As I told you yesterday there will be new compact cameras only from both, Panasonic and Olympus. This is the list of the Panasonic cameras:

• DMC-TS25 (In Japan, the FT Series)
  – 16.1MP sensor
  – 4x zoom
• DMC-TS5 (In Japan, the FT Series)
  – 16.1MP sensor
  – 4.6 times zoom
• DMC-XS1
  – 16.1MP sensor
  – 5 times zoom
• DMC-ZS25 (In Japan, the TZ series)
  – 16.1MP sensor
  – Zoom 20 times
• DMC-ZS30 in Japan (Japan (TZ series)
  – 18.2MP sensor
  – Zoom 20 times
• DMC-LZ30
  16.1MP sensor
  35x zoom
• DMC-SZ3
  – 16.1MP
  – 10x optical zoom
• DMC-SZ9
  – 16.1MP
  – 10x optical zoom
• DMC-F5
  – 14.1MP
  – 5 times zoom
• DMC-FH10
  – 16.1MP
  – 5 times zoom

via Digicaminfo

Gh3-Playing with sharpness and ETC from Christopher Mayer on Vimeo.

Electronic shutter:
M43photo (Click here) wrote a very accurate article about the GH3 electronic shutter. It’s a must read post if you want to learn the difference between the mechanical and electronic shutter!

EVF issue?
Now that people is receiving their first batch of GH3 cameras you can also read about the first complains. 43rumors reader J.Russell sent me this email to sum up a problem with the GH3 viewfinder: “Many people are unhappy with the viewfinder and/or the flip out screen on the GH3.  My viewfinder is amazing soft and completely unusable for focusing – the menu items are sharp.  People are also complaining about a green cast in their viewfinders and/or the flip out screen.  This all seems like a firmware problem to me, but see below:
In one thread on Vimeo someone claims special knowledge and makes reference that Panasonic is changing the manufacturer of the viewfinder/panel and that the new batch of cameras will have the new parts.  Here is the thread in the comments section of this video: https://vimeo.com/55741316
Here are other discussions:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?299015-GH3-EVF-problem-GH3-owners-Please-Read!
https://vimeo.com/groups/gh3/forum/topic:257678
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/50506925
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?298386-greenish-tint-on-my-GH3-s-LCD-screen-at-ISO-400-and-800-is-this-normal”

More GH3 news:
Panasonic GH3 image samples at Outbackphoto.
GH2 vs GH3 Comparison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNrctjyPqxs
GH2 vs GH3 Night Lens Test 1 Christmas Lights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM_6ZKCFuPs
GH2 vs GH3 Night Lens Test 2 – Honolulu City Lights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pwNZxfa1uM
GH2 vs GH3 Night Lens Test 3 – High ISO Tests http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UK0Ck7jQbM

GH3 store links and in Stock status check:
12-35mm GH3 kit: Wex UK, Wex DE, [shoplink 35309 ebay]Photoexpress UK[/shoplink], FotoHansKeuzekamp (NL),
14-140mm GH3 kit: Wex UK, Amazon UK, [shoplink 35310 ebay]Photoexpress UK[/shoplink], Wex DE, Amazon FR,
Body only: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Panasonic store, Samys, Henry, Vistek, Wex UK, FotoHansKeuzekamp (NL), Amazon FR, [shoplink 35311 ebay]Webdistirbution FR[/shoplink].

Hi!

More trusted sources confirmed that Olympus will have an announcement on early January but there will be new compact cameras only. Major new MFT announcements will be made in late January. And I am still not 100% sure but also Panasonic should announce compact cameras only yet.

Coming back to Olympus, one new Camera and one new lens could be announced in late January. The cameras is “completely new” while the lens specs are unknown yet.

Personal note: I am very busy in these days because of family reasons. Sorry if I don’t answer your mails yet. Will do it as soon as I have time. Thanks for your understanding!

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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct

A patent fulfilled back in September 2011 describes a couple of new zooms (Source: freepatentsonline). Sadly all are relatively slow and no one will make you jump off the chair. Here they are:
12-60mm f/4.0-5.7
12-70mm f/4.0-5.7
12-82mm f/4.0-5.7
12-94mm f/4.0-5.8
14-70mm f/4.0-5.7

If at least they would be compact. Time to come up with something really different than the current [shoplink 35867 ebay]12-50mm f/3.5-6.4 lens[/shoplink] lens. One day I will find some f/2.8 or even f/2.0 zoom patent. One day… :)

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Olympus 2.0 zooms on Slidoo Europe.