Panasonic getting close to the perfect micro 4/3rds

Despite the button reduction, this looks like a genuine upgrade from
the noisy old G sensored-bodies. I know the sensor isn't 16:9 (I
prefer 4:3 for still images) but I hope it's the same calibre as the
GH2 has.

http://www.43rumors.com/ft5-panasonic-g3-leaked/

 

There's a useful G3 review by the respected Angela Nicholson here:
http://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/

I particularly like the "Pinpoint" AF mode which will be particularly
useful for portraiture.

 

This interview with Panasonic about the Micro Four Thirds product
range is also interesting:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/68aasjl

 

I'll be convinced when I can play with a few RAW files.

 

Based on the samples provided by Dpreview and the 160 ISO lowest
speed, I would say this is the same sensor tech as the GH2.

 

It's faint, but I can hear the hammering of the nails into the mirror-
DSLR coffin, based on their statements. It makes sense. Olympus says
that the technology of mirrorless isn't quite where it has to be to
circumvent DSLR's yet, but Panasonic's focus system in the GH product
is so good that they are headed in that direction. The last link will
be the ability of the EVF system to update fast during action and of
course the ability of the focus to track movement the way a DSLR can.
This could be a problem as it requires powerful lens motors and that
means larger lenses. I've seen technology that allows for smaller but
more powerful motors, but it's too expensive for consumer cameras so
the bulky motors they now use will be around for a while.

 

That's good, because that old 4/3 sensor was, well, awful. Hopefully
this one will approach the sensor in the Sony NEX cams. Maybe not as
good, but close.

 

If it has any advantage over Sony NEX, it won't be for long.

The next Sony NEX model, the NEX C3, will have the same 16 MP sensor
as in the Sony Alpha A55 SLT, the Pentax K-5 and the Nikon D7000.

And there is a high-end NEX in development with ... 24/25 MP!

 

The Sony's have a nice sensor, but that is all. As a still camera for
landscapes, the 24MP unit might be a good choice, especially for
hikers and the like. But the NEX are a pain. They are very difficult
to use owing to their too small size (Yes, it is possible for a camera
to be too small) and their control functions are no where near as good
as the Panasonics. However, if Sony releases a model with a good EVF,
and an enthusiast-level control set, it might be a very interesting
solution. Unfortunately, the NEX C3 seems to be going even more
amateur. There is nothing to say mirrorless has to be ultra-
diminutive and feature-stripped.
On this subject, where is the high-end NEX, and the high-end micro
4/3rds??

 

I think the strong sales of NEX tell a different story. A lot of
people like the small form factor and the interface.

I found the Olympus OM-1 and OM-2 too small.

I mentioned it above. If you had read the message you replied to, you
would have seen it.

The GH2 is about as high end as Micro Four Thirds will get. There is
no indication that Panasonic are looking to go higher than that.
Olympus has bizarrely decided to reaffirm its faith in Four Thirds
DSLRs with successor models to the E-30 and E-5 a distinct
possibility.

Imagine an E-6 with the sensor from the GH2 ...