Filed under: Digital Cameras

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic might be the first to ship its new micro Four Thirds G1, but Olympus definitely stole the hotness crown with that retro concept cam, and the company just confirmed that it’ll join the ranks of the shipping — Olympus European marketing director Miquel Angel Garcia told Pocket-lint that we should expect a camera similar to the prototype within the next 12 months. According to Garcia, micro Four Thirds is “about design and style, not about a smaller black box” — take that, Panny. Hopefully this means we’ll be seeing the DSLR-sized micro Four Thirds sensor shake up the fashion cam market, but we’ll see what Olympus has in store — the sooner the better, guys.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

We heard it was coming, but we didn’t expect Olympus to bust out a Micro Four Thirds system with such vintage hotness. Taking its visual cues from the classic Rangefinder cameras, this unnamed Olympus is just a concept for now with no pricing, specs, or release date announced. Still, it shows just how far Olympus and Panasonic can push the Micro Four Thirds standard while maintaining Four Thirds lens compatibility and a DSLR-sized 18 x 13.5-mm sensor. One more snap after the break, more beyond the read link.

Continue reading Olympus drops jaws with retro Micro Four Thirds concept

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

In the run-up to Photokina, Olympus just announced its latest Four Thirds DSLR targeting the “advanced amateur.” Positioned in the enormous gap between Olympus’ flagship E-3 and E-520 shooters, the new E-A1 DSLR inherits the E-3’s high-speed 11-point AF system, image stabilization with 5 stops correction, while featuring improved weather sealing around a housing we expect to be relatively compact by comparison. Available in Q1 2009 if things stay on track.

As co-consprirators with Panasonic behind the Micro Four Thirds format, it’s no surprise to hear that Olympus also has a tiny, mirror-less prototype camera to show off at Photokina as well. The only surprise is that it’ll be on display under glass without a date, specs, or price.

[Via cnet]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

In the run-up to Photokina, Olympus just announced its latest Four Thirds DSLR targeting the “advanced amateur.” Positioned in the enormous gap between Olympus’ flagship E-3 and E-520 shooters, the new E-A1 DSLR inherits the E-3’s high-speed 11-point AF system, image stabilization with 5 stops correction, while featuring improved weather sealing around a housing we expect to be relatively compact by comparison. Available in Q1 2009 if things stay on track.

As co-consprirators with Panasonic behind the Micro Four Thirds format, it’s no surprise to hear that Olympus also has a tiny, mirror-less prototype camera to show off at Photokina as well. The only surprise is that it’ll be on display under glass without a date, specs, or price.

[Via cnet]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Look out, world — we’re not so certain you’re ready to behold the greatness of Olympus’ latest duo. In all seriousness, we’re not so certain you’ll be able to stay awake as we explain the details, but stay up and you just may run across something you’re into. The FE-360 and FE-370 point-and-shoots each include an 8-megapixel sensor, face detection, image stabilization, a video mode and an xD card slot. There’s also a bundled attachment that enables the use of microSD cards, but we’re assuming the all-but-forgotten xD slot is kept in there to stroke a suit’s ego somewhere up the chain. Anywho, the two differ in the optical zoom category (3x on the FE-360, 5x on the FE-370) and LCD size (2.5-inches versus 2.7-inches). Each shooter will arrive in a variety of hues and will hit the UK market for £129.99 ($242) / £179.99 ($334) next month.

[Via DigitalCameraInfo]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

With Photokina just around the corner, it’s time for camera manufacturers to start kicking out the standard updates so we can all be appropriately focused next month, and it looks like Olympus is getting things started with the new Mju 1060 point-and-shoot. The 10 megapixel shooter (it’ll be a Stylus when it comes Stateside) has a nice 7x optical zoom, dual image stabilizers, Intelligent Auto mode with face detection and shadow adjustment, and takes both xD-Picture and MicroSD cards, in case you’re into semi-obscure memory card formats. Should be out in the UK in September for £259 ($482), we’d expect it to arrive here for less shortly thereafter.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Ready for this? Olympus and Panasonic just announced a new mirrorless format and lens mount based on the venerable Four Thirds standard. Dubbed Micro Four Thirds System, the enhanced standard uses the same 18 x 13.5-mm sensor but promises 50% slimmer cameras due to the removal of the mirror box. We’re also looking at smaller lenses (while remaining compatible with existing Four Third lenses with an adapter) thanks in part to a new reduced lens mount which is now 6-mm smaller. With the mirror box gone, Micro Four Third cameras will lose the optical viewfinder so you’ll have to frame up your subjects using a Live View LCD or an external viewfinder.

How big of a development is this? Huge. As Phil Askey, editor over at dpreview puts it, “This is without doubt the most exciting digital photography announcement this year. It’s fair to say that this “extension / addition” to the Four Thirds standard is finally able to deliver on the original promise of that format; considerably smaller and lighter lenses and bodies.”

Unfortunately, no products were announced so you’ve got plenty of time to debate the spec and pour over the illustrations we’ve dropped in after the break.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

Continue reading Olympus and Panasonic launch Micro Four Thirds, compact DSLRs will be yours

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Ready for this? Olympus and Panasonic just announced a new mirrorless format and lens mount based on the venerable Four Thirds standard. Dubbed Micro Four Thirds System, the enhanced standard uses the same 18 x 13.5-mm sensor but promises 50% slimmer cameras due to the removal of the mirror box. We’re also looking at smaller lenses (while remaining compatible with existing Four Third lenses with an adapter) thanks in part to a new reduced lens mount which is now 6-mm smaller. With the mirror box gone, Micro Four Third cameras will lose the optical viewfinder so you’ll have to frame up your subjects using a Live View LCD or an external viewfinder.

How big of a development is this? Huge. As Phil Askey, editor over at dpreview puts it, “This is without doubt the most exciting digital photography announcement this year. It’s fair to say that this “extension / addition” to the Four Thirds standard is finally able to deliver on the original promise of that format; considerably smaller and lighter lenses and bodies.”

Unfortunately, no products were announced so you’ve got plenty of time to debate the spec and pour over the illustrations we’ve dropped in after the break.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

Continue reading Olympus and Panasonic launch Micro Four Thirds, compact “DSLRs” will be yours

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Although we were able to take an all-too-brief peek at Olympus’ EVOLT E-520 late last month, the results weren’t exactly indicative of what this thing is capable of — you know, considering the unit in question was defective. The cats over at PhotographyBLOG managed to secure a fully functional unit, and results were much, much improved. Although reviewers didn’t go quite so far as to call it the perfect camera, it sure came close in their eyes. Aside from the depressingly small viewfinder and the low quantity of AF sensors, critics found the unit quite hard to bash. Overall, it managed to snag a stellar 4.5 out of 5 rating, and better still, it was said to be just the thing for “beginners and enthusiasts alike.” Taking Olympus more seriously in your search for a suitable DSLR just might be in order.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Hey there EVOLT E-520, we nearly forgot you ever existed! Just over a month after Olympus’ latest DSLR first broke cover, one particular individual has managed to corral one from an Austrian shop and snap a few stills. Reportedly, he’s planning to write up a full review, but judging by the way the initial round of shots went, we’re not so sure he’s going to keep it long enough for all of that. As Tam Hanna so bluntly put it, the “autofocus system of the E-520 is the worst [he had] ever seen on a digital camera.” Of course, we suppose it could grow on him with time, but just look at the shots in the read link and you’ll probably agree that said scenario isn’t very likely.

Update: Tam wrote in to inform us that this particular camera was defective. Guess that explains a lot, huh?

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

We got a little hands-on time with Olympus’s tiny E420 DSLR back at CeBIT, but the cam’s now shipping and the crew at LetsGoDigitial put one through its paces. As you’d expect, the E420’s diminutive stature won praise for being light and compact while still fitting well in the hand, but the real accolades were saved for the new Live View feature that allows for instant focusing with supported lenses and solid image sensor that delivers images on par with the more expensive Olympus E-3. The only major negatives appears to be some noise at higher ISO settings and the lack of an IS system, but those aren’t necessarily major flaws — and if you’re in the market for a DSLR, the review just beyond the read link might be well worth your time.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

At the end of the month Olympus will launch its E520 Four-Thirds followup to the E510. The 10 megapixel D-SLR features sensor-shifting image stabilization, the 2.7-inch LCD and AF Live View introduced on the E420, TruePic III image processing and Supersonic Wave Filter dust protection. Other features include Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment, and an optional Wireless flash control accessory when the body goes retail for about $600 Stateside. Digital Camera Resource Page already has a preview unit in house. So why not hit up the read link and take in their expert, early opinion of the latest Olympus E?

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus pushed out the Mju (that’s the Stylus over here) 1020 in a lackluster pre-PMA update back in January, but the company is trying to spice up the 10.1 megapixel shooter with a trio of custom skins designed by Romanian artist Matei Apostolescu. The skins are bundled with a special white-bodied 1020 and are apparently available now, but you’ll have to act fast — only 5,000 are being produced. Check the other two designs after the break.

Continue reading Olympus skins up the Mju 1020

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Filed under: Digital Cameras, Features

There it is, the world’s smallest DSLR — the Olympus E-420 (left) — snuggled up next to its slightly bigger E-410 bro. Note that the E-420 on display at CeBIT is a near-final, fully-functional engineering prototype. What more can we say, it feels great in hand and the space and weight savings are certainly welcome. However, without any images to compare the best we can do is ogle the gallery until the reviews roll in.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

There’s certainly something to be said for the Olympus E-420, which only takes up 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1-inches and 13.4 ounces in your bag — but that totally 80s body style is getting tired. Would it really have killed them to update the look from the E-410 and the rest of the line? Still, it’s not the most expensive DSLR you’ve ever met, and it does have a 10 megapixel sensor with live view, 2.7-inch display, and ISO up to 1600 (meh). Come April or May (depending on where you live) expect to drop $500 for the body, $600 with an ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko lens, and $700 with an ED 25mm f/2.8 Zuiko lens.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

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Filed under: Handhelds

Olympus, who seems to be single-handedly keeping the digital voice recorder market alive and well, has cranked out yet another duo in the sector today, and neither of ‘em come cheap. The DS-5000 and DS-5000iD both offer up support for dual memory cards (SD / SDHC and microSD) and feature a backlit LCD, digital dictation software, USB connectivity, up to 28 hours of battery life and a new QP recording mode for enhanced sound quality. The latter also features an integrated fingerprint scanner for the super sleuths in the crowd, and there’s even an optical barcode scanner if you’re looking to really transform your voice recorder into something MacGyver would approve of. Sure, both units come with a transcription kit, USB cradle, carrying case and 512MB microSD card, but we’re still a little hesitant to lay down $499.99 / $599.99 to pick either of them up.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Basically just pre-PMA upgrades to existing models all around, Olympus just loosed nine new shooters. Almost all feature “HyperCrystal” or “HyperCrystal II” displays (not to be confused with hypercolor, dudes), facial recognition, OIS, high ISO modes, and a bunch of other stuff that every other camera company does now. Here’s the quick rundown.
FE series (February)

• FE-310 - 8 megapixel, 5x zoom, 2.5-inch LCD
• FE-340 - 8 megapixel, 5x zoom, 2.7-inch LCD
• FE-350 - 8 megapixel, 4x zoom, 28mm wide angle lens, 3-inch LCD

Mju / Stylus series (February)

• Mju 840 - 8 megapixel, 5x optical, 2.7-inch LCD
• Mju 850 SW - 8 megapixel, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, waterproof to 3m
• Mju 1010 - 10.1 megapixel, 7x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD
• Mju 1020 - 10.1 megapixel, 7x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD
• Mju 1030 - 10.1 megapixel, 3.6x zoom, 2.7-inch LCD, waterproof to 10m

SP series (March)

• SP-570 UZ - 10 megapixel, 20x wide angle zoom, OIS, 2.7-inch LCD

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