Digicams.
Olympus 75mm test at Lydogbilde.no
60mm macro image samples at http://footlessfish.com.
Bruno: “A few weeks ago, you shared the astro-photography time lapse I made with my E-P3 for which I got many positive comments from many of your readers.  I’ve now finished processing the second part of that time lapse, where I mounted the camera on the structure of the 11m mirror of the South African Large Telescope during night time operation!  Yes, a mirrorless camera mounted on an 11m mirror!  It’s a very unique perspective and the whole thing looks like you are looking through the opened hatch of a spaceship! The video was made for outreach purposes to explain what happens in a typical night at SALT.  I’ve got about 14h of “on sky” footage with different scientific projects being done one after the other.  The resulting video starts with a minute of pictures explaining how the telescope is built and how it works, then goes to the night sky taken from a point of view of what SALT sees.  All the technical details are at the end of the video, I hope you will enjoy it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXEJRr1oBZw&hd=1”
TVSmith: “Tanjung Sepat, Dramatic Tone Art Filters, Kite Park, Bukit Gasing, Morib Gold Coast and many more images…Featuring the OM-D, PENs and the occasional Galaxy S3, all in one place at: http://www.tvsmith.my/“

‘100’ (from 0 to 100 years in 150 seconds) from Filmersblog shot on the GH2!

Got many mails and links during the Photokina time. And I am now catching up with all these news. Here is the next list of links and readers work roundup:

Reviews:
Nikon D700 vs Olympus OM-D E-M5 dynamic range comparison by Lepidi.
E-M5 vs D800 at ePhotozine.
Panasonic LX7 review at Der Spiegel and Neocamera.
Panasonic G5 review at Soundimagesplus and Digital-photography-school.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 vs Samsung EX2F Comparison Review at ePhotozine.
Olympus 75mm test at Soundimagesplus.
Olympus OM-D Events And Workshops (ePhotozine).
Olympus 75mm test at Optyczne.
Le bruit de l’Olympus OM-D E-M5 at Lepidi.
Short E-M5 review at Photocomment.

Greekdiaries:
My friend Elena who got an E-Pl1 from me keeps shooting pics and telling stories abut Greece. Latest news here: http://www.greekdiaries.me/

Readers messages:
Anonymous: “A couple of weeks ago you posted a video comparison between the OMD and a 5D MkIi. The same guys have uploaded another video to Vimeo and to one of their blogs. www.modular4kc.com. Don’t know what there story is but the comparison between the cameras is pretty solid. OMD beats the 5D on image stabilization hands down.”
Farrukh: “I was shooting the London Paralympics with an EP3 and a 45mm f1.8. I’ve put up a few slideshows and written a short commentary of my experience here: http://implausibleblog.com/london-paralympics-2012/ I know, the EP3 is ‘old’ but it worked perfectly fine for me!”
Ted: “My 15-minute documentary, shot on a Panasonic GH1, is premiering at a film festival Saturday. The film is: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2170278/ and the festival is: http://www.coneyislandfilmfestival.com/programs12/program5.htm Thanks! I know you sometimes post links about things made with the GH cameras. More info here: http://documentaryphotography.blogspot.com/”
Naveed: “This is not a rumor, but I thought I’d share with your readers my experience riding the Cycle Oregon 2012 bike ride earlier this month. I exclusively used micro 43s cameras and lenses and produced some great images. Everyone on the ride was amazed that I was carrying an interchangeable lens camera with many lenses under my bike seat bag. The OM-D EM-5 and the lenses were a joy to use and I had a great time over the week long 450 mile ride. For those who are not familiar with Cycle Oregon, it is a one of the most popular organized bike ride. About 2200 people ride for a week along Oregon scenic country side. This years ride was in South Central Oregon visiting landmarks like Crater Lake. The challenge with such a ride is carrying camera that would allow to capture the experience without weighing you down. The typical camera on such rides would be a point and shoot. But thanks to the magic of m43, I was able to carry the OMD EM5 and an assortment of lenses in an under seat carrying bag. In addition to it being an extremely challenging ride, I was rewarded with opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful landscapes and capture them with all the flexibility afforded by an interchangeable lens camera. I carried the OMD body with the M.Zuiko 12mm, 40-150mm, 12-50mm and the Panasonic-Leica 25mm lens, 1 circular polarizer and a 10 stop ND filter. On a give ride day, I would only carry 2 or 3 lenses, using the 12mm and 40-150mm lenses for a majority of the pictures. Both these lenses are just brilliant. Everybody expects the 12mm to perform well and it does live up to its hype, but the 40-150mm lens was the true star of my kit. Its easily one of the best lenses in the system for the size, quality and price.
Here are some of the pictures I took over the week. The complete set can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/stopkidding/sets/72157631564076321/”
Robert: “Great looking news image campaign shot on a hacked GH2 with the SLR Magic 12mm. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIxrxmOnBoU. Here is the post (top of page by Greek_m43): http://personal-view.com”
Kiem: “I saw your post on Craig Mod and David Clapp showing the potential of the GF1 and I thought I’d share my own around the world experience with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGnrT0F-Igs. Everything here was shot on a GF-1. More info can be found at http://kienlam.net/travel-faq.”
Gregor: “I’m the creator of Digital Camera Database (www.digicamdb.com). My site is brand new and offers something that no other site offers – visual comparison of actual sensor sizes and other sensor characteristics for more than 3200 digital cameras, including of course Panasonic and Olympus cameras. I hope you will find this newsworthy enough to include it in the news section.“