As you know some people are arguing about the Olympus 12-40mm internal pastic mount. Well Roger Cicala from LensRentals debunks the myth saying “metal mount is better” or “professional lenses have always metal mounts”. With many pictures he shows how famous lenses like the Canon 35mm f/1.4 L, Panasonic-Leica 45mm, Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L Mk and so on do actually have a plastic mounts:

Looking at 7 years worth of data involving around 20,000 lenses I can’t find any suggestion that plastic mount lenses, in general, fail more than metal mount lenses. Sure, there are certain lenses that fail more than others, but not because they have a plastic mount.
Obviously a few Olympus 12-40mm lenses have broken at the mount. It may be there was a batch of badly molded mounts. It may be a design flaw. It may just be random chance – a few of everything break. But it’s not just because the mount is plastic.

Interesting read!

Lenstip (Click here) tested the lens and writes:

The Panasonic G X VARIO 12–35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S set the standards pretty high in this category but the Olympus company managed to meet them without any problem. First of all they produced a bit cheaper lens with a wider focal range. When it comes to the image sharpness the Panasonic is a bit more even but the Olympus provide a tad more lpmm at the maximum relative aperture. Apart from that you get slightly lower distortion and chromatic aberration, noticeably lower vignetting and distinctly better performance against bright light. The Panasonic, for a change, corrects the coma better and its off-focus images look nicer; it is also physically lighter and smaller, despite built-in image stabilization, and it is produced in Japan.

Focus Numerique (google translation here):

The sharpness is overall pretty good and homogeneous (even at f / 2.8) especially at wider focal lengths. Strangely 40mm sharpness at full aperture drops significantly vis-à-vis other focal lengths. Everything returns to normal as soon f / 4.

This is the new Richard Franiec GM1 grip (more info at http://www.kleptography.com/rf/)

Dpreview published their full GM1 review. The camera earned the Gold Award:

The GM1 offers much of the features and image quality of its Lumix GX7 sibling in a much smaller, lighter package. A few concessions have been made to reduce the size so drastically, namely a lower-capacity battery, but it’s an excellent option for casual shooting.

GM1 store list:
In US at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
In Europe at Amazon Germany, Wex Germany, Amazon UK, Fotohanskeuzekamp, Cyberphoto Sweden and Wex UK.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Video Sample Movie | Walk in Paris Montmartre from Pier-Yves Menkhoff on Vimeo.

Pier-Yves sent me the following video and text:

“If the overall grip of the DMC- GM1 is nice, it is not easy to film with the Panasonic. The slightest movement of fingers active the wheel, the menu, touch screen, etc. It is very unpleasant. Also, ity is impossible to use a tripod. Except if you have the Panasonic Lens 14 mm or 12-32 mm. During the editing, I am amazed by the resolution of the image. It seems better than the one of the DMC- GH3.“

CameraLabs (Click here) tested the GM1 and writes:

Where the GM1 really shines though is compared to rival enthusiast compacts like the Sony RX100 II. Even if you never remove the GM1’s kit zoom, the combination enjoys a lot of advantages over the Sony, which for me personally make it a more flexible and usable camera.

More GM1 test at Pixelmania,  DC.watch and at Itmedia.

GM1 store links:
In US at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
In Europe at Amazon Germany, Wex Germany, Amazon UK, Fotohanskeuzekamp, Cyberphoto Sweden and Wex UK.

A Review And Look At The Panasonic Lumix GX7 Micro Four thirds Camera

Panasonic GX7 Notes: Two Wheels Are Better Than One (TheOnlinePhotographer).
Review: Lomography Micro Four Thirds Experimental Lens Kit (ThePhoBlographer).
Lecteur – Testeur Olympus OM-D E-M1 (Focus Numerique).
Paris: journées portes-ouvertes Olympus (Lepidi).
Must be the first E-M1 in Antarctica! (Facebook).
Introducing superior Amaran Halo LED ring flash (Aputure).
Fun High ISO comparison between the GX7 and the X100s, using Turin’s Luci D’Artista (Artist’s Lights) as a backdrop (Bestmirrorlesscamerareviews).
Stylus 1 test at DC.watch.
Fast Glass Showdown: f/0.95 Schneider, Voigtlander & Leica Square Off (EatTheBlinds).
Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN A MFT Lens test at Photoreview.

From our friends from Thephotochannel.pro:

We noticed over at The Photo Channel this month they’ve introduced a group of new Premium Education content with 2 titles specifically about mirrorless cameras with “The Insider’s Guide to the Lumix GH3” and it’s SuperFeatures explained with what scenario to use them.  There is also a new one from Hybrid Coach and Innovator Will Crockett on “Why You Will be Shooting Mirrorless sooner than you think”. ThePHOTOchannel is the latest photography education site on the scene set up in a classroom structure with Classes in Hybrid Photography, Lighting, Audio, and much more planned. Each class is only $9.99 for 90 Days or they have a monthly subscription available for $15.  New education classes are being continually added and the past library of content from ShootSmarter.com and Friday Photo School is available too.

Why you will be shooting mirror less sooner:
https://thephotochannel.pro/media/why-you-will-be-shooting-mirrorless-sooner-than-you-think/5091

GH3 Superfeatures:
https://thephotochannel.pro/media/the-insider’s-guide%3A–lumix-gh3—part-1/4559

Superfeatures Promo Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzHrLk7JH6o

em1 + 12-40 unboxing by 43rumors reader Aaron

After four years of a very long silence J. Andrzej Wrotniak is back on line and reviewing the E-M1:

• E-M1 Macro and Close-Ups, based on using three lenses on the new camera, but applicable to the E-M5 as well (Posted 2013/12/09)
• E-M1: image detail and noise at various ISOs — image samples and discussion of results (Posted 2013/12/08)
• Olympus E-M1: The Full Monty: a first look, hands-on impressions, and commentary (Posted 2013/12/07)
• E-M1 samples, Part 2: a detailed look, using the 12-50, 40-150, and 73-300 mm ZD lenses on my standard lake subject (Posted 2013/12/04)
• My Road to the E-M1: introduction to that camera, some historic (and personal) background (Posted 2013/12/02)
• E-M1 image samples, Part 1: straight out of the box (Posted 2013/11/18)

Aaron:“Hey, I’ve created some videos, basically an unboxing of the em1, its grip, and videos comparing the sizes of the em5 to the em1, do share them if you think it’ll benefit others
em1 + 12-40 unboxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeMxXWi7Fuc
em1 grip hld7 unboxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyXlbirsgcs
em5/pana1235 vs em1/oly1240 comparison, with and without jb designs em5 grip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQg6JWD8oSo
em5 vs em1 body only comparison, with and without jb designs em5 grip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKg0e0prbgA
panasonic 12-35 vs olympus 12-40 size comparison and overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0cfrX7xLMs”

–

E-M1 Store 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.

DxOmark (Click here) tested the GM1 Image Quality and the small surprise is that the GM1 delivers not the exact same performance of the GX7. DxO writes:

While it’s slightly disappointing that the sensor in the GM1 can’t match that of the GX7, the former is a few bucks south of $1000 body only. Nevertheless it has competitive image quality in a genuinely small package and the usefulness of the high-speed shutter shouldn’t be overlooked. Paired with the new zoom or the 20mm f1.7 pancake, the GM1 should prove popular as a walkabout.

Imaging Resource (Click here) posted the first part of their ongoing GM1 review. There is a very interesting part concerning the innovative shutter that occupies 80% less volume than that of the GX7! They also compared the IQ with these of other cameras and for now the reviewer quite likes the camera:

The GM1 feels strong, light and sturdy, and the compact 12-32mm makes it a go-anywhere camera. The autofocus system on the GM1 was brought over from the GX7, and it’s quite impressive.

These four point difference with the GX7 really shouldn’t worry anyone. With the GM1 you get a unique camera that you can truly carry with you anywhere.

GM1 preorder list:
In US at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
In Europe at Amazon Germany, Wex Germany, Amazon UK, Fotohanskeuzekamp, Cyberphoto Sweden and Wex UK.