A Fuji X100 review made by a GH2 owner (First X100 on Amazon for $4,000)

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I just noticed two things on Amazon. First a third party reseller is trying to cheat you by selling the Fuji X100 for….$4,000!!! Click here to see that on Amazon. The second news is that a current Panasonic GH2 owners posted a Fuji X100 review made from a m43 user perspective (Click here to read the full review on Amazon). You might be interested to hear what he thinks!

The [shoplink 16254]GH2[/shoplink] was my first exposure to an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and despite its real limitations when working in sub-optimally lighted conditions, I appreciated the ability of the EVF of the GH2 to display information that an OVF could not display. I decided to add a [shoplink 14796]Panasonic 20mm f/1.7[/shoplink] and [shoplink 16258]14mm f/2.5 lens[/shoplink] and was happy with the resulting setup which was even more compact and lighter than my [shoplink 21426]Nikon D3100[/shoplink] and [shoplink 21427]35mm f/1.8G DX[/shoplink] lens. While the image quality of the Nikon D3100 was still better than the GH2, the smaller lighter size of the GH2 and its excellent video capabilities made it my choice for many situations.

Then came the [shoplink 16841]Fujifilm X100[/shoplink]. Combining the small compact size of the GH2 and its compact prime lenses plus incorporating the advantages of both the optical viewfinder of the D3100 and the electronic viewfinder of the GH2, I became seriously interested in the X100. The fact that the lens was not interchangeable was not an issue for me as the X100 lens is a 23mm f/2.0 – the perfect focal length as far as I was concerned. The 35mm equivalent of 35mm would have been my favorite focal length with the D3100 and the GH2 but neither Nikon nor Panasonic makes a compact and light prime lens that has a 35mm equivalent focal length of a 35mm. That the X100 lens was also a fast f/2.0 lens was definitely an ace in favor of the X100. While cleaning the sensor of my [shoplink 21428]D700 [/shoplink], I realized another reason why the non-interchangeable lens nature of the X100 was a non-issue. With a non-removable lens, the X100 will likely not need any sensor cleaning at all, I happily realized. Yes!

Viewed sideways, the X100 was considerably smaller and thinner than the D3100 with the 35mm f/1.8GDX lens and still substantially thinner than the GH2 with the 20mm f/1.7 lens. The X100 wins against the two others on this point.

The GH2 ranks lower than the X100 and D3100 in image quality and with the X100 being thinner and having both OVF and EVF and with my preferred focal length lens, the X100 is now my first choice for a small and light compact camera.

P.S.: The first non asian Fuji X100 is sold by the French dealer Selecttoy on [shoplink 21430 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. Hope this is a good sign that the X100 will be soon in Stock in eruopean and american stores too.

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(FT5) Finally! Panasonic G3 coming the second week of May!

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[shoplink 14834][/shoplink] Image on top: The one year old [shoplink 14834]Panasonic G2[/shoplink]

The last Micro Four Thirds camera to be announced was the Olympus E-PL2 back in early January. With a bit of surprise neither Panasonic nor Olympus announced some kind of lens or camera in February or March like we were used to. But you hard core 43rumors reader didn’t gave up to hope and finally I can share you a a good news. Now I am 99% certain that Panasonic will announce the new Panasonic G3 the second week of May. I got the info from three veeeery good sources. The cameras is a MAJOR step forward compared to the current [shoplink 14834]Panasonic G2[/shoplink]. It has a new design and a new sensor. I am working on the specs right now and trying to get confirmations from other sources too. But the wait is definitely over. One month from now we will see new stuff! I have no confirmation yet about the 25mm f/1.4 lens but I trust Panasonic when they say the lens will be here within summer. And I can’t exclude that there might be more lenses too like the [shoplink 14822]Panasonic 7-14mm f/4.0[/shoplink] OIS version or something else.

Oh one more thing: There will be Olympus rumors too! Soon 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

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a little bit of everything…

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Panasonic Introduced two new Camcorder at NAB and will even send one to Space! (Akihabaranews)
That is a very interesting article for all GH2 owners that want to learn how to create HDR images: HDR Workflow with GH2 and 7-14mm Zoom (Outbackphoto)
Off-Camera Flash with the Olympus E-PL2 Micro Four Thirds Camera (Thedigitalstory).
High End compact camera test at DC.watch.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 review at CNET UK.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Review at Digitalcamerareview.
Test Fujifilm X100 : le mode vidéo (Focus Numerique).
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS vs Panasonic Lumix TZ20 / ZS10 High ISO Noise (CameraLabs).

Short links to the camera/lenses present in that post:
Panasonic GH2 at [shopcountry 16254].
Panasonic 7-14mm at [shopcountry 14822].
Olympus E-PL2 at [shopcountry 19904].
Fuji X100 at [shopcountry 19929].

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US deals roundup (E-PL1, GH1 and Olympus 35-100mm and red GF1 body for $435)

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While the new Panasonic GH2 is now in Stock at J&R (CLick here) and Adorama (CLick here) you might want to take a look at the GH1 body alone which is in Stock for $399 at Amazon (Click here).

UPDATE_2: Sorry I had the wrong link!!!!!! It’s fixed now:
If you still prefer the GF1 instead of the GF2 than you should take a look on that auction. Gadgetclick is selling more than 10 RED GF1 body only cameras for $435 on [shoplink 21387 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

There is a $100 Instant Rebate on the Olympus E-PL1 with 14-150mm Lens for $799.95 at BHphoto (CLick here).

Refurbished Olympus 35-100mm f/2.0 Lens for $1,795.00 at Adorama (Click here).

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There is only one place on earth where you still can’t buy the GH2. New Zealand!

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Last week most US online stores were able to have the Panasonic GH2 in Stock after 6 months of waiting (Check Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto). Does it mean that now everyone on earth can get the GH2? No! A frustrated 43rumors reader from new Zealand wrote us the following email:
Great to see the GH2 is no fully available in the US, but it has yet to reach New Zealand. We receive the latest models promptly from Canon, Nikon, etc, even the [shoplink 19929 ebay]Fuji X-100[/shoplink], but not Panasonic G series cameras. And no reasons given. The best camera is useless if you can’t get it! I’ve had a GH2 on order since November“.

He asked one of the biggest online shop (photowarehouse) why he can’t get the GH2 and that’s the answer from the websale team:
Hi xxx, no word yet from Panasonic sorry. Were expecting it before now, but due to what’s been happening in Japan ( Panasonic closing factories and shipping delays), who knows when they will turn up. I have asked Panasonic for updates, and there is a shipment due early next month, but all the suppliers, Panasonic , Sony, Canon etc.. are forecasting massive disruptions and availability issues for the next 4-6 months.

And here it is a very interesting news…Massive disruptions for the next 4-6 months?

P.S.: The other big New Zealand online store (photo.co.nz) doesn’t even list the GH2.

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Seb Farges GH2 videos taken with the Nikkor 10mm and Canon 13mm.

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Seb Farges is a film director who uses the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink]. And he particularly likes to use cheap third party lenses. The video on top has been made using the C-mount Canon 35mm 1.2 and Cine-NIKKOR 10mm 1.8 lenses. I like it a lot! One more new video made with the C-mount Canon and the Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 can be seen here: http://www.vimeo.com/21228832

Look for C-mount Canon 35mm 1.2 lens auctions on [shoplink 21394 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Look for Cine-NIKKOR 10mm 1.8 lens auctions on [shoplink 21395 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
The Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 is available at [shopcountry 16258].

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New Olympus E-5, E-PL2 and triple XZ-1 reviews (+ very nice XZ-1 commercial !!!)

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The video on top is one of the best digital camera commercials I have ever seen. Well done Oly!

Ferdzdecena (Click here) posted a short E-5 review: “For it’s price range, which is rather high since it’s on the pro/semi-pro line, there are a lot of competitive options out there so it’s hard to decide on jumping into this system. But for those who have already invested on a good amount of Zuiko lenses, which by themselves are exceptional, the Olympus E-5 can still squeeze out excellent images until it runs out of juice in the coming years.” (link found at noisycamera)
Check the E-5 price by clicking those direct links: [shopcountry 17163].

Neocamera (Click here) posted an E-PL2 express review: “The Olympus PEN E-PL2 proves to be an interesting camera with more capabilities and sophistication than expected from an entry-level model. The Micro Four-Thirds sensor used in the E-PL2 delivers excellent results with low image noise and good sharpness. Exposure and color are also quite good. AWB is not so reliable but custom white-balance renders whites impeccably and the one-touch white-balance function makes it a breeze to use. The true weakness of this digital camera is its autofocus system which is slow and not entirely accurate. It is serious enough to make it miss our highest digital camera rating.
Check the E-PL2 price by clicking those direct links: [shopcountry 18844].

Photographyhappenings (Click here) tested the XZ-1: “If you are comparing to the Panasonic LX-5 or Canon S95, the Olympus XZ-1 will be a good choice if lens specification is your key consideration. The Olympus delivers strong performance over the competitors in good light and moderate distance, but fails to shine in poorer light condition and closer to infinity. Both competitors offer credible lens performance and good max aperture as well as distinctive advantages, with the Canon S95 in a truly small chassis and the LX-5 delivering native 16:9 panoramic images. They are definitely no pushovers in this battle of digital compacts, and these three cameras cater to different crowds.
Also Digital Photography School (Click here) posted a XZ-1 review: “I find it hard to say that image quality is exceptionable. About average. Why you’d buy it: exciting range of accessories to expand your picture making opportunities; fast lens. Why you wouldn’t: you want Full HD video.
And the third website to test the XZ-1 is Pdnonline (Click here): “As an outdoor shooter in good light, the XZ-1 shined, producing high quality images on par with those you get from a DSLR. But I really expected the camera’s f/1.8 lens to do better in low light. The same goes for the XZ-1’s 10-megapixel, 1/1.63-inch CCD, which produced noisy images at high ISOs with aggressive smoothing that squished detail. I hope Olympus sticks with this category though; the XZ-1 a good start that just needs some further tweaking.”
Check the XZ-1 price by clicking those direct links: [shopcountry 19904].

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