Olympus/Panasonic Micro 4/3rds

[Raist3d]

In case everyone is sleeping, Panasonic and Olympus have jointly announced a new 4/3rds mount called Four Thirds Micro. All the current lenses will work with an adapter, they have reiterated (Olympus at least) that current 4/3rds continues, and the new mount basically enters Sigma DP1 territory with a 4/3rds sensor size but ultra small new lenses. The "EVIL" camera that many talked about since years before, has landed.

Some official info:

Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | Benefits of Micro Four Thirds

My thoughts, next post...

- Raist

[Raist3d]

I think Olympus/Panasonic are doing the right thing here. From my biased "what I want" view, if they can come up with a pro-camera in this size, which is expected to be ultra compact, more power to them. Would be great for street life. I hope that the Olympus "OM-1" thinking happens here- that originally that model wasn't really aimed for "pro market" but professionals started using it because of the portability.

I also think that this allows Olympus and Panasonic "an out" if full frame cameras for some reason go through a breakthrough in cost reduction and takes some potential pressure off.

I just sincerely hope they don't screw up ergonomics. Looks like these cameras will be contrast AF but a post by Phil over at dpreview suggests that they are going to try to do something special here to make sure it works well- we'll see. Seems like Photokina will be very interesting.

- Raist

[Paul Shields]

Sounds quite interesting. Hopefully this is a parallel fork of the existing 4:3rds standard and not a sign that the existing standard is now going to take a back seat in development terms. Looking forward to seeing some small and pocketable kits before the end of the year .

[Raist3d]

Olympus has reiterated, that the 4/3rds continues alongside the 4/3rds micro.

My big questions right now:

- speed of the new micro lenses
- ergonomics of thew new cameras
- aim of the new cameras- for the love of everthing holy, don't make all models aimed at P&'Sers... make some pro model weather sealed or something...

- Raist

[Paul Shields]

I hope that's true (continues alongside the existing standard). I'm always a bit wary of standards that diverge like this. It usually means that something has to give. My worst case scenario is that Olympus feel they've gone as far as they can (or as far as they dare) with the existing setup and divert a lot of their limited resources into the new standard (which is what this is) to the detriment of existing 4:3rds users. Best case scenario is that they introduce some fast 4:3rds primes within the next few months to give me confidence that they're still developing the original system.

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

I hope that's true (continues alongside the existing standard). I'm always a bit wary of standards that diverge like this. It usually means that something has to give. My worst case scenario is that Olympus feel they've gone as far as they can (or as far as they dare) with the existing setup and divert a lot of their limited resources into the new standard (which is what this is) to the detriment of existing 4:3rds users. Best case scenario is that they introduce some fast 4:3rds primes within the next few months to give me confidence that they're still developing the original system.

Well I agree that it could mean a resource fork, but think about it- at least on the lenses side, 4/3rds as it was imho was fairly complete. More than new lenses I would say, follow up with new bodies. I really think Olympus should introduce the rumored middle between e-510 and E-3, with BETTER sensor/characteristics than the E-3 and *immediately* introduce the "E-3b" or such rev, that incorporates the latest sensor.

Not get into the E-1 vs e-300/500/330/400 situation.

Right now I am just a bit worried about the focus of the new standard. I hope it's not P&Sers that want the camera to cook them breakfast. Seriously, I want a prospec camera of this. I also want Olympus to not sacrifice lens quality.

- Raist

[MVB]

Sounds like the E20 reborn with changeable lenses, in a compact size. I liked the E20 it was a nice camera for its time & very functional. I can't wait to see the micro's & hope to get one. Still stuck on my E1's looking at E3's in the future.

Mitch

[Mr. Pickles]

While I thought it was a no-brainer for Olympus to go even smaller and delve into the DP-1 territory, I am very cautious like Paul is. I would rather Olympus beef up one of their P&S lines by sticking in an E-420 sensor and incorporating a simple 3x zoom lens, fixed.

I would rather see that than a whole new lens mount size, etc. And if existing 4/3 lens will work with an adapter, what is the big "small size" savings again? A really small body with a honker 12-60 on it? I don't get that.

I'd rather see them work on getting more lenses available at a bit cheaper prices than they have for the current 4/3 line. While they have some good stuff now, at some good prices, there is a nice void between really good and cost effective versus awesome and oh my God it is how much?...

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

While I thought it was a no-brainer for Olympus to go even smaller and delve into the DP-1 territory, I am very cautious like Paul is. I would rather Olympus beef up one of their P&S lines by sticking in an E-420 sensor and incorporating a simple 3x zoom lens, fixed.

I would rather see that than a whole new lens mount size, etc. And if existing 4/3 lens will work with an adapter, what is the big "small size" savings again? A really small body with a honker 12-60 on it? I don't get that.

Well the idea is that you can tap on a rich set of lenses from day one if you already have them. I think this is great, obviously wouldn't be the main reason of operation but it's nice.

I'd rather see them work on getting more lenses available at a bit cheaper prices than they have for the current 4/3 line. While they have some good stuff now, at some good prices, there is a nice void between really good and cost effective versus awesome and oh my God it is how much?...

Well I think like they say.. if you need to ask...

Seriously, there are 3-tiers of lenses now. How many more do we need? The middle tier is great quality and fine. Weather sealed to. I think to put another tier between the middle and the super high end is too much. And to lower the price of the super high end would sacrifice quality. I really think it's fine as is.

On the note of worrying developments I was thinking about it some more. If micro 4/3rds takes of in a major way and normal 4/3rds becomes a money losing proposition, then yes, I can see how "naturally" Olympus would shift focus. Could I really blame them for that? I don't think I could... but I really don't see that happening at least in the immediate future... the e-420/e-520's seem to be selling reasonably well.

- Raist

[Mr. Pickles]

I never meant to imply another "level" on lenses was needed. More or less a closer of the gap between the top level and the middle tier. There is some room for growth in there. Might hurt some of the top-tier sales, but I doubt it would be a huge dent in the overall financial numbers. the increase in sales in the middle would certainly counter that.

My biggest wish is more fixed aperture lenses. The top-tier has the f/2.0's and f/2.8's, but there are no f/4 lenses. And what is wrong with a 50-200 f/2.8 fixed? How about a 150mm and a 300mm f/4 fixed?

[moizes]

There will be a lot of new cameras of this class with bigger - BETTER - sensors, soon, very soon. New 4/3 is a big mistake. That is what I am thinking about, gentlemen. Dimitri.

[camrajoky]

as an Olympus owner...I like my E-3 and am having a great time with it. Olympus has been talking about creating a universal mount to allow for cross brand swapping for years. They have had a rough road getting others to join in with it. Olympus already has different levels of quality lenses from kit basic lenses up to Pro ED glass. I can also use my old Olympus Zuiko lenses with an addapter.
Will be interesting to see IF they can get the other brands to try to cross the brand platform...not holding my breath on that one.

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by moizes

There will be a lot of new cameras of this class with bigger - BETTER - sensors, soon, very soon. New 4/3 is a big mistake. That is what I am thinking about, gentlemen. Dimitri.

Do you know other cameras - for sure- coming into this space with interchangeable lenses? New 4/3rds is a "big mistake" according to you. Is the current "4/3rds" also a big mistake?

What exactly is so bad about the current 4/3rds sensors. Have you used a recent 4/3rds camera?

- Raist

[Mr. Pickles]

I would say that since over 95% of Moizes's posts are about Nikons, the whole 4/3 system may be a mistake. Given that, Canon may be a mistake. But we don't like bashing and trolling like other places.

I don't think going smaller is really a mistake, given that their is a TON of business in the P&S market. Might be good to bring them up just a bit, rather than to bring them up to a big DSLR. Which brings me to my earlier point or question. Why make a new mount? Why not just make the lenses fixed, but the sensor a try 4/3? Others have more than one mount in their lenses, and those in those brands going with bigger sensored cameras will have issues with some of their purchases...some that an adapter will NOT cure....

[Paul Shields]

I've not yet come to the conclusion that 4:3rds is a big mistake, but I do need Olympus to show more commitment to this system. Ordinarily an announcement of a new system like this doesn't surprise me and fits in with Olympus's whole ethos of small but high quality cameras (and probably makes even more sense for Panasonic as they seem to be doing well in the compact market).

Although having an adapter is on the face of it a nice thing for those with current 4:3rds lenses, it also reminds me of when the E-1 came out and they offered an adapter as a sort of bridge for those with legacy OM glass. I just fear that Olympus won't be trying so hard to develop the current system, particularly if the MFT system takes off.

To be honest, I don't think they've adopted a really clear roadmap since the E-1 came out. Every model since has been a cheapened version in one way or another. It's like they're throwing things out and seeing what sticks. It'll be interesting to see if anything new comes out of Photokina, but I doubt if it will be anything to get my pulse racing (e.g. a proper E-1 replacement).

[Raist3d]

If I could get a pro-specced e-420 that would make me very happy

I was thinking about the micro 4/3rds being more about Panasonic. I wouldn't be surprised that Panasonic