MILC | Stuff-Review

Panasonic Lumix GX1 shipping now

December 25, 2011 at 4:53 am

If you’ve been holding off for the latest high-end Micro Four Thirds compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC), a.k.a. the Panasonic Lumix GX1, we’re happy to let you know that it’s in stock and shipping now over at both Amazon US and UK.

You can grab either the body-only black and silver versions of the GX1 or the standard 14-42mm zoom lens kit. Unfortunately the 14-42mm X power zoom lens kit is still on pre-order, because of delays shipping the new X-series collapsible power zoom lens.

While you are pondering gifting yourself a brand new shooter, why not checkout our comparison between the Panasonic GX1, Sony NEX-7, Fujifilm X100 and Olympus E-P3. We’re personally salivating already over the GX1 and yeah the roasted turkey scent isn’t really helping. Better make up your mind before all that eggnog clouds up your head. Unhelpful video after the break.
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Sony NEX-7 will begin shipping this month

News

December 8, 2011 at 1:22 pm

The Sony NEX-7 is the most anticipated compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC). Although Sony’s current NEX shooters offer amazing image quality, as a result of their large sized APS-C sensor, their interface is better geared towards beginners. The NEX-7 changes this by offering a set of dials with a new control user interface and an amazing high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder. It also pushes the megapixel envelope for MILCs, with a new 24-megapixel sensor, also found in the larger Alpha A77 and A65 single lens translucent cameras.

After some delay in actually releasing the camera, Sony USA has now confirmed that the NEX-7 will ship this month in limited quantities to early pre-orders. We had reported that Sony resumed production of the camera last month after the catastrophic floods in Thailand had halted production.

You might want to check out our opinion on the OLED EVF here, and our comparison of the NEX-7 against the best of the competition e.g. the Panasonic GX1, Fujifilm X100, Olympus E-P3 in our comparison here.
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Pictures of Fujifilm’s new X-series LX interchangeable lens mirrorless camera leaked

News

November 15, 2011 at 3:40 pm

We’ve already heard directly from Fujifilm that the camera maker is preparing a new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) system under their popular X-series. It is going to be a premium camera system and we expected it to bear some similarities to the very popular X100.

Well a few pictures appeared on a Chinese website, Xitek, claiming to belong to above said Fujifilm MILC camera. There is very close resemblance to the X100, both in terms of design and button and dial layout, with dedicated exposure and shutter speed dials. The X100 design queues suggest this could be the real thing, though it might be an early prototype.
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Panasonic GX1 vs. Sony NEX-7 vs. Fujifilm X100 vs. Olympus E-P3 comparison

The Lab

November 7, 2011 at 10:47 am

With the successor to the GF1 finally announced, Panasonic is coming back strongly to the space it helped create. The Panasonic GX1 is the company’s new high-end rangefinder style mirorrless camera. But, as we’ve discussed in our initial in-depth coverage, unlike its predecessor it’s coming up against some very serious competition.

To put things into perspective, we’ve the GX1 against the top competitors from Sony, Fujifilm and Olympus. Our comparison includes the super-high-end NEX-7 with an APS-C sensor and the amazing OLED EVF, the excellent fixed lens APS-C Fujifilm FinePix X100 (full review here) and a fellow Micro Four Thirds camera, the Olympus E-P3. So, read on to check out how our new MILC holds up.
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Panasonic Lumix GX1 Micro Four Thirds camera and LVF2 EVF announced: new 16MP sensor, December release date (specs, pictures, video)

News

November 7, 2011 at 5:20 am

The Panasonic Lumix GX1 Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) has been officially announced. We first saw the true successor of the venerable GF1 in October, while yesterday we managed to catch a good look of the high-end compact GX1 in Panasonic’s presentation video. Specifications are exactly as we had initially reported.

The Lumix GX1 has a 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor, the same that can be found in the Panasonic G3. This would mean more detail but less high ISO noise than the 12-megapixel sensor found in the GF3 (and of course the much older GF1). On the back ,you’ll find a 3-inch 460k dot touchscreen LCD; similar to other Panasonic offerings, you can touch-focus using the screen. You can also control the Lumix X Power Zoom lenses with the touchscreen. The camera uses contrast autofocus, with Panasonic claiming its as fast as 0.09 seconds. The GX1 can shoot up to ISO 12,800 and supports 1080p video in MP4 (20Mbps) and 1080i60 in AVCHD (17Mbps). We’re glad to see that it includes a stereo microphone and an accessory shoe which can host an electronic viewfinder or external flash.

Together with the camera, Panasonic announced the DMW-LVF2, a new 1,440k dot, 90 degree tilting, electronic viewfinder (EVF). The LVF2 offers more than seven times the effective pixels of the older LVF1 (with 202k dots). Unfortunately the LVF2 will not be compatible with any of the current GF-line cameras, (GF3, GF2, GF1); the LVF2 has a different set of connector which are essential in order to support the higher data transfer rate necessary for its higher resolution.

The GX1 is housed in an aluminium body, similar to the GF1, has metal buttons and a substantial textured handgrip. In terms of controls you have a typical Panasonic arrangement with two physical customizable function buttons, a mode dial, while it’s only missing the drive mode selector from the GF1. Though, remember, you can control aspects of the camera using the touchscreen as well, if you so choose. Panasonic has, for the first time, included a horizontal and vertical angle level gauge which will be displayed both in portrait and vertical use.
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Panasonic Lumix GX1 Micro Four Thirds camera teased in official videos

News

November 6, 2011 at 3:29 am

Panasonic has just released a number of teaser videos for its upcoming GF1 successor, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Micro Four Thirds digital camera. We first broke the news of the GX1 in October and the company’s, now official promotional video, confirms our initial specifications.

The Panasonic GX1 will have a 16-megapixel sensor, probably the same as the Panasonic G3, and a new Venus engine. It will offer a super fast 0.09 second contrast auto-focus. The main screen is a 3-inch LCD with a 460k pixel resolution, and as we guessed, it will be a touchscreen for touch autofocus, similar to other recent Panasonic offerings.

There will be a new external electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1,440k dots (against a paltry 202k of the original LVF1) and it will be offered in silver and black. While we weren’t too excited when we first saw the all black boxy design of the GX1, it looks way sexier in the official video with the silver metal body and oversized black handgrip.

In the video, which you’ll find after the break, the GX1 is paired with the new X series lens, the collapsible power zoom LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm. There is also another video after the break showing a movie shot using the GX1 with a new miniature / time lapse effect, similar to the Panasonic LX5‘s miniature effect.
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Panasonic GX1 Micro Four Thirds camera spotted in the wild (pictures)

News

October 29, 2011 at 2:58 am

Ever since the introduction of the Panasonic GF2, camera fans have been clamoring for a true successor for the venerable GF1 Micro Four Thirds shooter. The Panasonic GF1 was the camera that introduced a lot of people to compact mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MILCs), over three years ago. Well, the GX1 has been rumored to be that successor, offering better image quality but also advanced handling options.

Well, we now have photos, and loads of them, of the GX1 which had surfaced at Taiwan’s Mobile01 forum. From the images, which you can find after the break, we can see that the GX1 looks a lot like the original GF1, though a bit smaller, with a boxy case strikingly different from the more curvy look of the GF2 and GF3 cameras. In terms of looks, we actually wish Panasonic would have done something more striking and original, but it’s the innards that really count. The GX1 is seen here with the premium X-series 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 collapsible zoom lens. Controls have been moved around but are typical Panasonic, though missing the drive mode selector. The camera has prominent stereo mics on the top and an AVHCD logo at the back pointing to some advance video capabilities.

The Panasonic GX1 is expected to be announced on Novermber 8th in Japan. The camera is rumored to have a 16-megapixel sensor and new image processing engine, going up to ISO 12,800. The non-tiltable LCD screen that you can see here, would be a 3-inch 460k dot one, though we haven’t heard if it will have touch capabilities. The camera will be capable of full HD shooting and Panasonic will also release an updated LVF2 external electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dots.

The GX1 will be going against some serious competition from the likes of Sony’s NEX-7 and the Fujifilm X100, and it was about time that Panasonic would get back into the game with a serious rangefinder-style body.
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Fujifilm prepping new ‘premium’ X-series interchangeable lens mirrorless camera system

News

October 7, 2011 at 4:20 pm

The Fuji Guys might be our favorite tech spokespersons pair; you might remember them from their video of the new X10, going over every detail. The official voice of Fujifilm Canada, has ousted, over a couple of tweets, the company’s intention to release a new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) system under their popular X-series.

The Fujifilm X100 showed to the world that compact low-light performance is achievable, however you are stuck with just one focal length, for better or worse. It seems that Fujifilm will try to maintain the same premium design and performance but give you the option of switching between zoom and prime lenses.

Information is very scarce at the moment; the Fuji Guys’ tweets (which you can find after the break) mention that, it will be a premium system, and not Micro Four Thirds — we would guess bigger sensor, perhaps the same APS-C sensor as the X100 — and that the system will be unveiled at CES 2012 in January.

We will definitely keep you posted in the meantime, as these things do tend to leak out.
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Nikon V1 and J1 mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras revealed: 10.1MP 2.7x crop factor, shipping October 20th (pictures, video, price)

News

September 21, 2011 at 8:57 am

Nikon has finally revealed its duo of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the V1 and J1. We can’t say that the world has been holding its breath for this, as there are already a lot of good choices when it comes to MILCs, but lets take it back from the beginning.

First is the introduction of a new CX sensor/mount (against Nikon’s already existing DX and FX sensors). The CX sensor measures 13.2mm x 8.8mm leading to a 2.7x crop factor; the sensor is smaller than the already established Micro Four Thirds 17.3 x 13.0mm (2.0x crop factor) and Sony’s E-mount 23.5mm x 15.6mm (1.5x) sensors. The smaller sensor size is a bit underwhelming, as the Nikon cameras would potentially have worse low-light performance than what’s currently on offer, but would allow Nikon to keep lenses and overall system size smaller than competitors. Although Panasonic holds the reins with its new power zoom Lumix G X 14-42mm.
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Nikon to introduce compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera

News

September 9, 2011 at 12:56 pm

Reuters has conveyed Nikkei daily news of Nikon’s intent to enter the mirrorless interchangeable-lens digital camera (MILC) game. Panasonic and Olympus started it all with their Micro Four Thirds digital cameras in 2008 and many major camera manufacturers have since entered the lucrative market. Nikon and Canon have so far been absent and there were growing rumors that they would soon join.

With camera prices going down, MILCs still command quite a premium. Nikon is said to price its mirrorless camera and lens kit at around 70,000-100,000 yen ($900-1,300). To put things into perspective, Panasonic’s GF3 retails for around $700, Olympus’ EP-3 at $900, while Sony’s NEX-5N retails for $700 and the upcoming super high-end NEX-7 will retail for around $1,350.

Nikon is supposed to introduce its MILC by the end of the year. We said it before, but we’ll say it again, this is definitely the best year for compact camera lovers.
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Sony Alpha A77, A65 and NEX-7 ‘magical’ OLED EVF panel

News

August 30, 2011 at 6:25 pm

It’s difficult to hide that we are enamored with Sony’s new line of digital cameras. A big part of the allure of both the Alpha A77 and A65 cameras and the NEX-7, is the new OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF).

EVFs have the advantage of allowing you to see exactly the same image your camera’s sensor sees and the image it will eventually record, together with any effects, while providing a host of useful information. They also allow manufactures to do away with the optical mirror and create slimmer cameras. Their disadvantages however are that, they are usually not as large or contrasty as optical viewfinders, they are obviously made out of pixels with a finite resolution and might find it hard tracking fast moving action.
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Sony Alpha A77 vs. A65 vs. NEX-7 vs. Fujifilm Finepix X100 comparison

The Lab

August 29, 2011 at 9:24 am

We’ve already shown you how Sony’s NEX-7 digital camera stacks up against other high-end compact shooters. However, Sony also announced a pair of incredibly specced single-lens translucent (SLT) cameras, the Alpha A65 and Alpha A77, poised to take conventional Nikon and Canon mid-range DSLRs head-on. We will soon have a look at how these compare to DSLR cameras at the same price range.

Now, we have compiled a comparison between these three higher-end Sony cameras, the Alpha A77, A65 and NEX-7. We are finding it just so damn hard to decide between them, we are sure you as well, and time has started ticking as all cameras are already available to pre-order, so hopefully this will help. We’ve also added our current favorite camera, the Fujifilm FinePix X100, to the mix. Head over after the link for a detailed spec comparison.
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Sony Alpha A77, A65, NEX-7, NEX-5N and NEX-VG20 video overview

News

August 25, 2011 at 1:34 pm

Sony has created a series of mouthwatering videos showing off its entire new line of cameras and lenses. The first video below is dedicated to the Sony Alpha A77 while the second covers the NEX-7, A65, NEX-5N, the new E-mount lenses, Alpha-mount adapter and the NEX-VG20 camcorder.

We’ve particularly noted the mention of the benefits of an OLED viewfinder in terms of refresh rate over LCD. Best moment of both videos is definitely the demonstration of the A77’s 12fps burst shooting. A word of warning, watching any of these videos could significantly hurt your medium-term financial status.
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Sony NEX-7 vs. Fujifilm X100 vs. Olympus E-P3 vs. Panasonic DMC-GF3

The Lab

August 24, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Sony’s just announced NEX-7 digital camera is a real contender as the new king in the compact mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera realm. We’re sure that you are itching, same as we, to see how it stacks up against the competition. We’ve pitted the NEX-7 against two Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras, the new Olympus E-P3 and the Panasonic GF3 — although we are sure Panasonic is secretly cooking a high end shooter, the GF3 is currently their higher end compact MFT camera. We’ve also added the excellent fixed lens Fujifilm FinePix X100 to our comparison; the NEX-7 shares some of same genes having a no-nonsense retro look, APS-C sensor and lots of controls. Head over after the link to see a spec fight-out.
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