“Olympus has released a firmware update for its E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera. Version 1.1 improves the camera operation in Continuous AF mode (C-AF). The company has also posted firmware updates for the E-P1’s kit lenses: the M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and the M. Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 pancake lens. The updates promise to improve the autofocus operation of both the lenses. Firmware updates can be downloaded via the Olympus Master/Studio software.”

source: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09091501olyep1firmware.asp

First owners are experiencing a 40%-50% faster focusing with both lenses

Many of our sources are telling us that Panasonic has no plan to develop new Four Thirds cameras or lenses. They will focus their resources on new MicroFourThirds products. One more thing: Panasonic is working hard to improve the video capabilities of their next cameras (24MB/s compression and 1080 60/50p recording).

It will be interesting to see how Olympus will balance their resources between new Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds products. Akira Watanabe CEO from Olympus pre-announced two new MFT lenses and a second MFT camera but gave no indications about new FourThirds products.

Surprised about Panasonic’s move? We are not!

P.S.: Remember that this is a rumor and not an official Panasonic news!

Scott Burne from Photofocus made a GH1 minireview. And it seems the GH1 has become his favorite video camera!

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A new GF1 vs E-P1 comparison has been made by http://www.dslrphoto.com/

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Dcresource came out with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 review

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Tomorrow Olympus could release the new E-P1 firmware (I hope Olympus Australia was serious when they wrote this email)

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(UPDATE) Brandon wrote a detailed Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm f2.0 SWD lens review.
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Follow us on twitter!

David Tong shares his thoughts on the new Panasonic GF1 and compares it with the Olympus E-P1. read more here:

http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=1275

One 43rumors reader sent us a Panasonic GF-1 hands on:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeoshumin/sets/72157622220351545/

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scary Leica article from a german newspaper (google translated in english): http://www.colorfoto.de

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if one day you will travel to china try to buy Benro tripods and Drift wood bags ;) I am otally happy with their quality and price. The bad news is that I hav’t found drift wood bags anywhere outside China :(

Preorder the Panasonic DMW-LVF1 Viewfinder ($199.95)

This graphs shows the Market Share variations between 2006 and 2008. The first thing you note is that Canon lost a lot of terrain. Sony and Nikon are doing very well. Olympus loosed 1% Marketshare and Panasonic gained 1%.

I believe Olympus and Panasonic will both gain a little Market Share in 2009 and 2010. Things are may getting worse for Pentax and Canon. And 2010 could be a successfully year for Sony.

More infos are available at photoscala