So here we are with the first battle between the two top Micro Four Thirds lens. Which one is better? The manual focusing and ultrafast Nokton or the new, cheaper and autofocusing Leica lens? At SLRclub you can find the answer! A forum user just posted an image comparison you can see below (Click on image to enlarge). As you see the Panasonic lens is much sharper at the center of the image (at f/1.4) but the border performance of the Nokton is still better than the border performance from the Panasonic. This is so because the Nokton has a much larger lens.

If you prefer the manual focusing and ultrafast Voigtlaender lens you can get it right now at [shoplink 15659 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and at Amazon France (Cheapest price),
The Leica will be available in early August and you can preorder at Adorama (Click here), J&R (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).

Now let’s vote:

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One of my favorite websites CameraLabs (Click here) posted a final review of the new Panasonic G3. You can find plenty of video you can download in full resolution and image samples and comparisons. And it’s good to hear that they quite enjoy the G3: “The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is one of the most satisfying and enjoyable cameras I’ve used.“…”I genuinely believe many people who are shopping for their first DSLR would be better-served by something like the Lumix G3. “…”And last but by no means least, the image and video quality is right up there with the best APS-C DSLRs.”

Oh yes, the G3 is really a nice camera!

Click on the following store names to preorder the G3 at Amazon, Adorama and B&H. In Europe at Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, and worldwide on [shoplink 22077 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].

– “Build quality is outstanding, with a solid construction and superb fit and finish.”

– “It’s also very good in the optical department, showing pretty consistent sharpness results across most of its aperture range. The moderate vignetting, lack of chromatic aberrations, and good close-up performance”

– “At first sight, it may look bulky and heavy, but when you remind yourself that it covers an angle-of-view range similar to that of a 100-400mm lens on a 35mm camera, you immediately realise that it’s actually quite compact, especially if you factor in the bright maximum aperture, too.”

Click on shop name to see the lens search results at [shopcountry 23304].

Now let’s hope Olympus will make such nice zooms for the Micro Four Thirds system!

Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

Before to read the test, if you are from US, you can get the Panasonic 20mm pancake for $389 on Amazon (Click here). It’s in Stock via Vann’s!

Shawn Low from Cnet Asia (Click here) tested the new Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens: “We think the lens produced good, pleasing bokeh (the quality of blur) unlike some kit lenses which can make out-of-focus elements appear harsh. The lens produced sharp images all the way to the edges. The lens also produced natural colors that were very close to what our eyes perceived. Although we had a positive experience with the Leica 25mm F1.4, we think that the lens’ minimum focusing distance of 30cm can sometimes be limiting.“More pictures at Cnet Asia.

Dpreview (Click here) posted more 25mm versus 20mm pancake image comparisons. There is a huge discussion about those images. Someone on DPreview said the [shoplink 14796]20mm f/1.7 lens[/shoplink] is actually sharper. To me it looks like the new Leica is sharper than the pancake when you look at the the center of the image.

You can preorder the Leica 25mm f/1.4 at Adorama (Click here), J&R (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here). I didn’t find any preorders in Europe yet.

Leica DG Summilux 25mm f1.4 ASPH with Lumix G3 sample video from Gordon Laing on Vimeo.

The nice (and very fast) guys from CameraLabs (Click here). managed to post a complete set of full size images and video test on their website. And you can found even more images on Flickr (Click here). There is not a lot to say about those image and video samples. I like those images, they have some kind of “sex appeal” that makes me want to buy the lens :)
P.S: You can preoder the lens at Adorama (Click here) and on [shoplink 23181 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

And the Panasonic G3 is now in Stock at Amazon UK (CLick here). What’s impressive is that they are the first Amaozn store to have it in Stock…they also have beaten the japanese store!!! Other preorders are available at Amazon, Adorama and B&H. In Europe at Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, and worldwide on [shoplink 22077 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].

P.S.: Below you can see the reportsed omuser image samples taken with the Leica 25mm lens

The video on top shows the latest work form Seb Farges. he used the GH2 + C-mount Canon 35mm 1.2 ([shoplink 23221 ebay]Click here to see that lens on eBay[/shoplink]) + Cine-Nikkor 10mm 1.8 ([shoplink 23222 ebay]Click here to see that lens on eBay[/shoplink]).

Disappointed… 4/3 lens adapted to μ4/3 (jjsemplephotography).

Sharpness comparison, PL45 vs ZD50 (m43photo.blogspot.com): “When it comes to the general sharpness and contrast, I think that the 100% views show the PL45 to be slightly better.”

Olympus Pen + Holga lens image samples on Flickr and Dpreview Forum.

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42 review at Photozone: “In terms of sheer optical performance the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH O.I.S. is not a great lens. However, when looking at the auto-corrected results, and this is where it counts from a user perspective, it’s capable of producing quite good results.“

Thanks T.J. Donegan for providing the nice review!

I think after reading the review you will agree that the G3 is a very good cameras…or not?

Theoretically worlwide G3 shipments should start tomorrow. Cick on the following store names to preorder the G3 at Amazon, Adorama and B&H. In Europe at Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, and worldwide on [shoplink 22077 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].

By the way, the image on top shows the Panasonic G3 with the all-black 14-42mm kit lens! Do you like it? Me…yes!