A reader just sent us that size comparison between the upcoming new mini PEN (E-PM1) and the [shoplink 14832]Olympus E-PL1[/shoplink]. The new E-PM1 is just a bit less thick and a bit less wide than the E-PL1. The real difference is made by the absence of the grip.

By the way, there are eleven of refurbished E-PL1 on [shoplink 22691 ebay]Olympusmarket[/shoplink]. Click on the numbers to see the E-PL1 auction (ordered form first to last ending auction): [shoplink 23350 ebay]one[/shoplink], [shoplink 23351 ebay]two[/shoplink], [shoplink 23352 ebay]three[/shoplink], [shoplink 23353 ebay]four[/shoplink], [shoplink 23354 ebay]five[/shoplink], [shoplink 23355 ebay]six[/shoplink], [shoplink 23356 ebay]seven[/shoplink], [shoplink 23357 ebay]eight[/shoplink], [shoplink 23358 ebay]nine[/shoplink], [shoplink 23359 ebay]ten[/shoplink], [shoplink 23360 ebay]eleven[/shoplink].

[shoplink 23321 ebay][/shoplink] Image on top shows the current [shoplink 23321 ebay]VF-2 viewfinder (around $279.95)[/shoplink].

Olympus will not only announce three new cameras and two new lenses, there will be also two new accessories:

1) A new Flash that will be positioned a bit lower than the current [shoplink 23320 ebay]FL-36 flash[/shoplink]. UPDATE: The flash will be called FL-300R.

2) A new Olympus external electronic viewfinder which is cheaper than the current [shoplink 23321 ebay]VF-2 viewfinder (around $279.95)[/shoplink].

I have no specs about both products. That’s why I don’t knwo if the new viewfinder will have the same VF-2 quality or not. But a cheaper alternative is very welcome!

P.S.: Check the current Olympus VF-2 price at [shopcountry 23321].

Before to go on with more new Olympus rumors I want to remindert you what’s going on with the competition:

1) Tomorrow Pentax will announce the new NC-1 mirrorless system with small 1:2.33 inch sensor. You can follow the announcement live on MirrorlessRumors (Click here) at 13:00 Tokyo time! The camera is very tiny almost like the old film [shoplink 21191 ebay]Auto 110 system (Click here ot see that on ebay)[/shoplink]. It’s very important for you to know that Pentax will launch a second “k-system” in autumn (with APS-C) sensor. It’s very likely that they will use the current Sony NEX sensors.

2) Leica will announce a mirrorless system at Photokina 2012. It will use a built-in EVF instead of a rangefinder sytem a là [shoplink 22857 ebay]Leica M9 (Click here to see that camera)[/shoplink]. There are no specs now, but I guess it will be a very expensive system ;)

3) Sony delayed the new NEX Pro and lens announcement form July to late August. Pity that Sony doesn’t offer any decent lens for their NEX users!

4) Samsung will announce the NX-200 and NX-20 with 18 Megapixel sensor in July. And there will be also a nice 85mm f/1.4 lens (Source: MirrorlessRumors.com)

As you cansee, there is nothing to come from Canon and Nikon. They don’t want to cannibalize their entry level DSLR market. But how long can they play that game?

Olympus just launched a new Teaser video you can see here: http://www.getolympus.com/PENteaser/. The teaser is a bit boring because you really don’t see anything :(