New Gear: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Panasonic is touting its all-new touchscreen Lumix DMC-GH2 digital-single-lens-micro unit as a true hybrid camera, offering a long list of impressive photo and video features. Compatible with all micro four-thirds lenses via adapter mounts, and able to use Panasonic’s new 3D lens via a firmware update, the GH2 is both versatile and advanced.
At the heart of the new GH2 is a 16MP multi-aspect LIVE MOS sensor and an all-new Venus Engine FHD processor. The new processor is capable of advanced signal processing which allows it to achieve a higher quality image by separating chromatic and luminance noise, preventing color mixture and selectively reducing noise. With all these new quality-advancing features, we are very excited to get the GH2 in our lab and put its color accuracy and noise reduction to the test.
The GH2 also offers 22 different shooting modes to please your creative side including: Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette mode. In addition to all of these creative modes, the GH2 also offers Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode for amateur photographers and enthusiasts.
With the success of the iphone and other smartphones, it has always surprised us that more companies don’t offer touchscreens in their units, but the GH2 changes all that with its ‘intuitive touch-control operation”. Panasonic claims that the 3’’ 460,00-dot LCD is comfortable to view at any angle thanks to their Multi Aspect Wide Screen Live View Finder.
To top off its still camera features, the GH2’s new mechanical shutter allows for an impressive burst rate of 5 fps for high-speed photography. Additionally the GH2 can be paired up with a total of 11 lenses, including the three new ones launched today.

• Hassalblad introduces H4D-31 camera and CFV-50 back

  23rd September 2010
  
  Hasselblad has introduced the H4D-31 medium format camera with a 31Mp sensor. It features the 'True Focus' AF system of the the H4D series and offers an optional CF-lens adapter to mount the company's V-System lenses (also available as part of a kit). The company has also introduced the CFV-50 medium format digital back with a 50Mp sensor.
  

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• Just posted! Our Olympus E-5 preview samples gallery

  23rd September 2010
  
  Our preview samples gallery from Olympus's latest DSLR, the E-5. In amongst all of the hustle and bustle of Photokina, we've managed to find time to take Olympus's new professional flagship out and about on the streets of Cologne to bring you a preliminary samples gallery. It includes shots taken across the full ISO range, and we've even tried out the new 'Dramatic Tone' art filter. Click through to take a look.
  

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• Aptina announces CMOS sensors for DSLRs and compacts

  23rd September 2010
  
  Sensor developer Aptina has launched a 16Mp APS-C CMOS sensor capable of full 1080p HD video at 30fps. The MT9H004 sensor uses the company's latest DR-Pix technology increasing signal-to-noise ratio under low-light conditions, delivering better image quality in high ISO photographs. The sensor can produce full resolution images at 10fps and is intended for use in DSLRs.
  

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• Datacolor announces SpyderChekr camera calibrator

  23rd September 2010
  
  Samyang has updated its 14mm F2.8 lens for Nikon F mount with an electronic interface. The manual focus lens' electronic contacts allows full support of automatic exposure modes of Nikon DSLRs and includes lens-related data in the EXIF. The AE 14 mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC is designed for full-frame cameras, but works with APS-C cameras as well.
  

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• Samyang announces 8mm F3.5 Fish-eye for videographers

  23rd September 2010
  
  Samyang has released a version of its 8mm F3.5 Fish-eye lens optimised for filmmakers. Designed for APS-C Canon and Nikon video-enabled DSLRs, the V-DSLR 8mm F3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye CS features the same optical construction as the still photography version, but has been adapted to the Follow Focus system for smoother focusing.
  

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