E-P3 autofocus is faster than the Nikon D3X autofocus!

[shoplink 23568][/shoplink] Pekka Potka (Click here) tested the autofocus speed of the new [shoplink 23568]Olympus E-P3[/shoplink]. First he compared it with he older [shoplink 14830]Olympus E-P2[/shoplink] using four different lenses. The E-P3 is around 40% faster than the E-P2! But the real surprise is that the new E-P3 is even faster than the 10 times more expensive [shoplink 23755]Nikon D3X[/shoplink]!!! Can’t wait to see what the next Pro PEN can do ;)
By the way the new E-P3 manual is online (Click here to download the pdf). One more test: Olympus E-P3 with 45mm f/1.8 versus Leica 25mm f/1.4 at Reddotphoto.

Check those direct search links to see if your preferred shop has the E-P3 available for preorder: [shopcountry 23568].

Panasonic GF3 tested at PhotographyBlog! (+new E-P3/G3 images)

[shoplink 23109][/shoplink] Photographyblog (Click here) posted the new GF3 review: “We do have a few more concerns about the [shoplink 23109]GF3[/shoplink] than the [shoplink 17361]GF2[/shoplink] though, most notably the lack of an external viewfinder, flash hotshoe, stereo sound and fewer external controls, but the majority of the GF3’s target audience will probably never notice their absence, while the speedy auto-focus may tempt more advanced users looking for a small and inconspicuous system.”

Just my two cent, if the target audience of the GF3 is an attempt to woo compact camera owners than the problem of the camera are not the lack of some GF1 features, but the price! It’s to high to appeal the compact camera mass typology. Don’t you think so?
Check the price and availability of the GF3 at [shopcountry 23109].

P.S: Dpreview updated the Olympus E-P3 samples gallery with images with revised settings. Outbackphoto posted a set of G3 image samples.

Olympus PEN E-P3 vs Panasonic Lumix G3!

ePhotozine compared the two newest m43 cameras, the [shoplink 22077]G3[/shoplink] versus the [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink]: “Overall the Olympus PEN E-P3 gives warmer results, while the Panasonic Lumix G3 gives cooler, but also more neutral images. The G3 shows less noise, but also seems to show less detail than the E-P3, which is surprising considering the higher resolution 16 megapixel sensor in the Panasonic, you would expect to see more noise, but ideally more detail as well. The Olympus PEN E-P3 shows more detail in highlights and in shadow areas which means you should get better dynamic range in your photos.”

On their website you can see many image comparisons. Now the big question is:

What camera do you prefer?

View Results

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The G3 is now slowly beeing delivered to worldwide stores. Check those direct search links to see the status at [shopcountry 22077]. And those are the E-P3 preorder search links at [shopcountry 23568].

New G3 and Leica lens review at Luminous Landscape (+ new E-P3 tests)

[shoplink 22077][/shoplink]One of my favorite cameras gets a field review at Luminous Landscape (Click here). They tested the [shoplink 22077]G3[/shoplink] and the new [shoplink 23110]Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4[/shoplink] lens: “The new G3 may well be one of the best Micro Four Thirds camera yet. And, except for those that need more versatile video capability, the G3 may in fact be a preferable camera for some users than the top-of-the-line GH2…Overall image quality was very good indeed. The jump from 12MP to 16MP has not detracted from IQ in any visible way. At ISO 160 and 200 the camera is as clean as one could wish. ISO 400 and 800 start to show noise, but no worse that similarly priced cameras from Nikon, Canon, Pentax, etc. A bit of luminance smoothing in Lightroom and the images are certainly usable for most any purpose. Beginning at ISO 1600 noise begins to be problematic, and though it can be reduced, detail resolution starts to suffer.”

And about the 25mm lens: “I found little to fault and a lot to like. The lens’ resolution wide open is very good in the center, and naturally softens toward the edges, though by less than one would imagine. Vignetting is modest and I rarely bothered to correct it in post processing. Flare is minimal, even wide open.”

As you know the G3 is finally shipping everywhere in the world and you can find first kits in Stock in at [shopcountry 22077]! The Panasonic Leica 25mm lens is only available for preorder at Adorama, B&H, J&R, Digitalrev and [shoplink 23110]eBay[/shoplink]. Both the G3 and 25mm lens are highly recommended!

 

P.S: There is a new E-P3 hands-on at SystemKamera-Forum.de (german) image samples at Fourthirds-user.com and a Olympus EP-3 vs Olympus EP-2 comparison at ThePhoBlographer

Also Four Thirds and older m43 Olympus lenses do focus fast on new PEN cameras!


The video on top shows an AF test with the [shoplink 23681 ebay]Four Thirds 12-60mm[/shoplink] lens. It looks like the AF on the E-P3 works faster than on th older Pen cameras!
And the video below shows the AF performance with the [shoplink 14796 ebay]20mm f/1.7[/shoplink] pancake:

So what do you think?

P.S:
Check the 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ED SWD lens specs and price at [shopcountry 23681].
Check the 20mm f/1.7 pancake specs and price at [shopcountry 14796].

New Olympus E-P3, E-PM1, E-PL3 review and hands-on articles!

E-P3 AF speed test made by Unwire.

There are tons of new Pen and Lens articles. Thanks to everyone for sending me those links!!! Here is the list:

Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-P3 Hands-On Preview at Photographyblog: “Although we shall reserve final judgment until we can bring you a fully-fledged in-depth review, our initial impressions of the Olympus E-P3 are exceedingly positive. The camera is solidly made, very responsive, extremely fast to focus and has great manual controls (although as noted we missed the dedicated ISO and WB buttons).”
Short E-P3 review at Wired: “bottom line on the PEN 3 is it’s a real shooter’s camera, not just a designer’s desktop paperweight. It’s an easy-to-use, fast focuser and shooter that’s got a steamer trunk full of fun, functional features, lenses and accessories.”
Olympus E-P3 JPG and RAW Photos at Photographyblog.
Olympus Debuts Dazzling New Micro 4/3 Gear (TheOnlinePhotographer).
The E-P3 has been added to the Four Thirds Matching Simulation.
Olympus event in Vienna at Photoscala (german).
Mass of E-P3 image samples on Flickr.
Olympus E-P3 Image Samples at TVsmith.
Olympus E-P3 review by Robert Wong.

Olympus event in Japan at DC.watch.

Olympus 12mm f/2.0 lens

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12mm f/2.0 Sample Photos at ePhotozine: “the image quality and sharpness of this lens is very good, with excellent detail right to the corners, and very little flare“.

Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PM1 Hands-On Photos at Photographyblog

Olympus E-PL3

Olmpus E-PL3 Hands-On Photos at Photographyblog.
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 Hands On Preview at ePhotozine.

Olympus new flash unit

Olympus PEN flash unit at Letsgodigital. Olympus PEN E-P3 accessories at Letsgodigital.

Olympus new camera grips and accessories

Olympus PEN E-P3 camera grip at Letsgodigital.
The new Olympus PT-EP05L underwater case for the E-PL3 (Olympus Japan).

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Hot preorders: Olympus E-P3 preorders at Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto and Amazon UK
Olympus 12mm f/2.0 preorders at Amazon US, Adorama, B&H and [shoplink 23576 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] Olympus 45mm f/1.8 preorders at Amazon US, Adorama, B&H.

Panasonic G3/GF3/XZ-1 news, reviews and in Stock status!

[shoplink 22077 ebay][/shoplink] I have to catch up with some news I didn’t post because of the recent Olympus rumor and news mill! Here is the news list:

1) Lori Grunin from Cnet US (Click here) tested the G3: “If you’re looking for a camera that’s not quite as big as a dSLR but doesn’t skimp on hardware controls or features like an articulated LCD, EVF and stereo full HD video, the G3 is one of my top options. But performance is hit-and-miss for shooting action, so you may end up having to go with something just a bit bigger, anyway.”

2) Hardwarezone (Click here) tested the G3 and GF3: “In the two days of manhandling the G3 and GF3 in Chiang Mai, both cameras performed up to speed with our expectations and were outstanding in their respective specialization…Of course, we have also littered our hands-on observations with little quirks that we didn’t quite like – say, G3’s rather disappointing battery life and the positioning of GF3’s video button, but these are naturally little quirks in an otherwise pleasant shooting experience with both Lumix G cameras. ”

3) Engadget (Click here) posted a GF3 hands-on: “Shooting 1080i video is as simple as hitting record, just to the right of the shutter button. Remembering not to accidentally cover the microphone, however, was more of a challenge. Internal mechanical noises dominated the first few minutes of our first video — our subject picked up volume significantly after we adjusted our grip, creating a free path to the mic. ”

4) There is a new [shoplink 19904]Olympus XZ-1[/shoplink] firmware you can download at Olympus (Click here). It has an improved algorithm for ESP spot metering. Get the camera at [shopcountry 19904].

And finally some in Stock status info about the very nice G3!
In Europe you can find it right now at Amazon.de (the brown model), Amazon.uk (they have all kits in Stock!) and [shoplink 22077 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].
In US at Amazon, B&H, and [shoplink 22077 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].

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