This is very likely the first REAL very small piece of image of the camera logo. I ask the anonymous source if he can send me another image where we can see just a bit more of the camera. Not the whole camera just a tiny bit more :) Oh and one more question: Is the dynamic range increase a result of the Olympus own designed sensor? Thanks!

Rumor correction: max ISO is 25.600 and not 25.800. Plus I have been told there are plenty of nice knobs/wheels on top of the camera, more than on the [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink] and more or less like on the older [shoplink 28231 ebay]OM cameras[/shoplink].

One more thing: The Japanese website Sankei (Click here) confirms the launch of the Olympus OM camera and writes that the camera+kit lens will cost a above $1000. What I don’t understood is if they got the news from their sources or via 43rumors? :)

Last week BHphoto (Click here) informed that the Gh2+14-140mm lens kit has been discontinued and Amazon (Click here) itself isn’t selling that kit anymore. This doesn’t necessary mean that a GH3 is imminent. The GH2 body only is still available and that could also mean that there will be a new GH2+12-35mm X kit option (or 35-100mm X) soon.

But today also the Panasonic G3 body has been officially discontinued at BHphoto (Click here). And the RED, White, Brown G3 + kit lens too (again here at BHphoto)! You don’t discontinue the body only version without having an upcoming new model!

I am pretty sure that not only Olympus but also Panasonic will have a BIG announcement right before the CP+ show in Yokohama (mid February).

P.S: US deals:
Olympus 12mm lens now for $703 at Amazon (Click here).
Panaosnic GF2 with kit lens for $355 at Amazon (Click here).

Our reader “Alan” just sent us the latest newsletter from the Focus on Imaging show that will take place in Birmingham on 4 – 7 MARCH 2012:

“Olympus – new enthusiast centred product
Focus 2012 will be the first UK viewing of Olympus’ hot new high-end product aimed at the enthusiast market. To be formally announced on 8 February, Olympus promises an action-packed stand full of surprises to mark the occasion – One Major camera’s much anticipated first public view in the UK. We can’t tell you what but there is a clue beginning with One.”

I am working a lot on the rumors front. You know I am a bit conservative and I try to post good rumors only. I am right now checking some info I got about the sensor. If the rumors I got are correct than the sensor is really NEW! And different than the one used for the [shoplink 26836]Panasonic GX1[/shoplink]. Let’s cross the fingers guys! This could be a good shot from Olympus!

P.S.: Daywalker just told me the first black 12-50mm weather sealed lens fro m43 is now for sale on [shoplink 28378 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

P.P.S.: Someone asked me if I will go to the show in Birmingham. Answer, I don’t know. I am already using some of my holiday bonus to work on the Olympus OM rumors.  But I would love ot go there!

Our reader KTF just sent us that CP+ invitation image he recived via email (Click here to see the full invitation). It says that a new Olympus OM t-short will be distributed at the event. What is really interesting is that “PEN OM IZM XA TRIP” you read on the T-shirt. These are all indications of former Olympus-camera’s.

Olympus PEN -> you all know what they mean with it :)
Olympus OM -> That the new system based on [shoplink 28222 ebay]OM film cameras[/shoplink].
Olympus IZM ->  ‘AZ SuperZoom’ also known as IZM meaning ‘Infinityzoom’ ([shoplink 28348 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink])
Olympus XA -> Also 35mm film cameras ([shoplink 28355 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink])
Olympus TRIP -> Also filmcameras ([shoplink 28349 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink])
Olympus µ -> The compact cameras.
Olympus Camedia -> More compact cameras. ([shoplink 28357 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink])
Olympus E-system -> The Four Thirds line.

The photo on top has been found on Photogeek.fr. On the picture you can see the [shoplink 23683 ebay]17mm pancake lens[/shoplink] but such a photo is almost deifnitely fake :) A wonder what that subtitle means: “The new seven-point twin….”

I am almost sure the new specs from Digicaminfo are correct:

1. It looks like old OM but not any OM reforms.
2.Two dial button left and right beside central penta part,and another dial button side at release button.there have other one small button in left of release button.
3.Grip curve looks like [shoplink 23568]Olympus E-P3[/shoplink],but this one continues to the bottom of camera,paste with leather.Leather has also paste at both side of lens mount.
4.two kinds of leather style. black ones is more artificial, and silver ones is more natural.
5.packed with an GN10 flash.
6.Five-axis image stabilizer in body.
7.FAST AF and 3D tracking
8.Minimum sensitivity is ISO200 and maximum sensitivity is ISO25600 with tweak.
9.610.000dots organic EL,vari-angle monitor
10.use MPO as file save type.

It’s a translation from the original japanese text made by one of our readers (Thanks!). What do you think about the specs and picture?

Digital-Camera-Info posted first spec bits about the OM-D. That’s what he found out:

1) It has an OM look
2) Built-in 1.44 dots integrated viewfinder
3) New in body stabilization and AF system
4) Comes in Black and Silver
5) Weather sealed magnesium body
6) 16 megapixel sensor
7) Width 121mm, weighs 425g
8) Worldwide shipment in late March

In Summary: The EVF has the same resolution of the current external VF-2 viewfinder (Click here to see on Amazon). We know that it looks like an old OM but there were so many different OM bodies that it really doesn’t help us a lot! Here is again the list of all OM filmcamera. My favorite design is the [shoplink 28222 ebay]OM-1[/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

The graphic in top has been registered by Olympus at the german patent institution (Click here).

I know you are all waiting to here more about the upcoming new sensor inside the OM-D camera. I just got something for you: I have been told by top sources that the sensor has 16 megapixel and actually has been designed for a “High Dynamic Range“. I don’t know yet is how you get this dynamic range increase. Is there a software trick or is the sensor really a newly designed Olympus sensor rather than the same GX1 sensor? The ISO goes up to 25.800 which on paper beats every current Micro Four Thirds camera!

I take the chance to ask my sources if they can tell me more about HOW this dynamic range performance has been archived and if that is really a completely new sensor. Thanks!

P.S.: The new weather sealed 12-50mm lens which will be the new kit lens of the OM-D is in Stock at Fotomundus (Germany) , Pcstore (Taiwan) and soon at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon UK and Amazon Japan.