June will be an amazing month! Panasonic and Olympus will announce at least three new cameras and three new lenses. In summary there will be:
– An ultra-small Panasonic GF3. It will be 15% smaller than the current GF2, same G3 sensor.
– The Panasonic-Leica high quality (and high priced?) 25mm f/1.4 auto-focus lens.
– The Olympus PRO E-P3 (with integrated EVF? and new Olympus sensor?).
– The mini PEN (XZ-1 style?).
– The 12mm f/2.0 SHG pro lens (expensive).
– The 50mm f/1.8 portrait lens.
Those are info based on rumors, so there is still room for changes or unexpected additions. But now it’s your turn. Let us know what kind of product you will buy (I included the new Panasonic G3)!
[poll id=”64″]
Stay tuned on 43rumors! It’s really an exciting time now!
84 Responses
hmm, could you also add a poll selection that says “none of the above”? Maybe the pen pro will be as nice as I expect a GF1-pro to be, but I’ll rather stick with panasonic bodies as I have 2 panasonic lenses.
You know you can mount them on Olympus m43 bodies, right?
is that possible??? lol!
don’t be silly…it is known that if you don’t mix brands more software autocorrection features are applied…and oly lenses rely on IBIS, while pana in OIS, so using oly teles on pana bodies is not that great…
That’s what I meant. Of course I know they can be mixed. But the panasonic 20/1.7 and 7-14/4 I own both have in camera corrections that I think work better at a panasonic body then at another brands body. Maybe I am wrong here, but I rather take the safe route.
I agree…please ad “I will purchase none of the above” to the voting.
I am waiting for a pro Panasonic also. With my Canon DSLR and My Panasonic GF1 familiarity, I have no desire to get into a new menu system with a camera from a faultering company like Olympus. I will pass on that one.
+1
The shrinking of the Panasonic cameras worry me. I would rather they kept the same size (I have big hands) and just increased performance, now it feels like the newer models could have been better. For one making the batteries smaller is a bad tradeoff, especially as I have two GF1 batteries :p I am still looking at the G3 though… will have to read a few reviews and fondle it in a store before deciding.
The ep3 looks like a good upgrade for my E520!
With the M. Zuiko 14-150mm and the Panasonic 20mm F1.7.
I hope a M.Zuiko 12-60mm and a macro lens (60mm or 90mm) is coming next year!
Will buy E-P3 only if it has tilt/swivel screen.
Also the portrait lens, and maybe one of the minis.
Ya, EP3 with 25/f1.4 is the first on my wishlist! I’ll be the happiest man on earth!
Totally agree. Thats what I am looking forward to.
Not really understand why the oly E-P3 has got such a high score and the G3 such low.
The focus speed definitely won’t be even close to the one of the G3 – and also manual focusing, focus point selection etc. won’t be such easy due to the lack of touchscreen. No evidences yet about a high quality new sensor as well (wishful thinking?).
If somebody wants EVF, the G3 (GH2) already has high quality ones. But still not sure about the articulated screen.
But guys, you can be sure about one thing. The price will be high. Like other “PRO” Olympus cameras, such the E-5…
“Not really understand why the oly E-P3 has got such a high score and the G3 such low.”
It’s because everyone can dream of every feature he/she wants when admin writes “E-P3”. Big/small, EVF on the left/in the center, flash/no flash, 8/12/16 Mpx sensor, retro/modern, big grip/no grip, fixed/articulated LCD. All in one camera :). G3 is like it is, some like it, others do not. In other words, the poll is not fair to G3.
I second Miroslav in that the E-P3 has sort of become the dream/ideal m43 camera for many..for now.. and the mystery surrounding it has conjured up its own charm a la X100. Also it seems it has placed itself as a deserving underdog amidst financially tall giants..It will sad if it doesn’t live up to peoples’ expectations. :).. Ahh the wait..
+1
OLYMPUS I HOPE YOUR GETTING THIS
This is your best chance to get back on the horse, please oly, dont screw e-p3 up.
Good take Miroslav.
I can’t waIt to hear all the hand wringing and wailing the morning after the EP3 specs are are announced. 😉
Hahaha. I hope they do it right…but Oly past history seems to indicate they always *almost* do it right…and thats the key, *almost*…maybe they have a great body, but bad AF, or great IQ but fiddly user interface, or great everything but bad high ISO and so on…
Cameras are like girls…there’s no single one that ticks all items at once, hehehehehe
specs wise the G3 is great, but for me the problem is that i don’t like the design (read the evf bulb)…its a personal thing i admit 🙂
I think people that don’t understand the dream of the EP3 simply don’t understand that design matters. The G3 looks like a great camera, and I plan to buy one myself if the EP3 doesn’t have a built-EVF, but it is a very boring design. Form follows function, but people buy all kinds of products due to form; who doesn’t care what their car looks like? Cameras are no different. People simply want a rangefinder design.
As far as things like AF performance being less; even if the EP3 is slower then the G3 if the EP3 looks like a rangefinder I’ll still buy it. AF speed isn’t all that important to me. Plus, I prefer IBIS.
> don’t understand E-P3 preference over G3
A lot of people value stabilization in the body. It’s even possible that they favor sensor IS over EVF. Next, JPEG shooters tend to prefer Olympus over Panasonic, for fairly good reasons so far. On top of that, there’s a perception (not necessarily related to reality ;~) that Panasonic is stripping down to consumer orientation with their products and Olympus would probably do an E-P3 more targeted to an enthusiast. Consumers don’t tend to read camera sites on the net, mostly just fan boys and serious photographers would waste their time doing so ;~).
There are many things new cameras have to have for me to upgrade, but as 12mm F2 is concerned, you can drop “if the price is not to high” and replace it “if the image quality is excellent”. It’s just a question of whether to rob a bank or sell a kidney :). Especially since my wife will want a divorce if I give 1000 EUR for a lens – and in that case, she’ll take some money with her :).
Vert funny indeed : majority Want an Oly “pro” camera that has mainly higher specs on assumed body quality (weather sealed) Cpmpared with an “amateur” Pany camera highly scored already !
But are they willing pay for a pro? Or willing to carry it in terms of size and weight.
Think E5. Oversized. Overpriced
+1
I don’t need a “pro” body. I need ep2 in silver with better LCD, lighter AA filter (ala EPL2), and the ability to kill MF assist with a half press of shutter. Also, please please, a custom setting on the dial, so I can drop easily into street shooting mode.
Do I want DSLR AF speed and NEX like sensor? Yes, of course. But I don’t NEED that to buy the EP3, and if Oly delivers improvements in either of those, I’ll be delighted, but I think it’s a stretch.
As for weather sealing – I would not trade bulk/weight for that, so I’d want to see a weather sealed body different from a more main line body.
What about the 7-14mm replacement by Panasonic? (http://www.43rumors.com/ft3-five-lenses-to-be-announced-by-panasonic-in-2011-3-new-2-reworked/)
Any chance on a new ultra-wide-angle lens for m4/3 by June?
Working on it! I heard the next bunch of lenses will be announced in late August.
Admin,
Next bunch of lenses? Bunch meaning several. Thats interesting. Can you expand on that for us? Any more from Oly or just Panasonic?
Also any more info on whether the E-P3 definetely has an EVF included? That plus the sensor will be the most interesting elements on this camera.
Thanks
It’s still hard for me to know which one is coming when. But I am rpetty sure there will be more than one new lens (in late August).
Any chance of the fast zoom being announced?
Thanks for the fast reply, admin! Unfortunately August is too late for me 🙁
btw, really enjoying this website, keep up the great work!
btw, the G3 is on dxo-mark.
Looks like Panasonic managed to improve the DR especially on high iso.
But overall, the sensor doesnt seems to be THAT good.
Agreed, GH1 still tops the league for ewerything! Guess I won’t be upgrading again. When are the going to bring the lightning AF to GH1? Surely it could be donw with a firmware upgrade? (Maybe they won’t because no one will buy any other camera?)
As for the poll, I want none of them – I’m waiting for the 12-50mm – come on 50mm f1.8? I’d sooner just use an old Zuiko for that! (which by the way has excellent contrast and colour for portraits)
No firmware update will give you lightning AF. It’s about the dual core Venus Engine and the sensor’s refreshing speed. Hardware. No bet…
No micro four thirds sensor is that good when compared to APS. Look at the NX100. That sensor is over 3 years old, pretty much bottom of the barrel of recent APS cameras, and it still scores higher than the sensors in recent micro four thirds cameras. In terms of sensors the gulf between m4/3 and APS is only going to grow. If Olympus releases a 50 1.8 portrait lens and charges $500 for it- that’s insane. And some of you fanboys need to take a step back and acknowledge that. No matter how much cheerleading people do- Olympus will continue to lose money hand over fist if they think they’re gonna sell a lot of grossly overpriced lenses. Given the inferior sensors you would think they would try to compete with APS in terms of price. Well, the bodies quickly lose value and get cheap but damn if they don’t want to charge a premium for everything else. They need to get realistic with their pricing. Very few pros are going to buy into an Olympus system. That’s reality.
“Pro grade” does not mean it is intended, or even suitable, for professionals. It is merely a marketing term.
As to the still-rumored 50/1.8, it will be so much better than the cheap Canon/Nikon/Sony/Pentax offerings. What is the point in a wide aperture if you avoid using it?
Exactly. There’s a reason why Leica lenses go for more than most other manufacturers’ lenses. They’re optimized throughout the entire aperture range, including wide open.
I just checked on DxOMark, and the NX100 is marginally better at ISO100 than the GH2 at ISO200. Other than that, the GH2 is either better or equal to the NX100 in all respects. Not bad considering that 4/3’s gives up 2/3 of a stop to APS-C.
The gulf is actually likely to narrow, as physics takes hold of Sony, and Panasonic improves their technology. And who knows, perhaps Olympus will surprise us all with an excellent sensor in the E-P3 (or some later product).
Although i’d like to think of the gulf narrowing, the physics you talk about are the same for 4/3 sensors…
Panasonic is much further from those limitations than Sony, hence the > 1 stop difference in some areas of sensor performance with the leading sensors.
The sensor in the NX100 (which is around 3 years old) scored a 62 on DXOMark and the GH2 scored a 60. How can you say the gap is narrowing? The NX100 is probably as bad as it gets in terms of sensors for recent APS cameras. And it STILL beats the much vaunted GH2. Now compare the GH2 to the 16mp Sony sensor- which is going to be in the new Nex (which will sell for around $499). That sensor scores an 82. The improvements with micro four thirds in terms of sensors has been minor while the improvements with APS have been dramatic. And it’s a given that then NX200 is going to have a much better sensor. It looks to me like the gap between APS and m4/3 is growing, not shrinking. Just because you have bought into m4/3 is no reason to not look at the situation realistically. If it’s good enough for you fine. If you don’t have a problem with the pricing that’s fine too. But for me, the value with micro 4/3 is just not there. To make these cameras competitive with a basic APS set up you will end up spending much more money on lenses. And if you want dof you’re gonna have to spend a lot. People should be outraged that Panasonic decided to slap a Leica label on that upcoming lens. The only reason to do that is so they can charge an extra $200-300. Does anyone really think Leica played a central role in the designing of that lens?
I do agree with you for the sensors (Sony’s are much better, not only in DxO tests, but in real life too)
But for lenses, what is better: the large choice of m43 lenses (some overpriced, some not – think the tele zooms), or the non-existent choice of NEX lenses, with just a handful of poor lenses, especially missing the so important “normal” pancake prime?
For example, a NEX+16mm might look cool and be small, but not much smaller and not as flexible/useful as m43 body + the Panny 20mm.
I would agree that in terms of lenses micro 4/3 is currently much more attractive than the other mirrorless systems. And it will be next year at the earliest before this changes. Having said that, I do find the Samsung lens road map impressive. I’m a fan of Olympus and Panasonic cameras. I don’t want to suggest their crap. I just find their pricing on lenses in particular tends to be a bit ridiculous.
You are completely misreading DxOMark. A difference of 2 is insignificant (DxO considers a difference of 5 to be detectable), and you need to look at the whole picture. If you dig in and actually look at the graphs, you’ll see that the GH-2 is equal or better to the NX100.
Now, compare a 3 year old Panasonic sensor (E620) to the NX 100: 55 vs 63 (which is significant), and on specific measures, its interesting: S/R is dead even, DR is too, Tonal range is the same, Color Sensitivity has a slight advantage to Samsung, and that’s about it. GH-2 (recent Panny sensor) is a full EV better than Samsung.
So, relative to Samsung at least, Panasonic compares pretty well. Sony is another critter, but I expect (eg, making a completely unfounded prediction ;-), that their progress will start to slow, whereas Panasonic has a ways to go, assuming some basic competence on the part of Panasonic.
The moral of the story that when dealing with DxOMark, look at the whole picture, not just the bottom line number, and further to understand the significance of that number.
Not a single item on the poll list interests me. Admin, please provide the option “I’m still a 43 user!!!” 😉
Otherwise:
> – An ultra-small Panasonic GF3. It will be 15% smaller than the current GF2, same G3 sensor.
Even smaller? Should we cut our fingers shorter to be able to comfortably hold the new slew of cameras?
> – The Panasonic-Leica high quality (and high priced?) 25mm f/1.4 auto-focus lens.
If IQ is on par with PL25 then the price would be irrelevant to the fans.
> – The Olympus PRO E-P3 (with integrated EVF? and new Olympus sensor?).
Relatively clean ISO 1600/3200? Fast 12-50mm, f/2.8-3.5 lens? I might be interested.
> – The mini PEN (XZ-1 style?).
I have an idea and it might open new areas in plastic surgery: asia-fication of hands.
> – The 12mm f/2.0 SHG pro lens (expensive).
Tried, but never learned to shoot or love wide angle 🙁
17mm or 20mm (eq 35mm – 40mm) is more of my thing. (What are my gripes with the PL25: 25mm (eq 50mm) is bit too long for me (and minimum focusing distance (~38cm) is bit too large).)
> – The 50mm f/1.8 portrait lens.
Not interested.
“> – The mini PEN (XZ-1 style?).
I have an idea and it might open new areas in plastic surgery: asia-fication of hands.”
That would be required already for every m4/3 body, including Panas with their lousy undersized grip sizes and lack of space&spacing for too small buttons.
I’m afraid only a fraction of the E-P3 potential buyers here will actually pay for one once they realize the price of such a camera (if indeed it has “pro” specifications).
As to myself, when the E-5 was announced I swore not to buy one because it offered only little improvement over my E-3, was way too expensive for me and definitely the last 4/3 DSLR in world history. Then, ever so slowly, a craving developed that was eventually too intense to contain. These days I don’t even use it much as I find zoom lenses less and less appealing. I just know the same thing will happen to me with the E-P3. I don’t need one, my brain says no, my bank manager says no and my wife says no. Nevertheless, eventually I will have one.
I’ll buy none of them. The interesting things will all be priced too high (the number one fatal flaw of micro four thirds).
Could the new EP3 be sold with the new 12mm f/2 as a bundle ?
I can’t imagine a top notch body sold with a “regular” zoom …
This is a good question. I don’t think a 24 mm equivalent can be a good kit lens but on the other hand, they can hardly ship it with the current 14-42. Also, the rumoured high price of the 12/2.0 will make the kit too expensive.
So either there will be a new zoom anounced along it or they will sell it body only. The latter isn’t likely, as they will want to make money on a lens when they sell a new camera.
So far there has always been a suitable kit lens for Olympus bodies. So my guess is that they will surprise us with a higher grade standard zoom for the camera. This is unless the camera really is just a moderate upgrade of the E-P2 and not so “pro” as we hope. Come to think of it, this is probably the most likely scenario.
I have decided to buy no more MFT products until Panasonic comes out with a “truly” improved sensor with better dynamic range and better ISO performance in the Raw files. (not cheesy jpeg tweeks).
If this happens I would definitely buy at least an updated camera body.
If it does not happen in the next year…I am selling all my MFT’s camera and lenses and moving on to something else.
Easy to say, but move to what?
NEX and their coke bottle lenses?
Samsumgs lousy sensor?
I’m not brand loyal, but m43 to me is currently the best overall system. I won’t move if Oly or Panny doesnt release x or y, I’ll only move if Sony, Sammy or anyone else releases something better.
“I won’t move if Oly or Panny doesnt release x or y, I’ll only move if Sony, Sammy or anyone else releases something better.”
I’m thinking exactly the same…
Um…I am thinking Leica M9 and a Noctilux. I am disappointed with the unfulfilled promise of MFT. I will have to save every penny I get…but at least that is THERE THERE…and very small. I think Leica is going to release something soon that will be a little more affordable. If I want to play hardball I will have to pay the price, I guess.
For now I am buying some prime glass for my Canon 5D Mark II. Big, heavy and versatile. Oh well.
The upcoming news are quiet interesting as it shows interests in giving m43 users better lenses and better bodies.
But I actually own an E-P2 with the excellent EVF and would only replace it if Olympus makes the following camera :
An E-P2 style with the following improvements:
– multi-aspect ratio sensor with significant Dynamic Range improvement (for instance : similar in DR to Fuji’s Super CCD)
– a silent mode (for instance : similar to the M9 modes)
– a minimum 460.000 dot screen
Welcome additional features :
– built-in flash
– built-in viewfinder
– multi-angle and tilt screen
– a dedicated RAW button
The most important for me is the IQ for still images : DR being the most delicate thing to deal with m43 cameras, it is in that field that I would appreciate real improvements.
The silent mode would very useful for me in many situations such as street or event shooting, same goes with a more define screen.
I don’t mind a camera a bit bigger than the E-P2 since it’s already a fairly small camera. But not smaller…
Concerning the lenses, I owe the Lumix 20mm (using it most of the time and enjoying it’s great definition & versatility) and the Leica 45mm (great color and contrast rendering, pity it’s just F2.8).
I am planning on buying the Lumix 14mm because it has the same filter size. It doesn’t seem to be a great lens, but still a very capable lens which would give me the wide angle I’m missing.
Like many of us using m43, I wish we will have soon the following lenses :
– a fast portrait lenses (best would be 42,5mm F1.4)
– a fast transtandard zoom (best 12-50mm F2.8)
An what about a m43 equivalent of the leica Tri-Elmar 28-35-50mm F4?
For instance :
– a Pan-Leica Tri-Elmar 14-18-25mm F2 (but with aufocus please)
That would be a great travel lens, and probably the first lens I would buy if Panasonic and Leica makes it !
Well, I’ve been wanting fast AF primes, so will likely put my money where my mouth is, as least for 12 & 50mm.
But how quickly that money will flow will depend on price…
I’m seriously considering selling my E-PL1 and getting both a compact m43 and the EP-3 if I like it. My wife doesn’t carry a camera much, but she used to get awesome images with a 40mm Nikon film compact. I’d like to see her fall in love with a compact camera with the Panny 20/1.7 onboard. I know our collection of “gathering” photos would be much improved!
Sure, I said I would buy an EP3 if it had this and that. But that is a silly poll question. It’s a bit like asking, “Would you buy the new Mercedes-Benz if it costs less than $10,000 and can fly and is powered by emission-free magical unicorns?” Of course you would! But can they really pull that off?
Perhaps I should amend my response by saying I might buy an EP3 IF it had a built-in EVF and “new Olympus sensor” that actually are BETTER than the EXISTING Panasonic GH2 EVF and sensor.
If Olympus can’t improve picture-taking performance over what Panasonic offers already, then it will be the EP1/EP2 all over again — only fashionistas and Olympus fanboys will buy them.
If anybody manufactures a camera that is powered by unicorns..I AM IN! LOL!
Of those on the list, the 25mm f1.4 is the one I am most likely to buy. The lens I would really have liked is a longer macro (60-90mm) with AF. Considering that Olympus has such a heritage in macro lenses and microscopy, I am disappointed they have not made a macro for MFT already. If Olympus decide not to make a 50mm f2.0 MFT macro, that may be a good thing in the long term, if they decide to do a longer, slower macro instead.
I bought a Panasonic G2 about a year ago and was intending to wait at least another year before buying another camera. The hoped-for Olympus “Pen-pro” would have to have a new sensor and a high quality integrated EVF before I took any interest.
I was just having a look at the DXO mark rankings for the G3 sensor. These results suggest that (compared to the G2 and GF2 ) they have put more photo-sites on the sensor and improved high ISO performance somewhat, without compromising dynamic range. Maybe not a quantum leap forward, but certainly a step in the right direction. From what I have seen so far I would want this sensor in future Olympus cameras rather than the old one.
G3 looks to me à very good compromise. An E-P3, can it be better? That Will be the question. I am longing for better lenses – prio 1 for me!
>An E-P3, can it be better?
It can have Olympus colours and IBIS…
Built in EVF, better DR, real multi aspect would trigger my buying decision.
But what is really puzzling is that rimor of predictive AF. Will it be a’ la GHx, or will it be CDAF capable, thus allowing use of some 30 excellent classic Zuikos?
Think, that would confer a terrific advantage to m4/3 over possible new entrants, like Nikon, and fight off Sony a55 which can make use of Alpha lenses.
A built in EVF on a PEN form factor. That’s all I ask for.
I have a pre-order in for a G3. if the Pen turns out as rumoured and is announced on time, I might be tempted to switch. The prime lenses are what I’m after though, esp the 12
My wish list for E-P3:
1) Make AF as fast as G3
2) Usable ISO 3200/6400
3) Built-in EVF
4) Focus assist light
+1 And better DR would be nice.
You didn’t say much about the mini-PEN. Will AF be fast? Will the sensor be new? I think that’s the reason why it’s almost at the bottom of the list! I’d definitely buy it if the answer to both questions are YES.
Regarding the top of the list, I’d buy the Olympus E-P3 if it does *NOT* have integrated EVF, but still much improved sensor.
So, for what we know now, I had to vote for the GF3, whose only missing point is IBIS.
Last, but not least, I’m surprised about the large number of buyer of the Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4 – I don’t see any reason for this lens, given the excellent, small, and cheap (at least pre-earthquake) 20mm f/1.7
The slightly longer focal length is a minus, for me. And the slightly wider aperture doesn’t justify the additional weight and cost. Mah….
I have sold my 9-18mm which I found I never used and my beloved E-PL1 has gone to a good home. I have £600 burning a hole in my pocket. I wonder if my VF2 will still come in handy or if it will be relegated to occasional use on the XZ-1?
The suspense is killing me.
The problem with these polls is that they seem to mirror the markets that Oly and Pana do not seem to care actively for. So often time, people clamor for built-in EVF, manual physical controls, better lenses, and better built cameras. What do the m43 makers do? They do the opposite. Quite frankly, I don’t think they are idiots. I think they’re just targeting the demographics who do not visit these forums. The admin claims they do read these forums. We’ll see in the next 6 months.
I think this dynamic that you observe is correct. I also think that Pan / Oly are way off target. If they are aiming at mass market, they are going to miss… mass market buys P&S. It is a dream that there will be a large volume of “cross-over” shooters who wouldn’t buy a DSLR just because of the size and complexity, but might be swayed by m43… for the most part, those people will buy more advanced P&S. the m43 is by definition an enthusiast product and if it has any chance of success, Pan / Oly best listen to the enthusiast market and listen well.
The reason that there is so much excitement over the “mythical” E-P3, which is taking on a lot of baggage and expectations, is because every single m43 product to date, with the exception of the AG-AF100, has way under delivered on expectations and all have some sort of design flaw that makes the majority of people go “huh??” This is what a multi-billion dollar company goes and releases? (the AG-AF100 could have easily been better, but it seems that it is good enough)
What Oly is hopefully doing is expanding the MFT selection by introducing a “pro” camera to complement the selection of entry-level E-PLx (which I use although I’m a “serious” photographer) and enthusiast E-Px – and Panasonics models.
The high-end body is the biggest gap in MFT line-up at the moment, along with a fast portrait lens and wide angle primes – and arguably weather proof lenses. If Oly can successfully plug that hole, it’ll be a huge improvement for MFT. But at the same time, I’m sure the volume is at the low end of the value spectrum.
What Oly is hopefully doing is expanding the MFT selection by introducing a “pro” camera to complement the selection of entry-level E-PLx (which I use although I’m a “serious” photographer) and enthusiast E-Px – and Panasonic’s models.
The high-end body is the biggest gap in MFT line-up at the moment, along with a fast portrait lens and wide angle primes – and arguably weather proof lenses. If Oly can successfully plug that hole, it’ll be a huge improvement for MFT. But at the same time, I’m sure the volume is at the low end of the value spectrum.
I think they might do well to make a LX5 type of point and shoot with the m4/3 sensor but with a fixed zoom lens f2.8-5.6 24/28mm-85mm equivalent for the people wanting a better quality compact but for those who are unlikely to buy additional lenses for a system camera.
Research has shown most buyers of entry level SLR’s are not buying additional lenses anyway. It would improve knowledge in the mass market about the benefits of the m4/3 sensor size over point and shoot and also you may see the ‘halo’ effect of people buying this type of ‘fixed’ m4/3 then upgrading to interchangable lens products as they develop a greater interest in system cameras.
You’d be able to make a collapseable lens of zoom range x3-x4 built around a m4/3 sensor, I’m not sure if this is possible engineering wise.
What happened to the rumored Panny 12-50/2.x? Did it turn out to be fake?
+1 – ??
If a fast-standard zoom ever gets released (surely it will soon) it’d be on my GH2 90% of the time, and I’m sure I’m not alone in this :/
+2
What strikes me here is that we may soon have a very close approximation of the classic 3-lens set many favored back when I started in 35mm — 24, 50 and 90 (or 85 or 105 depending on brand and taste). The 12, 24 and 50 come very close. A few years earlier when Leica was at it’s peak the set was 35, 50, 90 — so substitute the 17 for the 12.
Why do you all care if the EVF is built in to the E-P3? The camera would be smaller, less expensive, and have broader appeal without, and the existing modular EVF from Olympus is fantastic! Those times when you’re travelling and would like the smallest package possible, the EVF could be removed.
You can’t have a built-in EVF for free. It will cost you in terms of dollars and physical size.
Can’t use the Oly hot-shoe EVF with a flash, or any of the Oly accessories…
Plus for many of the people that *want* an EVF, it’d never come off. So the physical and ecomonic savings are nill and it’s just another joint that can break…
because an evf built into the camera is going to be far more durable than one clipped onto the hotshoe.
Coming from someone who is most certainly in the market for a m4/3 camera, I really hope Panasonic returns to the GF1 form. It was beautiful. Making the camera thinner makes a little sense (but not much). Making it shorter makes no sense at all.
I can’t stand the look of the Sony NEX-5, Panasonic GF2, and upcoming NEX-C3 with their body shorter than the lens mount. It looks absolutely ridiculous. The balance and aesthetic of the GF1 with anything larger than the 20mm attached is unquestionably better.
To Olympus and Panasonic: Anecdotally I would say there are many factors other than physical dimensions that have led to Sony selling lots of NEX cameras so far. Until recently the video was superior. Until recently the LCD was brighter and higher resolution. It’s built-in HDR, handheld twilight, and handheld panoramic features are still to this day unmatched (and produce great results!). Please concentrate on making it easier to take higher quality photos, not chasing the smallest form factor. That “race to the bottom” makes sense for a P&S, NOT an interchangeable lens camera!
If there was a large sensor compact with something like a bright, high quality 14-42 or 12-48mm zoom built-in, I think you all have no idea how well it would sell. Many enthusiast amateurs are looking for this when they settle for a GF2 or NEX-3. This hypothetical camera too, if it existed, would be something worthwhile trying to make smaller and smaller.
The people want a smaller camera+lens that takes better photos and makes taking better photos easier. Note I said camera+lens, not just camera. No one wants a teeny tiny camera with a big honkin lens attached – that doesn’t make any sense or provide any value.
Thom:> don’t understand E-P3 preference over G3
>A lot of people value stabilization in the body. It’s even possible that they favor sensor IS over EVF.
Yes, it’s possible. It’s also possible that people value smaller rangefinder size and style over that EVF and the ugly hump it’s housed in, no matter how “functional” you find it to be. But there’s more to it than that.
>Next, JPEG shooters tend to prefer Olympus over Panasonic, for fairly good reasons so far.
Right again, even after G3 JPEG improvements. And JPEG shooters=most people.
G3 seems great and ticks almost all the right boxes. But for many, the E-P3 could easily be a more attractive option. The PEN style obviously resonates with Oly enthusiasts, judging from its position at the top of the poll, and G3’s position at the bottom. But this is something, as you freely admit, you “don’t understand”!
re: survey: Not interested (much) in any of the above, but if Olympus comes out w an E-30 replacement sometime this year it would get my attention. (sure, an E-xxx would be nice too, but that doesn’t seem likely.