Youtuber Darren Miles reviewed the new Olympus 8mm PRO lens. Check out the video! :)
New Olympus PRO lens store links:
7-14mm f/2.8 PRO lens: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, GetOlympus, WexUK, AmazonUK, AmazonDE, Digitalrev.
8mm f/1.8 PRO lens: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, GetOlympus, WexUK, AmazonUK, AmazonDE, Digitalrev.
Image courtesy: ePhotozine
ePhotozine is the first site publishing a full review of the new Panasonic GX8. They write:
The Panasonic Lumix GX8 improves on the GX7 noticeably, with the inclusion of 4K video recording and 4K photo features, as well as a larger electronic viewfinder, improved vari-angle touch-screen, plus more. The GX8 features weather-sealing which makes it more competitive with alternatives on the market, and the camera offers additional shooting controls and options, along with RAW processing in-camera. The Dual Image Stabilisation system along with the new 20.3 megapixel sensor is an interesting development, as the GX8 now offers the highest resolution sensor available in a Micro Four Thirds camera. The camera is introduced at a relatively high price, and is noticeably larger than the predecessor, the GX7, along with other Micro Four Thirds cameras, but offers one of the best electronic viewfinders available.
We’ve been impressed with what the GX8 has to offer, with some of the best image quality possible from a Panasonic camera, with competitive noise performance and an abundance of features including 4K video / photo modes, improved 4-axis sensor shift image stabilisation, built in Wi-Fi, NFC, and fast continuous shooting. The camera feels good to hold, with a solid body and good external controls. The weather-sealing along with the large high resolution electronic viewfinder makes it a joy to use the camera, and the Panasonic Lumix GX8 would make an excellent upgrade path for anyone with an earlier Panasonic Lumix camera.
The camera earned a “hIghly recommended” mark with 4,5 out of 5 points.
Preorders:
Black GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at WexUK.
Silver GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at WexUK.
FZ300 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic.
If you plan to buy the GX8 here are some new full size image samples for you from ePhotozine, D-Pixx, LeMondeDeLaPhoto and Focus Numerique. And CameraStuffReview posted that GX8 video:
Panasonic GX8 AF test from Ivo Freriks (Continuous AF using Olympus 40-150 mm lens + 1.4 converter).
Preorders:
Black GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at WexUK.
Silver GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at WexUK.
FZ300 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic.
Giulio Sciorio (Click here) posted full size image samples taken with the new Panasonic GX8. He writes:
I guess after shooting with the GX8 for a week I’m appreciating the GX8 for what it is – a modern photographers camera. Size and mic port aside what I found was that because of the quality of the JPEGs out of camera and the larger size, I was able to put my efforts into capturing beautiful moments of a special time in my life. At the end of my life I won’t be thinking about the GX8, the size or other quirks I’ll be looking at the images and reliving my 40th with my wife.
Photographyblog posted both full size JPG and RAW files:
Preorders:
Black GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at WexUK.
Silver GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at WexUK.
FZ300 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic.
Image courtesy: Photozone.
Photozone posted the full Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens review and writes:
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO is, mostly, a highly desirable lens – except for one bug. On the positive side, it is very good if not excellent in the primary image quality metrics. It is very sharp across the focal length range including some greatness in the middle portion. Vignetting and distortions are very low. One the downside, the quality of the bokeh (out-of-focus blur) can be disappointing – not in all scenes but busy backgrounds are clearly not the lens’ best friends.
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO is directly competing with Panasonic’s Lumix G X 35-100mm f/2.8 Power OIS. Obviously the Olympus has the bigger range (and as such also a bigger size/weight) and is somewhat sharper whereas the Panasonic has clearly the better bokeh plus an image stabilizer. Both are very good really.
40-150mm PRO shop link:
In USA/Canada at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto, GetOlympus and GetOlympus Canada.
In Europe at Wex UK, Technikdirekt and Amazon.
In Asia at Digitalrev and Amazon Japan.
Olympus released the AIR to the US market (preorders at Amazon, Adorama, GetOlympus, BHphoto). To see how it works watch the new video I posted above. There are also first hands-on reports:
Adorama writes: “For $499.99 (including standard kit lens) you can turn your smart phone into a full-functioning, feature-rich Micro Four Thirds interchangeable-lens camera. It’s a great option for travelers who want the flexibility and quality of a “real” camera but the convenience and sharing capabilities of a smart phone. For those who already own one or more Olympus or Panasonic MFT cameras, the Air gives you even more options with your current collection of lenses”
ThePhoBlographer writes: “Pretty much everything that you’d expect with an Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera is transferred to the phone when they let their powers combine.”
Imaging Resource writes: “The Olympus AIR is without question one of the most fun cameras I’ve used in years!”
As you know the GX8 will feature a new “Post Focus” tech which will be added via future firmware upgrade. Panasonic says that “By combining high-speed, high-precision DFD (Depth From Defocus) auto focus technology and the 4K Photo burst images in 4K resolution are shot at 30 fps while shifting the lens to set focus on approx. 501 areas (*TBC).“.
I wondered if that feature is really something useful or just a gimmick nobody will ever use. Diyphotography says the Post Focus feature is “impracticable” because:
1) It becomes impractical to use for much else besides still life or landscape photography. The types of photos where this technology could be really handy, such as child photography, action/sports, macro photography of insects, etc., all happen in fractions of seconds. Sure, you can still use the feature and settle for a change in perspective for each recorded point of focus, but why not just use AI Servo and shoot in burst mode?
2) If I’m shooting still life or landscape photography, I’ll just take my time to select the damn focus point I want the first time around. Besides, how many of us can hold a camera truly still for a 2-second exposure?
I guess we have to try this for real to see if it’s really something meaningful to use.
Some more GX8 tests and image samples:
Panasonic GX8: An Evolving Review by Jacob James.
Image samples by Lumix Germany.
Image samples by Reality Scanner.
Preorders:
Black GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at WexUK.
Silver GX8 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In Eu at WexUK.
FZ300 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic.
