Olympus as promised today released the E-P2 as its second-generation Micro Four Thirds compact. The update to the 12.3-megapixel camera primarily adds continuous, motion-track autofocusing that can better follow a subject across the frame. HD movie recording likewise gets a boost with manual control over the aperture and shutter speed.
Epson has began producing a small, high-temperature polysilicon LCD panel that is just 0.47 inches in diagonal size and has an extremely dense 800x600 resolution. The panel is meant for use in the electronic viewfinders (EVF) of some digital cameras and is crisp enough to replicate an actual optical eyepiece. Unlike competing products that display RGB colors in sequence, the new example doesn't produce color breakup. This is evident as an iridescence in the outlines of objects when panning or looking away from the screen at a certain speed.
As expected, Panasonic today launched the Lumix GF1, its own take on the idea of a rangefinder-like Micro Four Thirds camera. In addition to being slightly smaller than the Olympus E-P1 it shares its system with, the GF1 has a surprise fix for the absence of built-in flash on its competitor: the corner opposite the grip has a hidden pop-up flash that properly distances the illumination from the lens. No viewfinder is built-in, but an optional electronic viewfinder provides 100 percent coverage regardless of lens.
Panasonic has inadvertently spoiled its launch plans for the Lumix GF1 through at least one ad. Appearing on UK sites, the tower spot is short on details but confirms its position as Panasonic's rough equivalent to the Olympus E-P1 with a point-and-shoot style body but a Micro Four Thirds lens system. It also supports notions that the GF1 will ship in multiple colors, such as the red found on the G1/GH1 as well as black, silver and white.
Panasonic's Lumix GF1 could get an announcement in three weeks based on a invitation that was briefly posted in a Chinese forum. The image lists an "unvealing" (potentially a play on words) for a new Lumix model in a two-day event that starts September 1st. A silhouette in the shot appears to match that of the GF1.
Panasonic's third camera using the Micro Four Thirds system in less than a year should be a direct answer to the Olympus E-P1, a leak through a Chinese forum shows. The Lumix GF1 is potentially smaller than the E-P1 but should answer some of the weaknesses of its sibling, including adding a hidden (likely pop-up) flash on the top left. It would still omit a dedicated viewfinder but would bring a dedicated movie button to start capturing 720p video in the AVCHD Lite (H.264) format also used by some of Panasonic's fixed-lens compact cameras.
Olympus is already preparing a sequel to its E-P1 that would address at least one main complaint about the Micro Four Thirds camera, according to a claim by French magazine Chasseur d'Images. Coming from the same issue that accurately leaked the Nikon S1000pj under its working codename, the assertion intercepted by Photo Rumors has an Olympus E-P2 adding a built-in viewfinder. The current model only has an optional viewfinder that needs to use the camera's hot shoe, preventing it from using flash at the same time and providing a view separate from what the lens itself sees.
Panasonic this morning swelled the ranks of its Lumix cameras with three new models that all have new features. The FZ35 replaces the FZ28 as the company's ultrazoom and adds a new High Dynamic mode that improves the high dynamic range (HDR) of a scene, bringing detail back to overly bright highlights and darker shadows. A pseudo-manual mode known as My Color gives control over brightness, contrast and saturation with live previews of each, and a faster autofocus system that helps both for action scenes as well as capturing 720p video.
The E-P1 will be supplemented by more distinct Micro Four Thirds models and with more professional features, Olympus product planning manager Akira Watanabe said in the wake of the new camera launch today. He explains to DPReview that the E-P1 is just the first in a larger range and that at least one future model will have an electronic viewfinder, much as Panasonic's Lumix G1 and GH1 have now. More lenses should also come in tow and may include more prime lenses beyond the new 17mm f2.8.
Olympus today finally launched the E-P1, its first camera using the Micro Four Thirds system and the first to adopt a non-SLR profile. Meant to recall the company's PEN cameras, it has a consciously retro but compact design that allows a large DSLR sensor and removable lenses but without the depth needed with a conventional mirror box or large optics. In a unique approach, Olympus doesn't have a dedicated electronic viewfinder beyond the 3-inch LCD but does give the choice of an optical add-on viewfinder.
One day ahead of its scheduled release, Olympus' EP-1 micro four thirds digital camera has been leaked. The camera is equipped with a 13-megapixel, 3 CCD sensor and can capture RAW images. It relies on an SD memory card for storage, and much like Panasonic's Lumix GH1 can shoot seven minutes of 720p video or else 14 minutes of 640x480 resolution video.
Panasonic on Wednesday officially confirmed the price for its second Micro Four Thirds digital camera, the Lumix GH1. The official price of nearly $1,500 for a bundled kit includes a 14-140mm, f4.0-5.8 lens and matches the unofficial pricing from electronics retailers J&R, revealed just yesterday. Panasonic adds that the camera will ship early in June.
The Panasonic Lumix GH1 Micro Four Thirds camera, introduced at the start of March, has finally received a tentative US price through electronics retailer J&R's website. The new model is set at $1,500 for its standard kit version, which carries Vario HD 14-140mm, f/4.0-5.8 lens, which features four aspherical pieces of glass, optical image stabilization and is meant to capture both the close-up and telephoto shots likely in the camera's signature 1080p video mode.
Panasonic UK on Thursday announced it is adding the 10.1-megapixel DMC-FS62 point and-shoot camera to its FS line-up, following up on the release of the FS25 in January. The new camera sports an Intelligent Auto mode that has an optical image stabilizer, auto ISO control, face detection and full auto scene selection. The new Intelligent Auto chooses between one of two optical stabilization modes depending on which of the two zoom ratios is being used. Advances in detection accuracy and correction effect come via a new Venus Engine IV image processing chip.
Panasonic today edged closer to a formal launch for the Lumix GH1 by providing details for its Japanese launch. Introduced at PMA, the camera will ship to the country on April 24th and cost the equivalent of $1,535 after both tax and the inclusion of its special 14-140mm lens, which is optimized for the camera's central video recording feature. Colors have changed from the original G1 and will give Japanese owners the choice of gold in place of blue while keeping black and red options.
Panasonic today added one more camera to its roster in the Lumix FX48, its newest ultra-compact model. The camera is relatively slim at about 0.85 inches deep but carries a 12-megapixel sensor and a 5X, 25-125mm equivalent wide-angle lens that makes it better-suited both to close-ups and to landscape shots. It also adds a newer face detection system common to most 2009 models that can recognize individual faces and prioritize those over others in the same scene.
Panasonic on Tuesday rolled out sweeping changes to its Lumix cameras that include firsts both for itself and the whole industry. The Lumix ZS3 is the first compact camera to hold a 12X optical zoom lens and so has range comparable to an ultra-zoom in a smaller size. The 10-megapixel camera also has a wider 25mm lens that can capture more of the scene as well as face detection for portraits.
Panasonic on Friday stepped out of its usual update schedules with three new Lumix pocket cameras that all add live autofocus tracking absent in most previous models. The leading model, the 12-megapixel FS15, can not only use this to maintain focus even as the subject moves but has a new auto-exposure function to avoid blowing out highlights or to bring out detail in darkened areas. The FS15's 29mm wide-angle lens also contributes to a better image and comes optically stabilized and with a 5X zoom.
Panasonic on Thursday announced more details regarding its Lumix DMC-G1 digital camera, first introduced last month. The Lumix G1 is the world's first Micro Four Thirds System camera, meaning it offers interchangeable lenses and certain functions that are similar to digital SLR cameras. The electronics maker revealed the camera will cost nearly $800 bundled with a 14-45mm Lumix G Vario lens when it ships to stores in mid-November. Around the same time, Panasonic will release a telephoto lens for the camera, in the form of a 45-200mm Lumix G Vario, which will be priced at about $350.
Panasonic's Lumix G1 Micro Four Thirds camera will carry the price of a full entry-level DSLR when it launches in the near future, company executive Yasunori Takase says in an interview with Adorama. Although Panasonic has publicly said it would only expand on its launch details next month, Takase now says the camera plus its 14-45mm kit lens will cost nearly $800 in the bundle when they reach US shores. Pricing for the optional 45-200mm lens isn't available.
Panasonic on the eve of the Photokina expo revealed a test version of a Micro Four Thirds camera with HD video capture. Similar in body style to the just-announced Lumix G1, the new camera would serve as a bridge between high-end compact cameras and full DSLRs with a large sensor and swappable lenses but also a dedicated video button and stereo audio recording. Few extra details are available, though the camera has a similar control scheme to the G1 with a separate dial for priority shooting modes.
Camera maker Leica has refreshed its line with a set of new models that keep it up to date with rivals. The M8.2 (pictured) refreshes Leica's retro rangefinder camera but primarily focuses on the design itself. The compact is the first professional camera to use a scratch-resistant, sapphire-coated LCD similar to luxury cellphones that provides much tougher protection than glass. The outside has also been reworked with a vulcanite-style finish that preserves the rest of the shell without altering the vintage looks.
Panasonic chose Friday to break new ground with the launch of the Lumix G1, the first known production camera based on the Micro Four Thirds pseudo-SLR system. The absence of the traditional mirror and a smaller lens mount produce a 12.1-megapixel camera which is both the smallest and lightest to carry swappable lenses but which still has the sensor size and focusing abilities of a more typical DSLR. The lenses themselves are often half the size and weight of a regular SLR parallel.
Panasonic this morning got an early start to the run-up for the Photokina expo with a full range of new cameras. The Lumix FZ28 is close in capabilities to the earlier FZ18 with an 18X zoom factor but now shoots with a slightly wider-angled 27mm (previously 28mm) lens that lets it put more of a very long subject in the frame. It also adds a new autofocus tracking mode that keeps a subject in focus even in fast movement, ensuring that either basic focusing or face detection works properly without mastering shutter speeds and ISO settings.
Panasonic topped off its LUMIX cameras today via the new TZ50. The 9.1-megapixel camera is Panasonic's first Wi-Fi model in the country and draws on its wireless linkup to share photos without the memory card leaving the camera: Internet access allows the camera to send individual or batch photos to a Picasa Web Gallery and provide a link to the gallery through e-mail. Every TZ50 will also have a year of free T-Mobile hotspot access to let photographers upload photos from normally pay-only connections.
Panasonic is expanding the top end of its Lumix point-and-shoot camera line with the FX500. The compact focuses on optics rather than just its 10-megapixel sensor; the 25-125mm lens is capable both of wide-angle shots and zooming to 5X, allowing the camera to catch both unusually large subjects as well as long-distance shots. Panasonic also claims a unique interface that combines both a touchscreen and a directional pad for users who want either the relative ease of the former with the option of falling back to physical controls.
