We just found an interesting new patent. It seems that Olympus is working on a double TTL and contrast autofocus system which do work simultaneusly:
“It is to be noted that the TTL phase-difference AF and the imager AF have the following characteristics, respectively.
The TTL phase-difference AF is the AF at a speed higher than that of the imager AF.
The imager AF is the AF having a precision higher than that of the TTL phase-difference AF.”
and
“an automatic focusing device is disclosed in which the TTL phase-difference AF is combined with the imager AF to perform focusing control. Specifically, in this automatic focusing device, after coarse control is performed by the TTL phase-difference AF, fine control is performed by the imager AF.”

This would be possible with the use of a half mirror which reflect portions of lights to the Phase Detection Sensor.
My speculation: would that camera not be able to record video using the faster TTL autofocus?

source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7711260.html

As you know Sigma could soon produce new MicroFourThirds lenses. I just recieved an email from a new but very good source. He told me that “Sigma is already manufacturing lenses for FT-companies – for example the 45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica45/2.8 Leica“. That’s strange! The lens is sold by Panasonic, with quality control from Leica and manufactored by Sigma :)

Can’t wait to get some rumor about the future Sigma MFT lenses!

As you can see here on four-thirds.org many companies joined the Four-Thirds coalition a long time ago. The current question is: will the same companies produce a MicroFourThirds camera?

Sigma:
We received the rumor from two different sources. Both do confirm that Sigma will not make any MicroFourThirds camera. This doesn’t mean that they will not make MicroFourThirds lenses. But the interesting thing is that apparentely Sigma developed a MicroFourThirds camera! Sadly the final decision has been to not produce it for the mass market. We already told you that Leica and Fuji were also playing with the idea of joining MicroFourThirds but they have choosen not to do so. According to one of our sources Fuji developed a FourThirds sensor.

It is very difficoult to get reliable rumors from other companies but if the (many) rumors we received during the latest months are correct no other company beside Olympus and Panasonic will make a MicroFourThirds camera. No Kodak (read our Kodak rumor), no Leica (Leica rumor), no Fuji (Fuji rumor) no Sigma.

Not good news.

P.S: Please contact me at 43rumors@gmail.com if you can confirm/deny the rumor.

A dpreview user had a small talk with an Olympus representant. According to him the “E-PL1 will be bundled with the Olympus 9-18mm Lens and also with the Olympus 14-150mm Lens at very low prices, he seemed to be hinting at around £800-900. ($1200-$1400)”

More infos he received:
“new mount options being available via adapters by Novaflex”

Direct link to the Olympus 9-18mm pre-order page: Pixmania UKDirect link to the Olympus 9-18mm pre-order page: Amazon JapanLink diretto alla pagine dell’obiettivo 9-18mm: Redcoon ItaliaDirekter link zur Vorbestellung des Objektives: Redcoon Deutschland / Amazon DeutschlandDirect link to the Olympus 9-18mm lens: Redcoon Poland / Pixmania PolandDirect link to the Olympus 9-18mm pre-order page: Amazon France / Pixmania FranceDirect link to the Olympus 9-18mm pre-order page: Amazon US / Adorama / BHphoto

Crazy video:
The Mijonju Show – Micro Four Thirds with the Pentax Auto110 adapter.

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Panasonic G2 review on Ascii.jp (google english translation)
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Olympus, Panasonic, Ricoh, Samsung EVF comparison (dcwatch.jp / google english translation)
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Olympus E 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko Lens Review. It is the FourThirds lens not MicroFourThirds! (ePhotozine)
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dc resource G2 images vs E-PL1 (dpreview forum)
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Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 9-18 mm f/4-5,6 review on Focus Numerique (google english tranlsation)
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Canon SX210 IS Casio FH100, Panasonic TZ10 and Sony HX5V: face to face (quesabesde)
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