2.8 MFT lenses, slated for release by 2014

Posted on 17/09/2012 by Zach Honig

Panasonic further reinforced its commitment to the Micro Four Thirds form factor when it released the Lumix GH3 mirrorless camera today, but the company also announced the development of a pair of prime lenses, set to ship next year or in 2014. Details are spotty at this point (limited to what you see in that slide above, in fact), but you can expect a 42.5mm f/1.2 optic (85mm equivalent) and a 150mm f/2.8 lens, which offers a 35mm equivalent of 300mm. There wasn't even a hint of pricing, but we'd expect both of these offerings to be quite costly, though they'll likely be significantly less expensive than DSLR equivalents.

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Panasonic teases 42.5mm f/1.2 and 150mm f/2.8 MFT lenses, slated for release by 2014 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2: Micro Four Thirds cameras with OM-D-like focusing, performance boosts (hands-on)

Posted on 17/09/2012 by Zach Honig

We've been very impressed with Olympus' first OM-D camera, the EM-5. That model's 5-axis image stabilization and super-fast autofocus won us over, while the retro design appeased nostalgics as well. Now, it's time for that speedy shooting to make its way to the company's other Micro Four Thirds models -- the E-PL5 and E-PM2. Both models, announced today, offer nearly identical specifications, with notable differences on the form-factor front. The E-PL5 is the premium model of this bunch, coming in at $700 with a 12-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens or $650 for the body only, while the E-PM2 will run you 100 bucks less for both configurations. Both cameras include 16.1-megapixel Live MOS sensors, top ISO of 25,600, 3-inch 460k-dot touch-enabled LCDs, 1080i video and an 8fps continuous shooting mode. The EM-5's five-axis stabilization is absent here, though a three-axis version should suffice in low light. Each model also includes an external flash and a rebate offer for a free Toshiba FlashAir 802.11b/g/n card, which enables connectivity with the OI Share apps for Android and iOS.

We had a chance to check both cameras out just before Photokina, and were quite pleased with the design, along with that OM-D-like focusing performance, which really is as speedy as Olympus claims. The camera focused instantaneously with almost all of the lenses we tried, though it was a bit sluggish, understandably, when paired with the 60mm f/2.8 macro. The displays were equally sharp, though the PL5 packs a nifty articulating version, which can tilt up, down or face forward for self-portraits. We also enjoyed shooting with the super-slim 15mm f/8 body cap lens, which features a tiny front element with a slide-over cover -- while it's limited on the aperture front and includes fixed focus, it's arguably more useful than a traditional cap (Olympus hasn't confirmed pricing for that optic, though it'll likely come in below the $100 mark). That aforementioned dust-and-splash-proof macro will retail for $500 in early October, while a new 12mm f/2 lens will ship during the same time for $1,100. The "Mini" E-PM2 will be available in silver, black, white and red, while the E-PL5 will ship in silver, black and white -- both versions will be available in October. You can take a closer look at each of the offerings in the gallery below, then jump past the break for the full rundown from Olympus.

Gallery: Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2 hands-on

Continue reading Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2: Micro Four Thirds cameras with OM-D-like focusing, performance boosts (hands-on)

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Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2: Micro Four Thirds cameras with OM-D-like focusing, performance boosts (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 05:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2: Micro Four Thirds cameras with OM-D-like focusing, performance boosts (hands-on)

Posted on 17/09/2012 by Zach Honig

Continue reading Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2: Micro Four Thirds cameras with OM-D-like focusing, performance boosts (hands-on)

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Olympus confirms new high-end Four Thirds DSLR ‘currently under study’ following vague Facebook post

Posted on 20/08/2012 by Zach Honig

Visitors to Olympus' UK Facebook page were met with some "BREAKING NEWS!!" on Friday. According to the post, the camera maker is developing a new DSLR that would theoretically offer focusing performance on par with the OM-D, while providing native compatibility with the company's high-end Zuiko Digital ED lenses, such as the 90-250mm f/2.8. We reached out to Olympus reps in the US, who added the following:

"A new camera body is currently under study to complement our line of Zuiko Digital Specific Four Thirds lenses. However, Olympus has NOT issued a press release on this new camera body."

With Photokina just a month away, it's unclear whether or not this new mystery DSLR will make its debut there, but it's certainly a possibility. As for looks -- that's anyone's guess, though the company's social media arm opted to include a picture of the E-5, which serves as Olympus' current full-size flagship. You'll find the full Facebook post at the source link below.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus confirms new high-end Four Thirds DSLR 'currently under study' following vague Facebook post originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus adds 75mm f/1.8 portrait lens to Micro Four Thirds lineup

Posted on 24/05/2012 by Zach Honig

During our first encounter with the OM-D E-M5 in February, Olympus told us to expect several more lenses to launch throughout the year, including a 75mm f/1.8 variant suitable for portraits and a splash- and dust-proof 60mm f/2.8 macro. Well, that first optic will be coming sooner than you may have thought -- it's expected to hit stores this summer with an estimated price tag of $900. The lens offers a 150mm 35mm-equivalent focal length when paired with a Micro Four Thirds camera, and consists of 10 elements in nine groups, including three ED elements that assist with correcting aberrations. Everything else you need to know can be found in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Olympus adds 75mm f/1.8 portrait lens to Micro Four Thirds lineup

Olympus adds 75mm f/1.8 portrait lens to Micro Four Thirds lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic launches 12-35mm Micro Four Thirds lens with constant f/2.8 aperture

Posted on 21/05/2012 by Zach Honig

As powerful as they've become, Mirrorless camera systems can't match the versatility of a full-size DSLR. One key component we haven't seen is a constant-aperture lens, offering a consistent large aperture size throughout the zoom range. That changed today. Panasonic's new Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm optic packs one incredible advantage over its compact competitors -- a constant f/2.8 aperture. Because of the Micro Four Thirds system's 2x multiplication factor, this 12-35mm lens covers the same zoom range of 24-70mm glass on a full-frame camera, in a significantly smaller package. The optic consists of 14 elements in nine groups, and includes UED and UHR lenses to increase image quality and minimize distortion, along with built-in image stabilization and Panasonic's Nano Surface Coating to reduce ghosting and lens flare. It's also splash- and dust-resistant, and features a metal mount on the rear. Panasonic has yet to release pricing in the US, but the European price tag has been estimated at €1,100 (about $1,400) -- by comparison, Canon's equivalent optic (from a specification perspective) will run you $1,600. For its part, the 12-35mm MFT lens is expected to hit stores in August. Full PR is just past the break.

Continue reading Panasonic launches 12-35mm Micro Four Thirds lens with constant f/2.8 aperture

Panasonic launches 12-35mm Micro Four Thirds lens with constant f/2.8 aperture originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 16:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pentax K-30 leaks out in French catalog, teases us with weather resistance and 1080p video

Posted on 17/05/2012 by Jon Fingas

It's been more than a year and a half since Pentax first put out the K-r as its entry DSLR, so it's about time that a sequel roll along to keep the company in the game. If we believe a French catalog, the K-30 should soon one-up its 2010-era brother with a new 16-megapixel sensor and an upgrade to "full HD" (read: likely 1080p) video from the 720p of today. Most of the real change, though, appears to be on the outside: the body would be "tropicalized," which we're sure means weather resistance and not a trip to Tahiti. We'll be a bit disappointed if there aren't subtler under-the-hood changes, though, as the ISO 25,600 sensitivity wouldn't be any different than with the K-r, and the four frames per second continuous shooting would be a decided step back from the six of the K-30's ancestor. The €799 ($1,014) with-tax price for an 18-55mm kit version likewise seems a bit steep for an entry DSLR, although we'll bite given that this is the "maximum." Let's just hope there's some wild color options in the pipeline whenever the K-30 arrives.

Pentax K-30 leaks out in French catalog, teases us with weather resistance and 1080p video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 14:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pentax Forums | source

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Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera review

Posted on 01/05/2012 by Zach Honig

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera preview (video)

Cameras, Olympus OM-D E-M5 five-axis sensor-shift image stabilization hands-on (video)

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera to ship on March 31st? (update: now April)

Stepping across the great DSLR divide into the land of mirrorless cameras always requires some compromise. Focusing speed, image quality, lens compatibility and battery life are frequent casualties, but for everyone except professional shooters, the size and cost benefits of swapping a full-grown beast for a compact ILC surely help soften the blow. The latest Micro Four Thirds model from Olympus, the OM-D E-M5, adds functionality that expand that list of betterments even further, allowing more versatility than larger DSLRs have to offer. These perks include a water-resistant design, for starters, along with a nifty lens that offers macro shooting and both manual- and powered-zoom in one compact package.

One area where the 16-megapixel E-M5 does match the footprint of its full-size brethren is in price: you'll drop a cool grand for the body alone, while the 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 lens kit will bump that tag up another $300. Make no mistake, the E-M5 is a fantastic camera, but $1,300 is mighty steep for any mirrorless model, especially one with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. This, however, is no ordinary MFT camera. As the first model in Olympus's OM-D line -- taking design cues from the company's popular line of OM film cameras -- the E-M5 is in a class of its own, at least as far as Olympus's portfolio is concerned. Besides physical appearance, perhaps, the most notable selling point is its focus speed: press the shutter release, and your subject comes into clarity with rapid-fire precision, whether you're shooting in bright sunlight or a dark restaurant. But though the E-M5 has already received accolades for its powerful focusing, you might be wondering how the whole package performs. Meet us past the break to find out.

Gallery: Olympus OM-D E-M5 review

Continue reading Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera review

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fujifilm X-Pro1 high-ISO shots go under the loupe in mirrorless standoff with OM-D E-5 and NEX-7

Posted on 23/04/2012 by Steve Dent

We'll soon be putting Fujifilm's new interchange able shooter through our own wringer, but in the meantime we found an apt low-light comparison with two of its non-reflex brethren. Although blogging photog Steve Huff admits the tests are "crazy" and depend on the camera's own auto-exposure choices, the results do give some food for thought. How would the pricier rangefinder-bodied X-Pro1 stack up against the Sony NEX-7 and Olympus OM-D E-M5? If we had to guess -- and we really do, given his methodology -- the noise levels on the Fuji at ISO 3200 and 6400 look to be slightly better than the Sony and smaller-sensored Olympus. If you'd like to take a stab at judging for yourself, follow the link below.

Fujifilm X-Pro1 high-ISO shots go under the loupe in mirrorless standoff with OM-D E-5 and NEX-7 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic Lumix GF5 looks identical to its predecessor, offers similar specs for $100 more (hands-on)

Posted on 05/04/2012 by Zach Honig

It's been a bumpy ride for Panasonic's GF line of Micro Four Thirds cameras. The GF1, an excellent mirrorless camera for its time, was soon replaced with a less-capable entry level model, the GF2. Then another, the GF3. And now, it's time to say hello (again) to the GF5. For better or worse, the GF3 won't be going away -- it'll sit tight at its new $500 price point (with a 14-42mm kit lens), ready to confuse consumers looking to purchase its nearly identical, yet $100 pricier, pseudo-replacement. Both cameras come equipped with 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensors, though the newer model adds a "High Picture Quality" distinction -- it's been dubbed a 12.1-megapixel "High Picture Quality" Live MOS sensor. So, naturally, we're going to expect some pretty incredible images. Panasonic has also added an ISO 12,800 "extended" mode (the GF3 topped out at a native ISO 6400). There has been a jump in the video department, with 1080/30p MP4 recording joining the 720p mix. Burst mode capabilities have seen an increase as well, from 3.8 frames-per-second to... 4. Finally, it's slightly larger, due to a more substantial (and more comfortable) grip, though battery life has dropped from 340 shots to 320, likely due to a new processing technique aimed at further reducing noise in low-light captures.

The GF3 and GF5 look so similar that we mistakenly photographed the former for a minute or two, only realizing the error when we flipped on the LCD. The 5 has a much-improved touchscreen, with a 920k-dot resolution (460k dots on the GF3). It looks gorgeous by comparison, but amateurs making the switch from a point-and-shoot may not take notice. The features they'll appreciate most relate entirely to the GUI, and include a highlight window for selection options, 14 filters with a realtime preview option, a background image that appears on the main menu and a filter recommendation while in Intelligent Auto. This feature works by suggesting that you apply the Expressive or Toy Effect if you're taking a macro shot, for example. Other additions include a stereo microphone for video capture, though the left and right mics are positioned oddly near each other -- on either side of the word "MIC" on the top of the camera, with the right mic angled towards the left -- so we can't image that you'll be getting a true stereo effect. Like its predecessor, the GF5 is clearly designed with beginners in mind -- more advanced photogs should consider the GX1 -- but with a $599 sticker price (with 14-42mm lens), it's sure to be a hit.

Gallery: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 hands-on