Game-changing [shoplink 19904]Olympus XZ-1[/shoplink] gets tele conversion lens

Accessories boost high-quality magnification by 1.7x

Olympus’ multi award-winning XZ-1 compact camera just got even better, with the launch of a powerful and bright new tele conversion lens and adapter. The TCON-17X adds outstanding magnification and flexibility to the flagship digital compact’s already impressive optical talents, with no loss of lens speed.

The TCON-17X tele conversion lens is available for £149.99 and the CLA-12 adapter for £39.99, both from September 2011.

With the XZ-1 set to maximum telephoto, the new TCON-17X tele conversion lens lets you get 1.7 times closer, with a 1:2.5 F-number. Unlike with lesser lenses, it doesn’t affect the trademark luminance of the i.ZUIKO DIGITAL lens that comes with the XZ-1. The required CLA-12 adapter also makes it possible to attach a 55mm filter.

The XZ-1 comes in a matt black or white lacquered body with a large 3-inch OLED screen and costs £399.99.

TCON-17X main features:

Outstanding 1.7x magnification
Weight: approx. 280g
Length: approx. 77.5mm
Maximum diameter: 80.9mm
Focal length (with XZ-1): 190mm*
F-number: 1:2.5 at maximum telephoto
Minimum focusing distance: 3m
Attachable to XZ-1 using CLA-12 adapter

CLA-12 main features:

Weight: approx. 50g
Length: approx. 41.45mm
Maximum diameter: 58mm
Attachment dimension: 46.5mm
Filter size: 55mm
Attaches TCON-17X to XZ-1
Also attaches 55mm filter to XZ-1

Samsung NX200 and anti m43 advertising

Samsung announced the NX200 and you can read a list of all previews and press releases at MirrorlessRumors. What surprises me is that for the second time in one year I see a wrong size comparison between Samsung APS-C sensor and the Micro Four Thirds sensor. As you can see from the image on top they showed the m43 sensor area much smaller than it really is! Korean friends at SLRclub calculated that Samsung advertising material shows a APS-C vs m43  sensor area difference of 2,25. But in reality the  Samsung APS-C sensor (whihc has a 1,54 factor) is “only” 1,6x larger. And what will really piss off Olympus and Panasonic is the “fake” image comparison made by Samsung that you can see at SLRclub (Click here).

Fuji X10

It is not exactly a Micro Four Thirds competitor but many readers here liked the Fuji X100. So it might interests you to know that Fuji announced the new X10. Press release at Dpreview. A Fuji guys youtube presentation is available at MirrorlessRumors. A product page is available here fujifilm-x.com and one mroe article at ThePhoBlographer.

Video on top: A Panasonic X commercial.

At British Journal of Photography Barney Sykes (Lumix product manager) explained why the new X lenses are not having the Leica brand: “Leica has very strict standards when making lenses,” says Sykes. “For the X line, we’re using digital technology to get the same quality [in a more compact product]. This would not have conformed to Leica’s standard.”

Amy Davies from Techradar (Click here) interviewed Mr. Uetmatsu from Panasonic. The most interesting points:
– Mirrorless are no second rate compared to DSLR.
– Image quality is not only about sensor size, but also about signal processing and optical performance.
– compact system cameras have an advantage is in the camcorder market.
– Many manufacturers will introduce mirrorless cameras, but we have a distinct advantage because we are already two years ahead
It is the second interview from Amy with Mr. Uematsu. A couple of months ago Uematsu confirmed to Techradar that they are working on a GF PRO model.

Walk On The Wet Side: Lower East Side, NYC: Hurricane Irene Aftermath: Panasonic GH2 in DIY Hurricane proof housing from Mike Kobal on Vimeo.

Olympus E-PL3 review at DC.watch (google translation).

Richard Franiec grip coming soon for Olympus PEN E-PL3 (Dpreview).

New thumbs for our M43 cameras from Elva (SLRclub).

A cool image of the GF1 with Leica Visoflex at Tokyocamerastyle.

FourThirds – The End or The Beginning? (Zone-10).

Davi H. E-PL3 unboxing pics and XZ-1 unboxing pics.

Olympus E-5 wildlife gallery by Pekka Potka (Click o gallery and than on wildlife).

Comparison between Panasonic G3 + 12mm f/2 and Sony NEX-C3 + 16mm f/2.8 (Soundimageplus).