1) Trustedreviews tested the GF2. The camera earns 8.5 out of 10 points. Verdict: “While the [shoplink 17361]Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2[/shoplink] is a worthy successor to the existing and soon to be phased out GF1, it’s not the most direct, like-for-like replacement. This means that existing owners may well want to hang on to the camera they’ve already got – especially if they value the tactile nature of a chunky physical shooting mode dial over a virtual screen-based equivalent.”

2) Photoreview Australia also tested the GF2. Also in that case the score is very good 8.5/10. Verdict: “Snapshooters looking for a pocketable camera with a large image sensor and support for raw file capture and Full HD video recording may find the [shoplink 17361]GF2[/shoplink] an attractive option. Serious photographers who want a compact camera as an adjunct or alternative to a DSLR will probably need to keep looking.”

3) SLRclub posted a very long and korean written only [shoplink 17163]E-5[/shoplink] review. As usual they do post everything as a jpg image so google translate can’t work. But there are plenty of test images, charts and videos you can analyze for yourself.

4) There is also an english written [shoplink 17163]E-5[/shoplink] review at Pixiq: “If you already own Zuiko Digital lenses the cost of trading up to this camera will pay off, providing the most effective Olympus technology and the greatest versatility. ”

Reminder: According to Amazon UK the Panasonic GF2 should be in Stock on January 24. And you get a free photography gift pack worth £150 when you preorder the camera now. If you are non-japanese the only way to get the GF2 now is through [shoplink 18595 ebay]ebay where they have a few items in Stock (Click here)[/shoplink].

Canon 5D markII vs Panasonic GH2 rolling shutter ocmparison by Mike Kobal.

Steve Huff tested the new SLRmagic 26mm f/1.4 lens on the Olympus E-PL1. Reminder: You can buy them on [shoplink 18603]eBay only (Click here)[/shoplink].

Photographyblog reviewed the [shoplink 14822]Panasonic  7-14mm F4.0[/shoplink] Lens. The lens gets highly recommended and not highly recommended mainly because of the high price tag (the performance itself is very good!). But at least in US this is changing quickly. There has been a $150-$200 price drop at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

Hardwarezone tested the new Panasonic GF2: “There’s a lot to like about the Panasonic Lumix GF2. It’s amazing how Panasonic has squeezed more features like a touch-screen and full HD video recording into a smaller camera, no doubt helped by the removal of the Mode dial and the use of a smaller battery. With the GF2, Panasonic comes closer to the goal of a compact camera with a large sensor.”

There is also a short GF2 test at DCfever.

In the meanwhile the Panasonic GF1+20mm kit is discontinued at BHphoto (Click here)! Amazon is still selling the same kit (Click here) but it is out of Stock right now. But you can find the GF1+20mm in Stock at Adorama (Click here)!

There is a new Olympus E-5 review at Photographyblog. It’s a real pleasure to read the first phrase of their final conclusions: “The Olympus E-5 is an exceptionally well-built and rugged digital SLR camera that is a joy to use and produces remarkably crisp images with great colours, and resolution that defies its pixel count.” The camera gets “Highly Recommended“. As you will have noticed almost all E-5 reviews do mention the same (many) strengths but also the same only major weakness….the high price.
There is one more czech review at digimanie.cz (google tranlsated). And if you want to read more E-5 news and reviews click here to read all our E-5 related posts on 43rumors.

E-5 preorder links:
Amazon US, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR.

P.S.: There are a few Olympus deals at BHphoto (Click here)!

Pocket Lint posted the new Olympus E-5 review with the intriguing title: “Has Olympus saved its best Four Thirds DSLR until last?” But their virdict is a little bit strange: “That said, as the [shoplink 17163]E-5[/shoplink] appears to be more an evolution of its existing E-3 owners might also want to consider the likes of an [shoplink 14832]E-PL1[/shoplink] if they want an Olympus feel, less bulk, and a camera that feels a little more in line with current thinking and future development. We do like the E-5, but in a tough present climate we’re just wondering who else will.” Can you really put the E-PL1 on the same level of the E-5??? Click here to read the full review at Pocket Lint.

Photographyblog tested the [shoplink 1482o]Panasonic 8mm fisheye[/shoplink]: “it is a very specialist lens that provides a unique view on the world. It delivers great image quality in a tiny package“. Build quality is excellent, focus is fast and silent, low CA, high resolution…so what’s the problem with the that lens? The high price :(

As you know the E-PL1s will be available in Japan only and it is a slightly tweaked version of the current E-PL1. It uses the new BLS-5 battery instead of the BLS-1 and shoots up to 6.400 ISO. The japanese website BCNranking tested the new Olympus E-PL1s and the new MSC (Movie and Stills Compatible) M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm II 1:3.5-5.6. You can download and analyze a few image samples (but none of them have been taken at 6.400 ISO). P.S.: There is no plan to release the E-PL1s in Europe or America.

Olympus US is offering a new Christmas deal. You can get the E-PL1 + 14-42mm + 40-140mm lens for $549 at Amazon (Click here)!