[shoplink 22264 ebay][/shoplink]

A nice [shoplink 22264 ebay]Olympus RC[/shoplink] picture taken by Blurdotblog.com.

A couple of weeks ago I got that anonymous message: ” “Although the EP3 is set to be discontinued, updates to the EPL range should include some sort of viewfinder. Not sure of any further details yet.” Trusted sources now confirmed that there is NO built-in viewfinder. The major changes on the E-PM1 and E-PL3 are the ergonomic and a slightly increase in image quality.

If the anonymous soruce told us the truth than the viewfinder news may be just related to an external viewfinder kit option. What’s sure is the E-P range as we know is not going to continue. There may be some news regarding that a couple of months after the Photokina show.

P.S.: Check out the [shoplink 22264 ebay]Olympus RC film cameras on eBay[/shoplink].

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

Yesterday Sony announced the new NEX-5R (Click here) and one of the features of the Sony NEX cameras is the “Focus Peaking”. According to tops sources Panasonic is going to implement that feature on the new Panasonic GH3! The video I posted on top shows you how it works. Great news I would say!

P.S.: Some Panasonic camcorders like the 90-series has the Focus Assist feature (Here is the description page)

These are the FT5 info about the GH3 for now: New 16 megapixel sensor, 72Mbit/s ALL-I recording, new bigger and more rounded body, weather sealed, battery grip available, WiFI, application support and backup service, focus peaking.

Olympus will announce two PEN cameras and Panasonic the new GH3. But there is a lot more to come from the competition and it’s time to sum them up in one post:

SONY:
Sony just announced the Sony NEX-5R (more info here). And the NEX-6 is coming on September 12th (pictures here).

FUJI:
Fuji is going to announce a “cheap” X-E1 camera (more at MirrorlessRumors). Specs:

• Same 16MP sensor as in the X-Pro1 (with max ISO of 25,600)
• 6 fps
• Light magnesium body
• Improved AF speed
• Price: bellow $1000
• To be released before Christmas
• Same video recording capabilities as the X-Pro1
• Mic input
• EVF only (not hybrid as the X-Pro1)
• Two colors: black and silver
• Pull 25 ISO to simulate Velvia in JPEG mode

NIKON:
Also the Nikon V2 will be announced soon (more at MirrorlessRumors).

LEICA:
A new Leica ME should be also announced in two weeks (More at MirrorlessRumors).

Is there something you like from the list? And there is still no rumor about future Canon EOS-M cameras.

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The weeks before a camera announcement rumors of all types are floating the forums. As usual I wouldn’t care too much about them. But I am posting that particular rumor in the hope trusted sources can confirm or deny it:

Inview (personal view forum) wrote: “Today I was at a photo equipment shop and the Panasonic salesman came, I am at Athens, Greece. I asked about the GH3 release and he said about November. But about in a month he could have a sample at the shop for preview. He said 16Mp sensor and weather sealed body. I asked what lens would be the kit lens, and he said a new [shoplink 14802]14-140mm[/shoplink] weather sealed lens. He said also a new battery grip. “They are trying to appeal to the pro market” he said. He said also the prize would be around 1700 euros. Oh well.”

I never heard of a 14-140mm weather sealed lens until now but it would make sense for Panasonic to release such a lens to be able to offer a cheaper alternative of the GH3 and [shoplink 31225]12-35mm X[/shoplink] kit (which should be priced slightly above 2.000 Euro).

Lens price comparison:
Panasonic 14-140mm at [shopcountry 14802].
Panasonic 12-35mm X at [shopcountry 31225].

oooops!!! A super trusted source made a mistake. It sounds like the limited edition lens is a Black [shoplink 23576]Olympus 12mm f/2.0[/shoplink] and NOT a 45mm lens!

Probably some kind of “Freudian Slip” :)

Current 12mm price check links: [shopcountry 23576].

What’s coming for sure for now (FT5!):
Two new PEN cameras (E-PM and E-PL)
15mm f/8.0
60mm macro
12mm Black

The camera world is clearly moving into “More WEB” direction. Sony will announce the new WiFi NEX cameras tomorrow and Nikon just announced the fully Android powered Nikon S800c. And I am now pretty sure the new Panasonic GH3 will be the first Micro Four Thirds camera with built-in Wifi support! Sources told us what we will be able to do with the GH3:

1) remotely control the GH3 with your [shoplink 33091 ebay]iPad[/shoplink] or [shoplink 33090 ebay]iPhone[/shoplink] or any other [shoplink 33092 ebay]Android[/shoplink] device.
2) It has a Cloud and and Backup service running through the Lumix Club
3) Of course fully integarated with social networks like Facebook.
4) Some other features (like wireless printing).

Just to be clear, the GH3 is not Android powered and you can’t install third party applications on the camera itself. I guess this is something we will see for sure on future cameras…sooner or later!

…

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.

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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

According to two of our best sources the new Panasonic GH3 has a new 16 megapixel sensor. It is not the same of the [shoplink 32274]Panasonic G5[/shoplink]! Panasonic defined this as a “Wide Dynamic Range” sensor. As we know from past we have to see soem real test before to know if that is just a “marketing slogan” or a real major improvement. One source said firmware is not final but the dynamic range increase looks like to be more in the shadows than in the highlights. ISO goes up to 12.800.

Both sources said this is the definitely best hybrid stills&video camera they have ever seen. And they were so kind to give me the detailed bitrate: The GH3 can do “All-I 72 Mbps“.

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