As usual very useful!

TheCameraStoreTV writes:

In this episode Dave joins Glean Productions for an extremely unfair shootout between the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II and Red Gemini 5K. Once you have control over light, and movement, how much does your video rig influence the look of your video production? What other factors are important. Watch to find out.

GH5II at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. Calumet DE, Park Uk.

Amateur Photographer tested the GH5II and concluded:

There’s a wealth of options for creatives looking for a true hybrid camera at the sub-£2000 price bracket. Including the original GH5, which bears a lot of resemblance in many ways to this latest Lumix offering. So why shouldn’t you just buy a GH5? Firstly, although it hasn’t officially been discontinued, it’s pretty much “end of life” now and hard to find brand new anywhere. Secondly, the improvements incorporated into the GH5 II bring it in line with many of the features and functionality that hybrid shooters will expect from their main camera at this time. Small additions such as the ability to stream directly from the camera via app or tether, and USB-C power delivery, make a huge difference in terms of how you can utilise its capabilities. The same can be said for its compatibility with larger capacity BLK22 batteries. Then there’s the nice-to-have upgrades, such as including V-Log L as standard and the additional cine-centric picture profiles.
The GH5 was already a solid Micro Four Thirds stills camera with a decent resolution 20.3MP sensor, fast burst mode shooting capabilities up to 12fps, weather sealing and dual SD card slots. Now the GH5 II adds AR coating to its sensor, improved focusing performance, a brighter touch screen and enhanced stabilisation correction. The GH5 II doesn’t represent a huge generational leap in performance, but it introduces a set of meaningful enhancements that broadens its appeal, making it an even more reliable and versatile workhorse than its popular predecessor.

Preorders: 25-50mm at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon

Dpreview published the full review of the new lens and concluded:

With the Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm F1.7 ASPH, Panasonic has clearly focused on an unanswered gap in the Micro Four Thirds lens market. That’s no bad thing, but it does mean that this isn’t a lens for everyone, as its rather unusual focal range might suggest.
But if you find yourself in that niche – perhaps already owning the externally similar 10-25mm F1.7 and craving a bit more telephoto reach for video shooting or portrait stills – then this lens has a lot to offer.
Panasonic’s attention to detail in designing these two lenses to work hand-in-hand is both impressive and thoughtful. Not only has it given both optics the exact same body and control layout, but it has also matched the look of both lenses well where their focal ranges meet. That will mean less work for videographers both in the field, and when it comes time to get down to editing.
We already loved the earlier 10-25mm F1.7, and this lens is an extension of everything we loved about the earlier one. Like that optic, it’s a joy to shoot with whether using autofocus or pulling focus manually, and it delivers great image quality in most respects as well.
Yes, it is quite pricey, but that’s to be expected in a niche product, and doubly so in a videocentric lens like this one. And even for photographers who’ll never shoot video, it is pretty much the only game in town if you want a really fast, native portrait zoom.
Can it justify that price tag? That will depend upon what you’re shooting, but for videographers in particular, we think you’ll be thrilled with it.

Preorders: 25-50mm at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon

Damien Demolder (Click here) had the unique chance to play with the new 25-50mm f/1.7 lens. Here are some of the images he shared:

Robin Wong writes:

I have been using Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II for years shooting professionally, as well as for my personal photography projects. I believe E-M1 Mark II is currently the best value mirrorless camera out there, offering amazing image quality, fast and reliable AF performance, powerful image stabilization, rugged body build with weather-sealing, and tonnes of other advanced imaging features (Pro Capture, 50MP high res shot, live composite). It may not be the latest and greatest from Olympus, but it still packs a lot of punch, and with the lowered asking price now, it is so easy to recommend E-M1 Mark II to anyone. You cannot go wrong with this choice.

Preorders:
Olympus 8-25mm PRO at BHphoto, Adorama, Fotokoch DE, Calumet DE, Park UK, Wex UK.
Olympus E-P7 at Fotokoch DE, Wex UK.

Here is Matti Sulantos take on the new lens: