Micro Four-Thirds cameras have long promised to bridge the quality of DSLRs with the size of point and shoots. The Olympus PEN EP-3 is the fullest realization of the Micro Four-Thirds dream so far, even if it’s not quiiiiiiite perfect. More »
Earlier today, Olympus announced its loosely veiled PEN E-PM1 (in the image above), along with the PEN E-P3 and PEN E-PL3. Our Chinese bureau had a chance to go hands-on with the trio of Micro Four Thirds cams at an event in Hong Kong, and walked away with some fairly positive impressions. The $900 E-P3 feels solidly built, and did appear to offer excellent autofocus performance, though we weren’t able to verify Olympus’s rather lofty claims that the new flagship model features “the world’s fastest autofocus.” We were able to capture an image within a second of tapping the shutter button, including the time required to refocus on a subject. The 3-inch OLED display was sufficiently bright for outdoor use, with noticeable improvements over its predecessor, and the touchscreen was a pleasure to use, offering three straightforward shooting functions — focus, focus and shoot, and enlarge. We’ll have additional details to share after spending more time with all three models, but our hands-on photos in the gallery below should help whet your appetite in the meantime.
Olympus PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink 
Engadget Chinese | 
Olympus | Email this | Comments
You won’t be coloring us surprised at the launch of the E-PM1, but those other two? Well, let’s just say we’ve always been big fans of the elusive trifecta. Olympus just went live with the PEN E-P3 (shown above), PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1, three 12.3 megapixel interchangeable lens cameras with Live MOS sensors, TruePic VI image processors and an ISO ceiling of 12,800. You’ll also get a reengineered autofocus system, a 1080i HD video mode, newly designed user interfaces and a variety of Art Filters. The E-P3 is outfitted with an all-metal body and “the world’s fastest autofocus” (really?), while the rear is dotted with a 614,000 pixel OLED touchscreen. The E-PL3 steps it up with a 3-inch tilting LCD, while the smallest and lightest of the PEN line (yeah, the E-PM1) will be shipping in a half-dozen hues. The outfit also revealed a new pair of prime lenses, a camera grip and a FL-300R flash, all of which are detailed in the source links below. The bad news? Only the P3 is being priced, with $900 landing you a fairly swank kit this August.
Update: We got hands-on with these guys, and you can check it out right here.
Continue reading Olympus reveals PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1 interchangeable lens cameras
Olympus reveals PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1 interchangeable lens cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Olympus (1), (2), (3) | Email this | Comments
On the eve of its rumored launch, we’ve spotted what looks to be a leaked press shot of Olympus’ new teensy micro-four-thirds camera. According to the folks at 4/3 Rumors, the miniature shooter is pegged to debut (alongside the E-PL3 and E-P3) with a 12-megapixel sensor and TruePic VI engine. Not making the jump however, are its brother’s OLED screens, leaving the emaciated light-box to make do with just a regular LCD. Interest piqued? Start pinching those pennies now — we hear tomorrow isn’t far away.
Olympus E-PM1’s petite frame outed before launch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
We already gave you some hands-on impressions of Panasonic’s new Lumix GF3, but we just had a chance to shoot video and stills with the Micro Four Thirds cam at an event in NYC, leaving with a couple hundred photos and a small handful of video clips. There’s no question that this GF2 successor was designed with interchangeable lens camera (ILC) newbies in mind, with no dedicated mode dial, a touchscreen display, and a boatload of auto settings, along with the usual spattering of effects modes. Panasonic chose a mock wedding scene as the centerpiece of its demo today, complete with bride, groom, and celebrity cake designer (a rather enthusiastic Ron Ben-Israel). Weddings mean colorful flowers, well-dressed subjects, and food — but also dim lighting and chaos — a perfect environment for showing off a camera’s strengths shooting in low-light, assuming it can actually deliver. The GF3 probably won’t be the camera of choice for our next celebration, however.
Gallery: Panasonic GF3 Image Samples
First up was a balcony shot with bride and groom. As expected, the backlit scene presented an incredible challenge for the GF3, which had trouble focusing and compensating exposure to properly light our subjects — even the professional wedding photographer on hand had difficulty focusing his GF3 at times. The position-adjustable flash allowed us to light our subjects at an angle, or to bounce light off the ceiling, which didn’t seem to work well in the cavernous room. As we progressed through the morning, additional scenes highlighted new shortcomings. Jump past the break for a sample video and more impressions, or check out the gallery above for sample images — the first four shots highlight different positions with the adjustable flash.
Continue reading Panasonic Lumix GF3: sample photos and video
Panasonic Lumix GF3: sample photos and video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
There’s only one way to make leaked blurrycam images appear even less legit: shoot ’em in black and white. That’s exactly what we have here with the claimed leak of a new Olympus camera — the E-P3, according to Photo Rumors — in all its Micro Four Thirds glory. The camera appears to be a hybrid of both the E-P2 and E-PL2, including a P2-style button layout, but with a pop-up flash and sloping top plate reminiscent of the PL2. The new cam is also rumored to include a new 12 megapixel sensor, a max sensitivity of ISO 12,800, a high-res touchscreen, much-needed AF improvements, and an updated UI. Photo Rumors expects Olympus to announce the E-P3 on June 30th, along with an E-PL3 and E-PM1. That last model would be the first in the rumored Pen Mini series. We don’t expect the E-PM1 to best the new Pentax Q’s record-breaking small size, but with a significantly smaller sensor, the Q will be no match for any of Olympus’s new Micro Four Thirds offerings.
Update: Andrea wrote in to tell us that Mirrorless Rumors now has a much clearer publicity shot. Isn’t it lovely?
Is this the Olympus E-P3? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Jun 2011 19:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
We know some of you have been a little disappointed in Panasonic’s GF line of Micro Four Thirds cams as they’ve shed advanced features and become more “consumer friendly” — terrifying words for any serious user to hear. But, we’ve got some good news, at some point in the future the GF line will split with a more professionally-minded model sold alongside the more simplistic GF3. That’s straight from the mouth of Ichiro Kitao, the head of Panasonic’s camera division, who spoke to PhotoRadar about the company’s plans. When the GF1 will finally get a spiritual successor isn’t exactly clear, but we’re glad to hear the pocketable Micro Four Thirds series will finally get another serious shooter.
Panasonic plans to expand GF line, return to serious shooter roots originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Last week, we caught a glimpse of the Lumix DMC-GF3, a new addition to Panasonic’s ever-growing family of Micro Four Thirds shooters. Turns out, the camera we spied in that YouTube video was legit: the company just made it official and yes, it’s missing a hot shoe. Available in four colors with 12.1 megapixel resolution, it uses Panny’s latest imaging processor, shoots 1080i AVCHD video, and has a 3-inch touchscreen, ISO range of 160 to 6400, and the usual array of intelligent Auto enhancements. Unlike the GF2 — which isn’t going anywhere, by the way — it’s designed with the greenest of novices in mind, which means it forgoes things experienced photogs might like, such as a hot shoe and viewfinder. This one has a mono, not stereo mic, and swaps in a simple scroll wheel on the back side. Panasonic also rejiggered the touch UI to make certain settings easier to find and added a miniature art filter — already a staple on Olympus’ PEN series. Oh, and as a beginner-friendly camera, it looks more like a point-and-shoot than a DSLR — it’s 15 percent lighter than the GF2, and 17 percent smaller.
The GF3 will be available in July for $699 with a 14mm lens, to be followed in late August by a $599 kit that comes with a 14-42mm lens. In the meantime, head on past the break and check out our impressions after spending a few minutes with a not-final unit and a 14mm lens. We only got to play with it in a fluorescent conference room, alas, but hopefully our handful of test shots will give you a taste of what you can do with the depth of field should you spring for the higher-end of the two kits.
Gallery: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Gallery: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 hands-on!
Continue reading Panasonic Lumix GF3 official: 12.1 MP, 1080i video, no hot shoe in sight (hands-on)
Panasonic Lumix GF3 official: 12.1 MP, 1080i video, no hot shoe in sight (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Last week, we caught a glimpse of the Lumix DMC-GF3, a new addition to Panasonic’s ever-growing family of Micro Four Thirds shooters. Turns out, the camera we spied in that YouTube video was legit: the company just made it official and yes, it’s missing a hot shoe. Available in four colors with 12.1 megapixel resolution, it uses Panny’s latest imaging processor, shoots 1080i AVCHD video, and has a 3-inch touchscreen, ISO range of 160 to 6400, and the usual array of intelligent Auto enhancements. Unlike the GF2 — which isn’t going anywhere, by the way — it’s designed with the greenest of novices in mind, which means it forgoes things experienced photogs might like, such as a hot shoe and viewfinder. This one has a mono, not stereo mic, and swaps in a simple scroll wheel on the back side. Panasonic also rejiggered the touch UI to make certain settings easier to find, and added a miniature art filter — already a staple on Olympus’ PEN series. Oh, and as a beginner-friendly camera, it looks more like a point-and-shoot than a DSLR — it’s 15 percent lighter than the GF2, and 17 percent smaller.
The GF3 will be available in July for $699 with a 14mm lens, to be followed in late August by a $599 kit that comes with a 14-42mm lens. In the meantime, head on past the break and check out our impressions after spending a few minutes with a not-final unit and a 14mm lens. We only got to play with it in a fluorescent conference room, alas, but hopefully our handful of test shots will give you a taste of what you can do with the depth of field should you spring for the higher-end of the two kits.
Gallery: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Gallery: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 hands-on!
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 official: 12.1 MP, 1080i video, no hot shoe in sight (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
The folks at 4/3 Rumors believe they’ve spotted Panasonic’s successor to the compact Micro Four Thirds GF2 — the aptly named GF3. The site’s eagle-eyed camera fiends noticed an unfamiliar digicam in a promo video (since removed from YouTube) that sports an interchangeable lens and is smaller than a DSLR. The design of the camera is somewhat similar to the GF2, though it sports a more pronounced hump and a more modern look. Rumors have suggested that the GF3 would lose the hot shoe, which this glossy-white mystery device clearly lacks, and borrow the 16-megapixel image sensor from the G3. While you wait for Panasonic to announce its tiny new hobbyist shooter, which is expected to happen on June 13th, enjoy another pair of pics after the break.
Continue reading Panasonic GF3 spied by Micro Four Thirds enthusiasts in YouTube vid?
Panasonic GF3 spied by Micro Four Thirds enthusiasts in YouTube vid? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
