![\"\"](\"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/gh3-1.png\" "\\"gh3-1\\"")
<\/a>Perhaps the most awaited camera announcement of the bunch is the new Panasonic GH3. \u00a0It’s been nearly two years since the GH2 came in and really bumped Micro 4\/3 up a notch. \u00a0In fact, it was that camera that finally reached a level that convinced me to completely get away from my Canon full frame gear.<\/p>\n
With the GH3, Panasonic is positioning it as a pro-grade camera. \u00a0The body is larger than the GH2, now coming in at similar sizes to some APS-C DSLRs. \u00a0It’s got a magnesium alloy body that is weathersealed against dust and moisture. \u00a0They’ve made some significant changes to the external controls by adding a front control dial to the rear dial found on the GH2, as well as many dedicated buttons and FIVE programmable function buttons. \u00a0Needless to say, the GH3 looks to be great for direct control.<\/p>\n
Panasonic has added a bunch of other features, such as a PC socket, a standard 3.5mm mic jack and they’ve upgraded both the viewfinder and the rear screen. \u00a0The viewfinder is now a 1.7 million dot affair with extremely quick readout (Panasonic says 8x that of the GH2). \u00a0This has the potential to be a viewfinder that really rivals an OVF as far as refresh goes, and the resolution should make it look great. \u00a0The rear screen is now a 640k OLED screen, so colors should be richer than the older screens found on earlier G series cameras.<\/p>\n
Panasonic has really targeted video users with this release, upping the native bit rate to an astonishing 80 Mbps in 30p or 24p mode, which is as good as the Canon 5D Mark III and should give exceptionally high quality video, suitable for use for professional videographers.<\/p>\n On the stills side, we’ll have to see how the new sensor compares to other Panasonic sensors. \u00a0It remains to be seen if it can match the excellent Olympus E-M5 sensor in overall image quality. \u00a0Then again, it’s got the exact same pixel resolution as the E-M5, so there may be the possibility it’s the same Sony sensor.<\/p>\n So…what do I think? \u00a0Well, it’s exciting to see Panasonic step up their game. \u00a0The G5 has become quite a nice camera in its own right, and keeps the smaller form factor of the older G and GH series, so I don’t have an issue with the larger size, though it might put some people off.<\/p>\n It is really refreshing to see Panasonic catering to the high end of the market. \u00a0The new camera looks robust and, more importantly, instead of dumbing down the interface, they’ve refined it for even greater direct control, which is a wonderful thing. \u00a0Like the Olympus OM-D, Panasonic is also offering a nice vertical grip for the GH3. \u00a0For those who find the bodies of Micro 4\/3 cameras too small, this camera may perfectly fit the bill.<\/p>\n For the video lovers, they’ll be going nuts for this camera. \u00a0The GH2 already had some of the very best video quality available without spending tens of thousands of professional camcorders. \u00a0The GH3 seems to up that considerably. \u00a0I only hope that the Stills portion is every bit as good. \u00a0I’ll be looking forward to the GH3.<\/p>\n Olympus also announced some new cameras this week. \u00a0While the two bodies announced, the E-PL5 and E-PM2, haven’t been highly desired for years, they do gain the one huge thing that Olympus Pen fans have been clamoring for: a new sensor. \u00a0Specifically, the new cameras both contain the same outstanding sensor found in the flagship OM-D E-M5. \u00a0This 16 megapixel sensor is significantly better in handling high ISO noise, and the dynamic range is dramatically improved over the aging 12MP sensor that has been in every Pen until now.<\/p>\n There isn’t a whole lot more that is new aside from the sensor. There have been some software tweaks, and the E-PL5’s tilt screen can now flip up 170 degrees to allow for self portraits, but otherwise, they are quite similar to their predecessors. \u00a0However, having the outstanding E-M5 sensor in these tiny bodies is a big deal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the most long awaited lenses for Micro 4\/3 is a fast telephoto zoom. \u00a0Finally, it’s here. \u00a0Like the 12-35mm f\/2.8 (reviewed here<\/a>), the new Panasonic 35-100mm lens has a constant f\/2.8 aperture with an equivalent field of view like that of a classic 70-200mm lens on full frame.<\/p>\n If the optics are anything like the 12-35, this will be one stellar lens. \u00a0While, due to the smaller format, this lens won’t create subject separation like a 70-200\/2.8 will on full frame, it will be able to provide plenty of background blur, and due to the fast aperture, will be great for low light portrait work.<\/p>\n The lens has optical image stabilization and a dust and splashproof build to pair well with the weathersealed GH2 or Olympus OM-D E-M5. \u00a0This brings the total number of weathersealed lenses for Micro 4\/3 to four (the Olympus 12-50, Panasonic 12-35 and the new Olympus 60mm macro discussed below are the others). \u00a0I am really looking forward to giving this lens a spin. \u00a0It’s not going to be a cheap lens, though, with a pre-order price of $1499.<\/p>\n Panasonic also showed two new lenses that would be coming out sometime next year or early 2014 (let’s hope for next year, but given Panasonic’s track record, that could be wishful thinking).<\/p>\n Like Olympus, it seems Panasonic realizes how much the enthusiast market loves these cameras. \u00a0They’ve already started hitting this market hard with the two new f\/2.8 zooms, but upcoming will be two additional high end lenses.<\/p>\n The first is a 42.5mm f\/1.2 lens with OIS. \u00a0This will fit the classic 85mm field of view with an ultra-fast f\/1.2 aperture and stabilization. \u00a0It likely will not be cheap, but I sure bet it will be popular.<\/p>\n More interesting to me, however, is the 150mm f\/2.8 OIS. \u00a0Micro 4\/3 has needed fast telephotos for a LONG time, and it’s really nice to see some come along. \u00a0This will have a field of view similar to a 300mm lens on full frame with a fast f\/2.8 aperture and stabilization. \u00a0This will fill a big need in the system.<\/p>\n with both of these lenses, Micro 4\/3 is finally really filling out to have very few gaps in the lineup. \u00a0There will soon be very high quality lenses throughout the typically used focal ranges. \u00a0Awesome.<\/p>\n Olympus also isn’t laying back with regards to lenses. \u00a0The long previewed 60mm f\/2.8 Macro was finally officially released, and limited supply is already out there (My copy should be here next week). \u00a0Early reviews are extremely positive, with most showing it to be even better than the truly outstanding Zuiko 50mm f\/2 macro for 4\/3.<\/p>\n The lens is Olympus’ second weathersealed lens and it focuses down to 1:1 magnification. \u00a0Like past Olympus lenses, they’re cheaping out on providing the hood, but other than that, it looks to be outstanding.<\/p>\n I’ll have my review coming up in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n In addition to the 60mm f\/2.8, Olympus announced a lens…or was it a body cap. \u00a0Well, it’s both. \u00a0It’s the 15mm f\/8 body cap lens. \u00a0This is essentially an ultra-pancake lens with a built in lens cap that features two focus settings. \u00a0Infinity and Close. \u00a0So, essentially, it’s made to be the ultimate snapshot lens. Slide a small body in your coat pocket, and pull it out quickly when you need that shot. \u00a0It’s only 9mm thick and really does look just like a body cap.<\/p>\n For enthusiasts who don’t shoot macro, however, the biggest news was the announcement of an upcoming 17mm f\/1.8 lens. \u00a0Preview shots of the lens show it to be of very similar construction to the Olympus 12mm f\/2, though a little shorter. \u00a0This will finally satisfy the many photographers who want a fast, high quality 35mm equivalent lens with autofocus.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Next: Lenses!<\/h4>\n
New Panasonic Lenses<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Not yet here, but exciting!<\/h4>\n
New Olympus Lenses:<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Odds and Ends<\/h3>\n
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