(FT3) Olympus will make a Fuji X100 clone?
Almost one year ago a well known source told me that there is some Olympus technology behind the Fuji X100. Olympus and Fuji are long time friends and working close on some projects. But as of today neither Fuji made a Four Thirds camera nor joined the Micro Four Thirds system. But what I got in these days is a real surprise, and it’s coming from one of our very top source! According to them Olympus will launch a “sort of Fuji X100” competitor. The sources didn’t unveil us when Olympus will make the announcement but they are all sure it’s coming for real! There are two big questions I have to find an answer:
1) Does it have a fixed lens design or will it use m43 lenses?
2) If the lens is fixed, will the sensor be APS-C?
3) Will it have a hybrid viewfinder?
I hope you sources can send me the answer soon 
Thanks!
Links to the Fuji X100: Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
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G_C
8 months ago |my take:
1) possibly a replacement to the xz-1 with a fixed lens/ retro look??
or
2) viewfinder – classic pen style (possible sideways mirror like the original pen f??) micro 4/3 mount.
there’s no way olympus will make an aps-c anything. if they did they’d be sending the wrong message about 4/3 sized sensors.
just a guess…
Joel Eisner
8 months ago |–
Chick
8 months ago |2 corporate ‘friends’ working together in ways not specified, supposedly having worked before … also in ways not specified.
And now one of those ‘friends’ is going to compete with the other, and the ‘friendship’ is supposed to somehow be the basis of this?
I call B.S. on this.
If Olympus were to come out with a non-interchangeable-lens camera that’s one thing, but to drag in Fuji — and to suggest completely without proof that Fuji might offer some proprietary technology that FINALLY is getting it sales — is completely ridiculous.
This rumor is a FAIL.
MikeS
8 months ago |The rumor is that Olympus is coming out with an X100 competitor, on the basis of a source saying so. Olympus’s rationale, while not stated in the post, is presumably that the X100 has been selling quite well. The associations between the two companies are mentioned offhand, not presented as evidence for the rumor.
As to Fuji’s “offer” that you find so ridiculous, it’s implied nowhere in the post. Olympus can make its own hybrid viewfinder if needed.
Reading skills FAIL.
Thom Hogan
8 months ago |There’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than you seem to think. Lots of the camera companies supply parts to the others. Pentax used to be a primary autofocus sensor provider, for example. The thing is, most of these companies have multiple divisions, and they take their customers where they can find them. The most known example is Sony Semiconductor (as opposed to Sony Imaging), which has had a long relationship with other camera companies, most notably Nikon.
The question you should be asking is this: what Olympus technology did Fujifilm use in the X100? My guess is that it’s related to the viewfinder, as Olympus is an optical specialist.
mikep
8 months ago |BINGO! Thom’s spot on…again.
Chick
8 months ago |How do you know Thom’s spot on? He’s guessing and …. you’re confirming? How?
More B.S.
jake
8 months ago |well, sure Thom knows something that we do not know about this industry and his post seems very very logical and rational.
Tropical Yeti
8 months ago |Olympus is also praised for data to JPG conversion. Sure there are companies, willing to use that knowledge in their cameras. And I guess there is more…
Thom Hogan
8 months ago |Don’t think Fujifilm needs help in the JPEG conversion realm. They were praised for the quality and color of their images as long as 10 years ago. Also: the thing most of these companies don’t want you to know is that they often license the actual routines–all they do is convert them into silicon and then tweak how the parameters are called.
rogerml
8 months ago |@MikeS: +1
michael
8 months ago |“And now one of those ‘friends’ is going to compete with the other, and the ‘friendship’ is supposed to somehow be the basis of this? ”
The iPhone is packed with Samsung-made parts, and Microsoft gets a cut of every Android phone sold, and Apple uses Google for a lot of its search technology.
Competition in the business world doesn’t work the way you think it does.
MikeS
8 months ago |It’s the attack of the Mikes (+ a Thom)!
@Thom: +1
spam
8 months ago |More a correction than an attack IMO, but why bother when *he don’t read more than headlines anyway?
pisto
8 months ago |Make it a m43 with a good sensor and a good viewfinder (I don’t need it to be hybrid, I just need it to be good) and pair it with oly 12mm, pana 25 mm, oly 45 mm = I want one.
charly-says
8 months ago |Any “modular camera” rumors?
standalone
8 months ago |And that will be a digital “Contax G2″
standalone
8 months ago |it may be a 4/3 sensor “x100″ with a fixed 17mm lens, and smaller than fuji x100. I don’t think the sensor will be bigger than 4/3.And maybe this camera will be an original model of PEN Pro,just like the xz-1 is the original model of E-PL3 & E-PM1.
kesztió
8 months ago |Shut me, but I cannot see even one piece of advantage of a fixed lens large sensor camera. (Maybe the hybrid viewfinder, though.)
The Fuji X100 may be a really good camera but too specialized for such an extremely high price. Even a small-sensored, but zoomable premium compact can have much shallower DOF than the X100 with a fixed lens of just 23mm…
remiremi
8 months ago |Even though i’m a happy m4/3 user, i’d love to see something along the lines of the 1983 Nikon L35AF in digital : simple point and shoot, fixed focal, GREAT image quality, STURDY — i even bought a second one two weeks ago because they’re so much fun to use ! Turn on/ press shutter/ turn off (and with some decent film the results are outstanding)
I feel the x100 is a “start” in that direction, but it’s way too expensive and quirky, and most digital compact cameras feel too much like gadgets.
http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00U/00Uxej-188557584.jpg
nobody
8 months ago |Could it be that this rumour is just about the Pen camera body with built in EVF?
Miroslav
8 months ago |I suppose that’s the likeliest outcome. “Sort of Fuji X100 competitor” sounds like E-P3 with EVF.
BTW, Fuji’s 35mm F2 is pretty close to Oly’s 34mm F2.8. Maybe they cooperated concerning X100 lens?
Ranger 9
8 months ago |Sounds like the best guess to me. After all, “sort of… an X100 competitor” offers a lot of wiggle room. Any number of cameras might be considered X100 competitors at one level or another.
Characteristics of the X100 that make bloggers salivate, and how they might apply to a new Olympus:
– Retro styling cues — Olympus already does that.
– APS-C size sensor — I’m with G_C, Olympus would be shooting themselves in the foot if they did that.
– Non-interchangeable, fixed-focal-length lens — Drastically limits sales appeal.
– Hybrid viewfinder — No easy way to make it work with multiple focal lengths. (That’s why Fuji’s own X10 doesn’t have one.)
Now, some other characteristics of the X100 that might apply to a new Olympus:
– EVF and LCD in the same body — Yup, Olympus could do that.
– Premium price — Bingo! Everybody wants a more profitable product.
So my prediction is that what this rumor means is, “Olympus wants to introduce an expensive camera with EVF and LCD.”
RW
8 months ago |Ranger 9 says: Hybrid viewfinder — No easy way to make it work with multiple focal lengths.”
I’m not sure that I agree with that. If you have a non-zooming OVF with rangefinder-style bright lines equating to common focal lengths and the ability to switch to a liveview EVF for macro, telephoto, etc, I think you would have a very compelling product offering.
Its not a given that the OVF needs to zoom as well. There are some tremendous composition advantages to being able to see outside the frame lines – and if you have the option of EVF for those circumstances where a rangefinder style OVF is not optimum, I think there could be a lot of enthusiast interest.
michael
8 months ago |“Could it be that this rumour is just about the Pen camera body with built in EVF?”
I would pre-order this today if the price is <$1000 (and I just got an E-PL2 6 weeks ago!)
Ranger 9
8 months ago |“If you have a non-zooming OVF with rangefinder-style bright lines equating to common focal lengths and the ability to switch to a liveview EVF for macro, telephoto, etc, I think you would have a very compelling product offering…There are some tremendous composition advantages to being able to see outside the frame lines…”
Having started out on RF cameras (still use an Epson R-D 1) I agree with that, but don’t think most potential buyers would. The range of focal lengths possible without changing magnification just isn’t large enough; I assume that’s why Contax used a zoom viewfinder on the G1/G2. A camera with an optical VF that could adjust its framelines over a range equivalent to, say, 28 – 90mm (on 35mm “nostalgia format”) would be one I personally would like, but I think it would be too “nichey” for most people.
Andyoz
8 months ago |Interesting. I certainly hope this is a Micro 4/3 camera with a built-in EVF. Hope your source lets us know.
I will be really annoyed if Olympus have been wasting their engineering time on a fixed lens camera like the X100 when they havent even got around to putting out one single Pen model with built-in EVF yet !!! Dont get me wrong I like the X100 but I dont see that as a big priority at the moment. A Pen with a VF is a big priority.
I hope that it has some controls like the X100 and a similarly located EVF, but please Olympus – a model with interchangeable MFT lens mount.
hiplnsdrftr
8 months ago |Awesome, maybe it will be ALL black and actually available in a store!
DonTom
8 months ago |+1 on availability, Olly are a lot better on that front than Panny or Fuji….much more reliable.
Dummy00001
8 months ago |> According to them Olympus will launch a “sort of Fuji X100” competitor.
If it has the same 12MP sensor, I will not even simulate any interest in it. Not even on the interwebs.
Even with Panny’s latest sensors, they would have hard time competing against the X100. And the target audience – enthusiasts and professionals – will not accept IQ lower than the X100.
*Edit1* OK, if it would be almost as good as X100 – GH2 or G3 sensor – and WITHOUT the bugs/glitches of the X100… And if the lens would be at least f/2 and allow seamless close-up mode. And has hybrid VF. OK, I might be slightly interested.
GreyOwl
8 months ago |A most interesting rumour. If it turns into FT5 with the right spec., then there will be a huge amount of interest and a massive amount of comment on this site.
Mr Hipsta
8 months ago |Why APS-C? If they want to make this kind of camera they should do it properly, 24×36 or nothing.
Michael Devitt
8 months ago |The 135 format sensor paired with Zuiko Digital 50mm f1.8 would be fantastic. A niche product but definitely more affordable than M9. With right design and performance it would take the photography world by storm.
amalric
8 months ago |According to the agreements between Oly and Fuji there might be different levels of cooperation, down to the sensor, remade for 4/3.
Another area of cooperation is the box design. Oly might want to get the shutterspeed wheel, and more mechanical controls.
It doesn’t seem likely that Oly will abandon ILC, that’s its main advantage.
In fact if one watches Sony, the new coming Samsung, and the rumors about the GF7 one would imagine that a RF with built in EV is where the competition is at.
So why Oly would skip that important stage by making another fixed lens camera?
Doug
8 months ago |I’ve got a better idea. How about Olympus puts out another (affordable) 4/3 camera so that I will have a reason to buy another lens from them which I’ve no doubt is gathering dust in some warehouse. You know the type of camera I’m talking about. One that has a hand grip, uses the Zuiko lenses I already own,looks like it was design with the 21 century in mind instead of the 1960s, and has no art filters or video capabilities. You know, something practical.
Andyoz
8 months ago |Doug
Nice comment. Thats exactly my point – the only dSLR they have released for years is the E-5. Whats happenning with the E-xx and E-xxx models.
If a fixed lens camera like the X100 has been taking all their development time then I will be annoyed.
I think they need two models:
1. a MFT model with EVF (ie Pen with EVF) styling preferably like RF
2. a FT model with updated sensor etc
Unless they can make a modular camera with adapter that can take FT and MFT lenses.
Mr. Reeee
8 months ago |You mean an actual camera?
That’s simply not possible in the age of design by committee.
flash
8 months ago |“‘sort of Fuji X100′ competitor” well Olympus marketing means a camera that looks like the old Trip 35.
As far as sensor, and other specifications who knows, it could be an upscale or downscale camera with fixed lens or with a mft mount, a variation or the new Fuji mount (what ever that is). Companies do irrational things for the dumbest or reasons.
It will be nice to see, even a upgraded xz1 that looks like a Trip 35 would be interesting to me. I always felt that the success of the “o” camera and other odd cameras lead to the misdirection of Olympus IMHO.
Anonymous
8 months ago |one other thing for sure is if oly make it one it will be better AF,…IQ and IMHO ,..I DONT KNOW ,… hmm we’ll see
Andyoz
8 months ago |I had hoped that the shared tech between the two companies related to the VF – specifically having a prism with the light path folded at 90 degrees in order to package it a bit smaller. Obviously the X100 has the hybrid with optical part which would difficult with ILC.
I am hoping for a Pen with EVF like the EVF part of the X100 VF system in the same location top corner. But obviously hoping for a lens mount.
Who knows though. Oly might do something totally unexpected.
The phrase “sort of X100″ is curious. Perhaps it is a fixed focal length like the X100 or perhaps it refers to the styling and EVF location of the X100. If its the latter (which I hope) then isnt it closer to the new NEX rather than the X100. Time will tell.
Olympus have hopefully been working on something good.
Oliver
8 months ago |Why APS-C when MFT allows to make a smaller cam? I´d like to see an XZ-1 with MFT sensor and the Fuji Viewfinder.
Mr. Reeee
8 months ago |Yeah, right. Tell Sony the NEX series cameras should all be larger because they use APS-C sensors.
If Sony can manage to shoehorn an APS-C into their sliver-like bodies, when will someone make a reasonably sized camera with a full-frame sensor? Something the size of an FM2 or a Spotmatic. THAT company will get my money!
All this fixation on ‘retro style’ detracts from the fact that… if I may be so presumptuous… all of us enthusiast types want a few solid camera bodies with a wide array of external controls, a great sensor with wide dynamic range, a high-res EVF and LCD, with a good logical interface and excellent ergonomics. All cameras fall short is one way or another, so finding the proper balance is crucial.
Honestly, I don’t care so much what the thing looks like, but what it does, how intuitive it is to work with and how well it does it’s job is most important.
Esa Tuunanen
8 months ago |> All this fixation on ‘retro style’ detracts from the fact that.
Trying to drive forward while looking only backwards is definitely fitting description for last couple years of camera industry.
> Honestly, I don’t care so much what the thing looks like, but what it does, how intuitive it is to work with and how well it does it’s job is most important.
That’s why every product shouldn’t be jammed through same round hole.
With analog tech different style cameras where forced to be radically different, and mutually incompatible, because of limitations of inflexible analog technology but with fully digital technology body behind lens one single lens mount could now cover wide variety of different style bodies along with optics fitting for each body.
In case of 4/3 sensor which would size wise enable that quite well Oly and Pana just seem unable to figure out how to grow their mirrorless line up into that system.
I can easily see space for handfull of different body styles in m4/3 from pocket P&S replacement to full ergonomy utilitarian tool.
And instead of just blindly copying old style in every product they should look if digital technology enables doing some detail better. (for example EVF enabling rangefinder style viewfinder position in DSLR replacement full ergonomy body)
NineFace
8 months ago |Fast 40mm fixed lens + fast focus + EVF + nice bokeh + HI ISO + 3 dials + many Fn keys … take my money
Mr. Reeee
8 months ago |Let the wild and baseless speculation begin…
Bob Bowné
8 months ago |++++10 LMAOROTF!
gugurin
8 months ago |I’d like retractable lens and only optical viewfinder.
Thom Hogan
8 months ago |Amusing, if true. Fujifilm has produced about 300,000 X100′s so far. My guess is that they’ll fall short of 500k the first year. That ANY camera company would see that as enough volume to try to shoulder in and grab some of it indicates how desperate the camera companies are for profitable growth. There’s just way too much “copy any success” going on, and not enough “design the next thing” or “refine what you’ve got.” We’ve officially hit the late 80′s all over again. The 90′s weren’t kind to those companies.
hiplnsdrftr
8 months ago |I think the “new” mirrorless segment has a lot of these companies confused… On the one hand there’s a scramble to get a piece of the pie, coupled with a reluctance to make too good of a product, while others like Canon are hesitant to even get involved and then Olympus is obviously not quite sure what camera to exactly offer thus their confusing Pen line and now perhaps this.
In this mish-mash of mirrorless cameras, hopefully there emerges a few more gems (GF1, X100)… in the near future.
jake
8 months ago |actually, Canon has something to show us on Oct 18th, I am not 100 percent sure about the date but 90 percent sure about it and Canon’s first mirrorless looks like EOSxxx replacement.
Luke
8 months ago |There’s PLENTY of room to shoulder in and grab some of it…..if it’s priced more within reach of the average camera enthusiast. I LOVE the X100, and consider myself a bit of a spendthrift, but just couldn’t pull the trigger on a $1,200 camera. If Olymopus hits a more magical price point ($500-$600) these things will FLY off the shelves…..maybe not in the US, but certainly in the Pacific Rim countries.
Esa Tuunanen
8 months ago |Yep, even though I started photography and following photography tech decade ago there’s one thing standing out in last couple years of camera industry: Instead of going ahead and using imagination for realizing various possibilities offered by making camera fully digital there seems to be overall craze for using technology just to go faster backwards into the past:
Oly’s system bodies, only PEN, PEN and PEN ad naseum.
Panasonic copying also analog era disadvantage of centered viewfinder for EVF.
Fuji’s X100 is fixed lens retro…
Nikon doing their utmost to avoid creating credible replacement for DSLR-concept…
Copying old stuff and remaking something old in new clothes isn’t innovating.
“Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards.” -Aldous Huxley
Gravityloss
8 months ago |You forget Sony. Nex-5 is supposedly light years ahead of M43 in terms of photography. (Video encoder still sucks compared to the hacked GH2 though) Also Nex-7 is coming. Both with your offset viewfinder, and it’s great I hear. If they made some affordable reasonable sized bright primes, there wouldn’t really be any reason to use M43 anymore. But they will do those boneheaded huge lenses…. Also, Sony lenses have to be bigger since the flange back distance is very very short so the camera has to be really shallow. Imo it’s partly a cheap design trick to make the camera look small. Couple that with the effect that the raised lens mount gives – it makes the deep part look like part of the lens.
Also, dunno about Sammy. They actually do have some pancakes with an APS-C. Why isn’t anyone interested in them?
And Panny has some lenses.
The most innovative cams were GH2 and the GF1+pancake kit. (Perhaps the only kit lens in world history that didn’t suck!)
So not all is backwards!
Open your eyes. Huge progress is being made.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itn8TwFCO4M
Narretz
8 months ago |Maybe Fuji decided not to join m43 but give Olympus some help with the technology and maybe they hooked them up with a new sensor.
DonTom
8 months ago |Well, there seems to be a lot of noise around “serious compacts”, and I think every company has to cover both this area and the “compact system camera” base in order to come out ahead when the dust settles. Inevitably both formats will survive, as some people want to change lenses, some don’t, but both groups want to have “serious” IQ without the bulk of a DSLR.
I think Fuji “gets” this, and is growing the “serious compact” market by bringing out a superzoom with a 2/3 size sensor along with the X10 and X100.
It’s all about jostling for those of us that want to upgrade from a P&S now that our phone IS our P&S camera. We used to have one computer in a family, but how many of us now have an iPhone, iPad, MacBook and an iMac? I know I do….along with internet access over the TV.
I would rather have a “serious compact” with a really wide angle than buy the Olly 12mm F2: not much price difference, not a big difference in space in a bag, and a real bonus if it shares batteries with my m43 body.
Ron
8 months ago |I wouldn’t mind a fixed lens. I hardly ever find myself longing for any other lens than my 20mm. If the Oly fixed lens would be in the 28-36mm range (35mm equiv.) I’d seriously consider it. Only if it’s small-ish, GF1-sized, and has high quality glass that is…
amalric
8 months ago |Oly must solve the PDAF issue for its older lenses. Since Fuji has PDAF on sensor, that might be an area of cooperation.
Also, so far Oly has replaced *more or less* its entry level dSLR with the Pens, a 1200 bucks faux-RF camera fits the profile of an E-30 camera replacement.
That would be rational, but as said above, never expect the totally rational from a camera compamy, except that it is always hungry for money
Last someone floated the idea of a quasi-FF (35mm) sensor. Can someone explain how one could still use a compact footprint with dSLR-big lenses?
Being small and good is the saving grace of m4/3. I see progress not in a bigger lenses but in the global shutter – sort of instant HDR.
Indeed hat would Oly do with a big sensor and its ‘old’ High Grade lenses? It makes little sense.
Luke
8 months ago |*the model lifts the velvet cloth from the new camera*
Announcer : Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to present the Olympus Digital Trip35
Jim
8 months ago |or….
Olympus are proud to present another variation of the same old sensor… this time witha fixed lens!
jonathan
8 months ago |IMHO, it could be a typo. (X10 instead of X100) X10=X50 in europe. This way, it sounds more credible. X10 have 2/3″ sensor and the same zooming range of the xz1 (28-112mm).
Daemonius
8 months ago |I would prefer if Olympus stoped doing stupid thinks and started doing right things. Want retro camera?
Take OM-1 (or any decent OM), put sensor of appropriate size inside, put LCD on backside, give it few basic necessary buttons (theres really only few that you need) and sell it.
Ppl will probably create such huge demand, that you will be able to almost match Leica price. Just make sure you match Leica quality.
If nothing, I would take digital OM-1 instantly..
alexander
8 months ago |good news if it with changeable lens!
Now it is clear why fuji not produce m4/3..
latourkoenig
8 months ago |I think there is two cameras that Oly could (and should) make. Both have a µFT-sized sensor.
The first model has a 18mm or 20mm fixed lens. The lens collapses into the body. The whole thing is more compact than the E-PM1 with the Panasonic 14mm — currently the smalles µFT camera/lens combination. It has a minimum of controls and costs $/€ 199,- This camera could have a simple optical viewfinder, mainly to save battery life and to allow operation in bright sunlight. No hotshoe or accessory port.
The second model has a 14-42 collapsible zoom, similar to the Panasonic X Vario 14-42. Again, the whole thing is more compact than the E-PM1 with the Panasonic X lens. Again a minimum of controls (I am thinking of a kind of iA+ mode with program shift and exposure compensation and not much else). It costs $/€ 299,-. This model has hotshoe and accessory port, but no optical viewfinder.
frosti7
8 months ago |APS-C Olympus camera would kill off their m43 – it will have higher quality then PEN’s while supporting the fact that aps-c is higher quality then M43,
in other words it would overshadow much of olympus latest years of 43 sensors, so i think this would not happen.
Dummy00001
8 months ago |It will not kill off the m43 – Oly can crank the price to make sure of it.
And if priced and marketed properly – a premium camera at premium price with premium quality – it will overshadow nothing, but rather complement current line up.
Oly’s m43 is a great second camera for enthusiasts, but E-5 alone is not enough to cover the “main camera for enthusiasts” market.
Considering that Oly is known for their build and optics quality, it is IMO only logical for them to try premium camera market, a-la X100. Fuji definitely showed that the market is there.
Alan Gallery
8 months ago |Well Olympus did start the whole retro thing with this size of camera so it is not surprising that they would have something like the X100 on the back burner. I would just like a functional pro-level mFT camera that is not a style compromise.
Kylberg
8 months ago |What Olympus first of all needs is a new sensor. A camera for street photo could be a m4/3 Fuji X10/x100 crossover thing: With a 12-45/2.0 fixed zoom and EVF and lighting fast AF (also in low light). (For street photo, zoom is right and prime is wrong!) Manual controls, simple to use like a Leica M9. Get rid of the trillion useless options that are so irritating. Panasinic is rather straight forward compared to Olympus, the X100 also has lots complicated stuff that should be quick and easy.
This could be an attractive camera!
amalric
8 months ago |If anything, primes like the 12/2 are ideal for street shooting. With zooms it’s very tricky to zone focus.
The X100 clone is one of the designs of the ‘Leica Killer’, based on the fact that cropped sensors are very close to Leica’s resolution, as many photo bloggers remarked.
I think that’s the holy grail for enthusiasts the world over, to have a ‘Leica of the poor’ with a sensor performance and lenses which is not too far from the most celebrated ‘take everywhere’ camera.
Hence the retro look which works as a subliminal appeal. Oly reworked the Pen half frame concept, but if it can improve the sensor to the level of the Panny 16Mpx, it stands a fair chance to reach the goal.
it would be nice to think that it would not be necessarily dubbed a Pen.
And Oly does have the lenses for a superior model.
I wonder if the expertise exchange between Fuji and Oly is not based on mutual appreciation, among two of the oldest camera makers. Sony and Panny by comparison are new money, even if they are big.
Oly and Fuji could share technologies even without adopting the same format. This kind of competition/cooperation is very distinctive in Japan.
Kylberg
8 months ago |I use the 12/2.0 for street photo too. It means often cropping in the post-processing. I can’t see zone-focus being more difficult using a zoom compared to a prime! Zoom adds flexibility!
om-4
8 months ago |If Olympus want to create a new niche they should bring forth a 6×6 camera not 6×6 crop from 43 sensor but one that maxes out a square within projection.
Don’t think different, be different.
Sun
8 months ago |Remember this http://www.43rumors.com/fuji-will-not-join-m43-they-will-make-a-large-sensor-mirrorless-system-larger-than-fullframe/
E-50
8 months ago |Waiting Olympus E-50
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6239028192_acb33059e8.jpg
Gekopaca
8 months ago |Too much contraditry and confused rumors since about a year… I become to feel a serious headhache
So I will go outside to shoot with my old camera, and realize great pictures; and I will buy another camera in 4 or 5 years when the current one will be broken…
furb
8 months ago |maybe a backlit sensor?
http://asia.cnet.com/whats-the-deal-with-backlit-sensors-62061250.htm
Sho-Bud
8 months ago |think about the time that the Olympus SP510UZ came out, a little bit later Nikon an Fuji came out with their superzooms. Remenber those lenses? They were identical.
don carrot
8 months ago |(Perhaps the only kit lens in world history that didn’t suck!)
you forget the panny L1 it was bundled with the gorgeous 14-50 2.8 – 3.5 leica vario elmarit as kit lens
David
8 months ago |I would like to see this camera as interchangeable lens m4/3, but only if Olympus can 1) have an integrated EVF, and 2) improve the sensor. My X100 runs circles around my E-p2 image quality-wise in anything but ideal light, dynamic range is better, and I don’t have to attach the clunky external EVF.
Also, and this is something a lot of people here seem to miss, there is a real advantage to having a fixed lens camera. I end up using my x100 a lot more than my E-p2 BECAUSE I have less choice. Having the fixed lens means I am never debating about what focal length is best. I think in terms of 35mm focal length. I make the shot with that focal length. It has improved my ability. I am not poo pooing interchangeable lenses. There is a time and place for every tool. Like I said, if Olympus (or Fuji) came out with an interchangeable lens version of the X100 I would buy it in a heartbeat, but I am sick of hearing everyone complain that the X100 is “overpriced” or “too limited.” It is neither. It is cheaper than an E-p3 + 12/2 + EVF, and if someone finds the camera limiting then either they are a pro with very specific needs or they are more into the gear than making photos.
Tom
8 months ago |I’d like something with the size and iq of x100, 35mm equiv. fixed lens, 4/3 sensor, leave out the fancy viewfinder, replace some of the expensive and shiny metal with sturdy plastic, sell for $700 or less. I’d love to see about 3 models released with different focal lengths.
nicwalmsley
8 months ago |Why isn’t this just the XZ-2, designed to complete with the Fuji X10 (and to be a test bed for the Pen Pro)?
amalric
8 months ago |Yes, it’s a possibility. Many times this site was leaked details about a camera that later showed to be another one.
What has been reported is that Fuji and Oly design teams met a few months ago.so one must imagine that they have some areas of cooperation.
Fuji also let know recently that that are after a quasi FF sensor, which has never been the aim of 4/3 or m4/3. HG and SHG lenses are there to prove it.
So i believe that the agreement must have been about trading patents or manufacturing processes.
Making a X100 lookalike XZ-2 might be a way to set the thing rolling. But so far Oly has not solved its main problem, which Sony has solved, albeit clumsily of backwards compatibility.
An agreement between O and F is a way to avoid to be crushed by Sony and Panny’s dominance in sensors?
One could imagine that Oly traded optics expertise, and Fuji its sensor expertise?
By NOT choosing the 4/3 format however Fuji has declared to have its own strategy in mirrorless. But do they have the means to make a viable ILC camera with big sensor and therefore the relevant lenses?
That is still unclear.
amalric
8 months ago |BTW I just checked the X100 forum at DPreview.
People there expect a non Bayer sensor, a foveon like one – so guessing size is only one side of the game.
Fuji is also very big in film, and it designed the Hasselblad H line and many large format RF cameras, so they also have the optical competence.
So they have plenty of choices for making a HG mirrorless ILC system and be true to their word.
Kylberg
8 months ago |Sorry, but the Hasselblad H was designed by Hasselblad i Göteborg, Sweden. I know some of those who did it. Fuji designed lenses for “HH”.
Miroslav
8 months ago |What Olympus needs is Sony NEX-7 clone. Seeing the similarities between first two NEX cameras and E-PL3 / E-PM1, I’ve no doubt they’ll copy NEX-7 sometime in 2012. I suppose that is the camera talked about in this rumor.
KI
8 months ago |Will it be a digital OM-4?
Oliver
8 months ago |Hmmmm, thinking again about the headline “Olympus will make a Fuji X100 clone?” I recognized it´s vice versa:
The Fuji X100 is an E-P1-17mm-Pencake-Kit-Clone! The Pen was born much earlier.
mochapaulo
8 months ago |Whatever the focal length or sensor size. I just hope the aperture should be f1.2 minimum. That’s all.
Kylberg
8 months ago |The Fuji produces excellent images, I really like the way they look. The road to get those images is, though, at some times a bit awkward. I sometimes also think that this “retro-thing” dominates too much. Dont make cameras as they were – make them better!
The Olymups digital Pen rangefinder wannabies being on good example of seducing customers. The images from them are good, but unintentional change of settings occurs while walking with the camera on your chest. Below zero….!
wishful
8 months ago |Nr. 1 task of Oly is to come up with a decent 2011 (not 2007) style m43 sensor.
Just imagine what a fine camera any E-P(3) could be!
If they don’t deliver on this, their future is doom.
Disraeli
8 months ago |Fixed lens, optical VF, ultra cheap. A poll from 4 years ago made such a camera a selling certainty and the first they should have made, not the last. Not only that it was possible without the existence of micro four-thirds as a format.
cosinaphile
8 months ago |as a user believer in micro 4\3 i am dismayed but not surprised by the clueless olympus who after a brilliant launch of the ep1 and all the new attitude and great form factor it represented,they didnt go to the next level and provide what users have been clamoring for an x 100 typw mchine with old school controls no gimmicy filters and surperb optics and sensor
performance, lets hope that the suits at olympus have awakened
spam
8 months ago |They don’t have a superb sensor available