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| Photo by Jonathan Barkey |
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On Tuesday, concurrent announcements by Panasonic and Leica spelled continued growth for the Four Thirds System, which now comprises four cameras and 24 dedicated digital lenses.
For starters, Leica introduced its first integrated D-SLR, the 7.5 megapixel Digilux 3, a classy cousin to the Panasonic DMC-L1 and Olympus E-VOLT E-330. All three have the same Four Thirds System lens mount and incorporate the same Four Thirds format Live MOS image sensor produced by Panasonic. Unlike in other D-SLRs, the Live MOS gives you electronic through-the-lens viewing via the camera's high-res 2.5-inch LCD screen, a system unique to these three cameras. The Digilux 3 also shares the same Olympus-originated optical viewfinder and SuperSonic Wave Filter for automatic dust removal.
Simultaneously, Panasonic made news with two Four Thirds System autofocus lenses.
The premium Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH (28-100mm equivalent), previously available as a kit lens with the DMC-L1, is now for sale as a separate item. Meaning you can buy one for use on any Four Thirds System camera and partake of its superb build quality, stellar sharpness and built-in MEGA O.I.S. (optical image stabilization). The latter enables you to shoot up to three shutter speeds slower without blur from camera motion.
Panasonic also announced the Leica D Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH, a very fast 50mm equivalent prime lens that gives you superior image quality and low-light capabilities whether you're using a Panasonic, Leica or Olympus camera body. The Summilux shares the same premium construction and mechanical aperture ring as the 14-50mm ASPH, and it provides full time manual focusing down to 15 inches.
Finally, Olympus, Panasonic and Sigma are jointly publishing a complete catalog of Four Thirds System interchangeable lenses. The catalog will be available for free from retailers. You can get more information about the Four Thirds System at www.four-thirds.org/en.
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