Worldwide Micro Four Thirds Photography Day - April 3

A day for all M43 fans. http://www.flickr.com/groups/micro43day/

How to partipate: http://www.flickr.com/groups/micro43day/discuss/72157629532364231/

1) Before April 3, 2012: Join this Flickr group and help spread the word! Tell your fellow Micro 4/3 users this easy to remember URL: micro43day.org

2) On April 3, 2012: Set out with your Micro 4/3 camera and make some images! Consider meeting up with some fellow Micro 4/3 users for a photowalk or just go out by yourself knowing that Micro 4/3 users all over the world are doing the same.

3) On or after April 3, 2012: Submit up to to three of your images from that day to this group.

Mirrorless Camera Update

As noted in this blog previously, both Sony and Samsung have announced new mirrorless cameras that are remarkably small, but have very large image sensors.  Now Panasonic has made an announcement of its own but moves the four/thirds system to an even smaller scale.

It has produced a "collapsible" zoom lens that fits its cameras, as well as, those from Olympus.  It works like the lens on a point-and-shoot camera.  It collapses to a very small size to give the camera an equally small profile when not in use, or during wide angle use.  But it can telescope to increase the focal range.

Unlike a point and shoot, the telescopic range is optically stabilized to give sharp images throughout the entire focal range.  The stabilization allows for zooming-in while shooting video with the camera just like on a point-and-shoot.  This makes shooting sharp video much easier than using a DLS that requires manual focus while zooming.

  

Olympus Announces 3 New Pen Cameras

Olympus, along with Panasonic, created the micro four thirds standard (MFT) based upon the 4:3 size sensor that was found in DSLR's. (For a good explanation of the two standards see our post on June 15th). The system offers interchangeable lenses on smaller portable cameras. For those who have thought about getting one, the options just got a little more tempting with Olympus' announcement of three new cameras to its lineup. All three feature a new 12.3 Megapixel Live Mos sensor with full HD 1080 video at 60 fps.

The flagship model is the E-P3. It was designed to deliver professional image quality, high speed shooting and improved low light capability, in a camera with professional level control. It will be available in August of this year.



The E-PL3 is a smaller version that incorporates a number of creative controls including a movable LCD screen for ease of composition in any shooting situation.



The E-PM1 is the smallest PEN camera to feature interchangeable lenses. It will be available in six colors with a new interface that was simplified for ease of use.



The E-PM1 and E-PL3 arrival dates have not yet been announced.

To learn more visit: Olympus.