Magazine hints at Olympus E-P2 before year's end, Leica M9 for September
By Donald Melanson 
posted Aug 4th 2009 12:58PM
posted Aug 4th 2009 12:58PM
There's not exactly much in the way of specifics on either of these just yet, but the usually-reliable French magazine, Chasseur d'Image, has seemingly revealed in its latest issue that Olympus will be rolling out its E-P1 followup, the E-P2, before the end of the year, and that Leica will be releasing its M8 successor, the M9, as soon as September. The real kicker is that the E-P2 is said to be bringing with it an oft-desired viewfinder, while the M9 will reportedly be a full-frame camera, and presumably cost more than a small car. Of course, neither are anywhere close to being official, but it may not be the worst idea to stick with your current gear a little while longer to see how things shake out.
Read - Photo Rumors, "Chasseur d'Image magazine: Leica M9 in September"
Read - Leica rumors, "Olympus EP-2: released before the end of the year, with a viewfinder"
[Thanks, Tony]
Read - Photo Rumors, "Chasseur d'Image magazine: Leica M9 in September"
Read - Leica rumors, "Olympus EP-2: released before the end of the year, with a viewfinder"
[Thanks, Tony]
I hate expensive cameras
Then stick with your point-and-shoots and cellphone cameras.
Pen2 needs:
External Audio Input
Improved focusing mechanism for video
Pop-up flash
Optical/electronic Viewfinder
M9 needs:
More fairydust
To be made from gold for improved resale
a Super 35 Full-frame sensor
Pen2 needs you, my friend, in the engineering team. I didn't think of external audio input, but flash is certainly something desired.
I second you on the flash and viewfinder. I'd also like to see them do something about the outdoor glare that is supposedly pretty bad according to reviews. Although with a viewfinder it wouldn't be that big of an issue, albeit nice.
EP-2 needs a focus assist bulb for low light focus. 43rumors.com is saying it'll likely be an attachable EVF. So...meh. Hate EVF since it's useless in low light.
What Olympus really needs is more Micro 4/3rds specific lenses.
Yeah, right, those damn paparazzi with their stupid rangefinder cameras and their huge 135mm lenses.
There are probably no (semi-)professional cameras that are less likely to be bought by paparazzi than those two. A paparazzi who expects to be productive with those two cameras is a stupid paparazzi. Not exactly ideal for their kind of work.
M9 maybe . E-P2 ? too soon.
It could be a more high-end version that may be sold alongside the E-P1.
Well, even if there is a spec of truth to it, I would still take it with a grain of salt. Chasseur d'Image has had a reputation for years for having some fairly shady journalism practices.
Well, whether there will be a new camera or not, September is dead on for a release/announcement time frame. It will be Photokina 2010 that September, which means next summer will be huge new camera releases.
Next Feb/March will also be PMA...
EP-2? Oh please...
That looks really ugly, get the Canon T1i. My uncle who is a pro wedding and sports photographer loves his Canon, but he believes that Olympus is one of the companies that believes in sticking with small sensors, which leads to increased noise and less dynamic range. I have a Canon 5D Mark II and I love it because like the Rebel T1i, there is the opportunity to use the finest lenses ever made (L series from Canon which stands for "Luxury"). I suggest you skip Olympus altogether and get the best image quality from the experts at Canon.
Hi Lou Dobbs!
I think its nice looking. Its retro without trying too hard IMO.
ipoop,
Your name is very appropriate, it's rare to have someone so in touch with their true character.
VIEWFINDER! YAY!
You must be a pretty awesome person "i" since pro wedding photogs are some of the coolest people I've ever met.
You should also look at the Leica M8 (M series from Leica which stands for Macho) since I think you need more Macho.
@i - One of the main reasons everyone is so interested in the Olympus EP-1 is that it has a large sensor. The EP-1 has pretty much the only APS (larger) sensor in a camera of its compact size - with the exception of the much more expensive Panasonic GH1 (without interchangeable lens) and the Sigma DP1. Maybe your uncle should reconsider Olympus.
Technically the DP series are the only compact cameras with a APS-C sensor. The E-P1 and GH1 use the somewhat smaller... though still considerably larger than the ones in most digital compacts... 4:3 sensor.
You and your uncle again? Jeez stop spamming around.. I use Canon stuff as well but at least I know that Canon is NOT the holy grail for everything.
Ever heard of Zuiko lenses? I bet not, do you know you can use Leica glass with a Pen? Also probably not.. just stop being so ignorant... Yes the 5Dmk2 is a great camera, but these two cameras are for a different purpose, good luck traveling light!
ugh, ok that was in reply to 'the "i" '
Leaving a viewfinder off the EP-1 was a massive fail. I was excited about the EP-1 at first, but opted for a Nikon D60 instead because the EP-1 just had too many compromises. I would rather have 2 purpose built cameras (a dSLR and a compact) than one camera trying to be both and failing. And one purpose built camcorder. Maybe the EP-2 will do a better job. Don't know. Don't care. I won't be buying another camera for at least 2 years now anyway.
Haven't finished reading E-PEN manual and PEN 2 is already in the presses? Damn my gadgets get outdated fast! Anyways, it's a great camera: awesome quality and loads of manual and automatic controls. The only things missing:
1. Optical viewfinder is a thing of the past. If you want one, stick with your 1959 film camera.
2. Built-in flashes are inferior both in power and effect. Thank you for saving some space! I got FL-14 and love it.
3. We need more Micro 4/3 lenses!!!! Where is my super-light mega-zoom lens?
4. Need accessories such as skin-case. Third parties should come up with those.
5. I don't look geeky enough with it. Some 3-D goggles maybe?
P.S. This thing is pretty heavy for its size. You will need to mount 25mm lens (+$300) and buy XXXL size pants with galluses to fit this in your pocket. Unless, of course, this is your natural pant size. For a purse or a small shoulder bag this is perfect, however.
"For a purse or a small shoulder bag this is perfect, however."
Considering that my E-520 demands rather large purse, honestly this is a serious improvement.
Also, EP-1 + 17mm fits my briefcase, if official dimensions are to be trusted. Huge improvement.
Though I'm still waiting for better pancake - long rumored Panasonic 20mm f/1.7. Then I will decide what to get and whether to get into u4:3 at all.
If this is true I'm sure Olympus is being responsive to the many potential E-P buyers who found the option of buying an absurdly expensive, awkward accessory viewfinder unacceptable. That's especially so considering the Pen's hefty price to begin with. So, good for Olympus.
There might just be a Pen in my future after all.
I just wonder how thoroughly ripped off people who rushed to buy an E-P1, and maybe an absurdly expensive viewfinder to go with it, are going to feel. I'm thinking plenty of hard feelings.
As for the Leica, I'm sure the six- and seven-figure-income crowd, and people who buy them for investment purposes, will be delighted.
A little sore at beig outdated so fast (i've had my pen a little over a month now.) Though i haven't missed the viewfinder much, and hadn't considered getting the attachment at all. What i do miss would be some sort of flash, even if its dinky. And it would be nice if the MF assist option didn't take so many button presses to get to when using a non-m4/3 lens (i'm using mostly old OM lenses taken from an old film olympus.) Maybe an option to map it to the erase button, which is fairly useless when shooting as opposed to reviewing.
"... get the Canon T1i. My uncle who is a pro wedding and sports photographer ..."
Took long to make that up?
I don't need a viewfinder. But I do need a flash and faster focusing.
That is my plan. I'll take a 21MP full-frame with a 24-105mm L & 100-400mm L lens for most of my shots.
I was supposed to be replying to " The 'i' " up above.
Does this camera use the same lenses as the E3 or one of the other bigger Olympus DSLRs? Or are they special lenses designed for this?
Really looking forward to a EP-2 with an electronic viewfinder. The micro 4/3 is an excellent format if you want a smaller (not pocket-sized) camera with a good quality image and interchangeable lenses. These make great travel cameras, for those of us who don't want to lug around a DSLR and also don't want to deal with the terrible manual control user interface of the Leica D-Lux 4, Lumix LX-3, Nikon P-6000 or Canon G-10 (the Ricoh GR 3 has a great user interface but is limited by only having a prime lens - f1.9. 28mm).
As far as the Leica M9, I say it's about time that they made a full frame rangefinder! What took them so long?
Yeah, if they get to full-frame it might actually be relevant this time around. And if the sensor's changing, maybe they could include a built-in IR filter too...
* by 'relevant' I mean 'as something I would purchase if I won the lottery**
** I don't actually play the lottery, but you never know
My wishlist for PEN2: I would like a built in Electronic View Finder. I want to be able to zoom in in EVF for accurate focusing. Pressing camera to my face makes it more stable than holding in my hands. Flash is useful for putting nice catchlights in peoples eyes, and filling in deep shadows in unfavorable light (talking about portraits, not Grand Canyon). Movie mode with AF. Microphone input. Articultated LCD that is higher resolution and brighter. Same size. Same weight. Better grip (with a hand strap?). Full frame sensor so I can use my wide Leica lenses at reasonable price ;)
Panasonic GF1 is closer to what I would like, but EVF should be built in.
Leica M9 - wish it had EVF option, but I doubt it - I think the camera will be just like an M8 but with FF sensor.
Traveling with Canon 1Ds mark3 has been a good experience, especially since I switched from Canon AF lenses to Leica R glass. No more issues with AF! I preview images through live view, get them focused, and then BAM! Image is there! With Canon lens (28-70) I was geting way too many out of focus shots. AF on Canon 1Ds mark3 sucks! Also, the camera is big and heavy. It is a workout carrying it around all day. Maybe mark 4 will fix the AF and loose some bulk and weight?