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With the release of the X1, Leica has chosen to go its own way by not joining the MicroFourThirds technology. The X1 will use a new developed APS-C sensor and a ixed lens (Sorry, no interchangeable lens mount!). Anyway, Leica will keep working with Panasonic on new MicroFourThirds lenses.

Tomorrow (9am London time) you can follow the live presentation here: http://www.webcasts.com/mdlk001/090909b/

More infos about last hour news and leaks are available at leicarumors.com

Sony officially told in an interview at http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk that they will develop their own mirrorless system and that it will be better than the current Olympus and Panasonics MicroFourThirds solution.

“Yann Salmon-Legagneur, Sony’s Marketing Manager for Digital Imaging (Europe) told us that ‘of course’ Sony is interested in Micro Four Thirds, but ‘not the format itself, but the products that [are] being launched’. Recent Micro Four Thirds cameras from Olympus and Panasonic have ‘moved the industry’ he said.”

Olympus and Panasonic shouldn’t be scared, because:

a) Olympus and Panasonic are the only one for now to have such a system for REAL now!

b) Because in one or two year when Sony will effectively unveil such a system Panasonic and Olympus will already have a lot of experience, lenses, and probably better tecnology.

Still bad availability for the white E-P1 but things are going better for the SIlver E-P1 + 17mm lens kit!

Amazon US: Silver only + viewfinder (In Stock!)

BHphoto: Silver with + viewfinder (In Stock!)

Adorama: Silver with + viewfinder (In Stock!)

All three shops sells them fot the same price $ 899.99.
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Amazon Germany has a discount on the E-P1 Kit (14-42mm) EUR 712,98 (and white E-P1 kit!)
and Olympus E-P1 Pancake Kit (17mm) EUR 771,90 and white E-P1

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The only notable discount I found in amazon UK is for the Olympus E-P1 Camera (14-42mm Silver Lens Kit) – Silver

Here the links to amazon with availability info (I got the availability data from Panasonic, not from amazon):

Panasonic GF1 with 14-45mm Lens ($899,95) Available early October

Panasonic GF1 with 20mm f/1.7 lens ($899,95) Available in October

Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens – Availability early October

Panasonic 45mm f/2.8 lens – Available in November

UPDATE: I made a mistake. The GF1+14-45 lens will be available early October!