The back from the new Panasonic GH3.
Panasonic announcement:
Personal View (Click here) unveiled that Panasonic will have a press conference at 1pm (13:00)
Cologne time. There will be a online live translation from press conference with photos, video will be uploaded later. On Tuesday Will Crockett and friends (Click here) will host a live conference about the Panasonic conference.
Olympus announcement:
On the Olympus front Pekka Potka (Click here) will meet Terada-san from Olympus tomorrow in Cologne at Photokina and shares his thoughts about current trends in consumer photography. PP is aksing you to send him some questions for Mr Terada.
PEN screen rumor:
And I got another small rumors about the new PEN LCD screen: While at first glance readers may be disappointed with the new 460k resolution they have to know that these are using a new technology that makes them appear very clear and on par or even better than the 640k OLED screen of the E-P3 “The new 460k screens on the new pens have been redesigned so that while the resolutions are lower, they appear to be very clear and they’re on par or even a bit more effective in bright sunlight than the OLED found in the E-P3. In short…wait and see!
And here are more Samy links:
Silver E-PL5 (Click here)
White E-PL5 (Click here)
Black E-PL5 (Click here)
FL-LM1 Flash Replacement for E-PM2 Digital Cameras (Click here)
Silver E-PM2 (Click here)
Red E-PM2 (Click here)
Black E-PM2 (Click here)
White E-PM2 (Click here)
77 Responses
Looks amazing. I think I’m going to pee myself.
It’s a bloody F****N* camera.
I’m seeing 5 Fn buttons!
I sure hope you’re weather-sealed, or splash-proof at the very least! 😉
I just hope it’s release date is sooner rather than later.. Either way mine will be going on pre-order as soon as it’s available on B&H or Adorama.. Here’s HOPING there’s a 14-140 kit available.
What’s next? 150×100 pixels with super-clear sunlight technology, and that’s called progress?
As for sending questions to Pekka Potka, it’s easy – when is the E-7 coming out?
I like all the extra “Fn” buttons, having the ability to instantly access favorite parameters is a great option. I love the extra buttons on the EM5 + grip.
Very impressed by all the buttons and dials on the GH3. What’s in store for the battery grip? Will the XLR input be located there?
Gotta say though, really disappointed in the poor resolution of the EVF/LCD. I wonder if there is some redeeming technology in them to keep them relevant.
What’s a flash replacement???
A clip-on baby flash?
re the screen resolution thing… I guess the old screens maybe had ‘pentile’ display and the new ones won’t if they say the perceived resolution is better:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/the-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-has-a-pentile-display-what-is-it-and-why-should-you-care/
Interesting. Could be.
Question for PP: when will Olympus start focussing on fast zooms (eg a m3 version of the 12-60), and which one are they going to release first?
Q2: Will there be a model between E-PL5 and E-M5?
Q3: What’s the logic behind not equipping any of current m4/3 bodies with integrated flash?
Q4: Why are primes being made in silver only at first?
I suppose there’ll be many more after we see the specs of two new PENs.
Pekka Potka
When will Olympus bring out 8mm and 7-14mm for mft?
Why doesn’t E-M5 have spot metering linked to focus point?
When will we see focus points across 100% the screen?
Any chance of custom gradients maps and multiple exposure with various blend modes?
How soon will Olympus mft get apps?
Surely instead of bringing out lenses we already have it would be more profitable for Olympus { i know not their normal plan },if they brought out some unique lenses such as a couple of fast tele lenses.The Panasonic may not be just as good as the Olympus 7-14 but is very good
From the DPreview of the Panasonic “Panasonic has produced an ultra-wide zoom for Micro Four Thirds that is a technological tour de force. Compact and with excellent image quality, it’s a superb lens”
.Except for the very annoying Olympus fanboys who cares.
When will Olympus bring out 8mm and 7-14mm for mft?
Good idea that’s what Olympus need to bring out niche lenses like a 7-14 that has already been released .
Any chance of custom gradients maps and multiple exposure with various blend modes?
Get a PC and software more control, and better results.
How soon will Olympus mft get apps?
Yes , I cant wait to play angry bird on the back of my camera lol
@thtj
Custom gradient maps would all low you more control over black and whites which often work well with a hint of colour, they are useful for duotone eg http://www.flickr.com/photos/youdidntdidyou/sets/72157627035893446/ as well as useful for silhouettes
Multiple exposure on camera at the moment is not useful the ability to have blending modes along with in camera internal memory would open up new possibilities…
I think you find most enlightened photographers prefer to do as much as possible in camera, the others well…
You obviously don’t realise the possibilities that apps will bring to cameras with workflow, creativity etc.
Most photographers want to deliver the very best images possible and that I am afraid typically involves shooting RAW and PP in proper software it is all about absolute control. Gimmicky filters and effects belong in P&S compacts. As for your linked examples while there is nothing particularly wrong with them they are just clichéd shots we have all seen a thousand times. As such I would have to say that your notion of being an “enlightened” photographer is a bit delusional. I would also agree with the two previous posts, Olympus imaging is in a mess and the way forward is to develop unique products that are not already available the Panasonic 7-14 is an excellent performer not quite as good as my old 7-14 FT lens was, but certainly close enough that the demand for another 7-14 would be pretty insubstantial.
+10
When will Olympus include lens hoods with $800 and $900 lenses?
When will Olympus release both silver AND black lenses simultaneously and not charge a premium? Nikon manages to make black red, silver AND pink lenses for their 1 system!
When will Olympus release a true rangefinder body with an integrated viewfinder on the left, inspired by their XA or 35RC? How much more retro can you get? 😉
Well said.
+ when is a 9 or 10mm prime coming?
I can’t see any reason why you would want focus points to be available to 100% of the screen. I can understand many small focus points, but why would anybody want to focus on something right at the edge of the frame?
to me, the EVF opening seems small, if it were 3-5mm wider, it’ll look awesome. We dont want any eyestraint do we?
Yup, those EVFs have peepholes. Also, those monstrous rectangular eyecups have to go and make way to slimmer, round(ish) ones that fit a human eye socket.
I have a AE-1 program with a eye cup… I don’t like it.
Okey, for PP:
– When will hybird AF be in a OLympus cam?
– Any chance of multi aspect ratio sensors?
– Will we see SHG glass for m43s?
– Will we see fast telezooms in the future and if so: anything planned?
For PP
When does Sony take over , if you think this funny ask the Minolta guys of a few years ago how it worked out when Sony “helped out” the imaging division.
Silver E-PM5 link is broken.
sabotage by the black bunnies brigade.
“The new 460k screens on the new pens have been redesigned so that while the resolutions are lower, they appear to be very clear and they’re on par or even a bit more effective in bright sunlight than the OLED found in the E-P3″
my guess it’s some kind of gapless LCD….but it’s surprising, why they keep improving unnecessary thing like new LCD or OLED….in the mean time they forget to add usability such as my set dedicated button or simple solution like panasonic my set lever.
I like this one , I must get one as soon as I can.
Get that link-bait spam garbage out of here.
thanks for the link, it is very interesting site that I never knew.
Fn5 – dude that’s a lot of function buttons. This thing is going to be really good ergonomically.
Having 5 fn buttons is not an indication of good ergonomics.
Having 5 fn buttons is good, maybe. If they are placed where they can be used without being double jointed or dropping the camera, then for a group of people the ergonomics may be good but for those with smaller, larger, stiffer or arthritic hands and fingers the ergonomics is not helped by 5 fn buttons.
For Pekka Potka:
WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO REALIZE THERE’S A MARKET FOR BUILT-IN EVF ON PENS ?
soon 🙂
oooo…!!!
Sounds like an E-P5 is on the way…
It doesn’t have to be a PEN or an OM-D to have a camera with the EVF included on the left. It might come with a different model name. Remember admin’s rumour (or rumor, if you live in that part of the world ;)) for a surprise after Photokina?
Admin…? what was that? 😀
Tomorrow ;)?
before amazon ships the x-e1 i preordered? 😉
When is the e5 successor coming?
Questions for the Pekka:
1) Will there be an E-7?
2) Will they make a larger OMD, with more space for discrete controls (OM4 size)?
Pekka Potka:
Please ask Mr. Terada that with Sony’s existing offering with the RX100 and upcoming RX1, how will Olympus compete with the new trend of large 1″ sensor premium compacts and full-frame sensor mirrorless compacts?
Any plans for an m43 sized-sensor premium compact with integrated zoom-lens to compete with the RX100? (similar to XZ-1 but with bigger sensor – an XZ-3?)
Something I have always wondered about with Panasonic cameras is why the actual LCD takes up much less space than the glass cover on the articulated screen. What is the reason for this? Do they have supplier issues and are forced to pick a random smaller LCD size? Why not use a larger LCD that actually fills the space available in the articulated screen? It looks so silly to have the LCD be placed offset from center, with a huge bezel inside the physical bezel.
electrical connection must be from the back or from the edge. If the back then the screen is deeper if the side it is wider.
There is also the issue of glass not being able to support itself in the camera environment (more bashing about than a TV or PC screen) and so a metallic or plastic mount is needed.
Dislplays don’t just hang in the air, they have to be mounted on something that can physically support them & that seems to be with a frame.
I am so looking forward to the thoughts of Pekka Potka and Will Crockett, the modern giants of photography. I have so much to learn.
I really hope you are joking , giants of photography my ass
i just wish they have made this kind of push between GH1 and GH2.
Get a life!
This is a very biased Canikon Sony site. Just take a look at their choices for best compact cameras, best mega-zoom, etc. An absolute joke. I’m surprised they actually included the GH3. Do not waste your time.
Looks like a great camera with all the right controls…..but it begs for a larger sensor.
I guess that having so many lenses is a blessing and a curse.
Blessing, because there is so much choice and a good number of quality glass.
Curse, because of the huge investments done by the manufactures, they can’t/will never change the size.
3 – 4 years ago I believe that m4/3 sensor size was very optimal.
The technology available at that time (body & lens size) dictated the sensor size.
Today the minimization technology have advanced tremendously.
If you look at the RX1 size (let’s ignore other shortcomings) shows that it is possible to build a FF sensor in a GX1 body.
Yes, the m4/3 sensors are improving, but I do believe that the relative small size will hold the cameras full potential back compared with APS-C and FF sensors.
The RX-1 is not part of an interchangable lens system, and so far new lenses for APC site sensor fail to show a clear size reduction compared to m43. I don’T really see your point.
True, the RX1 is not interchangable lens system, but it is a prof of product and concept of how far minimization technology have advanced in the last 3 years. The Zeiss lens on the “teardown” pictures on the net shows that the lens is not that large.
My point was that because of the vast investments m4/3 manufacturers have made in the system, they could not change the sensor size, even if they wanted to. The new GH3 case in point. On the frontal picture, the sensor looks tiny compared to the body. But because Panny will/can not invest in new lens mount system, the size of the of the sensor will stay the same for a long time.
As of today, m4/3 still has the best camera system (body & lenses) but as the bodies and lenses shrink for APS-C and FF camera, the “size” advantage will diminish.
First of all, as time progresses and technology improves, the gains from using a bigger sensor will get smaller and smaller, and more of a niche thing.
Case in point? 10 years ago, only an expensive full-frame camera would produce acceptable results at iso 800, nowadays higher end ‘small sensor’ compacts can do that.
5 years ago, you needed a ‘full frame’ dslr to produce decent results at iso 1600, nowadays the more recent m4/3 cameras can do this.
This is making the high iso advantage of larger sensors less and less relevant.
As dynamic range of ‘small’ photosites improves and the pixel density of large sensor cameras increases, the dynamic range advantage of large sensor cameras wil get smaller and smaller.
What a ‘full frame’ sensor will offer however is a much higher pixel count.
So, as time and technology progresses, the advantages of large sensors will more and more concentrate on resolution.
Some people will need that, but I doubt most people will really need a 64mp camera.
With regards to the lens of the rx1, there are physical limits to how small a 35/2 can be made, for example, the diameter of the front element cannot be smaller then 17.5mm or it will no longer be a 35/2. The distance between the sensor and the optical center of the lens is also a given, it is directly dictated by the focal length of the lens. The optical center does not have to be at the physical center of the lens, but that just requires more glass and for a wide angle lens results in a bigger lens.
So, miniaturisation actually pushes us towards smaller instead of bigger sensors, and no amount of miniaturisation can solve the minimum size of a lens of a given focal length and aperture.
I would tend to agree, for me I think that the new 1 inch sensor could be a real winner in the future and I will be keeping an eye on the space. The Nikon variant has excellent AF super-fast performance and the sensor is on a par with the 12mp mFT sensor. The Sony model seems to deliver damn fine results for the size of sensor especially as regards DR and remember these are first gen products.
Given a couple of generations this could be the best compromise between weight, size and performance especially for telephoto shooters, and 85mm lens on the Nikon becomes in effect a 230mm lens. It will be interesting to see what comes next
Bart,
I think you are making a couple of good points here.
You are right, as sensor tech improves we can do more with less.
Where we may differ is on the notion of our perception (pundits, bloggers, reviewers) of what a “quality” picture at ISO 1600 is.
In other words, the ISO 1600 pic from Nikon D2H (APS-C sensor) was amazing in 2005 but its not comparable to the ISO 1600 from NEX5n (APS-C sensor) in 2011, and the body of NEX-5 is 20% of its (D2H) size and weight and price.
The same thing is happening on the low end. Sensor sizes are becoming bigger while lenses and bodies are staying the same. When the LX3 (2008) came out with its HUGE sensor (1/1.63) we were amazed by its quality pics at ISO 800. Now with Sony RX100, with its 1 inch sensor (250% larger than LX3) in a smaller body blows it away.
Looking forward 2 to 4 years
– the 1 inch sensor could become “low-end” P&S and APS-C high-end P&S.
– the APS-C will become “low-end” MILC and FF high-end MILC.
At some point size matters.
Given this, my question would be, can m4/3 sensor keep up?
Or do you believe that the “GH5” sensor size will change?
Smaller sensors will always lag behind bigger ones, but (judging from recent releases) there is a push towards 64mp for 135 format, which is the practical limit to pixel density before you start running into diffraction issues at relatively wide apertures (5.6). Once we reached that point, the main difference between different size sensors will be in number of (useful) pixels, which is mostly relevant when making extremely tight crops or very large prints or such.
The price? Huge files, needing lots of disk space and memory for processing. Oh, and of course the price for a larger sensor. Even when economics of scale help, a larger sensor requires a larger undamaged area, which will by definition result in a lower yield, when compared to something needing a much smaller area.
The question will be if the gains that can be had from a larger sensor will be relevant to most photographers. I’d argue that when we reach the point where you can get decent shutter speeds by the light of a full moon, we are approaching the point where further improvement of sensitivity isn’t going to directly help the photography of the large majority of people. Are we there yet? No, but getting quite close (and yes, that is about the latest crop of m4/3 sensors, 135 format is even closer, if not there already).
I think that ‘full frame’ is starting to run into the law of diminishing returns, something that will only get ‘worse’ with each new generation.
What the pundits will say.. they’ll probably just keep drooling over bigger numbers, and their predictions will as always be as reliable as those from your typical astrologist 🙂
For PP:
Is there any chance we get a firmware update for the OMD to fix some of the menu annoyances like easier accessibility of multi exposure bracketing and 7 shot 1EV bracketing. Or allowing to use the Fn-Buttons for any function you like e.g. aspect ration or myset selection menu. Or maybe allowing to use the middle top dial when using the battery grip for ISO. I am sure lots of folks would be really pleased with an updated fixing all these little issues.
Also, is there any chance Olympus might bring out a GPS logger for the accessory port.
@adriaante
You’re pretty much right. If you’re a photographer only, there are MUCH better options available with Canon or Nikon at the same price. If you’re into video only, this is probably one of the best video cameras you can buy under $3k.
If you’re into both photo and video, it comes down to which lens system you want to invest in, and m43 lenses might not be a good choice in the long run.
“If you’re into both photo and video, it comes down to which lens system you want to invest in, and m43 lenses might not be a good choice in the long run.”
Why not?
I would really like to know this.
I have a GF2 with a couple primes. If i’m making a mistake shooting stills with M43rds, I would like to know. A lot of professionals are looking at mirrorless surpassing DSLR’s. Maybe not now, but soon.
So in the “Long Run”, please explain to me why 43rds is not a good choice.
http://www.damianmcgillicuddy.com/journal/2012/9/16/a-close-up-i-wonder-what-this-was-shot-on.html
@gfgfg
I own 3 Panasonic bodies so hardly an Oly fan boy.
Panny’s 7-14mm and 8mm(which I own) were announced more than 3 and 1/2 years ago (probably rushed out of the door),they don’t have weather sealing, need software correction are easily scratched and have poor manual focus damping and no distance scale as well as being poorly marketed so their is an opportunity for Olympus to do them right….
There are no m43 electronic lenses with focus scales… not unless you count that by-wire kludge on the 12/2 which “ballparks” focus placement. Focus has always been by-wire and never 1:1 geared, so there is nothing wrong on the 7-14 and FE lenses (and the 8mm was announced just two years ago). Even the recent 12-35 and 35-100 are no different in these respects.
I think the 30% price increase for the body is out of my range. They should be smart like Apple and keep products a a consumer price point. If it cost them 30% more for metal and weather sealing, they should have released the plastic body GH-3 for $999.99 and the metal “Pro” for $1,299.99. I don’t care about weather sealing. I never owned a camera with that. I won’t be taking pictures in the rain. We still have a bad world economy, and a 30% price increase is a large jump. I don’t see an EXTRA $300 value in the metal body or weather sealing. All other features seem standard. i wonder after the enthusiasts, how well regular consumer sales will go.
Wow…you can’t afford a $1300 body that is probably the best in its class (including video)? If you quibble about body costs, what glass do you plan to buy?
Time to find a new hobby.
That’s a pretty snarky comment. This issue isn’t is it worth the price? The issue is it worth the price to ME. Have recent owned (and sold) a 5DII and 1DsIII, it’s not a question of absolute dollars but will I get all the benefits I’ve paid for.
I’ve never done that much video with either my GH1 or 5DII, so I’m thinking maybe the EM-5 might be a better choice for me and it certainly is cheaper and already weather proof.
Thanks. And you’re right – it’s snarky, but photography costs money; good lenses cost much more than bodies. My comment was to remind people where to focus.
As for me, I’m living with a GH2, but have been using OM-Ds recently…really like the camera…even for video, knowing it’s not up to the GH2’s level. So, maybe you will find it okay as well. It’s good enough for YouTube and my friends. I also have a really good dSLR system, but have been relying on m4/3 for about a year…the OM-D finally brought my stills 90% up to my dSLR level, so the latter may be dumped soon, especially since that system can’t touch even the GH2’s video capabilities. Besides a couple of OM-Ds, and probably a GH2, my lens inventory is about set, except for the Oly 75mm.
Very happy.
Wow you must be a fabulous photographer, maybe nearly as good as Pekka Potka, I would really love to see your work.
Thats the reason the higher body cost means less quality glass, panasonic needs to know, you make money of the glass not the camera, they give printers away and make a killing on the ink, game consoles and the games, phones and the apps and contract.
Panny is getting greedy because of the big pent up demand after 2 years of the GH2 which lasted so long because of hacks, now they want to make a killing on the body and the lenses, which in the long run means less bodies sold and less lenses and less overall profits.
I mean aside from weather seal, higher beat rates and a few functions over the G5, is this really worth almost double?
Is the gh3 worth twice as much as the g5? That really depends on how important things like weather sealing are.
Obviously, if it isn’t, the g5 is waiting for you…
LOL. It’s a “bad world economy” so they should be thoughtful of the people who can’t afford a price $300 price difference for a much improved model?
These will be selling like hotcakes. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy one. They’ll be back down to $999 within 6 months.
The GH3 is a video camera in a DSLR-style body that also takes nice stills. The E-M5 is a stills camera in a vintage-style body that also takes decent video. Pick the one that suits your needs!
That’s rude.
Both are over prices by $200 and $300.
The huge prices with small sensors is holding M43 back and leaving a big opening for similarly priced FF and APC cameras.
Hmmm, what ‘full frame’ body did you buy for 1300 recently?
I believe Lumix has a g5 to address your needs.
If you check out my photos on my website, http://www.fotosiamo.com, you can see that aside from the handful of Phase One IQ180, you can certainly get quality images from the GH2 when using strobes. I for one can’t wait for the increased dynamic range of the GH3, along with focus peaking, and wifi tethering (cross fingers).
I’m starting to get into videos, so if the GH3 is up to or is better than the hacked GH2, I’m all in!
Here’s a quick uncompressed BTS clip w/ a hacked GH2 & the Olympus 4/3 Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 mkII lens. This was foran assisting gig I did for a RED EPIC camera fashion editorial shoot. It’s shockingly sharp! Also, the video is kinda NSFW
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5z9ggEcvy77d0k1anZYT2hTTHc
Joe