Panasonic GX1 multiple reviews. (most expensive Oly lens for sale at Olymarket)

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There are plenty of new Panasonic GX1 reviews:
ePhotozine (Click here): “The Panasonic Lumix GX1 is designed to satisfy the needs of advanced photographers and those wanting a premium compact camera with higher resolution sensor and high quality video. The camera looks great with the new compact 14-42mm X lens that compacts to the size of a pancake lens when off making it very pocketable for a mirrorless camera.”
Engadget (Click here): “All things considered, we’re quite thrilled with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1. Micro Four Thirds early adopters who fell for the GF1’s sleek, retro design two years ago finally have a successor worth considering, and we may even go so far as to say that Panasonic has undone the wrong caused by the misdirected marketing strategy adopted by the GF2 and GF3.”
Trustedreviews (Click here): “Build quality is excellent and image quality rarely disappoints. Overall, it’s a camera we have no hesitation in heartily recommending.”

Check the in Stock status by clicking these search links: [shopcountry 26836].

For european readers:
One refurbished [shoplink 28512 ebay]Olympus 300mm f/2.8 is on acution at eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. Usually it sells for almost 6.000 Euro new and I am curious to see how high the final bet will be. Plus you can fin at least twenty [shoplink 22691 ebay]refurbished PEN cameras (Click here)[/shoplink] and one [shoplink 28513 ebay]E-5 (Click here)[/shoplink].

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Sony wants to buy a 20-30% stake of Olympus

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Now it’s getting serious guys! The very reliable Japanese website Nikkei (Click here) reports that Sony plans to buy a 20-30% stake of Olympus. Techradar says that “The capital and business alliance would be mainly aimed at bringing together Sony’s strength in imaging sensor technology with Olympus’ expertise in endoscopes and other medical equipment.” Only one week ago Olympus Japan announced new digital microscopes with Sony’s HDR sensor.

Right now I cannot guess how this will influence the camera business. Don’t think that Sony will “force” Olympus to join the NEX system or to use Sony sensors on m43 camera. After All Sony already supplies many competitors with their sensors (Canon for compact cameras, Nikon and Pentax with APS-C sensors and so on). I have the exact opposite question, will Panasonic work together with a partner that is now in business with a direct competitor?

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(FT5) New weather sealed adapter coming along the OM-D

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The current MMF-2 adapter

I am now pretty sure that Olympus will also launch a new weather sealed MMF 43 to m43 adapter. This will allow us to use the amazing weather sealed Four Thirds lenses like the [shoplink 25320 ebay]14-35mm f/2.0[/shoplink] the [shoplink 25119 ebay]35-100mm f/2.0[/shoplink] and the almost $6.000 300mm f/2.8 Zuiko lens.

There should be other accessories too. Sounds like we are going to see a nice bunch of OM-D related accessories too!

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About two fake OM-D designs and Sony sensor rumors

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A nice oM-D design by Livedoor (no real camera!).

Some reader keeps sending me link to OM-D images that are actually rendering based on rumors and NOT real leaks! Both, Tecnofotografia (Click here to see their OM-D) and Livedoor (Click here) are well known for creating super nice designs but they are in no way related to the real products! P.S.: Special greetings to the Livedoor guys!

Sony sensor rumors: Many are asking me if Olympus will use a new Sony RGBW sensor for their new OM camera. It looks like other websites are speculating about this because of the two recent news:
1) Next week Sony could announce a new partnership with Olympus (Source: diamond.jp).
2) Sony today announced a new RGBW sensor great High Dynamic Range (Source: Sony.jp)

I cannot confirm or deny the rumor yet, but I have many doubts that this is going to happen. Sony’s press release text clearly says that they will produce the sensor for smart phones or compact cameras with small sensor size. But again, I have no info yet so we will have to wait until trusted sources can tell me more about it!
One more info: A top source told me the grip of the OM-D camera is NOT removable.

 

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(FT5) Next small piece of the real Olympus camera!

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The super nice anonymous source that already sent me the first image of the OM-D camera controls now also sent me that small piece of the camera. On the right angle on top you see the built-in viewfinder and on the bottom the lens mount. Then we have that [shoplink 23568]Olympus E-P3[/shoplink] grip (don’t know if you can remove it like you can do on the E-P3). Would like to see the other control panel on the right of the camera and of course the back. If the source can send me some details about that we would all be happy :)  Another source told us “The mode dial is on the other side. imagine the [shoplink 28231 ebay]OM4-TI (here on eBay)[/shoplink] – almost there in looks.”

There are still two MAIN questions where I don’t have a final answer:
1) What’s the definitive name of the camera?
2) Who made the sensor?

Again thanks to all sources for your help!

Reminder: The camera will be announced on February 8th and as usual you should be here on 43rumors to follow all the announcement!

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Good news: Olympus pays only a small penalty at Tokyo Exchange (+ firmware update).

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Good news for the Olympus company: Tokyo exchange were extremely “gentle” with the company. Olympus has to pay a penalty of  $129,800 only to remain listed on the Tokyo Exchange. Electronista reports: “The light penalty was based on the belief that just a handful of staffers had been responsible for hiding Olympus’ losses and that the core of the company was safe.”

Meanwhile Reuters reports that Sony is on pole position for an Olympus tie. -> every week someone else is in “pole position” :)

And Olympus announced a new firmware upgrade for PEN cameras. It adds compatibility with the new [shoplink 27977]12-50mm[/shoplink] power zoom lens. To upgrade follow those instructions:

  1. Simply launch the included Olympus camera software and connect the camera via USB cable to an Internet connected computer. Choose the Update function from the Camera menu in the software to apply available updates for camera bodies, lenses and accessories.
  2. Download the software updater from the following link: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_downloads_updater.asp and follow the installer instructions.

 

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P.S.: Thom Hogan wrote a nice article about the right size-weight-quality balance of mirrorless cameras at Sansmirror (Click here).

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(FT5) Small bits of rumors…(it has new TruePic VI)

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Here is a list of messages I got from different sources:

1) “The improved dynamic range is a result of the new sensor“. -> In response of my question if the higher dynamic range was a result of a software feature or new hardware design.

2) “The 3 inch LCD is a tilting touchscreen“.

3) “AF is not faster…it is MUCH faster than on the [shoplink 23568]Olympus E-P3[/shoplink]”

4)  About the leaked picture: “The mode dial is on the other side. imagine the [shoplink 28231 ebay]OM4-TI (here on eBay)[/shoplink] – almost there in looks.”

5) “425 g is the weight with the Li-ion battery and a memory card, 373 g is without them“.

6) “The image processor is TruePic VI.”

7) “Price Body+kit lens = 1150 Euro.”

8.) “The cameras name is not OM-D (that’s just the new series name).”

 

One more thing: I am out now for a couple of hours. Will answer your mails in late afternoon (european time).

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