Camera Labs

Thought I'd start this as more interesting stuff is starting to appear on 43rumors.

They show what are claimed to be:
* A tiny low resolution pic of the E-P2
* External viewfinder
* External mic

The E-P2 pic seems to be more for the cases than the cameras in them, and the only difference I can see is a nice all black finish and a taller hotshoe mount. The taller hotshoe seems to be needed to make space for an additional connector going to the external accessory, which are the external viewfinder and mic. Both fit on the hotshoe mount, so you can have either EVF or mic or flash.

The EVF is claimed to have 1.44MP, which to put into more meaningful numbers could be 800x600x3 which is nice.

Rumoured announcement next week with availability next year. I was thinking this might kill E-P1 sales, but then again if you really wanted an E-P1 chances are you have got one already. Those who wanted EVF might have gone for the GF1, but this might slow the flow away from Oly.

Assuming all this is true, I don't see any need for me to replace the E-P1. If they also put a higher resolution screen on the back might swing me though...

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

This would make it higher resolution than a 1400x900 computer screen. How can they fit that many pixels into an EVF? I assume they mean LCD, not EVF?

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/53061745@N02/

Panasonic G3: 9-18mm, 14mm, 20mm, 45mm

No, I'm guessing the resolution is 800x600 as the numbers fit. Damn camera marketing people for their misuse of the term pixels. Instead of pixels I think they meant dots.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

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Mmm - I haven't got an E-P1 and already I'm lusting after an E-P2.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I think the E-P1 is not really ready product. But it is forced to be released soon in order to capture the market first.

But unfortunately Panasonic comes out not very long after with greater performance, forcing olympus to update the product very soon.

I don't think there will be significant differences, between the two.
It might be faster auto focus speed and the accessories.

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

The E-P1 was and is as ready as any camera can be. What's to compare is only feature choice. In that respect, the E-P1 is far better than the GF1 for me. I don't want a tiny little flash to give images that compact P&S look, nor the mediocre external EVF. That's not to say the E-P1 is ideal either, but the built in IS is far more useful to me, especially combined with Panasonic's 20mm f/1.7. About the only plus for the GF1 is reported AF speed, but realistically neither will replace DSLR phase type response when things get tricky.

If the rumour is true, the E-P2 EVF should be leading class in resolution, which to me is one of the lagging points of EVF in general. Personally I don't care too much for EVF, just give the screen on the back an update and I'll be seriously tempted. I still don't care about built in flash.

On scheduling, I think Panasonic were the ones who rushed more, bringing out the bulky G1 first. To me that form factor doesn't make enough sense, and the smaller size of E-P1 and GF1 is ideal for m43. You can't react quickly in this game, and the E-P2 must have been planned far before the GF1 was announced.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Pics!

http://43rumors.com/olympus-e-p2/

The EVF styling looks out of place on the body. Too bulky looking.

Formal announcement expected tomorrow but on BJP website already.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

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Darn it but that EVF is big, even if it does support the same resolution as the built-in EVF of the Panasonic GH1. So much for my hope that it could be integrated without increasing the size of the body.

The BJP write-up is interesting (they've jumped the gun yet again!) but offers no clues as to whether the E-P2 will be available in anything other than black.

The other big question, I guess, is whether the new AF Tracking also means that regular AF will be faster. The new lenses look interesting.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

How about faster AF?

Oly, if the EP2 is at least equal in AF speed to a Panny G1's AF, I promise to buy one!!! Please!

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Olympus E620 | 25/2.8 | 50/2 | 12-60 | 14-42 | 14-54 | 40-150 | 70-300
Olympus E-P2 | Panasonic GH2 | 20/1.7 | 14-42 | 14-140
Leica M7 | M9 | 21/4 | 35/1.4 | 50/2.5 | 50/1.5 | 70/2.5 | 90/2
Sony NEX-3 | 16/2.8| 18-55
My FlickR!

Hi folks,

Gordon has created an Official E-P2 thread so I'll take the opportunity to lock this rumour thread and ask that the conversation continues there.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.