“Nippon Camera” published their camera roadmap guess for 2013. It’s based on a mix of existing rumors and their own speculations. This is what they write about Panasonic and Olympus: Olympus: E-P5 in April. E-M7 and E-7 in August. Panasonic: GF7 in March, G7 in August, GX2 and GH5 by end of the year.
I think they may be right on the Olympus roadmap (and that wasn’t really a big secret). And also the Panasonic roadmap isn’t far away from what we already heard.
A Panasonic patent disclosed that GX camera with integrated EVF.
I am finally getting some reliable info about the next Panasonic announcements. There should be two of them in Spring. One in late March-early April and a second announcement in May. For now we know that there is a big chance to see the new GF and G cameras. Still no sign of a possible GX2 yet. And there is a talk about a pro MFT camera (camcorder?). And I am sure the 42.5mm f/1.2 and 150mm f/2.8 MFT lenses will not be announced in Spring :(
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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 different anonymous sources said that a new Olympus E-M5 firmware is coming soon. As you may know there was already some rumors about a possible firmware upgrade in December but indeed the firmware update was only for the current PEN cameras. Anyway, one of the sources also mentioned some bits about the supposed new E-M5 firmware update: “new firmware for E-M5 next this week, looks like no peaking. Only some issues HL/SH control for ISO 2000 and more.”
But as I said, keep feet on ground and let’s not see if it is coming for real. That said, no focus peaking would be pity. The camera can actually do it as you can see form the video embedded on top. So Oly…just bring it on!
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Olympus E-M5 price check at [shopcountry 29074].
E-M5 Case:
There is the official [shoplink 31898 ebay]CS-36FBC Olympus case[/shoplink]. A [shoplink 31899 ebay]leather half case from Hong Kong[/shoplink]. A full [shoplink 31900 ebay]leather case with strap from Cina[/shoplink]. Than we have half cases from two well known producers, [shoplink 31901 ebay]Zelenpol[/shoplink], [shoplink 31906 ebay]Kaza[/shoplink] and [shoplink 31902 ebay]Gariz[/shoplink].
E-M5 Batteries, and other things:
The [shoplink 31905 ebay]Olympus GS-4 strap[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 31903 ebay]DSTE E-M5 batteries[/shoplink] you have to use with an extra charger. There is an [shoplink 31903 ebay]E-M5 car charger[/shoplink] a [shoplink 31908 ebay]new E-M5 LCD screen[/shoplink] and a [shoplink 31909 ebay]Front Cover+ Top Panel[/shoplink].
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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
This news comes via very reliable sources. Panasonic will release new Micro Four Thirds cameras (or cameras) in the period between late March-early April. I am working on the details yet but rumors from December pointed at a new GF and G camera release.
Still no news from Olympus, but I expect Oly to release the new f/2.8 zoom and the E-P5 in June.
Some surprise? I am still not sure about the GX camera model release and I heard about a new Panasonic MFT top video camera. But it’s all coming from anonymous new sources and I need some time to check that info. Olympus heavy stuff is coming the second half of the year.
In short: Stay tuned. Finally, five months after Photokina we can go back to some exciting rumor time!
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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
UPDATE: False alarm. The image you see is not the new verison of the 14-140mm lens but actually an old prototype pic where the lens was a tiny bit faster and the filter size 58mm instead of 62mm. Image found at Amazon Germany (Click here).
A source told me about the announcement time of the new E-P5. The camera will be announce in June and hit stores the month after. At the same time also the first Olympus f/2.8 constant zoom will be announced. More cameras will be announced in September. If the rumor is correct than it means that Olympus will wait 9 months (between September 2012 and June 2013) before to announce new products (I do not count the just upgraded 75-300mm lens).
Panasonic will announce the new GF and G cameras in Spring while there is a complete uncertainty about the GX. And the 42,5mm and 150mm lenses on roadmap are likely going to be shipped in early 2014 only.
Yesterdays news and interviews displayed a clear common challenge for Olympus and Panasonic Both are facing some economical challenges and both have to define a new product strategy. Not something we have to worried about, it’s in some ways also very normal. Panasonic is likely to move more and more in the upper more semipro and pro market. Olympus may will do exactly the same with the next High End OMD model.
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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
A GX2 Mockup design made by 43rumors reader Mike (Thanks!).
The GX1 got a huge discount yesterday (reminder, $341 for the kit at Amazon) and Is till didn’t get FT5 rumors yet about the possible GX2. All I got is some bits from anonymous source. SO please take it as usual with a grain of salt as these kind of rumors sometimes are correct and sometimes not. But in the meantime let’s see what the GX2 may could be:
– 16MP sensor (same as GH3)
– non-weather sealed magnesium alloy body
– Same AFs peed as GH3.
– Price around $800.
– On market in April
The source also wrote about a new “1,744 OLED EVF” but he omitted to tell me if that viewfinder is integrated or just a new external attachable EVF. You may tell me more about this?
P.S.: Sources that may want to share what they know about the camera can send me an anonymous message using the contact form on the very right of their website or by sending me an email at 43rumors@gmail.com. Thanks!
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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
