(FT3) zone-10 predicts a compact Pen with non interchangeable lens

Zone-10 wrote a very long article over the E-P1. It is a very interesting text and they included following prediction:

“I fully expect to see Olympus introduce a “pocket-camera” Digital Pen that does not take interchangeable lenses. It will have an extending zoom lens, or another model may have a fixed 35mm equivalent lens which will close up flush. The Infinity Stylus Zoom film cameras would be good cameras to model this after.  The clamshell or sliding cover design is still viable and I have one which goes most everywhere with me. But pocketability is not in the design specification for the E-P1 and nor should it be–let that be a feature for another model based on the same sensor design.”

Imagine, an Olympus LX3 version with a far bigger sensor…would be nice or not?

http://zone-10.com/cmsm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=438&Itemid=1

I fully expect to see Olympus introduce a “pocket-camera” Digital Pen that does not take interchangeable lenses. It will have an extending zoom lens, or another model may have a fixed 35mm equivalent lens which will close up flush. The Infinity Stylus Zoom film cameras would be good cameras to model this after.  The clamshell or sliding cover design is still viable and I have one which goes most everywhere with me. But pocketability is not in the design specification for the E-P1 and nor should it be–let that be a feature for another model based on the same sensor design.

Will Panasonic strike back?

Panasonic’s world is quiet. After the GH1 release we havn’t got any big news anymore. The Panasonic GH1 is still not available in most worldwide online shops, the 20mm 1.7 lens is still missing (at leats until fall). Olympus made a big strike with their E-P1. And I am sure Samsung and Nikon will soon get the worldwide press attention. So what are they waiting for? What kind of plans do they have?

The E-P1 success has shown them that they can’t sit quite on their G1/GH1 camera’s. They have to do something “special” in between now and Photokina 2010.

If they are smart they will exactly add to their compact camera what the E-P1 is lacking (better LCD, better autfocus). And I have the “feeling” they will do it!

Panasonic MicroFourThirds camera & lens firmware update

panaosnicgh1http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/

Firmware version 1.1 for the Panasonic GH1 camera allows faster burst shooting and improves control of shutter speed and the stability of AF in movie recording. Version 1.3 for the Panasonic G1 improves its compatibility with Micro Four Thirds lenses, whereas firmware version 1.1 for the Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. lens improves optical image stabilisation in movie recording mode.and compatibility with Micro Four Thirds cameras.

Continually UPDATED -> All the E-P1 links

(The links signed with “NEW!” have been posted in the last 2-3 days)

Links to preorder the E-P1
Amazon International: E-P1

Bhphoto E-P1

Adorama E-P1
Amazon JAPAN: Olympus E-P1!
Amazon Deutschland: Olympus E-P1 (amazon DE is the only one to have a complete kit lens with both lenses and viewfinder for 999 Euro)
Amazon UK: Olympus E-P1

Videos
video preview
quesabesde (spanish only)
cnet

digitalcamerareview (preview+video)

Videos made with the E-P1

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0906/09061602ep1movies.asp

http://www.photographyblog.com/articles/olympus_e-p1_videos/

Image samples

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/olympusep1/page13.asp

http://www.photographyblog.com/articles/olympus_e-p1_photos/

http://www.mycen.com.my/buzz/160609_new_olympus_pen_ep1_03.html

http://www.fotopolis.pl/index.php?n=9089

http://43photo.smugmug.com/gallery/8579699_n5uNq#565487484_6oE9K E-P1 in New York

http://www.flickr.com/photos/realityscans/sets/72157619834252102/

http://fourthirds-user.com/2009/06/olympus_pen_ep1_sample_images_to_download.php

43photo.smugmug.comNEW!

http://www.biofos.com/mft/ep-1_pre.htmlNEW!

http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/22408/olympus-e-p1-test/NEW!

Lenses test

http://www.lenstip.com/ 17mm lens test images 

http://www.lenstip.com/ 14-42mm lens test images 

Official announcements
Official Olympus US announcement
Official Olympus Europe announcement
Official Watanabe interview at dpreview

Launch party in Berlin

Commercials
Official Olympus commercial

very long Olympus Pen commercial

Previews
dpreview
fourthirdsphoto
fourthirdsphoto
dcresource

photographyreview

letsgodigital

imaging resource

http://daystarvisions.com/Docs/Ref/E-P1/index.htmlNEW!

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/NEW!

http://photo.net/equipment/olympus/ep1/preview/

quesabesde (spanish and with video)

Quesabesde  ENGLISH preview!

engadget china (part 1 and part 2) 

No Olympus forums reaction :)
Leica forum
Pentax forum
Fred Miranda forum

360° view of EP-1

Olympus Japan

Key Questions answered

http://fourthirds-user.com/2009/06/olympus_micro_four_thirds_ep1_questions_answered.php

Everything else

Sound Test: Leica M 4-2 vs Olympus E-P1NEW!

E-P1 user experienceNEW!

Some E-P1 answers

dcwatch and photorumors E-p1 autopsy pictures

a little bit of everything…

A good E-P1 summary can be seen here: http://daystarvisions.com/Docs/Ref/E-P1/index.html

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The cheapest E-P1 price in Europe is in Poland! http://www.euro.com.pl/kompakty-z-wymienna-optyka.bhtml?boks_www=true

649 Euro for body only!

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New Olympus E-P1 High Iso photos at 43photo.smugmug.com

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There is a Sigma Dp2 vs Olympus E-620 comparison on neutralday

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Some new Panasonic GH1 examples are available here:  dkamera.de

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The german video website made a very deep video capabilites review of the Panasonic GH1. To bad it is german only because it seems to be a really detailled test!

http://www.slashcam.de/artikel/Test/Panasonic-GH1—Kit.html

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