Olympus teases mystery camera, new Micro Four Thirds?
By Donald Melanson 
posted January 27th 2010 4:27PM
posted January 27th 2010 4:27PM
Well, there's not much to go on with this one, but Olympus has just put the above notice on its website, which teases a camera of.. some sort. Given the apparent form factor, however, some folks are speculating that it could be a new Micro Four Thirds camera to complement Olympus' PEN offerings, or possibly something along the lines of Sigma's DP2 compact. Either way, it seems pretty likely that we'll be hearing more about it at PMA next month.
That hardly leaves anything for the imagination!
@Khalid Shahin
I know.. everyone can tell its clearly some sort of camera with a severed human hand stuck to it..
Not that innovative if you ask me.
Well that doesn't make much sense to me. They're basically saying that their product isn't innovative by hiding it.
@Yoda
Apple shoved just splashes of pain....
You could be right when we saw apples new newton....
I was in a camera shop yesterday getting seduced by the EP-1 and a convincing sales pitch, but am still massively deterred by the unobtainable price. A more affordable micro four thirds would be awesome, please.
@alexwilks88
Uh, a used G1?
@bebop
Uh, we want a new1?
Bring on more posts, anything, just pile them so that the islate (sorry, IPAD) rumors and incredible amount of speculation, rumor, and how apple is going to change the way we consume posts get buried.
I feel a bit sad for all the blog editors who went insane on the ithing.
@kitsune
No before they say "move along, nothing to see here" I want them to call out Apple on the revolutionary magical, most advanced device Apple has (Mac Pro must be on vacation) for the bullshit that it is.
Because otherwise, they ARE Apple fanbois, like i've suspected.
@Andurilan +1
+ 1
I hope it is a fix rangefinder type. I would buy it. I love my E-P1 with the Lumix 20mm f/1.7 lens. Smaller than the E-P1 would be perfect.
This isn't about the iPad? What's up with that?
@BergerFan
Ok if that joke didn't die one post ago then I definitely think its dead now.
@BergerFan
iPadding the illusion?
I hope it's a more affordable micro four thirds cam! I'm looking at getting one in summer. Panasonic still looks better so far imo.
But you sure can hide the pricetag: un-value for money! ;)
The Micro 4/3 cameras are very expensive and the only winning factor is the size. I'd rather go with the cheaper but superior image quality of the Canon entry-level SLR like the EOS 1000D and 450D, sure their big but the image quality, the noise and lense variety in particular, is indispensable.
Micro 4/3s would have been nice if the come around $499 or $599 range w/ lens but they would never be. So this mount is destined for oblivion in the a short time.
@jomsuc
Very true indeed. The benefits of a micro four thirds are limited. My first true DSLR was a Cannon Rebel EOS. I rather enjoyed it. I would rather have a little more bulk for a full on DSLR.
@jomsuc I have a Canon 500D/T1i and a Pen E-P1. Guess what I use a whole lot more. The Pen. I have lenses from Pentax, Leica, Olympus, Canon, Nikon, C-Mount working on my Pen. I can shoot at f/1.2 on 1960 Canon lens I have that gives me creamy bokeh. I can't do that with my T1i without adding more money for expensive glass.
Shooting with old Leica glass using a M-mount adapter is a dream. Again, can't do that with my Canon. The Canon does take better 720p video but.... I can film manually and control aperture on the PEN in video mode.
I look forward to seeing this announcement. I may pick another one up as a back-up camera. I already have over 2 dozen lens, I just need the body.
@HDD
Good for you if you have money to buy mount adapters and assortment of lenses and can deal with 4/3 noise (pre-photshop i mean). Your argument is on the lens side. Do the non native micro 4/3s auto focus on your PEN? I dont think so. I dont want to deal with manual focusing. I know there are adapters with ingenious focus confirmation but I still I prefer lenses with native mounts so auto-focusing is a breeze.
@jomsuc I focus faster with a manual vintage lens so the point is moot for me. I can see it as an issue for other people.
One thing to note, the PEN has built in IBIS so I don't have to jack up the ISO. Furthermore, it doesn't have the mirror-slap of a SLR which induce camera shakes. I can shoot at night hand-held at ISO 800-1200 versus ISO 1600-3200 on my Canon.
I can shoot at a 1/15 second shutter & ISO 800 "handheld" with NO blur. Pretty much negates the APS-C sensor noise advantage right there. Coupled with better glass, the PEN is a an awesome camera for low-low-low light street camera.
Anything under ISO 800, the two perform the same. Rumor has it this new version doesn't have IBIS.
I am hoping this follows the range-finder style of the old Oly 35C or Leica CLEs. I definitely prefer no mirrors whatsoever. I own over a dozen vintage rangefinders so these type of cams suit my shooting style.
@HDD I think the EP1 has inbody IS that is why you can shoot at high ISO with visibly less noise whereas the Canon XS/XSI/T1i relies on lens-based IS, their bodies dont have shake reduction. Did you use a Canon IS lens to compare with EP1's in-body IS?
For the price of an EP1/2 or other micro 4/3 cameras, I'd rather buy the iPad and stick with my current DSLR.
I am only wishing for price to be at least at a range between Canon and Nikon entry-level DSLR.
@jomsuc the EP1 IBIS (In Body Image Stabilizer) works on any lens. I don't have a fast stabilized Canon EOS lens. The Canon kit 18-55 is a bit of a joke. When I say fast, I mean f/1.4. I have the Canon 50mm/f1.4 and even with its f-stop advantage, the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 on my PEN performs better in low-street light photography.
I agree with you that it is a bit pricey but the other option is a Leica M9. I think of the EP1 and Pan GF1 as a poor man's Leica when you can use any Leica Lens you want. That puts it in perspective for me.
@HDD. I used to have two Oly bodies E410 and E420 with 25 f2.8, 35 f3.5, 50mm 1.4/1.8 I'm glad I dont have to deal with chroma noise on my Canon.
@jomsuc. Realize that every camera has trade-offs. There is no perfect camera, and the great thing about the variety available is that most people will find a camera system that works well for their needs, with shortcomings that don't really get in the way of their style of shooting. You seem to have found a camera that meets your needs in your Canon, which is great.
I've had the GF1 for 3 months and have hardly put it down. Can't say the same thing for my DSLR (e510). I have captured scenes and moments with the GF1 that I would have missed before. Many times with the e510 I would just leave it at home because of the weight and size. With the GF1 however, I don't really have to think twice- it fits in my jacket pocket and it doesn't attract attention like a big DSLR, so I don't feel awkward using it in, say, a shopping mall. With a fast lens like the Panny 20mm 1.7, I can make do in most lighting situations without resorting to flash. Add to that the fact that I'm actually getting better IQ out of the GF1 than I ever did with the e510, and I'm a pretty happy snapper. Better noise levels would always be nice, but I don't do much high ISO shooting. More lenses would be nice, but this system is still pretty new. A lower price would be welcomed, but for how well built the GF1 is, it seems about right. There is always the G1, which can be had for $600 w/ lens.
In conclusion, I wouldn't label the system 'destined for oblivion' so soon. Micro 4/3 has a decent sized user base, and it's only growing. Online stores and dealers can hardly keep the GF1 in stock, and in some cases they are selling for 200 over msrp. I don't think Samsung or Ricoh would be trying to follow the trend of micro 4/3 if there wasn't a market for it.
Pen is nice = but VERY EXPENSIVE.
LOWER the price ! stupid Oly.
It's olympus' new tablet! Let the rumors start.
@LloydChiro
Well.. they could simply throw in an ARM-based CPU and run CE, or to be actually interesting webOS, and use the display as an 'e-reader' and make a deal with yet another bookstore, and then they've beaten apple, tada; as windows would say.
That camera looks awfully small for a u4/3 ILC.
Perhaps it's something midway between a Lumix LX-3 and a Leica X1 instead. That would be pretty neat.