43 Rumors – Page 1838 – Panasonic and Olympus Digital Camera News

Weird: No G5 news in Japan! And no G5 preorder run in US.

July 18, 2012
deals
47 Comments

It may sound surprising but there were no news yet about the Panasonic G5 in Japan!!! Just check the most famous website: http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/. UPDATE: After 24 hours delay it now has been announced in Japan too!

Meantime preorder are up on Amazon too (Black here and Silver here and White here) but the camera didn’t manage to get into the top 100 of the most (pre-)ordered mirrorless cameras (ranking here). Also BHphoto has them available for preorder (Black here and Silver here).

On top of the post you can see the official Panasonic G5 commercial. And here is a list of new links to G5 related news: Photoxels, Pocket Lint, Akihabarenews, Quesabesde and Heise.

Below I posted a set of new deals including the other new Panasonic compact camera preorder links:
Via Techbargains I found a new PEN deal. Refurbished E-PL1 with kit lens for $189 at Cameta (Click here). But this is not the only refurbished PEN deal they offer…here is the full list.
$20 price drop on the Panasonic 20mm pancake at Amazon (Click here) and J&R (Click here).
Panasonic 14-42mm X pancake for $287 at Amazon (Click here).
The Olympus 75mm lens should start to be shipped after tomorrow according to BHphoto (Click here).
US readers that bought the Panasonic 12-35mm X via Pancam at Amazon (Click here) reported a good seller experience.
45-150mm lens in Black at BHphoto (Click here) and in Silver at BHphoto (Click here).
LX7 in Black at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here) in White at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)
Other compacts, the FZ200 at BHphoto (Click here), the FZ60 at BHphoto (Click here).

G5 review roundup: A cheaper E-M5?

July 18, 2012
reviews
77 Comments

Image courtesy: ePhotozine.

UPDATE: Now preorders at Amazon too:

Black G5 at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)
Silver G5 at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)

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Let’s focus on the new Panasonic G5 which already got previewed on many websites. The G5 looks like a well thought step forward from the G3 although it doesn’t come with any kind of “revolutionary” features to make you “WOW” when you read the press release. But the many small improvements are very nice and welcome!

The G5 has a new (or tweaked?) sensor according to Panasonic website presentation. Techradar was among the first websites to post a resolution and noise test. The image below (courtesy of Techradar) shows the Signal to Noise ration of the RAW images. I would say there is very little difference with the “older” G3.

But it’s the RAW dynamic range that shows that at leats at Low ISO the new G5 is doing a better job:

Visit Techradar to see all graphs! Their conclusion is: “Overall we have been extremely impressed with the output from the G5 and we can see it being very appealing to lots of people, especially with innovative new features such as the TouchPad AF operation. It also has a good number of automatic controls, digital filters and scene guides to appeal to novices or those looking simply to point and shoot.”

Also ePhotozine published a full G5 review and is particularly excited about the test: “The G5 is more expensive than the model it replaces, however we feel that the improvements make it worth the investment. The Panasonic Lumix G5 has an abundance of features, excellent image quality, and is good value for money, making it well worth investing in. Highly Recommended.”

They also compared the new G5 image quality with that of the more expensive Olympus E-M5 (Click here to read that comparison): “The Olympus OM-D E-M5 has an extended ISO range compared to the G5, however the G5 has a slightly lower first ISO setting of ISO160. Noise is very low on both cameras, with the E-M5 showing higher levels of detail and sharpness.”

In short: From an Image Quality point of view the difference between the two cameras is negligible. So you have to focus on your real needs and real budget. But overall it looks like the G5 is a great and cheaper E-M5 alternative!

Preorders:
Black G5 at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)
Silver G5 at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)
45-150mm lens in Black at BHphoto (Click here) and in Silver at BHphoto (Click here).
LX7 in Black at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here) in White at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)
Other compacts, the FZ200 at BHphoto (Click here), the FZ60 at BHphoto (Click here).

Panasonic G5, 45-150mm lens and compact cameras announced!

July 18, 2012
news
144 Comments

Note: I will continually update this post with new links. So keep checking from time to time!

Preorders
G5 in Black at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here), in Silver at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)
45-150mm lens in Black at BHphoto (Click here) and in Silver at BHphoto (Click here).
LX7 in Black at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here) in White at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)
Other compacts, the FZ200 at BHphoto (Click here), the FZ60 at BHphoto (Click here).

Previews and Reviews
G5 at Dpreview, Imaging Resource, Techradar, Engadget, ePhotozine (E-M5 vs G5), ePhotozine (preview).
LX7 at Dpreview, Imaging Resource, Techradar, ePhotozine.
Other compacts at Dpreview.

Image samples
G5 at Photographyblog, Imaging Resource, Techradar, Engadget, 3Dnews (rar download folder).
45.150mm at ePhotozine.
LX7 at Imaging Resource, Techradar, Engadget, 3dnews (rar folder), Photographyblog (hands-on).
Other compacts at Photographyblog (FZ200 hands-on), Photographyblog (FZ60 hands-on).

Press Release
G5 at Dpreview, TheVerge, Imaging Resource, Techradar, Photographyblog, Cnet Asia, Photoscala (german), Focus Numerique (french), DSLRmagazine (spanish), ThePhoBlographer, Systemkamera (german), OpenPN (french).
45-150mm lens at Dpreview, Photographyblog, Photoscala (german), DSLRmagazine (spanish), Systemkamera (german),
LX7 at Dpreview, TheVerge, Imaging Resource, Photographyblog, Cnet Asia, Photoscala (german), Focus Numerique (french), DSLRmagazine (spanish), OpenPN (french).
Other compacts at Dpreview, Photoscala (german), Focus Numerique (french), DSLRmagazine (spanish).

Videos
G5 videos: official Panasonic video, Engadget (embedded within the article), G5 review in dutch with english subtittle, video quality test (dutch), youtube (italian), youtube (spanish).
LX7: preview (dutch), video sample (dutch).

Poll

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(FT5) And now full leak in Russia (with press release and LX7 pics!)

July 17, 2012
Rumors
95 Comments

The Russian website 3Dnews (Translation here) leaked the full Panasonic press event.

1) And for the first time we also can see the new LX7. Full LX7 image samples download here: http://www.3dnews.ru/_imgdata/img/2012/07/13/632251/panas.rar. There is no info about the sensor size but it looks like the LX7 is using a damn smalls sensor. This is NOT going to be the Sony RX100 competitor I hoped to see. So unlike their previous statements where they said that a LX camera with 1 inch sensor is “possible” they dind’t do it for real. Or maybe that camera is coming in one Month with the late August announcement?

2) And also first image samples taken with the G5!!! Full download of the samples here: http://www.3dnews.ru/_imgdata/img/2012/07/13/632251/Primer.rar.

3) Panasonic says that by 2015, according to some projections, Mirrorless will overtake digital SLR cameras.

4) There is also a white G5. Click on the picture below to enlarge the image:

5) G5 spec comparison. Click on image:

(FT5) No joke…full G5 press release leaked in Oman :)

July 17, 2012
Rumors
26 Comments

That’s the first time I see something leaked from an Arabian country! The Oman Observer (Click here) leaked the full Panasonic G5 press release (Thanks Jasikor for finding this). Enjoy the reading! P.S.: And again follow the event live tomorrow (July 18th) at 5am London time on 43rumors and on facebook (Click here)!

PRESS RELEASE:
“Panasonic has unveiled a Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera, the LUMIX G DMC-G5. The LUMIX G realizes high-quality photo images with real-to-life
details through excellent resolution, image rendering and colour reproduction.
The new DMC-G5 achieves even higher resolution with the advanced image processing engine driven on a new algorithm and faster response. The precision Contrast AF system boasts high speed AF system “Light Speed AF”. Consecutive shooting is also improved for 6 fps in 16.05-megapixel full resolution.
Taking advantage of the 16.05-megapixel Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine, DMC-G5 is also capable of recording 1,920 x 1,080 60p(NTSC)/50p(PAL) full HD video in AVCHD Progressive with stereo sound. Advanced AF system including practical full-time AF and tracking AF is available in video recording so that every photographer can enjoy high quality video recording with minimum ease.
The external design of the camera has been developed with no compromising on grip, dial, coating — everything to detail. The 1,440,000-dot equivalent Live View Finder of approx. 1.4x (approx. 0.7x) with 100 per cent field of view newly integrates eye sensor and it can be used with LCD at the same time as the new Touch Pad function. Level gauge is also newly adopted for precision framing.
The popular creative control increases its filter option to 14 for the enjoyment of artistic expression. In addition to multi-capable shooting assist function iA(intelligent auto) Plus mode, the scene guide is available for beginners to supports learning photography with ease.
Available in decent black, silver or white colour, the DMC-G5 offers users great satisfaction with its total performance backed up by its high picture quality, high speed response together with the advanced functions in easy operation.
The LUMIX G realises high-quality photo images with real-to-life details through excellent resolution, image rendering and colour reproduction; high-grade lens and precision AF achieves high resolution, optimal balance of resolution and noise reduction achieves lifelike image rendering and high precision auto exposure and white balance with live light metering results in the faithful colour reproduction.
All cameras of LUMIX G adopts Contrast AF for its focus system. Compared with the Phase difference system AF, the Contrast AF boasts higher accuracy even in shooting at small F value.
LUMIX G offers the camera that records not only high quality photo but also stunning video.”

So what do you think about the G5? :)

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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

20mm price drop at Amzon and J&R. “Unboxed” 14mm pancake for $173!!!

July 17, 2012
deals
12 Comments

There is a new price drop on the most famous of all m43 lenses. The 20mm pancake sells for $339 at Amazon (Click here) and J&R (Click here). Panasonic is really doing many deals in these hot summer weeks!

There is one more interesting “phenomena” I want to show you. As you know Panasonic had that super GX1 and GF3 deal boxed with the 14mm pancake. Those pancakes are now sold “unboxed” for $171-$177 on eBay! So you can get a de facto new 14mm lens at [shoplink 32212 ebay]Podmantech (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 32213 ebay]Eeassa (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 32214 ebay]Nomohideo (Click here)[/shoplink]. If you want it boxed than you have to spend $100 extra on Amazon (Click here).

P.S.: Looks like the people is not going to buy the 45-150mm lens tomorrow…the 45-200mm is the most sold mirrorless lens of the moment at Amazon (here is the ranking).

FZ pictures, LX7 with f/1.4 lens. Le Monde de la Photo leaks G5 announcement time (6am Paris time on July 18th)

July 17, 2012
Rumors
28 Comments

After Telegraph UK (Article has been removed!), Photoprice and Nphoto also Le Monde de la Photo showed some bits of the Panasonic presentation. The website now has been removed and you see an error page only. A very small portion of the leak has been cached by another website Newsvortex.net.

The title of the article is: “Panasonic Lumix G5: A replacement of DSLR cameras?“. It includes the Embargo date which is 18 July at 6am in the morning Paris time. I posted the full FZ60 and FZ200 pics on MirrorlessRumors.com (CLick here). These cameras actually have something the G5 has not…a dedicated M mode for video!

I still haven’t found pictures of the new LX7 but Le Mounde de La Photo leaked the lens specs which (if true) is 24-110mm f/1.4-2.3. Still no info about the sensor size. Telegraph UK wrote: “The former is a top of the line compact camera with a fast f1.4 Leica lens, 10.1 megapixel Mos sensor and 3-inch screen.” But is it a real Sony RX100 competitor or not? That’s the question!

Stay tuned on 43rumors!!!

P.S.: Don’t forget that there is a Canon announcement on July 23th and a Samsung announcement next week you can follow on MirrorlessRumors!