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Panasonic Lumix GF2 vs. GF1... fight!
If yesterday's preview of the GF2 wasn't enough for you, here's a little more eye candy to feast upon. We paired up Panasonic's all-new Micro Four Thirds shooter with the GF1 that preceded it and collected a nice little gallery for your perusal below. The major difference between the two is in their dimensions -- the GF2 feels a lot closer to your typical compact camera -- though there are plenty of smaller modifications as well, such as the refashioned grip on the camera's right side, the replacement of the jog dial up top with a stereo mic array, and the introduction of a luminous iA button for switching on the intelligent auto mode. The back of the GF2 is also quite a bit tidier, which has been achieved mostly by eliminating some buttons in favor of the touchscreen interface. Check it all out below or jump past the break for some video action. %Gallery-106820%
Panasonic Lumix GF2 preview
At first glance, sitting all on its lonesome like that, the GF2 might forgivably be perceived as just another mundanely incremental upgrade on what was already a lauded predecessor in the Lumix GF1. But, for once, our pessimism was not borne out by the facts -- far from it. With the GF2, Panasonic has somehow managed to shrink its smallest Micro Four Thirds shooter even further, by a reported 19 percent, and the difference in handling is tangible. The Japanese giant has also lightened the load by seven percent, thrown in a new touchscreen-centric UI, and, predictably, upped the video ante to 720/60p or 1080/60i recording in AVCHD format. Join us after the break to see what we thought of this delicious new recipe for pseudo-pocketable large-sensor shooting. Please note: Panasonic has not yet finalized the GF2's firmware, meaning that the sample images and video below may not necessarily be indicative of the quality you'll get from the final product.%Gallery-106778%%Gallery-106781%
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 now official: 12.1MP, Full HD movie mode
At long last, the Lumix DMC-GF2. Hitting the scene just a few weeks after the GH2, this here Micro Four Thirds rig is Panasonic's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens system camera, and it's packin' quite the specs list. From the top, you're looking at a 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, compatibility with the company's own 3D interchangeable lens (the LUMIX G 12.5mm / F12) and an enclosure that's seven percent lighter (not to mention 19 percent smaller) than the GF1. You'll also find a three-inch touchpanel on the rear, contrast AF system, a freshly designed Touch Q user interface, internal dust reduction system and the ability to record video at 1920 x 1080/60i or 1280 x 720/60p in AVCHD. Better still, lower resolution options are available with Motion JPEG recording, and the 23-area focusing system shouldn't have a difficult time nailing your subject. We should point out that the ISO only ranges from 100 to 6400, but the included hot shoe accessory definitely allows for a flash. Of course, there's no optical viewfinder here, but hey, you can't have it all when you're looking to save space. The GF2 will ship in January with three color choices (silver, red and black) and two bundle options: a 14mm F2.5 pancake kit and a 14-42mm zoom lens kit. Unfortunately for you, pricing won't be announced until mid-to-late December. Bah, humbug! %Gallery-106670%
Panasonic's Lumix GF2 Micro Four Thirds camera spotted on billboard
Where there's smoke, right? Just days after hearing that Panasonic's newest Micro Four Thirds camera was on the way later this week, along comes this -- an event poster in Paris that leaves little doubt about what's to come. As the story goes, this shot was taken over in France, and it's detailing an event that'll actually take place tomorrow. If we had to guess, we'd say the world's smallest mirrorless camera kit will be officially unveiled within the next 24 hours. We mean, wouldn't you?
Panasonic GF2 rumored to be announced this week, released early 2011
There still isn't much in the way of actual details or pictures, but 4/3 Rumors is reporting that it's heard from sources who say the Panasonic GF2 Micro Four Thirds camera (successor to the GF1) will be announced as soon as next week. What's more, those same sources say that the camera will be the smallest mirrorless camera to date, and that it will use the Panasonic G2 12-megapixel sensor. That rumor is further backed up by a new listing for a GF2 at the Korean Radio Research Agency, although that unfortunately doesn't provide any details beyond the name. You might not want to ditch your GF1 just yet, though -- while camera will supposedly be announced next week, it apparently won't actually be released until sometime early next year. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Bluetooth module for Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras hits the FCC
This one's still a bit mysterious, but what appears to be a Bluetooth module for Olympus' Micro Four Thirds cameras has just hit the FCC. Exactly what it does isn't clear, but it looks to be a match for the accessory port below the hot shoe on Olympus' PEN series cameras, which could open up a number of interesting possibilities -- a geotagging GPS module, perhaps, or even a file transfer device? Hopefully Olympus will clear things up getting official with this thing sooner rather than later. In the meantime, you can dive into the FCC reports at the link below.
Panasonic confirms December 27 ship date, $4,995 price for AG-AF100 Micro Four Thirds video camera
The headline pretty much says it all here -- Panasonic has now finally cleared up that its AG-AF100 Micro Four Thirds video camera will begin shipping on December 27th, and pack a suitably professional price tag of $4,995. In case you've forgotten about it since it's debut way back in April, the camera offers a slew of fairly high-end features including native 1080/24p recording, variable frame rates, and professional audio capabilities -- and, while $5,000 isn't exactly cheap, it will let you keep costs down somewhat by supporting a whole range of standard Micro Four Thirds lenses, filters and adapters. Head on past the break for the complete press release.
Lensbaby rolls out Composer with Tilt Transformer kit for Micro Four Thirds, Sony NEX cameras (hands-on)
We've already gotten our hands on Lensbaby's basic Composer lens, but the company has now gone and expanded its bag of tricks even further with its new Composer with Tilt Transformer kit. The key bit there is the Tilt Transformer (also available separately), which can also accommodate any Nikon mount lens and tilt it up to twice the amount of standard tilt-shift lenses. Have a Panasonic Lumix G Micro System or Olympus PEN Micro Four Thirds camera? Then you can get the kit now for $350 or just the Tilt Transformer for $250 -- Sony NEX camera users will have to wait until October 28th to get in on the act. Full press release is after the break, and our hands-on from the Photokina show floor is just below. Enjoy. %Gallery-103089%
Olympus Zuiko-equipped compact camera eyes-on: optical zoom, HDMI spotted
Olympus' PR branch left us digging for details when announcing the outfit's new Zuiko-equipped camera, a concept piece that's actually on track for the real world in early 2011. It seems as if this, along with Fujifilm's FinePix X100, is carving out a new niche in the compact space. It lacks the flexibility of Micro Four Thirds / mirrorless, but it packs a bigger quality punch than any other point-and-shoot on the market. At least with this guy, though, you'll be getting an optical zoom. During our gaze session at Olympus' Photokina booth, we spotted "optical zoom" labeling as well as a toggle switch for pulling the lens in and out, and we also found an HDMI output, video record button, hot shoe accessory port and a pop-up flash. Join us as we go round and round in the video after the break. %Gallery-102945%
Olympus teases Zuiko-equipped compact camera, leaves us desperate for details
Olympus isn't saying much (and that's understating things greatly), but it's using this year's Photokina trade show in order to tease a new integrated compact camera that's meant to serve an exceedingly narrow niche. So far as we can tell, this new "flagship" compact camera is the world's first with an "integrated Zuiko lens," meaning that it's actually not a Micro Four Thirds rig. We're still waiting to speak with someone at the company to find out exactly what the purpose is here, but we're getting the impression that it's meant to provide extreme resolution in the palm of your hand -- no need in grabbing the D3X if you can capture the next LeBron James mural with something this small, right? The press release insinuates that we won't know much more until CES 2011 (or sometime in Q1 2011, anyway), but at least we know that the accessory port will enable it to play nice with PEN peripherals. %Gallery-102742%
Panasonic GH2 expected to have 16 megapixel sensor, maybe even 1080/60p video
It was almost exactly a year ago that we asked you how you'd change the Panasonic GH1, and the consensus response was that the camera's biggest flaw was its stratospheric price. Well, Panasonic's about to help you out there, as it seems a GH2 successor is all but assured to debut at this year's Photokina exhibition, which is sure to put a little downward pressure on GH1 levies. The new shooter is rumored to be making mostly evolutionary upgrades, with 16 rather than 12 effective megapixels squeezed into its sensor, expanded ISO range up to 12,800, faster autofocus performance with the kit 14-140mm lens, 5fps burst shooting, and 1080/60i video recording at 24Mbps. Where things get interesting is the suggestion that the GH2 will be capable of 1080/60p, but that the AVCHD recording format -- whose current spec doesn't include 60 frames of 1080p goodness -- is forcing it to store data in the 60i mode. That'd be a pretty sweet new addition if true and we're inclined to believe it given the additional rumor of three processing cores inside the GH2. We'll know how much of this is legit by the middle of next week, Photokina isn't a place famed for keeping secrets -- quite the opposite, actually.
Exclusive: Samsung NX100 in the wild
Looks like we can take the guesswork out of today's leaked render, after all. A generous (and, as usual, anonymous) reader just sent us a handful of pictures of what appears to be -- quite convincingly, we might add -- the Samsung NX100 we've been eying since a low-res snapshot came to light last month. According to our tipster, video on the camera is great and changing settings is easy, on par with DSLRs, but the of course size still doesn't compare to point-and-shoots. And to repeat the earlier specs, now that they seem more likely: 4.74 x 2.8 x 1.36 inches, 9.95 ounces, an external GPS receptor, an external EVF with 201K resolution, and a (non-articulating) display that's 921K AMOLED. A shame we can't claim those fingers for our own just yet, but patience is a virtue. Or something like that -- it's not like we have a choice, might as well say something to feel better about it. %Gallery-101507%
Panasonic's prototype Micro Four Thirds 3D lens and body arrive in Berlin
And here it is, Panasonic's prototype G-series micro-four-thirds shooter with new interchangeable 3D lens. We caught the pair hanging out at IFA with nary a soul around to take notice. Too bad for them, good for you if you've made the jump to a panny MFT as the lens will ultimately be compatible with your Lumix G micro system... probably -- unfortunately, Panasonic isn't saying which cams will be eligible for the software update. From the sound of it, the whole kit will get official in just a few week at Photokina with a new G-series body playing host to the new 3D lens. Here in Berlin, however, we've got a G2 body with an updated 3D image processing system doing the dirty work. Nevertheless, it was fully functional and produced a reasonable 3D image with plenty of pop that was ready to view on a brand new Panasonic 3D television. Come on, a 3D television is nothing without 3D content. Sneaky Panasonic, sneaky.%Gallery-101334%
Olympus E-P2 dons all-black garb for limited edition pancake lens kits
Olympus has just made a pair of new, limited edition kit options official for its PEN E-P2 shooter. Both include an M. Zuiko Digital 17mm F2.8 prime lens and an all-black paintjob, with the choice for the buyer being between a Special Black (or just black, if you're talking to humans) EVF Edition that brings you the V-F2 viewfinder, and an equally noir Flash Edition, which will enrich your life with the FL-14 external flash. Prices are €1,079 ($1,371) and €1,049 ($1,332), respectively, and launch is scheduled for October of this year. As the old saying goes, you don't have to be crazy to buy these, but it'd help.
Mirrorless camera shootout: DSLR alternatives get sized up and ISO-examined
It all started with Micro Four Thirds, but now just about everyone is jonesing to play along in the mirrorless camera game. The crew over at Serious Compacts managed to get ahold of quite a few contenders (Samsung's NX10, Sony's NEX5, Olympus' E-P2 and E-PL1, and Panasonic's GF1, GF2 and GH1), and rather than taking 'em apart one by one, they've decided to size 'em up in a fantastic size comparison piece. From lenses to bodies, all six cameras are shown from various angles, and even if you've convinced yourself to not be in the market for one of these bad boys, the eye candy alone is worth a peek. Furthermore, the group has been entered into a telling ISO comparison test, but if you came here looking for a spoiler, you'll be sorely disappointed. Tap those links below to get your study on, won'tcha?
Is this the Samsung NX100 interchangeable lens camera?
Samsung's been dishing quite a few pocketable cameras of late, but it seems as if its NX100 may have slipped out a few moments before showtime. The screen capture you're looking at above was snagged from the end of a new National Geographic promo video -- one that was uploaded on August 5th but has already been pulled back. Rumor has it that the white device there on the right is a forthcoming NX100, which would make it the latest in Sammy's promising NX line of interchangeable lens cameras. There's obviously no telling what kind of components lie beneath the shell, but the grab does give us reason to believe at least a few new lenses are also on the horizon. We'd say that this lines up nicely for an official reveal at Photokina, but you already knew that, didn't you? Update: And now we're hearing that the NX100 will make its official debut at IFA in just under a month. Huzzah!
Engadget's back to school guide: Digital cameras
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got our optical viewfinders set firmly on digital cameras -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Time for us to open up chapter two of this year's Back to School advice compendium. Up for discussion today are digital cameras, which have been in the gym all year working on their processing prowess and return today with 720p HD video as an almost standard feature. We've got a good cross-section of young pretenders and finely aged veterans for your perusal, so why not give your mouse a little exercise as well and click past the break?
Panasonic will offer interchangeable 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds by year's end
Like Panasonic's new 3D-capable HDC-SDT750 camcorder but don't want to shell out $1,400 for a brand-new kit? Get a load of this Micro Four Thirds lens. That's right, Panny's just announced an interchangeable 3D lens that affixes to the standard Lumix G-series mount, meaning any of the company's new sub-DSLR shooters could see in stereo with a firmware hack update. Sadly, compatible models are still "to be announced" and even the lens pictured above is just a prototype, but we won't have too long to wait for the real deal -- the Japanese manufacturer says it'll be on sale by the end of the year. Press release after the break.
Canon developing smaller DSLRs to compete with mirrorless cameras?
Ever since we heard that Nikon was joining the league of mirrorless cameras, the whole world's been waiting for its arch rival to make the next move in the battle of smaller prosumer cameras. Today, Canon finally gave away some hints about which camp it'll side with -- probably just sticking with traditional DSLRs, but smaller. Canon's Masaya Maeda didn't share any specific details, but here's how he dodged Reuters' inquiry: "It's not a question of whether or not you have a mirror. There is a consumer need for good-quality cameras to be made smaller. We will meet this need." And to add some icing to that bland statement, Maeda reinforced that it wouldn't be a challenge for his company to retain a mirror (hence a viewfinder, which is essential for obtaining better results and higher shooting rates) in a smaller design, and that they've made very small SLR cameras before (likely in reference to the film era). Whatever happens, here's hoping that Canon's new toy won't be any bigger than the much-loved G11.
Sony Alpha A390 and A290 DSLRs hands-on
While Sony may have its pricey NEX-VG10 camcorder sucking up the limelight at yesterday's showcase, let's not forget the electronic giant's more humble photographic devices. Just a few steps away we stumbled upon these near-identical Alpha A390 and A290 entry-level DSLRs, with the former donning a tilting LCD and live view capability to live up to its bigger price tag. We can't comment on picture quality due to the lack of sample shots, but we were certainly impressed by both cameras' build quality -- kudos to Sony for the much improved grip, and we also liked the firm chassis (plus its various knobs and flaps) that didn't feel cheap despite sounding hollow. On a similar note, the 2.7-inch LCD looked sharp and served us well for all purposes, although we didn't get to test it outdoor. What really bewildered us was the lens continuously auto-focusing while the camera remained stationary -- that couldn't be good for the battery, and we'd like to see how battery life fares in upcoming reviews. Anyhow, enjoy our hands-on photos.%Gallery-97621%
