Chances are if you, or your spouse, is the type that gets excited about gadgets covered in Swarovski crystals, then you probably don’t care that Peter found the Olympus E-P1 to be just an average performer and nothing special. You also probably have the disposable cash to pay a $2,000 premium over the sticker price.

The limited edition comes with two lens, a flash, and a wooden box for only £1999.99. ($3,302 USD) No matter how sexy you find this camera, you shouldn’t buy it. Nope, wait until the upcoming E-P2 gets covered in Swarovski crystals and buy that one. You don’t want to get stuck with an old model, right?

I suspect the non-SLR interchangeable-lens camera (AKA the EVIL system) will replace the point and shoot, and the phone or PMP will fill that snapshot role. But until they get that price down it’s not going to happen.

The E-P2 looks like an interesting camera. The problem I see right off the bat is that it’s almost the exact same camera that Peter found so underwhelming six months ago. Maybe he didn’t give it a chance, and maybe it was just in need of stuff like this accessory port to make it worthwhile, but the fact is that it’s not bringing a lot for the money.

You can get a fantastic DSLR and a lens or two for the price of an E-P2, or buy an incredibly slick point and shoot and have enough money left over to take a short vacation. It doesn’t mean the M4/3 style is bad, just that it’s new and doesn’t offer the same value proposition as the established technologies. $1100 is a lot to spend on a camera — enough that even early adopters will think twice. Especially considering how quickly Olympus improved on the E-P1. Why not wait?

Olympus is very proud of its electronic viewfinder, and I think the accessory port it fits into makes the E-P2 a tasty little gadget. Maybe you want a crossover device for home videos but the EVF isn’t really necessary. Okay, here’s decent 720p video with great sound through a real mic. Maybe you want a party cam, but don’t trust a point-and-shoot’s crappy little flash. Hey, it’s got a hot shoe and you’ll probably get some other stuff for the accessory port anyhow.

We may see the new Pen cameras (among their M4/3 brethren) grow into an interesting platform, but until they cost less than, say, a Rebel T1i or some such, the only thing they have to recommend them is their size. But this isn’t the last you’ll be hearing of micro four-thirds, not by a long shot.

To be fair, much of the announcement was already leaked — we knew about the body style, as well as the electronic viewfinder and microphone add-ons. However the official specs are new.

Here are the vital statistics:

• 12MP
• 720p video at 30fps
• Manual focus and aperture control in video mode (awesome)
• AF tracking (focus lock for moving objects, handy)
• Tiltable electronic viewfinder (800×600, looks nice)
• Optional microphone adapter for better sound (very good)
• Some new image modes

It actually seems that the camera itself hasn’t changed much from its predecessor. The big add-on is the accessory port, which will probably sport more stuff than an EVF and mic in the near future. Price is quoted as £849 (~$1400), however I believe that includes both EVF and lens, since the original E-P1 cost $750 for a body-only version. The poor Brits have historically paid more in these situations, so I think we can expect a more reasonable price than that.

And shame, shame on BJP for leaking this information.

[via 43Rumors and PhotoRumors]

The second generation in Olympus’s retro micro four thirds line is almost here. Olympus China leaked that a few days ago. But this time around a few more leaks emerge and show that that the E-P2 might have the same body design as the E-P1, which isn’t really a bad thing, I guess.

The announcement is supposed to come on November 6 so we’ll find out soon enough. Until then though, click over to Photorumors for a few more pics of the camera’s accessories and specs. The more this one develops, the more I’m losing interest. The E-P2 better not just be an updated E-P1.

Photorumors found that Olympus China’s website has the model number listed there for the whole world to see, which seems to confirm that the event Olympus had scheduled for October 31 will probably be the EP-2 announcement. Let’s just hope this guy has the same goods as the original model but a slightly lower price.

Big news this AM from Olympus with the announcement of the E-600 DSLR. Looks like another entry-level(ish) digital SLR. Big notables for the 12.3-megapixel shooter include a swiveling 2.7-inch LCD and slew of fancy art filters. That’s seriously about it, folks. The E-600 coupled with a 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 kit lens will retail for $600 in November.

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., August 31, 2009 – The new Olympus E-600 is a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera with everything you need to start enjoying the benefits of DSLR-quality photography today. It’s simple to use, so moving up from a basic point-and-shoot is an enjoyable and affordable experience, and packed with features to meet all of your still photography needs.

The E-600’s high-performance swivel 2.7-inch HyperCrystalTM LCD screen helps you compose from virtually any angle; in-camera Art Filters add more pizzazz to your pictures; its four-frames-per-second burst speed won’t miss a moment of the action, and In-body Image Stabilization removes blur caused by camera shake when you’re on the go. The 12.3-megapixel image sensor and TruePic III+ captures detailed, crisp images and accurate color.

“With the E-600, Olympus has answered the call for a more affordable and creative camera that has everything you could need to get great results,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The new entry-level SLR camera offers something for everyone to enjoy, including in-camera Art Filters for expanded creative freedom.”
Exceptional Image Quality

Whether you’re shooting a high school basketball game or capturing a city streetscape, the E-600’s high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and a state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to reduce noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.

Its Live MOS image sensor is complemented by Olympus’ TruePic III+ Image Processor, which produces clear and colorful photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible. The new image processor is noted for accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies, and precise tonal expression; it also lowers image noise in photos shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations.
Swivel Live View LCD Swings into Action

The E-600’s 100 percent accurate 270 degree swivel 2.7-inch Live View HyperCrystal III LCD can be rotated freely so photographers can compose at any angle, including overhead and down low, without getting bent out of shape. This makes it easier to photograph young children on their own level or shoot high above a crowd. E-600 photographers can compose a subject right on the Live View LCD and see the results of the various creative features – live as they’re happening, before the shot is taken.

With Live View, settings like white balance and image brightness can be selected, and the result can be seen instantly on the LCD display. Real-time Live View offers amazing versatility and creative control. The LCD displays 230,000 pixels in vivid color and includes HyperCrystal technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors for easier viewing in both preview and playback. It also provides a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees, which ensures images can be composed from even the most obscure angles. The 2.7-inch LCD makes icons and text on the camera’s menu easy to view.
Fast Autofocus

Life moves fast, so it’s important to have a camera that locks focus accurately and quickly. Whether you choose to use the super fast autofocus technology or focus the lens manually, the E-600 offers the same sophisticated focusing options as higher-end DSLRs. Use the optical viewfinder to track movement like birds or wildlife or your favorite team on the field, or use the large Live View LCD to frame up a flower or a group of friends at the family gathering. Consumers accustomed to composing and focusing using a point-and-shoot camera’s LCD will appreciate that the E-600 offers the same easy, seamless experience (what you see on its LCD is what you get!). Either way, the focus is quick, precise and easy.
Art Filters for Expanded Creative Control

If you’re hoping to get more out of your camera than simply capturing and documenting a scene, and enjoy enhancing or customizing an image to make it your own, then you will value the camera’s Art Filters. The filters, which are built into the camera, provide incredible individual artistic control over an image, so that you can spend more time shooting and less time computing.

Let your inner artist shine through and make a statement with these in-camera Art Filters:

* Pop Art: Enhances colors, making them more saturated and vivid, creating high-impact pictures that express the joyful, lighthearted feeling of the Pop Art style of the 1960s;
* Soft Focus: Creates an ethereal, dreamlike atmosphere that renders subjects in a heavenly light without obscuring details; and
* Pin Hole: Adds a nostalgic look and feel to the image with a darkened vignette around the subject connecting the viewer intimately with the subject at the center of the picture.

Art Filters are easily activated with the mode dial on the right side of the camera body, and the fun part is that you can see and experiment with the effects on the subject live, on the LCD, before you take the shot!
In-Body Image Stabilization for Sharp Images on the Go

The E-600 travels with you to more places, thanks to its compact size and light body. Capture sharp images on the go with the camera’s in-body Image Stabilization (IS), which virtually eliminates blur with any lens attached. Three IS modes handle any situation. The IS-1 mode is for general shooting and adjusts the sensor on both the horizontal and vertical planes to compensate for movement by the photographer so images stay sharp in low light even at slow shutter speeds. To capture the motion of moving subjects, the E-600 offers two specialized modes: IS-2 mode is ideal for capturing a runner or cyclist traveling by in the horizontal mode, preserving the sense of motion while panning; IS-3 mode achieves the same effect when the camera is held vertically. In either mode, the artistic effects of panning enhance the shot and render the subject in sharp detail with blurred background. Moreover, the E-600 is the world’s smallest DSLR with built-in Image Stabilization, so you’ll feel comfortable taking it on the road with you to capture the action.
Always Find a Face in the Crowd

The new camera’s Face Detection technology reduces the chance of blurred subjects in photography by distinguishing between people’s faces and the background. It tracks up to eight faces within the image area, even if people are moving, and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures (ideal for large family or party group photos).
Fast Sequential Shooting

The E-600 can capture images at the highest image-quality setting at a rate of four frames per second. Whether you’re capturing a soccer game, children playing or a bird swooping through the yard, the E-600 ensures that you won’t miss a frame.
Preview a Multitude of Possibilities

Perfect Shot Preview enables users to easily preview and select from four thumbnail previews of the photographic effects of white balance and exposure compensation adjustments live on the LCD before taking the photograph. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, visually, without having to scroll through menu options. With 13 preset scene-select modes for every imaginable shooting scenario, automatic modes and full manual controls, the E-600 offers a world of possibilities to photographers.
Versatile Memory

Accepting both CompactFlash Type I & II, UDMA, Microdrives and xD-Picture Cards, the camera provides a choice of data storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera.
Dust Reduction System for Spot-Free Images

Life moves too fast to spend time worrying about dust ruining the perfect image. Olympus’ proven Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave FilterTM. The patented ultrasonic technology vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor and captures it on a special adhesive membrane every time the camera is turned on. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside. With Dust Reduction and the new creative features, Olympus continues to liberate users from the computer and editing software, and enables them to have fun capturing it all while on the go.
Accessories

The HLD-5 Power Battery Holder can hold up to two Lithium Ion BLS-1 batteries to extend the performance life of the E-600 and its existing BLS-1 battery. It also enables effortless vertical shooting with its own separate shutter button and control dial.
Availability

The Olympus E-600 DSLR will be available in early November 2009. It includes the E-600 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLS-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCS-1), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.
U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations

E-600 Body with ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price: $599.99

via PB

So I’m going to make this simple. Olympus is releasing four cameras, which share many characteristics. The one you want is, in this case, the one in the middle. The $160 FE-5020 has all the benefits of the more expensive $200 one, minus the 7x zoom (the 5020 has a 3x, but for under $200 you shouldn’t ask for more) and some minor features.

When you have a group of similar products (I always use this philosophy with video cards), it pays to go to the middle, since that’s where function and value intersect. However, if you’re hell-bent on getting another of these Olympi, head over to Demystifying Digital, which has more info on the others.

You may want to hold off plopping down your hard-earned scratch until we post our review – our early hands-on here. Peter did find a dead pixel on his review sample, btw. But if you can’t wait to fork over your money, head over to J&R, B&H, Adorama, or Amazon. [via Engadget]

Yep. That 100 percent crop shows a dead pixel close to center on the Olympus E-P1.

So I’m at the Hotel on Rivington in Manhattan at the Olympus press conference and we’re getting the first hands on with the Olympus E-P1 in North America. Dana Wollman from Laptop was kind enough to be my hand model so these aren’t my hands on the Olympus, but I am shooting with one. I’ve included two test images shot at ISO 200 and ISO 6400 shot with the 14-42mm lens. Oh, I forgot to mention that Olympus has done away with the XD format and gone with SD. Yay!

You can download the JPEG for the ISO 200 image here and the ISO 6400 image here.

We are a little disappointed with the price, but the specs aren’t anything to joke about. Most of the rumored yesterday’s leaked info turned out to be true. The E-P1 comes in with a 12.3MP Live MOS sensor that’s equipped with a new processing unit called, TruPic V. Plus, it’s capable of 100-6400 ISO, 720p & 480p video recording, an HDMI-out, and a 3-inch screen. Not to bad for a tiny camera that measures in at just 4.7- x 2.7- x 1.4-inches, eh?

The small size does come with a price. The body will run $749 and $799 with a 14-42mm (3x) zoom lens. The kit with a 17mm pancake lens and viewfinder will cost $899. There will be a an electronic flash (FL-14) in same retro-digs available too for $199. It seems somewhat high, but remember that this tiny package holds a full DSLR sensor and the ability to swap lens. It’s still thousands less than the similar Leica M8.2 anyway. Expect the camera this July.

Photography Blog and the official product page have some full resolution samples up. DPReview also has a preview which, among other things, runs down the history of the Olympus Pen series.

Panasonic has already jumped into the Micro Four Thirds market with the Lumix DMC-GH1. That camera got most in the digicam community excited about the standard that promises interchangeable lens on a smaller camera that’s equipped with an DLSR sensor. Now, a report suggests that Olympus is finally prepping a camera based on that standard. Too bad that we don’t know if the model will be based on the breathtaking retro concept seen previously.

All we know comes from an AVING.com post that claims an Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera will be released in July, which is what we heard previously. Of course there isn’t any mention of the price or model details. If Olympus knows what’s good for ‘em, the model will follow the same styling cues set forth by the throwback concept. *fingers crossed*

Having manhandled Olympus’ DSLRs at last year’s US Open, I can say with certainty that their tiny line of SLRs have come a long way in the last few years. Further strengthening the line is the E-450. The 10-megapixel shooter features a 2.7-inch LCD, Live View, Four Thirds lens mount and three Art Filters. It’s just as small as the E-420 measuring in at 5.1×3.6×2.1-inches and weighing in at 13.4 ounces making it the world’s smallest DSLR with Art Filters. What the hell are art filters? Good question.

* Pop Art: Enhances colors, making them more saturated and vivid, creating high-impact pictures that express the joyful, lighthearted feeling of the Pop Art style of the 1960s;
* Soft Focus: Creates an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere that renders subjects in a heavenly light without obscuring details; and
* Pin Hole: Reduces the peripheral brightness of an image as though it were shot through a pin hole, connecting the viewer intimately with the subject at the center of the picture.

WB is said to be improved and the TruePic III processor boasts better color quality. The E-450 accepts CF Type I & II, Microdrives and xD memory cards, which is something other manufacturers should adopt. Well, not those particular formats but having the option would be nice.

Look for the E-450 to launch on May 9 on QVC with availability in July for $700. Sounds kind of cheap, right? Well, you get two lenses with this kit – ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens and ED 40-150mm f4.0/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens.

Product Page

CNET is reporting that the first model should launch sometime this summer which seems about right. The camera format was previewed last year and so a summer 2009 launch would kind of make sense. A few years ago when the world was in a downward economic spiral, the timetable might be a tad shorter, but times are rough these days.

But Photography Bay, who is generally a great source for photography news, is stating something a bit different,

Yet another (or the same one actually) mockup of an Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera was behind glass at PMA. When asked about the fictional camera, Olympus personnel respond, in a rather mundane chant, that they don’t know anything other than there should be more from Olympus this Summer.

Hopefully, we will eventually see the camera cause it sure has our attention with its small size, interchangeable lens and a price that is surely less thousands than the other retro-looking digicam: the Leica M8.2.

Olympus today unveiled a new entry-level DSLR, which will go on sale in the US in May (Japan gets the E-620 with 12.3MP in March, Europe one month later but for a higher price). Olympus tried to incorporate the main features of the E-30 and E-520 in a small and light body.

The E-620 comes with the following features:

- 12.3MP Live MOS image sensor with sensor-shift image stabilization
- 7-point AF
- ISO sensitivity from 100 to 3,200
- TruePic III+ image processor
- wireless flash controller
- 2.7” tilt HyperCrystal III LCD with 230,000 pixels
- multi aspect ratio (16:9, 4:3, 3:2and 6:6)
- size: 130×60x94mm
- body weight: 520g

The E-620 body has an MSRP of $700 in the US, while buyers will be set back $800 for the set that contains the 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 Zuiko lens.

DP Review has the official Olympus press release in English (which is still not available at Olympus America’s website) and a hands-on preview of the new camera.

The new E-30 will be made available in a variety of kits with a 14-42mm lens or the new 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II prosumer lens. Five different camera and lens bundles will be available.

New features include an in-camera “photoshop”, a 270 degree swiveling live-view LCD, and with certain lenses, the fastest autofocus in the industry. The viewfinder is said to be much larger and brighter than the first generation E1/E300 and the image quality has “improved considerably.”

The Asian lady pictured is strictly for beautification and will not be included in any kits.

Olympus has unveiled a bevy of new cameras, and they’re targeting just about the entire consumer and prosumer market, with offerings that will appeal to many people. Whether you need a camera that can survive a serious beating, or just want some fun shots in the pool, or an enormous zoom factor in a point-and-shoot camera, Olympus aims to please.

Olympus’ Stylus Tough series of cameras are shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof and shakeproof. That’s a lot of proof! The 12 megapixel TOUGH-8000 can handle a 6.6-foot drop, go 33 feet underwater (and includes a manometer to record the depth at which a picture was taken), and handle 220 pounds of crushing pressure. The 10 megapixel TOUGH-6000 can survive a 5 foot drop and up to 10 feet of water. “Both Stylus Tough series cameras feature Tap Control to make it easy for skiers, divers and snowmen makers to control key settings without removing their gloves.” $399 for the TOUGH-8000 and $299 for the TOUGH-6000.

For those not quite as demanding on their cameras, the Stylus 550WP offers a nice point-and-shoot for trips to the pool or beach. It can operate down to 10 feet below water. Expect to pay about $200.

Olympus’ new SP-590 Ultra Zoom stands head and shoulders above similar cameras with its remarkable 26x optical zoom. “The bright, f2.8-5.0 lens provides the equivalent of 26-676mm focal length.” At $450, you’re getting awfully close to entry-level DSLR range (though that doesn’t include the cost of good zoom lenses).

DSLRs are perceived by beginners as the pick-up trucks of the camera world. Why buy something with high wheels and a tailgate when you are perfectly happy with a comfortable minivan or sedan. But DSLRs aren’t quite they heavy duty machines we make them out to be. Point-and-shoots, while small and comfortable, are severely limited in terms of shooting ability. Manufacturers stuff all sorts of image improving features into these things including red-eye reduction, night mode, and even child mode for fast-moving rugrats. But these are crutches designed to reduce the effect of slow image sensors and wonky lenses that have to fold in on themselves to stay compact.

Can your point and shoot do that?
That said, if you or someone you’re shopping for has found a camera to love, stick with it. If it takes good shots in the environments you’re traditionally shooting in – bars, living rooms, motel rooms on the outside of town – then you’re golden. Don’t buy a DSLR.

First, the cons. DSLRs are expensive and they’re big. For vacation shots, I’d carry a Kodak point and shoot any day if I knew I wouldn’t be dealing with odd lighting and weird shooting situations. In fact, I’d recommend bringing a point and shoot on vacations unless you’re a photo buff. Nothing says “I’m not a fun person” like carrying around a prosumer camera on the beach.

So Why, When, and Where should you get a DSLR? If you are having a new baby and want to get some spectacular shots of the wee one, get a DSLR. If you’re working out of a home office and sell things online, get a lightbox and a DSLR. If you have any interest in printing photographs you’ve taken in a larger format, get a DSLR. If you have more than a passing interest in photography, get a DSLR. Most other reasons – a zoom lens, faster shutter time, more megapixels – don’t really stack up. There are plenty of point and shoot and prosumer cameras out there with plenty of zoom and, as I mentioned before, these point and shoots compensate for slow shutter speeds with plenty of tricks.

So what if you fall into any of the other categories? What should you buy? I’ve consistently recommended the Canon Rebel in its latest incarnation as the entry-level DSLR of choice. The kit uses Canon’s popular EF lens mount, it takes great photos in almost any light, and it’s just complex enough to whet your appetite for trying more and more interesting techniques. This latest model costs $799 (or less) with the standard Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, a solid beginner lens. If you want to stop there, feel free. Getting other lenses is purely optional because this lens is more than adequate in most cases (although Canon’s famously cheap 50mm f/1.8 would be a good $70 investment). I’ve used other DSLRs in this space but I’ve had nothing but good experiences with Canon thus far and most of my friends shoot Canon. They make a strong, good camera with plenty of room to grow.

This brings us to the biggest DSLR myth: that you need a fishing vest to hold all the garbage you have to buy. You don’t. DSLRs come with perfectly capable lenses and once you figure a few things out you can buy a UV protector, maybe a nice flash, and a nice prime lens for portraits. But this is a long way down the road for most of us and not an absolutely necessity by any means.

See how much fun he’s having?

Where should you buy it? Best Buy or a trusted photography shop like B&H Photo. If you find a “deal” online, be wary. These deals usually involve just the body and sometimes the sellers will add in batteries, chargers, and straps as “extras,” jacking the price back up or beyond the the MSRP. Check Google’s listings to make sure a seller is legit.

So there you have it. If this looks like an advertorial for Canon, it isn’t. The Pentax K2000 and Nikon D80 are also excellent choices. I’m essentially giving you the same advice I’d give anyone else asking which DSLR to buy. Perhaps some of our shutterbug readers can comment on other entry levels in comments?

The digicam gurus at dpreview.com got their hands on an Olympus E-30 DSLR and still didn’t reveal how the $1,500 prosumer cam will stand out from the crowd. Sure, it sports a new 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor, a new processing engine, and some in-camera software editing functions, but are those enough to sway potential buyers away from similar priced, but far superior, Canon 50D or Nikon D90 – I don’t think so. Maybe when reviews are posted, it will review that the camera is some sort of wunderkind.