Image courtesy: DC.watch

The Olympus E-PL5 is now shipping in Asia (see Amazon JP, Digitalrev and [shoplink 33622 ebay]eBay[/shoplink]). And that’s why we have the first two “Asian” E-PL5 reviews:
1) DC.watch (translation here). They posted some image samples taken with the kit lens, the body cap lens and a C-mount lens. For the reviewer the images are “top-class quality”
2) Itmedia (translation here). They are impressed by the OM-D image quality and touch panel operations.
3) Itmedia (tranlsation here) also tested the E-PM2.

And in Japan you can also buy the first E-PL5 and EPM2 Leather jacket ([shoplink 34373 ebay]here on eBay[/shoplink]). So how about availability of the new PEN cameras in EU and US? BHphoto says they will ship it from tomorrow but as we learned from the past this is just an indicative date and may change soon. Should ship in early November in Europe.

New PEN preorders:
E-PL5 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here). In EU at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK, Amazon France,
E-PM2 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here). In EU at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK, Amazon France,

First Impressions of the Panasonic GH3 (test footage with firmware 0.5) from John @ Workstation • Amsterdam on Vimeo.

Photographyblog posted the full GH3 review: “Overall the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 is a fantastic camera in its own right, transcending the boundaries of mirrorless, DSLR, Micro Four Thirds, stills and video. The compelling mix of outstanding image quality, ease-of-use, intuitive design and a rich feature-set makes it very easy for us to highly recommend the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 – only that eye-watering price prevents us from awarding it our highest Essential rating…” GH3 at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto, Panasonic US and in Europe at Wexphotographic UK and Technikdirekt.

There is also a good news regarding the new 35-100mm X zoom lens. It is in Stock in Germany at Technikdirekt (Click here). In US the lens will be in Stock next week via Panacam at Amazon (Click here) and November 15th at BHphoto (Click here).

Superdeal and hotseller reminder: The Black Olympus XZ-1 still sells for $199 only at Amazon (Click here). And it is on top of the rankings for full two days now (Click here to see the list).

Our reader Nicolas made the test video you see on top after watching another youtube video. It shows a “trick” to have a sort of focus peaking mode on the E-M5. From what we see here it looks like Olympus would only have to do a small firmware update to fully support peaking mode!

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Factory demo E-M5 with kit lens for $919  at Cameta (Click here). They also have factory demo 12-50mm lenses.

E-M5 at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, Jessops, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, Amazon France, Amazon Japan and Digitalrev.

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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].