With the Micro Four Thirds [shoplink 16841]AG-AF100[/shoplink] Panasonic delivered a potential almost perfect video camera for low-budget productions. Today Sony announced the “NEX version“! It has the same price ($4.500) and very similar features. Read the specs at SonyAlphaRumors.com. The main advantage of the AG-AF100 is the wider range of m43 lenses and the availability of the dedicated 14-140mm video lens. But the battle started and I hope this will shake up Panasonic. We want the 12-50mm f/2.5-3.3 lens now and not in a year! Some of my source can tell me WHY the lens release has been postponed? Thanks!
P.S.: Direct AG-AF100 links to [shopcountry 16841].
The eBay reseller “[shoplink 21082 ebay]jieying-usa[/shoplink]” made the second reworked Rodenstock 50mm f/0.75 for Micro Four Thirds (he already made one lens a few months ago). It fits on your camera without the need of an adapter. The lens focuses from 3ft to infinity. Wide open, images are very soft but unlike C-mount lenses the circle covers the full m43 size. You can see a few image samples on Flickr.
[shoplink 21082 ebay]Click here to get the lens on eBay[/shoplink].
A few days ago we told you that Panasonic will announce their new m43 products on late April and Olympus on late May. But before that we will see new mirrorless products from Sony and Nikon. Both should announce their new cameras on April 4th. The Sony NEX-C3 should be pretty unspectacular (a warmed up [shoplink 21021]NEX-3[/shoplink]) and Nikon will announce their Nikon Coolpix PRO system (a 2.5 crop system?).
Competition is becoming bigger and bigger (Pentax will announce their system in May). We will have mirrorless system with smaller than m43 sensors and larger than m43 sensors. This brings me to a simple question. How can m43 compete with other systems? They won’t have the smallest camera-lens system (Nikon, Pentax) and neither the best Image quality (Sony). So what features will be crucial to strengthen the m43 system?
A few ideas:
– More lenses, lenses and lenses!
– Less redundant camera range
– Bring real improvements for every new product (Don’t cheat us!).
– Connectivity with social networks for low end models
– APP store for m43 software.
– Make an ultra-small camera and an ultra resistant high-end camera
– Hybrid Viewfinder based on the Fuji X100 and Contax G2 technology (that system was able to adapt the OVF depending on the used prime lens!). See the camera on [shoplink 21069]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. Archieve that and you will see even more crazy eBay auctions than the one ongoing for the X100 on [shoplink 19929 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]…They are all priced over $2000!!!
Do you have some more?
P.S.: Follow MirrorlessRumors.com if you want to know more about other mirrorless systems!
That is now very close to a miracle. OFr the first time in US all different Panasonic GH2 kits are in Stock and shipping at J&R (Click here). Check out the GH2 availability in other stores at [shopcountry 16254].
So now that everyone on the world can get the GH2 we hope Panasonic will release the next new products soon :)
Reminder: There are Instant Rebates on the E-PL2 at Amazon and BHphoto. And the white Olympus XZ-1 is in Stock at Amazon (Click here).
SLRclub (Click here) posted a very detailed Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95 review. There is only one little issue…everything has been written in Korean and posted as an image (which google translate cannot translate). But at least you can take a look to all images, videos and graph.
You can also read the 43rumors readers review of the Nokton lens at https://www.43rumors.com/cameras/voigtlander-nokton-25mm-f0-95/#submitownreview. And if you want to buy the lens than you have to look for current auctions on [shoplink 15659 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. It’s the only place were you can be sure to find some lenses.
Digitalcamera-hq (Click here) tested the Panasonic GF2: “While the GF2 may be a disappointment to a small, specific subset of enthusiasts (who also happen to be the most vocal commenters on the Internet), the majority will find it to be a full-featured, intuitive, and very useful photographic tool. In most senses it improves on the GF1, with a newer and more sensitive imaging sensor, higher-spec video recording, and reduced size and weight. It produces great stills and video — certainly on par with all but the highest-end Micro Four Thirds cameras and close to equaling the output of previous-generation APS-C dSLRs.
Read the 43rumors readers reviews and ratings at https://www.43rumors.com/cameras/panasonic-gf2/#ratingandreviews.
Direct GF2 links to [shopcountry 17361].
Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 pancake lens review at EosHD (Click here): “The 14mm pancake is highly recommended. It continues Panasonic’s approach to quality kit lenses, and I’ve enjoyed all of Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds optics so far, apart from the rather high price of the fisheye, ultra wide and 100-300mm, and the slightly soft 55-200mm. But quality wise they’re mostly absolutely superb. Build too, although the rubber grip on the zoom ring of the 14-140mm had a pathetic habit of falling off after 3 months.”
Read the 43rumors readers reviews and ratings at https://www.43rumors.com/cameras/panasonic-14mm-f2-5/#submitownreview.
Direct Panasonic 14mm links to [shopcountry 16258].
ePhotozine (Click here) compared the Olympus E-P2 and Fuji X100 image quality at ISO 100. What do you think? The X100 shows a very sharp and detailed image!
You can get the Fuji X100 at Adorama, Amazon UK and [shoplink 19929 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].
Now it’s becoming very unfair! While we europeans can get the Olympus 40-150mm lens for over 250 Euro only you US guys can get it for $150 (110 Euro) only!!! Check out BHphoto (Click here) to get the lens. That price makes it the cheapest Micro Four Ghirds lens on market. And we are not talking about a bad quality lens. DiwaLabs and SLRgear alredy tested the lens and said that it has an “excellent performance”. If those price drops will continue next month you will only have to buy a coffee for the BHphoto storekeeper to get the lens for free :)
Check the price and availability of the lens at [shopcountry 15864].
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