Canon decided to announce the EOS-M2 in Japan only (for now). The real new big feature is the 2.3 times faster AF thanks to the Hybrid CMOS AF II system. It also solves the black out screen issue from the previous model. It will cost 64,800 yen which is around $620 and ship this month already (in Japan). Here is a size comparison between the EOS-M (left) and the new EOS-M2 (right):

More pictures here (Click on them to enlarge): Images via Engadget Japan.    

If the rumor posted by Fujirumors is correct than we will get two new X-mount cameras soon. The Fujica styled camera and the Fuji X-PRO1s. Easy to guess that the XPRo1 will use the same X100s tech (speak EVF, AF and so on). There is still no info about that Full Frame and fixed lens Fuji that will be announced in 2014. But this could be the big Fuji camera surprise at Photokina in September. And maybe it will be the first camera with organic sensor too?

Image ont op shows some general Zeiss lenses.

Have to catch up with some bigger news:

Rumors:
Really amazing. Zeiss will launch five manual focusing E-mount Full Frame lenses at Photokina 2014 (Source: SonyAlphaRumors).
Olympus 40-150mm PRO zoom coming second half of 2014 (Source: 43rumors).

Firmware:
Fuji is going to release a massive firmware upgrade (Source: Fujirumors).
New Olympus E-M1 firmware update (Source: 43urmors).

Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and Fuji are fully pushing their mirrorless system while big companies and Samsung, Canon and Nikon seem to not have a clear vision about their future strategy. This is the situation:

Samsung: They should announced the NX20 successor in January-February. In general Samsung will focus on new High End Camera and Lens products.

Nikon: The Nikon 1 system isn’t selling as expected and the future seems uncertain. With the new Nikon DF announcement they once again confirm that DSLR is their present and future strategy. There is no rumor about any APS-C or FF mirrorless camera release in 2014.

Canon: DPP (Digital Photo Professional) already had listed the EOS-M2 but it seems like Canon is delaying the camera release. Like Nikon also Canon sees the mirrorless camera industry as a “non-serious” market.

Of the three companies Samsung is the only company really investing and believing in mirrorless. But it looks like they still didn’t find the way to make their system successful.

Image courtesy: Ming Thein.

Note: This page will be continually updated with new links. So keep reloading the page from time to time

Preorders in US and Europe (Click on the store name to read price and specs):
Dedicated page at Amazon.
Olympus E-M1 body at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE (viaDL),
Olympus EP-13 Eyecup for E-M1 at Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus HLD-7 Battery Grip for E-M1 at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus LC-62D Metal Front Lens Cap for 12-40mm at Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus LH-66 Lens Hood for 12-40mm at Adorama and BHphoto.

Previews:
Dpreview, Pekka Potka preview, BH In-Depth Article, TVsmith preview, SmallCameraBigPicture, Adorama, ThePhoBlographer, Photoscala (German), systemkamerablog (German), Quesabesde (Spanish), Photographyblog hands-on (E-M1, 12-40mm Lens),

Reviews:
Robin Wong (part one), Ming Thein on Flicr (part one and part two), DSLRmagazine (Spanish: part one and part two).

Lens (p-)Review:
Ming Thein, ThePhoBlographer,
Image of the 40-150mm f/2.8 lens at Dpreview, ePhotozine.

Image samples:
Ming Thein on Flicr (part one and part two), SmallCameraBgPicture, Rock photographer Ross Halfins Facebook has E-M1 portraits, DSLRmagazine (Spanish),

Video:
video sample by Oly Malaysia, systemkamerablog (German), TheCameraStoreTV, Gordon Laing, Olympus PROMO (Product movie, EVF, Dual AF), First Look by InTech, Overview by Adorama,

Hot info and curiosity:
No more Four Thirds camera or lenses will be produced. Olympus officially merges MFT and FT into one system (DC.watch). But Ming Thein says: “I’ve been assured this isn’t dead, and an E-7 is in the works“
Olympus plans to release a wideangle zoom and super-telephoto prime in this nascent Micro Four Thirds ‘PRO’ range (Dpreview / ePhotozine).
Image of the 40-150mm f/2.8 at Dpreview.
Rockstar Ross Halfins E-M1 portraits
Annoying: No special 12-40mm kit price in USA!

Press Text:
E-M1: Dpreview, ThePhoBlographer, Photoscala (German), systemkamerablog (German), Quesabesde (Spanish), Photographyblog, DC.watch (Japanese), Techradar, LeMondeDeLaPhoto (French), ePhotozine, DSLRmagazine (Spanish),
12-40mm: Dpreview, systemkamerablog (German), Photographyblog, OpenPN (French), ePhotozine, DSLRmagazine (Spanish),
40-150mm f/2.8 and Lens roadmap: ePhotozine,

Poll:
First read all specs and reviews. Than take time and think…and after that you may vote :)

Preorder:

X-M1 body : AmazonUS (black – silver) / BHphoto (black – silver – brown) / Adorama (black – silver – brown) / WexUK
X-M1 with kit lens 16-50mm: AmazonUS (black – silver) / BHphoto (black – silver – brown) / Adorama (black – silver – brown) / WexUK

Fujinon XF 27mm: AmazonUS / BHphoto (black – silver) / Adorama (black – silver) / WexUK

XC 16-50:  BHphoto / WexUK

IMAGE SAMPLES: X-M1 with 16-50mm and XF 27mm (Fuji Japan)

FIRMWARE: On 25th June and on 23rd July Fuji will upgrades the firmware. They will provide improved AF performance for all Fujinon XF lenses and add focus peaking. Check Fuji’s support site here. Read more at ephotozine!

FIRST LOOKS: 

X-M1:  dpreview, imaging resource, FUJIFILM press release, FUJI USA official X-M1 website

XF27mm:FUJIFILM press release

Firmware press release:

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) today announces the release of two new firmware updates for the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and X-E1 compact system cameras, one on 25thJune and a further one on 23rd July.
25th June firmware update:

FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Ver.2.05, FUJIFILM X-E1 Ver.1.06

1.  Additional functionality to improve “one-handed” camera operation

A ‘Focus Frame Selection’ option has been added to the ‘Fn’ (function) button.
This offers easier/quicker operation when setting the Focus Frame Selection using only your right hand.
A second ‘Fn’ button can be allocated.
This enables you to allocate a function to the selector “down” button. The default setting is ‘Focus Frame Selection’ but this can be changed to whatever suits your shooting style.

2.  Enable aperture control for lenses without aperture rings (XF27mmF2.8 / XC16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OIS)

If you are using either of these lenses which do not feature aperture ring, this firmware update allows you to adjust the aperture setting by using the command dial.
23rd July firmware update:

FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Ver.3.00, FUJIFILM X-E1 Ver.2.00

1.  Improvement of AF speed. Improves AF speed on all existing XF lenses, thanks to the updated algorithm throughout the full range of focal length. Lenses covered:

XF14mm F2.8 R
XF18mmF2 R
XF35mmF1.4 R
XF60mmF2.4 R Macro
XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS

NOTES:

The AF Speed on the XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R MS OIS lens has been already optimised.
For all lenses other than the XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R MS OIS, the firmware for each lens must be also updated.

2.  ‘Focus Peak Highlight’ function for manual focusing

A ‘Focus Peak Highlight’ function, which features on the X100S and X20 cameras, can be added via this firmware update. It assists accurate and sensitive manual focusing by enhancing the outline of your subject in high contrast.

3. Improvement in ‘Checking Focus’ operation: how to change magnification ratio in manual focusing

The process to check focus by selecting manual focus magnification has improved. Just press and rotate the dial right or left and the camera will alternate magnification between 3x and then 10x , whichever way you continue to turn it.

To download the new firmware files & instructions on upgrading your cameras:

Please visit Fujifilm’s global website: http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/

You wanna see how small the new X-M1 is? Just watch this image comparisons! The X-M1 is even smaller than the X20!

Click on that on to see the large size version:

You like it? You almost can’t go smaller than that!