Guys, don’t ask me if you have to buy the GF1 or E-P1 or if you have to wait for future new stuff. Believe me it really doesn’t matter what you buy! You are never going to make better photos only because you bought the newest model! I mostly shoot film and I only bought two digital cameras since 2001. The camera doesn’t matter. A good photographer can take wonderful pictures with a 30 years old camera or a cellular built-in camera.

If you need to buy a camera ask yourself following question: What kind of photos do I want to take? Try to focus on your needs. Do you need to make big prints? Do you need a camera you can always carry with you? Do you want to make landscapes or street photography?

Don’t waste your time and money with camera stuff and lenses. Try to find out what you are and what you want to tell. And don’t throw your money away!

P.S.: You want to take very good photos with a very cheap camera? Go for this:

Press Release:

Novoflex Micro Four Thirds Lens Adapters

Novoflex, Germanyʼs premier manufacturer of quality digital and analog accessories, announces the availability of a new series of lens adapters to mount older analog and digital lenses onto the new MicroFourThirds camera bodies which include the Panasonic Lumix G1 and the new GH1 and the Olympus E-P1 as well as camera bodies that will become available in the future using the new MicroFourThirds system.

The new adapters are made to very precise and high standards to ensure exact infinity focus on these new camera bodies. With the Micro Four Thirds cameras automatic exposure metering via stop-down metering is possible as is aperture priority auto exposure. Currently the following adapters are available for Micro Four Thirds cameras: Leica M (LEM/MFT); Leica R (LEM/LER); Nikon G and non-G (MFT/NIK); Contax/Yashica (MFT/CONT); Olympus OM (MFT/OM); Pentax K (MFT/PENT); Minolta MD (MFT/MIN-MD); Sony/Minolta AF (MFT/MIN-AF); Canon FD (MFT/CAN); M42 (MFT/CO) and T2 (MFT/T2) lenses on the new MicroFourThirds camera bodies. The MFT/LEM allows owners of Leica M lenses to now use them on a digital camera for much less then the cost of a M8 body!

Novoflex also offers a full range of lens to body adapters for most 35mm and DSLR cameras as well as for Leica M cameras. These adapters allow the switching of lenses from one camera system to another as well as the use of lenses from medium format cameras on these bodies.

* includes mechanical aperture control ring for use with lenses that do not include them.

http://www.novoflex.com/en/products/adapters/adapters-for-microfourthirds-cameras/

Amazon US:
Panasonic GF1 with LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Lens
PanasonicGF1  with 14-45mm Lens
Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras
Panasonic 45mm f/2.8 Aspherical MEGA OIS Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras

Adorama
Panasonic GF1 with LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S Lens
Panasonic GF1 with LUMIX G 20mm/F1.7 Aspherical Lens
Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 Lumix Aspherical Lens for Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount Systems

Amazon UK
Panasonic Gf1 (all configurations and colours)

This one comes from a good source. He heard something about an Olympus High-End MicroFourThirds model but he doesn’t know if this rumor will become true…

The rumors says that Olympus plans:

“a new m43 have E3 Body ( splash- and dust-proof construction with all major parts, including the built-in flash and the LCD monitor swivel) Maybe with GPS and Bluetooth…”

We are talking about a model which should be unveiled in 2010.

Received following rumor from a unknown source. So don’t count on it until I get more infos from one of our most reliable sources…

“Panasonic plans to launch new MicroFT model around G1 anniversary 4Q this year
(or 1Q of 2010 case development delay).
20mm/F1.7 will be one of kit lens with new model.
Panasonic’s compact MicroFT is called for examples like GC5, GS5.

-LCD moniter  960*RGB*540(HITACHI displays which is an affiliate
company of Panasonic)
-EVF same resolution of G1/GH1. But refresh rate is 360Hz. Its
position is like LC1/L1.
-Image Sensor  12Mpixels LiveMOS. Global shutter. Multi aspect.
-AVCHD 1080p 60fps 17Mbps(30fps 24Mbps)
-color variation Titanium(titanium coating)/Carbon Black(carbon
fiber)/Midnight Purple”

With the release of the X1 compact camera Leica has chosen to go its own way by not joining the Olympus-Panasonic MicroFourThirds partnership. Let us know what you think about that!

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Update: leica X1 and M9 are official. The M9 is available at amazon for veeeeerryyyy reach people only:
Leica M9 18MP Digital Range Finder Camera (Black)

The X1 is also not that cheap: Leica X1 12.2MP APS-C CMOS Digital Camera with Leica Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 Ashperical Lens with 2.7 inch LCD

That’s an important news for MicroFourThirds user. Now it is official that Leica will not release any MicroFourThirds camera. Probably the X1 want become a dangerous GF1 and E-P1 competitor.The X1 is expensive and has a fixed lens.

From LeicaRumors:

“A Leica rep ensured me yesterday that the X1 is a complete inhouse development and has nothing to do with the GF1 or any mFT or FT. It has a CMOS APS-C sensor (which is nearly twice as big as a FT sensor) delivered by an “unknown supplier” in it.”

Now we are done with Leica ;) . Please visit leicarumors for a full Leica news coverage.

X1 specs
• High performance compact camera
• Design in same tradition of the classical Leica camera
• 12.2 megapixels, large APS-C size CMOS Sensor, 23.6 x 15.7 mm
• Exceptionally fast wide angle, Leica Elmarit 1:2.8/24 ASPH Lens (equivalent to 36mm in 35mm format)
• Fast autofocus with simple, intuitive controls and image stabilizer
• Automatic and manual options
• Built-in pop-up flash
• 3 Frames per second shooting speed – RAW & JPEG Capture, fastest in its class
• Made in Germany with a 2-year international warranty
• Directly integrates into HD TV or Home Theater

Craftsmanship
The Leica X1 boasts of superior ruggedness and durability with its aluminium top and bottom plates,
magnesium body and aluminium dials to withstand the rigors of everyday use.

Sensor
The LEICA X1 has the world’s largest sensor in a compact camera. The CMOS sensor which is 23.6 x 15.7
mm is 30% larger than its closest competitor. The LEICA X1 offers the DSLR quality in a compact camera
with its 12.2 mega pixels. The sensor offers sharp pictures in low light conditions making it a perfect
compact tool for professional photographers.

LEICA Elmarit 1:2.8/24 ASPH Lens
The LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/24 ASPH is an outstanding performing lens with its 8 glass elements with 1
aspherical surface. Leica quality: unsurpassed resolution, sharpness, color fidelity and contrast – even at
maximum aperture. With an image stabilizer and an ISO range from 100-3200, the LEICA X1 offers
creative options in available light even under low light conditions.

Handling – Automatic settings and manual controls
The LEICA X1 offers straightforward controls making it easy for both amateur and professional
photographer. The numerous automatic functions and manual settings of the LEICA X1 gives the
photographer options. The photographer can choose the easy way and let the camera take over the
exposure or shutter settings in the automatic mode or switch over to manual controls by using the wheels
on top of the camera. The LEICA X1 gives the photographer full control for creativity while providing the
automatic mode for quick response.

Autofocus
The LEICA X1 autofocus is quick and versatile. It automatically adjusts focus and exposure . It has a 11
point atuofocus system with Face Detection. The LEICA X1 allows the photographer to capture special
moments and fleeting expressions with greater accuracy, taking a series of shots and choosing the best
one. The photographer can capture 3 frames per second shooting speed, either in DNG or JPEG format.
It is the fastest in its class.

Optional Accessories
The Leica X1 is like any other system product. A wide range of accessories for the LEICA X1 including the
bright line view finder, the handgrip and ever-ready cases are available.

source: leicarumors.com