[shoplink 27042 ebay]
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Image on top shows an “old” [shoplink 27042 ebay]Olympus OM photocamera[/shoplink].
Surprise! What Olympus is going to announce the second week of February is a new OM styled Micro Four Thirds camera! Unlike the upcoming Fuji X PRO 1 camera that is going to be announced soon (follow MirrorlessRumors for that) the new Olympus camera will have a new type of viewfinder placed in the middle of the camera. The camera has a super high body quality and while I don’t have 100% reliable specs now I have been assured that it has super new kind of viewfinder. I think Olympus decision to revive the OM camera history is good news. I always liked these cameras. There are many versions of it you can still find on [shoplink 27042 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Olympus will catch up with the Fuji PRO 1 regarding the body quality and viewfinder technology. Let’s see what they can do with the sensor…
P.S.: List of Olympus OM lenses on [shoplink 28153 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
To rumor sources: If you want to send me some rumors use the anonymous contact form on the right sidebar. Please use a sort of “fake name” so that I can recognize you in future. Thanks!
238 Responses
Amazing! And first… 😉
🙂
Panny cameras are looking a bit boring at the moment so could be very tempted when I buy a new camera in Spring 😀
Rumors about the sensors would be very welcome 😉
Yes, yes, yes 🙂
enhanced 12mp sensor just like they said about the e-p3.
YES!!!!!
I love the OM lenses! I have the 50mm OM f1.8 and it is super sharp when stopped down. I hope that the digital OM camera will be the GH2/GH3/NEX7/X Pro 1 equivalent. Olympus really, really needs this one to be a winner!
It’s not going to be a digital OM.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh !!!!
Need details and pr0n pictures of this one…
I whish they would make an OM adapter with a lens element, making the adapter much thinner than the ordinary OM-adapter on m43…
It would be awesome if they acctually made a elctro/mechanical adapter with a lens element…; making the adapter thin + making the camera able to control aperature just like on the OM’s. 🙂
you already know what OM looks like, what more to say
this going to be BIG!
OM is not much bigger than my E-p1 camera. If this has a build in camera, it is not big. But if this is more like a rangefinder, like the 35sp, that will be big.
PLEASE OLY!! Might just be the replacement for my GF-1! Wishlist begins…
Oh no, I was hoping for a rangefinder style body. 🙁
Maybe the VF has to be in the middle because they have found a way to get a TTL optical/hybrid VF in the m4/3 format? I mean, acording to a published interview, it’s going to be something more than an ordinary EVF. That would sure beat the Fuji X-pro1’s kludgy hybrid.
This might be the camera I’ve been waiting for, for years… Finally Olympus steps it up a notch!
I still have my OM2 outfit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordshirechurches/4426448311/in/photostream
A MFT camera styled like this would make me look at Olympus again. That said I do love my GH2 and it would have to be something special to tempt me away from Panny.
OM1 50\1.4 is a legendary combination, if Olympus can pull a mirroless system at similiar size i’d be shocked.
The OM had a full frame “sensor” too 🙂
Yes, and if they support om lens with out crop factor, like an optical adapter or if this camera is full frame ‘dreaming’ then that will be awesome!!!
An optical adaptor is the dream I have been waiting for – If you could get a full 50mm out of a FF 50mm lens on a m4/3 sensor you would also be getting 2 stops of light as well as the wide FOV! – this would make the m43 system unbeatable!
Imagin a 50mm F1.4 becomes a 50mm F0.7!!!! and my 300mm F4.5 becomes a 300mm F2.3!!!
This is the adaptor we need! – is it possible to make?
Finally they get it… Now, the dilemma is to choose between Fuji and Olympus. We know Olympus has probably the better autofocus solution and their system will be smaller than Fuji’s. On the other hand, I really really doubt Olympus will present any new sensor technology that can even remotely beat Fuji’s bigger sensor. My camera budget is pretty much depleted anyway, so I can afford to wait until both systems are available and reviewed…
I can t believe what I am reading. This is what I am waiting for since digital photography took over ! i still use my om-2 all the time and missed its compact size and was a bit desesperate for a digital camera with such a size (and viewfinder!) to come out. Awesome news !
Yes, and if they support om lens with out crop factor, like an optical adapter or if this camera is full frame, (dreaming) then that will be awesome!!!
I doubt it but I wouldn’t mind 🙂
I dream of using the zuiko 50mm 1.4 with a small digital camera.
An weathersealed E-P3 with integrated viewfinder? Nice, but I hope there are more news coming.
Some improvement of the manual focus for legacy lenses (like Sony and Ricoh) would make sense…
The rangefinder camera is played out, but an old school style SLR digital has not. If Olympus designs it looking like an OM body, I’m so gonna buy one!
when first Fuji x pro1 news came out. I wanted to buy it and then I was glad that the price is $1700 for the body so I postpone my willing haha 😀
Then this news come…OM body?? Well…….. it seems I have to prepare to be a little bit poorer !
I know what the viewfinder type is! It’s the built-in type! 😉
I’m hoping the camera won’t be too big. And again it’s a bit of a pity they don’t have too many super high quality build lenses to couple the super high quality body with. Just as a side note, and not that it matters really (to some) but it seems like Olympus have been experimenting with colours and styling quite a lot – their 1st gen lenses, then the “R” lenses, then the new all-silver primes, now the power zoom ones – I wonder if the new body will be matching these.
Btw, Admin – the security question in the login box, you can easily get an automated answer from Google.
Hey thanks, I was finally able to get myself registered… 🙂
smartass 😀
That sounds great. Thanks Admin. Any idea of how much it will cost?
Less than the fuji I hope
oh yeah! i actually use my old 1976 OM2-n film camera..and every time i use it it makes me wander why they don’t put in this perfect body a digital sensor!!!!!
i am not sure about lenses thoough. Is that om lens mount or m4/3 ? The news is confusing
The 50mm 1.4 OM is the best lens I have ever owned, but using it with m4\3 mount turns it to 100mm which is useless
I believe he only means the styling or shape of the body is like the OM series film cameras. I still have to try out the OM10 I bought second hand because I mainly bought it to get the lenses that were with it.
I hope that they have some other premium lens announcements as well. This will propel me to buy it. We all know that the kit lens is the 12-50 6.3.
Like the weather sealed 4/3’s adapter for a start. 😉
But as admin and many have noted, it’s all about the SENSOR. You can dress a pig in many different ways, but if there’s no improvement in image quality over previous models, a wonderfully retro design doesn’t mean anything.
@twoomy
sensors will get better anyway and are in development, if Oly or Panny really want to take cameras forward and steal a march on Canon and Nikon they need to introduce apps (as canikon won’t be introducing them in the next 3 years)…
just my thoughts
totaly – apps is the future!
As soon as manufactures start thinking about cameras as visual computers there will be a quantum leap!
Sensors? It’s primarily about optics, followed by “user interface” 😉
Just bought the amazing (and expensive…) OM Zuiko 90mm f/2 macro, would fit nice to the new body.
But it all comes down to the sensor for me, especially now that there seems to come a dream of a camera from Fuji.
With no new Sensor, I only would consider the the Oly with a significantly lower price, but that won’t happen…
It won’t fit that nice if the body has m4/3 mount
The news talks aboutan “om styled” m 4/3, which is most probably asmall m4/3 mount camera with a small body and viewfinder
Maybe, same viewfinder tech so E-10 and E-20.
Like OEM with in-build new EVF. Good news. But it will be probably with the same, old, below competition sensor. Not only in build EVF, but also new sensor is necessary.
And movable LCD (or OLED) will be nice too. And new primes will be nice. And some useful features like good panorama mode, HDR, peaking mode…
And portrait lens longer than 45mm (equiv. 90mm), maybe 65mm. Better 17mm (but there are 20mm and 25mm from Panasonic), wide prime (10mm?) and cheaper macro than panaleica 45mm (and longer).
Your answer might be a little tongue in cheek (I hope), but some people actually build up their hopes to redicules levels & in a frenzied way, go ballistic when the specs don’t include them.
I hope you don’t do that. 😉 😀
basicly your saying, no chance…
We will get no focus peaking, no flip out LCD, no more lenses and the same old 12Mpix sensor….
Get ready to flush….
Unexpected! Question – Would it be possible to fit 4/3 lenses on this with an adapter?
Edit – bit confused, will this be OM fit or m43fit…
“new OM styled Micro Four Thirds camera”
Blergh.
Let me guess, the same old sensor from 2008?
what if it was even older 2005 E500 sensor ?
maybe you think that worse
Maybe it take half frame film… Just kidding
Damn, I really wanted a rangefinder-styled camera! We already have SLR style bodies with built-in EVFs from Panny – give us a PEN with a built-in EVF! Oh, and a bloody new sensor. 🙂
FUCK yeah! They listened to my dreams!!! 😀
I LOVE the OM system and since I still shoot 50% of my pictures on film with an OM-4 Ti and an OM-2n, a digital OM that uses my MFT lenses would be the perfect match.
But I agree, a supernice looking MFT-OM isn’t a big step forward if theres the same old tech inside (besides the new viewfinder). Please Olympus, do it right this time! Give us killer specs and I’ll eventually pass on the Fuji X-PRO1…
Imagine a Panasonic G3 with an Olympu OM cover. Thats it.
I would need more a gf1 with a built in viewfinder on the side! Not in the middle!
Except with wireless TTL, IBIS, and better JPEG rendering.
Of course I love the OM series and FM2 from Nikon, but we were hoping for a PEN styled body with integrated VF. 🙁
Also still got my OM Kit. Olympus should have never stopped making or developing it and we would have had a digital FF OM years ago.
Still, sentimentality won’t sell it like a decent sensor would. In the 4/3rds world, sensors have slipped behind mainstream. Reality is, we need a better sensor than mainstream because it’s also a smaller sensor.
2012 is shaping up to be a very full and interesting camera year!
meh, if it was OM mount and full frame that would be real news!
OM2SP and OM4Ti are my main cameras in use!
Same here, I love my OMs so
Much that I am considering to sell of my 43 system to do film again.
It wouldn’t just be news, it would be stunning. Olympus hasn’t made a full frame lens in a long time. It would be like abandoning every philosophy they had when they started 4/3.
4/3 and micro four thirds lenses couldn’t even cover an APS-C sensor if they wanted to without a converter. With a 1.5x teleconverter, it would just cover the APS-C image circle. It would take over 2x to get to full frame.
(teleconverters increase the image circle diameter)
Now, that, is GOOD NEWS. 🙂
Oh no this is bad news. Just today I was almost 100% certain to buy a GX-1 but now this news is making want to wait.
Should I wait?
Looks interesting ! But must equipped with new sensor ( capable of clear & clean at ISO 3200 ) otherwise it’s still consider below expectation .
Can’t compete within it’s mirrorless level .
Doesn’t matter how good is viewfinder & body design , image quality is always the ultimate point when it come to ranking .
OMG I know what they are going to do now!
We already know that:
1. the viewfinder is translucent.
2. the viewfinder is right over the lens.
3. the camera is weather proof.
4. there are not many m4/3 weatherproof lenses, but there are many 4/3 weatherproof lenses.
5. the camera is m4/3 not 4/3.
Since the viewfinder is in the center and over the lens mount, it won’t be like Fuji X100, looking straight out. So then, what is the point of a translucent EVF?!
Answer: Olympus will release a weather sealed mirrored adapter to realize their “one beautiful system” along the new camera. You can put all your weather sealed 4/3 lenses on it, in which case the EVF will go in translucent mode and you’ll get a real view with superimposed information. You can of course take the mirrored adapter off, and put all your m4/3 lenses on, in which case the EVF will be used as a non-translucent viewfinder, ala Panny GH2.
Mark my words, you read it here first!
P.S. It will have interchangeable grips like E-P3 and a flash like E-30.
This makes sense..
Technically, yes. But probably not comercially.
Well when Olympus is in such financial trouble, maybe it make sense to bring back the 43 lens and OM lens design again. No more money to R&D m43 lens.
Agreed. It’s too good to be true esp from Olympus.
@Reza
I suggested a few weeks ago that the new Olympus camera would be coming with a weather proof four thirds adapter …”great minds think alike” 😀
We wish. 🙂
You might well be right – and I think I have just read it hear first 🙂
Nice deduction – Also that would explain the you will see whats so special statments from Oly regarding the VF…
And hopefully NOT with a much too outdated sensor 🙂
It won’t fit that nice if the body has m4/3 mount, om-m4/3 adapters are big
The news talks aboutan “om styled” m 4/3, which is most probably a m4/3 mount camera with a small body and viewfinder.
I believe Panasonic rumors, I believe Sony rumors, I believe even the hypothetical Fuji full frame rumor.
I do not believe Olympus would come up with anything useful.
Their curtain unveiling of EP1 and the blendtech fiasco are deeply etched in my memories. 🙁
although I know this won’t ever happen, I’d be willing to pay € 2.000,- for an OM-4 Ti with FF-sensor. don’t need things like “ArtFilters”, panonsense and stuff like this. heck, I wouldn’t even need LiveView. just an awesome 24x36mm sensor instead of the pressure plate and I’d be happy for decades with all my OM primes and the multi-spot-metering…
but back to reality: I’d have also liked to see a rangefinder-styled VF in a PEN body, but since this new MFT-OM isn’t going to be called “PEN” (afaik), there is still hope for another release this year. maybe a not weathersealed PEN with integrated VF to fit between the E-P3 and the new MFT-OM camera(-series).
GOOD NEWS 🙂
Oh Jeees – another retro camera.
And if you have to go retro, Oly (what I’m so tired of), why don’t you give us an E-1 styled µFT camera. This is a real disappointment to me.
PEN is not retro. It is a modern design. They just do marketing with the name.
“OM alike” does not have to be retro either. It just means that there is a view finder in the middle. That’s all.
Fuji makes true retro designs, and I don’t like them.
Olympus does not make any retro designs whatsoever.
Let’s hope you’re right.
Olympus reinterprets older cameras, but meanwhile they get a modern look as well. I like the shape of the new Fuji, but I don’t like its retro finish. I prefer the way Olympus reinterprets things too : Fuji way’s is too litteral.
Well, you definitely get retro sensors with Olympus cams…
lol
So there are famous pro photographers like Scott Bourne who love their E-P3, but some readers of this blog cannot dream less than the new Fuji’s one (which, by the way, still needs to prove what they claim). Ok, a better sensor would be advisable, but Olympus doesn’t need to match a Full Frame one. It can beat the Fuji X Pro in size and price, both of which are fairly achievable, and try to keep up in appeal and functionality. It already has the advantage of the lenses offer. Everybody likes the Leica M9, but very few people buy it, and not only because of the price.
I think, E-400 was first called “digital OM”, during the development phase.
Now looking back,the e400 is not nearly comparable to the good old OM1.
Excellent! As far as I’m concerned, it can look like that one in the picture, but I’d like it to have proper grip, articulated LCD and flash that can bounce. Can’t wait for the announcement! Bring on more rumors about it!
Too bad it’s not fullframe…
I dont care that much about the VF. The existing solutions already work fine. However a new sensor is my top priority. Come on Olympus… You cant release your flagship with the same sensor as a EP-1, right?
you mean as a 4/3 E-620… EP1 was the second camera from Oly to use that sensor! then the EPL1, E-5, EPL2, EPL3, EP3, EPM1…. so we have had 8 cameras all using the same sensor! I reckon another 2 and they can make it a nice round 10 before moving on 🙂 are they trying to set a world record??
Actualy I think they have – 8 cams same sensor!
I prefer substance over ‘style’ even if it’s OM style.
Olympus better get this one right or they’ll run out of money before they make up lost ground on Fuji – especially if they don’t get the price point right.
Why on earth would anyone design a camera with an EVF “right in the middle of it?”
An EVF can be located anywhere, and it would be most convenient for most of the users (the ones who have noses) if it was located in the upper left corner.
The only way to make a centrally located EVF usable is to have it protrude off the body… making the camera thicker and bulkier.
Unless by some miracle it uses a translucent optical system, then the centre might be needed for the physics of the design.
Lots of users (including me) use their left eye for looking through the VF. A middle placement of the viewfinder is better for me than the upper left corner. Therefore, I prefer the OM design. I also hope for a new sensor. Else, I think this is really good news!
Very good point!
Funny thing but I’ve never seen much any people use left eye for looking into viewfinder while about everyone uses right eye.
Just like majority of people being right handed…
Except that left handed people don’t expect everything to be made according to their demands to the detriment of majority.
I use my left eye.
I use left eye too.
I have just started noticing my right eye (the one I normaly use) is getting slighty soft, but my left eye is still perfict… so maybe in the next 5yrs or so I might make the switch to lead left eye?
Well…if you are truly an Oly fan…you could cut off your nose?
I use my left eye too; I have tried to use the right eye, but it doesn’t work. I have tried to adjust the diopter for the right eye, but this doesn’t change the problem. My left eye sees better near and my right eye sees better far away and my brain says it need the left eye to look in the viewfinder.
So I don’t care whether the VF is in the middle or the left corner. But for esthetic I prefer the RF style camera.
I prefer to have the EVF in the same axis as the lens. What’s wrong with that?! As I see it, all this complaining about smearing the display with the nose is nonsense. After all, the displays tend to be be touchscreens today and are smeared by the fingers anyway, aren’t they?
> I prefer to have the EVF in the same axis as the lens.
+1
While I don’t lobby against finders in the middle, it’s not just about smearing the screen, it’s also less comfortable/natural.
When the viewfinder sits on the side, the camera sits more perpendicular to your eye so your head stays straight.
When it’s in the middle you tend to tilt your head down to avoid pushing your nose against the back of the camera.
Having said that, if this camera has more manual controls, a great viewfinder, and a (finally) upgraded sensor it should be fantastic considering how great the new PENs are.
> When it’s in the middle you tend to tilt your head down to avoid pushing your nose against the back of the camera.
Precisely the problem… Unless viewfinder protrudes awfully much rearward from the body.
Guess we must conclude that those not noticing it have had their noses have intimate meeting with brick wall or date of last brain functionality in analog-mechanical era.
Lefty or Righty can use it?
Some people use their Left eye. Framing a shoot quick is better with the viewfinder over the lens. It also allows holding the camera a little tighter for long shoots or long exposures. When you get to know your lens real well you need only peak at the finder while you bring the camera up to shooting height for that real fast shoot. (I wish I could describe this better)
One of the design features of the original Olympus OM was that one could use both eyes.
I use different eyes at different times on a viewfinder. I never noticed my nose (Roman) being a problem with the original OM-1 and in those days manual focusing was a must. I did have some minor issues with other SLRs.
Well… I love my OMs so much that I like to use my nose to touch it.
Well for starters the top selling Canon and Nikon DSLRs have their OVF right in the middle over the lens with very little projection out the back. This is even less relevant for those with reversible rear screens which can protect them from smearing.
I always view using my left eye with my cameras and can’t image holding a camera to the right of my face and very unatural position and for me at least the center viewing is preferable. However putting the EVF to the far left corner would makes sense for a model with 3″ screen to right of EVF as EVF could extend lower down and result in a compact camera with less height.
The lastest pictures of the new Canon G1X illustrate just how high and bulky a rangefinder camera could get with full sized rear screen and even a very small OVF so a raised center EVF like that used in the Nikon 1V to incorporate a larger EVF is likely. I can also see Pany producing a similar model of GX1 with a builtin EVF in the middle.
Why a centered EVF? Vertical alignment of the viewfinder and lens is efficient, well balanced (think longer lenses) and gives you a direct line-of-sight. I have a longer than average nose and it’s never been an issue for me.
I always suspected Oly would go in that direction, as it is a sort of hybrid between the Pen and the E-Series DSLRs. Shape-wise that is.
In the light of these news… let me throw out the name I suspect it to carry.
The old Olympus OM cameras where named OM-x, the very first one, though, carried the name M-1.
Since this is no longer a camera for the OM Mount, but digital… but shares a lot with its ancestors… I vote for the name of:
Olympus E-M1
+1
+1
That would not be good:) To be a good camera it must have an “X” in it:). So “OX 1” or better still “OMX” may OZX-1 olympus zukio X as Z will be the new X.
But then… it also needs an even longer extention that is totally arbitrary:
Olympus OZX-1 SHD EX43mFF Pro !
or why not the
OMG 3D HD HDR SHG X PRO 43 – 1
Its a winner… no other camera manufacturer has a model with half as many letters…
> viewfinder placed in the middle of the camera
Sad nose :p
Otherwise, great great news 🙂
Well… still… it is E-M1 or bust, me thinks.
I’m also really looking forward towards GH3 vs. E-M1…
In the end… it may be a tough call to make which one to pick over the other…
Well, I sure hope it’s not gonna replace the PEN-series, cause I love that small brick camera’s.
I can live with this, although I would’ve preferred a Pen body instead of SLR. At least they’re mimicking the OM cameras and not regular 4/3 DSLRs. Still, I don’t see the point of having a mirror hump in a mirrorless camera, hopefully the top plate is flush and hump-less like the PENs while maintaining the center EVF, there’s no need for a hump.
Everything sounds fine but we haven’t heard of any new sensor, as many have said, without this Olympus is just shooting its own foot.
I wonder if we’ll ever see the new (or existing) EVF technology trickle down to Pen cameras late this year regardless of this model. It all depends on the projected purpose for this new camera (fusing 4/3 and MFT for maximum compatibility instead of just portability like pens). I see no point of conflict in having their two top tier cameras (Pen line & OM line) having EVFs if they aim for different crowds. Or maybe Oly will just stick to accessory evfs for PENs…yep that sounds more like the Oly we know and love/hate.
It’s a warmed over E400. Replace the prism with EVF. Loose the mirror to gain depth for flipscreen. Ad Truepic X et voila.
I do hope they will include a functionring where the shutterspeedring used to be on OM-bodies.
That would be good if the shooter speed is displayed in the viewfinder, Voughtlander had that in the early 60s, but the body weighed what a full EP-3 kit with three or maybe four lens and then some.
Hopefully it does not have the pyramid hump on top.
Other thought: I’m very impressed that FUJI got it right on their first attempt. They are clearly catering to the prosumer: 1) good build quality 2) viewfinder 3) fast prime lenses. It is a shame (since I’m already invested in m43) that even though Olympus and Panasonic have been at this for years they currently appear to be behind FUJI.
Fuji started from the scratch. Olympus and Panasonic probably had some wrong strategy initially making it hard for them to correct later, eg. the detachable EVFs.
Fuji’s strategy is limited to medium focal lengths, like the Leica. It’s never going to be an universal system that could replace the SLR camera.
It doesn’t have to be to be commercially successful. A lot of SLR owners will complement their gear with a Fuji.
I own A LOT of FT and MFT gear, but I’m seriously considering the Fuji. It all depends if Olympus gets it right with that new mystery OM.
That’s true. But I think Olympus is aiming for an universal system that eventually could rival the DSLR.
That system rivaling also DSLRs is what I’ve been expecting from m4/3 since announcement.
But another gripless brick isn’t going to be the body which could bridge 4/3 and m4/3.
The Fuji is nice looking that is for sure. It would be nice to have. I will weight for the second version to come out, before thinking to buy one. See Fuji DSLRs
FT5 😀
I welcome this rumor if it comes true, but in reality if they stay with the existing Panasonic sensor technology they’ll be playing second fiddle to the larger Fuji sensor.
LOL it only took the ‘rangefinder or die’ crowd two hours to start getting on the new Oly camera hate bandwagon. Buy the Fuji then, I hear you don’t even have to be a good photographer to take the ultimate pictures with it, the camera will cure all ills.
The bad news about this is, if they release a PEN with OM styling, my wishes for a real digital OM with FULLFRAME sensor might be dead
the good news is i might like this new olympus anyway, at least as long there’s a NEW sensor inside
It was already dead. FF is the new medium format, and will likely move upmarket as sensor technology improves and IQ in smaller sensors matches or exceeds what was possible with 35mm film.
I kinda think we are at the point where digital matches film – even the lowly 12mpix sensor is giving 1600ISO better than I remember getting with film!
Well I think DR is another thing. I tries HDR 43 photos and compared to a 35mm film. The film DR looks more natural and color looks nice. But let not go the path of this debate.
” I think Olympus decision to revive the OM camera history is good news.”
OM styled micro 4/3 is not OM.
“OM alike”?? What on earth is that supposed to mean??
Personally, I think the Fuji X Pro-1 looks beautiful, and that is what I would prefer the new Olympus to look like. What was special about the OM? (1) it was considerably smaller than other SLR cameras at the time, but more importantly (2) it was the first camera to automate the exposure when using flashes by measuring the light passing through the lens and being reflected from the emulsion of the film.
If “OM alike” means that that the EVF sticks up like a pyramid/hump from the body, why call it OM alike? Why not SLR alike or GH2 alike?
If “OM alike” means that it is the size of the OM, that is not necessarily good news — although the OM was small for an SLR, it would be considerably larger than the PEN (considering my OM 2, which I still have around).
If “OM alike” means revolutionary wrt. exposure, etc., that would be good news. But it is not very descriptive.
I also have an old OM-2 and it´s not much bigger than an EP-3. I would say that they are roughly the same size.
Finally Oly got it.
But not completely – this way it is not gonna be as small as NEX 7. Why do they put the EVF in the middle when there is not enough space due to the lens mount? They should have placed it on the left side /rangefinder style/.
Many years ago I purchased one of the first OM-1 that came to Sweden. A few years ago I bough oner of the first E-P1…
Like many has said, features and performance are still unknown.
I am surprised that some people think it is impossible to have a veiwfinder mid-centered! Please note that SLR and DSLR has been that way for decades – no noses injured, trillions of excellent photos made that way.
Having the viewfinder to the left is good if you a) use your right eye for the viewfinder, b)have split vision to use your left eye for an overview of the scene.
My self I had a couple of cameras with VF to the left, has still used my left eye for the VF. If photos made wasn’t excellent it had nothing to do with where the VF sits! (rather on what’s behind the eye…)
An m4/3 flagship doed not need to have the full (image)quality of NEX-7 or what the Fuji X Pro1 is claimed to have: m4/3 has other advantages that APS-C never can match like size, weight and price.
Having said that, personally I lean a lot towards the Fuji + keeping the m4/3. F.i. the G3 + 20mm as compact “walk-the-dog camera”. – And with tele lenses for using tele perspective in a creative way.
Some seem to dream about a full format camera from Olympus. Not very realistic, and definitely not what I’d want! Of course, they might use some full format sensor, but what is then m43 compatibility supposed to mean? With a full format sensor, it would be necessary to use the Nikon trick with DX lenses on FX bodies, and step down the resolution compared to what the sensor gives. I am attracted to the smaller body and lenses of the m43 system to make it compact and light — increasing the sensor size would be to go in the opposite direction. The APC size is precisely why I will not buy into the NEX system or the Fuji X Pro-1 system; I already have a Nikon D300 and “a ton” of DX and FX lenses.
+1
Portability is very important for me and is the major reason why I switched to m4/3.
And for sure with sensor from ep-3 ;]
Definitely not.
It’s nice, because is what I thought reading the past days rumors: the return of OM series.
At last. Been thinking of a digital OM since m4/3 was announced in August 2008. To me it’s the ideal form, size and weight for a camera. I always liked the shutter speed dial of the OM series, which is located around the lens mount. Very intuitive and easy to operate while looking through the viewfinder. Hope Olympus keeps the original design.
OK — the shutter ring might be nice, and could be “OM alike” — a ring similar to that on the XZ-1, but dedicated to shutter speed, or alternatively to the aperture when in A mode.
+1 Shutter speed dial is nice on OM, and also like on Hasselbad.
While the news cheer me up there are two factor that makes me wonder how about sensor performance? I hope it’s not tweaked old sensor again….sure 12 or 16 MP is enough but please update the noise and DR performance….and the price….
EVF in the middle + touchscreen = nose control!!!
(sorry I had to say this LOL)
I think it will be a 12 Mpx sensor; I seem to recall Rumors have previously indicated that the main emphasis will be directed towards increasing the DR and the ISO performance, not the number of Mpx. Citing admin from an FT3 rumor May 5, 2011: “Olympus has developed the sensor with “photography” in mind. He expects a low Megapixel sensor with high dynamic range and better image quality than any other current m43 sensor.” According to this rumor, the sensor will be produced by Panasonic. OK — perhaps somewhat confusing; I’d thought a Fuji sensor made more sense…
Digital OM? Good
Please, if you’re going to go this route PLEASE add the shutter speed dial around the lens mount!
What need you need is high quality and bright glass though which you’ve been sorely missing since 4/3.
Of course — if Canon would license the sensor in their newly announced G1X, that could be a possibility: a 14 Mpx sensor with shape like 43, but crop factor 1.85.
Have Canon ever licenced their sensors?
I guess, the new camera (which is not a PEN) is going to bring m4/3 and 4/3 together. 4/3 lenses working like with E-5 and m4/3 lenses working like with E-P3. Plus more, across. The best of both worlds in a weather sealed body, bigger than E-P3 but much smaller than E-5. What is now an adapter for 4/3 lenses for PEN, will then be better integrated. Hopefully…
-p-
I’m growing tired of these retro-look cameras. When will we see something looking to the future? In a digital era why are we going back to film era shapes and ergonomics?
DSLRs are looking to the future… go buy one of them. Also, futuristic designs are always silly looking.
The OM looked incredibly modern when it was released. An iPad does not look silly. If you had your way it would look like something Moses would carry. Progress means going FORWARD.
what does going forward mean? nature constantly updates its designs, yet when something works it knows to keep its classics, and so does Olympus. And I agree with you John.
Yup, and I recently started using both OM1 and 35Sp, and I love OM1 more.
What is your idea of a design that “looks to the future”? I personally find small retro designs simplistic and easy to handle and carry.
Why are you even looking at Olympus when you KNOW they are not producing DSLR !? are you thick ? Go get a DSLR if a DSLR is what you want for Norris sake ! or if you’re in denial get a GH2!
get a clue
Hmm, so E-5 isn’t a DSLR?
Yes it is but four thirds is as dead as disco music. Olympus knows mirrorless it’s the way forward and so far the numbers back it up. Not only is mirrorless the major asset of income for the camera division but other manufacturers have jumped onboard of mirreorless, that goes to show how serious the industry takes the new segment. The way of the mirror is coming to an end, maybe not the ergonomics of DSLR but moving mirrors are on the way out (just look at sony).
“A single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is a camera that typically uses a mirror & prism system (hence “reflex”, from the mirror’s reflection)”
Technically, no, these new “mirrorless cameras” are not SLR’s because they don’t have the “reflex” part.
They are pretty futuristic imo though. The lack of a mirror is what’s enabling them to be much smaller than traditional SLR’s, and allowing them to have these simple nice point-and-shoot form factors.
Gato….UM…the GX1 w/LVF2 does NOT look or perform retro…?????
This is incredible! I hope this really is true and Oly delivers on all fronts.
I just wanted to do a quick survey about what people here think about the new camera. If this new camera has OM looks, great VF, BUT the same sensor as EP3 (perhaps tweaked to get it work reliably with the new VF), a different (better) image processing engine, would you be interested?
Same 3-year-old sensor? No, not interested.
No – 4/3 sensors must be developed as the competition improves sensors all the time. The current Oly sensors have been tweaked too many times alraedy.
For existing m43 owners, same/similar sensor = no reason to upgrade.
For a new customer, they might still opt for a camera with the old sensor, because the rest of the system makes it worth it. But with GX1, NEX, X-Pro and (maybe) V1 that is getting to be a very difficult decision for a new customer. Sensor is the number 1 thing. Better lenses can only get you so far.
So until Olympus have a new sensor, they should forget about releasing a new m43.
I’m praying for an OM 2 and expecting an OM 707 🙁
“Olympus will catch up with the Fuji PRO 1 regarding the body quality and viewfinder technology. Let’s see what they can do with the sensor…”
1) They will probably have to first catch the Canon G1X with it’s larger sensor (expect it to smoke any Micro Four Turds cam with it’s pathetic kit zoom).
2) The Fuji X PRO 1 will smoke any Micro Four Turds camera every which way to Sunday.
Micro Four Turds hear those bells? That is the death knell of your sad pathetic system muahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!
Hmmm… G1X sensor is, for all intents and purposes a 4/3’s sensor…
The Canon G1X is NOT a 4/3 sensor other than proportionally. It is larger than the 4/3 Pana/Oly sensors.
Yes, but only very slightly larger.
I wouldn’t call 16% larger “slightly”
1mm larger. I don’t know how that translates to 16% using any kind of math I’ve ever used.
Besides, the sensor in the GH2 is still larger.
It is Canons ruler, it may or may not be a silly mm larger. Sorry Canon has a history of being a little off, like their ISO specs. It is a 4 by 3 format which is superior to the 2 by 3 format of most DSLRs. It uses the image circle so much better.
Also you should check your math 1 in to 16 is not 16%.
DPReview calculated the 16% larger number.
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canong1x/
Yeah, I know, basic math is hard.
That’s around the same difference as between Nikons ASP-C and Canons APS-C, and we all know how much, much better the pictures are from a Nikon, with it’s (13%+) bigger APS-C sensor, compared to it’s Canon couterpart! 🙂
a 16% increase in area is equal to a 16% increase in light gathering ability. Which means, all else being equal, the G1X sensor will have a low light and shallow depth of field advantage equal to one sixth of a stop.
The difference is very, very slight..
4/3 form factor, but crop factor 1.85. The interesting thing with the GX1 is how good the sensor is. If Canon has put energy into this, it might indicate how good Panasonic are at producing sensors/what is possible in the format as of today.
The X Pro-1 specs from Steve Huff’s page: could it indicate something approaching D3/D700 quality?
Actually, the G1X sensor is a 1.5″ class sensor. The 4/3 system sensor is a 1.33″ class sensor.
I don’t know who you’re writing to, but I’m not going to tell you again; turn off the computer and get ready for school.
Does your therapist know that you’re on the internet?
camerageek — your laughter (“muahahaha…”) has finally exposed you: You are Newman!
so camerageek = bobn2, fag of internet is xposed again
I thought it was Pablo.
He’s also Donanino, same writing structure, speech pattern, the same posting hours…He’s one frustrated piece of trash if i’ve ever saw one.
Is someone forcing you to visit this website? If M4/3 is so offensive to you, why are you here? Or do you just have that much free time on your hands while waiting for your Mommy to finish your laundry?
I’ll give my reasons concisely here.
When the pen was announced I hoped that Olympus would actually create something worthy of Mr. Maitani (creator of both the Pen F and Olympus OM). What they and Panasonic have provided was no where near that brilliant little camera.
I own a PenFT and use it everyday over my Leica M4-2 as my daily walk around camera. If Olympus had made a camera like it – a sensor with say a 1.33 or 1.4 (what an actual half frame neg is) crop with excellent performance and lenses on par with the original Pen, I’d be as happy as a pig in shit. Frankly with the numerous iterations of the same sensor, the plethora of slow zooms etc both Oly and Panasonic have failed to deliver what most people want – a high quality top notch interchangeable lens camera that is small. It doesn’t have to fit in my pocket, just be small enough that with it and say a pair of primes, I can do quality work.
Granted now we are finally seeing these lenses, but it’s a situation of too little too late. The new Fuji X Pro 1 is what nearly everyone wanted. Some settled for what Oly and Panasonic developed, but this is a market segment dominated by enthusiast willing to adapt the system as best they can with legacy glass or emerging amateurs who are just starting to develop as photographers. Oly and Panasonic have done them a disservice pure and simple. Just look at the GF1 debacle, the GX1 should have been the GF2.
Oly still hasn’t given us a great camera worthy of the Pen name (c’mon Eugene Smith won a damn PULITZER on a Pen F!!!!). I feel these two created a market sector which they should OWN and let is slip through there fingers to the likes of Sony and soon Fuji, and Canon when they wade in later this year with a system either based on the G1X or something more akin to an APS-C unit.
That’s why I ridicule it.
Yeah yeah, you’ve made your point – can’t you just stick to being reasonable and concise from now on?
I like to provide entertainment peasant boy! Now Dance!!!!
I think you’re only entertaining yourself. If you were witty in your criticisms, that could be entertaining.
Mindlessly repeating ‘micro four turds, muhahahaha’ is just sad and pathetic. Or are you trying to play the sympathy card?
I’d say you were a troll, but trolls are smarter than this. You’re just a douche.
@BLI – well said.
You need to go outside more if that’s your reason.
“n par with the original Pen, I’d be as happy as a pig in shit.”
bobn2 you are pig in shit, now phuk off
Camerageek: OK — you are disappointed by the m43 systems; there could be some rational behind that — they are not perfect. But your leap of argument that “everyone here” wants a 1.33/1.4 crop factor and that the NEX-7 or X-Pro 1 is it, is totally flawed: if image quality was all there is to it, I’d get a D4 or something. But I have “tons” of DX and FX lenses, and I simply don’t use it that much because it is too bulky and too heavy; it’s out of the question to invest in another APS-C size system with few or bulky lenses. So my rational is: try with an imperfect system which still gives good quality in the hope that I’ll use it more. I tried with the XZ-1 and was moderately happy with it, but the results were too noisy from ISO 400 on. My own leap of argument is that I think many m43rumors reader have similar background to myself. That is why most readers find your mocking writings totally immature an uninteresting. Your – at times – insightful writings, however, are usually interesting.
i don’t know why, but i smell a big disappointment… again…
yeh me too and it just won’t flush….
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/01/09/CanonG1X_Preview
Admin, based on Olympus’s statement that the camera would be “micro four thirds compatible”, I believe this new OM style body is going to have phase detection.
Olympus will then launch a new line of lenses that will work with PDAF. These lenses will be smaller and of lower quality than the four thirds lenses. Four thirds lenses will also work on this body and Olympus will have successfully united both formats.
How big will the OM body be though? If it’s to take four thirds lenses it needs a very good grip and the camera has to be significantly bigger than the Pens.
Maybe the plan will be
Pens: For consumers and enthusiasts looking for the smallest form factor (in the Olympus line).
OM: For enthusiast looking for the highest quality body with built in EVF.
Admin, please check with your sources to see if this new camera will have PDAF. That’s much more important than a new sensor. 🙂
+100 besides the discussions on how pretty the new shell is, what is fundamental for Oly and m4/3 is PDAF compatibility of the new camera.
This is NOT a Pen, it is ‘Pen COMPATIBLE’. PDAF is 100% more important of the hybrid VF. Admin don’t be lured by Oly’s viral marketing.
SENSOR is also overly important. One can’t buy a 1200-1500 camera with a 12 Mpx sensor today, unless by some miracle it has yet another stop in resolution and DR.
I have done my homework, and although my PL3 is sharper than my P2 at 3200 ISO both are unmanageable – files break apart. Panny 16 Mpx therefore would be a MINIMUM, for such an expensive camera. OM looks and WS are totally secondary to these two factors.
Think that a humpless GH3 might be looming for Spring, and then the new Oly camera will stand no chance to sell in just 3 months. And for the expected price, the X1 Pro might even be a contender for brand new upper tier mirroless customers.
The OM system is mostly famous for compactness, huge and clear viewfinder, solid build quality and silent shutter and mirror operation. A pure masterpiece. Maybe Olympus is trying to look back for Maitani’s spirit they left behind. They just need better sensor technology and not be afraid of going with f-stop below f1.8. With modern digital corrections they could make for a instance 25mm f1.2 and 50mm f1.2 glass compact and reasonably priced.
+10000000…..
Thats what I wish for too.
ADMIN, any word about Olympus bringing a fast standard prime? Say 25mm f1.2 as Michael here said? Or are they going to avoid internal competition with Panasonic? I really wish they come with a Weather sealed 25mm f1.2 or 1.4. Couple it with the new camera and it will be my new generation OM-2. Keeping my fingers crossed.
as long as fake OM is like real OM for viewfinder make many peoples very happy. 1.2 lenses always very expensive though.
I don’t mind paying something along the lines of Voigtlaender Nokton 25mm for an auto focus Zuiko 25mm f1.2.
hmm com to think of it maybe I do nott mind that either 🙂
<3
Too bad it's 4/3 and not full frame :/
OMG! This will be a killer camera! The OM legacy continues, it´s a real shame Yoshihisa Maitani isn´t alive to see his OM digital cameras. I miss so much my OM4-Ti camera. This is the perfect body for me. The real photographic tool. Many years ago, when I used to work with this camera I made a small website. I would like to share it with all you guys. http://victorian.fortunecity.com/byzantium/656/newom4ti.html
I miss multispot metering and the unique OM4 viewfinder, you were able to see the difference in stops among the selected metered spots! I still remember when we were waiting for the OM-5 with digital back but never was released! I can´t helppppppppppppp!!!
May I borrow your crystal ball? Mine is in the shop for a tune-up at the moment.
Wow, if this is true, I can finally own an OM camera. Please make it like an OM1 or 2. The OM2n was the most beautiful and advanced camera when it was released. I will definitely buy one if the sensor is also better than EP3’s.
im an owner of om equipment,and alot of m43 bodies and lenses and adapted glass,…. if they get this Right and learn how to make real lenses again with lens distance scales and dof info, and leave focus by wire in the dustbin of history , then they may have something ….. a sensor change is mandatory or this is dead out of the gate…… it needs a strong battery and a big, fast buffer… it needs a vision by visionary designers who are not saddled with the idiot concerns of management but focus on the perfect design and controls
also , a2009 sensor in this would be criminal and indicative of
a company poisoned by internal strife ,confusion and mayhem without direction or common sense …………
and we all know Olympus is better than that!
A dream will come true!
Let’s celebrate the new “EM-1” (Electronic Masterpiece)!
Yoshihisa Maitani – let us know about the festivity in “seventh heaven” (OM-1 to EM-1: 1972 – 2012 – 40th anniversary).
Special thanks go to the Olympus Imaging Division!
Best regards
Paulus
OEM-1 may be? 😉
Great! Finally not another soap box, rangefinder-styled camera, and a GH2 alike instead. Good news that the GH2 will get a true competitor.
Have we not heard this OM rumor before? I believe it was said this is what the E5 was to look like…
if it is a fullframe digital OM with kind of optical viewfinder with additional information, which can use the inner smaller part for 43 lenses and a new line of FULLFRAME manual lenses (and adaptable old OM lenses with reservations…) I m buying 2 bodys at launch; and will sell most of my other gear i have.
if it s just a PEN in a OM-dress with electronic television in front of the nose to get eye-cancer, and (old) panasonic sensor regardless which one… forget it***
With non reflective sensors it is possible to do that. They have almost arrived to market.
For christ sake.. launch a rangefinder already! Even Fuji now have a rangefinder-style camera, and Olympus and Panasonic have been making mirrorless for 4 years!
Fuji filled the nitch, there may not be even enough room for Fuji. If the price on the mirorrless rumors site is right they will own that place lock stock and barrel.
The Fuji looks real good so far. You should consider getting one if that is what you want
As many others have pointed out, E-P3 is about the same size as an OM1. An OM digital camera is basically an E-P3 + built-in viewfinder. Most likely it won’t be an optical viewfinder as some wish.
Olympus has been incrementally improving its M4/3 cameras. it is a logical step to introduce a high end M4/3 body (weather sealed, hybrid viewfinder similar to Fuji or Sony)
4/3 sensor never bothers me, a sensor like D7000 would be good enough for me, and I doubt that this OM body will have a new sensor.
I would love to see this as a full frame body, woth olympus getting sony’s FF sensor (even from the a850) and doing their colour magic.
Superb.
However, I also wouldnt mind if olympus made a deal with fuji for their new sensor tech. Think about it like this, fuji needs a sensor partner for quantities of scale.
No AA filter… The only problem they have to overcome is the autofocus. BUT if they release this with a new sensor along with say an E-7 or E-50 that should appease the 43rds crowd.
I think it is important to overcome the AF issue, the 43rds lenses are superb, whatever body they produce should come with an optional grip for the 43rds users with the extra battery power (and maybe an SLT over the new Fuji sensor)…
Exciting times 🙂
You might be right there I was told there seems to be some Olympus tech in the new Fuji.
The OM1 was my love among cameras. This pulls at the heartstrings.
well if Olympus make a quality OM lookalike with super fast AF, a HUGE finder, and better latitude sensor (I never shoot above 400asa so don’t give a shit about high iso) I’m getting one. and if they includee a 50mm equiv fast prime….game on, as I think olympus colour is far better nicer than any other brands inc fujifilm and all that’s required is greater latitude and highlight control.
I was just notified that Olympus Shares just went up 20%, the most since the original M-1 (OM1) was launched. Coincidents? 🙂
I heard it was due to Olympis sueing all the up level executives that the market is hoping this action would safe Olympus from being delisted.
But I do hope that the OM digital is the true factor here…
You are right, I was trying to joke. Did not work to well I guess. But it is kind of funny
I hef look, it look like more of a company management thing that trip share market. Oly is suing (?) some members of the board including head guy
I do like this move. Loved the OM-1’s shape and feel. If the price is good and hopefully a om adapter is included, and I’m in.
An OM adapter included… really? They are $15 on ebay, I have bought one for each of my OM lenses so I don’t have to fiddle with changing them from on the go…
Not an automatic adapter.
Prepare for a “new 12 MP sensor designed by Olympus” in this camera guys. Really, what reading this site for 1 1/2 years has told me is that features that don’t pop up in rumors are never (vastly) improved over already existing stuff.
Nice, I learned to shoot with an OM-1, and it was my camera of choice until I changed to digital in 2004. So I am looking very much forward to this. Hopefully a really worthwhile upgrade for my E-P1 (Which I still love, sold my DSLR gear since it ended up not being used any more)
If i have a hard time having a shit i look at a iso 400 file of a 43sensored camera and i ll get immediate diarrhea
You might need to see a psychologist.