UDPATED: New Olympus firmware next week. It will improve the autofocus on each PEN camera.

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Good news Olympus folks! On April 22 Olympus will release a new firmware update for your PEN camera.

Read the press release:

Auto Focus Performance
This update will improve camera AF performance when shooting both stills and videos with the E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras when using any Micro Four Thirds or Four Thirds lens. Auto Focus Lock time when shooting stills is improved by 15%. Auto Focus tracking accuracy when shooting movies is also improved.

Viewfinder/LCD Simultaneous Playback Function
This upgrade also brings additional display functionality to the E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras when fitted with the VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder. Photographers using these combinations can now view menu and recorded images on the LCD while the VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder is in use.

Movie-Still-Compatible (MSC) Lens Compatibility
This update also ensures that like the E-PL1, the E-P1 and E-P2 camera models are fully compatible with and able to take advantage of two recently announced and soon-to-reach market lenses; the M. Zuiko Digital™ ED 9–18mm F4.0–5.6 and M. Zuiko Digital ED 14–150mm F4.0–5.6 lenses. Olympus is designating these two lenses as MSC, or Movie-Still-Compatible. They are optimized for shooting high definition video with accurate and silent autofocus.

source: OlympusAmerica

UPDATE:
Tthe new Olympus Viewer 2 software that replaces Master 2 & Studio 2 is also availble!
Olympus Australia has the PDF Full Press Release on both the software & firmware updates.

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(FT2) Olympus E-PS1 in June?

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I just recieved a rumor from a new source saying that the next Olympus camera will be “again” a PEN. It will be called “E-PS1” and will be available in June. The camera is not a “High-End” model. Such a model is expected to come at photokina or later. The source didn’t gave me any specs.

If some of you can give me some more details please contact me at 43rumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

Reminder: “FT2”  = unreliable rumor from new source.

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Hot! Panasonic GF1+20mm for $769.99 (563 €) -> ships worldwide!

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We have seen many price drops on Amazon and other stores but the real deal is now on Ebay.

The Top-rated seller “Cameraland” is selling four Panasonic GF1+20mm sets for $769.99 only! That’s $110 cheaper than the current price on Amazon US.

They ship worldwide so everyone interested in getting the camera should take a look on it.
For europeans: $769.99= 563 € -> In Germany the cheapest price is 742,99 € on Pixmania.de. So you save 180 €. I don’t know how much you have to pay for taxes if you buy in Ebay US.

UPDATE: I was told that in Italy you have to pay 25% taxes! :(
P.S.: we do not expect any Panasonic GF1 successor soon.

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Rumors from others: Sony mirrorless cameras in May. Samsung-Schneider deal.

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It is really quiet on the MicroFourThirds front. We received rumors about the next Olympus MFT camera but we need some time to double-check the infos we receive. FourThirds rumors are completely on hold until Olympus strategy will be more clear.
But as I told you previousely there will be soon new mirrorless cameras from the competition.

SAMSUNG
K-rumors learned from his own sources that Samsung signed a partnership deal with Schneider.
This are details of the deal:
1) Schneider reissues M42 LensesM42 LensesM42 LensesM42 LensesM42 LensesM42 LensesM42 LensesM42 LensesM42 LensesM42 LensesM42 Lenses design with NX mount, new coating and construction.
2) Expect the release of four new Schneider lenses during the next months.
3) Those lenses would be designed by Schneider but built in Korea by Samsung/Optron-Tech with Schneider supervision and quality control.

SONY
SonyAlphaRumors reports that two Sony mirrorless cameras will be announced on late May. The new system will be called NEX.

I am curious to know what the big ones (Nikon-Canon) want to do….

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Panasonic AG-AF100 Specs and Design subject to change!

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Our friend Dracore told us that “the design(and specs?) shown is not final and could potentially change. Panasonic will evaluate the responses they get from NAB. The rep suggested to contact Panasonic and let them know what you think about it.“.

Comment this post to suggest your improovements on the AG-AF100 MicroFourThirds camcorder. In few days I will create a POLL with your ideas and 43rumors reader will be able to choose the most important features! I am sure Panasonic is listening you :)

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MicroFourThirds books in Germany and other countries.

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I noticed that in Germany you can find some nice books about MicroFourThirds cameras. Now they have two new books:
The Profibuch Olympus PEN: E-P1, E-P2 & E-PL1 (Gebundene Ausgabe) and the Digital ProLine: Das praktische Handbuch zur Panasonic Lumix GF1

Other countries do not have that choice. Amazon UK lists only the Magic Lantern Guides: Olympus E-P1 (Magic Lantern Compact Guides).

The same book is available for US citizen in amazon: Magic Lantern Guides: Olympus E-P1

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