Leica forum posted the video you see here on top and actually also the first review (Click here): “This sensor definitely has an fantastic detail resolution. Up to ISO 3,200 almost no noise is visible, even at ISO 8,000 the results are still very good.“

Preorders are also up
Leica M Monochrome is available for preorder at Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Leica X2 and accessories are available for preorder at Adorama (Click here) and listed at BHphoto (Click here).
Leica 50mm Summicron is available for preorder at Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

The G1X superdeal on

If you still need to read more reviews about the X PRO 1 go at Photographyblog (Click here). The camera gets Highly Recommended: “Thankfully the X-Pro1’s innovative image sensor and lack of low-pass filter lives up to all the hype and more, delivering truly excellent image quality. Noise is noticeable only by its almost complete absence throughout the ISO range of 100-25,600, while the Dynamic Range function helps to boost contrast and detail.“

Soundimagesplus (Click here) compared the X PRO 1 image quality with that of the Olympus E-M5 and Sony NEX-5n: “Firstly, using the same Nikon lens on the Fuji and Sony the Sony has purple fringing and the Fuji doesn’t. Secondly, while the Fuji is clearly the best at ISO 3200, just look at how close the Olympus OM-D gets to this much praised Sony sensor at that setting.“

And lets end that post with a super deal for our USA readers. The Canon G1X with three extra accessories is for sale for $729 (that’s a $70 discount) on (found via CanonWatch).

I guess Samsung managers are hitting their heads against the wall trying to figure out why their NX system isn’t becoming popular as it should. There could be many reason why their strategy isn’t working but it certainly doesn’t depend form their lens offering (and future roadmap). Photozone (Click here) just tested the Samsung 85mm f/1.4 lens and got a huge appraisal by the reviewer Klaus. If you know Klaus you will also know that he is very sever in his judgment. But he writes about that lens: “The Samsung NX 85mm f/1.4 ED SSA is a lighthouse product – it’s a truly professional grade lens and the best news is that it’s even a comparatively affordable one (in Europe at least). It stands out from the crowd – also quality-wise – which is why we recommend it highly to all Samsung NX users.“

Overall I think Samsung needs a breakthrough camera like Fuji did with the , Sony with the or Olympus with the [shoplink 100170]E-M5[/shoplink]. Maybe that would help them to get a momentum?

Menatime here are the search links to the superb Samsung lens: .

If you still haven’t decided if you should go for the new Olympus E-M5 or the Fuji X PRO 1 here is the fully loaded review roundup! Of course instead of spending hours on pixel fighting and ISO charts you can also spend some minutes in your local store to hold both cameras in your hands. That helped me in the past to pickup the right camera! :)

Olympus E-M5: Federico Cabrera, Lesnumeriques (Click here for the translation), Focusmedia (Click here for the translation), DSLRcheck, Cnet US, Digitalrev, Digitalkamera (Click here for the  translation), DC.view (Click here for the translation), Itmedia (Click here for the translation), Photogenicweekend (Click here for the translation), Damian Mc Gillicuddy and Phototravelasia.

Fuji X PRO 1: Cnet, Pfflynn, Nikkei, Lesnumerique, DigitalJournalOfPhotography, Digitalkamera (Click here to read the google translation), Photoscala (Click here for the translation), Brandon Remler, Outbackphoto (Click here), Uniquephoto (Click here), RonMartBlog (Click here), SonyAlphaLab (Click here).

Goof Luck!

P.S.: My next camera should be a Full Frame Mirrorless. let’s see who will be the first to fulfill my dream!

Check price and specs by clicking these search links:
Fuji X PRO 1 at [shopcountry 100018].
Sony NEX-7 at .
Olympus E-M5 at [shopcountry 100170].

The picture on top (Click on it to see the full size version!) shows an intriguing test made by DSRLcheck (Click here). It compares the JPEG quality of the very likely three new most famous mirrorless cameras at 28mm focal length. It looks like the Fuji 18mm X lens isn’t as expected. The edge probably goes to the Tamron 18-200 II VC lens for NEX and the Olympus 9-18mm lenses. I am very, very surprised to see that Tamron sharpness!

Here are the full size image samples from DSRLcheck:
? X-Pro1 + XF 18mm F2R ( F4, JPEG )
? NEX7 + E 18-55 OSS ( 18mm, F4, JPEG )
? NEX7 + Tamron B011 ( 18mm, F4, JPEG )
? E-M5 + M.ZD 12-50 EZ ( 14mm, F4, JPEG )
? E-M5 + M.ZD 14-42 II R ( 14mm, F4, JPEG )
? E-M5 + M.ZD 14-150 ( 14mm, F4, JPEG )
? E-M5 + M.ZD 9-18 ( 14mm, F4.9 JPEG )
? E-M5 + Lumix G X 14-42 ( 14mm, F4, JPEG )
? E-M5 + Lumix G 14mm ( 14mm, F4, JPEG )
? E-M5 + Lumix G 14-45 ( 14mm, F4, JPEG )
? E-M5 + Lumix G 7-14 ( 14mm, F4 JPEG )

Check price and specs by clicking these search links:
Fuji X PRO 1 at [shopcountry 100018].
Sony NEX-7 at .
Olympus E-M5 at [shopcountry 100170].

The super serious an sever German reviewers form the DigitalKamera team (Click here to read the not so good google tranlsation) tested the X PRO 1 camera along all his three lenses. On their website you have to pay a couple of Euros to download the full test but I will give you a short translation fo their results:

1) The X PRO 1 camera delivers superb dynamic range and resolution up to ISO 1600. There is almost no lost of quality on that level! From 3.200 ISO the image quality decreases gradually (very harmonic). This is definitely one of the best cameras ever tested by the German team (they say it so!).

2) The best lens to us eon the X PRO 1 is the….drumming….60mm macro lens! Definitely a lens with NO flaws!!!

3) The 35mm f/1.4 is a very good lens that has one single flaw only. At full f/1.4 aperture the borders are not really sharp. But I don’t know if that can be considered as a limit. It will give you a mroe creamy look and may this what you like when you shoot wide open!

4) The 18mm f/2.0 lens is definitely the “less good” lens from the three. It is not as sharp as the 35mm f/1.4 lens. Anyway, still a good lens!

At least according to Amazon US lens rankings (Click here) the 35mm lens is the most sold. On second place you find the 18mm lens. Maybe after reading this test more people will buy the 60mm macro lens :)

P:S.: The X PRO 1 is still on the top positions of the Amazon US sales ranking (Click here). And now it is for sale at Amazon UK too (Click here). Let’s see how well it will do there.

In stock status check:
Fuji X PRO 1 body is in Stock at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Jessops UK (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Fuji X 18mm f/2.0 in Stock at Amazon (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Fuji X 35mm f/1.4 in Stock at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Fuji X 60mm macro f/2.0 in not Stock at Amazon (3-4weeks) but is in Stock at Digitalrev (Click here).

The new Sigma 30mm on the NEX-7. Image courtesy Mike Kobal

A couple of websites almost simultaneously posted their respective Sigma for NEX or for Micro Four Thirds reviews. As you know the lens is basically the same for the two systems with just a different mount.  Even more, the lenses are also used for Sigma’s own DP camera lineup. While their specs and look isn’t particularly exciting the tests are quite favorable and the price of the lenses as cheap as it probably gets. Check this links to make get an idea of the quality:

The Sigma 30mm lens got tested with the E-P3 by Pekka Potka (Click here): “I think Sigma has produced here a lens, which is optically significantly better than I expected. It gives much compared to its price and is definitely worth considering if this focal lenght is otherwise interesting.“

Also TheDigitalStory (Click here) tested the same lens on the same camera: “Overall, I rate the Sigma 30mm a notch below Olympus prime lenses. But if you want a mild telephoto with a reasonably fast aperture for an affordable price, you’ll probably like shooting with this glass. I’m going to keep mine.“

SLRlensreview (Click here) tested the 30mm lens on the Sony NEX camera: “Sigma’s entry level prime indeed bests Sony’s lens in resolution department. Everything else seems to be very comparable. So the recommendation is to choose Sony’s E 30/3.5 if you’re into macro photography, while for everything else just go with Sigma’s 30/2.8 EX DN.“

Another 19mm lens test on the NEX-5n can be seen within a forum post at Fred Miranda (Click here): “I think this little lens holds it own, with a muted contrast/high detail rending all it’s own, excellent ergonomics, and a ridiculously low price.“

The new Sigma 19mm gets tested on the NEX-5n from our reader Eric Brandon (Click here).

Mike Kobal (Click here) reviewed the new Sigma 30mm lens on his NEX-7 camera: “I never expected this little lens to perform at such a high level-reason enough for this quick test.“