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Sony NEX-5 hands on preview/opinion

I just got my hands on the new Sony NEX-5 camera.  And I like it.  A lot.

This is Sony’s answer to the Panasonic and Olympus micro 4/3 cameras and the answer is huge.  The first thing you notice is the sensor.  It’s a regular APS-C size sensor that you find in most digital SLR’s today.  And it makes a difference.  The low light, high ISO ability is spectacular!  The new Sony E-mount only has a few lenses at this time, but I bet, just like the Micro 4/3 mount, there will be adapters available in no time for all the popular mounts!
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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.



Panasonic Takes m4/3 To It’s Logical Video Conclusion

See that sexy beast there? That’s Panasonic’s new AF100 camcorder. It’s neat in that it uses the Micro Four Thirds sensor and mount, but, you know, dedicated for video. Now, given that the GH1 was a surprising success with videographers, and increasingly Panasonic’s m4/3 cameras have been getting a rep for being among the best designed hybrids for video usage, this really does seem like a logical growth of the system. And, one I did not expect to see years ago when I bought into the 4/3 DSLR platform, I gotta say.

Details are a bit sparse right now, but if you’re looking for a light, cheap way to get some apparently quite good video results, it’ll be worth waiting to see what this has to offer later this year.



Panasonic Announces Cameras, Since It Was a Sunday We Slept Through It

Panasonic DMC-G2

Panasonic DMC-G2

So, not having any apparent consideration for us 9-5 types, Panasonic announced its new products this past Sunday. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m something of a tech junkie, so while I was still clearing the sleep from my eyes I read about them in my feed reader. But, then, see, I slept again after that. So, I just remembered them again this morning, just in time for them to be old news, but better late than never, I suppose.

So, first up let’s tackle the G2. The G2 is clearly positioned as the replacement to Panasonic’s first m4/3 shooter, the G1. The nitty-gritty? Well, it’s mostly the same, same form factor (mini-DSLR-style with an electronic viewfinder of some repute), 12 megapixels, 3″ swivel LCD. New? Well, that swiveling LCD screen is now a 3″ swiveling LCD touchscreen. So, that pushes this to the first interchangeable lens device I’ve ever heard of with a touch interface (and for all you nay-sayers, there’re still buttons too), so it’ll be interesting to see what that adds to the experience.

Oh, and they added video, in the form of 720p MPEG. Not their fanciest showing for HD recording, but I reckon they don’t want to step on their GH1‘s toes, especially since it’s so well-designed for video anyway.

Panasonic DMC-G10

Panasonic DMC-G10

Up second is the G10, which maybe we should call by it’s full name of DMC-G10 to help decrease confusion between it and Canon’s infamous PowerShot G10. The DMC-G10 is kinda like the G2, but without the swively touchy screen. It instead opts for the more pedestrian fixed LCD. It will also be available in red, black, and blue, making it the new go-to kid at the bottom of Panasonic’s m4/3 line-up.

Panasonic 14 - 42 mm f3.5-5.6 Lumix G Vario

Panasonic 14 - 42 mm f3.5-5.6 Lumix G Vario

What? Not enough news you say? OK, fine. How about an update to the standard kit lens? Will that do? Good, ’cause Panasonic also announced a new 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens with Mega OIS, which is pictured on both of the new bodies. Previously Panasonic had debuted a 14-45mm, and 14-42mm is a classic focal length for Olympus, who’s offering shares the same mount, so I will admit to a little confusion as to this lens ‘existence, but, when it comes to lens line-ups the more the merrier, I say.



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.



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



Panasonic Updates Firmware For G1, GH1, 45-200mm Lens

gh1-g1-lens-update

Panasonic has announced some new firmwares. The one for the lens reports it should bring better continuous AF performance and improved IS in movie mode to the table, the camera ones… well, let’s quote the wise-and-almight DPReview:

Panasonic has posted firmware updates for its DMC-GH1 and DMC-G1 Micro Four-Thirds cameras. Both updates improve autofocus performance in low contrast conditions and the stability of auto exposure (AE) for the recently released Panasonic Leica 45mm F2.8 Macro lens. The GH1 firmware v1.2 also decreases the AF operation sound of the 20mm F1.7 pancake lens for quieter video recording.

Thank you, DPReview.

G1 Firmware
GH1 Firmware
45-200mm Firmware



Panasonic announces the GF1 -micro four thirds / fast lenses have more fun

Pansonic Lumix GF1

Pansonic Lumix GF1

So yesterday Panasonic officially announces the GF1, their answer to the “why does that micro four thirds look like a D-SLR?” query that the GH1 brought up. It looks a bit like a larger LX3 (for anyone who can find one) with swappable lenses. On the subject of lenses -it doesn’t support every FT and M/FT lens that the E-P1 does (Panasonic’s website has a comprehensive list here). They did, however generate a pretty thrilling 21mm 1.7 pancake -being only 23mm (plus mount) long. Hot diggity.

While there’s no in-body IS, there is a pop-up flash and there just isn’t a reason to hate on a feature like that. <*link derek’s value-added analysis*> It also comes in a pretty black matte finish -again keeping in astetic similarity to the LX3. The GF1 can use the AVCHD Lite codec for high-compatibility HD recording.

Since the GF1 is nominally smaller than The Olympus E-P1, it touts the title of smallest and lightest interchangeable lens digital compact. Accessories will include a hotshoe mounted electronic viewfinder (DMW-LVF1), a Panasonic branded polarizer, ND, and protector filter, and an external flash unit (DMW-FL220 with a GN22).

Add to all this the various intelligent auto and scene mode features and we have an exciting addition to the trailblazing in the MFT wilderness. I’m curious about whether it’ll be has hard to get ahold of as the LX3, and where the price-point will start.



The (Long) Overdue Olympus E-P1 Review

Well kids, I finally got my hands on the video files, so before I head out this fine Indianapolis Friday how about my mini-review of my photowalk experiences with the E-P1 and 14-42mm kit lens?

This is a podcast-enabled post, so if you subscribe to our videos you’ll be getting the video from the end here beamed to you, so don’t worry there.

Getting started, let’s look over the highlights of this beastie:

  • 12 Megapixel 4/3 Sensor
  • TruePic V Processor
  • Smallest body with a DSLR sensor and interchangeable lenses your money can currently buy.
  • 720p HD video
  • Integral Olympus stereo digital audio recorder
  • Art Filters

Ready to read my lengthy-ish review? Click below.

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Panasonic DMC-GH1 Survives DPReview

DPReview is definitely the predominant reviewing site, and the do a very admirably and un-enviable job of trying to do very objective, rational reviews in the face of bias and rabid fans. And they do a pretty good job. I, personally, think they place too much emphasis on a few areas because it makes measuring easier (noise performance, for one), but that’s the name of the game.

All of this is lead-up is to say “Hey, DPReview has their massive 31 page review of Panasonic’s GH1 up!”

The GH1, of course, is sitting in an interesting spot, with a sensor half the size of the 5D Mark II’s, but with an interface and lens designed from the ground up to handle video better. And so far, it sounds like it wins the video battle. But, hey, read that long review for yourself and make your own decisions. Then come back to us and order yours with free ground shipping to the lower 48..




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