The Japanese website Egami (Click here) found a new Olympus patent describing different variations of a new 150mm f/2.8 macro lens. There are actually two different versions. One shorter lens for the m43 system and a longer lens for the Four Thirds system. Both are described as high quality optics. The only similar lens currently on market is the Sigma 150mm lens (here at Amazon).

One more thing: I am currently sorting out your lens suggestions for the m43 system and will soon publish the poll.

The same source that sent me the real GF5 pictures sent me also that G5 picture. This looks quite a bit different from the [shoplink 22077]Panasonic G3[/shoplink]. So much more….rounded :)

Hope to get the real pics soon!

The mysterious Asian source from nPhoto just sent me the pictures of the white and black Panasonic GF5. The new revised grip makes the GF5 looks better than the [shoplink 23109 ebay]Panasonic GF3[/shoplink]. The source was also so kind to inform me that the high ISO noise-level is as same as the [shoplink 29815 ebay]Canon 7D[/shoplink] and [shoplink 29816 ebay]60D[/shoplink]. It’s nice to know you can get that kind of performance on a camera that fits in your pocket :)

Here is the picture of the black GF5:

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P.S.: Also the G5 will arrive along the GF5. Announcements soon (I am still checking for the right announcement date and hour).

And here it is the first clear picture of the new Panasonic GF5. As you see it has pretty much the same shape of the current [shoplink 23109 ebay]Panasonic GF3[/shoplink]. The grip looks like the one used for the new [shoplink 26836]Panasonic GX1[/shoplink]. As I already told you last week the new GF5 has a 12 Megapixel sensor with an improved SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio). THE SNR is as good as the one on the [shoplink 22077 ebay]Panasonic G3[/shoplink]. It goes up to ISO 12.800, super fast AF of 0,09seconds and a new 920k dots touch screen LCD. The touch screen interface has been revised. Don’t know if you should wait for this GF5 or go for the now very cheap and hackeable GF2!

One more thing: Also the Panasonic G5 will be announced soon and use the same [shoplink 22077 ebay]G3[/shoplink] 16 Megapixel sensor…

One of my good sources just told me that the new Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 and 35-100mm f/2.8 X lenses will not be in Stock any time soon. Not yet, not in late spring not in early summer :(

As you know Panasonic showed this lenses for the very first time in September 2011. While it’s ok for me if Panasonic shows mockups at shows it’s pretty frustrating to wait so much time until they get finally announced. This means that if you need a fast zoom lens now you have to go for the amazing Olympus [shoplink 25320 ebay]14-35mm f/2.0 (here on eBay)[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 25119 ebay]35-100mm f/2.0 (here on eBay)[/shoplink] Zuiko lenses.

I don’t know the reason for the delay, all I know is that Panasonic (like many other companies) is facing serious financial losses and this may have slowed down the product release roadmap.
One more thing: These lenses are weather sealed and so will be the new GH3 which will be announced at the Photokina event in September.

Egami just discovered a new Panasonic lens describing a quite unspectacular new micro Four Thirds lens. It is a 12-60mm f/4.5-5.6 with inner focusing, inner zoom and O.I.S. zoom. While the zoom range is certainly interesting I don’t get it why Panasonic wants to make it that slow. The only reason would be if the lens would have the size of the 14-42mm X pancake but it’s it not the case here (lens length is 10cm!). Pana/Oly just try to get inspiration from the [shoplink 23681 ebay]Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 (here on eBay)[/shoplink] if you don’t know how to do it right :) The lens is that much loved that is has an average review of 5 stars out of 5 at Amazon US (Click here).