Important: I didn’t receive any indication from trusted sources that an Olympus fullframe camera is going to be announced. The following rumor is at 99% false! I report it here because that rumor is creating a lot of “buzz” on the web. So read it just for fun!
The “rumor” has been started by Milsooper on dpreview forum. He says that a new Olympus FF camera is going to be announced soon:
“An Olympus full frame 35 mm body that can use the 4/3 lenses.
A nice weather resistant magnesium alloy frame.
Geotagging.
24.2 megapixel Kodak sensor and processors.
ProcessorS.
OM lens support.
Two new features yet to be revealed.”
He also says that this picture has been taken with the new Olympus FF camera: http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/1589237678/photos/492988/sedona10-111-1
And he has taken similar pictures with the [shoplink 15032]E-3[/shoplink]: http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/1589237678/photos/492914/sedona6-107
and the Sony A850
I repeat, we don’t know anything about a Olympus FF camera. But you know, we are a rumors website and sometimes we like to dream 🙂
Reminder -> Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=probably fake rumor
FT2=rumor from unkown sources
FT3=50% chance it is correct
FT4=rumor from known sources
FT5=almost certainly correct!
73 Responses
I don’t believe it… The picture isn’t even in 4:3 ratio…
It couldn’t be if it’s full frame, they are 3:2
wow wow wow… This should be f2 because if you think about it, it would be more true then you thought reading it for the first time. Ok, we get a silly E-5 with art filters that combine E-3 with E-30. After that we get the modular one. We all thought that it will somehow combine m4/3 with 4/3 but maybe the idea was about doing it with 4/3 and OM. You dont have a panasonic sensor with this number of mpx so Kodak is logical move. Now what we need is that:
*It would be annouced before photokina so I could buy a ticket and be there 😀
*It would show that Olympus isnt stoping its revolution in photography
*That the camera would present one more thing – all old SHG lenses with SWD.
This is just me thinking after night shift so maybe I am dreaming 😀
LOL 😉
FF Olympus Camera using 4/3 lenses is almost impossible because of size of the image circle.
It would be more believable if the FF camera uses OM lens. 😉
“It is not possible…. It is not possible…. nia nia nia….”
Everyone would say that in the old days if you say something about live view, dust removal and so on. I believe in Olympus so why not look for some keys in this one?
Full frame with 4/3 lenses isn’t difficult, but you’d have to use just part of the sensor area. Nikon already do this with DX lenses on FX bodies.
The difficult part is that they wouldn’t have room for a Full Frame mirror so it would have to be a mirrorless design.
Yes, if it’s a 24 Mpix sensor, it would create 6 Mpix pictures with 4/3 lenses.
And what happened to 12mp is all anyone will ever need or everything?
Started by Milsooper perhaps, but resurected Mrts using “information” gathered from 43 Rumors
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1022&thread=36228182
John
Perhaps more than a rumor. A new camera and new lense line which could use all of the old OM glass, not why did I get rid of that stuff.
Full frame would propell Olympus into the Canon Nikon Sony league and if they maintain the 4/3 and m/4/3 they would have a very diverse lineup.
Any product type will with time reach market saturation this will happen faster with lower cost products M4/3. I don’t think the engineering will allow for the use of 4/3 lenses on full frame cameras so additional lense would be required for a full frame, is this the time Olympus plans to do this?
The Wide Converter is a Kodak patent.
Kodak CCD sensor and licensing the wide converter, should allow the use of the existing lenses.
The existing ZD ED 50mm f/2 Macro, would become a 25mm f/2 on FF135.
Interesting thoughts, we’ll soon now!
Wrong rumor classification, Admin.
This is an FT0 one!
Sure we all like to dream. But I certainly don’t dream of a full frame camera! This kind of dream is for people who are to stubborn to understand that a good picture is less defined by its technical quality (s/n ratio, sharpness, CAs etc.) than by what the image expresses. In other words: a camera for pixel peepers and measurbators!
Olympus and Panasonic have proven in the last few years that one can acheive a very respectable image quality with a relatively small image sensor. And there is still room for improvement (thanks to new sensor architectures like improved microlenses, more efficient low pass filters, back-side illuminated sensors, new color filter arrays, organic materials etc.). Maybe FT and mFT cameras will never compete with professional full-frame cameras from Nikon, Canon and others, but they don’t need to (as the professional market is a niche and not every pro needs noise-free sensitivity levels up to ISO 128.000) and image quality from mFT/FT-cameras is already more than sufficient for most purposes…
Although I agree that a large and often forgotten part of photography is the art of “painting” and my wife’s pen sometimes comes out with stunning photos, they are not up to the quality of my 15″ display that I have them running on. My 620 does not have as good DR or ISo as the Pen, but the sharpness is noticeable when compared to my 620 with HQ lens on them.
4/3rds FF camera? Not me!
Give me an E3 successor without nAA filter, 12 stops DR and 12 mp, 6 frames per second and clean iso 1600 and I will be happy for the next years to come.
Since there are no new ‘credible’ rumours on the E3 successor we are not even sure if the E3 successor will come soon. I think Olympus is fooling us all. When they state that new 4/3rds products can be expected, they will probably release a killer cam and keep very quit until that time has come.
Exactly what algorithm do you use to determine that this rumor is “99% false”? My money goes on any rumor that you bet against. With your track records on “FT5” rumors being so bleak, maybe your “FT1” rumors will come true!
Hey that’s not fair – 43 Rumours were bang on with the fast Voigtlander the day before launch.
I would totally buy it, because olympus is my favorite brand. Oh if it would look like OM series…
But is it technically possible to use fourthirds lenses with a full frame sensor? It doesn’t make sense to me, as one of thre reasons the zuikos are as small as they are, is the sensor size?
Here’s the real deal: it’s not a FF, but DFF (double full frame) sensor. And you can attach not only m43, 43 and 56 lenses, but also OMs and Oly compacts (via adapter). Glad to present that news first here on 43 rumours.
A Pen with fullframe and 2 or 3 fast prime lenses … and I’m the luckiest man on earth 🙂
Uhm…why exactly don’t we need a mirrorless FF Oly that can take 43 lenses?
Old OM lenses aren’t really good enough, maybe with a few exceptions. Lenses from the seventies and eighties just aren’t optically that good. Mechanically they may be better than many lense made today, but CAD has made a huge difference in optical designs. 4/3 lenses could only be used with a crop mode. It would be an interesting camera, but I can’t see many customers for it and it wouldn’t make much sense for Olympus to make one.
It reminds me of a Thin Lizzy song … Don’t Believe A Word
DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS.
Idiotic “rumour”. The guy is an idiot.
You can’t use a wide converter to adapt 4/3 lenses to full frame. But with a tele converter this can be done very easily.
I suppose that if Olympus would do a FF camera it would be mirrorless. So using 4/3 lenses or even m4/3 lenses with limited resolution (frame size) should be possible.
4/3 lenses don’t have sufficient coverage for FF (24mm x 36mm)!
Basics…
Olympus please, make it real!!
a strange step this would be, but it would open more options indeed..
No way, they need to do a whole new line of full frame lenses. Cosidering that they’re not even doing new 4/3 lenses, and the M43 line is stil too far from being complete.
The 4/3rds lenses wouldn’t be able to illuminate the entire 24 X 36mm frame, so this rumor is clearly false, at least in that detail.
I am sure on Olympus FF is 26mm X 34,6mm (13mmx2 X 17.3mmx2).
Good ol’ MilSuper/MilSooper. He’s a card, and oughta be decked.
I’d add that he’s a joker and a pain in the ace!
And if it’s just made up to stir the pot, someone should club him with a spade!
The is this so is great pont for Olympus to go modular.
Combo FT, FF, OM and maybe MFT also, by only shift modul easy and flexible.
The is not big pont use FT lens on FF sensor, but you can use all lens on FT sensor and FF sensor on OM lens and FF lens so coming soon.
Question is how many customers they would find for that.
Considering onslaught of the mirror-less cameras, for Oly to divert the development resources from 4/3 would be unreasonable.
Unless, of course, they have earned a truck load of money from their new PEN series and now can afford third camera line up.
Crap 43 format is already a full frame lol
Matt and Phew!finder: The 4/3 lenses WILL iluminate a 36*24 mm frame if you put a 2x teleconverter in front of them. This will give you the same field of view on the full frame sensor as you normally would on a 4/3 sensor. You will lose two stops of light though.
So the 150/2 lens (for instance) would be a 300/4. Note that this is the same as the “equivalent” focal length on a fourthirds camera.
throw of the entire 43 lens line up (mm)
yes it could be fixed with the 2x but they wont be as fast, and that will make 43 lenses lose there advantage over their canikon counter parts (35-100f2 vs 70-200f2.8)
all for the sake of a 24mp sensor that can probably get only 3-4fps burst.
why buy a 24mp cam with lenes that arent as fast as canikons counterparts.
Go with Canikon would be the obvious choice
I dont think its worth it
That would not be a wise/practical move to abandon 43 for FF.
Give technology time
43 sensors are fast approaching being equal to FF sensors
In the real world the difference is not so unbearable that it cant be compensated with fast zoom lenses and other perks
FF not the answer
43 sensors will never be equal to FF sensors, they have different size and different format 4:3 vs 3:2. IMO that’s not a problem. 43 will never compete on image quality with full frame sensors, they are just to small. And full Frame sensors can’t compete with medium format digital backs. That doesn’t mean that everybody should buy medimum format, or full frame for that matter. Each format has advantages and disadvantages. 43 offer an advantage in image quality compare to P&S cameras, and that’s where 43 have to compete, somewhere between advanced P&S and cameras with APS-C-sized sensors.
+1
Some where between advance point and shoot and aps-c?
FALSE!
All pros aren’t simply looking for more MP or “quality”.
medium formats DB’s DONT fit the needs of the majority of pros. They are good for what they do, but lenses aren’t fast, there bulky and unpractical for most situation pros face, FPS cant compete with best DSLR’s and they cost a fortune
In many cases even E3 could out perform one, say at a fast action sports game
In that case the “quality” difference wont be seen until you approach large prints, and it would be marginal if any, and more then likely the E3 at 600mm@2.8 and 5fps would nail “the shot”
(even compare it to a 5Dmk2 & 600mm f4@3.9 fps)
for the pros medium format DBs target, they fit perfect, but those pros aren’t the majority.
At the current rate the “quality” differences you are talking about in 43 and apsc/FF wont be seen until you approach large prints which not all pro photographers are looking for.
43 has potential to compete head on with the best aps-c cams not just in-between them and P&S’s
Technology advances very fast and if oly keeps word to not engage in MP race they can work on quality that matches aps-c and FF with time though they may be at a lower MP
In the future if this happens and apsc are hitting 20+MP oly will be fine at 14-16MP… And for most pros that will be just fine, and oly will just have to work on things (which they are) like DR and IQ that FF & APS-c fans love to complain about in 43
MP race can only go so far
And just because a cam can’t compete with the best “high MP pros” that are built for Hi res prints, doesn’t mean it belongs in-between P&S and APS-c
If a pro is looking for large prints, by all means get a hi MP FF. But notice how canikons flags come in high MP versions low fps and low MP version with higher fps
And if quality/MP is the issue apsc would not be the answer anyway. So then why buy a APS-c over a 43rd if the scenario above happens in the future
Therefore if that is the case a 43 pro body that competes head on with the best aps-c & FF in its correct category is very viable
Just waiting on technology
The IQ will be matched, maybe at sacrifice of a lower MP sensor, but by then Pros wont care about the difference between a 20mp vs a 16mp because they both satisfy what the need of that pro
Then other factors like lenses will play a larger role in the decision unlike today where MP seems to dominate
43 does have its problem “RIGHT NOW”, but they can and will be addressed with “TIME” as long as they don’t engage in the MP war in my opinion
then people will ask themselves “am I really going to print 5 feet posters?”
I am not trying to sound mean or rude but I do NOT think you are correct.
43 does not have to be “equal” to FF in MP to be better.
btw GH1 (a 43rd cam) can shoot in 4:3 3:2 16:9 and 1:1 at true 12mp in each and no FF or APS-c can do that If I am not mistaking
(I could be wrong)
You seem a bit confused, and don’t check the facts. A minor point, but GH1 can’t shoot 4:3 3:2 16:9 and 1:1 at true 12mp, it does have a multiformat sensor giving the same diagonal angle for 4:3 3:2 16:9 (but not 1:1). That doesn’t mean they are all 12MP though, 3:2 and 16:9 give a lower pixel count and 1:1 quite a bit lower.
43 sensors will always stay betwen advanced P&S and APS-C in size. That’s a fact unless they start using larger sensors in P&S, but that doesn’t seem likely.
That doesn’t say anything at all about whether the camera and/or the user is a pro (model) or not. Of course there are 43 pro users, and I’m sure you can find pros using P&S models too if it fits the assignment.
My point is only that 43 is limited by sensor size, and it can’t (and shouldn’t) compete with larger sensors for resolution and/or high Iso performance.
TRUE: The sensor size of 4/3 lies somewhere in between a point & shoot and APS-C.
When all else is equal, the 4/3 sensor will gather less light and be capable of less DOF than APS-C or full frame cameras. Therefore, for 4/3 cameras to produce equivalent results (to larger sensors) they will need to be superior in other categories (lens sharpness, dynamic range, high ISO performance, etc). It’s not impossible… but before the race starts the 4/3 sensor is already behind APS-C and FF. Waiting for “technology advances”, as you suggest, for 4/3 sensors only works if nobody else is advancing their technology. BTW, I’m going to guess than Canon and Nikon have larger R&D budgets for sensor tech than Panasonic and Olympus.
Larger sensors will always have an inherent advantage over smaller ones for professionals who rely more on DOF and large format printing than consumers. So, what is the best strategy for 4/3 going forwards? In my opinion, it is selling the fact that 4/3 is the “sweetheart size” that marries the best of all worlds — good image quality with compactness. Because of this, I feel they are better continuing their development of micro 4/3rds and marketing them primarily to consumers and enthusiasts. In this sector, compactness of both the camera and lenses is critical and worth sacrificing some IQ. Olympus and Panasonic also have an opportunity (that is slipping away) to take advantage of their other current strength, their experience with all digital live-view mirrorless cameras. Certainly, Panasonic is taking advantage of this with their video technology in the GH1.
Maybe to the displeasure of those waiting for the E-5, I do not believe that the “professional 4/3 camera” has much of a future.
If they make a full frame model you don’t have to buy it.
There are always those wonderfully performing pen models for you to choose from.
I think it’s a great idea. Unless you know the implementation of it it’s too early to be poo pooing it.
See what they come up and then bitch about it.
I don’t understand a lot of the high tech stuff, but wasn’t the original Pen camera a half frame camera? Could a FT lens cover half the frame and be a 12MP camera and then use a FF lens for FF camera? In camera, old-school double exposures with your FT and MFT lenses? I think it would sell to the retro conniossiour (oh my spelling has gone to hell since I no longer write). Picture a larger Pen shaped body with all analog controls…switches and dials….it would be sexy for sure!
Okay with me if they want to make a FF camera. Not in a standard SLR body, though, I’d want to see it in a studio body (cube type SLR, not sure what word describes the Hassy and Mamiya medium format body shape)
You know, because 35mm is medium format from Olympus’s perspective, and because you get two tripod mounts…
I wouldn’t mind that either
I would only accept a FF or a larger frame if it was mirror-less and they move the lens mounting some way so my current glass focal ranges are not thrown off
If that is somehow possible
A rumor that Olympus will be making a full frame camera has been going around for quite some time, I hope it will finally come true. It would not be that unimaginable. If Sony makes one, Olympus surely can. It sounds like we will know on September 14th, then all the Canikon fanboys can start really talking shit. Unfortunately for them, whatever Olympus comes out with we be so much more useful for normal people that don’t own $1,000 tripods with dollys to lug around a gigantic camera. TAKE THAT CANIKON LOVERS….
Milsooper is a Canikon Troll planting outrageous rumors!
Why are we giving him attention? This is a stupid attempt to ensure that the expectation for the Sept 14 announcement becomes so high that no matter what Olympus announces, the watchers will be unimpressed.
What’s milsooper’s track record anyway? His dpreview acc was created on august 24. 43rumor admin should have classified this FT-1 and canned it instead of posting it here and ruining his own credibility.
Hi Snoopdog. I recieved so many emails form readers that wanted to know what I think about the rumor. That’s why I posted it. I am not going to loose credibility if I post that saying that it is false rumor. Bye!
Fair enough…. did not intend that as a personal attack. Just that Milsooper’s claims are so far beyond outrageous, it seems like your post gives him more mileage. But hey you did classify it as a crazy rumor!
Will continue watching this space.
I have no idea what Oly’s business strategy should be, but I would love to see them make a FF system in addition to m4/3. (I’ve personally lost interest in classic 4/3 but m4/3 is a great format for small systems). In fact, I would like to see them take the lead in developing “micro” Full Frame systems. If they don’t, I think Sony might go for it.
In the meantime, I can’t wait to see what Oly comes up with for their “modular” system.
Ingenious! – Olympus wins the professional world!
An (mirrorless) Olympus full frame 35 mm body that can
– use 4/3 lenses
– has a nice weather resistant magnesium alloy frame
– Geotagging
– 24.2 megapixel Kodak sensor and processors
– OM lens support (maximum aperture support!)
– Perhaps some HD-video features (full HD – ?)
– And perhaps Bluetooth and wireless-Land
… is exactly what the professional and semi-professional Olympus fans will probably buy!
It also ensures full consumer investment protection for more than 30 years and a new trust in Olympus continuous innovations! (Compatibility with OM-, Four Thirds and perhaps Micro Four Thirds Systems with flexible adapters? [Micro Four Thirds lenses using only a part of the full frame-sensor?]).
Olympus would penetrate the high end market segment and would ensure steady growth and market share gains in the camera division (very positive image effects on Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds Systems too!!!.
Olympus would also diversify the product cycle risk – with two sensor sizes – and could fight back the Nikon and Canon full frame- and APS-segment.
A special thanks to CEO Mr. Akira Watanabe – when this dream would come true!
In my opinion even an “Angry Olympus Owner” could absolve Olympus from all sins if that would be realized!
If Olympus wants to make a unique camera to lead them all and smash the gh2 video performance, they would make a full frame sensor with resolution of exactly 1080p when a m43 lens is attached (central portion of sensor) and higher res when a full frame lens is attached and the image circle is larger. That would be a true low light video and still monster. This could also avoid line skipping and as filtering for video.
I fully agree with you!
Now that’s a great post!
43 lenses would also be compatible with such a system. maybe they could play with the sensor lens offset to produce an imaging circle larger than m43 but smaller than the full frame. Or with an adapter like we have now, 43 lenses could also just be used for video. I would buy one.
I just wonder if Olympus/Panasonic really wants to be competent with other manufacturers, they must really need to consider a larger sensor for further develop. Although they may say that’s meaningless to join pixel war, it is no way to pretend the war is not existing. Olympus claims the 17 x 13 sensor can achieve 21mp but we all know that the image quality should be crap. Just like the 18mp sensor from Canon which the pixel density is just higher than the 12MP m4/3 CMOS and the image quality is not as good as 50D (15.1 MP) IMO. I don’t know what is the next step on mirrorless. The only new things I can think about are smaller body size, 14MP CMOS (crapper image quality?), or some 4/3 CMOS base point and shoot DC.
We all used to hear about the module system of OM. However, I used to talk with an Olympus representer several months ago that he said there is no such a module system going to make and ask me to help him clarify it in some forums. I don’t know is it a kind of strategy to dilute our expectation. But for a mirrorless system, especially for enlarging the sensor, module concept is feasible.
If you lot want an FF camera system go buy one. It ain’t gonna happen in the Oly camp. They are dedicated to the 4/3 format. Olympus officially announced this some time ago in press statement.
Wake up the fuck up!
The four thirds format is a full frame format. APS-C format is a crop format (when paired with a 35mm lens). The difference? 35mm FF and four thirds full frame both utilize the entire light gathering ability of the respective lenses and do not crop the image circle for each lens system, where the APS-C sensor “crops” the older 35mm film image circle. Having said that, a 35mm sensor format for Olympus is highly unlikely.
It would be interesting to see Olympus 135 format digital camera no matter what its selling will be – this would hit high-end market instantly like OM SLRs back then. But what about lenses that cover such a big sensor? For those who are happy with manual focusing the answer is simple – legacy Zuikos but for pros which relying on AF? Developing new lenses, that is time consuming (Canon and Nikon have lot of lenses). So who will buy this digital OM? Just OM lovers I think.
This must be the most stupid rumor ever!
LOL, maybe Olympus reply on Pentax!
A little bird told med that they will use a four color CMOS (RGBY) 🙂 Like Sharp’s new TV:s use four colors.
Unfortunately, Sharp’s “yellow” TVs are bullcrap, because that’s not how the signal is broadcast, and they are simply guesstimating. The resulting picture looks like a turd.
There’s no way that we’d see a Full Frame (as in 36×24 sizes) from Olympus. They’re too committed to Four Thirds to do anything else. My bet is the information that backs this rumor is likely getting muffled in transmission. For example, it could be that we’re hearing that Olympus will release a new professional Four Thirds camera that has a sensor that “can compete with” Full Frame cameras. After a few rounds, it turns into that Olympus will release a full frame camera.
I would be really shocked to see a non-Four Thirds camera from Olympus. The extra R&D for a new lens line is simply too prohibitive.
Ryan-
technicly it is possible !! with mirror less camera since the sensor is closer to the lens, imagine with a nikon or canon you could use lenses with a middle format perhaps…
Pure hypothetically, if a new Olympus full frame camera would look similar to the good old OM-4 Ti, the same way a Leica M9 looks like a sister of the M7, this beast could use the old OM-lenses. A “retro”, nostalgic concept without autofocus might be the final solution for all autofocus problems 😉 I could appreciate a digital rebirth of the famous OM-series.
This is MAJOR bogus! I well remember ‘Milsuper’s old posts when he was under that screen name. If you look back through his posting history, NOTHING he foresaw has ever materialised.
His act is to be vague and cryptic. I too was taken in for a while but I can see his, and the other charlatan [B-strap] posts for the attention-seeking BS that they are.
I hope you publish this to warn others who may make real-life decisions based on this cxxp.
After bringing in 4/3rds and then starting a 2nd version of 4/3rds, they won’t create a 3rd [4th if you count he E10/20] digital SLR system.
The hardest thing to believe is that it will use 4/3rd lenses. The image circle of those lenses is too small