43 Rumors – Page 1995 – Panasonic and Olympus Digital Camera News

List of refurbished Olympusmarket auction ending today (E-620, E-450, E-PL1, E-P1 and lenses).

June 25, 2011
deals
6 Comments

There is now plenty of refurbished items back in auction at [shoplink 22691 ebay]Olympusmarket[/shoplink]. Reminder, they do deliver to European countries only! The first ending auctions are on top:

Olympus E-450 ([shoplink 23395 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-PL1 ([shoplink 23352 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-PL1 double lens kit ([shoplink 23397 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus 40-150mm ([shoplink 23396 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus FL-36R flash ([shoplink 23399 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-P1 ([shoplink 23401 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-450 ([shoplink 23400 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-PL1 ([shoplink 23353 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-450 ([shoplink 23398 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-PL1 double lens kit ([shoplink 23404 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-P1 ([shoplink 23405 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-620 ([shoplink 23406 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus 40-150mm ([shoplink 23407 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus 9-18mm Four Thirds lens ([shoplink 23408 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus 17mm ([shoplink 23409 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-450 double lens kit ([shoplink 23410 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-450 ([shoplink 23411 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-PL1 ([shoplink 23354 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus 9-18mm lens ([shoplink 23412 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus 14-42mm lens ([shoplink 23413 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).
Olympus E-620 double kit ([shoplink 23414 ebay]Click here to see the auction[/shoplink]).

Those are all ending today!

(FT2) Will Fuji announce a Micro Four Thirds camera in September?

June 24, 2011
Rumors
116 Comments

A couple of months ago the Fujiguys promised that there will be some exciting news in September 2011. Now Photorumors got a rumor from an unknown source saying that there will be probably “some kind of a mirrorless solution with a sensor probably smaller than APS-C, something in the m4/3 range.” I don’t know how reliable the source is, what I know for certain is that Fuji wants to make a mirrorless camera that takes interchangeable system. One of my sources also told me months ago that there was a meeting between Olympus and Fuji. I hope that source will know come back to me and tell me if that rumor is true or not ;)

Meanwhile Fuji released the new firmware for the X100 you can download here: http://www.fujifilm.com/support. And click those links if you want to check price and availability of the X100: [shopcountry 19929].

(FT4-5) All PEN’s with the same new Olympus (!) sensor. Same AF speed. And more rumors!

June 24, 2011
Rumors
183 Comments

Our sources do of course read your comments and they send me their answers. Some of my sources are new, some are well known, that’s why you see a different FT ranking (See the ranking explanation on the bottom of the article to learn more).

(FT4) Source_1:
1. the grip is just that – a grip. but it will come in different sizes to support the longer lens.
2. the sensor is Olympus own – its not sharing anything with Panasonic.
3. there is a dedicated, zoom button for zooming in when you are in the green box mode? button location below the record button.
4. flash is remote trigger capable, but no free bounce like [shoplink 14832]Olympus E-PL1[/shoplink].
5. the other two cameras will have bundled external flash that uses the hotshoe+accessory port.
6. the front of the new EPL looks EXACTLY like the Olympus XZ-1 ([shoplink 19904 ebay]Click here to see that camera[/shoplink])
7. the 45mm is about as big as the new [shoplink 23110]Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4[/shoplink], maybe a bit more smaller in width.

(FT5) Source_2:
1. All three PEN cameras do have AF assist lamp

(FT5) Source_3:
1. All three cameras do have touchscreen (but only the E-P3 is using the OLED 640k screen. The other two do use a 460k LCD)
2. AF is terrific. Very fast and accurate.

(FT4) Source_4:
1. Old lenses will focus faster on the new Pen cameras (although not as fast as when using new lenses).
2. AF really faster than the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink] (tested in daylight)

(FT5) Source_5:
1. There is no final firmware yet (it’s still 0.9), but I can say images do look better than the GH2.
2. E-PM1 is smaller than [shoplink 17361]Panasonic GF2[/shoplink], but bigger than [shoplink 23109]Panasonic GF3[/shoplink].

(FT5) Source_6:
1. Damn fast AF!
2. E-P3 has same design as E-P2. The E-PM1 and the E-PL2 do have a completely new design.

Feel free to make questions, they will might send me the answers to post on 43rumors!

Reminder -> 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 ED 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD Review (Photographyblog)

June 24, 2011
reviews
38 Comments

[shoplink 23304]

[/shoplink] It doesn’t happen very often to see a Four Thirds lens or camera review. That’s why it’s worth to mention the new [shoplink 23304]Olympus ED 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD[/shoplink] lens review made by Photographyblog (Click here). That lens is made in Tatsuno, the same fab that is currently producing the 12mm f/2.0 Micro Four Thirds lens that will be announced on June 30th. And as you can read the lens is a very good performer:

– “Build quality is outstanding, with a solid construction and superb fit and finish.”

– “It’s also very good in the optical department, showing pretty consistent sharpness results across most of its aperture range. The moderate vignetting, lack of chromatic aberrations, and good close-up performance”

– “At first sight, it may look bulky and heavy, but when you remind yourself that it covers an angle-of-view range similar to that of a 100-400mm lens on a 35mm camera, you immediately realise that it’s actually quite compact, especially if you factor in the bright maximum aperture, too.”

Click on shop name to see the lens search results at [shopcountry 23304].

Now let’s hope Olympus will make such nice zooms for the Micro Four Thirds system!

First G3 in Stock at Amazon (+ more US deals)

June 23, 2011
deals
13 Comments

The very first Panasonic G3 is in Stock at Amazon (Click here). It is the white model with 14-42mm kit lens. There are more white models in Stock at [shoplink 23389 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and also a red model on [shoplink 23388 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

The most popular and most demanded micro 43rd lens, the Panasonic 20mm pancake is back in stock at BHphoto (Click here) and Amazon (Click here).

And there is again a new price drop on the Olympus XZ-1 at Amazon (Click here). I guess Olympus is making space for the upcoming new Olympus E-PM1.

The last deals is about the Panasonic 100-300mm lens. Every week the price drops by $5-$10 and is now available for $513 only at Amazon (Click here).

New Leica 25mm pictures at CNET and Dpreview (+ 20mm pancake in Stock for $389)

June 23, 2011
reviews
51 Comments

Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

Before to read the test, if you are from US, you can get the Panasonic 20mm pancake for $389 on Amazon (Click here). It’s in Stock via Vann’s!

Shawn Low from Cnet Asia (Click here) tested the new Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens: “We think the lens produced good, pleasing bokeh (the quality of blur) unlike some kit lenses which can make out-of-focus elements appear harsh. The lens produced sharp images all the way to the edges. The lens also produced natural colors that were very close to what our eyes perceived. Although we had a positive experience with the Leica 25mm F1.4, we think that the lens’ minimum focusing distance of 30cm can sometimes be limiting.“More pictures at Cnet Asia.

Dpreview (Click here) posted more 25mm versus 20mm pancake image comparisons. There is a huge discussion about those images. Someone on DPreview said the [shoplink 14796]20mm f/1.7 lens[/shoplink] is actually sharper. To me it looks like the new Leica is sharper than the pancake when you look at the the center of the image.

You can preorder the Leica 25mm f/1.4 at Adorama (Click here), J&R (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here). I didn’t find any preorders in Europe yet.

(FT5) Olympus E-P3 specs. It has an interchangeable grip!

June 23, 2011
Rumors
232 Comments

[shoplink 14830 ebay]

[/shoplink] I still don’t have any E-P3 picture to share with you but I have been told the E-P3 has basically the same design of the [shoplink 14830]E-P2[/shoplink] (see picture on top). But at least I have the specs! Two weeks ago a new source sent me the E-P3 details and my trusted sources now confirmed the info he gave to me are correct (Thanks new source!). So here is the E-P3:

– It has the new Olympus “tweaked” 12 Megapixel Sensor
– Truepic VI engine (two processor in one)
– ISO 100 to 12.800
– 1080i 60frs AVCHD or JPEG video
– 35 point autofocus
– OLED touch Display (610k resolution). Sounds like it is almost the same screen used for the [shoplink 19904 ebay]Olympus XZ-1[/shoplink].
– pop up live guide
– dual dials
– fastest AF to date for any mirrorless cam (and I have been told that it is considerably faster that the [shoplink 16254 ebay]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink]!).
– updated art filters
– effects to combine with art filters (like starlight)
– 3D still images
– Interchangeable grip. I have been told there are two different grips you can buy (and more will come after).
– Design changes: The top dial is now placed instead of the ON/OFF button of the E-P2. To make room for the built-in flash. There is a video recording button over the AEL button.

Reminder: Announcement on June 30th. As usual on that date we will continually update 43rumors with all news, reviews and image samples we can find on the web! And don’t forget to join us on Facebook and Twitter! Subscribe our RSS feed!

Links cameras/accessories mentioned in that article:
Olympus XZ-1 at [shopcountry 19904].
Olympus E-P2 at [shopcountry 14830].
Panasonic GH2 at [shopcountry 16254].