Thanks to Vitaly's crew who went to CES and captured these photos:

CES 2012 - Personal View Talks

Thought I'd put together some impressions of the new Panasonic GX1 from the past two days, in case anyone was interested. I got the camera yesterday morning (it is replacing my E-P1 and likely my GH1 as well...so I'll have GH2 and GX1 as my two bodies).





Build Quality / Ergonomics
The GX1 is slightly smaller than the GF1, which is it's nearest direct ancestor, and it's also a bit smaller than the E-P1 it replaces in my bag. Thickness and height are similar, but there is less room on the grip, and the width is less. This would actually be a big hindrance for me ergonomically if it weren't for the wonderful rubber grip they've added. The grip is perfectly contoured to fit your hand, and it even works well when slipping your middle finger along it when carrying it around (which is more comfortable than carrying in the shooting position).

The camera has a metal body that is painted. Unlike my GH2, "Lumix" is engraved in the metal and filled with white paint, while "GX1" is raised and textured. The top plate is a matte plastic with good quality fit and finish. The buttons on the back are all metal, and have a very satisfying click.

Ergonomically, Panasonic did a very good job for such a small camera. While the grip isn't as comfortable as the GH2 due to the size, it's very good considering the size of the body. Buttons are well placed and those that would be prone to accidental pressing with the heel of your palm are recessed, yet still easily accessed when needed. There are two programmable function buttons, the typical four way buttons that control direction as well as ISO, WB, Drive mode and AF. There is also a dedicated display button and a Quick menu button for changing other parameters. There is a mode dial, a nice on/off switch, the shutter button, a dedicated movie shutter button and the iA button for toggling the... [Read More]

There has been a fair amount of discussion about clicking aperture noises coming from the Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 DG Summilux lens when used on Olympus PEN bodies, and I reached out to contacts at Panasonic regarding this issue.

The folks at Panasonic were responsive, able to reproduce the problem, and quickly determined that it is likely an Olympus camera firmware issue. They reached out to Olympus, who were aware of the issue. Olympus is currently studying the problem and do not see a need to work with Panasonic to solve it but cannot commit to any timeline for a fix.

At this point, I think that those who are affected and want a remedy may want to contact Olympus directly to voice their concerns. The telephone number to call is (484) 896-5000.

So, despite being very happy with my pair of GF1 bodies, I had to see if there was credence to Panasonic's claims regarding the GX1. I picked up a black GX1 body this past Tuesday.

Getting the GX1 customized to the same settings that I use on my GF1 took some doing .. the menus are much the same but there's no Dynamic B&W setting and I found it took some effort to get accustomed to the touch screen.

I definitely don't like the touch screen shutter release but being able to move the single focus point (my preference) around with my finger is handy. The touch screen is also handy for making Quick Menu selections.

The "pin-point" focus option is something new (compared to the GF1) and is useful for critical focus but slows down the AF significantly as it first enlarges the focus point (much like when manual focusing) before you can recompose to trip the shutter. I see this focus mode being most useful for macro photography on a tripod.

It also took me awhile to figure out which settings to assign to the 4 function buttons (2 physical buttons and 2 icons onscreen)

I don't shoot video but for still photography here briefly are my GX1 pros and cons compared to the GF1 ...

Pros:
+1 slightly smaller with better grip
+2 higher quality feel (subjective)
+3 faster handling
+4 faster AF
+5 improved sensor for shooting at sensitivities higher than ISO800
+6 highlight roll-off a bit smoother

Cons:
-1 More menu options (mostly for the touch screen) add to UI complexity
-2 Touch screen is love/hate
-3 Buttons FN1, Disp., Q.Menu & AF/MF are flush with camera body (can't find them with tactile touch .. you have to look)

For me, the GX1 improvements over the GF1 are worth the cost of admission.

Here is an ISO1600 shot with the 20mm f/1.7 lens. This is Buddy; he always help me test the dynamic range of my cameras. This is a straight JPG conversion from raw using the default LR... [Read More]

The EPM1 is the first camera that has moved me in the same way like the EP1 did two years ago. So, I sold the EP1 and now I have the EPM1 as my walk-around, and the EPL2 for long and legacy lenses.

One of the best things about the EPM1? It only cost me $440 with the kit lens (so, the body really only cost $300) leaving me with enough money to afford what is now my favorite lens on the EPM1, bar none: the PL25/1.4.



I find the EPM1 is phenomenal for wide angle lenses, up to my PL25 and even my PL45 (which has IS). I didn't think the body size would matter that much for compactness, but it does. The EPM1 fits much more easily into a coat pocket than either the EPL2 or the EP1 did. So, I use it with only a wrist strap, and it travels in my jacket pocket. I think I’ll need some sort of belt pouch when the warmer weather returns.

The thing that blows me away about this camera is that the EPM1 + the PL25 pretty much replaces almost everything I could do with my old 5D classic + 50mm lens. The DOF is equivalent to shooting 50mm 2.8 on full frame, which is plenty shallow. It gives a very nice 3D pop, yet it all fits in the palm of my hand and looks really sexy (by the way, it's a metal body. Not plastic).

(a 5D in your hand!)


Menu System/Lack of Buttons
“No buttons? Then it’s not for me!” That’s what I thought at first, until I got to try one, and then bought one. Trying is believing!

I find the menu system really quite nice. Hit the menu button, and you can choose the PASM setting, or go into SETUP for Oly's very detailed, very flexible menus (side note: I've read many knocks on Oly's menus. Since trying the G3, I can say that Oly seems logically laid out!).

Since I'm mainly an 'A' priority shooter, I don't need to do this much. If you do switch... [Read More]

This is a rumor coming from a new source, so take it with a large grain of salt.

I've been contacted by a reader who claims to have seen the Panasonic GH3 and is stating that the new model has done away with the "SLR Hump", adopting a "boxy body similar to the new GX1 but a touch larger with EVF and articulated LCD".



Interestingly, the price on the GH2 14-140mm lens kit has just dropped by $300 to $1199, while the price on the GH2 14-42mm lens kit has dropped by $200 to $799. The GH2 has been out for more than a year now, so the price drops might be a sign of things to come.

No offense to our new source, but I'm rating this rumor as unlikely. Methinks someone at Panasonic really likes the hump. After all, people have been asking for a hump-less camera with integrated EVF ever since the G1 was introduced. Regardless, there will be no GH3 this year.

Rumor Grade: C-

Rumor Evidence Grading System:
A = Proven source, rumor extremely likely to be correct
B = Good source, rumor likely to be correct
C = New source, rumor plausible

Today is the last day to enter the B&H Photo Olympus Facebook contest.

Enter for a chance to win one of three different Olympus Micro 4/3 cameras: E-P3, E-PL3, and E-PM1. The winners can also choose an equivalent value in B&H gift cards.



The contest is open to US. Residents, 18 and over.

As many of our members know, Mu-43.com is a politics free-zone. I am making an exception today to participate in American Censorship Day and bring attention to new legislation which will threaten the existence of websites such as ours:

SOPA - H.R.3261: Stop Online Piracy Act - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress
S.968: PROTECT IP Act of 2011 - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress

Some will find it ironic or hypocritical that this site, which doesn't allow political discussion in its forums, would oppose the above bills. However, there is a fundamental difference between creating a private community where certain topics are excluded and creating laws which threaten the existence of free discourse on the Internet.

Watch this video to learn more:



My apologies to friends in countries other than the United States who find this topic irrelevant to their situation. However, this kind of legislation could easily set a bad precedent for nations around the globe.

Learn more about what you can do to help: American Censorship Day November 16 - Join the fight to stop SOPA

ADDENDUM: This page will help you write directly to your state representatives in the House and Senate: https://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/90...ction_KEY=8173

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B&H has the Panasonic Leica DG 25mm Summilux lens in stock (in limited quantity per our B&H contact).



Direct link: Panasonic Leica 25mm DG Summilux lens at B&H

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Panasonic has officially announced the GX1, a camera geared at the enthusiast segment as a replacement for the GF1.
DPreview interview of Darin Pepple, Sr. Product Manager for Imaging at Panasonic:



Previews:

• DPReview
• Imaging Resource

Body only pricing will be ~$700, and the GX1 will be offered with the current 14-42mm (G3 kit lens) for ~$800 or the Power Zoom (pancake) 14-42mm lens for ~$950. Availability expected around mid-December.

Pre-orders:

• GX1 Black Body Only at Amazon
• GX1 Silver Body Only at Amazon

For comprehensive coverage of the GX1, visit 1001 Noisy Cameras