The Pen-Lite should be hitting us in September, along with the VF-3. The VF-3 will feature adjustable brightness and color temperature as well as the ability to rotate 90 degrees. Check it out on Olympus America’s press release.
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New Olympus E-P3 and Olympus 12mm MFT F2.0 are here!
The wait is over. The new E-P3 from Olympus arrived today and it doesn’t disappoint.
For those folks who already have a Micro 4/3 camera from Olympus, specifically the E-P1 or E-P2; the differences are very noticeable. First, the screen is amazing. The 3-inch OLED screen is very sharp and the color will knock you out. A far cry from the previous models. The other obvious difference is the speed of the auto focus. Wow. This thing is fast! Testing with the kit lens and the new 12mm proved as fast as any SLR I have tried. Auto subject tracking and face recognition proved dead on as well. Olympus was also nice enough to include a pop-up flash on this model. A much needed addition and something I really miss on the E-P2. The touch screen interface on the OLED screen is a nice feature too. You can make easy adjustments to color, exposure, saturation, etc without needing to go into a menu to do it. It is all on the right side of the screen and does not interfere with the view. A real nice package.
The new 12mm MFT f2.0 is a lens that those of us in the Micro 4/3 camp have really been waiting on. It is a very solidly built lens with a clutch to switch to manual focus on the fly. The depth of field on the lens looks great! It reminds me of the old Voigtlander lenses in it’s construction and in it’s sharpness. Really feels like an old rangefinder when you use this thing.
We’ve got them in stock today. Come on in and test one out for yourself!
Olympus Adds New Pen Line with Pen Mini E-PM1
Finishing out Olympus’ announcement of three Pen bodies today is the new “Mini” line, which since it’s the first year for this gets called the E-PM1.
All of the bodies feature the same basic guts and are differentiated by body and control options instead. Not to say that’s a bad thing. While the sensor sticks at the same 12ish megapixels that Olympus thinks is the sweet-spot for these types of cameras, the processor has been upgraded to new TruePic VI processor, and the AF has been improved with a new Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology (FAST) system. And by “improved” I mean I’ve heard tell it can check AF 120 times a second and Olympus is already talking about it rivaling many DSLR AF systems. There’re 35 AF areas, and you can group them into 3×3 areas for tracking active subjects.
Other features across all models include ISO support up to 12,800, 1080i HD video, three-mode in-body Image Stabilization, the most effective dust-reduction system I’ve ever used, multiple aspect ratios, multiple exposure, and the Pen series’ infamous Art Filters.
The E-PM1 sits as the most consumer/point-and-shoot step-up oriented of the three brothers. The controls are pretty minimal compared to the two models above it, and the reward for that is that the body is right about the same size as Olympus’ fairly tiny XZ-1 compact.
So,what’s the difference between this body and the next step up, the E-PL3? Well, luckily, the advanced hotshoe port isn’t one of them. It’s still sitting there, inviting you to use the external viewfinder or nifty macro light Oly makes for the Pen bodies. Three more buttons (delete, zoom, and Fn) have disappeared, as has the mode dial. The screen is back to being fixed, and is downgraded to a more pedestrian 460,000 pixel LCD. It’ll be available in a bunch of colors: black, white, silver, red, purple, and brown. For a shot around back and the press release, hit the jump.
Olympus E-PL3 Fills Out Middle Of New Pen Line-Up
So, continuing Olympus’ Pen revival today we come to the middle body, the Pen Lite E-PL3. Which of course replaces the E-PL2 in the line-up.
All of the bodies feature the same basic guts and are differentiated by body and control options instead. Not to say that’s a bad thing. While the sensor sticks at the same 12ish megapixels that Olympus thinks is the sweet-spot for these types of cameras, the processor has been upgraded to new TruePic VI processor, and the AF has been improved with a new Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology (FAST) system. And by “improved” I mean I’ve heard tell it can check AF 120 times a second and Olympus is already talking about it rivaling many DSLR AF systems. There’re 35 AF areas, and you can group them into 3×3 areas for tracking active subjects.
Other features across all models include ISO support up to 12,800, 1080i HD video, three-mode in-body Image Stabilization, the most effective dust-reduction system I’ve ever used, multiple aspect ratios, multiple exposure, and the Pen series’ infamous Art Filters.
The E-PL2 was the bottom of the Pen line, but this new E-PL3 moves up to the middle of the line. Either way, as you’d expect, there are some things the bigger bro has that this model doesn’t. The E-PL3 has a smaller, slimmer body than the E-P3, and will come in black, white, red, or silver. The built-in popup flash (although a small external one is included in the box) , secondary control wheel, and dedicated EV comp button are gone, leaving a more point-and-shoot feeling control scheme using a combined four-way controller and jog wheel. The touchscreen is gone, and the resolution is down to 460,000 dots, but it’s still OLED. And, to ease the sting a little, the E-PL3′s screen is articulated, although tilt only. No swivel here, loyal fans of articulated displays.
It’s worth pointing out real quick that while the controls are simplified, the Pen series is now in its third year of looking absolutely gorgeous in all its incarnations. Check out more pics of the Pen Lite E-PL3 and the press release after the jump.
Olympus Updates Pen Line With E-P3
Olympus announced three cameras in its Pen series of interchangeable lens compacts today. Two are replacements for existing models, and one is a new ultra-compact to compete with the increasingly tiny Sony NEX series and Panasonic’s new smaller GF bodies. All of the bodies feature the same basic guts and are differentiated by body and control options instead. Not to say that’s a bad thing. While the sensor sticks at the same 12ish megapixels that Olympus thinks is the sweet-spot for these types of cameras, the processor has been upgraded to new TruePic VI processor, and the AF has been improved with a new Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology (FAST) system. And by “improved” I mean I’ve heard tell it can check AF 120 times a second and Olympus is already talking about it rivaling many DSLR AF systems. There’re 35 AF areas, and you can group them into 3×3 areas for tracking active subjects.
Other features across all models include ISO support up to 12,800, 1080i HD video, three-mode in-body Image Stabilization, the most effective dust-reduction system I’ve ever used, multiple aspect ratios, multiple exposure, and the Pen series’ infamous Art Filters.
The E-P3 sits on top of this new line-up as the flagship. It looks largely like the E-P2 before it, so, no surprises there. It’s still got a bunch of physical buttons and a mode dial, and it has the advanced hotshoe port to support the external viewfinder or the nifty macro light. In enhancement news, the grip is now removable via a thumb-screw mechanic, so you can use it or not as suits you. Also, the 3″ OLED display is up to 614,000 dots resolution and is touch-enabled, including touch to focus. The E-P3, being the top of the Pen line, also has a built-in flash, for what that’s worth to you out there. Looks like it’ll come in black, silver, and that cool retro white and tan that I continue to love so much. For more pictures and the full press release, hit the jump.
Panasonic GF3 Removes Features, Buttons. Looks Good, Though.
Once upon a time, Panasonic released its third Micro Four Thirds shooter, which departed from the DSLR-styled bodies of the G1 and GH2 in favor of a compact, rangefinder-styled body with a full compliment of manual controls. At the same time, Olympus’ Micro Four Thirds bodies were all clearly aimed at a consumer step-up market, so many pros and serious hobbyists saw the GF1 as an answer to their prayers: a compact, stylish shooter with a full compliment of controls.
Then came the GF2, which seemed to most a step back, streamlining out about half the physical controls and introducing a very point-and-shoot looking four-way controller. It was a little hard to decide what to make of it, since while it had a higher number it seemed rather closer to a step back. And now, today we have the announcement of the GF3 today, and we have to sadly tell you all that the GF series is now a clear-cut consumer line product, aimed squarely at competing with Sony’s extremely tiny NEX series.
I actually just can’t talk about what’s new in this camera without listing what it doesn’t have anymore. Gone are the hotshoe and accessory ports, and with them support for external flashes, optional electronic viewfinders, and Olympus’ very nifty poseable macro light. The stereo mic has been replaced by a mono one. ISO range is down from 100-6,400 to 160-6400, in what counts as the strangest spec revision I’ve veer seen. Oh, and the control wheel under your thumb, which is now a jogwheel around the four-way controller. In exchange for the loss of the hotshoe and accessory port, you get the pop-up flash centered above the lens axis now, and Panasonic once again gets to claim to have the smaller interchangeable lens compact body with a built-in flash.
In the upgrades department, shooting speed is up to 3.8 fps from 3.2. That’s all I got. This is a strange camera to blog about.
At least it’s pretty though, right?
It’ll be available in black, red, white, and one of the best looking browns I’ve ever seen a company decide to use.
Carl Zeiss Joins Micro Four Thirds, Apparently Won’t Let Schneider Kreuznach Have Al The Fun
Hot on the heels of last week’s announcement that Schneider Kreuznach was joining the Micro Four Thirds bandwagon, Carl Zeiss has now announced it’s on board as well. Zeiss, who really shouldn’t need much introduction, is of course another old and well-storied name in the lens business, and having them join as well is probably a good indicator of how successful the Micro Four Thirds system has proven this far. We’re excited to see what lenses start showing up for those Oly Pens and Panny G-series bodies now.
Panasonic Announces GF2, Really Hopes You Wanted A Simpler GF1
Well, I know we’ve been quiet lately, but, we’re going to speak up today to mention that Panasonic has (finally) announced the GF2, the successor to the popular GF1 Micro-Four Thirds shooter. That we can say confidently. What we can also say is the manual mode dial is gone, as are most of the other physical controls, opting instead for a touchscreen interface. Also gone is the kit with the 20mm f1.7, now the prime will be the wider-but-slower 14mm f2.5 (there’ll be a 14-42mm zoom kit, as well, no worries there.) We hear the menus have been redesigned, and early opinions are that this was for the better. And it comes in black, red, or silver now. It’s also 19% smaller and 7% lighter, for what that’s worth.
Otherwise, you’re looking at a 12.1 megapixel LiveMOS sensor, 3″ touchscreen LCD with 460,000 dots, 23 point AF with selectable face tracking (which also switches you to portrait mode), the new Venus FHD engine, dust reduction, full 1080 HD, yadda yadda, you know the drill.
It is sharp looking, though, although we suspect the change from the pro-ready GF1 to the more consumer-friendly GF2 might prove a point of contention. There’s no pricing yet for either kit, and tentative word is they’ll ship around January next year.
Olympus Releases All Black E-P2 Kit, Jody Grober Is The Likely Audience
If there’s one thing my boss is good at, it’s helping pros get the equipment they need. If there’s a second thing, it’s complaining when cameras don’t come in “professional” black. So, Jody Grober, this kit is for you.
At its heart, it’s the same E-P2 with 17mm f2.8 pancake prime that’s been available for a while. So, you’re talking 13 megapixels, a 3″ LCD, full-time LiveView, Olympus’ dust-reduction system and in-body sensor-shift image stabilization, and those find-them-fun-or-hate-them-passionately art filters (including multiple exposure.) And they’re adding the previously optional FL-14 flashgun to the package. And the lens and flash are now black.
Think you can handle that? Good. Estimated pricing is about the same as the current kit without the flash, so, basically you get the black paint and the flash for free. Can’t beat that, now can you?
Coming, er, sometime?
Panasonic to Debut 3D Conversion Lens for G-Series Shooters
Not got quite enough scratch shoved under the mattress to buy one of those 3D-ready camcorders Panasonic’s talking up? We feel you. Did you purchase one of Panasonic’s very nifty Micro-Four Thirds G-series cameras with a good video mode, like the GH1 or G2? Yeah? Well, boy-howdy, you’re in luck! In addition to the camcorder, Panasonic is promising a 3D lens converter for its G-series mounts by the end of this year.
For those scratching their heads and looking blankly at their screen, the idea is the lens splits one image into two, the same way we’d see it with two eyes. So, the left- and right-halves of your sensor are recording slightly different versions of the same scene. You lose half your horizontal pixels, but you gain 3D. Ta-da!
Now, while any Micro Four Thirds shooter could mount this (Olympus’ Pen series uses the same mount), at this point a lot of the functionality will be in the firmware, so until we hear anything otherwise, we’ll assume this a Panasonic-only thing, k?
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