The E-M1 got a $100 off and and additional 5% reward at BHphoto (Click here).
More deals:
You save $160 on the Panasonic LX100 sold on [shoplink 58061 ebay]eBay by Quickndone (Click here)[/shoplink].
Olympus E-M5 now sells for $379 at BHphoto (Click here).
Scroll the horizontal bar on that Amazon page you can see a new updated list of Olympus deals.
Image courtesy and copyright: Joanthan Auch http://www.jonathanauch.com
Some of our readers think the new digital PEN-F design is not as nice and cleana s the original [shoplink 37006 ebay]PEN-F film camera[/shoplink]. Our reader Jonathan Auch made those designs of how a digital PEN-F should have been:
I know there is a lot of hype surrounding that camera, and with good reason, finally a Pen with a built in viewfinder! This is the camera that we have been asking for years, but I couldn’t help feel a pang of disappointment. The camera, while harkening back to the original Pen-F seem to miss the entire gestalt. It is trying to be too much and should have been simple and stream-lined.
I did a quick mock-up of what my vision would’ve been for the Pen-F. I tried to re-imagine the camera, as a “pure” photographic tool. Ditching the front “Jpeg Knob”, using classic design elements from the original, and some cues from classic cameras.
I have only done the front and top, even though the back (in my mind) needs the most dramatic change, but it is the most time consuming to mock-up.
All the best,
Jonathan
PEN-F Preorder links:
Silver PEN-F in USA/Canada at Bhphoto, Amazon, Adorama, GetOlympus, GetOlympus Canada.
Black PEN-F in USA/Canada at Bhphoto, Amazon, Adorama, GetOlympus, GetOlympus Canada.
Silver PEN-F in EU at Amazon Deutschland, FotoMundus, WexUk, ParkCameras.
Black PEN-F in EU at Amazon Deutschland, FotoMundus, WexUK, ParkCameras.
Image courtesy and copyright: Joanthan Auch http://www.jonathanauch.com
You can now download a new firmware update for the Panasonic G7 and GX8 cameras at Panasonic (click here). The improvement is described on the screenshots.
A Review Of The Panasonic G7 Micro Four Thirds Camera
Panasonic 100-400 Test Images on Flickr.
Mitakon speedaster 25mm f0.95 review in Thai language at Pantip.
Which Fisheye – Samyang or Olympus Body Cap Lens? (Mgxp.blogspot).
Interchangeable Lenses versus Built-in Zoom: What Filmmakers need to Know (Explora).
Olympus PEN-F reflexiones (DSLRmagazine).
James: “Amazon UK has the black OMD EM10 mk ii dual lens kit down to 529.99 at the moment – cheaper than the body only. It was this price just before Christmas but sold out. The silver one is still 749.99”
Preorder links to the two new MFT lenses:
Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. In EU at WexUK. Fotosidan.
Olympus 300mm f/4.0 PRO lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, GetOlympus. In EU at Amazon DE. WexUK.
[/shoplink]
You save $160 on the Panasonic LX100 sold on [shoplink 58061 ebay]eBay by Quickndone (Click here)[/shoplink].
And if you scroll the horizontal bar on that Amazon page you can see a new updated list of Olympus deals.
Olympus PEN-F part two review by Robin Wong:
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT PEN-F
The most beautiful Olympus modern camera.
Top notch craftsmanship and build quality
Excellent looking low ISO output, clean with minimal sharpening artifacts, yet still maintaining high level of details/sharpness
New 20MP Image Sensor has slight improvements in terms of overall image quality
5-Axis Image Stabilization
Built-in EVF
Feature packed: 50MP high resolution shot, monochrome and color profile controls, etcWHAT I DISLIKE ABOUT PEN-F
I had higher expectations from the new 20MP image sensor, with higher jump in image quality (especially in high ISO shooting)
Handling was not as good as previous PEN cameras (eg, E-P5). However, this can be improved with the use of add-on grip ECG-4.
Some questionable dial placements that actually gets in the way of shooting comfort
Short battery life (400-500 shots per charge). Why can’t we get 800-1000 shots per charge?
Olympus PEN-F: Street photography on Austin’s 6th Street at Atmtxphoto:
Any additional tests will have to wait, unfortunately, I had to return the PEN-F to Olympus. I’m really missing the front control dial and the film simulations. My OM-D E-M5 Mark II is a great camera but the PEN-F is so much more fun.
Our reader AL sent us his full first impression review:
Pros
a. Ergonomic design (IMHO de-facto m43 Pen standard); for first-time m43 users, can be easily get addicted to this one
b. Typical OMD camera operation and functionality in a Pen body, customizable buttons and dials
c. Solid build (despite made in Viet), no noticeable screws
d. Excellent side articulating screen design (preferred over conventional tilt up/down design), first on a Pen model
e. Trusted Oly menu GUI and display, true live histogram (visible during EV shift)
f. Easy-to-access art filter effects options, durable art filter front dial design
g. Good design faux-leather (rubber?) wraparound allows for excellent slip-less grip even without dedicated grip add-ons (body has flat right grip by default)
h. Pleasant EVF design, bright by default and good in magnification
i. Feels camera-like, unlike the competition (eg. Pana)
j. Reasonably fast AFCons
a. Too much customization that may confuse the average Pen user; must have extensive OMD operation knowledge needed to effectively operate the Pen-F
b. No image processing improvements, still 12-bit A/D and TruePic VII (not sure why Oly is so insistent on the former)
c. Non-weatherproof design despite in pro-body form; exemplified by weak battery door without gasket or whatsoever
d. Inconvenient card insert position due to close proximity to battery door hinge
e. Easy over-dependence/exploitation of art filter functions; raw capture necessary to retain original color data/gamut
f. Annoying EVF/rear display flickering under artificial light
g. Grossly overpriced
h. Lens bundle: no normal-focal length 25mm F1.8 included, only wide 12mm F2.0 or 17mm F1.8 offered depending on region
i Too many dials; mechanical EV dial could be deleted and substituted by twin dial design augmented with frontal 2×2 flip switch design
j. Programmable mechanical EV dial can be confusing (IMO only electronic dials should be programmable)
k. No integrated flash (due to EVF integration)
l. Confusing video controls; frame rate selections controlled by “Video out” setting (NTSC/PAL); no mic-in/headphone jack, thus inability to integrate with Oly’s own PCM recorders for better audio capture on videoConclusion:
a. Would pass the Pen-F for an E-M5-II (if not the E-M1) without hesitation
b. Pen-F’s design sets precedence to how future E-Px/E-PLx models could be improved, such as implementation of side articulating screen, compulsory twin control dial design, new processing engine, in-camera flash etc.
PEN-F Preorder links:
Silver PEN-F in USA/Canada at Bhphoto, Amazon, Adorama, GetOlympus, GetOlympus Canada.
Black PEN-F in USA/Canada at Bhphoto, Amazon, Adorama, GetOlympus, GetOlympus Canada.
Silver PEN-F in EU at Amazon Deutschland, FotoMundus, WexUk, ParkCameras.
Black PEN-F in EU at Amazon Deutschland, FotoMundus, WexUK, ParkCameras.
Konica Minolta doesn’t sell lenses anymore. But they keep patenting design they sell to various manufacturers. The one patent you see here describes a 45-250mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS lens that could be used by Panasonic.
Source: Egami.
