Nice to wake-up in the morning and see that there are a dozen of new Panasonic/Olympus camera reviews. It will take a couple of hours to read them all 🙂
Panasonic GF2
Digitalcamerainfo (Click here) posted a 21 page long Panasonic GF2: “With a simplified design, touchscreen operation, emphasis on its Intelligent Auto mode and—perhaps biggest of all—a debut price that is $300 cheaper than the GF1, the GF2 is aimed squarely at those consumers looking to step up from a point-and-shoot without losing portability.”
Camerguide (Click here) also posted a new GF2 review: “Smaller, lighter, and now touchscreen friendly, Panasonic has done its best to introduce a wider range of photographers to its “GF-series”. There’s no question that the changes do make the GF2 more appealing to photographers with less advanced skills, and nobody can fault Panasonic for trying to make the camera smaller, the question perhaps should be whether the touchscreen adds to the experience of using the GF2 for either set of photographers, be they more or less skilled.”
GF1 vs GF2 comparison at Mobile01 (Click here).
GF2 direct links to [shopcountry 17361].
Olympus E-PL2
Pdnonline (Click here) tested the Olympus E-PL2: “Though it may not be the prettiest PEN camera in Olympus’ line-up, the E-PL2 has so many picture-taking improvements from previous iterations, it’s clearly the best.”
Popphoto (Click here) tested the E-PL2: “In our opinion, the E-PL2 is one of the better ILCs on the market. It takes advantage of the now-wide array of lenses available for the Micro Four Thirds system while offering a compact and powerful body with the best features that Olympus has developed for this still-young format. ”
ThePhoBlographer (Click here) made a E-PL2 RAW File Test.
Focus Numerique (Click here) tested the Olympus E-PL2.
BHphoto (Click here) explains how it is using the Olympus EPL-2’s Art Filters To Shoot a Concert.
E-PL2 direct links to [shopcountry 18844].
More reviews
There is a short Olympus E-5 review at Dpexpert (Click here): “Professionals who are satisfied with nothing less than a full frame sensor may not buy what is, in effect, a half-frame camera. But consider this: in terms of body integrity and features the E-5 at $2200 will stand comparison with a Nikon or Canon costing many thousands more. And Olympus lenses are superb.”
Panasonic GH2 tested at Optyczne (Click here).
Neocamera (Click here) posted an Olympus XZ-1 review: “The Olympus XZ-1 is a compelling entry into the advanced compact category with a rich feature set. The ultra-bright F/1.8 wide-angle lens combined with a relatively large CCD sensor lets this model produce some of the best images to come out of a compact digital camera for a given scene. Dual control-dials enable efficient use of manual controls which include manual focus, manual exposure, spot metering, bracketing, custom white-balance and white-balance fine-tuning. The dual-port hot-shoe supports an optional tiltable EVF to provide eye-level and waist-level shooting, as well as supporting external lighting.”
XZ-1 direct links to [shopcountry 19904].
That’s it!
4 Responses
“Professionals who are satisfied with nothing less than a full frame sensor may not buy what is, in effect, a half-frame camera. But consider this: in terms of body integrity and features the E-5 at $2200 will stand comparison with a Nikon or Canon costing many thousands more. And Olympus lenses are superb.”
Yes, I can totally agree with that. I was playing around with a Canon 5D MkII yesterday. In terms of features and the ability to customize the camera, I like my E-5 better. Plus, try to find a 24-120mm f/2.8-4 lens for a Canon that has the build quality and image quality of the Zuiko 12-60mm.
And you think that’s a “review”?
WOW Just take a look at the Digitalcamerainfo review of the GF2 – I was blown away with the very surprising results from their extensive testing. In their comparisons with the GF1, NEX5, NX100, and EP1 they used the GF2 kit 14/2.5 lens compared to the kit zooms on the others and I would have liked to have seen a comparison with the EPL1 or EPL2 also. It goes to show don’t judge a camera solely from only one testing site, look at several reputable ones.
Most other testing reviews do not use the kits lenses when comparing these cameras and that gives a different picture of what the average buyer is going to experience with his new camera. All comparisons were for JPEGs.
In their analysis the GF2 comes out surprisingly very good IQ not only for those moving from compact P&S but for more experienced photographers wanting a smaller camera with DSLR quality.
In digitalcamerainfos tests the GF2 proved better in handling noise than the GF1 especially at higher ISOs and almost equal to that of the APSC larger sensor NEX5 and NX100 and that was proved in their picture comparisons with same where GF2 picture was better all the way thru ISO 3200 leaving the GF1 and EP1 behind? So from these tests at least the JPEGs out of the GF2 are as good as any one elses and brings into question the many statements made elsewhere which claim otherwise? I think using the 14mm lens has something to do with it.
As for resolution 12.76 scale was far better than NEX5 at 10 or EP1 11.3 and the dynamic range 6.65 bested the EP1 at 4.5 but lower than NEX5 at 8 or 9 stops. The colors of GF2 while not as accurate looked very similar to those from the EP1 which rated best while the GF1 white balance was best.
So it should be little wonder why this new camera on the scene is becoming so popular and for good reason. Not too shabby for the littlest interchangeable lens camera on the block. EOSH was surprised that Pany had that good a 14mm/f2.5 lens on this camera and wished Canon had one.
Don’t take my word for it (and I have the GF1 not GF2) please read the review for yourself and make your own conclusions. I found this review most helpful.
Let’s hope all the Japanese camera manufacturers in the Fukushima-Sendai industrial belt can either get back to production there or move factories, employees and stock elsewhere. The sooner people can get back to work, the better for morale. In the meantime, we need to show an abundance of patience and understanding as this industry has been hit very hard.