(FT2) Hot (false?) rumor: Panasonic to buy Olympus imaging division???

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Before you read the rumor: This is a rumors website. Always keep your feet on earth. In that case the rumor hasn’t been confirmed by my trusted sources so it’s based mostly on rumors from external websites!

A couple of weeks ago a trusted source told me that he wouldn’t be surprised if Olympus would sell his camera division. It was just a chat and he didn’t explain me why he thought that. In the meanwhile I got a rumor from a new source a while ago saying that Panasonic could buy the Olympus imaging division. I didn’t post that rumor simply because it came from one single unknown source. But now the rumor is spreading around the web on other websites too. So it’s time to post it with a very low credibility ranking of “FT2” (=rumor from non reliable and unknown source).

According to those rumors Panasonic is negotiating the acquisition of the imaging division from Olympus! And we have been told that Olympus first reaction was “positive”. At SLRclub (Click here) some secret Olympus source said that Olympus wants to keep their highly profitable and healthy medical business.

At that point I want to repeat once again that the rumor is unconfirmed! And if you ask my opinion, I really do hope it is NOT true!

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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New Panasonic-Leica 25mm reviews. In Stock in Europe!

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I found a couple of new reviews around the web:

A detailed review has been posted by 3D-Kraft (Click here). Many different mini tests canbe found at Soundimagesplus (Click here). Than there is a short review with nic epictures at Gakuranman (Click here). And new Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 Sample Photos at ePhotozine (Click here).

The good news is that the lens is in Stock in Europe at Amazon Germany (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here), [shoplink 24917 ebay]eBay (UK reseller)[/shoplink] and very overpriced at Amazon US (Click here).

P.S.:There is a new Nokton 25mm review at Openpn (Click hee to read the google english translation). Image samples can be found here. There are plenty of lenses in Stock on [shoplink 15659]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

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Sony NEX versus E-P3 battle.

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[shoplink 23568][/shoplink]

Steve Huff (Click here) compared the Sony NEX-C3 and [shoplink 23568]Olympus E-P3[/shoplink] jpeg quality. In Steve opinions Olympus colors are better than Sony.
And EosHD (Click here) compared the high ISO results of the new Sony NEX-5n against the E-P3. The NEX-5n is undoubtedly better. And also better than the Canon 5D markII.
Also Soundimagesplus (Click here) tested the E-P3 ISO results: “To be honest they are not as bad as I feared, though I can’t really think of much use for the ISO 12,800 setting.”
You can check the E-P3 price and availability by clicking those direct search links: [shopcountry 23568].

[shoplink 23576]Olympus 12mm f/2.0[/shoplink] review at Soundimagesplus (Click here): “This has been a very long (10 parts!) series of posts about one lens. The reason is that its probably the most useful lens I’ve bought in a long time.”
Check the 12mm lens price at [shopcountry 23576].

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Olympus 12mm f/2.0 review at Photozone. SLRmagic 11mm f/1.4 test at ThePhoBlographer.

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Image courtesy: Photozone (Click here)

Photozone (Click here) posted their detailed Olympus 12mm f/2.0 review: “The mechanical implementation is fantastic and matches e.g. the Zeiss ZM or Voigtländer VM series. The optical quality of the M.Zuiko is quite impressive but we actually hoped for a little more here. The lens is very sharp in the center zone whereas the border/corner resolution is “only” good-to-very good and not breathtaking“. In summary: “Although the M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 ED may not be perfect there’s much to like about this new little Olympus lens. However, the pricing is a little too steep in our opinion.“. See the full very detailed review at Photozone. Click those shop names to check the Olympus lens price: [shopcountry 23576].

ThePhoBlographer (Click here) tested the new SLRmagic 11mm f/1.4 lens: “Overall, is this an impressive lens? Sure is! In fact, it’s nearly perfect with the exception of the vignetting. If I switch aspect ratios, then the problem goes away“. You can get that lens on [shoplink 21181 ebay]eBay (Click here to check the price)[/shoplink].

P.S.: A couple of Olympus 45mm f/1.8 image samples have been posted on Optyczne.pl.

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E-PL3 in Stock in US. E-PM1 preorders available.

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The new Black 14-42mm X lens is now the most sold (actually rpeordered) Micro Four Thirds lens at Amazon US (Click here to see the full lens bestseller ranking).

In the meanwhile the new Olympus E-PL3 is in Stock at Adorama (Click here) and J&R (Click here). And if you are interested in getting the tiniest of all PEN cameras than you can preorder the E-PM1 again at Adorama (Click here) and J&R (Click here).

Latest deal: The E-P2 with 17mm lens sells for $489 at Amazon (Click here).

Preorders of the new X lenses:
Black 14-42mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Silver 14-42mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Black 45-175mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Silver 45-175mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Black GF3 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here).
Red GF3 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here).
White GF3 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here).

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Real images of the 12-35mm and 35-100mm fast X zooms.

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The image on top (Click on it to view the full size) shows the first real 12-35mm and 35-100mm samples (Source: DC.watch). Both X lenses will come within the first half of 2012. All we know now is that they are fast. Our reader “Monodrift” (Thanks!) made a [shoplink 14814 ebay]14-45mm[/shoplink] versus 12-35mm size comparison. You can click on it to see the full size image:

As you see the 12-35mm is not a lot bigger. But I do hope it is a lot faster anyway!

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New X lenses to be in Stock on October 13. New firmware coming. 25p support for GH2?

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It is a beauty of a lens. Isn’t it? The silver 14-42mm X lens!

Preorders and availability

The two new X lenses will start worldwide shipment on October 13. And looking at Panasonic (not so reliable) history this means it will hit European and American stores in November. Preorders are only available at Amazon US but please drop me a mail or comment this post if you find more stores accepting preorders! Thanks!
Black 14-42mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Silver 14-42mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Black 45-175mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Silver 45-175mm X lens is available for preorder at Amazon (Click here).
Black GF3 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here).
Red GF3 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here).
White GF3 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here).

Firmware update

Panasonic announced a new firmware update program for the digital interchangeable lens system cameras DMC-G3, DMC-GF3 and DMC-GF2 of LUMIX G Micro System (Source: Panasonic.net). Those are the new features:
– Display of the local length
When you zoom, the focal distance is displayed and you can confirm the zoom position.
– Step zoom
When you operate the zoom, the zoom will stop at positions corresponding to predetermined distances.
– Zoom resume
When you switch the power switch [ON], the zoom positions when you last switched [OFF] are automatically restored.
– Zoom ring operation
This may only be selected when a power zoom-compatible lens with a zoom lever and zoom ring is attached. The operations controlled by the zoom ring are disabled to prevent accidental operation.
–
P.S.: Please note that the electric zoom will work on the GH1, G1 and GF1 too!

Firmware update for GH2 will bring 25p support?

ePhotozine (Click here) had a talk with Mr Uetmasu (product developer from Panasonic Japan). And he said that “A firmware update may be coming for the GH2 to add support for 25p, and additional improvements in video abilities.”

 

P.S.: Click on thumbnails to see the full size image:

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