HOT! Luminous Landscape tests the GH2 (and new lenses) and says it’s a winner!

Luminous Landscape wrote a very detailled “Panasonic Lumix GH2 First Look”.

I like how they started the article: “At Photokina in 2006 I had dinner with a senior executive in the photographic industry. We were talking about the historical market battle between Nikon and Canon. At one point he paused and said, ->You know – the future doesn’t belong to either of those two. The future of the photographic industry belongs to Sony and Panasonic. They get it. As for as I can tell, neither Canon nor Nikon do. They’re simply putting higher resolution and cleaner sensors in the same old boring cameras. That’s not just what the future of this industry is about. Wait – you’ll see<-.

Those are the most interesting news:

– Even ISO 3200 is usable with just a bit of NR in post processing. This represents a good two stop increase in usable ISO sensitivity with comparable noise characteristics.

– The new sensor’s faster read-out  allows the autofocus of the [shoplink 16254]GH2[/shoplink] to apparently equal that of mid-level DSLRs. While I haven’t done any lab tests (I’m sure that the technical review sites will do so as soon as production cameras become available), my sense is that Panasonic has licked the AF speed issue on non-DSLRs.

– I did not have an opportunity to do much more than some basic video tests during the week that I have the pre-production GH2 for testing, but I can report that at first glance, every aspect of image quality seems very fine, with none of the mud that marred the [shoplink 14826]GH1[/shoplink].

– The GH2 comes with an excellent 200 page printed manual. Panasonic is to be applauded for this

– Which brings us to the Panasonic GH2 specifically, and the G series in particular. Unlike some of its competitors, Panasonic “gets” user interface from a photographer’s perspective. Though the camera is small, its very comfortable in hand for someone with “normal” sized hands. If you have large hands, you may find the grip area somewhat tight for your fingers and so should test for yourself before purchase.

– At the risk of repeating myself, this is a photographer’s camera.

– About the [shoplink 16261]Panasonic 100-300mm[/shoplink] lens: How good is it? Very good, though again I have not done any lab tests, simply a few hundred real-world frames during a one week period. A little bit of vignetting, focusing is very fast, and silent.

– About the [shoplink 16258]Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 lens[/shoplink] lens: This lens requited itself exceptionally well during my casual testing, producing sharp contrasty images at all apertures with very speedy AF. There’s a bit of vignetting at wider apertures, but nothing problematic.

– When it comes to video the GH2 has it all over the [shoplink 14908]NEX 5[/shoplink]. Full manual video control, 1080 /24P, 24 Mbps AVCHD vs a highly feature constrained video offering on the NEX, and no EVF. No contest.

– After a week of testing I’ve decided to buy a GH2 and both of these new lenses to add to my Micro Four Thirds arsenal. These have been my go-to cameras for the past few years for light weight travel and hiking, and now the GH2 looks to significantly enhance the outfit. As for video, I’ve already mention that Chris has ordered one as well, and with his 30 years of film and video production experience I trust his eye when it comes to evaluating video quality as much as anyone.

What do you think folks? I have no doubt the Panasonic GH2 is an awesome camera and I can’t wait to see the upcoming GF2 camera and new Panasonic lenses! Well done Panasonic!!!
You can preorder the new camera and lenses using the links below. If you purchase a product using those links I will earn a small commission that helps me to keep thiw website running. Thanks!

Panasonic GH2 preorders (Click on store name to visit the product page):
Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon UK, Amazon France, Amazon Japan

Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 preorders:
Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon Deutschland, Amazon Japan.

Panasonic 100-300mm preorders:
Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon Deutschland, Amazon UK, Amazon Japan.

The need for speed: C-mount zooms test by Seb Farges

Seb Farges tested a few C-mount lenses on the Panasonic GH1. The video on top shows the [shoplink 17068]C-mount Canon zoom 25-100mm f/1.8[/shoplink] lens performance. The lens is vignetting between 25 and 50mm and it’s also very heavy. He posted a second daylight video here: http://vimeo.com/16156795.
[shoplink 17068]Click here to see current 25-100mm f/1.8 auctions on eBay.[/shoplink]

And he also tested the [shoplink 17179]C-mount 17-102mm f/2.0[/shoplink] (See video below). There seems to be less Vignetting on that lens.
[shoplink 17179]Click here to see current 17-102mm f/2.0 auctions on eBay.[/shoplink]

There are many other C-mount zoom lenses. If you tested some of them feel free to share your image/video samples! Thanks!

Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 preview (and more new Panasonic lens image samples)

[shoplink 16258][/shoplink]

The japanese blog DC.watch.impress (Click here to read the google english translation) just posted a [shoplink 16258]Panasonic 14mm f/2.5[/shoplink] minireview. There are many image samples and also one image comparison with the [shoplink 14796]Panasonic 20mm[/shoplink] lens. I don’t speak japanese and the google translation tool doesn’t do a good job here. I ask our japanese friends if they could the most important info by commenting this post.

From what I understand those are the key info:
– The lens is very sharp at f/4-f/5.6.
– Autofocus is also very fast.
– Vignetting is visible down to f/5.6.
– Some problems with with flare when shooting wide open.

UPDATE: Ringfoto-becker.de just posted new image samples taken with the new 14mm and [shoplink 16261]100-300mm[/shoplink] Panasonic lenses.

Those are other image/video samples we already posted on 43rumors:
GH2 + 14mm f/2.5 slow motion test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfU5JxEov4o
Quesabesde GH2 + new Panasonic lens test.
Dpreview posted a new Panasonic GH2 14mm and f/2.5 lens samples gallery

Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 preorders:
Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon Deutschland, Amazon Japan.

Panasonic 100-300mm preorders:
Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon Deutschland, Amazon UK, Amazon Japan.

New Panasonic AG-AF100 video samples by Philip Bloom

Philip Bloom just posted a new Hands-on diary about the [shoplink 16841]Panasonic AG-AF100[/shoplink]. He used the [shoplink 14822]Panasonic 7-14mm[/shoplink] and the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 lens. Those are his most interesting critics:

– It was a real pleasure shooting with this camera, wide lenses and pre-production aside. The low light was really good, not full frame DSLR amazing but MILES better than my [shoplink 14826]GH1[/shoplink]. User friendly. Great exposure assistants like waveform and zebras. Two features to help you focus. Proper sound. Minimal rolling shutter but best of all. I could not see ANY moire or aliasing in things that would show up with my DSLRs normally…this is a big deal.
– I did a few rolling shutter tests with it. Yes, skew is still present but pretty minimal with this lens.
– The lowest ISO is 200, the highest is 3200 which of course has noise but is pretty damn good. Not 5Dmk2 good but better than the 7D for sure
– The waveform/ vectorscopes are fantastic, 100 times better than what the histogram on the Canon DSLRs.
– The thing that REALLY excited me was the overcrank mode. I could record 1080p 25p at 50FPS or 60FPS in 24p mode!! Being able to shoot full HD overcranked to 50FPS or 60 and the ability to record high quality audio in camera has totally sold me on this camera.
– Downsides, UK price…ugly, menus a bit fiddly (but this may improve with the production version), sensor size being micro four thirds means most of your 35mm lens are a bit telephoto.
– Ergonomics…it’s awkward handheld. More so than the other cameras of this size due to still lenses being used. It needs a handheld rig.
– Panasonic urgently need to bring out some fast wide lenses. it’s the single biggest issues with the camera
– Will I buy this camera the moment it comes out? Bloody right.

You can preorder the AG-AF100 at [shoplink 16841]BHphoto (Click here)[/shoplink]

P.S.: Did you listen Pana? We need some fast wide lenses ;)

Panasonic LX5 news and reviews

Cameralabs posted a long Panasonic LX5 review: “So ultimately a great camera has become even better, but the biggest problem facing the Lumix LX5 is the availability of compacts boasting considerably larger sensors and the flexibility of interchangeable lenses.” And how does the LX5 compare with the Micro Four Thirds sensor? A dpreview forum user tried to find the answer by comparing the LX5 with the E-PL1.
Amateur Photograher says about the LX5: “Yet the new sensor design does go some way towards improving both the dynamic range and noise beyond what we have seen from the last generation of compact cameras. Overall, I am very impressed with the LX5.
Also Digitalcamerareview and Infosync tested the LX5.

And as you know there is a Leica clone of the LX5 which of course is much more expensive. But ThePhoBlographer gives you 4 Reasons why You Should Get the Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic LX-5.

Support 43rumors and use those affiliate links to purchase the LX5

US:
Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

Europe:
Pixmania Deutschland, Pixmania Belgium, Pixmania France, Pixmania Austria, Pixmania UK, Pixmania Nederland, Pixmania Poland, Pixmania España,Pixmania Italia

First Panasonic 100-300mm lens review!

[shoplink 16261][/shoplink] The czech website Fotografovani just posted a detailled [shoplink 16261]Panasonic 100-300mm[/shoplink] review. They have taken many image samples at different apertures and focal lenghts (including vignetting test). In summary they”were surprised by the high quality of the optical output“. And those are the pros and cons:

Advantages:

  • Excellent resolution by stopping down to medium apertures
  • Very low levels of chromatic aberration
  • Quiet and quick AF Focus
  • Effective optical stabilization system
  • Good contrast
  • Compact size and weight
  • High zoom performance (200 to 600mm on 135 format)
  • Good price
  • Lens Hood for the price

Potential drawbacks:

  • Plastic body (except the lens mount)
  • Focal length markings are not painted entirely accurate (about 2mm difference at some focal lengths)
  • No distance scale for manual focusing
  • Initial aperture begins at the value of F4

Amazon UK says that: “This item is due to be released on November 8, 2010.

Click ont store name to visit the product page and check price and availabilty or to preorder the lens:
Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon Deutschland, Amazon UK, Amazon Japan

Olympus E-5 tested at Digitalcamerareview (+ more E-5 news)

Digitalcamerareview posted a 6 page long E-5 FULL! review. You can read their conclusion at page 5 (Click here): “E-3 owners and Olympus fans will be glad to know that the E-5 is a highly capable and rugged imaging tool. Others may be put off by some of the limits of the comparitively smaller and lower-resolution sensor.“.

First lucky user got the E-5 and posted some image samples inside the dpreview forum here here and here.

Olympus E-5 preorder links:
Amazon US, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon Deutschland, Amazon Japan