Damian McGillicuddy confirms on his blog that: “2013 is the NEW charge of the light brigade… BIG announcements very,very soon – watch this space as they say.”
As I told you yesterday the announcement is scheduled for late April. And it’s a new PEN what we will see. Tonight I also got another feedback form a trusted sources confirming that the new PEN has no integrated viewfinder. So this is now FT5(!).
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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct
99 Responses
FF mft
Sense. This doesn’t make any.
agree
toolish comment
We need some tangible info that we can take a bite out of….not vagueness…we are suffering, here!
:-))
I just don’t understand the $1000 price point.
Maybe it means “you get what you pay for”. In other words, if you want to pay a cheap amount, hey guess what? That’s what you will get. 😉
But the OM-D is $1000, and has a great built in viewfinder, is weathersealed, etc. What would the new Pen offer that the OM-D doesn’t, aside from a slightly smaller profile?
I guess we have to wait for that as nothing has leaked about the specs, I even wonder if the rumored price is correct.
A PEN with a new very fast pancake zoom!!
Only for normal technology, even with the new 20MB Sony Sensor, the price point would not make sense for me.
I think in order to charge $1000 for a lower spec’ed alternative to the E-M5, they would need to include a very attractive lens offer. Probably the 17mm f/1.8. At $500 that lens is overpriced relative to its performance, but would probably move an EVF-less PEN when bundled at $1000.
And it would flood the market with lots of less-than-retail priced 17mm 1.8 lenses from all the opportunists who buy the kit just to split. You’d think that would hurt the pricing of the retail standalone lens.
i think the EP5 will be an OM-D design but without viewfinder & it will come with 12-50mm for 1000$ and body only for 750 or 700$ (I GUESS)
Thanks for the update, Admin. Any more news on when the new OMD will be out?
Yes, late 2013.
Thank you. How I wish it were earlier!
Sometimes we wish our life away, don’t we? 😉 😀
Late 2013 for the announcement? End of 2013/early 2014 for them to be available?
Maybe Olympus will implement 24P? Focus peaking? Wifi? Higher bit rate video?
The single most important feature introduced in 2012, was Panasonic’s silent shutter mode. If Oly forgets about that, then they will be even more stupid, than I all ready give them credit for being.
Seriusly!? Silent shutter. Thats the “single most important feature introduced in 2012”? Are you KGB and need to shoot incognito all the time!?
How about the 16MP sensor in the EM5 (now in the EPL5, EPM2, and GH3)? It has actually converted APS-C and even FF guys to m43!
How about the 5-way IS in the EM5? Still the dang best IS in the business.
The GH3 in general is a fantastic machine loaded with features. But the shutter? Really!?
You can’t take a feature YOU like and call it “the single most important feature in 2012” unless it’s done something significant in the market.
Is it a good time to buy an omd em5 now? It would be my 1st mft camera.
Sounds like a new omd is not coming for a long time yet.
Yeah I reckon it is, it has come down in price somewhat and will serve you well for many years to come. I bought mine after release at a more inflated price but dont regret it at all.
This is the same guy who wrote in May 2012 that “If I’m honest the new stuff I’m playing with is even better than the E5…”, which made us believe an E-7 would come out soon. But in the end it turned out to be the E-PL5 (or E-PM2). So take the BIG with a grain of salt.
He is definitely a part of “Olympus over-blowing simple features -hype machine-”
🙂
Are you shure he didn’t talk about EM-5 i May 2012?
The E-M5 was announce some months before that, on 8th of February 2012.
he did show BIG boxes with mystery content at that time i remember….I think he is just too enthusiastic about not so spectaculair things..he better concentrate on his juicy models, nice shots!
The lack of inbuilt evf and $1000 price point are making me very interested in what this camera will bring.
Who knows if I’ll like it, but I am interested.
The E-P5 must be equipped with something new and exciting. Otherwise it will be just squeezed between the E-PL5 and the E-M5 and won’t sell half as well as either of them. Moreover, Olympus took its time to replace the E-P3. I certainly hope there is a good reason for that.
So what can be new? I don’t think it’s a new sensor. The current sensor is quite fresh and if there is a new one in the pipeline it will surely be reserved for the upcoming high-end models. A PDAF solution for 4/3 lenses would be interesting, but a PEN is the perhaps the wrong platform for its introduction. I’m afraid we are left with consumer-related bits and bobs like native WiFi connectivity (and app support?), the dreaded GPS, automatic panoramas etc. Or maybe the new external EVF will be integrated in the body in a more seamless manner.
well.. there are some quite exotic patents out there – like this one
http://www.43rumors.com/this-may-be-the-olympus-viewfinder-of-the-future-really/
in about 6 weeks we will know more but I am sure that this model will be somehow unique, otherwise noone would buy it. I mean, a P3 with the new sensor and even the new IBIS wouldn’t be that interesting for the most when the E-M5 cost almost the same money..
And it comes with a wooden leg and a parrot for the left shoulder. But NO lens shade or cap. Optional extra. See terms and conditions for full details, available at store after purchase.
+1
Sounds very reasonable, sneye. Not that marketing people are known for their reason.
Even if E-P5 matches E-M5 feature for feature except EVF, it will not be worth $1000 with 14-42/3.5-5.6: E-M5+14-42 can be had for $1049 new with a bundle with cards, bags etc. and it will probably be even cheaper when E-P5 hits the stores.
WiFi and GPS are no-brainer additions, and I doubt very much that E-P5 will be weather-sealed (this should be exclusive feature of OM-D line). But even with all that, they’ll need something better than a 14-42 to justify the price.
The E-P5 would be the perfect vehicle to implement m43’s first hybrid PDAF-CDAF system to justify its thousand dollar price. If the Nikon 1 and Sony NEX can do it, why shouldn’t Olympus’s high-end rangefinder style cameras be able to? To me, this is the only reasonable answer.
There’s plenty of room in between the E-PL5 and the OM-G. No VF? Fine, hopefully the add-on EVF is super-sweet.
“NEW BIG” art filters!
I agree with Milan. This is all garbage. I like Oly’s cameras, but they use over-hyped words (or at least their leak sources do). What on earth could make it more exciting than the OMD? Here area couple of thoughts:
* PDAF on the sensor that actually works
* Works with 43 lenses
* Amazing new EVF (but from Fuji, we see you can get better resolution and color, but at a loss of frame rate and a jerky EVF. It better be much better than that)
All interesting, but the first two would be, what, about 2 years late? The last is a “meh” — it’d be nice and welcome for sure, but it wouldn’t be earth-shattering.
AF-C like DSLR
No news about the new 2.8 lens? I think that would be more interesting then a new pen…
Agree…
Admin, could you please give us some “hints” about the new lens(es)? 😉
Damon MacDiddlyCuddly knows best.
I am sure Pekka Potka too 🙂 There were small hints on his blog in the interview with Mr. Terrada.
Everything Terada says boils down to what he has already repeatedly said in a rather concise manner: “Maybe, maybe not.”
“Tonight I also got another feedback form a trusted sources confirming that the new PEN has no integrated viewfinder. So this is now FT5(!).”
Now I’m confused even more. What else can be “big” in the PEN line.
On-sensor PDAF? Integration of the PDAF in a PEN would be rather pointless. But since NEX-7n is rumored to have such sensor – and Oly has partnership with the Sony – then it is not unlikely that PEN would have it too. The sensor would be rather wasted in PEN, but in line with the *beep* strategy of the “baby steps” tech innovations, camera manufacturers are so fond of. (But then, lack of EVF might be the “strings attached” by Sony, to make sure that NEX-7n would have no direct competition in the short term.)
Why would faster autofocus be “pointless” and “rather wasted” in a PEN? Is there some reason faster AF and better tracking is only useful in cameras with a viewfinder?
If you are hoping on sensor PDAF will allow all the old 43 SLR lens to focus as quickly on m43 cameras as they do on SLRs you are going to be disappointed. On sensor PDAF is not the same as the PDAF a mirror makes possible. Adding on sensor PDAF to the latest NEX models helped but was a small evolutionary improvement, not the huge step forward I wanted. The Canon EOS also has OSPDAF and is known for having poor AF. The only camera that really does well with OSPDAF is the Nikon 1 series. But there is no Nikon 1 without OSPDAF so it is impossible to tell how much of that cameras AF speed is due to OSPDAF and how much is due to things like being able to read data off the chip very quickly and the algorithms used in the ASIC and controller. It could be that the Nikon 1 would have the best AF performance of mirrorless cameras even without OSPDAF.
I will take any improvement in AF speed and OSPDAF helps. But if you want a SLR replacement that can use OSPDAF to match the focusing capabilities of a real SLR the technology is not there yet. For right now an adapter with PDAF built in like the one Sony makes for the NEX is the only way to get SLR AF performance with SLR lenses.
>Adding on sensor PDAF to the latest NEX models helped but was a small evolutionary improvement, not the huge step forward I wanted.
Focus motors of lenses might also be limiting factors.
Especially they might have problems in making big fast movements because such weren’t requirements for CDAF controlled focusing.
>The Canon EOS also has OSPDAF and is known for having poor AF.
Chipwork’s tear down of 650D tells clearly Canon doesn’t have any real on sensor PDAF.
It’s just marketing BS and cosmetic changes to cover up that EOS-M/650D sensor is basically same as in 550D.
Does that mean big as in “important” or big as in “many pages” ?
Who is Damian McGillicuddy? I clicked the link on his name, and as near as I can tell he’s just a pretty-girl photographer who has a blog. Does he have a track record of having inside information or something?
i dont hink he is “just a pretty-girl photographer”, he has the skills/talent to do good studio photography.
Yes, he has the skills necessary to do other things, but chooses to do beautiful women. I’m sure lots of people enjoy that sort of thing. Personally, I prefer more abstract or strikingly beautiful compositions as opposed to predictably-retouched-to-remove-every-speck-of-human-imperfection portraiture. His result are nice, and I’m sure he’d be a great fashion photographer, but oh so *yawn*. 🙂
And he used papyrus-like font on his website in non-ironic manner: that is unforgivable. 😛
And why may that be unforgivable?
He’s been test-driving for Olympus in the past two years, so quite knowledgeable on new stuff.
Were you at Focus on Imaging last week? Thought not.
no corner position evf is a big fail , wake up oly , fuji and sony are kicking your corporate criminal asses ….they can put world class evfs and a on board flash into a sensible sized body… but you cant buy a clue
disclamer;i own 2 ep1s and an omdem5
bought into m43 in june 2009 and ……………
sick of waiting !
Panasonic may get there first.
i have a idea, take picture konj you waiting. 😛
I’m on the same boat, I’ve been waiting since the E-PL1 for a built-in EVF and the consecutive disappointments by Oly are eroding my love for m4/3 as a whole. I saw the EM5 as a good sign that Oly would eventually add an EVF to the Pen range since they just proved it was feasible but these rumors (which are pretty much confirmed by now) are making me seriously consider switching systems, or at the very least go for a 2 system setup for a while.
That means I won’t invest into m4/3 until someone comes up with something worth my money and in a worst case scenario I’ll just have to wait for Fuji to complete their line up (which isn’t far from ideal already, fast std. zoom, 24eq prime, good portrait lens, pretty much all I’d set to buy in the first place when I got into m4/3).
Based on the review I just read for the Fuji 100 Xs…if you want a fast AF range-finder-style camera they have finally ironed out th AF issues by adding PDAF. Now, when we see the XPro1s and X-E1s with same increases in speed and bug-free..the Fujis will be there-there…long befor MFT….
Others have put it more politely, but this fellow is an Olympus hack with some attractive models to shoot. Will look for more interesting rumours tomorrow.
HELLO, First Intervention here .
From what I understand of your involvment and tenacity in rumors, that means Panasonic is going to anounce something big, sooner than within 2 Months (GX2 and else…),or that GH3 is canibalising the market of 4/3 equipment ?
Your statement on non priorizing any of both equipment makers (oly/pana) doesn’t really resist to statitical overview of the posts. But I don’t say that to be controversial, it is just a remark, and a constant will since I follow your announces..
Otherwise thank you for suspens (es) sometimes just a bit too long….and in favour of….
regards
DAC
I am thinking on sensor PDAF. Perhaps new processing engine and/or new sensor.
Yes , everybody is right here .
Me too , doubt of this big announcement .
No build in viewfinder means no revolutionery design , sensor wise unconfirmed ( likely the same as OMD ) so
What does this BIG really means .
so much strongly multiple source confirmed…so you should use FT5+
:-)))
Who’s that Damian? Why not saying it inside the post?
What was the last huge, awesome, massively-hyped Olympus announcement?
Oh yeah, they re-released the 75-300 with a few cosmetic changes.
Yawn.
It’s not such a yawn when I don’t have to pay $900 for it & will get it close to $500 instead.
Japanese “Camera-Joshi” don’t need viewfinder. because of her false eyelashes. They are very strong customers for PEN. or not?
I said it first. You are just copying me – shame 🙂
So, does “big announcement” mean “we took a 45/1.8 and painted it black”, or does it mean “a thing that does something new”?
For Olympus it would be big thing to start making lenses in black colour…
If there is a EM5 ,EPL-5 and EPM2 , what makes it so big for a Pen ?
My not very initiated guess of what BIG might be: New sensor with even better performance. Maybe 5-axis IS on a P camera is big news?
On the other hand I heard that a new generation of sensors with improved technology will be available late 2013/early 2014….. That would be for the next OM-D
Maybe BIG is just a cry from somebody that neededattention?
Olympus’s recent B-I-G announcements were the 75-300 Mk II zoom and the XZ-10 1/2.3″ sensor compact. So don’t get caught up in the hype. Every Olympus announcement is now B-I-G. They will come up with a new and improved bubble wrap and it will be a B-I-G announcement.
We need to hear something concrete. Specifications of E-P5 surely must be leaked soon?! And yeah, the fast aperture M.Zuiko standard zoom. Constant f/2.8 or 2.8-? Price?
Olympus switches to APS-C sensor since MFT is too f-in noisy.
No Viewfinder is so disappointing. I will NOT buy it. I hope you are reading this Olympus.
From the marketing experts that brought us the $300 special edition lens package. Need I say more.
It sounds like the EP5 might be a bit of a disappointment to be honest.
I really like the style of the EP3 (and always thought it was overpriced compared to competitors that’s why I never got into m4/3 with it). If they kept that but put in a EVF and the new sensor (and preferably the 5 axis IBIS) then it’s a winner as far as I’m concerned, and apart from squeezing in the EVF, there isn’t much more work for them.
Without the EVF I’m not sure what it’s going to offer beyond the EPL5. Style is all well and good, but it’s got to be significant if they want people to fork out OMD money for it.
I guess, the new specs are:
– 16 mp sensor
– phase detection af on sensor with full support of ft lenses
– new shutter with 9fps
– accessory port 3 with support of new 2.4 mp viewfinder
– tethered shooting mode in combination with iPhone or android phone
>:-D
Rumors and hype should be distinct.
I wish this site was called OlyPanyLeaks 🙂
Damian Mc Gillicuddy text content is utter dreck, a lot of nothing; to be a rumor you need some kind of content, not just pointless innuendo?
1000$ is still too much for a PEN. I’ll wait for the new OMD.
The charge of the light brigade was a blunder that did not end well.
This was my thought as well. I don’t think he’s referencing what he thinks he’s referencing.
Agreed Michael!
Pen with no viewfinder. I’m going to be buying the OM-D instead. Wait for clearance first.
Well, if Damian McGillicuddy considers that late April is “very very soon”, than his perception of things seems to be a bit distorted. Thus, the “BIG” announcement is also questionable…
A PEN without integrated view finder can hardly be a “big announcement”.
The problem here is that nobody likes to be marketing fodder. Rating rumours is honourable, it needs work.
Propagating hype is not. So give us facts, talk can come later.
Am I the only person who noticed that Damian “Big Dog” McGillicuddy simply likes to talk BIG and likes using the word BIG in capital letters? Even his own brand products use that word. I think what he really meant was “big”, not BIG.
Whatever it is, and whatever new features end up in a PEN, will end up in the next OM-Ds, so even if I won’t buy the next PEN which I probably won’t, me likey.
And to those commenting on the value, or lack thereof, of the blog post linked here by Admin – if you have a relationship with a vendor, commercial or otherwise (there is no otherwise really), you have to maintain it.
I dunno
Years ago Apple had a major product announcement, I got excited that they would finally release a breakthrough product to compete with the Palm Pilot PDA. All we got was the ipod 1.
Yeah, I’m not hyped at all about this new PEN. Remember how little difference there was between the PL3 and P3 back when they were released ? I’m sure the same thing will happen again, there’s never justification between the Pl and P range in terms of features or price, even after this all the waiting the E-P5 won’t be anything special, but why such a delay ? did they start up with a RF concept and went back to the drawing board ? how incompetent can Olympus be ? they made the excellent EM5 afterall, how hard can it be to remove the hump and place the EVF to the left ? every other manufacturer has been able to achieve this, Oly is not worse than any of them so I’m thinking some manager (terada?) or marketing guru must have killed the original E-P5 in favor of this lousy attempt.
Just like with every other over-hyped Oly announcement I prefer to stay pessimistic and either be pleasantly surprised o just come to the realization of Oly’s stupidity in a uneventful manner.
The E-P3 was a big sales’ failure, at least reading enthusiasts’ forums. Almost nobody ever mentioned it, despite it being a v. good kit.
The reason was that it was superseded by the E-M5, with both a new sensor AND a built in EVF.
Having just a new sensor cannot warrant success for the same price, without a built in EVF.
As a system, m4/3 works very well, but there are mistakes being made about single models. I hope this is not the case.
Mistakes can be forgiven when a camera is cheap, not when it nears the 1000 range. It is the double of an entry level dSLR which usually has a v. good sensor and respectable ergonomics.
Lences!!!We need more affordable and nice lences!!!(wide angle, normal, pancake etc)
Lenses…
Pumping these things out like iPhones these days…
One thing could justify the BIG announcement and price range. We are all looking at the gh2 gh3 saga with many asking for a video “stage” in the omd as good as the sensor could cope with. Already two firmware have been released and nothing was addressed in that direction. IQ in the stills and video of the OMD is excellent, let’s be fair… as good as the gh’s! So why giving up such a potential market, letting all those potential customer going to buy Panny equipment. Well I think, Olympus is doing things in small step. As someone mentioned before, whatis going to be in the ep5 will end up in the new Omd, I believe the new EP5 will have all those beautiful video enhancements many of us are asking ( that could justify the price, Olympus is not going to give it away for free, in fact no firware update with video features till today and justify the BIG annoucement) and this camera could just be the harald of the new OMD with the same spec as today but with video goodies. At a different price, with a different serial EM7 for an example, with a different winning market. This is obviously my personal opinion of what could happen. Cheers
There should be most of all the hybrid focus. And buil-in GPS andvwi-Fi might be there too.
just al lil fun fact-
the historic “charge of the light brigade” was a big failure, because accidentally they where ordered to attack the wrong target. The light brigade, run into heavy fire and most of the man died bravely.
Wonder if the big dog used that accidentally in his sentence or if he things the E-P5 will bravly fall – because i attacks the wrong target market 😉