Olympus E-330 EVF SLR? Announcement JAN 26

01/25/2006 07:06:05 PM · #1

'Olympus' will make an announcement tomorrow (JAN 26) about a new 4/3rds mount camera. 'Olympus' Europe accidentally (or purposely?) named the teaser ad file 'e'-'330'.gif. One can assume by the teaser and the leaks on the net that the new camera will be one with an EVF. If this is true it will be interesting how they do this if the camera is a true SLR.

Both Canon (EOS RT) and Nikon (F2H) have had Pellicle Mirrored cameras (no mirror flip), but those were really high-end cameras.

What Iâ��m hoping for is a rangefinder type camera that would accept the SLR lenses (they are sophisticated enough & have upgradeable firmware). I would want it as my primary camera, but it would make a great addition to a SLR system, especially IR.

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

01/25/2006 07:26:58 PM · #2

Found pics...

and a link (in Japanese?) here.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

01/25/2006 07:28:40 PM · #3

I'm wondering if they will use a similar setup to the one in the 'E'-10/'E'-20 cameras that used a prism instead of a mirror to direct the lens image to both the sensor and focusing screen simultaneously. 50% of the light goes to the sensor and the other 50% to the viewfinder. While the image in the viewfinder for the 'E'-10/20 was very bright, it cuts down on half the light that reaches the sensor, and was thought to be the main reason why the those cameras were very noisy, even at ISO 80.

A key for the 'E'-'330', as well as, all subsequent 'Olympus' offerings will be noise level at high ISO. It's also designed to be attractive to people with smaller hands and probably very portable. I'm looking forward to the announcement.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

01/25/2006 07:31:06 PM · #4

Originally posted by hyperfocal:

Found pics...

and a link (in Japanese?) here.

Looks like a combo of the 'E'-300 and 8080.
Have you heard how many megapixels and who makes the sensor?
I'm not crazy about the hotshoe being right on top of the viewfinder.

01/25/2006 07:32:34 PM · #5

Panasonic & 7.5MP. Word on the street is great high ISO performance compared to the 'E'-300/500 kodak 8mp sensor

01/25/2006 07:34:26 PM · #6

Found alot more info on the dpreview's 'Olympus' SLR talk forum.

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

01/25/2006 08:46:56 PM · #7

Come on Thursday...I want this thing to blow us all away.

So far, I like 'Olympus' VERY much...I bought my girlfriend an 'E'-300 for Christmas, and after doing the research on that camera, I was nothing short of impressed (and it has its failings). The lenses that are specifically redesigned to work with digital, the super-sonic wave filter for dust-free images, and now an EVF, MLU, and you get to keep the OVF, this sounds like a big step forward in the innovation department.

Thanks 'Olympus'.

jdw91479

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

01/25/2006 08:58:32 PM · #8

Originally posted by w24x192:

I got an 'e'-300 yesterday. Then I got sick today and haven't even been able to use it :(. I can't wait for the weekend. Now I'm wondering if I waited about a month, would the new announcement driven the price of it down? Oh well, wait a month and the price of almost anything technological will go down.

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

01/25/2006 09:03:08 PM · #9

Originally posted by jdw91479:

Wait and see if 'Olympus' does release something (all signs are pointing to a big 'Yes, they will release something') and compare it to what you have...a very good camera. Go to DPReview, and look at the reviews of the 'E'-300...if you see that you would prefer to have the next camera, then you can make that decision. If you haven't opened it yet, you can always take it back.

jdw91479

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

01/25/2006 09:12:40 PM · #10

Originally posted by w24x192:

I did open it, but I guess I have 2 weeks ;) I'm jumping from a canon s30, so almost anything would be a better camera. I remember when I joined here and the S30 was a pretty decent camera. I'm sure I'll like the 'e'-300. I did quite a bit of research before buying it to try and insure that I would.

01/25/2006 09:19:49 PM · #11

Originally posted by jdw91479:

I have an S50...slightly younger than your S30...and I really enjoyed using my girlfriend's 'E'-300. There is a bit of a learning curve that you should expect...it has very different controls from a Canon. But, the speed and freedom that are built-in with an SLR are worth the time investment.

Have fun with your new camera!

01/26/2006 09:53:27 AM · #12

DPReview preliminary review

and

Steve's Digicams preliminary review

Looks promising so far...sure it has issues...find me a camera without issues. I am looking forward to the actual review where we can see how ISO levels affect noise, how the colors looks, and so on and so forth.

Good luck, 'Olympus'.

01/26/2006 12:18:20 PM · #13

To me it looks like a great special purpose & backup body, but unfortunately the $1000 price is about $200 more than I had hoped to be a great success for 'Olympus'. I understand having two sensors is expensive to manufacturer, but the market has too many options for less.

That being said I would probably get one when 'Olympus' offers it with no lens. The macro "B" mode with 100% framing accuracy is just too sweet to pass up. Also as an 'E'-300 & 'E'-500 owner better high ISO performance would be nice, although I very seldom shoot higher than ISO 100 except for IR.

Now we just need the 100mm macro & 'E'-1 replacement.

01/26/2006 01:00:28 PM · #14

Originally posted by hyperfocal:

I hoped that that was just an MSRP that could fluctuate...mostly downward. Also, within a few months of coming out, it will certainly go down in price. They always do.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

01/26/2006 01:30:13 PM · #15

A dark narrow optical viewfinder and a rather unimpressive LCD preview, worst of both worlds if you ask me.

01/26/2006 01:42:26 PM · #16

Originally posted by Azrifel:

A dark narrow optical viewfinder and a rather unimpressive LCD preview, worst of both worlds if you ask me.

Well, we'll see how it works once it really comes out. Until then, it is nice to see some inovation beyond more megapixels and faster FPS rates. This camera isn't for everyone, but there is no camera for everyone.

Kamlan 28mm F1.4 MF for APS-C

01/26/2006 02:01:53 PM · #17

Originally posted by Azrifel:

A dark narrow optical viewfinder and a rather unimpressive LCD preview, worst of both worlds if you ask me.

With the Me-1, the viewfinder is much nicer than the D70 or D100s I've owned (although the grid would be nice). Of course both are horrible compared to say my F3. At least I have mirror lockup for all my great Nikkor glass.

As a sad note, I just visited 'Olympus' America's website and the 'e'-300 is no longer listed except in archived products :-(, pitty.

Manic

DJI Mini 3 Pro

01/26/2006 02:08:08 PM · #18

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

Interesting interview with Nada, technical product manager for 'Olympus', discussing (among other things) the implementation of live preview in DSLRs.

//www.quesabesde.com/noticias/'Olympus'-'E'-'330'-Yoshiyuki-Nada,1_en_2256

DjFenzl

01/26/2006 02:11:14 PM · #19

Just to tie the threads together, here's more discussion with illustrations:
//dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=337643