Digicameinfo reports that the official Olympus product announcement date is August 28. Usually this means we can expect press releases to be official at 5-6am London time.
If the rumors we got so far are correct we will get the new E-PL7, Silver E-M1, E-M1 firmware update, 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO zoom and likely two-three more PRO lenses shown as mockup or pre-final version (7-14mm for sure and maybe a 9mm and a superfast prime).
These are some more info about the E-PL7:
– Price ¥ 71,000 (rough conversion: $670).
– There will be a dedicated Waterproof protector PT-EP12. Price of about 65,000 yen.
– 16MP Live MOS sensor. Low-pass-less
– ISO LOW (ISO100 equivalent)
– Image processing engine TruePic VII
– Fine detail II
– Real Color Technology
– 81 points FAST AF
– Continuous shooting 8 frames / sec.
– Monitor 1.04 million dot 3.0-inch. Touch panel
– Self portrait mode
– 3-axis camera shake correction VCM
– Art filter 14 types. Add a “vintage” and “Part Color”
– Wi-Fi Built-in. Possible cooperation with the smartphone. Remote shooting function
– 114.9mm x 67.0mm x 38.4mm size
– (Including memory card and battery) 357g Weight
– Media SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I)
– Battery BLS-50
– The color of the body is silver, white, black
– Kit, EZ double zoom kit lens and EZ Kit
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53 Responses
Where is teh EVF?
If you’re talking about the E-PL7 then it would be the VF-4 you would attach to it. If you were trying to be funny, it didn’t work.
Though if he were to be pertinently clever, he’d be spot on. It’s a high end ILC : it NEEDS an EVF. And a clip-on thingie makes it not compact anymore : which sadly makes that particular model irrelevant. Such a camera without an integrated corner EVF really doesn’t make any sense to me… like it or not.
I think the GM1 made the E-PL/E-PM series somewhat irrelevant.
Before I could decide whether I needed I wanted a compact package and attach the EVF accordingly.
Today if I want a small package, I grab the GM1. If I want manual controls/EVF/flash, I take my M10 or GX7.
It appears that they’re basically merging the E-PL & E-P lines which makes sense. Now shrink the E-PM to compete with the GM series.
I think the PEN series still has a place, they just need to shrink the line to two models and make a significant difference between the two.
I disagree as I find the E-PM2 an ergonomically better camera than the GM1, not to mention it is infinitely cheaper leaving you with more money for lenses. I think the GM1 has officially reached the extreme of being too small for an ILC camera. Controls are miniturized, and any lens besides a pancake makes it tip towards the front. not faulting anyone for owning it as they likely don’t share the same opinion on ergonomics as I do. Just wanted to counterpoint the idea that a GM1 is the answer for a portable m43’s camera.
I have voted for the GM1 with my wallet, so obviously I disagree; but this is neither here nor there. The crucial point, however, is that, once you reach the size of the EPM2, the constraints of miniaturization are no longer an excuse. So, I demand a pop-up EVF, 5 axis IBIS, at least 2X2 manual controls, and full weather sealing. In fact I demand everything they have put into the EM1, but in a significantly smaller package; and if they choose to go skimpy on features, then I demand a rock-bottom price. Unfortunately, the PL7 does not deliver on either front.
What miniturized controls? It’s basically all touchscreen. 😛
I definitly thought about getting the GM1. Wouldn’t really be using it with my 14-140mm or 100-300mm, but the 12-35mm would suffice for city trips, maybe carry around the 14mm and 20mm in each of your free coat pockets. Think it would be mean for street photography. I mean, I doesn’t get more ‘bare essentials’ than that and it doesn’t draw much attention. And you won’t have the feeling your photography is becoming a litteral burden, having to carry around all kinds of heavy duty gear. To me there’s something very appealing to something so tiny and portable that’s still able to pack a punch.
But well, I already have the GH2, GH4, LX7, FZ1000, BMPCC and OM-D E-M1. Although the GM1 has a certain appeal, for some reason it hasn’t made it into my inventory. The GM2 could just change that though.
But for now I’m mostly curious to see what the ‘huge’ firmware update to the E-M1 will actually do. I’d love an enhanced 1080p mode with 24/25p. That would already make me a happy camper. Anything added is a nice bonus.
If the rumor about GM getting an EVF is correct, Oly would have to shrink the the EP/EPL lines to make the PEN line relevant (IBIS+2nd curtain+more physical controls v. EVF). Sadly, they missed the boat. Again.
And now your $670 EPL7 is officially $870.
It’s official, is it? It’s not mine as I prefer the OM-D’s (since I have the E-M5 & E-M1). To each his/her own.
I probably won’t get much work done that day. 😉
Ha! +1
The biggest question for me is if the E-M1 Silver will be available in a bundle with the 12-40mm and what rebates it will have. Olympus UK current promotions end on August and new ones should come out in September, just in time for the new E-M1.
Sorry, maybe it’s just me but I don’t see a market for E-PL7. It doesn’t cater neither to enthusiasts nor “casual buyers”. Why don’t the makers look at Apple? Simplified product lines with longer life cycles and updates. Along with other services they create an ecosystem, not just one-off product that will figure in massive fire sales just 6 months later. I keep saying it over and over again – will the average person go through the pains of dragging a camera, swapping SD cards, editing RAWs in dedicated software and eventually, maybe days or even weeks after the event/holiday, posting pictures to social media? Of course not. Make it easy for people to take a photo, adjust contrast/colors from RAW and immediately post pictures through WiFi – then maybe it would be worth taking a camera to certain valued events. On the other hand, enthusiast buyers will likely choose something more sophisticated with EVF included.
Apple products have longer life cycles? Every yr there’s a refresh of imacs, ipads, iphones, laptops, etc etc… The only long life cycle s the mac pro desktop.
Frankly the easiest way is to shoot jpg & post direct. The whole raw editing is not easy for people, esp editing it in the camera.
But you can buy an iPhone and you know there won’t be another one released in 6-8 weeks, which seems to be the average rate for M43 bodies. As for JPG – true of course, but look how many people use cheesy Instagram-like filters on their phones. I don’t like it, you probably don’t like it but they do like it. It would be easy to incorporate such filters taking advantage of better dynamic range. Otherwise it’s the same blown-out JPEG just like from any phone camera.
Name an m43’s camera that was refreshed in 6-8 weeks.
You know how I mean it – no need to explain.
Just because you didn’t like or buy the E-PL5, many did & love it. If the price is OK on this E-PL7 then there will be a market for it, especially as prices drop, as they always do.
$670? That seems a little too much. Almost no reason why anyone would buy this over E-M10, specially seeing how frequently $50/$100 discounts come around. Should have priced this closer to $500-600.
Agreed. You can find EM-10 bodies already for under $600. The EPL7 should be retailing for $500 as it is basically the same camera without an EVF.
With the Olympus PL7 at $670 the new Sony a5100 at $550 it’s looks more interesting. Anyways i will keep my E-M5.
Yep, same feelings here. PENs are not selling well, and without aggressive pricing, I just don’t see a market for E-PL7. Maybe if those 670$ can buy you a dual lens kit, than maybe it’ll find some buyers. Maybe.
Fewer controls than the EM10, no EVF, only marginally smaller size… I would have paid gladly even more than the asking price, if the PL7 were as small as a GM1 (or at least the RX100); but it is not even PM2-sized! With a set of features skimpier than EM10’s and no effort of miniaturization this is just a rip-off. Is Oly losing it?
Dials should have been black on that E-M1…
My E-M5 still gets the job done, I’ll wait for the E-M1 replacement
Don’t forget this is a poorly, leaked image of the E-M1. I ‘m in favor of silver dials, with a slight different “shade” of silver.
I wish they kept the natural metal finish, or polished instead of painted, especially for a flagship product. Oh well, I like the black better anyways.
The silver E-PL7 has silver knobs, so I believe it’s ‘the new theme’. 🙂
Actually, the E-P5 has too.
This would be the perfect camera for me (small size, 3-axis IS, EVF add-on option) except for the lack of twin-dial control… I guess they are trying to limit twin-dial to the E-P line but it just seems like such a cynical move since it is clearly possible and easy to keep the rotating dial around the 4-way pad on the back. Oh well… I understand why they want to do this but surely I can’t be the only potential customer (and existing Olympus user) that want good controls with a smaller-than-EP5 body 🙁
How is making the EM1 silver a marginal improvement? I must be losing touch of the real world LOL!!
In theory, the silver finish refracts light giving the camera a +1 stop advantage over it’s black counterpart. The diffraction of light is heavily related to the “raleyigh” effect when a baby’s stain diaper is accidentally tossed into a washing machine.
The silver finish also utilizes a little known effect of marginally improving the diffraction of light, similar to the light wave/particle eperiment of yore. Weak measurements of light going through a silver EM1 are improved.
Also reflects heat rather than absorbing – therefore runs cooler and hence less noise
You’re absolutely right. It’s a major improvement!
I think this is a bad move for Oly. Not the camera itself but even making an announcement about it right before Photokina. It’s a blip on the radar. It should show up on their website as a new option for color choices and that’s it. Announcement? Call me when you have something new to offer.
If they can blow their trumpet announcing 4K video with it (since the sensor is capable of it), then it won’t be a ‘blip’.
In case you didn’t see these.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/02/10/olympus-om-d-em-1-sensor-is-made-by-panasonic-not-sony
http://www.semicon.panasonic.co.jp/ds8/c3/IS00006AE.pdf
If they do implement some version of 4K video recording, it’ll probably be of low quality with a lot of limitations. Without upgraded components, the E-M1 will never be a serious video camera. Besides, the IBIS is fine for certain situations/styles of shooting, but the wobble and quiver it ALWAYS gives the video isn’t good enough for regular use.
A simple test to demonstrate purpose built video cameras is to record with them nonstop and see how long it takes to overheat. Even if the camera doesn’t shut down, a lot of these still cameras begin to show greater and greater noise as heat builds up. It’s fine for casual shooters or maybe even a commercial/music video, but is unacceptable on productions that are 12+ hours for many days/weeks.
Of course, & the E-M1 will never be a ‘video camera’ as such & if they do implement the 4K I would think it would be limited to some extent too, but…… It will still be a selling point & will add to the appeal of the E-M1 & the new silver E-M1. We shall see what will come in the firmware update & whatever comes will be welcome & will add to the attractiveness of the E-M1.
Sorry but most serious videos takes are only few seconds to few minutes by lengths. Far from 29:59:59 limit or heating problems.
I have shot 60min (3x21min) video in 55-65° temperature without problems, IBIS enabled. Higher and I am sure that there comes clear noise addition or long periods and camera shuts down.
And there is ALWAYS people who are unhappy what ever Olympus does.
With E-M1 one can take it to most common temperatures (from -10° to 32° degree) without problems.
There are very few cameras what are capable to over day non-stop recordings and you will have so high budget that you don’t use any of these cameras from any DSLR manufacturer or mirrorless.
Do you know that what electronics and digital components are in E-M1?
Exactly, You don’t so it is your time to stop being idiot believing they need to add new hardware to “be serious” as we do not know.
And your wobble and quiver video is pretty unique as you really need to push Olympus IBIS to its limits for that. Training is required even with it to get great results hand held.
Finally! I have owned an EM1 for over a year, and I’ll tell you what I really really have been hoping for. It’s for Olympus to bring out an EM1 in a different color
LOL
Be patient. They may do a limited edition, premium priced orange model for the holidays.
How ’bout we skip the orange EM1 and get a EM5 successor, eh?
They’ve kept the EM5 in ads, so could still be in the works.
It is…
Is it a new battery or the BLS-5?
It is leaked info, so probably a typo.
Whatever happened to the Olympus Trip-D?
Interesting that the EM5 is featured alongside EM1 and EM10 in current print ads…
It’s still a current model that hasn’t been replaced yet, and it occupies the slot between the E-M1 and the E-M10 in the line-up. So why wouldn’t it be featured in ads?
E-PL7Looks really nice.
I hope ther will also be a kit with EZ lens.
That will be really neat. Real true to the m43 concept.
Unfortunate lack of EVF is old story. Maybe one day….
It’s listed in the specs above.
“- Kit, EZ double zoom kit lens and EZ Kit”
This 9/1.8 rumor is way, way too good to be true. Manual focus -no way. F/1.8 -too fast. They barely managed to get the 12/2 to reasonable IQ wide open. Maybe this lens could come from samyang one day, but even that I doubt given their reluctance to design m43-specific lenses.