New Olympus DSLR Announced

[swintonphoto]

This is exciting news for us Olympus users. Olympus has announced a new "tweener" camera that will fit between the E-520 and the E-3. It will be smaller in size than the E-3 but will inherit many of its professional-level functions. There has been speculation about a tweener camera for years, so no one has gotten their hopes too high with this round of rumors. But, they appear to be true this time. There is no info on the specs, but many speculate it will inherit the new 12mp sensor used in the first line of micro four thirds cameras.
This is exciting for me! I have not been able to afford an E-3, and I have always felt it was a little too large for my tastes. I think this is very promising! Here is more info:

http://www.olympus-global.com/en/news/2008b/nr080922fourthirdse.cfm

also:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08092207olympus_four%20thirds.asp

http://www.olympus-global.com/en/news/2008b/image/nr080922fourthirdse_02.jpg

[NikonsandVstroms]

I'll be picking one up :deal

[swintonphoto]

It seems it will function slightly differently. The nob is on the other side of the camera. Also added a turn wheel thing near the shutter button. My 510 doesn't have that.

[rokklym]

Looks promising!

[swintonphoto]

Here is a pic of the E-510 next to the E-3. This shows how different the size is between these two cameras. A "tweener" makes sense to me.
http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/OlympusE3/images/sidebyside1-001.jpg

[NikonsandVstroms]

Here is a pic of the E-510 next to the E-3. This shows how different the size is between these two cameras. A "tweener" makes sense to me.
http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/OlympusE3/images/sidebyside1-001.jpg

My main concern is the size of the viewfinder on the E-A1, it looks like it's going be bigger than the E-XXX but I dont know if it will get to the level of the E-3's which is amazing. And then which sensor it will be using/how it performs

the other question is by the time it comes out how much will I be able to lift, because that nikon D700 is always calling and with the introduction of the 5D mkII it should be dropping a bit giving me som head room for lenses, having an actual camera budget for the first time is a blessing and a curse. But it is giving me something to research while im stuck here with a cold so thats good

[swintonphoto]

DPReview said this about it after seeing the current mock up version:
"Also on show is the much further advanced 'tweener' model that will sit between the E-520 and E-3 in the company's Four Thirds DSLR range (which we posted live from its unveiling on Monday). It's similar in size to the E-3 and will be available in the first quarter of 2009."

I am sure its viewfinder will be better than the 400 & 500 series, not sure how it will compare to the E-3. However, this camera should be very well priced. I imagine in the $1000-$1200 range. With features the E-3 has and likely a new sensor that sounds like a real winner to me.
Extra money could be used for some of the amazing Zuiko lenses.

[NikonsandVstroms]

DPReview said this about it after seeing the current mock up version:
"Also on show is the much further advanced 'tweener' model that will sit between the E-520 and E-3 in the company's Four Thirds DSLR range (which we posted live from its unveiling on Monday). It's similar in size to the E-3 and will be available in the first quarter of 2009."

I am sure its viewfinder will be better than the 400 & 500 series, not sure how it will compare to the E-3. However, this camera should be very well priced. I imagine in the $1000-$1200 range. With features the E-3 has and likely a new sensor that sounds like a real winner to me.
Extra money could be used for some of the amazing Zuiko lenses.

The E3 is ~1350 on Cameta now so Im hoping it would be closer to 800-1000 for the E-A1 otherwise I might just suck it up and get the E3, when they have the refurbished demo units on there I think they sold for just a hair over $1000

[swintonphoto]

The E3 is ~1350 on Cameta now so Im hoping it would be closer to 800-1000 for the E-A1 otherwise I might just suck it up and get the E3, when they have the refurbished demo units on there I think they sold for just a hair over $1000
Good point. I am thinking with the recent drops in the E3 and the new tweener model coming if they are also planning on replacing the E3 this next year as well. Who knows. But if the tweener is less than $1000 I am going to be drooling for it I am sure.

[Internaut]

Hmmmm..... It looks like a smaller, plastic(er) version of the E-3. Looking at the larger top hump of the camera, I hope this means they have a bigger VF with 100% coverage. Do I want this? I'm not sure - both the Panasonic G1 and the upcoming Olympus m43 offering have my interest (and in spite of my dislike of the look of the thing, the G1 does seem to have *everything* in a smaller package).

All in all, the Olympus line up for Photonika is disappointing. There's an awful lot of talk and very little substance. Of course, we've seen this from Olympus before and they've subsequently delivered. Still, it's disquieting given that we live in interesting times in quite the literal sense.

[rokklym]

I'm also hoping for a better view finder than what I have on my E-510 & E-520, Something similar to the E3 would be great. The current viewfinder on the E series is a pain for me since I'm left eye dominant. Looking at the right side for the info doesn't feel right.

[toronto18]

I wonder what the differences will be between this new E-XX model and the E-3?

Other than being a bit smaller and no magnesium body??? hmm....

Will it make the E-3 redundant?

[swintonphoto]

I wonder what the differences will be between this new E-XX model and the E-3?

Other than being a bit smaller and no magnesium body??? hmm....

Will it make the E-3 redundant?

I really have no idea, but it would make sense to me that Olympus is thinking about an E-3 upgrade that make put it a step higher than it is. Maybe they will make an E-4 with a built-in battery grip or something. Even though the E-3 has more features and more professional build than any other camera within $1000 of its price, it is still not seen as a "professional" camera by some people. Why is beyond me. That camera is simply amazing. But, maybe the upgrade will be taking it up a notch further and the E-XX will fill the gap just under where the E-3 sits now.

Who knows. Pure opinion, but, would make sense to me.

[swintonphoto]

Some new photos were posted of the camera on DPReview. They show that this camera will have an articulating vari-angle screen, and a control panel on top of the camera. Something the current 500 series cameras do not have. Here they are:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/photokina2008/Olympus/DSC_1352-001.jpg

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/photokina2008/Olympus/DSC_1356-001.jpg

[Art Scott]

Aside from thesrticulating screen, that bottom photo looks a lot like my KM 7D's.....meaning the placement of dials and touch pads/buttons..........