Yeah, that leak did a number on the official “release moment” of Olympus’ new micro four-thirds camera. All the stats are there, but I forbore from weighing in on the thing. I’m cautious but bullish about the M4/3 phenomenon; they’re legit to be sure, but this first generation isn’t going to break any sales records. They’re too expensive and too limited at the moment — but that’s how DSLRs were back in the day, and now everyone wants one.
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 retrotastic Olympus E-P1 launched last month with much fanfare. (not pictured above) It turned out to be an alright camera as Peter found out. You may want to hold off buying one just yet though. There might be another version coming soon if this rumor is correct.
Oh my. Hopefully this Olympus Micro Four Thirds digicam is a halfway good performer, because the whole Internet already wants it – including you. The official announcement will come tomorrow, but we might already have the E-P1 specs and price. Read More
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.
If there is one thing for sure, it’s that this Olympus camera concept has captured the hearts of geeks every way. Hopefully when Olympus’ Micro Four Thirds finally drop, there will be one model just like this retro mock-up. The only thing is that there are conflicting reports about when the camera is actually due.
If you’re looking to try out a new Micro 4/3rds camera, a good way to compare quality would be to take a picture with the same lens, same exposure, etc. An adapter is the only way to go about this, and a few have just shown up. And anyway, if you’re using the smaller hybrid SLR as a backup camera, having a lens adapter is a really good idea because it means you’ll only have to carry one set of lenses around. These Canon FD mount and Leica mount adapters appear to cost about $200 (I could be wrong), and like all adapters lose a little light; one forum poster put up some vignetting tests that looked a little savage. But then again I don’t read Chinese so I don’t know the circumstances.
The original forum post, with scans from a Japanese magazine (Nippon Camera), also shows Lumix DMC-G1s with Olympus, Pentax, and Voigtlander lenses attached. I’m still wary of the 4/3rds thing but being able to use my old lenses goes a long way towards making it a good buy.
I have absolutely no problem with companies saying that a certain product will ship at a certain time and then shipping said product a couple weeks early. In fact, I wish they all did that.
Panasonic appears to have done it with its new Lumix DMC-G1 Micro Four Thirds cameras. The company’s shopping site lists the cameras for sale now to be shipped out within 1-3 business days.
It’d been reported earlier that the DMC-G1 line would be available in mid-November, so hooray for early shipment, eh?
Lumix Digital Cameras [Panasonic via Engadget]
Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 an SLR or a point-and-shoot? The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, as it often is.
It’s actually Panasonic’s first Micro Four Thirds camera. (Four Thirds cameras let manufacturers create interoperable exchangeable lenses.) It’s also, as of this very moment, the smallest and lightest such camera. Knowing this industry, that record will probably last till the end of the day.
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