The “cheap” Leica M is in Stock. And 50mm f/0.95 SLRmagic Leica mount lens test.

The newly announced and first “cheap” Leica M-E M-mount camera is now in Stock at Amazon (Click here). It may be cheaper than other M mount cameras but still too expensive for 99% of our readers. I am curious to see if the Sony and Fuji FF mirrorless camera release will change the story of these Leica cameras. Will they survive this?

Lavidaleica tested the new SLR magic 50mm f/0.95 M-mount lens. It’s a super detailed test that will give you a clue about how good or bad the Hyperprime compares with the many times more expensive original Noctilux lens!

New Fuji X-E1 review by Digitalrev (and X PRO 1 books roundup)

Digitalrev posted that Fuji X-E1 video review

And here are some more Fuji related news I found via Fujirumors.com:
Amazon (Click here) is now accepting preorder on the new “Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro 1” book. Release date is December 28, 2012. You can also get it at Amazon UK (Click here). The same book will be released earlier and in original German language at Amazon Germany (Click here). And Fujirumors reader Jan found a book named Leica M Lenses Guide for the X PRO 1 on eBay Netherland (Click here). Thetravelphotographer posted a short impression review of his last trip in Vietnam with the Fuji X PRO 1. Lenstip published the full 60mm macro review. And there is a $300 price drop on the Black Fuji X100 Special Edition on Amazon (Click here).

New Image samples roundup (GH3, E-PL5, NEX-6 and RX1)

In these days bloggers are being invited by Panasonic and Sony to test the new mirrorless cameras. And here is the new test roundup I copied and pasted from 43rumors and SonyAlphaRumors :)

Sony NEX-6 and RX1:
Imaging Resource posted a new set of NEX-6 image samples and writes: “It’s a nice addition to the NEX line, particularly with its hybrid AF that should help video focusing. Image quality looks pretty good
Also Dpreview posted a NEX-6 image gallery.
Steve Huff also published new pictures and says: “For those wondering if the NEX-6 is an improvement over the NEX-7 I would say DEFINITELY. It is quicker, snappier, more responsive, does not seem to overheat (in my limited use so far),has sharp IQ, comes with a great new kit zoom and even feels better with its matte finish.
Engadget also tried to make an A99 versus RX1 image comparison but you can’t really see any difference based on that test. Engadget posted new Sony NEX-6 image samples and the video you see here on top.

Panasonic GH3 and Olympus E-PL5:
EosHD (Click here) reports “First change, I felt that the buttons were more tactile and grippy“.
The German Slashcam (translation here) reports that the Audio Level can be changed while recording.
Photoreview Australia posted the Olympus E-PL5 review including a detailed Imatest report: “The review camera’s low-light performance was impressive, with image noise only becoming visible in long exposures at ISO6400 and shots taken at ISO 12800 being printable up to A4 size.
Non scientific GH3 versus E-M5 comparison at ePhotozine (Click here).
Cnet UK (Click here) posted a short GH3 preview. You can see some 100% crops and a video test. They write: “Head out with the GH3 and you can largely forget about light and sensitivity. When set to automatic ISO, my tests proved it could be trusted to select settings at least as high as ISO 3,200, with very little detrimental impact on the image. You have to look very closely to spot the grain, and it certainly doesn’t affect detail levels. Indeed, I would have no hesitation in shooting regularly at sensitivities above ISO 2,000 with the GH3.
Photo-i.co posted a video hands-on (Click here) and some image samples (Click here).

Sigma DP1 Merrill edition gets tested (impressive image quality!)

ePhotozine (Click here) is among the first websites to have posted a full Sigma DP1 Merrill review. It’s a compact fixed lens camera and many would love to have an interchangeable mount version of it. Also because of his very unique image quality. ePhotozine writes: “The Foveon sensor is capable of resolving excellent – to stunning – levels of detail far beyond what you would usually expect from 15 megapixel images.” And Outbackphoto updated the Sigma RAW processing tutorial.

There are two Merrill compact cameras:
DP1 with 28mm lens at Amazon, BHphoto and of course on .
DP2 with 45mm lens at BHphoto and on .

Canon EOS M reviews from Asia. ISO comparison and lens test included.

The Canon EOS-M is now shipping in Asia at Amazon Japan and of course on [shoplink 100180 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. And Asian websites also posted first reviews with image samples. Check out DC.watch (translation here) and Ascii (translation here). Both websites posted ISO tests and Ascii also tested the zoom and 2mm pancake lens quality. The 18-5mm kit lens isn0t particularly sharp and shows a high distortion on the wide angle side. The 22mm pancake is certainly much sharper although the edges are not as good when you take pics at full aperture. But check it out for yourself, that’s the best way to get an idea of the quality!

Canon EOS-M preorder links:
Full presentation page on Amazon (Click here).
EOS-M Black at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M White at BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M 22mm pancake at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M 15-55mm kit lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M adapter at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
EOS-M Flash at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

GH3 and RX1 image samples!

EXCLUSIVE! Sony’s New Compact Digital Full Frame Camera the RX1! from SonyElectronics on Vimeo.

Today you can arm yourself with your favorite Image Editing Program and lot of patience to check the pixel quality of the new Panasonic GH3 and the unique Sony RX1 fixed lens Full Frame camera. Here are lots of new image samples to check out:
RX1 samples at Imaging Resource, Dpreview and Steve Huff.
GH3 samples at FourThirdsUser, Pocket Lint, Photographyblog and ePhotozine.

These are two completely different cameras but both are very high quality tools within their category. The GH3 is very likely the next hybrid camera and the RX1 is the only one of his kind. Hope there will be an E-mount version of it soon!

mirrorless news roundup…(GX2 coming in November, SLRmagic lens test and Samsung reviews)


Panasonic patent describing a possible GX camera design.

Photokina is over but the next rumor time is on the horizon. There is a good chance that Panasonic will announce a new GX2 in November. With same Gh3 sensor but same compact style as the current GX1. And of course as reported previously there will be also a new Nikon V2 before Christmas. There is no hint yet about possible Olympus-Sony-Fuji-Canon-Ricoh or Pentax announcements coming any time soon.

And here is a roundup of mirrorless related news and reviews:
Samsung SMART CAMERA NX20 + 85MM F1.4 review at SamsungImaging. Another NX20 review at Letsgodigital. Samsung 30mm f/2 NX Pancake Lens Review at ePhotozine. A Photokina “mirrorless” roundup by 3D-Kraft. Canon EOS-M samples at DC.watch. EOS-M image samples at Itmedia. Samsung 85mm f/1.4 ED SSA NX Lens Review at ePhotozine. A Photokina SLRmagic lens report by ThePhoBlographer.