So, while the Interchangeable Lens Compact market has since exploded, with entries now from Nikon, Fuji, and Sony joining Olympus and Panasonic’s sorta-shared sorta-competitor Micro Four Thirds platform, Micro Four Thirds is still the most established name in the game. And if you had any doubts about that left, the announcement of popular lens makers Tamron and Tokina, as well as specialty lens maker ASTRODESIGN, hopping on board with Sigma, Olympus, Panasonic, and Leica to support the going-on-four-year-old system ought to help remove those. There’s not a lot else to announce at this point, as no one has mentioned any coming lenses, but fans of Tamron’s travel superzooms and Tokina’s incredibly popular wide-angle zooms should rejoice in this move. Press release after the jump.
› posts tagged ‘micro four thirds’
Sigma’s “Digital Neo” series – small, fast primes for Micro Four Thirds and NEX
Looking for a fast prime for your Micro Four Thirds or NEX camera? Sigma’s got two in the works, designed specifically for the smaller formats.
Coming are the 30mm f/2.8 EX DN and 19mm f/2.8 EX DN. One to two stops faster than the kit zooms that typically come with either system, it’ll be exciting to see them in action. And we’re pretty sure that Sigma can make a prime -just recently our Website Manager, Derek, picked up an older Sigma AF 28mm f/2.8 for Nikon and has been pretty much besotted with it.
As for the alphabet soup, the new DN designation stands for “Digital Neo.”
You can read the offical press release here, and the post from Sigma’s blog here.
Panasonic Announces 4 Lens Converters For Micro Four-Thirds Kit Lenses
Like your Panasonic 14-42mm or 14mm f2.5 for your G-series interchangeable lens compact, but just wish it had a bit more… flexibility? Luckily, Panasonic feels ya, and has announced four converter lenses that work with one or both of those lenses. Up for grabs are The following:
- Wide-angle converter DMW-GWC1 converts the 14mm (28mm equiv) to 11mm (or 22m equiv)
- Telephoto converter DMW-GTC1 converts the 42mm (84mm equiv) end of the kit zoom to 84mm (168mm equiv)
- Macro converter DMW-GMC1 reduces your minimum focusing distance down to .14m (5.5″), but doesn’t tell how to calculate the change in magnification from such.
- Fisheye converter DMW-GFC1 er, makes things fisheye. A 120 degree one, though.
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- DMW-GWC1
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- DMW-GFC1
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- DMW-GMC1
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- DMW-GTC1
Compatability for them is as follows:
| Converter | LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S | LUMIX G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH |
| Wide-angle | Yes | Yes |
| Telephoto | Yes | No |
| Macro | Yes | Yes |
| Fisheye | Yes | Yes |
Olympus Announces First Weather-Sealed M4/3 Lens, the M. ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ
Olympus has announced a new lens for its ever-growing Micro Four-Thirds system (which shares a mount and spec with Panasonic’s own efforts), the M. ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ. Like many new M4/3 lenses, this one is designed with video applications in mind, and to that end includes a power zoom function where you can operate the zoom with a toggle rocker, like on point and shoots, allowing for smoother, less jerky zooming while you’re filming your epic masterpiece. Since the product page and press release don’t mention it, for now we’re just going to assume that’s indicated by the new EZ designation, which probably stands for “Electronic Zoom” or something similar. For further video use, the lens uses Olympus’ newer MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) quiet autofocus motor.
And, in addition to all that, this is the first M.ZUIKO lens from Olympus to feature the build quality and weather-sealing that made their mid-range ZUIKO line-up for 4/3 so respected. I personally owned two lenses from that line-up, and got to use a third for a while, and I can attest to their quality and weather-sealing, so, if this new one lives up to that legacy, it’ll be a trooper, and lend some much anticipated “pro” quality to what for years now has focused on being a consumer system. Now, if only it were a bit faster, but, I suspect there’ll always be compromises inherent in making compact zooms.
The 12-50 EZ will begin being available sometime in January, with an MSRP of $499.99. It’s up for preorder on our site here, and you can read the press release after the jump.
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.
Olympus Rounds Out Pen Announcement With Two Long-Awaited Metal Lenses and a New Flash
Finishing off the Pen extravaganza Olympus seems to be throwing today are a pair of metal-clad “professional” primes for the Micro Four Thirds system that Olympus has been promising for some time, and a new flash unit.
The lenses are the M.Zuiko Digital 12mm f2 ED and the M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.8 ED. Both feature Oly’s MSC tech which’ll make them better for video focusing than the first generation M.Zuiko lenses were, and the elegant looking metal construction gives them a bit more of a serious air than the other lenses as well. With Micro Four-Thirds’ 2x crop, their effective field of views will be 24mm and 90mm respectively, making them good choices for street/landscape work and portraits. Also respectively.
The flash is the FL-300R. The R means this works with Olympus’ remote flash system, and can be controlled by many on-board flashes as well as older models like the FL-500R. It’s got a GN of 19m at ISO 100, and has a pretty decent tilt range, but no swivel. It also sports what I’ll forever consider the traditional “tourist” aesthetic.
The 14mm will run around $800, the 45mm around $400, and the flash around $160.
Olympus Adds New Pen Line with Pen Mini E-PM1
Finishing out Olympus’ announcement of three Pen bodies today is the new “Mini” line, which since it’s the first year for this gets called the E-PM1.
All of the bodies feature the same basic guts and are differentiated by body and control options instead. Not to say that’s a bad thing. While the sensor sticks at the same 12ish megapixels that Olympus thinks is the sweet-spot for these types of cameras, the processor has been upgraded to new TruePic VI processor, and the AF has been improved with a new Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology (FAST) system. And by “improved” I mean I’ve heard tell it can check AF 120 times a second and Olympus is already talking about it rivaling many DSLR AF systems. There’re 35 AF areas, and you can group them into 3×3 areas for tracking active subjects.
Other features across all models include ISO support up to 12,800, 1080i HD video, three-mode in-body Image Stabilization, the most effective dust-reduction system I’ve ever used, multiple aspect ratios, multiple exposure, and the Pen series’ infamous Art Filters.
The E-PM1 sits as the most consumer/point-and-shoot step-up oriented of the three brothers. The controls are pretty minimal compared to the two models above it, and the reward for that is that the body is right about the same size as Olympus’ fairly tiny XZ-1 compact.
So,what’s the difference between this body and the next step up, the E-PL3? Well, luckily, the advanced hotshoe port isn’t one of them. It’s still sitting there, inviting you to use the external viewfinder or nifty macro light Oly makes for the Pen bodies. Three more buttons (delete, zoom, and Fn) have disappeared, as has the mode dial. The screen is back to being fixed, and is downgraded to a more pedestrian 460,000 pixel LCD. It’ll be available in a bunch of colors: black, white, silver, red, purple, and brown. For a shot around back and the press release, hit the jump.
Olympus E-PL3 Fills Out Middle Of New Pen Line-Up
So, continuing Olympus’ Pen revival today we come to the middle body, the Pen Lite E-PL3. Which of course replaces the E-PL2 in the line-up.
All of the bodies feature the same basic guts and are differentiated by body and control options instead. Not to say that’s a bad thing. While the sensor sticks at the same 12ish megapixels that Olympus thinks is the sweet-spot for these types of cameras, the processor has been upgraded to new TruePic VI processor, and the AF has been improved with a new Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology (FAST) system. And by “improved” I mean I’ve heard tell it can check AF 120 times a second and Olympus is already talking about it rivaling many DSLR AF systems. There’re 35 AF areas, and you can group them into 3×3 areas for tracking active subjects.
Other features across all models include ISO support up to 12,800, 1080i HD video, three-mode in-body Image Stabilization, the most effective dust-reduction system I’ve ever used, multiple aspect ratios, multiple exposure, and the Pen series’ infamous Art Filters.
The E-PL2 was the bottom of the Pen line, but this new E-PL3 moves up to the middle of the line. Either way, as you’d expect, there are some things the bigger bro has that this model doesn’t. The E-PL3 has a smaller, slimmer body than the E-P3, and will come in black, white, red, or silver. The built-in popup flash (although a small external one is included in the box) , secondary control wheel, and dedicated EV comp button are gone, leaving a more point-and-shoot feeling control scheme using a combined four-way controller and jog wheel. The touchscreen is gone, and the resolution is down to 460,000 dots, but it’s still OLED. And, to ease the sting a little, the E-PL3′s screen is articulated, although tilt only. No swivel here, loyal fans of articulated displays.
It’s worth pointing out real quick that while the controls are simplified, the Pen series is now in its third year of looking absolutely gorgeous in all its incarnations. Check out more pics of the Pen Lite E-PL3 and the press release after the jump.
Olympus Updates Pen Line With E-P3
Olympus announced three cameras in its Pen series of interchangeable lens compacts today. Two are replacements for existing models, and one is a new ultra-compact to compete with the increasingly tiny Sony NEX series and Panasonic’s new smaller GF bodies. All of the bodies feature the same basic guts and are differentiated by body and control options instead. Not to say that’s a bad thing. While the sensor sticks at the same 12ish megapixels that Olympus thinks is the sweet-spot for these types of cameras, the processor has been upgraded to new TruePic VI processor, and the AF has been improved with a new Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology (FAST) system. And by “improved” I mean I’ve heard tell it can check AF 120 times a second and Olympus is already talking about it rivaling many DSLR AF systems. There’re 35 AF areas, and you can group them into 3×3 areas for tracking active subjects.
Other features across all models include ISO support up to 12,800, 1080i HD video, three-mode in-body Image Stabilization, the most effective dust-reduction system I’ve ever used, multiple aspect ratios, multiple exposure, and the Pen series’ infamous Art Filters.
The E-P3 sits on top of this new line-up as the flagship. It looks largely like the E-P2 before it, so, no surprises there. It’s still got a bunch of physical buttons and a mode dial, and it has the advanced hotshoe port to support the external viewfinder or the nifty macro light. In enhancement news, the grip is now removable via a thumb-screw mechanic, so you can use it or not as suits you. Also, the 3″ OLED display is up to 614,000 dots resolution and is touch-enabled, including touch to focus. The E-P3, being the top of the Pen line, also has a built-in flash, for what that’s worth to you out there. Looks like it’ll come in black, silver, and that cool retro white and tan that I continue to love so much. For more pictures and the full press release, hit the jump.
Sigma to mount up Micro Four Thirds and E-Mount
Following on the news that Sony’s released the specifications for their 18mm flange back E Mount (which we so failed to blog about yesterday), Sigma announces that they’ve taken up the mantle (mountle?) and will support the format. They’ll also be generating lenses for the growing Micro Four Thirds market.
I’m not terribly surprised, they’re one of the few manufacturers that produced lenses for my own dear Olympus Four Thirds mount (I’m still working up the gumption to pick up their 35mm f/1.4), and with big O’s abandonment of consumer-level D-SLRs, it’s no wonder they’re willing to produce for this newer, and growing, piece of the market.
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