Trustedreviews tested the new Olympus XZ-1 high end compact camera. You can find the final verdict at page 4: “The [shoplink 19904]XZ-1[/shoplink] feels like a good, solid move for its maker, and in helping the brand stay competitive and moreover relevant, it deserves to do well. Olympus has come lately to the high performance compact party, so it’s just as well that its arrival is with a product that should be awarded a degree of fanfare.”

And Pocket Lint posted a “7 days living with… the Olympus XZ-1” article: “the Olympus isn’t really pocketable, not in the same way that the Canon S95 or the new Nikon CoolpixP300 are. That means I’m less likely to slip it into my suit pocket for a wedding“…”If it is to be your only camera and slipping it into your pocket is less important than the option to add accessories that the extra size brings, then the Olympus XZ-1 is a seriously attractive camera, and I’ve had great fun with it.

Direct Olympus XZ-1 links to [shopcountry 19904]

There is a new full E-PL2 review at Cameralabs (Click here): “On the surface, the differences between the E-PL1 and E-PL2 may not look extensive, but they make a big difference in both handling and performance. The rear control dial makes the E-PL2 a much more comfortable camera to use in manual exposure modes while the change to the ISO sensitivity range combined, we suspect, with some tweaking of the image processing, has resulted in improved image quality.”…”the broad appeal of the PEN E-PL2 and the excellent quality results it’s capable of producing look set to make it one of the most successful Micro Four Thirds cameras yet.”

The E-PL2 gets an Overall score of 83%. To read all E-PL2 related news and review on 43rumors click here.
And those are the direct E-PL2 shop links to [shopcountry 18844].

Reminder: On Saturday Dpreview posted the Panasonic GF2 review and we asked you if you prefer the E-PL2 or the GF2:

 Loading ...

Latest deals:

Olympus E-P2 and E-PL2

The Olympus E-P2 price is very low in these days. It’s only $50-100 above the new Olympus E-PL2. You can get the E-P2 with 14-42mm lens for $649 only at Amazon (Click here).
The E-PL2 has a $50 dollar instant rebate at Amazon (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).There is a $100 instant rebate on the double lens kit at Adorama (Click here).

Panasonic G2

Panasonic G10 for $399 Amazon (Click here).
Panasonic G2 is in Stock for $499 Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here)

Micro Four Thirds lenses

If you are on budget and want a zoom lens the Olympus 40-150mm lens is in Stock for $204 at Amazon (Click here).

DPreview posted a few Fuji X100 image samples. Reminder: The camera should be in Stock by early MArch. Preorders at: [shopcountry 19929]

CNET Australia tested the Olympus E-5: “The E-5 presents a good upgrade path for those amateur and professional photographers working with the Olympus Four Thirds system. It doesn’t provide enough to lure potential buyers from competing brands though.”

Also Macworld tested the camera: “What we particularly like about Olympus E-system cameras are the Art Filter digital effects filters and 10 have been shoehorned in here, including our favourites of pop art, pinhole and toy town-effect diorama. Further tweaks include a TruePic V+ image-processing engine that Olympus claims provides enhanced detail over cameras with physically larger sensors. Certainly the E-5, when used with our test lens, delivered bags of detail despite the low-ish headline resolution.”

Olympus E-5 direct links at [shopcountry 17163].

Infosyncworld tested the new [shoplink 19904]Olympus XZ-1[/shoplink]: “The Olympus XZ-1 matched Canon’s best fixed lens warriors when it came to still image quality, and it proved itself a worthy tool to have in the field. It’s the Mini Me of PEN Land, and we welcome it with open arms.”

There is a hands-on report at Cameraguide: “The XZ-1 also proved itself to be generally more satisfying to use than the competition. At this point we’ve tested all the major players in the advanced compact sector and we can say with some confidence that the XZ-1 was more enjoyable and more fun to use than all of them.”

Photography Blog and Olympus are giving away a fantastic Olympus XZ-1 premium compact camera, worth £399.99 / $499.99.

The XZ-1 is in Stock almost everywhere! Click those direct links to check price and availability: [shopcountry 19904]

Price comparison:
Panasonic GF2 direct links at [shopcountry 17361] Olympus E-PL2 direct links at [shopcountry 18844] -> In US you have a $50 instant rebate, and a $100 instant rebate on the dual kit at BHphoto (Click here).

 Loading ...

Since a long time we are used to read Micro Four Thirds reviews only. But ePhotozine just posted four new Four Thirds lens reviews!

1) The first lens they tested is the Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye: “Performance-wise, it is a bit of a mixed-bag, with soft images at maximum aperture and strong chromatic aberrations towards the edges, but with a little care, and maybe some post-processing, this lens should be able to produce decent enough results.”
Check the lens price and availability at: [shopcountry 20015]

2) Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm f/2.8-4 SWD: “Although the price tag may seem a little steep at first, this lens justifies it with very good optical performance, and a very handy zoom range for walking about town”
Check the lens price and availability at: [shopcountry 20016]

3) Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II: “For the price this lens commands, I expected a better performance than this lens delivers, especially at 14mm, where I am quite disappointed.”
Check the lens price and availability at: [shopcountry 20017]

4) Olympus Zuiko Digital Ed 50mm f/2 Macro: “This 50mm macro optic from Olympus is an interesting choice for Four Thirds format cameras due to its compact dimensions and bright maximum aperture. Although the performance wide open may not be of the highest order, it is well-suited to portraiture, and stopping the lens down can produce excellent results. ”
Check the lens price and availability at: [shopcountry 20019]

Photographyblog (Click here) tested the Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 Micro Four Thirds lens. After a five page long review the conclusion is: “Overall, we enjoyed shooting with the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 a lot and have been pleased with the results. Most of our photos came out sharp, with acceptable levels of distortion and almost no chromatic aberrations. However, a long telezoom like this will always be a speciality lens and with the M.Zuiko costing as much as it does, it seems one needs a very good reason to commit to a purchase.”
Check the lens price and availability at [shopcountry 15861]

Pocket Lint (Click here) posted their Olympus XZ-1 review “Shoehorning in almost as many features as its E-PL2 bigger brother, if you don’t want to change the F/1.8, 28-112mm equivalent lens on the front, the XZ-1 is the easier to use, as well as transport. Sure, an asking price of £399 is not inconsiderable, but at least it’s comparable with its immediate rivals that are also priced at a premium. After practically holding a wake with the release of the E-5 DSLR, fortunately it’s now party hats and streamers time for Olympus in the case of the XZ-1.”
Chek the camera price and availability at [shopcountry 19904]