I don't think we can rule out a mirrorless pro body at some stage - when the technology is right. But that doesn't mean the body has to be smaller or lighter, the space saved can be used for something else and in the fullness of time it's conceivable that EVFs will actually out-perform optical finders. However, if we get to that stage all the big players will be doing it - I wouldn't then want Olympus to be in a position of being critisized for failing to keep up with the big boys by not having a mirrorless full sized system! And if they were ahead of the others, wouldn't that be nice?
In the near future, however, the anxiety revolves around the uncertainty of an E3 replacement. Why the delay? In my opinion it could be for one of four reasons:-
1) They are planning to quietly abandon the E-System and let it wither on the vine as MFT becomes the real money earner.
Personally I don't subscribe to this. Olympus have always ploughed their own furrow and have supreme belief in their own concepts. It could be argued that they have struggled to catch up with the competition in certain aspects (like sensor performance) ever since the inception of the system. Now that they are catching up quite steadily, thanks to the partnership with Panasonic, why would they want to abandon all the hard work that has gone into SHG lens development - an area in which they comfortably out-perform the competition?
2) They are planning to retain the E-System but convert it to mirrorless at an early stage, first in the entry to mid-range models with the eventual E3 replacement put a long way back in the timetable, perhaps at least another two years.
I also think this is unlikely. The technology is comming on nicely but is not there yet, even for what they really want to do with MFT. I think they will develop it fully until it reaches maturity before there is any significant convergence of the two systems.
3) All the R&D resources are currently directed to MFT and although the E-System is still a long term committment it is not a short term priority.
This seems more likely. Worldwide trading conditions are not good and Olympus has only a small market penetration anyway. Without a new source of revenue the reality of staying in that market long term may be tenuous at best. Fortunately Olympus is nothing if not innovative and in the case of MFT it may just be that they had to innovate to survive.
It is clear that the Pen range is already a major success story and is destined to go on to even greater things. It promises an early return to profitability for the camera division and thus will help safeguard the future development of the E-System, but maybe not in the short term. Olympus simply cannot afford to rest on their laurels in the mirrorless market because Panasonic are providing really strong (and healthy) competition and new players are recognizing the potential every day. For this reason we may have to be a little more patient than we'd like to be for the E-5.
4) Olympus are waiting for new sensor developments and technology from Panasonic to become available before they replace the E-3 in order to make it a worthwhile and significant upgrade which really does carry the fight to the competition, rather than risk a repeat of the critisism that the E-3 attracted upon its introduction.
This is also quite plausible. Remember, Olympus know what is in the pipeline, we don't. Better to wait and get it right rather than hurry and get it only almost right. The E-3 was designed around the need to compete with the Nikon D200 but unfortunately it was somewhat trumped (in the opinion of many reviewers) by the D300, although I've never accepted that the differences are as great as seems to be the common perception. Maybe this time Olympus want to leapfrog Nikon in this sector of the market.
Whatever the reason, for many of us it is academic anyway. If an E5 with significant improvements was released tomorrow it wouldn't make any difference to me; I cannot afford to upgrade a pro body every couple of years and I'll just have to "make do" with the E-3. Fortunately it is still the camera it was when I bought it and I was more than happy with it then so I should still be happy with it now.
Regardless of how much improved the E-5 may prove to be, realistically it isn't going to match a full frame 12mp camera such as the D3 for noise control at high ISO. I can see that for the type of work Bear does a D3 seems quite compelling but that's quite a specialist application and for most of us the E-System is more than adequate and actually better in some respects. Plus, it is here to stay and will certainly get better!
As ever, plausible, well argued and quite possibly partially, or even entirely right. I have no problem with my E3, in fact I love it, it is the best camera I have ever owned. I love ZD glass and would quite happily be a long term Olympus aficionado with a little more support public support for the system I have invested in. With the benefit of hindsight, I might ot have bought into 4/3rds 3 years ago if I was able to predict my current situation, then. However, a different decision in 2007 might not have enabled me to be in the position I am now. Come on olympus, give me 2 stops more and give it to me now, or pretty soon. I will accept that it is unlikely to be before Wenesday though !
That's pretty specific and tight - I wouldn't be too annoyed with Olympus if they can't accommodate you...
Ah, but he didn't say which Wednesday! I think we are all second guessing at the moment; the sooner we have some real news the better. Eventually the E-5 will effect me, because I'll probably look to upgrade when it is being discounted upon the release of the (mirrorless) E-6!
You can only do what you think is right at the time. And as you say the situation has changed.
For bar/club shoots nothing will touch cameras like the D3s, and that's what you need. A mate of mine went for the 1D Mark IV, simply because he liked the handling better, just personal. I saw his 16x20 prints shots at ISO 10,000 from a band playing the Dublin Castle in Camden - great quality prints, couldn't believe it at that speed rating. So any of those type of cameras will do the job for you.
I would keep your Olympus gear for its strengths. I use it for product shots for eg because the the extra DOF in macro is an advantage, as is sharp across the frame. For travel type shots its also a good system. For events I have gone 135, can't beat it for available light - that's why i sold the SHG lenses, but kept some of the Olympus. Horses etc......
Hope you get the kit you need.
cheers
f22
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bear
John
As ever, plausible, well argued and quite possibly partially, or even entirely right. I have no problem with my E3, in fact I love it, it is the best camera I have ever owned. I love ZD glass and would quite happily be a long term Olympus aficionado with a little more support public support for the system I have invested in. With the benefit of hindsight, I might ot have bought into 4/3rds 3 years ago if I was able to predict my current situation, then. However, a different decision in 2007 might not have enabled me to be in the position I am now. Come on olympus, give me 2 stops more and give it to me now, or pretty soon. I will accept that it is unlikely to be before Wenesday though !
Don't forget the heavy dose of truth serum in the tea, then press hard on the E-5?
I think more pertinently, is pass on the effect (i.e. the concerns) made by Olympus USA's PR faux pas. And maybe say that trailing things that will happen in the FT world officially (rather than having to rely on rumour) would go a long way to ameliorate folk - having total silence or repeating like a broken record "we are committed to fourthirds" won't do.
In any case, even if the marketing guys were doing a half-way excellent job, more generally:
- the product cycle is too slow in comparison with your competitors, particularly at the high-end - mid-term refreshes would help and be welcomed
- pro support has been compromised by centralising everything in Portugal (e.g Paul's wait to get his E-3 fixed or my inability to order a !#@£ing screw for my lens hood)
On the plus side, the new hire service is the best thing Oly has done for use (and themselves) in the last 6 months for fourthirds users.
The delay in getting the E3 repaired was due to the courier, I checked on Fri and it has been repaired and I'll get it this week, once the repair centre received it they had it ready in about 3 days, in future I'll use RMSD and just pay the £7 courier fee to speed things up and reduce the hassle.
Linear Mode
