New Olympus D-SLR @ PMA Trade Show

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/04/2003 08:32:59 AM · #1

OLYMPUS

Olympus introduces the world's first 100% all-digital SLR system based upon the new four-thirds standard

The Olympus new D-SLR was demonstrated in prototype form. It is the first camera offered to make use of the new 4/3-type image sensor. The camera and the lenses to be offered by Olympus are to be built to this new all-digital format, which makes the lenses perfectly match the camera body and the image sensor. This approach is in contrast to making use of 23 mm lenses on digital camera bodies.

In some cases, using standard 35 mm lenses on D-SLR camera bodies has resulted in images with insufficient light falling on the edges of the image sensor which can reduce colour definition. This is particularly noticeable when shooting with a wide-angle lens.

The Olympus D-SLR has an all-metal body made of a magnesium alloy.

They are targeting speeds comparable to a film SLR and shorten the time it takes to write to the memory card, focus, shoot and capture.

They showed prototypes of:

- the camera body
- lenses
- 300 mm f2.8 (600 mm equivalent)
- 14 mm to 54 mm f2.8 - f3.5 (28 mm to 108 mm equivalent)
- 50 mm macro f2.0 (100 mm equivalent)
- 50 mm to 200 mm f2.8 to f3.5 (100 mm to 400 mm equivalent)
- external flash unit
- power battery holder

The official product launch will be June 24, 2003 in New York, when the complete feature list and technical specifications will be announced.

They claim that they will offer a competitive product,well priced, in the late third quarter or early forth quarter of 2003.

drewmedia

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

03/04/2003 12:09:41 PM · #2

Thanks for keeping us updated :) Did you make it to PMA?

Drew

03/04/2003 01:01:26 PM · #3

Hi Drew,

Yes, I am at the PMA 2003 show in Las Vegas now. It all ends tomorrow. I am having a blast as it is just like a "kid in a candy store" for me. Pure euphoria. And, I am out of Toronto's fierce winter weather for a few days too - bonus.

It is too bad that the postings are cycled so quickly off the main DPC home page. I had hoped to provide a service to the DPC membership by making these postings. But, if they just disappear, there is not really much point, is there? I am hesitant to create the Nikon and Fuji postings as it takes a big effort and if it is all wasted, then why do it at all?

Cheers,
Michael Martin (Morgan)

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

03/04/2003 01:11:49 PM · #4

Ellen (aka emorgan49)

Thanks for the bumps. I saw folks doing this bumping on the MS thread, which is great and proper for that sort of topic. But, I was hesitant to do it on this sort of thread as it might not be perceived as being very acceptable. But, I appreciated the helping hand.

Cheers, Michael

jimmyn4

Canon EOS-7D

03/04/2003 01:13:51 PM · #5

Well Morgan, along with bumping I will thank you for giving us the information on the new cameras.

drewmedia

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/04/2003 05:21:02 PM · #6

What's the general concensus among the photography buffs about the four-thirds standard? As someone who's never owned an SLR, should I give serious consideration to waiting for a camera that follows this standard (since I don't have any legacy lenses)?

Drew

psychephylax

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/04/2003 05:35:19 PM · #7

Originally posted by drewmedia:

I'd also like an answer to this as the 10D looks very tempting.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

03/04/2003 06:09:13 PM · #8

Originally posted by drewmedia:

The 4/3" sensor has a size of 18x13.5mm.
The APS sized ones of the D100 and D60/10D/*ist D are about 25.1x16.7mm.
This may seem little, but the surface of an APS one is 172% the size of a 4/3".
So I wonder how the ISO perfomance, dynamic range and resolving power of the 4/3 will be compared to the APS ones (you'd expected it would perform a lot worse, not bad, just worse). The small size of the camera, the effect on lenses (300mm acts as a 600mm one) and the assumed processing speed look very intersting. I would like to see a serious (dpreview) test with it. Perhaps it does very well.

On the other hand I wonder how the *ist D will perform. It looks really interesting and the 11 point autofocus seems promising.