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Panasonic’s GX1 Is The Pro Update To The GF1 We’ve Been Wanting

It was a very exciting day back in September 2009 when panasonic announced the DMC-GF1, the first entry in the new Micro Four Thirds product range that seemed geared at pro photographers. Unlike Olympus’ consumer-geared Pen series, and Panasonic’s own DSLR-shaped G series, the GF1 was sleek, compact, and full of knobs and buttons, invoking a very rangefinder-esque aesthetic (and as such becoming very popular with shooters who’d been looking for a good body to mount all their old Leica M glass on).

Then, the GF2 came out, and it was a bit less exciting as Panasonic made it clear the line was moving closer to the Pen series. And with the GF3, almost all the controls had disappeared, leaving a lot of shooters feeling a bit unhappy, and longing for a proper replacement to that GF1.

And, today, we finally have it, in the form of a new, third line from Panasonic: the GX1.

For those of you remembering the GFX1 kit, where that X stood for the inclusion of a power zoom lens, you’ll be rewarded to know the X continues to indicate that this body has been optimized for those power zoom, HD video-oriented lenses. And, to support that, the video recording is finally up to a full 1080 AVHCD, being drawn from a new, higher resolution 16 megapixel sensor.

So, what exactly is new in this long-awaited body otherwise? Well, the ISO cap has scooted all the way over to 12,800, it has dual-axis level gauges (as well as an orientations sensors, we hear. The GF1 relied on information from OIS lenses for this, and non-OIS lenses left you rotating your portrait shots yourself), and there’s a new (and improved, we’re guessing) external viewfinder in the form of the DMW-LVF2. The LCD is disappointingly the same size and same resolution (that 460,000 dot resolution has been a bit long in the tooth for a while now), but you do get to add touchscreen now, for what you think that’s worth. Updates to the AF cycle rate also promise AF speeds up to 10% faster than their last generation, and who knows how much faster than the two-gen old GF1.

As for the rest, how about an easy-to-read comparison table of key specs? You got it.

Spec GF1 GX1
Megapixels 12.1 16
Frames per Second 3 4.2
ISO 100 – 3200 100 – 12,800
HD Video 720 1080
LCD 3″ 460,00 dot 3″ 460,000 dot
Touschscreen No Yes
Focus 23 Area 23 Area
Advanced Hotshoe Yes Yes
Raw Yes Yes

The GX1 will be available in three kits: body only, with regular 14-42mm, and with the new power-zoom 14-42mm, starting maybe sometime next month. More pictures and press release after the jump.

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Panasonic Announces GF2, Really Hopes You Wanted A Simpler GF1

Well, I know we’ve been quiet lately, but, we’re going to speak up today to mention that Panasonic has (finally) announced the GF2, the successor to the popular GF1 Micro-Four Thirds shooter. That we can say confidently. What we can also say is the manual mode dial is gone, as are most of the other physical controls, opting instead for a touchscreen interface. Also gone is the kit with the 20mm f1.7, now the prime will be the wider-but-slower 14mm f2.5 (there’ll be a 14-42mm zoom kit, as well, no worries there.) We hear the menus have been redesigned, and early opinions are that this was for the better. And it comes in black, red, or silver now. It’s also 19% smaller and 7% lighter, for what that’s worth.

Otherwise, you’re looking at a 12.1 megapixel LiveMOS sensor, 3″ touchscreen LCD with 460,000 dots, 23 point AF with selectable face tracking (which also switches you to portrait mode), the new Venus FHD engine, dust reduction, full 1080 HD, yadda yadda, you know the drill.

It is sharp looking, though, although we suspect the change from the pro-ready GF1 to the more consumer-friendly GF2 might prove a point of contention. There’s no pricing yet for either kit, and tentative word is they’ll ship around January next year.



Sony Announces NEX-3, NEX-5 EVIL Shooters

Sony has finally anounced it’s new interchangeable lens compact system (you know, like Olympus & Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds system). They’re getting in the claim of having the smallest interchangeable lens compacts going, which does quite seem to be the case, with these two bodies carving out some out some of the already diminutive mass of even the Panasonic GF1.

The two bodies, the NEX-3 and NEX-5, are upgrade differentiated more-so than being actually different models. They both feature the new “E” mount (different from the Alpha series “A” mount inherited from Minolta). In true EVIL fashion, there will be an E to A mount adapter for slapping your Alpha lenses on these beasties.

The core of both bodies is a 14.2 megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor, like you’d find in the Alpha bodies (which means it’s sporting quite a nice sensor, I’ve been rather pleased with Sony’s DSLR’s output quality every time I’ve used them). They’ve got 3″ tiltable LCDs with 921,000 dots and “TrueBlack” for better outdoor viewing. Over which you’ll of course have the full-time live view with face detection and a 25-point contrast-detect AF array.

They’ll have an ISO range of 200-12,800, and will support RAW with a buffer of up to 8 RAW files at 7 FPS (unlimited JPGs at this rate). And, dual memory card slots for SD/SDHC/SDXC (nice!) or Memory Stick, if you’re stuck with their older proprietary cards. They’ll both have a mounting spot for an optional external flash (none built-in, kiddies. Smallest body, remember?), and a spot to mount an EVF designed for use with the default pancake prime (any of this sounding familiar? Just maybe?)

The NEX-3 is a polycarbonate body, available in black, silver, or red, and records 720p video.

The NEX-5 is a metal body, available in black or silver, and can shoot 720p and 1080p video.

They’ll both be available in kits with either a new 16mm f2.8 pancake or a new 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 zoom. There’s apparently also an 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 zoom planned and a wide-angle converter for the prime (curious to see how well that option works for them).

For more details and purported pricing, hit the external link to the wonderful DC Resource. Some pictures of the new system below.



Panasonic To Update All Its M43 Cameras, Too

So, remember last week when we said Olympus was updating its entire Micro Four Thirds line-up? Well, Panasonic announced today that it would, too.  Just, next month. What’s it going to offer? Glad you asked, gives me a good rhetorical foil to post the following:

Firmware ver.1.2 for DMC-GF1

  • Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached)
  • Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer

Firmware ver.1.3 for DMC-GH1

  • Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached)
  • Availability of AF performance in FHD (full HD) movie recording mode with Four Thirds lenses that are compatible with contrast AF
  • Improved AF performance in movie recording with LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)
  • Improved modulation accuracy of flash
  • Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer

Firmware ver.1.5 for DMC-G1

  • Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached)
  • Improved modulation accuracy of flash
  • Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer

Again, keep your peepers peeled for that next month.



Gadget Lab Casually Reviews Lensbaby Fisheye and Soft Focus Optics

Lensbaby Soft-Focus Optic

So, Charlie Sorrel, Gadget Lab’s resident camera nut, has finished his casual hands-on review of Lensbaby’s two newest optics, the soft-focus and fisheye swappable optics for all of the current generation Lensbaby lenses. And, he tries them on a D700 and a Panasonic GF1, so you get both ends of the sensor-size spectrum.

Now, maybe it’s just my love of everything Dave McKean has ever done, but I do think the soft-focus lens is more useful and desirable than Charlie does, but I agree whole-heartedly with his assessment of the fisheye optic as a cheap route for those who want that and already have a Lensbaby.

Also, I never found the optics to be all so finicky to swap around, but your mileage may vary, of course.

Anyway, not much to say otherwise, if you want to know his thoughts you should really just hit the external link below.



Gadget Lab’s Charlie Sorrel A-OK With Panasonic’s GF1

So, Gadget Lab’s camera commentor/buff/aficionado

Charlie Sorrel has posted his thoughts about Panasonic’s GF1 Micro Four Thirds shooter. For those just joining (halloa!), the GF1 belongs to the Micro Four Thirds system, which is like a DSLR in that it uses a large sensor (the same as Olympus and Panasonic’s Four Thirds DSLRs) and interchangable lenses, but it doesn’t use an optical viewfinder, so it has no mirror, which means you’re stuck with LCDs for display but the camera is tinier and quieter.

Basically, they’re being called the digital equivalent of rangefinders.

The GF1 is exciting because like the E-P1 from Olympus (and unlike its own siblings, the G1 and GH1), the GF1 fully realizes the compact, retro styling MFT promises. Unlike the E-P1 and E-P2, the GF1 isn’t aimed at casual users and family snapshooters, but at the enthusiast and even pro markets (there’re first-, second-, and third-party adapters to mount basically every lens ever from Rokkor to Leica M to Canon FD and Nikon F to this thing).

And that leads us to this statement from Mr. Sorrel, who’s typical distaste for Olympus’ small sensors and general love of Nikon’s admirable low-light efforts are frequently noted:

But although the GF1’s LCD panel has only 460,000 pixels (many newer DSLRs have almost a million), the 60fps refresh rate makes a huge difference. You actually feel like you’re using the focusing screen on an old medium format TLR. Weirdly, I actually find it easier to frame shots than with my Nikon D700’s fantastic viewfinder.

Well, guess that answers how easily you can get by without an OVF, yeah?

Hit the link below to read his full mini-review.



Olympus E-P2 Available Here

e-p2Engadget has today pointed out that the Olympus E-P2 has started shipping out. Well ha! We already had some available!

The E-P2, for those who missed it, it the somewhat bigger step-brother to the E-P1. It’s not meant to have the more pro features its cousin the Panasonic GF1 has, but is instead still aimed at the higher end of the consumer market, gaining a very attractive new purpled-black metal body and includes an vari-angle hotshoe-mounted EVF. It is of course compatible with all Micro Four-Thirds lenses, all Four-Thirds lenses with adapter (and provided you don’t mind giving up AF on most of them), just about every other lens ever made (again with no AF and adaptor) by anyone, and all Four-Thirds flashes.



Jeff Keller Reviews Pansonic GF1

Pansonic Lumix GF1

Pansonic Lumix GF1

Jeff Keller, founder and reviewer over at DCResource, has completed another one of his hands-on, everyday-use-oriented camera reviews. This time he tackles the highly-awaited Panasonic GF1. Panasonic, who not so long ago was a fairly criticized underdog in the camera world has really made some unbelievable leaps and bounds since I’ve been here and are now one of the strongest imaging companies I can think of, with such stellar offerings over the years as the LX3, the TZ5, the GH1, and now, apparently, the GF1. WHat’d Jeff think about it? ‘ll save you some tension and quote this from his conclusions, but for the rest you should over and read his many-page in-depth review.

I’ll start off this conclusion with a personal story. In a matter of days, I’m headed off to Asia for a three week vacation. In the past, I’ve taken my digital SLR with me, and while I love the picture quality and selection of lenses, carrying all that gear around gets a little tiring after a while. I could bring a compact camera, but the photo quality often disappoints, especially in low light. When the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 came out last year, I was intrigued — it had the flexibility and performance of a D-SLR, but in a smaller body. But it was still a bit larger than I wanted. When the Olympus E-P1 showed up I’d found what I had been looking for. Unfortunately, I was let down by its slow autofocus system. Enter the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1: it’s roughly the same size as the E-P1 and has better AF performance, a built-in flash, a higher resolution LCD, and a nicer movie mode. Add in full manual controls, a second-to-none live view experience, great photo quality, and lots of bells and whistles and well, I was smitten. Not only do I highly recommend the DMC-GF1 — I can tell you that I bought one to take on my trip.

DCResource Review

Preorder a GF1 @ Roberts



Potpourri

Aaand here we have a few exciting notes for those of us online and shutter happy. Anyone who so far has had the clam for an E-P1 can rejoice at a firmware update (1.1) which will improve the Continuous AF mode. Also, they’ve updated firmware for the 14-42 and 17mm pancake. To update your Oly gear, just connect the camera to your computer and boot up Olympus Master. Derek says, “Key here is: Follow the instructions on screen -don’t turn it off until it says you can turn it off!” Funny, he tells me I turn it off by walking into the room.

Also, Adobe has passed beyond the release candidate stage on Lightroom 2.5 and Camera Raw 5.5 -yup your D300s, D3000, DMC-GF1, and E-P1 RAW files are now supported. Literally, now. The DMC-FZ35 is supported as well, but only in the US version. As I check our sales history that’s less than 20 days from when the D300s and D3000 bodies hit our shelves to Adobe supporting their RAW.

Aaaand I’m going to fill out this survey: http://survey.pmai.org/cgi-bin/qwebcorporate.cgi?idx=QYAG8E because DPreview and PMA wants the Amatuer’s opinion on equipment and usage. While I might make my bread selling camera gear (and annoying Derek, Jody, et al) I certainly don’t do it taking pictures. C’mon guys, own up to having a day job and let them know we want 75 megapixel sensors that record zero noise at 180000 iso on a twenty minute exposure of the night sky. For under $1000. Bwahahahaha. Ok, it’s not really my hobby to try and skew survey data, but there is something (fundamentally broken, to be sure) in me which delights in the idea.

PhotoWalk on Thursday in Broadripple Park or surrounding environs. 7:15PM -and e-mail me if the calendar says 8:15PM ’cause that’ll be wrong.



The Voice of Raw, Episode 7

0:00 – Intro
0:27 – Sony Announcements
1:08 – Sony Alpha A850
1:49 – Sony Alpha A550, A500
4:42 – Canon Announcements
6:11 – Canon EOS 7D
9:02 – Panasonic Lumix GF1
11:02 – Micro Four Thirds Lens Line-Up
12:16 – Carel Struycken’s Olympus E-P1 Review
13:11 – Roberts Imaging on Facebook

 



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