I am still not 100% sure but from what I got from some of my sources Olympus and Panasonic will introduce new compact cameras at the CES show in Las Vegas (Starting January 8th). But at the same time I have been told that new MFT stuff will be announced a couple of weeks later. Easy to guess that Panasonic and Olympus will release that new “MFT stuff” at the CP+ show in Japan that starts on January 31.
From Olympus we know from trusted sources that one new lens and at least one new camera should be released soon. (new PEN likely and maybe a new OMD). While Panasonic plans to release a new GF and G model.
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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
Olympus Japan just issued version 1.1 firmware for the new E-Pl5 and E-PM2. It fixes the following issue:
– Unstable exposure, while using lenses that cannot communicate with cameras (such as OM or body cap lenses), has been improved.
The first two 17mm f/1.8 lenses are in Stock and shipping on [shoplink 35702 ebay]eBay UK (Click here)[/shoplink]. And a couple of German 43rumors reader told me their preorders at Amazon.de have been shipped.
Panasonic keeps offering deal after deal on current GF and GX cameras. While we all know that a new GF7 is due for early Spring I am still wondering what Panasonic plans to do with the GX2 after dropping the initial surprise of e new model this year. Anyway, here are the US deals:
The GX1 with 14-42mm X(!) pancake zoom sells for $499 at Amazon (Click here).
And today you will get a Gold Box deal on the Black and Brown GF5 X kit at Amazon (Click here).
In UK you get a 50 pound cash-back and free EVF(!) on the Black GX1 at Wexphotographic (Click here).
There is no such deal in the rest of Europe (I checked the GX1 price history on idealo).
Thanks to our reader Nicolas work many people is now trying the focus peaking trip. And here is one of the new videos!
Another anonymous hacker contacted me to give us some update about the E-M5 hack possibility. It sounds like it will be a hard work to realize a project like this. Here is what he wrote:
“– A hack, or hacks, are by all means doable, but would require a similar, if not more, effort than VK’s Lumix hacks. The camera runs uITRON realtime OS – I was able to download the BIN versions from the following URLs: http://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/OLYMPUS_MASTER/FIRMWARES/0001/0970/OLY_E_097_[version]_0000_0000.BIN – [version] is 1300 for 1.3, 1500 for 1.5 etc. This firmware can still be unpacked and analysed with tools found in this thread: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?215943-E-P1-E-P2-E-PL1-hack-research – it can also be successfully re-packed after modification. This shows that the firmware format hasn’t changed since it has been figured out first, which is 2010 or earlier. A child could download the firmware and analyse it. – After unpacking the firmware I spent some time searching for clues in various strings found in language files and executable code. Plenty of traces of debug mode and debug command shell, but no trace of focus peaking or any other “hidden” features. Also no obvious signs of new Accessory Port gadgets. There are however references to AVCHD folder structure. The camera also uses open source libPNG for PNG file handling, and uses OpenGL runtime and/or a 3D chip from Digital Media Professionals, inc.”
I am sure many E-M5 owners would support the hacker group working officially on such a long project. Let us know if you need some kind of support!
E-M5 Case:
There is the official [shoplink 31898 ebay]CS-36FBC Olympus case[/shoplink]. A [shoplink 31899 ebay]leather half case from Hong Kong[/shoplink]. A full [shoplink 31900 ebay]leather case with strap from Cina[/shoplink]. Than we have half cases from two well known producers, [shoplink 31901 ebay]Zelenpol[/shoplink], [shoplink 31906 ebay]Kaza[/shoplink] and [shoplink 31902 ebay]Gariz[/shoplink].
E-M5 Batteries, and other things:
The [shoplink 31905 ebay]Olympus GS-4 strap[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 31903 ebay]DSTE E-M5 batteries[/shoplink] you have to use with an extra charger. There is an [shoplink 31903 ebay]E-M5 car charger[/shoplink] a [shoplink 31908 ebay]new E-M5 LCD screen[/shoplink] and a [shoplink 31909 ebay]Front Cover+ Top Panel[/shoplink].
As you know yesterday Olympus posted some impressive deals on refurbished E-M5 cameras on their getolympus website. Short time after I posted this on 43rumors theyput their website offline. Now it’s back and prices have been raised. Wondering what happened to those of you that preordered the camera for the crazy low price. Got some feedback from Oly?
Some other US deals:
Panasonic 12-35mm X lens for 1,039 dollars via Panacam on Amazon (Click here).
GF5 with lens for $339 at Newegg (Click here).
Most sold MFT camera is again the E-PL1 (Ranking here).
Reviews and News:
The E-M5 is the readers choice at Gizmodo.
Olympus E-PL5 – Assessment and Conclusion at Soundimagesplus.
E-PL5 review at Digitalcameraworld.
Olympus E-PL5 Digital PEN Camera Review at Steve Digicams.
Holiday 2012: Recommended Lenses for Micro Four Thirds (ThePhoBlographer).
Olympus Stylus XZ-2 review at ThePhoBlographer.
Micro 4/3 Year in Review by AdmiringLight.
Journées portes ouvertes Olympus (Lepidi).
Olympus OM-D + Voigtlander 20mm (Soundimagesplus).
Review: J.B. Camera Designs Grip for Olympus OM-D EM-5 (ThePhoBlographer).
Olympus bundle deal in Hong Kong.
Readers mail: Matthew: “Thought I’d pass along a short I directed for the Toronto 48 Hour Film Project: https://vimeo.com/54608167 Shot on a hacked GH2 with Panasonic & Olympus primes Alexander: “maybe you know that since 2009 there were a few attempts to reverse engineer the distortion and CA correction data saved in the Panasonic and Olympus raw files. Today I have also joined and created a program called M43RawAnalyzer, whose purpose is to extract the raw distortion correction data from Panasonic Raw files (I hope to find the place in the Olympus raw files so that I can support ORFs, too) and writes it into a text file. I am hoping that someone will see some patterns if we have lots of data from different cameras and lenses. Here is the link to the program: http://www.mirrorlessdb.com/knowledgebase/2012/11/30/m43rawanalyzer/“. Amjad: “I’ve just uploaded a video I shot using the OMD. https://vimeo.com/54563139 I shot the same scene with the D600 to compare the video features on both cameras” Nam: “I would like to share a video I made shot entirely on the OM-D with various m43 lenses. All handheld. The OM-D’s strong point isnt video but it does have great IBIS and manual video controls so it gives really good results without the need of sliders or steadicams. https://vimeo.com/54653386” Justin: “I’ve always been a fan of vintage cameras and camera gear from the post war era, my beloved 1957 leica m3 can vouch for me! And so I decided it was time to put my passion to good use using my professional skills as a designer and craftsman. The result is the birth of a new camera gear brand: TAP & DYE.
Its a one man operation and the focus is simple — Camera straps. Durable. Rugged. High Quality handmade straps for the aspiring street photographer or the seasoned veteran photojournalist. They are compatible with all round lug-mount digital DSLR, M43 and film SLR & RF cameras. The premier unit as of right now is the ready to wear LEGACY wrist strap, dyed in Antique Tan color with a modest pricepoint of $38. I am currently working on a fixed length neck/shoulder strap that will be available for pre-order next week for $50 as well.
More information including a complete list of compatible cameras can be found on our online shop: http://tap-dye.myshopify.com
I would love to have my work featured on your blog if possible! I recently just met with Chris Gampat, who had mentioned I should reach out to you as well as he saw it a good fit for the M43/compact mirrorless community.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
regards,
Justin tap-dye.myshopify.com info@tapanddye.com www.justinwaldinger.com” Anonymous: “Just a reminder for Aussies. Buy your Olympus lens before 31st Jan, then take a trip overseas within 30 days and get a massive 30% off.”
Stefan: “Microsoft released an update for the Camera Code Pack for Windows 8 and Windows RT: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2779444 New supported models are: Olympus: OM-D E-M5, PEN E-PL2, PEN E-PL3, PEN E-PM1, XZ-1 Panasonic: Lumix DMC-FZ150, Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix DMC-GF2, Lumix DMC-GF3, Lumix DMC-GH2“
