43 Rumors – Page 2284 – Panasonic and Olympus Digital Camera News

Diwa Labs tested the new Panasonic 100-300mm lens and the Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7

December 2, 2010
reviews
12 Comments

Diwa labs compared the two new Micro Four Thirds tele-zooms:
– Click here to see the Panasonic 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 test results
– Click here to see the Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 test results

After a quick look on the graphics I can’t see any big difference between the two lenses. The Olympus lens has more Chromatic Aberration and Geometric Distortion. The Panasonic has more Luminance Blur. Resolution is quite similar. So now it is up to you to choose between the two lenses!

Panasonic 100-300mm direct shop links:
Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon Deutschland, Amazon UK

Olympus Zuiko 75-300mm direct shop links:
Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE, AmazonUK.

Panasonic GH2 vs GH13 (+Canadians are happy and Brits also)

December 1, 2010
news
28 Comments

Hunter Richards posted a very interesting GH2 1080/24p codec vs GH13 codec (44mbs 1080/24p hack) image comparison at DVuser.com. The [shoplink 16254]GH2[/shoplink] is definitely resolving more detail and at 3.200 ISO the image is almost clean! And Panasonic guru Barry Green explained why the 24Mbs AVCHD codec is better than the 44Mbs: “Even then, this isn’t as good as it gets. The AVCHD in the Gh2 is much better than the GH1’s version, but it’s still not up to the standards that the [shoplink 16841]AF100[/shoplink] can do. Bigger hardware, bigger memory buffers, more efficiency. Even at the same bitrate. I really do hope this dispells once and for all the notion that “more megabits = better footage” because, very frequently, that just isn’t correct. It’s the type of megabits, and how they’re used, that determine the efficiency and how good the final pictures look. The only way you can say “more = better” is if you’re talking about the exact same thing (i.e., AF100 at 21mbs vs. AF100 at 17mbps… in that case, yes, more = better).”

Meanwhile our canadian 43rumors readers are sending me many mails because they received the GH2 from Henrys, Downtown Camera in Toronto and other shops. You guys have to explain me why you are the first (non-japanese) to get stuff form Panasonic. I hate you ;)
British readers are the next! Mathers of Lancashire, Amazon UK and other known stores should have the GH2 in Stock next week.
US readers are using the guerrilla strategy with the hope to get the camera sooner or later. They simply preorder at any online store that has the GH2 on list :) Panasonic is now accpeting preorders and so Amazon and Adorama.

P.S.: Let me know if you find the GH2 in Stock in Europe! Thanks!

(FT4) Olympus will go “PRO” within the first half of 2011!

December 1, 2010
Rumors
132 Comments

I received quite a few emails from trusted and new anonymous sources. Finally something is happening around Olympus ;)
According to my trusted sources Olympus will release a few new “PRO” Micro Four Thirds product within the first half of 2011. They confirmed that between January and March Olympus will announce the three new pancakes you can see on the roadmap on top. One Fisheye lens, a 12mm(?) and the 50mm pancake. I hope to get some detail about those lenses (and maybe other lenses) as soon as possible. After that Olympus will release the first Micro Four Thirds “PRO” camera with TruepicV+ engine, new Panasonic sensor, Built-in Viewfinder and weatherproof body. I don’t know yet if the camera has a Rangefinder design (à-la Fuji X100 and [shoplink 17020]Panasonic DMC-LC1[/shoplink]) or DSLR design (à-la [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink]). The camera should be in store by Quarter 2 (between April and June). I am are currently “collecting” info about the camera so if you want to help me feel free to contact me at 43rumors@gmail.com or use the contact form on the right sidebar. I really need every little help you can give me to avoid mistakes and confirm the other rumors I received. Thanks!

There is one more unconfirmed rumor: (FT3) According to two new sources the PRO camera should be announced by late January-early February and be in Stock bye end of Quarter 2. The camera itself could be named “E-PS1” (The “S” stay for super where with the [shoplink 14832]E-PL1[/shoplink] the “L” stays for lite).

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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UPDATED: New Panasonic GH2 review at Letsgodigital (and first HDMI captured video!)

December 1, 2010
reviews
9 Comments

The video has been made with the GH2 using the Blackmagic HDMI capture.

Letsgodigital reviewed the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink]: “Panasonic is creating a point of reference with the GH2 with which the competition can measure itself. Panasonic’s years of video experience are clearly visible and is very effectively integrated into an existing concept.” The camera gains the “Excellent” rating with 84%.

P.S.: You can download a few RAW image samples at megaupload (dpreview forum)

P.P.S.: A 43rumors readers is selling his [shoplink 16582 ebay]Apollo High Speed Lens 25mm F/0.85 lens on eBay[/shoplink].

Amazon now accepting GH2 preorders (Black and Silver)

November 30, 2010
deals
10 Comments

Yesterday Henry’s shipped the first ten GH2 cameras and today Amazon is accepting GH2+14-42mm preorders again. That’s good news because this usually means that they will receive the first GH2 camera stocks soon. If you order it now than it will arrive after December 25. I hope that those of you that already preordered the camera a long time ago will get it before Christmas!
Click here:
1) BLACK Panasonic GH2 with 14-42 (Click here)
2) SILVER Panasonic GH2 with 14-42 (Click here)

Reminder: Right now Adorama is one of the few US stores accpeting preorders on all GH2 kits (including GH2+Lensbaby bundle).

(FT2) Next Olympus M43 camera to be announced within one month?

November 30, 2010
Rumors
69 Comments

A new source claims to have received some info about the next Olympus Micro Four Thirds pro-camera: “I had a longish talk with a person from Olympus, and after mentioning m43, and lens, he hinted to me that in a month Olympus will have another “yummy” product (it will be a m43 body), and that their development plan for m43 will definitely move to pro m43. He said that they have already made enough basic lens, and that they will move to pro grade now. I know the guy for a longish time now, and I think there is high possibility that this new product will come out in stated period.”

UPDATE: A second new source said hat there will be a new camera next month, M43rds, based on a similar principle of the Fuji X100 (Click here to see the camera), fixed lens pen basically…

UPDATE2: A third new source said: “I just read your new post regarding a new Olympus M4/3 to be announced in December. This is very interesting. Actually, I went to a photo show about one month ago… I was very very interested to buy the [shoplink 17163]E-5[/shoplink] + 12-60mm. However, I found the camera way too big for my needs. After a long and interesting discussion with the Olympus guy, I told him that I was also considering the Pentax K-5. So, he asked me how long I would wait for a new Olympus camera if something new was eventually coming (like a high end m43) … My answer was: No more than one more year! So, he simply told me: Wait until the end of December or mild January for an announcement by Olympus and few more months before being able to buy the product. ”

Taken together, I thing you got a very exiting news

Please keep in mind that both sources are new! Now I am asking my trusted sources if you can confirm or deny the rumor I posted above. Please contact me at 43rumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

For now the rumor has FT2 value only:

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

Voigtländer Nokton preview at Luminous Landscape

November 30, 2010
reviews
12 Comments

[shoplink 15659]

[/shoplink]

Luminous Landscape(LL) had the chance to play a little bit with the [shoplink 15659]Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95[/shoplink]. That is what LL says about the Build Quality: “Simply put, this is a $900 lens that could easily go to a masked ball as a $3,000 Leica product, at least when it comes to visible and tactile fit and finish.” And LL doesn’t have any problem with the fact that the Nokton has no AF: “Because it takes about the same amount of time and effort to focus the Nokton on an MFT camera as it does to use AF technology properly“.

About the image quality: “Indeed in every shot that I took with the Nokton wide open I unfailing was impressed with its ability to not let me down and turn into glowing mush.” And there is also room for a surprise. At f/1.4 aperture the Nokton has slightly more contrast and is slightly more shaper than the [shoplink 16340]Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4[/shoplink] lens!

The only minor issue is: “If your shots have any light sources, like all ultra-fast lenses the Nokton will show some considerable glow.”

Conclusion: “If you’ve gotten the impression that I really like the Voigtlander Nokton f/0.95, you’re right. It creates a quite unique way of viewing and recording the world that can really get one’s creative juices going.”

You can get the Nokton at Cameraquest or on [shoplink 15659]eBay (via german and asian resellers)[/shoplink].

Thanks Luminous Landscape for your nice work!