Our 43rumors reader and friend Helge just received the very first Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens that has been shipped to Germany. And he already made a full sharpness and bokeh test on 3d-kraft (Click here /it’s in english!): “If you are looking for a bright standard focal length comparing to a 50mm at fullframe wth autofocus, perfect sharpness and already some potential to play with DOF, the Leica DG Summilux 25/1.4 is highly recommended. Also in video mode the autofocus performas very well. Used on the GH2 it is very silent and adjusts sharpness speedy and nearly without optical pumping.”
If you want to buy the lens now you can find it on eBay via Asian resellers [shoplink 24686 ebay]here[/shoplink] and [shoplink 24687 ebay]here[/shoplink]. Amazon Germany (Click here) still says the lens will be in Stock between the next 3-6 weeks. Amazon UK (Click here) says that the lens is temporarely out of Stock. Amazon US (Click here) shas some lenses sold by japanese resellers.
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The detailed [shoplink 23109]Panasonic GF3[/shoplink] test has just been posted at Dpreview (Click here): “The GF3 is a camera that combines high image quality and access to advanced shooting options with a small form factor and simplified control layout. Enthusiasts may be disappointed with the relative paucity of direct controls, but the GF3 is a very easy to use camera that is capable of lovely images.”
The very interesting part is that Dpreview now started to talk about the GF7 (that’s the name we from 43rumors got form our sources): “This being said, given that Panasonic’s chief rivals (Olympus and Sony) have either released or at least talked about producing a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera targeted to the enthusiast market, we wouldn’t be surprised if Panasonic has similar plans. One could even argue that in positioning the GF3 so unambiguously as an upgrade for compact camera users, Panasonic creates a gap in its G-series lineup waiting to be filled by just such a camera.”
You can get the GF3 right now at [shopcountry 23109] (Click on shop names).
NicoFoto (Click here) tested the Jupiter 8 (50mm)lens on the Panasonic GF1: “It is full of character, renders beautiful images, and fits Micro Four Thirds cameras such as the Panasonic GF1 like a glove. Works great for portraits. It is hardly an instant gratification tool, rather, it demands a learning curve that must be endured – and that’s exactly why it can help you improve your photographic skills.”
Usually you can find that lens on [shoplink 24651 ebay]eBay (Click here to see the search results)[/shoplink].
Outbackphoto (Click here) tested the Wanderlust Pinwide Pinhole for m43 cameras and the SLR Magic Toy Lens 26mm f/1.4.
The Wanderlust is available here wanderlustcameras.com.
You can find the SLR magic lens on [shoplink 18603 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
PhotographyBay (Click here) posted a full XZ-1 review: “Overall, the Olympus XZ-1 is a great little compact camera. I find it to be right up there with the Canon G12 as a serious compact shooter. The design is solid, with a slick metal body, the smart lens selection wheel and the signature Olympus Art Filters. The bright f/1.8 lens puts it at the front of the pack in this regard. The rest of the XZ-1′s features and performance considerations stack up nicely against any compact camera in its class.”
The XZ-1 is in Stock at [shopcountry 19904].
Pocket-Lint (Click here) posted a new [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink] review: “It’s a great camera to use, if not a little large compared to some of the competition, and produces among the best pictures of any Micro Four Thirds camera. However, the price and low shots per battery charge may be its comeuppance, and with the impending launch of the smaller, cheaper and almost-as-well-equipped E-PL3 and E-PM1 models there’s a chance the E-P3 may be overlooked.”
Also Stuff.tv (Click here) tested the new camera: “If you want full creative control in a cool but discreet package, the E-P3 is hard to beat. The Sony NEX-5 runs it close but is quite a different camera in use and further removed from the DSLR feel, while Panasonic’s GF2 and GF3 come up a little short in the style and usability stakes.”
Check the E-P3 in Stock status by clicking those search links: [shopcountry 23568].
I always enjoy to see those funny and not to much technical Digitalrev videoreviews reviews. They are good in highlight the “emotional” part of photography. The video on top shows their latest review of the Olympus 12mm f/2.0 m43 lens! Yeah, the price of that lens is a bit high but they liked it a lot! The lens is now in Stock in most stores. Check the availability and price by clicking those direct search links: [shopcountry 23576].
P.S: According to rumors the 50mm macro should be announced within the next couple of months but there is room for more of them! My suggestion to Oly…make a 17mm f/1.4 lens :)
P.S.S: Greetings to all the Digitalrev video team!!!
The New York Times (Click here) wrote about the new [shoplink 23568]Olympus E-P3[/shoplink]: “micro-S.L.R.’s use the same slow focusing system as pocket cameras (the ones that miss so many split-second opportunities). So saying that the EP-3 focuses faster than professional cameras would be like saying that Ford’s newest pickup truck gets better mileage than the Toyota Prius. You can turn this camera on, focus and snap in under a second. The blackout time between photos has been cut in half. And when capturing its gorgeous hi-def 1080p video, the camera refocuses smoothly, quickly and silently as you zoom and pan, exactly like a camcorder. That’s extremely rare in still cameras.” Steve Huff (Click here) posted his final E-P3 review: “The E-P3 is a camera like no other though. When I shoot with any PEN camera I have FUN. The camera inspires me to take it with me at all times. Its small, sleek, thin and light. The out of camera JPEGS are very good and many times I shoot it just with the B&W art filter as I really love the look it gives. But the big question is IMAGE QUALITY! How does the E-P3 compare to the other cameras? Well, in all reality it is up there and close but you will still get better overall image quality from the X100, X1, and Ricoh GXR.”
You can check the E-P3 price and availability by clicking those direct search links: [shopcountry 23568] (Click on shop name).
Panasonic GF3
Digitalcamerareview tested the Panasonic GF3 (Click here): “The GF3 is capable (with very little effort on the part of the user) of consistently and dependably delivering “pro” quality images. The GF3 successfully combines the look and P&S simplicity of a compact digicam with the larger sensor and lens interchangeability of a DSLR. To put that another way, the GF3 looks and behaves like a compact P&S digicam, but it performs like a DSLR.”
You can check the GF3 price and availability by clicking those direct search links: [shopcountry 23109] (Click on shop name).
Panasonic G3
There is also a new Panasonic G3 review at DC.watch (Click here).
You can check the GF3 price and availability by clicking those direct search links: [shopcountry 22077] (Click on shop name).
Mixed
Mobile01 posted a triple review. They tested the GF3 (Click here to read the google english translation), the E-P3 with the 12mm lens (Click here to read) and the Leica 25mm (Click here to read).
Dirk Weber sent me this: “I’m a regular reader of your site and this time I’d like to share a personal experience. ;-) Just for fun I tried a fashion shoot with the [shoplink 19904]XZ-1[/shoplink] a few days ago and it did a great job there. Here you’ll find pictures and a short review in German and some sort of English. If you like, just have a look at my wedding photography website http://www.brautrausch.de – all Olympus – featuring a 3 minute clip showing work with E-Cameras and PENs. ;-)”
REMINDER: Those are the direct search links to all the new Pana/Oly stuff:
Panasonic G3 search page at [shopcountry 22077].
Panasonic GF3 search page at [shopcountry 23109].
Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4 search page at [shopcountry 23110].
Olympus E-P3 search page at [shopcountry 23568].
Olympus 12mm f/2.0 search page at [shopcountry 23576].
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 page at [shopcountry 23577].
– it has very favorable balance between physical dimensions and overall performance.
– Although the folding screens are nothing new to the E-PL3 gives a remarkable charisma.
– they miss an enhanced grip.
– The final opinion is that the E-PL3 deserve a great success of acceptance and sales. In fact, we seem to be technologically more advanced than the [shoplink 23567]E-P3[/shoplink], despite the OLED display and most complete control of it, it simply inherits the [shoplink 14830]E-P2[/shoplink].
The tester Valentin Sama did highlight one particular problem (google translation): “why provide an index of ISO 12,800 if you have no sense to use given the poor quality it offers? A little common sense, please. Each system has its limitations and it has been demonstrated that trying to cover an APS-C sensor with a 16 mm compact is foolhardy, just will recognize that the Micro Four Thirds System offers a compromise between optical quality (image) and weight , volume and price are unbeatable, but for now, with current sensors, providing EI values over 3,200, with picture quality seems just a pipe dream. And why pretend otherwise if the rest is superb?”
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The detailed [shoplink 23109]Panasonic GF3[/shoplink] test has just been posted at 
