Four Thirds to get smaller and lighter system sibling

[Geldieii]

Originally Posted by Ian

Well, hang on - you have the choice, surely? The E-4xx is small, and that's just what a lot of people want. If, like you, you prefer a bigger grip, go for the E-520 or an E-3 (or, of course, a Lumix DMC-L10).

Nobody, not least Panasonic nor Olympus are saying that Micro FT is the exclusive future for camera technology. Camera manufacturers will always serve a market if it's profitable enough, whether it be small and light or chunky form factors.

Ian

Yes, but the choice was always slightly lower performance, seemingly, but for greater features and reduced size. Now, with a smaller form factor with apparently similar performance, the point is, what room does that leave for bodies that are similar size to other makers but routinely looked down on due to sensor performance. I think thats really the point that isn't being looked at. It seems a fair few people are really not so sure this means just a complimentary line but may very well end up being the end of the line for the larger bodies. Olympus aren't going to say that but it certainly is a logical progression that could occur.

[f22]

Originally Posted by Ian

Oddly enough, the studio environment would suite a Micro FT camera well. There is no need for fast action-tracking AF and the EVF, with live view on the outside, should perform admirably under studio lighting.

But I respect your concern, which is a very obvious one, that today's announcement may turn out to compromise the future of the existing Four Thirds platform. I'm optimistic that this won't happen, but we do need more than a press release to address such concerns.

Ian

Thanks for the reply - to be honest on the two E-3s I seldom use the LiveView...occasionally for macro - thats it. For portraits I only use the excellent optical viewfinder and feel more in touch with the subject with a better response. In addition unless doing street shooting I prefer a bigger camera in the studio that balances the lenses better and fits to the hand like the E3.

For street and documentary work I like the 420....to be honest at Photokina I was hoping for a weather sealed version with a bigger optical viewfinder, maybe drop the pop up flash to accommodate the space...more akin to a digital OM4ti.

As you say time will tell, but it makes one think when buying more equipment etc!

[Bear]

No doubt it is a logical progression. However, equally logical is that Micro Four Thirds will draw market share away from bridge cameras and may possibly introduce new buyers to Olympus, a proportion of whom will trade up to "full sized" SLR's thus improving Olympus market share in this segment at the cost of the bridge market share. I don't know yet. Olympus doesn't know yet and neither does anyone else so will have to wait and see !

[RichardSibley]

I think Bear's scenario is the most likely - and with more sensors being produced it could help push the price of the E-series cameras down further.

Maybe some of the quieter 4/3rds parties - such as Fuji - will show more an interest.

I'd be interested to see how Live View worked over long periods on a sensor of that size - the heat generated could be a potential problem.

[Bear]

I rarely use live view on the E3 but I am always impressed when I do. I don't do any studio work but have always preferred larger cameras because I have giant mitts ! The exception to this was my intro to the E system, the E400 which fit into my hands and felt much better than any of its obvious rivals. If Olympus and Panasonic can reproduce this ease of use in a smaller form factor without the IQ compromises inherent in the compact form factor they will undoubtedly have a winner on their hands. What this does to the "full size" Four Thirds line up is anyone's guess right now.

Here goes for my guess - that Micro Four Thirds becomes the format of choice for the segment currently occupied by bridge cameras. This causes some loss of market share in higher end compact sales and low end DSLR sales but generates great revenues for Olympus and Panasonic as they are first movers into a new market segment. Bridge camera sales will be marginalised and the low end DSLR range (E4xx) will disappear. Full Sized Four Thirds will move higher into the pro space with additional models that segment the space better than the current line-up, once some IQ issues with the current sensors have been solved.

Just a thought ............

[Geldieii]

Originally Posted by Bear

Here goes for my guess - that Micro Four Thirds becomes the format of choice for the segment currently occupied by bridge cameras. This causes some loss of market share in higher end compact sales and low end DSLR sales but generates great revenues for Olympus and Panasonic as they are first movers into a new market segment. Bridge camera sales will be marginalised and the low end DSLR range (E4xx) will disappear. Full Sized Four Thirds will move higher into the pro space with additional models that segment the space better than the current line-up, once some IQ issues with the current sensors have been solved.

Just a thought ............

I'd love that, I hope its right!

[Ian]

Originally Posted by RichardSibley

I think Bear's scenario is the most likely - and with more sensors being produced it could help push the price of the E-series cameras down further.

Maybe some of the quieter 4/3rds parties - such as Fuji - will show more an interest.

I'd be interested to see how Live View worked over long periods on a sensor of that size - the heat generated could be a potential problem.

Hi Richard - bumped into Angela today, surprised only to see one AP staffer at the event

Oooh, I see more controversy next week with the E-520 vs. Canon EOS-40D comparison feature. I can see it now - why compare the E-520 with the 40D when the E-520 is £150 cheaper? Just thought I'd warn you

Back to the topic - it's just so difficult to predict what will happen as a result of today's announcement. The ideas are new and interesting, but there could be all sorts of consequences.

One thing is for sure, action and wildlife photographers won't be flocking to Micro Four Thirds as the AF will be slower and the viewfinder, albeit radically improved over EVFs we all know and hate, may not be a big selling point to such photographers. But street photographers, landscape photographers, etc. should have fewer issues. There will be as many attracted to a high quality EVF as those put off. The possibility of overlaying all sorts of data in the viewfinder, or switching if off completely, is very interesting.

Small and ultra-light lenses may not appeal to everyone either. So I believe Olympus will continue to have a DSLR market for the original FT platform. The question is, can it and Panasonic grow that market and maintain its profitability? On paper, I don't see why not. Reality can always be surprising - in either a good or a bad way. But we do need Olympus and Panasonic to follow up with the promises that they won't abandon the existing Four Thirds user base.

Ian

[Bear]

Yep me too - hope it's my head not my heart talking.

[Atlasman]

Originally Posted by Ian

7. If there is no reflex mirror, does that mean Micro Four Thirds cameras must have electronic viewfinders? Basically, yes. Luckily, we can expect a major step forward in EVF technology for still cameras.
Ian

30 fps refresh? Exposure Simulation?

I hope Olympus brings out its first as the flag-ship of this particular line eSLRs.

I'm excited!

[Atlasman]

Originally Posted by vicb981

Second para of news release is interesting; that DSLRs only account for 7% of camera sales, whereas with SLR (ie film) the proportion was less in favour of compacts. Frankly, I'm not surprised. I use a 5 Mpix compact and the quality is amazing. It has weaknesses, as does every camera, but the main point is that I take lots of pics with it. Most of the time I don't need larger format quality. Surprisingly, it's good for close-ups as it has an incredible depth of field which more than compensates for any loss of quality you'd expect compared with film/larger format.
I think the micro 4/3 is the obvious way to go; I don't need a v/f. In fact I can take more range of pics using a screen than with a v/f camera. Close-ups of insects is one example. And I can look over walls or screens in places like zoos using a screen! Very, very rarely do I have trouble viewing a screen in bright light, even (as 2 weeks ago) at 2000m in the Alps (and it doesn't get much brighter than that!

I'd rather loose the LCD and get a reticulating viewfinder (like the videocams); out in daylight environments the lcd becomes difficult and a composition tool.

But I'l take anything that has zero mirror slap!