Reminder: Both the new Silver and Black E-M5II are now in Stock and shipping at GetOlympus (Click here). This is the first time the E-M5II is in Stock!

And this is the new updated list of Olympus and Panasonic deals running at Amazon US:
Save Big on Select Olympus Camera Products (Click here).
Save Big on Select Panasonic Camera Products (Click here).
Save Big on Select Olympus Camera Products (Click here).
Save Big on Select Panasonic Camera Products (Click here).
Save Big on Select Olympus OMD Camera Products (Click here).
Save Big on Select Panasonic GM Camera Products (Click here).
Save Big on Select Olympus E-M5 Camera Products (Click here).
$80 Off the Olympus 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Lens (Click here).

E-M1 firmware is officially released now, there is a manual update too:
Firmware: olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/firm/e1/
Manual: olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/manual/omd/correction_em1_e.pdf

Thse are the improvements:

• AF tracking during C-AF continuous shooting in continuous shooting H mode is supported.
  Previously, in continuous shooting L mode 6.5 frames per second was possible, but now taking a maximum of 9 frames per second in continuous shooting H mode is possible.
  • * We recommend setting C-AF Lock as standard when using C-AF.
• OI.Share Ver. 2.5 is supported.
  Live view display when shooting movies is possible.

Thanks Matt for finding the links!

Our source Simon shared some tidbits about the E-M1 successor. I quote his exact words:

I was last week with a resp. guy from Olympus for some days in Ireland for holiday. He told me, that they not plan to update the videocap. of the EM-1. If the competitors will push hard they have to bring the EM-1 MK II in autumn. But they hope to concentrate on EM-1 suc. for fotokina 16 in Köln. There they will bring the so called Gamechanger. Olympus will NOT join the megapix. race. the new sensor will have 18 MP & a new “foil” on the sensor, they call it geomembrane (whatever this means), but the EM-DR will have a 10 step hires modus to make such fotos with 1/60 sec. out of hand. Great !!!

Well, if true that really sounds intriguing! I have no clue what a “geomembrane” sensor is. Will try to get some more info about it from other sources.

Thanks Simon for sharing the news. I hope you will keep adding precious comments on 43rumors in future ;)

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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct

Two sources shared new info about the posisble AF101 MFT camcorder successor

Source 1:

I had a conversation with a Panasonic Rep here in Japan.He told me in the near future there will be an upgrade of the AF 101 camera announced. Newly designed sensor will have an immense dynamic range of up to 15 stops and 4K. Sensor will be a big surprise in unexpected ways. Not shure about the price tag though.

Source 2 via Photorumors.

• 4K video
• 18MP photo
• 16+ stops of dynamic range
• Improved lowlight capabilities
• Improved skintones
• Improved highlight rendition
• Useable ISO (almost no grain) up to 12,800
• The new camera will basically have one of the best stills and videos images/color rendition/dynamic range compared to the competition
• Price tag is expected to be high – similar to the  AF101: around $3k-$4k

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For sources: Sources can send me anonymous info at 43rumors@gmail.com (create a fake gmail account) or via contact form you see on the right sidebar. Thanks!
For readers: Don’t miss any news. Join our group on facebook and follow our tweets.

Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct

Our reader Dan just found the link to the new E-M1 firmware update file:

“The E-M1 3.0 firmware is already available on the Olympus website, the download link is: http://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/OLYMPUS_MASTER/FIRMWARES/0001/1090/OLY_E_109_3001_0000_0000.BIN
One can update it using the SD card method:
1. rename the downloaded file to “E1092100.BIN”
2. put the file into a folder called “DCOLYMP” on the SD card.
3. start the camera while pushing the OK button. The red LED will go on for a while.
4. when the red LED is flashing on/off you know, restart the camera now and all is done”

Thansk Dan for sharing this!

OLYMPUS ADVANCES FLAGSHIP CAMERA WITH INCREDIBLE SEQUENTIAL SHOOTING SPEED

Olympus Announces Firmware Version 3.0 for the Award Winning OM-D E-M1 with Improved Capabilities for Sequential Shooting

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 5, 2015 The award-winning flagship Olympus OM-D E-M1, featuring 5-axis image stabilization, TruePic VII image processor and tethered shooting, is now more impressive than ever before. With the introduction of new firmware Version 3.0, the weather-resistant camera is now capable of an impressive maximum 9 fps in the C-AF sequential shooting mode when using a Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds lens, improving the ability to capture moving subjects.

The newest firmware upgrade features an enhanced algorithm for phase-detection, raising the former C-AF sequential shooting speed of 6.5 fps to a maximum high speed of 9 fps. With this update, AF tracking performance is improved when using continuous-AF (C-AF) Sequential H mode. When set to C-AF, 37-point on-chip phase detection AF is used. Now, when capturing a quick-moving subject, photographers never need to miss the shot. A maximum 10 fps remains available when set to single-AF (S-AF) Sequential H mode.

The update also adds support for the latest Version 2.5 of the Olympus Image Share Android and iOS app. Users can now select Movie as a shooting mode, and record movies while viewing the Live View screen on a smartphone.

The Olympus firmware Version 3.0 will be available in February 2015.

Two sources shared info about a new GH4 firmware update. It should be released soon. One of the source said it could arrive within February already and it should add V-Log for the GH4! The addition would certainly push the GH4 on a higher PRO level by delivering an icnreased video quality and additional powerful tool for colourists.

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GH4 North American store links:
GH4 camera at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Ritz Camera and Panasonic.
GH4 camera with interface unit at Adorama and BHphoto.
Interface unit only at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic.

Asian store links:
Digitalrev and Digidirect Australia.

4K cards
Kingston 16-32-64 GB SDHC UHS-I Speed Class 3 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Sandisk 16-32-64 GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II Memory Card at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Transcend 64-128 GB High Speed 10 UHS-3 at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Panasonic 16-32-64 GB SDHC-UHS-I U3 Card (90MB/s) at Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

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For sources: Sources can send me anonymous info at 43rumors@gmail.com (create a fake gmail account) or via contact form you see on the right sidebar. Thanks!
For readers: Don’t miss any news. Join our group on facebook and follow our tweets.

Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct

ESCAPE = JOY – KAUASxOLYMPUS from KΛUΛS on Vimeo.

Techradar interviewed the director of the E-m5II video “escape=joy” Janne Tarvonen. Here are some of his comments:

1) We shot the video at -20-25 degrees celsius.
2) We even shot some scenes (handheld) with a 300mm focal length and lots of movement in the picture. The autofocus worked really well here, especially the scene where the snowmobiles are moving down from the hill.
3) The stabilizer is a game changer really. It doesn’t only work in big movements like when following the subject by walking, but also in small movements like doing really small pulls and pushes [moving in and out] with the camera. The stabilizer gives so much freedom in run-and-gun style shoots where you can’t really carry a lot of gear with you.

Preorders (if you preorder through those links you will support 43rumors…thanks!):
E-M5II in Black at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
E-M5II in Silver at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
E-M5II In Europe at Jessops, WexUK, Namencolor.
14-150mm II lens at Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
FL-LM3 Flash at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
Olympus ECG-2 External Metal Grip at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
Olympus HLD-6P Battery Grip at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
HLD-8g at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
E-P16 eyecup at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
HLD-8G and HLD-6P kit at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
Full leather case at Amazon, Adorama and GetOlympus.
Olympus PT-EP13 Underwater Housing at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 at Adorama, BHphoto and GetOlympus.