New Olympus E-450 previewed

[Ian]

Originally Posted by MikkoH

I wonder if it has the sensor of e-3 with less banding? In that case it would have superior IQ against the e-620 but otherwise be a lesser camera compared to it, which would be very confusing.

I'm wondering if the banding was fixed by the TruePic III+ introduced with the E-30?

Ian

[MEDISIN]

Originally Posted by thestickman

I think it was a shame that they didn't get those strap lugs onto the top/side of the camera.

Exactly what I was thinking. This is the only thing keeping me from picking up a cheap E-4XX on Ebay right now. I just hate the way those dig into my fingers. Oh well.

[Archphoto]

Olympus finaly listened to their users ?

If this camera is better with banding compared to the E420: expect a E550 soon.
Banding and noise is a real problem with the E520, esp when you compare it to the E410.

So: expect E450, E550, E620, E30 and E4 to be the range.

Peter

[hschnee]

Originally Posted by Archphoto

Olympus finaly listened to their users ?

If this camera is better with banding compared to the E420: expect a E550 soon.
Banding and noise is a real problem with the E520, esp when you compare it to the E410.

So: expect E450, E550, E620, E30 and E4 to be the range.

Peter

I can see this as being a reasonable range. The E-450 and E-550 would be the lower priced models with 10 MP sensors. E-620 and E-30 take up the midrange with 12 MP. And E-4 is the top of the range with all the performance bits. The E-30 still needs a significant price drop for it to work well, IMO, and the E-4 shouldn't cost much more than the current E-30 price.

It's just some of the sensor issues that bug me. Specifically, why is it that the Panasonic G1 has basically the same sensor (and a host of advanced technology--high res LCD, advanced contrast AF and EVF, portability) as the E-30 for half the price? Yes, the E-30 provides some other advantages, but the G1 has its own advantages over the E-30. Olympus has a difficult task in distinguishing among the many models and convincing skeptics (such as myself ) of the value of the pricier ones.

BTW, I'm in complete agreement with Phil (thestickman) and MEDISIN about the placement of the E-4XX lugs. Putting them on the front may help a bit with balance on the neck strap, but is a (literal) pain when holding the camera--the lug on the shutter release side falls right where my fingers need to go and is extremely uncomfortable.

- Hal -

[Tullio]

Oh, pleeeease....what's the big deal about (half implementation of the E-30) Art filter Those three filters plus many many others are available on the FREE Photoscape software. Instead of the silly filters, Olympus should add IS to the E450. Certainly a much more important and useful feature.

[ReggieB]

well, the final nail was put in the coffin for my Oly lineup theory. I am still interested in seeing what their m4/3 model will look like, and, of course, the E-5. This is cool, but not what I really care that much about. Come on Oly, why are you updating your most popular camera when you could be making ME happy.

I hope this one is a sales hit, and really suspect that it will be.

[Wickster]

It's really hard nowadays to decide the next upgrade path for someone coming from the E-510 like me. I'm really aiming for an E-30 but then the E-620 is looking very good especially for it's price range.

For somebody jumping from the point and shoot market I can see the E-450 succeeding. But after coming from the E-4XX series I don't really see them jumping to the E-5XX when the E-620 exists. So that's why I think the E-550 might not be needed anymore. But that's just my opinion again.

My theory is though. The E-30 is priced really close to the E-3. Too close to sort of figure out that an E-5 will comeout to widen the price range again. $1,700 - $2,000 maybe. But that's just me.

[RogerMac]

Originally Posted by thestickman

I think it was a shame that they didn't get those strap lugs onto the top/side of the camera.

Ian,

Is it possible to remove one of the strap lugs completely? If so one could attach both ends of a strap to the right hand lug and let the camera hang vertically - which with a small lens is much more comfortable anyway (but perhaps not with the 12-60 lens)


Roger

[Vortexartist]

Aren't they pushing it a bit to call it the E-450? E-421.5 might be more appropriate.

[Archphoto]

Like they do with software......

I do not think Olympus wants to be reminded of the E420 or the E520 for that matter.
If Oly got rid of the banding and noise problems these 2 camera's were plagued with they have every right to give it a new number.

Peter