Panasonic's new GX8 is packed with cutting-edge developments for Micro Four Thirds
Don't just look at the Lumix DMC-GX8 as an update to the two year old GX7, or a flat-top version of the recently released G7. I had an afternoon to try out the GX8 recently at a rather blustery Brighton and discovered why the GX8 is rather special.
- One-third more pixels - a 20 megapixel first for Micro Four
Olympus has found a new source of sensor for the OM-D E-M5
As I revealed on the forum earlier in this week after a tip-off from a highly trusted contact in the camera industry based in Japan, I am completely convinced that the Olympus OM-D E-M5 sensor is not made by Panasonic, so marking an end to the exclusive use of Panasonic sensors in Olympus Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds cameras since Olympus' last Kodak
Over at our sibling site I covered the issue of diffraction limiting digital cameras some time back. If you reduce the aperture setting in your lens beyond a certain point that relates to the pixel pitch of your camera's sensor and your images will get softer because of diffraction.
With 12.3 megapixel Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds cameras the theoretical diffraction threshold is almost exactly f/8 although in practice I find that f/7.1 is the aperture to aim for. Users of Micro
No.9: Stabilise your photography
An important innovation in recent years is image stabilisation. First developed for video cameras, image stabilisation is now a common feature in all kinds of still cameras. Image stabilisation is designed to minimise the problem of motion blur in an image caused by the movement of the camera. In other words, the system uses gyro sensors to detect movement of the camera and compensates for that movement to prevent blurring of the subject being photographed.
No.8: What's the fuss about SWD?
SWD stands for SuperSonic Wave Drive. It's Olympus' own technology and is used in three areas across the company's camera body and lens products.
Olympus has developed and patented several technologies that centre around the transmission of mechanical energy through high frequency vibrations. These vibrations are at so-called 'supersonic' frequencies in excess of around 25KHz, and they project wave forms through otherwise solid media,