Finally! After years of waiting, Panasonic today announced a true successor to their popular GF1 compact Micro Four Thirds camera. After introducing the “dumbed down” GF2 and GF3 cameras, many users felt that Panasonic was on the wrong way, focusing too much on the entry level consumer market than at the advanced/enthusiast market. The GX1 now follows in the steps of the GF1, featuring full manual controls again, as well as a solid body that will appeal to all who seek an advanced but compact interchangeable lens camera.
 The new Panasonic GX1 obviously follows the steps of the GF1. Technically, the GX1 isn’t much more than a slightly advanced GF1, featuring roughly the same design philosophy. But even if it is just a mere “up to date” version, it brings enthusiasts exactly what they were waiting for — the idea of the GF1 with the technology of today.
The Panasonic GX1 features the latest 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor that is also being used the G3, Full HD video recording, and can make use of a new 1.44 million dot electronic viewfinder which, however, is not backwards compatible to the GF1.
For more information you can find a quick hands-on preview of the GX1 over at dpreview.com. Also, make sure to check out 43rumors, who will undoubtedly soon cover all the various announcements, previews, hands-ons as well as possibly full reviews of the GX1.
EDIT: The guys over at dpreview.com have made some fancy side-by-side comparisons between the GX1 and the GF1, showing nicely how much the GX1 is really an iteration of the GF1 philosophy.
Steve Huff recently published an article titled “Building the perfect Micro 4/3 Camera kit for under $2500“, in which he talks about his favourite Micro Four Thirds cameras and lenses and where to get them. While his “perfect kit”, consisting of an Olympus E-P3, Zuiko 12/2, Panasonic Lumix 20/1.7, Zuiko 45/1.8 and the VF-2 viewfinder, is certainly a killer combo, it also comes with a killer price tag – US-$ 2,697.85 if you buy from B&H Photo.
Not all of us have that much money to spend, so here’s my suggestion for the perfect BUDGET Micro Four Thirds kit.
Camera: Olympus E-PL1
The Olympus E-PL1 was the third Micro Four Thirds camera to be released by Olympus. While it has less buttons for direct feature access than the E-P1/2, it inherits the E-P2’s viewfinder connector and adds a “Live Guide” that helps you with choosing settings. It has also got a weaker AA filter than the E-P1/2 which provides slightly crisper images. All in all, the E-PL1, while more than a generation old now, is still capable of producing excellent results and can currently be had for as little as US-$ 399.99, including the 14-42mm kit lens, which is a nice allround lens for general shooting.
Alternative 1: If you don’t need the possibility to add an electronic viewfinder, you can get the E-P1 used for even less.
Alternative 2: The successor to the E-PL1, the E-PL2, brings back the sexy retro design of the E-P1/2, has more direct access buttons and features the new Accessory Port 2, to which several new accessories can be installed. It comes at US-$ 499.99 including the kit lens.
Lens: Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7
This was the first serious prime lens for the Micro Four Thirds system in that it was the first with an aperture large enough to make available light photography possible. Its field of view, corresponding to that of a 40mm lens on 35mm (full frame) is one of the most versatile. It is wider than a 50mm, which can sometimes be too narrow, yet not quite as wide as a 35mm, which can be a tad too wide sometimes, yielding unnatural distortion. Photographer Sally Mann describes the 40mm focal length as being “about right” for her kind of work. With its maximum aperture of f/1.7, the 20mm can provide nice subject separation and background blurring, while showing only little vignetting wide open and rendering tack sharp in the image center from the start. At currently US-$ 349.87, this lens is a no-brainer.
Lens: Olmypus M.Zuiko 45/1.8
This is the just-introduced portrait lens for Micro Four Thirds. With a field of view equivalent to that of a 90mm lens on 35mm full frame and its wide f/1.8 initial aperture, the lens is suited at both low light photography as well as portraiture, where an isolated subject with a strongly blurred background is wanted. It also functions as a short tele lens, meaning you can isolate subjects that are close up, or crop details in architectural or landscape scenes. All reviewers have been very positive about this lens so far, ascribing it good performance in terms of sharpness, contrast and colour reproduction. At ~ US-$ 399.99 (it’s not available yet at B&H), this is a no-brainer as well, and together with the little 20mm pancake lens makes for a formidable two lens kit.
Accessory: VF-2 electronic viewfinder
According to some, the VF-2 electronic viewfinder is a must-have. With its 1.44 million dots, it provides a crisp and clear preview image and makes precise manual focusing possible. It is also very useful outdoors in bright lighting conditions, where the built-in screen of the camera can get difficult to read. The VF-2 is available new for US-$ 225.82 in the black version.
Alternative: The VF-3 viewfinder, which has lower resolution (9k pixels) and a lower price tag at US-$ 179.99, but will work almost equally as well.
Summary:
Olympus E-PL1 with kit lens: US-$ 399.99
Panasonic Lumix 20/1.7: US-$ 349.87
Olympus M.Zuiko 45/1.8: US-$ 399.99
Olympus VF-2 EVF: US-$ 225.82
Total: US-$ 1,475.67
So, for about half the money that Steve’s “perfect” MFT kit will set you back, you get a kit that is almost as versatile, delivers almost the same IQ and will be equally as much fun! (And if you decide on the VF-3 viewfinder, you’ll save another US-$ 50, and if you decide to get the older E-P1 without a viewfinder, you can save another US-$ 300 and still have a great kit!)
How’s that for a deal?! 
Yesterday’s announcement of Nikon’s new “1” mirrorless system caused a lot of stirr in the online photography community — mostly negative, as it seems. Mike Johnston from The Online Photographer compares the introduction of the Nikon 1 system to that of the IBM PCjr and the Kodak PictureDisk, and comes to the conlcusion that the real “Big Kahuna” is Micro Four Thirds.
A very interesting read which you can find here.
It seems it’s time for another round of news and articles! Over the past weeks, I’ve been collecting interesting links again, which I’d now like to share with you.
Section 1: Micro Four Thirds
The Photography Of Amos Chapple
This really doesn’t need many words. Amos Chapple is an avid traveller and records his adventures using Micro Four Thirds cameras by choice. Look at his pictures and you’ll know why they say it’s the photographer that takes the shot, not the camera. Amazing stuff!
DSLR Magazine: Olympus PEN Lite (E-PL3) test
The Spanish DSLR Magazine have tested the latest incarnation of Olympus’ consumer Micro Four Thirds model, the E-PL3. While the megapixel count has (blessedly) not increased, the camera features a new Olympus-designed sensor that accomodates blazing fast autofocus, a tiltable screen with 460k pixels and a redesigned kit lens. DSLR Magazine have put the E-PL3 through its paces.
M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 review @ SoundImagePlus
SoundImagePlus have written a 10-part user review of the new M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 lens for Micro Four Thirds. You can find part 1 by clicking the link above, the other parts are accessible via their website.
Section 2: Leica M
“Light of the night”: Noctilux-M 50/0.95 ASPH tested by BJP
Edmond Terakopian has tested Leica’s ultimate low-light lens, the Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH, for the British Journal of Photography. He took it out for a shooting together with a couple of other lenses, but ended up sticking with the Noctilux most of the time.
Voigtländer Nokton 40/1.4 review
Prosophos, Toronto base photography enthusiast, has written a summary of his thoughts about the Voigtländer Nokton 40mm f/1.4 for Leica M. In his hands, this lens really shines!
SanDisk SD cards incompatible with latest M9 firmware?
Photographer Gil Lavi has had a really terrible experience with the latest Leica M9 firmware eating his SanDisk SD cards during a paid shoot. Read the whole story and Leica’s reaction by clicking the link above.
Leica M9-P hands-on at Pocket-lint
Really not much more than some gear porn, but if you like the looks of the Leica M9-P, here’s some eye candy for you!
Ricoh M-mount module for Ricoh GXR official!
After almost a year of rumours (a mock-up was presented at last year’s photokina), it is now finally official: Ricoh are producing an M-mount module for the GXR camera! Now here’s another alternative for using M-mount lenses on a digital body! DPReview have already gotten hold of one and written a preview.
Section 3: Varia
Street shooting experiment in London, UK
A group of photographers have recently done an experiment in London, UK. The goal of the experiment was to see if it was still possible to go street shooting in London. As was to be expected, all six photographers were on at least one occasion stopped by security personnell, and in three cases the police were called.
Variable ND filter by Kenko-Tokina
Kenko-Tokina have announced an interesting new product, a variable neutral density filter that can be adjusted to darken the image anywhere between 1.3 and 10 EV (ND2.5–ND1000). Quite fascinating! Sadly, the filter will only be available in 77 and 82mm filter thread sizes.
How ‘Focus Peaking’ works
A DPReview forums user has examined the details of Sony’s new ‘Focus Peaking’ feature for the NEX interchangeable-lens camera series. He studies several possibilities of calculation and representation of in-focus areas, and finally asks the questions if this could be implemented in Micro Four Thirds cameras. (Probably not, as I’d assume it’s patented by Sony.) Terrific feature!
Sony NEX-7
It’s still only a rumour, but it looks like Sony is going to announce a NEX model aimed at enthusiasts, the NEX-7. It will feature extensive manual controls as well as a built-in 3 million dot (!!!) EVF. Together with the above-mentioned focus peaking feature, this could be a real alternative to the Leica M8/M9 for those who don’t want to or can’t afford to spend those big bucks. (I’m certainly giving it a thought!) Full specs here.
Oh my! It’s been more than a month since I last posted a news-and-articles-recap … ! I’ve been (and still am) rather busy with work and newly enamoured with film, so my love for digital photography has been dampened somewhat recently. Still, I collected a bunch of interesting weblinks to share with you, and as my son is currently peacefully playing by himself, I’m using the opportunity to put together a quick roundup of what’s been published around the interwebs those past weeks!
Photoradar: Earth from space
Photoradar have posted a series of images taken by astronaut Paolo Nespoli. He took these amazing pictures during his stay on the ISS, using Nikon DSLRs.
Not a review of the Sigma SD1
X3magazine, home of everything Foveon, published an article on the Sigma SD1. They don’t want to call it a review because they were testing a pre-production model. Still, the pictures speak for themselves.
(You can find a production-model review over at The Luminous Landscape.)
“Focus Peaking” — great new feature in NEX cameras
According to this thread on rangefinderforum.com, Sony added a new feature to the latest NEX-3/5 (and probably also the upcoming C3 and 7) firmware calle “Focus Peaking”. On using manual focus, the contrast-detection algorithm calculates which part of the image is in focus and highlights it accordingly. It looks very promising, and is definitely something I’d like to see in future Micro Four Thirds cameras (or even better, firmware updates!)
Good stuff from Petapixel
Petapixel, resource of never ending good stuff on just about any photography topic, spoil us with some great articles once more. There’s a video about the film production over at The Impossible Project, a time lapse video of the Milky Way taken with Canon DSLRs, and a feature from CNBC discussing the alleged upcoming demise of Point’n’Shoots.
The Lytro Field Camera
This has been all around the net, so you probably heard of it already. Lytro are developing a so-called “field camera” that takes pictures via a plenoptic lens array. Follow the link to find out what that means — suffice to say it’s awesome
P.S.: This German bussiness seems to already be manufacturing this kind of camera.
The Pentax Q is real!
Remember the rumors about a small-sensor interchangeable-lens Pentax? Well, they were true! Here it is, the Pentax Q, featuring a 1/2.33″ sensor and interchangeable lenses! Sounds crazy? Have a look and judge for yourself!
P.S.: Here’s one more look at the Pentax Q from Quesabesde (in Spanish).
New Olympus Micro Four Thirds stuff reviewed by The Phoblographer
Our friends from The Phoblographer have gotten their hands on the latest Micro Four Thirds cameras and lenses from Olympus, and have reviewed them extensively. Spoiler alert: The new E-P3 focuses blazing fast, and the 12mm f/2 lens is gorgeous!
P.S.: They also compare the new E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1 side-by-side.
P.P.S: Another E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1 notice and short preview can be found at The Amateur Photographer.
P.P.P.S: Clubsnap has a thread on the new 45mm f/1.8 portrait lens — don’t miss it!
Some Leica Making-Of’s
First up is a Stars and Stripes article from 1979, reporting on the development and manufacturing processes over at the old Leitz facilities in Wetzlar.
The second Making-Of is a video from Leica themselves, documenting their own lens manufacturing process.
“Modern Wonder Cameras See Like Cats In The Dark”
A Popular Science article from 1932, reporting on the latest small-film “cat’s eye” cameras, such as the Leica. A very interesting peek into the world of photography as it was eighty years ago.
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November 7th, 2011, 8:21 am | 
