43 Rumors

Right, 3 yrs later there’ll be E-7 with same spec as today’s Canon 550D with swivel screen.
Good luck Olympus.

Translation: Olympus is coasting, it’s got nothing really new in 2010 except an overprice 4/3 body nobody’s going to buy, and it wants you to hold off at least another 4-5 months for news about anything else.

good enough for me for photokina,
i’m happy if olympus is focusing on the E-5 at photokina.
hands on experience and fast availability in october..

good news that we can expect new FT cams for the future, i predict a E-630 (w/video & lastest features, ev. more sturdy body?..) + and E-50, similar specs to E-5 (but 14 mp resolution + 1080 video) w/more competitive price around 1100.-

p.s. the new fuji makes the photokina visit worth alone..

What is important in a system is not the camera bodies but the lens. Unfortunately they announce no new 4/3 lens will be developped which means 4/3 is a dead system. A frozen range of lens with body upgrades while the opposit would be preferable.

I think that while Olympus generally plays their cards close to the chest, if they have anything really cool coming up soon, they really need to tease a little until they announce it. The E-5 is a great camera, but let’s face it- it is great for a 2007 camera. It’s not great in 2010.
The LCD is nice, and it can produce good results, it’s just barely competitive. It has IBIS, but so does Sony and Pentax. It has wireless flash control built in. So does the 7D. The market is catching up. I bought into Olympus for these two features. I don’t shoot at ISO6400 because I can’t, but there have been times I needed 1600 to be MUCH cleaner than it is, and just couldn’t have it.
And the other systems have primes at F1.2 and F1.4. The 35-100 F2 zoom is without equal, and I’ll get one as soon as I can afford it, but I do think some 25 – 100mm prime assortment at F1.4 to F1.8 is in order- otherwise you have a low sensitivity camera coupled to slow glass, and that’s not a workable solution. 4/3 should make fast glass more usable due to increased DOF, but Oly is not taking advantage of that.

OMG, this story of how they end E-5 life by cutting on the development of its 43 lens sound like how Kin die. Ok there will be some Oly loyal fan who replace their E-3 with the E-5 But only happen if they have more than 5000 pound worth of 43 lens. Nobody going to be bother. Clearly they wasted 3 year to develop a product that will not sell.

Here is my two cent: Olympus has fail in term of management and ability to cope with new growth. micro 43 has brought them higher demand than ever and they still fail to produce good lens for this format let alone the 43 format. It is good to get focus in one market but not at the cost of the market. Olympus has failed use their profit from the new market to maintain development in both market. If that is canon, the scale and coverage of their market is just bigger. Olympus now again a small camera company. Ok, just let get on with this failure and hope they will do well in micro 43 development. And I meant micro 43 system. ie.e lens and camera. I didn’t hear their plan today, seem like more loss of the news.

But at least there’s a silver lining:

“Nuestros ingenieros están centrados en hacer un sistema de objetivos Micro Cuatro Tercios tan bueno como lo es ahora el Cuatro Tercios”

Our engineers are focused in creating a micro four thirds lens system as good as the four thirds is today.

I am really skeptical that Olympus will come out with any fast prime lenses. I’m sure that they will produce a few prime lenses, but they don’t have a history of producing fast primes for their digital cameras. Fast primes are not on their m43rd roadmap (according to the road map on this site a few months ago, the only m43 prime was a 17 2.8… 2.8 is not fast for a prime). And, althought there are other companies making m43 primes (Cosina, Voitlander, etc), they are manual focus. Pana is doing a better job, but it’s important to me that Olympus get in the game so that their “system” would be more valuable. By them stating in this press conference that “primes are coming…”, that only means that they might simply be fulfilling their roadmap promise (17 2.8, macro, fisheye, wide), which won’t be the kind of fast prime lenses that I would like to see. Again, I don’t expect any more than this for the next 2 years.

I like big-body cameras. My last film camera was the Contax AX.. remember that thing? The e3 is great. The e5 should be fine too from a size perspective. But looking down the road, I just can’t imagine Olympus producing a m43 body that is larger than compact-size. That size can’t be used professionally (I need a grip, vertical release, built-in viewfinder so that I won’t have to choose between using a viewfinder and using a flash, like on the EP-2 and EP-1).
I purchased an EP-2, thinking that it would be cool to use my olympus 43rds lenses on it. But, trying to use an 14-35 or 35-100 on that little body just doesn’t work. So, if Olympus wants me to give up the 43rds system (which appears to be their long-term goal), then they’re gonna need to give me something that I want in return (fast m43 prime AND zoom lenses, larger m43 body with a grip, and better balance for large lenses larger hot-shoe flash support).

I think any future four thirds lenses would have to be the contrast detect focusing version of already great lenses. Like the 14-54 and 50-200 both re-released with faster focusing. I’m sure they feel many who want live view focusing have the lightweight lenses already and those who will spend $2000 on a lens might be more apt to use a viewfinder with the heavier lenses.

I do feel we have an amazing selection of excellent lenses. Especially the semi-pro grade ranging from $450-$1,000 that are weather sealed are an amazing value with great quality. Olympus may not exceed others in focus speed but the images I get from all the Olympus bodies are excellent.

I’m glad to see an E-5 come forth!

Here’s what gets me:
He confirmed that “we are not developing more Four Thirds optics” He also said: “It is true that perhaps the E-5 lacks specifications to some expectations, but you just can not give everything“.

My question – Why not give everything? Why is it so hard to match specs with other camera makers? The tech is out there, it’s been out there. Charge a higher price if you have to but at least meet, if you cannot exceed, other makers offerings that have been on the market for a year or better. Quit alienating those of us who want to give you money.

I own 5 4/3 bodies including E510, E520, E3,and 2 E30. I have a rather good selection of lenses to match plus flashes, etc.

Olympus has seen the very last dollar they’ll ever see from me. They obviously don’t understand one of the first rules of marketing which says that the best customer you’ll ever have is the one that’s already invested in your product.

Don’t trust that Olympus will stick with micro four-thirds. They’re obviously not into looking after those who showed some faith in them. They’re probably already looking for the next new fad to latch onto to make a few easy bucks.

this does it. A big “F.U.” to Olympus….oh how I supported you, but I refuse to migrate to micro 4/3rds. I’ll enjoy what i got until I have enough to get the Mark II. >:(

What a bunch of Jonah’s you lot are. Do you take photos or are you just interested in being able to brag about the spec sheet of your camera? Does this announcement suddenly stop your camera from working? I have used Olympus cameras since 1974, starting with the OM1 and still have my collection of OM gear. I have never been let down by any of my Olympus camera’s and they do work in the rain, unlike Nikon or Canon, who’s users all dive for cover or wrap their kit up in plastic. Come on I still use an E1 and it can take fantastic photos.

Would I like an E5, most definitely yes, will I get one? Don’t know, but would prefer to migrate this way only if there is a m4/3 version of the 50-200 plus EC14, otherwise I will continue to use 4/3. This lens combination together with a sealed camera is the best on the planet for what I do, and changing brands will not improve my photography. So people stop venting and start thinking about how you can advance your skills to match that of the E5, as you will find it more productive and rewarding. And for those threatening all the time about switching, it’s getting boring because very few have the money to do so, so start being realistic.

At first, when I read Oly would not continue design new 4/3 lenses, I was very saddened, but then realized they have everything we need. (Almost, anyway)

Lets say you want Super High Grade. You got 7-14, 14-35, 35-100, 150, 90-250, 300. ALL SPECTACULAR in their range. Many incomparable in image quality and range. All proven weather resistant.

High grade: 8, 11-22, 12-60, 14-54, 50, 50-200 Also a fantastic line up, with some really hard to beat lenses like the 12-60, 50, and 50-200. All weather sealed too at a bargain!

Standard Grade: 9-18, 14-42, 17-45, 25, 35, 40-150, 18-180, 70-300 A great lineup on the cheap, with really great image quality compared to other brands’ entry level stuff.

Mix these up with the tele-converters, and you end up with a 35mm equiv focal range of 14-1200. (YMMV)

Add the PanaLeica 25, 14-50, and 14-150 and you have even more good stuff.

Add the now Sigma lenses left, and you have even more choices, albeit these are more uncertain.

So if the E5 turns out to be a good performer, the current 4/3 lens lineup is great! No need to panic… Not at least for 2-3 years.

(Also, this does not mean they cant revise current line up, even if they don’t add new lenses. Like adding SWD to some or just some version II lenses. We’ll see.)

How do Oly expect me to jump on the m4/3 move ? .. I spent 400 + 225 euros on a e420 with 3 lenses ( 14-42, 50-150, macro 35). So, for less than 650 euros I have a wonderfull little system with 3 good lenses.

How much to upgrade to a GH2 ? How much to switch to a G1 ?

Moreover, even if my AF is not the fastest one on the DSLR market, I am pretty shure that it focuses faster than the one on the G1 model. It focuses fine on low-light situation, it is precise, and it is optical !

I love my OVF, when I switched from my compact i didn’t realized how convenient was to have an OVF, and now I won’t go back!

I am just very disapointed with Olympus, this is not a trustable company. What if in 3 or 4 years they abandon the m43 for something even smaller (a trully pocketable system, the pico43 ?). I will nevermore trust them ..

The e620 was a very competitive system, reviewers liked it.. it was just matter of time to people to realize that they don’t need 128000 iso, and that the e-system has a lot to offer. Just a matter of time for people to realize how good were the kit lens and the build quality. I think they are missing something now and that they are leaving the ship too soon. Sony and Pentax are prooving that the slr market is not just Canon and nikon.

This news explains the high price on the E5. With no new lenses being developed the E5 camera will NOT lure new customers. Instead it will have a limited potential base of current customers who must pay more to make the limited run profitable for Olympus.

Unfortunately, the E5 is a gap filler only and customers must eventually move to a new system. The problem for Olympus (as someone else mentioned) is when you make your loyal customers switch systems they may choose to become someone else’s customers. Even if the customer opts to stay with the 43 sensor in the form of m43 Panasonic has made the most interestign m43 cameras to date. Olympus is in a tough position here and not being a developer of sensors is hurting them.

E5 image quality is already available in the PEN series. The sensor is the same as in the E-PL1. Put a 14-54 II on an E-PL1 and you have a small, slow E-5.

For all of you who are truly, and by truly I mean you’ve made your decision, selling your Oly equipment, please let me know what lenses you have and how much you want for them!

Would you really be that much happier if the E-5 had spec’s that better matched the competition? Think about it, those specs would be out of date within months anyway, so that means you’d only be happy for a few months and then you would need to upgrade again!

I’m an E-500 shooter, with the 12-60 and the 50-200 SWD; I also dabble with an OM 50 1.4 and Vivitar Macro teleconverter. Is the camera & system perfect? Not by a long shot. Was I hoping for a better spec’d E-5? Sure. Am I so unhappy with what the 5 actually is that I’m switching? Nope – not even close. What I’d really like to see is the E-50 announced in time for Christmas, similar spec’s to the 5 but in a slightly smaller body and sans weatherproofing. I’ll even settle for slightly lower specs if need be. That may sound out of sorts for some of you users, especially the ones that tout the weatherproofing as one of the main reasons to be shooting Oly in the first place, but I beg to differ. I shoot my large family, friends and events. I look at the resulting pictures and that’s what counts for me. Nobody looks at great images and then decides that the picture isn’t actually that good because it wasn’t captured using a camera with the best specs! If the picture is good, it’s good. It’s that simple.

My 500 is struggling, it’s tired body is showing it’s age in numerous ways. The images I’ve seen so far from the 5 have me excited enough to want one. Not at the initial release price, because I can wait a couple of months and save a few hundred bucks that will go toward either the Panny 25 1.4 or the Oly 50 2, or even the 1.4 teleconverter. I look at what images I want to capture and then I look to see where my current camera fails me. It does fail me, but not as often as need be that would warrant a very expensive switch, and then to only gain a few shots. Low light shooting is an obvious area. My daughters ice skating is a great, real-life, example. I would benefit from having the option to shoot at higher ISO’s than my 500 can provide a good keeper rate at. That cam struggles to focus in those conditions, and the ISO 800 is barely OK. Seeing the E-5 have 1600 ISO that looks comparable to the 500′s ISO 400 is wonderful news to me!! And the fact that 3200 may even be possible – outstanding!

A quick review of Nikon’s offering showed that I’d be spending $4k+ to get the lenses that are similar to the 12-60 and 50-200. They’re bigger and heavier, and they still don’t have that Oly quality output.

So, in summary, is all of the Oly news good? No. Do I wonder what I’ll purchase in 4-5 years time when the 5 or 50 show the same kinds of problems my 500 is currently exhibiting? Sure. But the idea of selling my system because Oly can’t effectively communicate where they’re going? Crazy. I love the pics my 500 has provided and continues to give. I’m pretty certain that I will love even more the pictures from the 5 and/or the 50, and I really look forward to seeing what my current glass as well as the glass I intend on buying will provide.

For those of you truly not happy with the E-5 specs, show us some ‘real-world’, examples of your pictures which define Oly’s ‘shortcomings’. How many pictures have you really lost because your equipment wasn’t up to the competitions specifications? I’m pretty sure that as a percentage, it will be small. I know that some of the competition may be able to provide ‘better’ pictures under some circumstances, but as an overall percentage, I’m sticking to my Oly system. If my daughters had an Olympic future in ice skating, or some other similar lighting conditions, then maybe I’d switch to a Nikon for the low light capability, or maybe I’d look at the top glass from Oly and see how that did. But as that aspect of their lives is just a small portion, and for the rest my system has it covered, I’m sticking with Oly.

For all you nay-sayers, Oly bashers and those claiming that now is the time to jump ship, please provide me with your list of equipment and how much you’re asking for it.

BTW, has anyone ever realistically thought how much better Ansel’s pictures could be if only he had access to better equipment? Didn’t think so, and my pictures are nowhere near in the same league as his!

Looking forward to picking up some cheap Oly equipment …