Digital Camera Blog – Deals, Promos, News and Reviews

Olympus has just announced 3 new models to their line up of micro-four-third interchangable lens digital cameras. The three new PEN models are the updated E-P3 & E-PL3 as well as the new Mini E-PM1.

Olympus E-P3

The Olympus Pen E-P3 is the third flagship micro four thirds camera from Olympus and will launch in early August with the 14-42mm kit lens. The Olympus E-P3 sports a 12.3 MP Live MOS Sensor, TruePic VI Image Processor, FAST AF Tracking System with 35 focus points, Low Light Performance, Fast Shutter Response, Full HD Movie – Shoot up to 29 minutes of full 1080i HD video in either AVCHD or AVI formats and a Full HD Movie – Shoot up to 29 minutes of full 1080i HD video in either AVCHD or AVI formats. The Olympus PEN E-P3 kit will be available in stylish black, white and silver.

• Olympus E-P3 overview on Amazon and pre-order information
• Olympus E-P3 with 14-42mm lens (Black) on Amazon.com
• Olympus E-P3 with 14-42mm lens (Silver) on Amazon.com

Olympus Pen E-PL3

The Olympus Pen E-PL3 is what Olympus describes as a ‘Lite’ version of the E-P3. This powerful camera is perfect for photographers who want their memories to reflect incredible, professional image quality. Easy-to-use creative technologies are packed in its versatile body – the size of a small, portable point-and-shoot camera, but with the versatility of interchangeable lenses. It will also feature a new 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor, TruePic™ VI Image Processor, high ISO of 12,800, a reengineered autofocus system, full 1080i HD video with Dolby Digital sound recording. No release date is available yet for the E-PL3 but it is expected to be released later in the year perhaps early fall.

Olympus Pen Mini camera (E-PM1)

The third Olympus micro four thirds camera to be announced is the Pen Mini E-PM1. he smallest and lightest Olympus PEN is available in six stylish colors (purple, pink, brown, white, silver and black) and features a new and simplified user interface as well as a streamlined button structure for superior ease of use. Its small size and portability make it the ideal camera to document life’s fun and spontaneous moments. This very compact camera will also launch in early fall.

The Panasonic GH2 originally announced back in September 2010 at the Photokina photo/camera is Panasonic’s top of the line Micro Four Thirds digital camera. Dpreview known for its indepth camera reviews has recently made a detailed 22-page review of the Panasonic GH2, below is an extract from the review.

The GH2 might not be a revolutionary development (in all essential points it is very closely related to its predecessor, the GH1) but we’re confident in saying that it is the best mirrorless system camera that we’ve ever tested, bar none. With the GH2 Panasonic has finally demonstrated that it is able to compete with the APS-C format competition when it comes both to resolution and critical image quality. Although the GH2′s Micro Four Thirds sensor is smaller than those found in cameras like the Canon EOS 60D and Nikon D7000, it runs them both pretty close. Up to ISO 3200 in fact, we’d stick our necks out and say that the GH2 can hold its own against any of the current crop of APS-C format cameras on the market, which is high praise indeed.

Obviously, one of the major selling points of the GH2 is its versatile video mode and in this respect, we have very few complaints. The GH1 was an impressive video camera with a large following amongst both casual and serious filmmakers, and the GH2 improves upon it in several ways. It offers a more convenient codec, and improved high ISO image quality, amongst other, smaller tweaks. Before we tested it, we would have said that the GH2 looked a little overpriced. Having been immersed in its capabilities now for several weeks, we’re less concerned. All things considered – the impressive depth of its feature set, effective touch-screen ergonomics and its excellent still and video image quality – we think it represents very good value for money.

• To read the full review of the Panasonic GH2 on dpreview click here.
• To order the Panasonic GH2 with the 14-42mm Hybrid Lens click here.
• To order the Panasonic GH2 with the 14-140mm HD Hybrid Lens click here.

Olympus has just released new firmware updates for its E-5 Four Thirds DSLR camera, the E-PL2 Micro Four Thirds camera and XZ-1 point and shoot enthusiast compact camera. The latest firmware versions for the E-5 and XZ-1 resolve minor bugs relating to the LCD display and external flash units. Version 1.1 for the Olympus E-PL2 changes the default setting of the image stabilizer to ‘On’ when used with the add-on Fisheye, Wide-angle or Macro lenses.

Download links for the latest software firmware:

• Click here to download the latest firmware for Olympus E-5 and E-PL2
• Click here to download the firmware v1.1 for Olympus XZ-1

If you are looking to get a new Olympus E-5, E-PL2 or XZ-1, click on the links below for the best deals on each camera:

• Olympus E-5 (Body Only) – $1600
• Olympus E-PL2 – $599
• Olympus XZ-1 – $499

The Olympus E-PL2 is the successor to the popular E-PL1 micro four-thirds mirrorless digital camera. Dpreview known for its indepth reviews has recently made a detailed review of the Olympus E-PL2, below is an extract from the review.

The Olympus E-PL2 is very close to other E-series cameras such as the E-PL1 or E-P2 in terms of both specification and design, but it’s arguably different enough to make it preferable over to in-house competitors for some users. Image quality is pretty much identical, but compared to the E-PL1, the E-PL2 hasa better build quality, an arguably more attractive design, faster AF (with the new kit lens) and an additional rear dial.

While the E-P2 is nominally higher up the PEN-hierarchy some photographers might nevertheless prefer the E-PL2 instead. It’s smaller, has a built-in flash and comes with the faster focusing new kit lens. However, you’ll have to make do without the E-P2′s top thumb dial, which can make changing settings just that little bit more cumbersome.

Having said that, there’s not much between the performance of all the current Olympus PEN cameras. The improved AF speed is arguably the biggest argument for the E-PL2 (although you can equally improve the E-P2′s and E-PL1′s AF speed by combining them with the new lens). The lack of the top dial, if you like setting your shooting parameters manually, is one against it. At the end of the day a lot of it is down to personal preference.

However, if you’re in the market for a mirrorless camera it’s hard to go wrong with the E-PL2. It doesn’t just look good when compared to its Olympus stablemates, but also cuts a fine figure next to the mirrorless competition from other manufacturers. In addition the range of accessories and Micro Four Thirds lenses is continuously growing, making Olympus PEN one of the currently largest and most flexible systems in the mirrorless camera sector.

• To read the full review of the E-PL2 on dpreview click here.
• To pre-order the Olympus EPL-2 (Black) on Amazon.com click here.
• To pre-order the Olympus EPL-2 (Silver) on Amazon.com click here.
• To pre-order the Olympus EPL-2 (Red) on Amazon.com click here.

The brand new Panasonic GF2 with the 14mm f/2.5 G lens is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and listed for $699. Available in three colors, black, silver and red are all up on there now for pre-order. To pre-order the GF2 click on the image above or the links below.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 is the latest of  micro compact mirrorless digital cameras and is Panasonic’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens system camera–complete with a built-in flash. The Pansonic Lumix GF2 is compatible with lenses from the Micro Four Thirds standard, meaning the system is small and compact while not compromising ease of operation or image quality. The GF2 is also compatible with Panasonic’s new 3D interchangeable lens, the Lumix G 12.5mm / F12, so users can take 3D photos. The Panasonic GF2 is extremely easy to operate for photographers at any level, thanks to a newly-designed user interface, which allows for the focus to be set, or shutter released, by simply touching the large 3-inch touch-screen LCD. The touch-screen LCD with a 460,000-dot-resolution makes taking great photos intuitive.

Features:

• 12.1-megapixel multi-aspect Live MOS Sensor; Micro Four Thirds format camera
• Kit includes 14mm lens; capture high-quality photos in 3D with optional lens
• Full HD video capability; Venus Engine FHD enables Intelligent Resolution technology
• 3-inch free-angle touch-screen LCD; newly-designed Touch Q-menu allows focus to be set, or shutter released, with just a touch
• Built-in flash; compact, lightweight design for ease of use and portability

To pre-order the Panasonic GF2:

• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 (black)
  $699
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 (silver)
  $699
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 (red)
  $699

There is now a new good deal for the recently released Panasonic 100-300mm Micro Four-Third zoom lens. The Panasonic 100-300mm lens has had a decent price drop and is now selling for $565 down from $599 on Amazon.com. To take advantage of this deal for the Panasonic 100-300mm lens click on the photo above or click here.

Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 G Vario Aspherical MEGA OIS Lens
Was: $599.95
Now: $565.57

There is a new deal for the Black version of the Olympus E-PL1 with the 14-42mm Lens which has dropped in price to $429 from $499 on Amazon.com. To take advantage of this deal click on the image above or click here.

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 is a Micro Four Thirds digital camera featuring 12.3-megapixel resolution. It includes the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 digital zoom lens, features built-in flash, a 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD with Live View function, Continuous Autofocus (C-AF) tracking system and is able to capture HD video with high-quality audio.

Olympus PEN E-PL1 with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
$429.00

The Panasonic 100-300mm Micro Four-Third lens is now in stock and shipping from Amazon.com for $599. The Panasonic 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 G lens is the first compact ultra zoom telephoto lens for the micro four thirds digital camera system to be released and will give m4/3 users much needed reach in their photography. To get the Panasonic 100-300mm lens click on the image above or click here.

As mentioned previously when it was first announced, the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4.0-5.6 MEGA O.I.S. reaches out to 300mm (35 mm camera equivalent: 600 mm) and gives you hand held ultra-telephoto zoom shots with astonishingly compact and light weight profile.

Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm Lens
$599.95

There is currently a good deal for the Olympus E-P2 with the 17mm f/2.8 lens on Amazon.com, you can get it now for only $500. It had been dropping slowly in price all week. To take advantage of this great deal click here or the image above.

The Olympus E-P2 is a Micro Four Thirds format digital camera and the second generation PEN model. It features 12.3-megapixels with a 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD with the Live View function. It will also record HD video with high quality audio and allows you to have full manual control of shutter/aperture in Movie Mode.

Olympus PEN E-P2 with 17mm f/2.8 Lens
$500.97

The Panasonic G1 is now being discounted a large amount, its now selling for only $399, which is a very good deal considering it once sold for $799 when it first came out. The $399 price includes the 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens. To order the the Panasonic G1 with 14-45mm Lens on Amazon.com click here.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 (Black) with 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens
$399.99