Image courtesy: DSLRmagazine

Once again DSLRmagazine (Click here to read the google english translation) is the very first website to post an Olympus product review. This time they tested the [shoplink 23567]Olympus E-PL3[/shoplink]. In short:

– it has very favorable balance between physical dimensions and overall performance.
– Although the folding screens are nothing new to the E-PL3 gives a remarkable charisma.
– they miss an enhanced grip.
– The final opinion is that the E-PL3 deserve a great success of acceptance and sales. In fact, we seem to be technologically more advanced than the [shoplink 23567]E-P3[/shoplink], despite the OLED display and most complete control of it, it simply inherits the [shoplink 14830]E-P2[/shoplink].

The tester Valentin Sama did highlight one particular problem (google translation): “why provide an index of ISO 12,800 if you have no sense to use given the poor quality it offers? A little common sense, please. Each system has its limitations and it has been demonstrated that trying to cover an APS-C sensor with a 16 mm compact is foolhardy, just will recognize that the Micro Four Thirds System offers a compromise between optical quality (image) and weight , volume and price are unbeatable, but for now, with current sensors, providing EI values ​​over 3,200, with picture quality seems just a pipe dream. And why pretend otherwise if the rest is superb?”

Yeah, that’s the power of marketing!

E-PL3 are only available at Amazon Deutschland (CLick here), Digitalrev (Click here) and notfying service at BHphoto (Click here).

Yesterday we linked you tot he polish review of the new [shoplink 23576]Olympus 12mm f/2.0[/shoplink] lens. Today the english version of the review is up at Lenstip (Click here). They were not so happy with the corner sharpness wide open: “The maximum MTF values could have been a bit higher and they weren’t – it is one thing that you might regret. Lower values can be forgiven in the case of “pancakes” because we know what we get instead. Although the Olympus 2/12 is not big, it is definitely not a “pancake” lens so we expected that its performance would be closer to that of the Leica 2.8/45 than that of the Panasonic 2.5/14.”

But overall this is a very good lens: “So far our summary was rather harsh. To keep the balance we must emphasize the fact that it is definitely a lens worth considering. Buying it you get a really wide angle of view, fast aperture, good image quality – everything packed neatly inside a slight but very solid, metal casing which can ensure you many years of problem-free usage.”

Click those search links to check the lens price and availability at [shopcountry 23576].

P.S.: The White and Black E-P3 are in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

Olympus E-P3 and 12mm lens first look video (SteveHuff).

Check the new Olympus E-P3 availability by clicking these direct search links: [shopcountry 23576]

The Olympus 12mm f/2.0 lens has been reviewed by Optyczne (Click here to read the google english translation). Unlike other reviews they noticed a little too high coma, high distortion and a lot of vignetting at maximum aperture.
Click on the shop names to check the lens price and availability: [shopcountry 23576]

The Olympus 75-300mm lens has been tested by SLRgear (Click here): “Optically the Olympus 75-300mm does very well, but not where you’d want it to – it’s super-sharp at 70mm, not at the 300mm where I suspect the grand majority of users will want to use this lens. At 300mm, it’s only above average”
Click on the shop names to check the lens price and availability: [shopcountry 15861]

Thom Hogan (Click here) tested the Olympus XZ-1: “The overall impression the XZ-1 gives is this: no nonsense. The designers showed remarkable restraint in not adding the usual kitchen sink to a high-end compact camera, and it makes for a rather pleasant experience. The lack of a few controls and the lack of customization will have you conforming to the XZ-1, not the camera conforming to you. That’s fine. It’s simple enough to pick up and adjust to.”
Click on the shop names to check the lens price and availability: [shopcountry 19904]

The E-P3 has been tested by Trustedreviews (Click here): “Image quality is the best we’ve yet seen from an Olympus PEN camera, with the new 14-42mm kit zoom producing crisp, sharp edges throughout the whole frame…Taking this into consideration, we’ve decided to award the EP-3 a standard 8/10. Had it come in £150 cheaper, however, then we’d have had no hesitation in awarding it 9/10 and a TrustedReviews ‘Recommended’ award. If you’re intent on buying one regardless, rest assured that you won’t be disappointed by it.”
Chekc the E-P3 in Stock status by clicking these direct search links: [shopcountry 23568].

Electronista (Click here) reviewed the [shoplink 23779]Sony NEX-C3[/shoplink] but recommended the readers to buy the Olympus E-PL3: “Sony’s timing isn’t ideal. We’d say the C3 is mostly safe against the Panasonic GF2 and GF3 given the NEX camera’s newer sensor. Against the Olympus E-PL3 Lite shipping from September onwards, though, this latest NEX may face trouble. For a bit more, you get a tangibly faster camera with a more advanced autofocus system, more video options (including 60FPS shooting), and a lens system that’s not confined to one vendor. Olympus even bundles in a hot shoe flash that Sony could really stand to include.”

P.S.: You cannot preorder the E-PL3 yet. BHphoto (Click here) does only list the camera but without to accept preorders.

REMINDER: Those are the direct search links to all the new Pana/Oly stuff:
Panasonic G3 search page at [shopcountry 22077].
Panasonic GF3 search page at [shopcountry 23109].
Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4 search page at [shopcountry 23110].
Olympus E-P3 search page at [shopcountry 23568].
Olympus 12mm f/2.0 search page at [shopcountry 23576].
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 page at [shopcountry 23577].

A forum user at Mobile01 (Click here) posted some image comparison between the Leica and Nokton 25mm lenses. Gogole translation doesn’t work so I will tell you what to do. Click on the green links of the first post to open the images!

Russian Olympus forum user “kkn” measured AF speed of some micro four thirds cameras. The text is in russian but the good news one of our russian readers (Thanks!) told us how he made those measurements: “In two words: he records camera’s sounds during AF process and measures the time between button half press’ click sound and AF confirmation sound. He does not measure time for exposure (obvious) and time needed to clean up the matrix. He does not also measure time needed to close diaphragm (which can be quite slow, for example, Panny 20mm f/1.7 has very slow diaphragm and much quicker on its open (f/1.7) than, say, f/4). He does 10 or more measurements for each lens using same light conditions, but different subject’s distances and provided average values.”

As you can see the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink] still focus faster than the new [shoplink 23568]Olympus E-P3[/shoplink] when using Panasonic or the “older” Olympus lenses. The only time the E-P3 is faster is when using the new 14-42mm IIR kit lens.

I don’t know how accurate the test is. That test goes against the common perception reviewers had about the E_P3 being much(!) faster than any other m43 camera in good light conditions. Take it with a grain of salt!

You want to see some professional work done with the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink]? Than take a look at the following two works:

1) Click on that link http://vimeo.com/25474377 to see the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG making of shot in Malaysia! They used the following lenses:
The Nokton 25mm f0.95 -> Get that lens on [shoplink 15659 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
The Olympus 9-18mm -> Direct links at [shopcountry 14818].
The Panasonic 20mm -> Direct links at [shopcountry 14796].
The Panasonic 14-140mm -> Direct links at [shopcountry 14802].
Glidecam HD-1000 -> You can get it on [shoplink 24314 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Glidetrack -> You can get it on [shoplink 24315 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

2) Mark Dubovoy went on Safari with the GH2 (Click here ot read the full article at Luminous Landscape): “I was surprised by how well thought out this camera is.  Far superior to anything Canon or Nikon or Sony or Fuji have to offer.  As complicated and feature laden as the camera is, the locations of the controls and the ergonomics (other than the traditional film type shape of the camera which is all wrong, but no manufacturer seems to want to deviate from) are excellent.  Much better than any other Japanese camera I have tested to date.” And now hear that: “On the other hand, the user manual establishes a new low point in my experience.  It is the absolute worst manual I have ever seen.  Shame on you Panasonic.  If I had hired a crew with the sole purpose of writing the worst manual ever, I do not think it would have been half as bad as this one is.”

Those are the links to the GH2 [shopcountry 16254]. For US readers, the Black GH2 with 14-42mm is in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

Just a reminder: Panasonic officially said they are working on the GH3 with new EVF and faster AF. My guess is that it will come by early 2012. If you know more about the GH3 drop me a line at 43rumors@gmail.com. Thanks!