Olympus recently registered the name of two compact fixed lens cameras and the new E-M5II.
The CP+ show will start in February 12 and we have a pretty clear idea about what’s coming from Panasonic and Olympus. Here is the list of cameras and lenses and please tell us what you will consider to buy:
[poll id=”264″]
Possible surprises: I still have no clear info on new Panasonic MFT lenses. And Olympus may show first mockups of the super fast prime lenses like the patented 12mm f/1.0!
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101 Responses
It’s almost excluded that Panasonic would recycle that old G3 sensor. No serious people could consider that. I bet on GM1/GM5 sensor and assume that a new generation sensor is also coming for high end models (GX8, GH5, etc).
Yes , that is what I thinking too .
New generation sensor in it’s kind , at least we can still expect further improvements in ISO & DO although I still hope for a turning point in Fuji-Pana Organic project .
Considering that there are still serious people out there who shoot with the G3 or the GX1, so why not? It’s not like it’s a bad sensor.
Besides, the GF series isn’t targeted at serious photographers. It’s a consumer entry-level camera, and the target customers for those don’t care about the sensor inside their camera. If they did, then the Canon Rebels wouldn’t be the bestselling cameras that they are. Heck, I’d be surprised if most casual snapshooters even know what a sensor is!
Agree, the GX8, GH5 and E-M1ii will have (better have) improved sensors. The E-M5ii and the GF7 seem to be placeholders.
I hope the new 7-14 will make the prices of the old 4/3 7-14 drop, and then I will buy one of those. And if they release a Tough with raw output, I’ll buy that too. 🙂
“none of them”
Waiting for something like a Panasonic 100-300mm F4….
Yes, this lens is needed!
Panasonic already said that they considered this lens but decided to cancel its development as there would be little demand.
Dont know how they can come to that conclusion when they had it in development in first place (that needs a valid reason to start product development) and we know there are many who needs and wants longer zoom. Even if it would sell just 2000 units, it would be good for sales.
I don’t think they said anything about demand. I think it wouldn’t fit into their weight and size design philosophy so they scrapped it. A shame as it would still be smaller than anything of comparable speed and reach.
They felt sales would be too low to cover development.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/06/05/panasonic-executive-interview-part-i-why-no-long-teles-and-depth-from-defoc
“Yes, we had been considering, but looking at the overall situation, what it would take for development and what sales there would be, we decided to cancel the long telephoto zoom. “
300 F4! I want it now!
Waiting for a successor of the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm F2.8-3.5 with lowest price than the corrent pro,or for a Oly Lx100 alike.
Panasonic also has a 30mm F2.8 macro in the pipeline. Pre-announced at Photokina, it could be ready for release soon.
30mm is very very narrow for macro. Almost better then use 17mm f/1.8 or 12mm f/2 with extension rings if needing a wide macro.
You do realize most FF macro lenses are in the range of 60mm to 105mm, with some even longer. 30mm is, if anything, a little on the wide side for macro. Longer focal lengths give you more reasonable shooting distances at the same magnification.
Yes, it is quite a short focal length for macro. Still, I don’t shoot a lot of macro so would be interested in the 30/2.8 if it’s compact and the performance is there. I’d also be shooting a lot of inanimate subjects, so the focal length won’t be such an issue. We shall see…
so if the GF7 have no 4k mode, what’s the entry level that’s able to record 4k ? new GX or new GM?
G7 is what they trying to mean in the early time but it looks very unlikely .
Blame the G series fans for being not enough to support the sales & the OMD factor as well .
I vote nothing .
Better wait for something serious before decide what to buy .
Such as X Pro 2 & a7000 , a9 too & my beloved GX7 successor of course .
In the other comment section you were going hog-wild about the 7.14, though.
Yes but I’ll not rush to it .
Better wait for the pricing to adjust a bit before going into it .
Priorty still on GX7 successor & as I have completely write off EM5 successor in my wish list .
I understand, though I don’t think the 7-14 will come down in price soon. I need one quickly for my summer vacation, so I can’t really wait too long…
I can see the urgently of the lens for you .
Just like me when I desperately fancy the 75mm F1.8 & 15mm F1.7 & purchase it once it hit the market .
I’m waiting for an a7r2. See how it handles… If it can stabilize the image.
I’m also waiting for Oly to win at video. When it does I woukd like to roll with the m43 system I’ve built and a full frame, just have to decide if it will continue to be my nikon sys or the Sony.
Then ask yourself , which one you prefer to go for a FF , a mirrorless or SLR ?
For mirrorless , Sony is the one to choose while SLR go for Nikon .
so a possible gf7 is the major mft announcement from panny for cp+?
Likely .
Timing just not good enough for manufacturers to launch big products .
Only interested in returning to Olympus if they improve video. Will wait for Gx7 and a6000 replacement before considering something other than my Gx7/Lx100 pair.
If the a6000 replacement has decent IBIS for video, and Sony puts out some more native lenses, then they could cause trouble to Olympus/Panasonic.
Also, what is Samsung up to? They have good lenses. They need a small-bodied NX1.
Samsung is rumored to a have a non-weather sealed version of the NX1 coming soon, with 4k video as well. It sould be a bit smaller. There may be a second smaller camera as well.
What are you looking for in video? What are your hot buttons?
I need the Oly 7-14mm.
I’m curious to see how the stacked 40 mp files of Em5II will look in RAW.
And a Sigma dp3 Quattro for portraits, maybe. 🙂
Just get a cheap DP3 Merrill, even better, not weirdly shaped and available at very low prices. I’m insanely happy with mine (but still craving a Nocticron :D).
I like the new weird shape of the Quattro, what I don’t like it’s the SigmaPP software.. It’s so muddy….
Nocticron is a beautiful piece of glass ;).
SPP is truly terrible. But it’s worth it for the insane IQ, and you won’t take too many pictures with a DP anyway (due to bad battery life and it being a very limited / specialized camera). I guess whenever I bring both my E-M1 and my two Merrills, the picture ratio is at least 3:1, i. e. I usually take three times as many pics with the E-M1 as I do with the Sigmas. I only use them when I truly want outstanding IQ and conditions are perfect (ISO 100 is a must :D).
That’s why I would go for the dp3: to be used on a tripod when needed. But I must admit that I’m fascinated by those exotic sensors…
During the last months, while walking around, I had that 3:1 ratio in favor of the tiny RicohGR. :))
I have the GR as well, amazing camera. I’m covered at 28mm (GR), 45mm (DP2M) and 75mm (DP3M) by these amazing compacts – and can use the E-M1 for everything else or whenever I need speed 🙂
The 7-14mm f2.8 is the most compelling thing in the list. If it’s not a marked improvement over the Panasonic 7-14mm, I’ll probably skip it.
Although, selling my P7-14mm would pay for a good chunk of the O7-14mm. 😉
A friend of mine is waiting for my P7-14 🙂
It will be interesting to see the re-evaluation of the second hand P7-14 on the market.
I found interesting that the second hand prices for the Pana 35-100 2.8 got higher in the last months, after Oly launched the 40-150 2.8
I would have expected the opposite. Go figure..
Would love to hear your thoughts on the DP3 for portraits, if you get one. Sounds like a UX nightmare that could be worth overlooking to get the IQ
Let’s see when it will be available.
I might be wrong, but I think that the easier way to work on Foveon files is that of converting the original file in TIFF and export it to the preferred “app”, be it Lightroom, Exposure, SilverEfex or whatever.
I hope that my website will be ready for that moment: if so, and if I’ll get it, some kind of review will be there 🙂
We don’t know if RAW is an option for the 40 mp mode. It might be like Live Composite an JPEG only thing. We need to wait until the actual announcement to decide these things.
i sure hope Oly comes out with a filter kit for this baby
Who in their right mind would by GF without 4k or any other important features when you can buy a camera like g6 second hand for ~250 euros. At least the em5II brings some usefull features.
If these are the announcements then my money stays in my pocket. I was only interested in a GX8 announcement.
Yes .
Save it for GX7 successor .
Btw , X Pro 2 likely to come out in late of the year so I expect the GX7 will be the same .
Probably enough time to develop a new generation sensor & an ultra fast prime to pair with it .
I want the Oly 300mm F 4.0 Pro. I wonder how much longer I will have to wait for it?
At least another 9 months is my guess.
f1.0 over f2.0 is a massive 2 stops difference. ..and I assume it would be “relatively” small, light and usable at f1.0.
Given the price of the m.zuiko f2 / 12 as a base reference, I have no hope that this lens will be anything but for a niche market.
So, no more words on the “exciting” fixed lens camera from Olympus….that’s the one I was looking forward to….
They will release two “exciting” fixed-lens cameras, the SH-2 and the TG-860. A stylish travel zoom with generous amounts of noise reduction even at base ISO, and yet another waterproof compact with 1/2.3″ sensor. What more could you possibly ask for?
Hard to consider buying something without knowing the price. Consumers ARE price sensitive. Unless Micro 4/3 starts realistic pricing to meet Sony, or even to meet DSLR pricing, and unless camera sizes are kept petite (EM-1 is already about the same size/weight as the A7 which is two sensor sizes larger) I’m not seeing a huge market for net new micro 4/3 customers.
Body size is not rules by its format, it is by its handlers what they need. Sport shooters need very large grips why Canon and Nikon has such lines. A soccer mom doesn’t need more than small body with usable buttons for finger nails. A lanscape photographer needs light camera that can get multiple lenses easily.
A so my A7 is almost as small as it can be made (look what Olympus made decades before Sony, Canon, Nikon…) But m4/3 can be made even smaller than Panasonic GM1 or PEN line, but you would get a Olympus developer body that isn’t handholdable.
Exactly! I find the notion that body size should scale according to sensor size to be quite bizarre. It’s all about ergonomics and handling, and the intended use cases for the camera.
The relationship between lens size and sensor size is a factor too. There’s no point in stuffing the A7 sensor into an RX100 sized body (even if it were possible, and the day may come), when you’re going to need a much larger lens hanging off of it to cover the sensor.
Of course body size is ruled by the format, and right now camera makers have gotten away from miniaturization. Nikon SLRs are too big for the format.
The EM1 is too big for the format. The EM5 is a good size for the format. The A7 is a good size for the format.
5+ years ago we were hailing mirrorless as the new king, people finally being free of “lugging” gigantic, ponderous DSLRs. Now that we have to lug gigantic, ponderous EM1s we whistle a different tune.
Micro 4/3 lens sizes are usually good. But if you are talking about a bag of heavy, large lenses and heavy, large cameras, might as well bite the bullet that you’ll be coming in heavy anyway, and go long. Less and less sense anymore of compromising image quality for an elusive petiteness.
As far as what “Olympus made decades before Sony, Canon, Nikon…” You are probably referring to the OM line. Within a couple years of the OM1, everyone had small, lightweight SLRs very close to the small size and weight (Nikons were ever so slightly larger, but much more robust). The Pentax me/mx line beat the Olympus line for smallness.
And incidentally without meaning to, you bring up a great point. Where is Olympus today with a full frame SLR with petite full frame lenses? It could do that in 1971, why not today?
“The EM1 is too big for the format. The EM5 is a good size for the format. The A7 is a good size for the format.”
Good point, but subjective and personal to you.
The E-M1 is for the M43 user who finds a rangefinder format odd or the E-M5 is too small for their hands. I am one of those people. There are many who think enough miniaturization is enough, and need something relatively compact with a prime and something to hold on to with a pro zoom.
Compare the size, cost and availability of the A7 setup that matches Oly’s E-M1 + 12-40 2.8 +40-150 2.8. There is a HUUUGGGE disparity!
I’d like to see a side-by-side shot of an E-M1 with the 300mm f/4 and a Sony a7 with a 600mm lens. It would have to be a Panorama ‘cus a 600mm is a looong lens 🙂
Full frame prime lenses(and pancakes) can be made quite small compared to M43 pro zooms, so A7 + lenses can be small. There is a limit for compact size, A7 size is about the right size for full frame and for M43, so making it smaller is no good unless we have smaller hands. When smaller camera is not any better, bigger sensor size would make sense.
Given the choices of full frame and M43 in an A7/EM1 sized camera, Full frame is my choice at any time and every time.
A 110 film sized M43 was a mistake from the start when Olympus thought people would be happy enough for good enough in printing 8×10. However, history proved human desire for better is enlarged alone with technology advancement.
I’ll say this, if the A7 was made by canon and auto focused canon lenses I’d buy one today. I like what the Sony is doing with FF bodies. They are probably the single largest pressure DSLR cameras facing. But the AF lens selection and pricing today is dismal compared to canon, nikon and M43.
While the E-M1 body is similar in size to the A7, the size with equiv lenses is very different, as is the price. I’ve gone through this every which way in my purchasing decision. There are tremendous sacrifices to having a full frame A7, so much that a Canon SLR is a better approach because of the better AF lens selection canon, sigma and tam has.
The A7 series is a DSLR replacement, not a competitor for mirrorless system cameras, imo.
Assuming the OM E-M5II comes in a bit less than the E-M5 did .. I’m all over that on preorder even. 1K I may wait and see a bit though.
Panasonic needs to bring a tele lens as well. something like 400 f5.6 IS or 350 F4 IS.. the upcoming Oly 300 will likely be nice but it wont work that well for ppl who have the very capable GH4 for photos.
Man, that 7-14 is going to be huge. People (especially Oly shooters) have complained for years about the size of the Panny 7-14 f/4. The 2.8 is going to be even bigger. (But many of the same people who complained about the Panny will make excuses for the Oly version, of course.)
I won’t complain about the size, perhaps the price, but I need it. I only hope it won’t suffer from purple bubbles near light sources as the Pana on Oly bodies. That’s the first reason why I’ll sell the Pana to get the Oly.
yeah I was about to get the Pana cause I didn’t think that I would be able to use all of the features from the Oly but that purple bubble is unacceptable. The sloppy DIY fix is not convincing enough. I will get the Oly body for sure.
purple bubbles and ois not problem on Panny body,
or Panny do bad thing ,no they do their MFT body!!!
why you blame to panny? what the good thing Oly do for Panny Body?
no, it had bit purple CA too, and OIS for Panny Body?(that sold all MFT body)
I know that lots of people disagree with me here, but IMO the EM-1 and Pro lens lines are kind of busts with the development of the A7 series and the XT1 to a lesser degree. You lose the advantages of the (m) part of m4/3, and with the A7 series a better option exists.
Just not something I’m interested in I guess, I’d rather use my A7ii for that usage case, and use something like the EM-5 and glass like the 12-35, 35-100, 45mm, 75mm, 20mm etc. when I’m going for the compactness of micro.
I agree with you
m4/3 is being outdone on the “micro” front by larger sensor brands. That will ultimately be their undoing.
here is the proof: same size, guess which one has better quality image
http://camerasize.com/compact/#289.383,579.394,ha,t
M4/3….
Really?
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Sony-FE-Carl-Zeiss-Sonnar-T-STAR-35mm-F28-on-Sony-A7R-versus-Olympus-MZUIKO-DIGITAL-17mm-F18-on-Olympus-OM-D-E-M5___1251_917_1112_793
it’s not that huge, here’s an image with it on the e-m1:
http://zuikopro.olympus-imaging.com/en-us/
Personally I don’t like Pana-lenses because of OIS, theyre kind of ugly and have useless gimmicks like the aperture ring (on a 2 wheel camera) and Leica badging. Also I don’t see a clear way for their development of the system, most are just different kit lenses and a few expensive curiosities (albeit optically nice I have heard).
Thanks for the link. From looking at the 7-14 f/2.8/E-M1 photo the lens is too large for me. YMMV At the other end the 300mm f/4 looks just right !
BTW how large will a 600mm lens be on the Awesome (???) A7 ? 😉
Then the 12-40mm is too big for you, and 40-150mm is too big and definetly a 300mm f/4 is way too big.
Remember our conversation from yesterday ? I said I don’t use ZoomZ. The 12-40 and 40-150 are both Zoomz, so why would I care about their size and weight ?
You must not have noticed that I wrote “At the other end the 300mm f/4 looks just right !” Small enough to be hand-held in some situations and with the tripod collar it will .be great on my Wimberly II gimbal head.
I’ll use it for some Surf photography.
Stick a 2x teleconverter on a 300/4 and find out… Incidentally, you’d end up with equivalent setups.
I am sorry… Complained about the Panasonic 7-14mm f/4 size?
That is a DAMN SMALL! It is almost same size as Samyang f/3.5 7.5mm, a way smaller than average coffee/drinking glass is.
When I first time heard about those whiners, I couldn’t believe but it has been found, they have never even hold that lens in their hand as its so small that you can whine about it. Olympus 45mm is smaller but not so much.
That 7-14mm 2.8 would shoot up to my #1 lens if I can afford it. I’ve been using the 12-35mm w/ the GH4 and while I’ve had a blast shooting 4k w/ it… the crop in 4k mode is quite noticeable when switching back to 1080p. Since I shoot mostly events where a wide shot is required… having a the 7-14mm would be an absolute dream. I’ll be crossing my fingers when the price is announced.
I shoot mostly indoors so F4 is a tad slow. Not saying f2.8 makes all the difference, but that extra stop can help. And the retail price of the Panny is already kinda high. In for a penny, in for a pound.
I just hope the Oly lens delivers.
If it performs as good as the other “PRO” lenses, it’ll be worth it.
My guess is the GF7 is the LX100 body with an interchangeable lens and will sell for $699 at launch.
I bet GF7 will not be more expensive than E-PL7.
I think the EPL7 kit was 699 at launch.
I paid far less than that pre-order E-PL7 body only: very reasonably priced £349.
I already had a PZ14-42 for it which is apparently better than the problematic 14-42EZ kit lens, plus a 20/1.7ii
The E-PL7 is very competent but lacks the functionality of the E-M5ii and the Panny GX7 and G-series (no cable release, no time lapse, no mic/phone, etc) but makes a good pocket camera esp with small size lenses.
The wobbly sensor behind the monitor does get quite hot to the touch shooting video, rapid (burst) shooting and long exposures, and hot-pixelation is significant. Not a problem, just wrong camera for job.
The sensor doesn’t heat up by itself, CPU and battery are the source for heat.
I have been shooting video in environments that has higher temperature than anywhere in the world and that without any problems at all for sensor or quality.
Weather sealed normal lens please
I am interested in seeing more information about the Olympus 7-14/f2.8 lens, the Olympus 8/1.8 Fisheye lens and the Olympus E-M5 II before deciding if I will buy any of these upcoming items. If the Panasonic GF7 is like the previous GF cameras I am not interested in it, but it might surprise me and be something I like. I would rather see a new GX camera to replace the GX7. I also would rather see a Panasonic 100-300/f4.0 lens, or some Pro Prime lenses form Olympus like a 9mm/2.0, 20mm/1.2 and a 40mm/1.2. So without more information these items that are going to be announced at CP+ are only moderately interested at this time. I am saving my money for the Olympus 300/4.0.
40 f1.2 seems pointless waste of resources at the moment what with the oly 40 f1.8 and Pana 42 f1.2. I would rather want to see a 200 mm f2 at around 3000 € but to be honest once the 300 f4 hits the stores there’s no more a lens that I NEED. But that doesn’t stop me from WANTING more stuff that I cannot afford…
An E-M5-2 with a Sigma 30mm f/2.8 may be my next table-top camera/lens combo.
I wonder if the 40Mp photos will be Focus Stackable ? We will soon find out !
A novel concept but you would be effectively stacking HDR shots (which is what the “40Mp” amount to)
Like I said “We will soon find out!” I plan on being one of the first to pre-order the pre-announced E-M5-2. And I’ll use the same PhotoShop Artist I use for all my client’s work. So it will be a fair test.
They aren’t HDR shots, because the exposure isn’t changed. The technique is used to achieve more resolution and/or full color information for every pixel. Not the same as HDR at all.
Automatic focus stacking would be awesome. It seems straightforward to cycle through 4-8 focus points and stack the results.
Hey Admin – whatever happened to the Digital TRIP? Is there a fixed prime lens m4/3 in the works?
just need to 7-14 f2.8 to complete the set
Didn’t expect there are 978 votes for E-M5II, interesting. The haters are proven really incredible…