Panasonic G5, 45-150mm lens and compact cameras announced!

Note: I will continually update this post with new links. So keep checking from time to time!

Preorders
G5 in Black at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here), in Silver at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)
45-150mm lens in Black at BHphoto (Click here) and in Silver at BHphoto (Click here).
LX7 in Black at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here) in White at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)
Other compacts, the FZ200 at BHphoto (Click here), the FZ60 at BHphoto (Click here).

Previews and Reviews
G5 at Dpreview, Imaging Resource, Techradar, Engadget, ePhotozine (E-M5 vs G5), ePhotozine (preview).
LX7 at Dpreview, Imaging Resource, Techradar, ePhotozine.
Other compacts at Dpreview.

Image samples
G5 at Photographyblog, Imaging Resource, Techradar, Engadget, 3Dnews (rar download folder).
45.150mm at ePhotozine.
LX7 at Imaging Resource, Techradar, Engadget, 3dnews (rar folder), Photographyblog (hands-on).
Other compacts at Photographyblog (FZ200 hands-on), Photographyblog (FZ60 hands-on).

Press Release
G5 at Dpreview, TheVerge, Imaging Resource, Techradar, Photographyblog, Cnet Asia, Photoscala (german), Focus Numerique (french), DSLRmagazine (spanish), ThePhoBlographer, Systemkamera (german), OpenPN (french).
45-150mm lens at Dpreview, Photographyblog, Photoscala (german), DSLRmagazine (spanish), Systemkamera (german),
LX7 at Dpreview, TheVerge, Imaging Resource, Photographyblog, Cnet Asia, Photoscala (german), Focus Numerique (french), DSLRmagazine (spanish), OpenPN (french).
Other compacts at Dpreview, Photoscala (german), Focus Numerique (french), DSLRmagazine (spanish).

Videos
G5 videos: official Panasonic video, Engadget (embedded within the article), G5 review in dutch with english subtittle, video quality test (dutch), youtube (italian), youtube (spanish).
LX7: preview (dutch), video sample (dutch).

Poll

Which of the new Panasonic products do you iike?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Three links to friends and Olympus market roundup…

Moment of Truth – Teaser Trailer from No More Talk Productions on Vimeo.

It is a nice Saturday morning here and I want to post three links to work from friends:

1) Perry sent us the video I posted here on top: “Been laying low for a while in the world of GH2 hacking, because I have been working hard on our feature film. I am the DP on this film and it is being shot all on hacked GH2’s everything from 244mbit(oldschool) to new Mysteron hack(finishing the film on this). We are using everything from Oct-18 Lomos, Nokkors, and M43 glass. here is the first teaser for the film, we are on a 2000$ budget, and it will feature actors who are donating there time to us in between shoots for burn notice and other network tv series https://vimeo.com/groups/gh2/videos/45362977

2) 43rumor reader Uwe wrote a book about Lightroom 4 Artistry. You can read the presentation at Outbackphoto (Click here).

3) Elena from grekkdiaries.com (Click here) received my [shoplink 32132 ebay]Olympus E-PL1[/shoplink] I gave her to tell her greek crisis stories. First pictures have been posted but she still needs to show more. Let’s see what’s coming next.

If our European readers want to get soem cheap camera or lens a place to look is [shoplink 22691 ebay]Olympusmarket (Click here)[/shoplink]. They just posted a fulls et of new stuff including a [shoplink 32124 ebay]Penpal module[/shoplink], [shoplink 32125 ebay]XZ-1[/shoplink], [shoplink 32126 ebay]E-PL2 cameras[/shoplink], [shoplink 32127 ebay]VF-3 viewfinder[/shoplink], [shoplink 32128 ebay]VF-3 viewfinder[/shoplink], [shoplink 32131 ebay]E-P1[/shoplink], [shoplink 32130 ebay]E-PL3[/shoplink], [shoplink 32132 ebay]E-PL1[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 32125 ebay]14-42mm kit lens[/shoplink]. Good Luck with the auctions!

(UPDATED) Olympus releases the E-M5 firmware update!

Today Olympus announces the release of new firmware for the OM-D E-M5 which offers the following improvements:
1) Improved sleep recovery operation
2) AF target indication when using C-AF+TR while shooting sequential images using Sequential L setting
3) Added function to automatically move focus to the following zoom positions when underwater macro mode or underwater wide mode is selected. (Only when M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50 mm F3.5-6.3 EZ is attached)
-Underwater wide mode: Wide setting
-Underwater macro mode: Telephoto setting

Additionally, there is an Olympus Viewer 2 application update for both Windows and Mac that delivers the following:
1) Added the function to edit movies taken by the camera (mov, mp4)
2) Added the function to upload images to “My Photos” on (ib on the net). ib on the net is available in Japan and the U.S.A — http://www.ibonthenet.com/ns/service/serviceOutline

Here are the updates:
>> Firmware Version 1.2 for the OM-D E-M5
>> Firmware Version 1.4 for Olympus Viewer 2 Software

There are two options for updating the firmware:
1) Simply launch the included Olympus camera software and connect the camera via USB cable to an internet connected computer. Choose the Update function from the Camera menu in the software to apply available updates for camera bodies, lenses and accessories.
2) Download the software updater from the following link:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_downloads_updater.asp and follow the installer instructions.

With each method, users can choose to display information related to what the update will apply, prior to performing the update.
The ability to update the firmware of Olympus digital camera components, bodies, lenses, accessories, and take advantage of some of the latest technologies is one of the key advantages of Olympus’ 100% digital design.

UPDATE: Official apology to Ming Thein for the image I used without to write an appropriate text under it (although the image contained the link to his blog). Please understand that I am doing my best and mistakes can happen. In hurry I copied and pasted the image from an old blog post (not from Ming) and the text link wasn’t included. As you know I usually link to all blogs, so I am pretty upset for myself if a mistakes happens.  P.S. Would have fixed everything the much faster but had no Internet to see it. Hope it will be fine now!

——-

E-M5 preorder links:
Amazon, Adorama, B&H, Jessops, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, Amazon France, Amazon Japan and Digitalrev.

Case:
There is the official [shoplink 31898 ebay]CS-36FBC Olympus case[/shoplink]. A [shoplink 31899 ebay]leather half case from Hong Kong[/shoplink]. A full [shoplink 31900 ebay]leather case with strap from Cina[/shoplink]. Than we have half cases from two well known producers, [shoplink 31901 ebay]Zelenpol[/shoplink], [shoplink 31906 ebay]Kaza[/shoplink] and [shoplink 31902 ebay]Gariz[/shoplink].

Batteries, and other things:
The [shoplink 31905 ebay]Olympus GS-4 strap[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 31903 ebay]DSTE E-M5 batteries[/shoplink] you have to use with an extra charger. There is an [shoplink 31903 ebay]E-M5 car charger[/shoplink] a [shoplink 31908 ebay]new E-M5 LCD screen[/shoplink] and a [shoplink 31909 ebay]Front Cover+ Top Panel[/shoplink].

French Notes for 43rumor readers…

I am sharing a bit of my current life experience also because it has a great influence on my daily 43rumors work. I arrived at my tiny little spot in the middle of the Pyrenees. And in these days it has been a challenge for me to get connected with my mobile Internet provider. Anyway, I am now working on a solution to get a faster and more reliable access. This is just to say that I am sorry if I don’t answer most of your mails. Right now when I am connected the only people I go in touch with is my family and the rumor sources :)

Regarding rumors: You may think this is a quit time in terms of rumor work but it is the quite opposite. Panasonic will announce new stuff next week (July 18th) and real BIG announcements from Olympus and again Panasonic are coming by end of August.

Regarding my little tiny life here: Since the first day I came here I am playing songs of Eddie Vedder almost every day. Feeling really free now, it’s nice to enjoy such a peace.

P.S: My friend Elena keeps posting the daily life experience in Greece at Greekdiaries.me. Check it out if you are interested to learn more.

A cool 14-42mm X lens smart cup…

A 43rumors reader me the link to the youtube video you can watch here on top of this post. It’s a smart cup for the [shoplink 25104]Panasonic 14-42mm X lens[/shoplink]. As you see it works like the already existing LX5 lens cap that is available at Amazon. The 14-42mm X cap is a prototype. I have no info about if and when it will go into production.

Does it work? E-M5 iPhone controller…

A 43rumors readers just shared a way to connect the Olympus E-M5 (and other Olympus/Panasonic) cameras with an iPhone remote controller APP.You have to buy the Triggertrap Mobile Dongle (Click here) and the Triggertrap connction cable (Click here). Once you have them you can download the Triggertrap APP (Click here) to remotely control your E-M5.

This is what it does:

* Time Lapse
* Eased Timelapse (timelapses with acceleration!)
* Distance-lapse (take a photo every 30 ft/m)
* Vibration and shock sensors
* Sound detection (Clap to take a photo!)
* Facial Recognition sensor
* Motion detection
* Magnetic & metallic detectors
* Long-Exposure HDR**
* Long-Exposure HDR Timelapse
* Star Trail mode
* Cable Release (press to take a photo) which also supports Long-exposure shots (exposures of up to 24 hours!)

Question is….some of you ever tested it? Is it something we can recommend to E-M5 owners?

E-M5 preorder links: Amazon, Adorama, B&H, Jessops, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, Amazon France, Amazon Japan and Digitalrev.

Panasonic G3 and GX1 hack coming soon!

[shoplink 22077][/shoplink] Vitaly Kiselev is doing process on the [shoplink 26836]GX1[/shoplink] and [shoplink 22077]G3[/shoplink] hacking front. You can read more about it at PersonalView.com. It will add some features like for example full manual mode to video recording. As you may know you can already hack the GF and GH cameras. And I am sure 99% of you think that Vitaly’s work is adding a lot of value to the whole Micro Four Thirs system. It would be nice if he could hack Olympus cameras too but I don’t think this is going to happen any time soon :(

The GF3, G3 and GX1 got some nice discounts (some of them you already know).

The best still remains the GF3 with 14mm pancake for the price of the 14mm pancake only :)  Here at Amazon (Click here) and Bhphoto (Click here). The GX1 with 14-42mm X lens for $749 at Amazon (Click here) and the Panasonic G3 for $499 via Samys at Amazon (Click here).