Trustedreviews tested the new Olympus XZ-1 high end compact camera. You can find the final verdict at page 4: “The [shoplink 19904]XZ-1[/shoplink] feels like a good, solid move for its maker, and in helping the brand stay competitive and moreover relevant, it deserves to do well. Olympus has come lately to the high performance compact party, so it’s just as well that its arrival is with a product that should be awarded a degree of fanfare.”

And Pocket Lint posted a “7 days living with… the Olympus XZ-1” article: “the Olympus isn’t really pocketable, not in the same way that the Canon S95 or the new Nikon CoolpixP300 are. That means I’m less likely to slip it into my suit pocket for a wedding“…”If it is to be your only camera and slipping it into your pocket is less important than the option to add accessories that the extra size brings, then the Olympus XZ-1 is a seriously attractive camera, and I’ve had great fun with it.

Direct Olympus XZ-1 links to [shopcountry 19904]

There is a new full E-PL2 review at Cameralabs (Click here): “On the surface, the differences between the E-PL1 and E-PL2 may not look extensive, but they make a big difference in both handling and performance. The rear control dial makes the E-PL2 a much more comfortable camera to use in manual exposure modes while the change to the ISO sensitivity range combined, we suspect, with some tweaking of the image processing, has resulted in improved image quality.”…”the broad appeal of the PEN E-PL2 and the excellent quality results it’s capable of producing look set to make it one of the most successful Micro Four Thirds cameras yet.”

The E-PL2 gets an Overall score of 83%. To read all E-PL2 related news and review on 43rumors click here.
And those are the direct E-PL2 shop links to [shopcountry 18844].

Reminder: On Saturday Dpreview posted the Panasonic GF2 review and we asked you if you prefer the E-PL2 or the GF2:

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Latest deals:

Olympus E-P2 and E-PL2

The Olympus E-P2 price is very low in these days. It’s only $50-100 above the new Olympus E-PL2. You can get the E-P2 with 14-42mm lens for $649 only at Amazon (Click here).
The E-PL2 has a $50 dollar instant rebate at Amazon (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).There is a $100 instant rebate on the double lens kit at Adorama (Click here).

Panasonic G2

Panasonic G10 for $399 Amazon (Click here).
Panasonic G2 is in Stock for $499 Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here)

Micro Four Thirds lenses

If you are on budget and want a zoom lens the Olympus 40-150mm lens is in Stock for $204 at Amazon (Click here).

DPreview posted a few Fuji X100 image samples. Reminder: The camera should be in Stock by early MArch. Preorders at: [shopcountry 19929]

CNET Australia tested the Olympus E-5: “The E-5 presents a good upgrade path for those amateur and professional photographers working with the Olympus Four Thirds system. It doesn’t provide enough to lure potential buyers from competing brands though.”

Also Macworld tested the camera: “What we particularly like about Olympus E-system cameras are the Art Filter digital effects filters and 10 have been shoehorned in here, including our favourites of pop art, pinhole and toy town-effect diorama. Further tweaks include a TruePic V+ image-processing engine that Olympus claims provides enhanced detail over cameras with physically larger sensors. Certainly the E-5, when used with our test lens, delivered bags of detail despite the low-ish headline resolution.”

Olympus E-5 direct links at [shopcountry 17163].