[shoplink 23568]
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According to two sources Olympus will announce two new PEN cameras at Photokina in September. And I am still not sure but it sounds like the E-Px line will be discontinued. The E-Px series started with the glorious [shoplink 28308 ebay]E-P1 (which I still use daily)[/shoplink] and now is represented by the [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink].
Basically the [shoplink 23567]E-PL3[/shoplink] and [shoplink 23568]E-P3[/shoplink] will merge into one camera. The [shoplink 23565]E-Pm[/shoplink] series will continue to be the cheapest of all Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera series.
Anyway, I don’t think that is all what’s coming from Olympus at Photokina. There may be some other camera suprise…
UPDATE: The author of the.me contacted me to say that actually he thinks the E-PX will get an overhaul next year. My info is that the E-Px system as you know will completely disappear.
Links to all PEN models:
E-P3 at [shopcountry 23568].
E-P2 at [shopcountry 14830].
E-P1 at [shopcountry 28308].
E-PL3 at [shopcountry 23567].
E-PL2 at [shopcountry 18844].
E-PL1 at [shopcountry 14832].
E-PM1 at [shopcountry 23565].
Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct
75 Responses
Just like the way I Predicted.
Which was not hard to predict with the arrival of the OM-D.
Like Panasonic, Olympus will have 4 lines of M43 cameras.
Oh, my range finder EP5
+1
E-P3 was so overpriced at release and after E-M5 it makes no sense. Olympus stripped E-PL3 (compares with E-PL2) to differentiate E-P and E-PL lines.
+1
E-P3 was so overpriced at release and especially after E-M5 came out it makes no snese.
Olympus stripped E-PL3 (vs. E-PL2) in order to differentiate the E-P and E-PL lines.
Aww, that’s a little disappointing as I was looking forward to the E-Px model the most. However, I’m not sure if this new combined E-P/E-PL will take more after the former or the latter. Hopefully it takes after the E-PL3’s price.
I hope they keep the E-Px aesthetic though. Don’t really like how the E-PLx cameras look.
Agreed. Fingers crossed for an upper-left EVF as well, though I can kiss that E-PL price good bye.
new PEN with articulating LCD + E-M5 sensor pls.
Surprise?
Has to be either:
A) E7 – E5 with EM5 sensor, or
B) the mythical top of the line modular MFT cam
A) seems most likely to me.
That is a great loss. I’m very fond of the E-Px styling, feel and build quality. It’s a classic design that will be sorely missed. I’m at the point where I don’t care much about specs anymore. Whatever is offered will be good enough for my photography. Actually, I find the E-M5 a bit overwhelming. As if it’s designed to almost replace the photographer.
+1
Very well said. My exact sentiment as well.
+2 for E-M2.
Plus 3. I love my E-P3, the handling is perfect; it just needs a flipping LCD and an updated sensor. I’d also be happy if they added an integrated VF and changed the name ! But please continue to offer white E-Px !
But E-P3 with updated sensor and integrated viewfinder is already on the market. Its called E-M5. I guess it is reasonable for Olympus to streamline the mirrorless product range a little bit. Let’s say that having one high-end and one inexpensive body in both the PEN line (i.e. camera without viewfinder) and their OM-D (cameras with viewfinders) sounds reasonable to me. And if they also introduce the new sensor into inexpensive 4/3 body I would be really happy:). But PDAF in mirrorless would also do.
+1
You might want to check out E-M5 specs before claiming it’s just a “E-P3 with updated sensor and viewfinder”.
+2 I’m very fond of my E-p2, it’s a dependable and useful camera.
+1
Please continue the e-px line/styling
Thats what i m affraid off… I was hoping to replace my E-P2 with the next E-P* with new Sensor (and maybe articulating LCD) but definetly want the shape of the “Original” PEN and not that smaller design of the E-pl3…
Now i hope they take the best of both into one Camera. From my Point that would be:
Price=E-PL3
2 Dials=E-P3
Screen=E-PL3
Sensor= OM-D 😉
Wonder if they realised that the tiltscreen and the Price difference between the E-PL3 vs E-P3 was the main reason for the success of the E-PL3. I think if the E-P3 had the tilt screen from the E-PL3 and would be priced closer to 500€ everybody would have gone for the E-P3…
> Screen=E-PL3
no, E-P3 has better screen (touch responsive and AMOLED) .. that was one of the reasons that I have one.
But you probably think rotating screen .. not necessary for me.
For me E-P3 is perfect, only senzor could be better and stabilization from E-M5.
(and I hope next generation will have electronic first shutter)
Oh, yes, and
Size <= E-PL3
That's the max. I can handle with comfort. (As coming from the P&S world and not wanting to go the chunky DSLR world: size matters!)
your right, about the screen -i would like the touch responsive and AMOLED- but also tiltable -like the Om-D..
so in short i hope for a cheaper OM-D in PEN bodyshape. I m willing to pass on integrated VF, weathersealing and the new super IBIS to get the cheaper price 😉
If they can manage to create a PEN version of the EM5 without the weather sealing and a much lower cost it would be great.
You are absolutely right, I finally went for the E-P3, but it was a hard decision to renounce to the flipping LCD; however I was afraid to loose the second dial if going for an E-Pl3.
For me it’s rather strange that they want to renew the E-PM line since there are still two old PL-models around- after the announcement there will be four old PL and PM models that will rival the lower model, that will be more confusing than a E-P5/E-PL5 duo with the new sensor but different IBIS (5 axis for P5, traditional for PL5) would.
Perfect! And here’s my wishlist:
– PL3 design (OM D covers nostalgica looks)
– tilting screen
– no evf (please make it optionally at the left corner; feels much smaller, saves money), maybe even a second slot for a flash in the middle.. 🙂
– new sensor (main reason I would go for it)
– weather sealing (for dirty bags, the beach, rain…)
– cheaper than OM-D (optianlly evf ~ -200$)
– maybe two dials
– touchscreen (oled)
– maybe even wifi/blutooth or wired phone (android) connection
– speed increase >8 pic/ sec
etc. etc. (hybrid focus for old lenses with some phase focusing on the sensor, but I guess that’ll be OM D successor)
Oh yeah, looking forward to it! Are there rumors, when those might be actually sold?!
Your wish list comes too late, and so does mine:
– big enough with contoured grip to hold comfortably
– inbuilt EVF
– hot shoe
– exposure compensation dial
– direct aperture and shutter speed control
– direct ISO access
– new sensor
– radio remote strobe instead of the infernal optical remote flash control
– backlighted buttons and dials
What I don’t want or need:
– scene and art modes
– MyMode and other junk that needs setting up and sifting through
– weather-proofing
– flippy screen
– touchscreen
– bluetooth, GPS module and other gadgets
The names ‘pen lite’ and ‘pen mini’ don’t make much sense if you don’t have a ‘pen’
very true. the plain ‘pen’ is the original concept, and, i would think, important for olympus’ image and identity. E-PL3 and E-PM1 were too similar in design. i hope we’ll see a merging of those two: a simple ‘pen mini’ which is of a more modern, spartan and economical design (no flippy screen, no touch screen, no built-in flash, no built-in viewfinder, but hopefully with at least one proper dial like on the E-P cameras, and at least a textured grip if there won’t be a molded one). the top-class ‘pen’ should continue to be of the graceful, retro design with more bells and whistles, at the expense of size (and dollars). a built-in viewfinder in the corner would be nice (doesn’t have to be as nice as OM-D’s)… all the cool kids are doing it, after all (NEX-7, X100).
Yes but the NEX-7 and X100 are much more expensive and compete with the E-M5, not the PENs.
Hopefully, by merging P and PL series, they’ll add the best from E-P3 and E-PL3 to E-PL5:
-movable OLED touchscreen
-integrated flash
-interchangeable grips
-two dials
-size between the two, not too small – leave that to E-PM2
Fingers crossed for an OVF E50/E70 with new image stab and sensor from omd. would keep me happy for long time, maybe indefinitely.
Being named PEN should indicate some nostalgia and reference to the original PEN camera. Wrt. E-Px, I think that those who wanted this with an EVF are better off with the OM-D; with the built-in hump, it is actually smaller than the E-P3 with the EVF attached.
The new top-model PEN probably has a tiltable screen, new sensor, looks somewhat like a mix of the E-Px and the E-PLx, is humpless, not sure about an EVF, not sure about IBIS (depends on size constraint), not sure about weather sealing.
Why should new PENs look like 40 year old PENs? About the only things they have in common are the name and the fact they all take pictures. The fussy details of the early EP- and EPL-s are distractions. The EPL3 and EPM1 finally, and successfully, shook away those trappings.
Using that argument, car models that have been around for decades should still have running boards, tail fins and suicide doors.
Well i really like the Design and controls of the E-Px series.
The design is a feature which seperates the PEN from the GF-1, actually i bought the E-P1 just for the look of it-just to discover the world of MFT afterwards.
And yes, i also think that the image qualitiy is more important, than the look of the camera but if i can choose i ll always take the design that i like more.
Ok, just to confess-i also like old cars, rocknroll music and 50th style in general-so maybe my taste dosnt count 😉
They should of course not be identical. The modern FIAT 500 fortunately does not have doors that open at the front (“suicide doors”, the classic models Nuova, D and K). But if the new FIAT 500 looked like a Volkswagen Beetle or a Citroen 2CV, I doubt they would have called it FIAT 500. And — the FIAT 500 never had tail fins.
Cool.
EP3 + epl’s tiltyness of screen + epl’s fps + OMD sensor = sold!
So basically Olympus will follow Panasonic’s path :
GF / EPM
GX / EPL
And OM-D between G and GH.
I remember some months ago an Oly manager said there´s no reason why a PEN schouldn´t have an EVF. So maybe they release 2 basic PENs now and an upper PEN later?
I´d like to get an E-PL3 with OM-D sensor and EVF. But I think that´ll stay a dream.
I´m also very curious about a possible XZ-2 !!!
Yes! It would be great if the coming pen has the same sensor as the OM-D and a rangefinder style EVF!
That would just be perfect!!!
I hope both cameras have the new sensor and image stabilization system. I am looking forward on purchasing a pen this year and this two products will make my decision easier. I tested the EM5 and love it but I rather purchase a cheaper pen camera with the same sensor and use the extra money for another lens.
That’s a shame. I would definitely buy the E-P5 if it went a little upmarket and included corner-based EVF and EM-5 sensor without some excesses of the EM5 construction. Not that I had high hopes though. But some of EVF-less Olympi definitely deserve an axe, so the merger of EP and EPL seems pretty appoproate.
Admin : it’ s possible that we can see this things already at the Ifa in Berlin.
I hope they announce a fast 20mm or 25mm lens. Olympus cameras work the best with Olympus lenses.
I have been happpy with the Pana 20/1.7, both on the E-P3 and the E-M5. I have not seen any banding so far. I like this lens because of (1) it is small, and (2) because of the closest focus distance (ca 20 cm). What I wish could be better are (a) AF speed, (b) it is somewhat noisy, and (c) weather sealing.
I have noticed Oly’s aknowledgement of banding problems, Pekka Potka claiming it could be optically better (and that in reality it is not 20mm, but closer to 17-18mm).
Thus, it seems that there could be room for a new normal lens from Oly:
* MSC, fast AF, no banding problem
* pancake sized, or not much bigger than Pana’s lens
* close focusing distance (max 20cm)
* weather sealed — and weather sealed lenses could be black
* optically better than the Pana 20/1.7
* max aperture 1.7, or at least not slower than 2.0
* focal distance — preferably 17.5-20 mm
* price: similar to the Pana 20/1.7
With something like this, I might consider an “upgrade”.
I agree and heard both sides on the banding and the aperture blades making a noise good and bad. but after reading about the 45mm and the 75mm performance. I’m hoping olympus is going to do the same quality with a 17mm 20mm or 25mm. I would prefer the 25mm cause I love my nikon 35mm 1.8 on my 5200.
As for lens announcements:
Maybe there is a clue in the OM-D IS menu: When you select the focal length of lens they give you the option for 21mm but no 20mm!
21mm is a classic OM lens focal length (wish there was a 10.5mm UWA m43 prime (f/2.8 would be fine)!)
But more interestingly, classic Oly rangefinders (35 SP and 35 RC) have 42mm focal length lenses!
So maybe Oly will follow its roots again and have a 21mm prime.
If it were f/1.4, had a direct feeling focus ring and a customizable function ring, weather sealed, metal barrel in black and silver… Oooh baby.
Also, I have a 35 SP only suitable for parts but it has a fantastic lens. I want to modify it for m43 mount, anyone else thought of this?
I guess the 17.5mm is a perfect “upgrade me” candidate 😉
Only two cameras makes a lot of sense, but it should be an EP5 with articulated LCD. Let the EPL series die. The only reason I can think that they will continue with EPL and EPM is manufacturing costs. They are committed to the OMD, so keeping the EPL and EPM means basically only managing one other body type. The EPx line is yet another body type, but it would be a shame to lose it. It’s a great configuration.
I find the EP lineage pretty confusing and think some simplification is in order. Two models is probably enough, but I hope they keep a serious amateur/semi-pro model.
Don’t know that it means to say that the E-Px and E-PLx will be combined. Will the Px get a tilting screen? Or, will the PLx get a larger form factor and more dials to make it easier to handle? Then, what do you call it?
I have both the E-P2 and E-PL3 and have just ordered an E-PM1. I prefer the E-P2 and its ergonomics except when carrying size or autofocus speed are issues. I’ve delayed buying an OM-D until I see what the E-Px offers. One thing is for sure, the current price points for the OM-D and E-P3 at full retail are too close. If E-P3 sales are suffering, suggest it’s because you can get 90% of its digital functionality in a PL3 or PM1 for something like half the price.
My vote would be for a PEN-style E-Px with a tilting screen and new sensor costing about $700. And the VF-2 EVF suits me just fine since I shoot Rolleiflex style; I wouldn’t need a built-in viewfinder, especially if the E-Px has a tilting screen. As said above, let the E-PMx carry the load for a small form factor that can function as a transition between “point-and-shoot” and the PEN line. It would be disappointing to see the PEN line be downgraded to a E-PMx and a “super” E-PLx. With that, predict that enthusiasts would lose interest in the PEN line.
Good, as long as merging E-PX and E-PLX doesn’t mean loosing AEF/AFL button. Olympus still has room to make it’s line of bodies simpler.
Maybe a E-PM2 and E-PX1, for Olympus need also system camera by “X” in name. 😛
I agree that having four Pen style lines is a bit much, it is logical that Olympus would want to simplify it. I have an E-P2 myself and like the styling. The comments show that speculation on what might evolve is all over the map. Since I’m not in position to buy another body right now I’ll just have to wait and see 🙂 I’d like to get an E-M5 OM-D but with an E-1, E-620, E-P2 and various Olympus manual cameras I have restrain myself 🙂
I don’t own any Panasonic bodies at this time, but I also feel that Panasonic has not enunciated a clear rationale for their many multiple lines either. Just my $0.02 worth opinion.
Two Pens: one high level Pen with multiple features and one with the smallest possible form factor. That makes sense.
The proliferation of models over the last three years was a marketing ploy to churn the market with “new” models that weren’t really all that new every six months or so. m4/3s is now well established, so that need doesn’t exist like it did. The other reason that we’re down to two models is you need to fit them into the space between the XZ-1/2 at $500 and the E-M5 body at $1,000. And if the XZ-2 gets the new 1″ sensor, it may actually be more expensive than the Pen Mini.
Two new Pens, plus some new lenses, plus the E7 will make the Olympus booth at Photokina a very busy place this year.
Personnally, I like the E-P3 very much. The handling is perfect (save for the traditional quirks reproached to all Olympus cameras, the Mysets and bracketing implementation and the need to circle through the display screens with the info buttons).
The only thing lacking in the E-P3 was the flipping LCD which is present in th E-Pl3. Really, I’d be sorry if they discontinue that series : if they updated the sensor, added the E-Pl3 flipping LCD and integrated a VF, that would be the perfect digital range finder shaped camera ! May be that is what they are after and why they want to start a new series. That would complement my not yet delivered E-M5 perfectly !
+1
EP-1 glorious? I had never seen such a lame introduction of a new product line. The EP-1 was underpowered, slow, feature missing. Not really competitive to what the competition of Panasonic had offered at the same time.
It was no surprise that the EP-1 was very quickly replaced by a more competent successor, the EP-2.
The EP-1 quickly achieved shelf warmer status.
“…more competent successor, the E-P2”
What you mean addition of black paint and a few more art filters?
The E-P3 was the true successor… Great little camera!
Agree E-P1 and E-P2 is like twins.
When released, there was nothing else like the EP1. Nothing. And certainly not at the price point. It was a good first launch into the space. Glorious might be overstated, but don’t understate it, either.
My main problem with the lighter pens is that I feel they are unreliable. I had a PL1 with a stuck shutter, and realised that the blades must be made of light plastic.
I love the apparent sturdiness of the P2, and its no-nonsense buttons. No PL is going to give me that. The E-M5 is over the top for me, I don’t need 5 axis IS, I don’t neeed 9 fps.
I just need a simpler, reliable camera, a Leica of the poor in the m4/3 format. The E-Px could be that.
After reading all these comments one feels Olympus is making the wrong decision by discontinueing the E-Px line.
If you go by the comments here, every manufacturer is making the wrong decision, everytime. 😉
I think that Oly should be more careful. Despite I like m4/3 as a lens environment, if they kill too soon their main models, I might be tempted by NEX 7 which has some better ergonomics.
Asking 1000 $ for a camera entails some added responsibility. One does not like to start the expense again every year.
So decide a model and stick to that. Sensor and lenses are what people judge in the end.
Well i hope we will look a E-PM2 and E-P5 by tilt screen on Photokina in September. 😉
A NEX-7 coupled with my Voigtländer (Leica M and L mount), Nikon AI-S and Pentax SMC Takumar lenses seems like a pretty nice and potent combo.
I agree, there’s no need to buy new camera every year, especially with the complexity of them.
After 67 comments, I am still wondering why Olympus would skipped ‘4’ and go to E-P5 ? instead of E-P4 ?
The E-M5 nomenclature is understandable since they are reviving the OM range, and they already had the OM4.
But why not E-P4 ?
That aside, i would like to see the next PEN (E-P4 or whatever), to have OMD sensor + 5 axis stabilizer & tiltable AMOLED screen. And probably the higher speed processor to match or exceed the E-M5’s CDAF. The rest should remain the same as E-P3 (especially the dimension, which is perfect). Maybe work at improving the handling ergonomics, menu system.
EVF? if they include an EVF, then there is nothing to differentiate it between the PEN and the OMD series. And they would want to continue selling the VF2 and VF3 still to buffer up their cash flow. So, probably no EVF for the new PEN, and not weather sealed too.
I would love the E-P4 name, but there seems to be a strange superstition in some Asian countries about the number 4. I’m glad Nikon doesn’t care.
Maybe they should have made the system m5/3.
Olympus did have the OM4 and OM4 Ti … so the number 4 was used.
And in Asian culture, number 4 is considered bad luck only among the Chinese community. Japanese are different.
Please don’t have an articulating screen like the E-PL3!!! Between the E-PL3 and the E-M5 (both articulating screen models) I find the screen just takes up too much space on the body and makes the handling really fiddly with tiny controllers and buttons. Just give me an E-P3 with E-M5 sensor… and maybe E-M5 IS. Oh and make it compatible with the E-M5 grip would be awesome too.
Yeah tilty screens can be handy, but not at the horrid expense of ergonomics that is the E-PL3!
“…Just give me an E-P3 with E-M5 sensor… and maybe E-M5 IS. Oh and make it compatible with the E-M5 grip would be awesome too…”
+1
“…Just give me an E-P3 with E-M5 sensor… and maybe E-M5 IS. Oh and make it compatible with the E-M5 grip would be awesome too…”
+1
But a local dealer told me that E-P5 will be on market in Sep.