Camera Labs

Olympus announced three new PEN cameras today!

1: Olympus PEN E-P3

New PEN flagship rewrites category rules - PEN E-P3 boasts record-breaking FAST AF and touch display



See full press release!


2: Olympus PEN E-PL3 Lite

SLR creativity, compact beauty - PEN Lite adds tiltable LCD to cutting-edge spec



See full press release!


Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mini

SLR quality without the complexity - Meet the gorgeous Olympus PEN Mini



See full press release!

Thanks to the rumours posted previously there is nothing particularly new here. The P3 looks to continue the styling and handling of the line but I wonder how the touch-screen combines with the old interface?

PL3 with tilt screen was my feature favourite, but from the product shot it seems quite ugly from behind! PM1 I think is stunning from the front but again the back looks a bit odd.

While the press release confirms the faster AF system, I'm looking forward to their description of how they do it, and how well it really performs in real world situations.

My only grumble is they still use low resolution screens. 610k on the P3 and 460k on the others. All my recent DSLRs and even compact use 920k now!

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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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Word on the E-P3 AF speed improvements is that it's down to a faster processor allowing 120 samples per second. May even be faster in use than Panasonic's offerings. Seriously good news.

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.

I still need to look around generally to see if there has been any more news since the initial press release. The "fastest ever" AF is the most interesting feature and could be indicative of where others may go, so I still wonder if it is a case of "same but better" or something more radical like that suggested in the other post I did yesterday.

Edit: Found the launch presentation via 43rumors which does show a slide stating the new AF is due to 120 Hz sample rate. So not really radical but still very welcome!

Having looked at them some more, I think if I were to get one today I'd settle for the NEX like PL3 and its vertical only tilt screen. However given I already have the P1 I don't feel the urge to change bodies yet.

Separately, the new 20mm lens has a nice new trick which appears to be optional direct linking of focus for manual control. This is a huge plus over the horrific focus by wire system. I hope they put that in more (lower position) lenses too going forward.

On that note, I'll also be keeping an eye on the 45mm lens which might make my shopping list in the shorter term.

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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.

I'm curious what the pricing of the mini & lite models will be. I assume they'll be up against the Panasonic G3.

Also, I'm hoping there will be an Olympus m43 to compete with the GH3. In-body IS, EVF, and nice OOC jpegs will be enough to coax me to m.43

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

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

Encouraging to see more small cameras with the promise of high image quality.

The E-P3 selling for $900 at Adorama may actually be a little too close to the Fuji X100 though.

Of course, if the Olympus is actually available - unlike he X100 - it may not matter much..lol. The Mini is interesting, although I feel they should always pair these small bodies with pancake lenses.

Looking forward to seeing some review and image samples.

Cheers

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Nikon stuff and other stuff, but not nearly as much stuff as I really want!

Hi folks,

E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1 all faster focusers than the EOS 1D Mk IV

That's the claim Olympus are making, with the 1D4 fitted with a 24-70mm lens, according to reports on the web (example). If the NFL gets a new CBA in place will we see the massed ranks of white Canon lenses replaced my their micro four-thirds equivalents in the end-zone as the new American football season starts. Think how much more mobile the press photographers would be as the wide receivers come crashing towards them! Think how much less expensive equipment breakages would be!

Well, maybe not quite yet but this does raise an interesting question of whether this might be a nail, one of many needed no doubt, in the coffin of the mirror. Thoughts?

Bob.

_________________
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.

The "fastest ever AF for interchangeable lens cameras" may be a fair claim, within the limitations it imposes. As far as I can gather so far, the speed is only for one-shot focus. It remains to see how competitive it is on tracking focus on an axis towards/away from the camera. I have long wondered if they could simply brute-force their way to adequate tracking performance simply by making the contrast AF so fast it doesn't matter any more.

There is the other half of the equation, the lenses. The Olympus "MSC" range are designed specifically for quiet and fast focus. In the early ones I remember they did this in part by making the focus system only need to move one lens element, reducing driven weight and consequently easier motor drive. The question that obviously springs to mind is if that will impact image quality or other performance aspects? SLR lenses as far as I'm aware have not set out to be "fastest ever" focusing even if the body can. I wonder how much faster SLR lenses could focus if they were specifically optimised for that parameter. I'm thinking my zooms can be somewhat leisurely, but the Canon 85mm f/1.8 is lighting fast for example.

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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.

Hi popo,

The first impressions from What Digital Camera have proved your reservations about tracking speed to be well founded.

The ‘world's fastest' is a very bold claim indeed. Yes it's fast, yes it's impressive, but (and it's a fairly big but) it's not the world's best AF system. The reason is fairly simple: when either continuous AF (CAF) or Tracking AF is activated the camera just isn't always responsive enough to keep up with certain subject movement.

But with a burst rate of just 3 fps I guess tracking AF isn't going to be a huge priority for the target audience - no massed ranks of E-P3 press photographers in the end zone!!! But the E-P3 seems like the PEN series has finally fulfilled its full potential. Will you be tempted to upgrade?

Bob.

_________________
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.

Personally, the urge to upgrade for the sake of upgrading is there, but I'm retaining enough sanity not to plan anything at this time. As an E-P1 owner, what do the new models get me? A slightly improved sensor and faster AF? Pass. The PL3's tilt screen is more tempting, but since I already went and got the 600D for the same, the need isn't burning any more.

I'll let body prices settle down after launch and will review later. The new lenses are more interesting. In particular the 45mm f/1.8, but again I don't have a burning need for it and will be happy to wait for prices to drop.

_________________
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.

Yep, for single AF, these cameras are very vfast, but as popo says, they fall down for continuous or predictive AF, not to mention typically showing no feedback between frames in their fastest modes. So they're fantastic for spontaneous portraits, but not so good for action / sports photography.

Hi,

Thanks Gordon for reviewing the relatively new Oly M4/3rd camera like E-P3. I do believe you should continue to review more NON main stream cameras, may it be Olympus, Pentax or Fuji or Ricoh, if you feel the camera warrants one the criteria may include the following:

1. New technology(not used by NIKON or Canon or Panasonic)
2. Different ways of using the cameras to improve images taking that
are incorporated in the camera
3. Value for money for what the camera offers.

etc.

This way you will get more hits at your website.

Cheers.