UPDATE: You can preorder the lens at Amazon (Click here)

So it was true! Panasonic has indeed an announcement for the May 21th! You can already read the first lens review at Dslrmagazine.com (Click here) and Click here for the google english translation. A f/2.8 24.70mm lens (in FullFrame terms) that is half the size of a Canon 24-70mm (Click here) or [shoplink 31079 ebay]Nikon 24-70mm (Click here)[/shoplink]!!!
As Valentin Sama writes this lens is weather sealed and hints that “a future body also sealed, and with high performance is coming before Photokina“…..his own words!

Lens performance:
RAW files have a very high resolution in center and corners, with a peak in at f/8. But already wide open the lens can deliver a “full performance”. The center has complete absence of chromatic aberrations, and it’s only very discrete in the corners, where there is also a bit of astigmatism. Vignetting is present at f/2.8 only (but nothing to worry about). It has very low distortion (which is easy to correct in PS). And here are some image samples: one, two and three.

In short, according to Valentin that lens sets a new level of quality for all mirrorless zoom lenses. It almost has no flaws. The price will be around 1.100 Euro (I guess this means 1,200 in Dollars). That’s I keep checking Amazon (Click here) but there is no preorder at the moment of writing this. Meantime answer this:

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So, do you like the lens???

P.S.: The Canon 24-70mm costs over $1500 at Amazon (Click here) while the Nikon costs almost $1900 at Amazon (Click here).

Our french friends from Hybridcams got their hands on the new Panasonic GF5 and shot that video in Paris. It’s really a great cam, but as I said yesterday I don’t know if it can compete against the cheap [shoplink 23109]GF3[/shoplink] or cheap PEN entry cameras (like the list of cameras I posted here at the bottom). Anyway, the GF5 is now arriving in US and European stores. Preorder search links: [shopcountry 30485] (Could not be listed in some stores).

No camera is good without a good lens. And here is a new triple lens review about three (Micro-) Four Thirds zoom lenses:
Panasonic 14-140mm lens review at ePhotozine (Click here).
Olympus 75.300mm lens review at Photoreview (Click here).
Olympus Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED (FourThirds!) Lens Review at Photoreview (Click here).

And here are some nice refurbished Olympus cameras at Olympusmarket. As usual keep in mind that European citizen only can buy the stuff:
[shoplink 31048 ebay]Silver Olympus E-P1[/shoplink] [shoplink 31049 ebay]Silver Olympus E-P3[/shoplink] [shoplink 31050 ebay]White Olympus E-PL2[/shoplink] [shoplink 31051 ebay]Silver Olympus E-PL2 with double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 31052 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL2 with double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 31053 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL1 with 14-150mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 31054 ebay]Red Olympus E-PL2[/shoplink] [shoplink 31055 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL2 with 14-150mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 31056 ebay]Olympus MAL-1 macro light[/shoplink] [shoplink 31059 ebay]Olympus MCON-P01 MACRO Converter[/shoplink] [shoplink 31060 ebay]Silver Olympus E-PL2 with double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 31062 ebay]Black Olympus E-P2 with external VF-2 viewfinder[/shoplink] [shoplink 31063 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL1 with 14-150mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 31064 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL2 with double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 31065 ebay]Black Olympus E-P3 grip[/shoplink] [shoplink 31066 ebay]Beige Olympus E-P3 grip[/shoplink]

Now Asian companies are starting to release more and more new E-M5 accessories. What you see on top is the new hand made E-M5 leather case made by Worldseller ([shoplink 31035 ebay]Click here to check the auction on eBay)[/shoplink]. It’s a bit expensive. A new much cheaper leather case has been made by Jieseker ([shoplink 31036 ebay]Click here to check the auction on eBay)[/shoplink].

And here is a triple new E-M5 review:
DCresource (Click here) published the full E-M5 review: “Overall, the Olympus OM-D EM-5 is an excellent Micro Four Thirds camera, assuming that you can survive with the less-than-stellar ergonomics“. Actually it’s the first reviewer compalining about the camera ergonomy!
The Canadian website Hereshow (Click here) posted an E-M5 review: “Granted, this camera is more expensive, but the EVF is built-in; it’s not an extra cost accessory. The classy E-M5 is one of the most desirable Compact System Cameras. With its SLR-like controls, speed and feature set, it would be a fine choice for photo enthusiasts.”
Macworld (Click here) doesn’t test Mac stuff only but also the E-M5: “Olympus has been a leader in the Compact System Camera revolution, and the OM-D E-M5 will solidify that position. It is a good-looking, well-designed, highly capable camera. I recommend the 12-50 mm zoom lens with the body, which currently lists for $1300 for the kit.”

E-M5 orders (Click on the names of the stores to see the product page):
Black E-M5 body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, J&R, Warehouse UK, Digitalrev and Amazon Japan.
Silver E-M5 body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, J&R, Warehouse UK, and Amazon Japan.
Black E-M5 body with 14-42mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto , Digitalrev and J&R.
Black E-M5 body with 12-50mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, J&R, Jessops, Amazon UK, Amazon Deutschland , Digitalrev and Amazon Japan.
Silver E-M5 body with 12-50mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, J&R, Jessops, Amazon UK, Amazon Deutschland and Amazon Japan.