New Panasonic GF2 and Olympus E-PL2 Reviews

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The GF2 vs E-PL2 review battle keeps going and going. Almost everyday you can find new tests about both cameras! Before to start reading the reviews a quick reminder for our US readers (they are the last to get the GF2): The Black GF2+14mm is in Stock at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). And today also the body only Black GF2 is in Stock at BHphoto (Click here).

Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF2 review at CNET: “Though we still really like Panasonic’s GF series, there are several trade-offs to take into account before you buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2. Its raw-format images look extremely good, but JPEG shooters looking for best-possible photo quality may get frustrated by image artifacts. And while lots of photographers will appreciate its relatively compact but functional design and zippy performance–though still not for action shooting–there’s nothing special about its feature set, including underpowered video capture.
The polish website Fotopolis tested the GF2: “In terms of picture quality Panasonic GF2 is very good, always at the forefront. In terms of noise and detail reproduction, we can safely shoot up to ISO 800 without too much concern about the quality of images.
Panasonic GF2 review at EosHD: “The GF2 is an ambitious exercise in miniaturisation which satisfies consumer demand for Canon DSLR quality in a Panasonic compact body. Something still not offered by Canon despite the hints from the market that people want it, i.e. a 10% reduction in Canon’s sales!!
Check the GF2 price at [shopcountry 17361].

Olympus E-PL2

Imaging Resource (Click here) posted the Olympus E-PL2 review: “With the 12.3MP Olympus Pen E-PL2, the company has gone a long way to correcting many of the problems that have plagued this line in the past. In particular, the Olympus E-PL2 is a faster and more enjoyable camera to use all around; starting up quicker, focusing quicker, and capturing images quicker“.
Gsnowdon posted a E-PL2 hands-on review.
Check the E-PL2 price at [shopcountry 18844].

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US Sunday deals (GH1, E-PL1 and lenses). And first Fuji X100 review.

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[shoplink 17361][/shoplink]

The deal of the day is the Panasonic GH1 body only which is in Stock for $399 only at Amazon (Click here).
The Black GF2+14mm is in Stock at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). And today also the body only Black GF2 is in Stock at BHphoto (Click here) with an extra $100 discount whwn purchasing Adobe Lightroom 3.
There is also a good Olympus deal. You can get the E-PL1 with 14-42mm and 40-150mm lenses for $599 on Amazon (Click here). That’s $66 less than the sum of the single camera and lens value.

For all Fuji X100 fans. The japanese website DC.watch.impress wrote the very first complete X100 review (Click here to read the google english translation). Preorders available at Adorama and Amazon UK.

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a little bit of everything…

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Sun Flares taken with the GH2 and [shoplink 20857 ebay]C-mount Canon 35mm 1:1.2 (Click here to see that lens on eBay)[/shoplink].

E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1 design patent (Freepatentsonline).
The Complete Olympus EPL-2 Review (ThePhoBlographer).
Test Olympus E-LP2 : colorimétrie et précision (Focus Numerique).
E-PL2 at [shopcountry 18844].

GH2

Panasonic GH2 Review (Seriouscompacts)
GH2 studio samples, a closer look (DPreview forum).
GH2 + wide C-mount Cosmicar 12.5mm 1:1.4 (Vimeo).
GH2 at [shopcountry 16254].

Other news

Olympus VG-130 Review (Photographyblog)
Panasonic introduce new SDHC UHS-I memory cards (ePhotozine)
Photos from the panasonic stand at Focus On Imaging 2011 (lumixg2photographer).
Panasonic launch the ‘A City Exposed’ campaign (ePhotozine).
Panasonic Announces Pricing For Its 2011 Premium Lineup Of Lumix Digital Camera Models (Imaging resource)
Fuji FinePix X100 Review: First Impressions (Photoradar).
Self-tutorial 01: Photographing interiors (Jjsemplephotography).

Videos you sent me

Solar Powered – Keep your camera charged (Vimeo)
Macklemore – The Making of Wings 01 (Youtube)

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GH1 for $399 + Adobe brings XZ-1 and E-PL2 support + Olympus lens converters coming on March 18

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Right now you can get the Panasonic GH1 body only for $399 at Amazon (Click here).

Adobes new Camera RAW 6.4 and Lightroom 3.4 release candidates bring support for the newest Olympus’s XZ-1 and E-PL2 cameras:
Click here to download Adobe Photoshop Lightroom v3.4 release candidate
Click here to download Adobe Camera Raw v6.4 release candidate
You can order the XZ-1 at [shopcountry 19904].
and the E-PL2 at [shopcountry 18844].

And Olympus Japan just announced that worldwide shipment of the new Olympus lens converters will start on March 18. The Fisheye, wide and macro converter do work on the new 14-42mm II lens, and on the 14-150mm and 40-150mm lenses. P.S:: The Japanese website DC.watch.impress (Click here) tested the three new E-PL2 converters a few days ago.

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(UPDATED with translation) New battery grip for Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras

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[shoplink 20831 ebay][/shoplink]

The Chinese company “Ownuser” made a battery grip for all Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras except the GF1/GF2. Sadly the only info we got has been posted as an image with Chinese text so I cannot translate it with the help of the google translation tool. Some Chinese 43rumors readers can send us a summary of all the key features of the battery grip? What I can understand from the images is that they have three different grips and that there is also some kind of IR transmitter. The person that send me that news told me that they have made 1.500 of those items.

This is the website of the company with the battery grip page: http://www.ownuser.com.tw/mig_pg2.html
This are the Ownuser products on [shoplink 20831 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] (didn’t find the battery grip…or is it there somewhere? I found the battery grip for Olympus cameras instead)

UPDATE: 43rumors reader “Kolen” translated the chinese text (Hurray for Kolen!)

The first battery grip from Ownuser:

For Panasonic G2/G1/GH1/G10
MIG-PG2 with camera as shown:

Model description:
MIG-PG2B
MIG-PG2AB
MIG-PG2RAB

MIG-PG2 overview:
1) tripod 1/4 20 screw thread
2) External Shutter release input
3) External AC power input
4) Camera shutter release output
5) screw of the tripod thread
6) hand grip
7) tripod mount
8 ) Left battery cover
9) Right battery cover
10) battery to camera
11) battery contact
12) cable
13) shutter
14) on/off button
volume: about 12.6cmX6.2cmX3.9cm
weight: 110g

Compact, convenient, good build, comfortable for portrait

3 type of battery input for convenience:
1) two Lithium batteries
2) AA Battery (6A/8A)
3) External AC power input

1500 units produced globally, unique for personal style

MINI-IR 2B overview
1) IR output
2) focus
3) shot
4) Bulb
5) clear
6) 10s self portrait
7) battery

The camera with Mini-RHS 2
1) volume is smaller than the DX-RHS2 by 70%. Lighter and more convenient.
2) channel lock to protect interference from other sources
3) timer alarm for accurate dusk/twilight photography
4) Can used together with DX-51R 2 & Mini IR 2
5) Attached to the hot shoe on the camera, e.g. Minolta, Sony Alpha 100.
6) 360 degree rotation ability: can be used together with on camera flash
7) 2XAAA battery

Mini IR 2B
for amateur, indoor photography
channel can be locked to prevent interference
1) 5 key control, simple and clear, perfect fit
2) Focus and shot seperately
3) Bulb / 10s self portrait

Mini-IR 2B basic function
A. Channel lock (must choose the channel first, then lock the channel to prevent interference) (After the first settings, it is automatically saved for future use)
1) press for 5 seconds, red/green light lights alternatively and a beep three times.
2) press the shot button on MINI IR2B, it is finished after the beep
3) press the channel lock once again to complete

B. 4 main functions (IR function will consume battery life. Please shut down when it is not in use)
Focus is separate from shutter to prevent delay. Focus can be set as AE-L or AF-L.
Tele/macro photography
self portrait
LIVE VIEW shot

Single button control without menu
typical camera need to go into the menu for self-portrait, not so convenient
a physical 10s self portrait button is more convenient
in operation, autofocus green light will lights up first. red light flash once per second, continuous red light in last three seconds
(in the figure: autofocus indicator (green), and red light)
Bulb shutter can be used
bulb shutter has a function to prevent false alarm. only after focus, bulb shutter can be activated. Only can be used to end the bulb.
support longest bulb for 10 hours
dusk/twilight night astro

Rhythmic speaker supporting bulb
bulb has a function of beep per second. After activated bulb, use the control button to set speaker.
(In the figures:) control method: On-> OFF -> ON
press setting button once > ON
twice > OFF
again > ON
You can use one hand to control the remote and another hand to cover the camera at the right time.

This is the website of the company with the battery grip page: http://www.ownuser.com.tw/mig_pg2.html
This are the Ownuser products on [shoplink 20831 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] (didn’t find the battery grip…or is it there somewhere?)

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Japanese shock: 43rumors solidarity

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Those are terrible news we are currently receiving from Japan. I think I speak for everyone here on 43rumors when I say that we are deeply concerned.  I confide that most people managed to escape the tsunami as the country has a well organized alarm system and procedure. I don’t have other words to express, I am really shocked.

A side note via Bloomberg:
Panasonic Corp. (6752) said several employees at its three factories in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures sustained minor injuries. The Osaka-based company is still assessing the damage to facilities, Yuichi Takatoku, a Tokyo-based spokesman for the company, said by phone.

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Head to Head: Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF2

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Do you still have troubles and you don’t know if you should pickup the E-PL2 or the GF2? I checked all the reviews we posted on 43rumors and made a list for all pixel-peepers (chronological order, latest review on top). Check out the table and read the 43rumors readers reviews too! Let me know if I missed to add some interesting review.

A quick reminder for US readers: The Black GF2+14mm is in Stock at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). And today also the body only Black GF2 is in Stock at BHphoto (Click here).




Olympus E-PL2 43rumors user reviews Panasonic GF2 43rumors user reviews
Click here to read user reviews
(you can add your rating if you are a member)
Click here to read user reviews
(you can add your rating if you are a member)
Olympus E-PL2 reviews Panasonic GF2 reviews
RegHardware

Enticingthelight

CNET

Trustedreviews

Cameralabs

Dpreview

DCresource

Steve digicams

Pixelmania

Focus Numerique

DCview

Cameraguide
.
tweakers

Digitalcamerareview

DxOmark


Ascii.jp

DC.watch

CNET Asia

mobile01

yesky

Digitalrev

Digitalcamerainfo
Imaging Resource

Cameralabs

Dpreview

Hybridcams (one
two
three
)
BBC

CNET Australia

01net

DxOmark

DCresource

clubic.com

DCview

Focus Numerique
.
Digitalcamerareview

Trustedreviews

Photoreview Australia

Hardwarezone

Ascii.jp

Pocket Lint

Photographyblog

Systemkamera-forum.de
.
Olympus E-PL2 direct shop links Panasonic GF2 direct shop links
[shopcountry 18844] [shopcountry 17361]

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