Zone-10 wrote a very long article over the E-P1. It is a very interesting text and they included following prediction:
“I fully expect to see Olympus introduce a “pocket-camera” Digital Pen that does not take interchangeable lenses. It will have an extending zoom lens, or another model may have a fixed 35mm equivalent lens which will close up flush. The Infinity Stylus Zoom film cameras would be good cameras to model this after. Â The clamshell or sliding cover design is still viable and I have one which goes most everywhere with me. But pocketability is not in the design specification for the E-P1 and nor should it be–let that be a feature for another model based on the same sensor design.”
Imagine, an Olympus LX3 version with a far bigger sensor…would be nice or not?
http://zone-10.com/cmsm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=438&Itemid=1
6 Responses
I read the Zone-10 article, but the arguments in it made no sense to me. What would be the point of a camera with the extra expense of a Micro Four Thirds-size sensor but without the corresponding benefit of interchangeable lenses?
Sure, in theory such a thing might have marginally better image quality than existing non-interchangeable-lens compacts… but the number of photographers persnickety enough to care is tiny, and the number of THEM who would be willing to give up lens interchangeability is tiny-squared.
In other words, a less-versatile version of the already rather compromised E-P 1 would simply be an even lamer version of what already — aside from its style icon/lust factor vibe — is already a pretty lame camera.
As I’ve written elsewhere, the E-P 1 really does do a great job of evoking the spirit of the Pen FT I used to own: it’s not significantly more versatile than cameras that are a lot more compact, and not significantly more compact than cameras that are lot more versatile.
It’s a good thing it’s so darn cute, or it would be this decade’s version of the Olympus FTL (anybody remember that turkey?)
I think it’s a great idea. A smaller form factor (albeit marginally), built in flash, with a fixed lens. So long as it is a good fixed lens, why not: direct competition with the DP1/2, you may not get the depth as with the foveon but at least it will work faster than a snal! Real question is the price point, get it right and it will sell.
That actually is what I want. My issue with the EP1 and anything else that comes down the line is that it doesn’t replace my DSLR. My DSLR with a pancake isn’t much larger than the EP1 and the EP1 with a zoom isn’t going into any pocket.
My wishlist for a compact:
Start with the LX3, trade a stop or so on the wide end to gain some reach, the lens must be fully retractable, it’s gotta be all black – no gimmicky silver trim. Amoled screen – no reason not to have one at this point. A good, in-body OVF would be amazing, a good EVF would be great but I could live without these. I don’t need 24mm wide but it”s has to be at least 28mm at the wide end… what else? Oh yeah, excellent IQ/processing for it’s sensor size. The G10 comes the closest of anything out there but it’s on the large side of compact.
@web: I just want to add that there are quite some people, that want to have DSLR-like features but do not already own a DSLR. For them a camera like the E-P1 makes sense, since it’s convertible.
I don’t want a sort of DSLR, I don’t understand the point of a compact body with big zooms stuck on it. I want a digital Contax G2. I would settle for a digital Hexar AF though.
For me that is one of the miracles in this world. WHY ARE THERE NOT A BIG BUNCH OF REAL PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOUTING TO THE INDUSTRY FOR A DIGITAL HEXAR AF ????????????????????????????
Just a plain photographical tool with no nonsense programming. (no stupid scene modes, face detection, movie facility but just a very fast F2 or faster lense. fixed or changable. Aperture , ISO and shutterspeed control. with a EVF this should be a super hit IMHO. The exterior of the KONICA HEXA AF can even be copied for the most of it so development costs can be low in that respect (ha ha ha..)
Who agrees and how do we make it clear to the industry ?