(FT4) More current Panasonic zooms will be updated within 2013.

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I am really very excited about the upcoming Panasonic GX7 announcement. In two months we will be able to see the real camera (or maybe before if I manage to get some pics from sources). But will there be some new lenses too? The two 42,5mm f/1.2 and the 150mm f/2.8 lenses will hit the stores in early 2014 only. But there price and first preorders may be announced along the GX7.

Today a trusted source told me that also a couple of current zooms will be updated like it just happened with the 14-140mm lens. No other “completely new” lens will be announced this year. By the way, US readers should grab the 45-20mm lens deal for $174 at Amazon US. This lens is likely going to be replaced but at that price level it’s still on top of any buying list!

Reminder: A while ago Panasonic stated at DSLRmagazine (translation here) that they “want to expand the “affordable” lens range.

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(UPDATED) E-P5 focus peaking does work!

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For a short time Robin Wong (Click here) scared us a bit with that sentence in his first part of the ongoing E-P5 review:

Unfortunately, I have to drop a bomb this early: the focus peaking did NOT work with the CCTV lens. When using a manual lens with no electronic contacts, I find NO way to activate the focus peaking! Believe me I have tried digging all the menu system and press all buttons, and if I am wrong in this I would GLADLY be corrected (this is the one time that I wish I am wrong, believe me). Focus Peaking on the E-P5 does not work with manual lenses. I could not use the CCTV lens to test the focus peaking, hence I chucked the idea of using the CCTV lens altogether. So much for an interesting, unconventional plan to do a review differently this time!

UPDATE: But the good news is that Pekka Potka gave us an answer about Robin’s issue:

“Robin is simply wrong here. Focus peaking works perfectly well with all manual lenses. Electric contacts are not needed, but of course FP can not be actuated then by turning focusing ring. It can be assigned to at least three different buttons, just pick your choice. Another matter is if a lens too soft to be able to give any sharp details at all…”

UPDATE_2: Robin Wong officially apologized. Editor’s note: Don’t worry Robin, nobody is perfect and we still like you a lot :)

Damn, got a shock for a while :)

Links to all newly announced Olympus stuff:
E-P5 Black at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto and Samys. In Europe at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK and at Wex UK.
E-P5 White at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto and Samys. In Europe at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK and at Wex UK.
E-P5 Silver at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto and Samys. In Europe at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK and at Wex UK.
E-P5 Black with 17mm f/1.8 lens and VF-4 at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto and Samys. In Europe at Amazon UK.
E-P5 Silver with 17mm f/1.8 lens and VF-4 at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto and Samys. In Europe at Amazon UK.
E-P5 White with 17mm f/1.8 lens and VF-4 at Amazon UK.
E-P5 Black with 14-42mm lens at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK and Wex UK.
E-P5 White with 14-42mm lens at Amazon Germany and Amazon UK.
E-P5 Silver with 14-42mm lens at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK and at Wex UK.
17mm f/1.8 Black at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto and Samys.
45mm f/1.8 Black at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto and Samys. In Europe at Amazon Germany.
75mm f/1.8 Black at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto and Samys.
VF-4 viewfinder at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto and Samys.

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Back: GX1 for $199. E-P3 with lens for $349.

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The GX1 superdeal is back! You can get it for $199 at Adorama (Click here), or via Adorama at Amazon (Click here). You can get both, the Silver or Black body for that price.

And also the E-P3 with kit lens got discounted and available for $349 at Adorama (Click here) or again at via Adorama at Amazon (Click here).

Adorama also rund big savings on Lexar and Sandisk cards (Click here).

Sunset Electronics is selling the [shoplink 39673 ebay]E-M5 body for $869.95 (Click here)[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 39672 ebay]E-M5 with 12-50mm lens for $1,109.95 (Click here)[/shoplink].

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Schneider confirmes development of lenses for mirrorless system.

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Photoscala.de (google translation here) analyzed the latest Schneider financial report. Like so many other companies also Schneider announced that they will step out from the compact camera (fixed) lens business. And they confirmed that they want to focus on producing high quality lenses for Full Frame and for Mirrorless system cameras. As we reported before here on 43rumors their three MFT lenses will hit the market with at least a six month delay because of production problems. I think they should skip the 60mm f/2.4 macro release. We already have a good Olympus 60mm macro lens. It would be much better they do a MFT version of one of their great existing primes:

[shoplink 27395 ebay]Xenon 16mm f/1.2 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27387 ebay]Xenon 25mm f/0.95 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27389 ebay]Curtagon 35mm f/2.8 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27391 ebay]Componon 50mm f/1.4 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27390 ebay]Xenon 50mm f/1.9 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27394 ebay]Xenar 50mm f/2.8 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27388 ebay]Xenar 75mm f/3.5 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27392 ebay]Xenotar 80mm f/2.8 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27393 ebay]Xenar 180mm f/2.8 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].

My favorite would be the 16mm f/1.2 Xenon! Great for street photography!

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Two new Panasonic announcements: 2k4k/60fps Sensor and superproof micro SDHC memory cards.

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We had two new Panasonic announcements this week:

Akihabaranews reports that Panasonic is releasing a micro SDHC memory card with 6 “Proof” performances: waterproof, static electrical resistance, magnetic resistance, X-ray resistance, and heat resistance on July 13. It also has “fuse” function that protects the device from heat and fire generation if the micro SDHC memory card happens to generate anomalous heat.

Image Sensor World reports about a new Panasonic 2k4k/60fps Sensor.

Not as exciting as the Fuji sensor partnership but these super proof micro SD cards are really nice!

 

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E-P5 superkit and GF6 US delivery delay in US :(

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In theory three MFT cameras should ship any time soon in US. But it looks like there are some (un)expected delays.

The E-P5 superkit with lens and VF-4 which was scheduled to ship…now changed status and will ship in 1-2 months according to Amazon (Click here).
The Panasonic GF6 will ship in mid August only according to BHphoto (Click here).
Hopefully the G6 will not be delayed. It’s marked as Temporarily out of Stock at Amazon and shipment on June 28 according to BHphoto.
Small good news: Blackmagic Cinema Camera for MFT in Stock at BHphoto.

 

Reminder: Right now Sunset Electronics is selling the [shoplink 39673 ebay]E-M5 body for $869.95 (Click here)[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 39672 ebay]E-M5 with 12-50mm lens for $1,109.95 (Click here)[/shoplink]. That’s $50 less than the current price at Amazon and BH. Of course it ships for free.

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Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm tested at Photozone.

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Image courtesy Photozone.

Photozone is busy testing new MFT lenses and just posted the next review: The Olympus 12-50mm lens (Click here to read it). And the conclusion isn’t great:

“Unfortunately we didn’t really fall in love with the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ. The zoom range is surely very attractive but performance-wise it has its issues.”

It’s definitely time for Olympus to release the long rumored high quality f/2.8 zoom!

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