This is now the cheapest new Micro Four Thirds camera you can buy. The Olympus E_Pl1 body sells for $139 at Amazon (Click here – Thanks jdhodges.com for finding the deal). We also have a new small 2% Back in Rewards on almost all camera and lens purchases at Amazon (Click here to read the conditions). Not a big discount but if you have to buy a lot of stuff than it’s actually a very good deal.
And than we have an interesting news. BHphoto (Click here) marked the AG-AF100 as “discontinued”. The question is, when will Panasonic announce the successor? My guess, right before the Las Vegas event in January :)
The super fats spedd of the E-M5 compared to the Fuji X PRO 1 (found via Fujirumors)
I have to catch up with some recent Micro Four Thirds camera and lens review. This time we have quite a lot of popular blogger and website tests. Hope you have enough time to read them all today:
Robin Wong posted the second part of the E-PL5 review: “E-PL5 is what an Olympus PEN has always been famous for:light-weight, small in size, full with features, such as the built in Image Stabilization, full manual controls and customization,and now, add the highly regarded image quality of OM-D to the E-PL”
Craig Litten posted a full E-M5 review. Some E-M5 image samples from the deep water at Digitaldiver. A full review has also been posted by Gianni Galassi: “All in all, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 is a camera that one can be tempted to build a system around. Which is exactly what I have been doing this summer after selling my whole Leica equipment. No regrets here.”
Matti Sulanto posted a new 60mm test on his blog and writes: “I liked it so much that I bought one after trying it.” Doens’t happen that often that a reviewer buys the tested stuff! Some image samples have been posted by the dutch guys from Focusmedia. A full Japanese review of the lens has been posted by DC.watch (funny comlicated google translation here).
ePhotozine posted the 35-100mm X lens review: “It is a fine lens that is priced reasonably, especially when compared to lenses covering the same angles of view for 35mm format, with the added bonus of being much more compact, and lightweight.”
So that’s all for today! It’s always great to see how many positive reviews we can read about the recent MFT cameras and lenses. The system popularity is really growing day by day!
Adobe just added RAW support for the Panasonic G5, LX7 and FZ200. While the new update also supports the new Sony NEX and Fuji X cameras there is no support yet for the new Olympus PEN and Panaosnic GH3. Anyway, here are the links to the downloads:
UK readers can buy the E-M5 and than get an Olympus 45mm f/1.8 for free! What the heck, such a great deal should be extended to the whole world! The promotion will go live on October 15th and you will see it soon here at http://olympus-omdevents.sales-promotions.com/.
P.S.: US deal reminder:
$80 Visa gift card on Olympus cameras at Amazon (Click here).
You save $150 on the Silver E-m5 body at [shoplink 33992 ebay]Cametaauctions (Click here)[/shoplink] and Camera store (Click here).
You save $150 on the Black E-m5 with 14-42mm lens at [shoplink 33993 ebay]Cametaauctions (Click here)[/shoplink] and Camera store (Click here).
You save $150 on the Silver E-m5 with 16-50mm kit lens at [shoplink 33994 ebay]Cametaauctions (Click here)[/shoplink] and Camera store (Click here).
Pekka Potka (Click here) had an one hour chat with Mr. Terada from Olympus. Here are just some of the info you can read on his website:
– Once again Olympus confirmed that there will be new bodies that will bring full Af support on FT lenses. And once again notice that they do not say “FT body”…but just “body”
– There is the possibility of a new lower OMD and a higher OMD than E-M5 model. Which one of these will be coming first was not answered.
– Technologies like PDAF (phase detecting auto focus) on sensor and focus peaking are available for them, although “no decision yet” about usage.
– And an OM-D Monochrome sensor would cost too much. Note. the Leica Monochrome is the only camera currently having this and costs $8000 at Amazon(!).
Dpreview (Click here) posted the 35-100mm X lens hands-on along some image samples. They write: “our first impressions of the Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 OIS are that it’s an excellent little lens – well made, fast-focusing, and optically impressive. A familiar question mark hangs over Panasonic’s pricing, though; the $1500 / £1000 tag is far from insignificant.”
Indeed the high price may be the the only real big downside of this lens. Anyway, we can still hope that Panasonic will make some nice discount like they are doing now on the 12-35mm X sister lens (-$200 here at Amazon). That would make it much easier to sell this lens!
Today is E-M5 news day. After the new firmware update release we have another good news. That time for US readers. You can save up to $150 on a long list of refurbished E-M5 cameras. Those are camera in like new conditions and with guarantee. Her eis the list:
You save $150 on the Silver E-m5 body at [shoplink 33992 ebay]Cametaauctions (Click here)[/shoplink] and Camera store (Click here).
You save $150 on the Black E-m5 with 14-42mm lens at [shoplink 33993 ebay]Cametaauctions (Click here)[/shoplink] and Camera store (Click here).
You save $150 on the Silver E-m5 with 16-50mm kit lens at [shoplink 33994 ebay]Cametaauctions (Click here)[/shoplink] and Camera store (Click here).