Live View and the Olympus Flagship

[Mr. Pickles]

From Masaaki Komiya, Olympus Group Leader in R&D...

"If it's called 'Live View,' then it should be live - that is, the image should always be there for the photographer to see.

Unfortunately, having an image displayed on the LCD at all times would generate heat and could generate noise in the captured images.

To deal with this, we developed a new 10-megapixel image sensor that inherits the technology originally developed for the 7.5-megapixel Live MOS image sensor incorporated in the E-330.

At the same time, we boosted processing speed and reduced power consumption, while maintaining a wide dynamic range equivalent to or better than full-frame transfer CCDs.

We also succeeded in reducing the noise caused by heat generation. The end result was a full-time Live View function - something previously impossible with CCDs."

[D.Rodgers]

Interesting Mr Pickles ,I never thought about the heat before ..
I know this is off topic to the camera you speak of,but How does this effect CMOS sensors ,i ordered a d300 for the live view ,need it because of bad eyes.

[Mr. Pickles]

I think the "heat issue" is in reference to if Live View was on all the time, constantly. I guess pumping the "signal" through generates heat. I'm not sure about the other systems, but I don't think you use it all the time, and that is their savior so to speak.

I think Live View could be useful for a "bad eyes" stand point, but only for framing. I'm not sure you get a huge benefit in focus accuracy unless you are in a MF situation, and "bad eyed" people probably aren't using MF.

The biggest benefit is when it is hard to see thru the viewfinder because of the angle rather than because of a vision issue.

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I think the "heat issue" is in reference to if Live View was on all the time, constantly. I guess pumping the "signal" through generates heat. I'm not sure about the other systems, but I don't think you use it all the time, and that is their savior so to speak.

I think Live View could be useful for a "bad eyes" stand point, but only for framing. I'm not sure you get a huge benefit in focus accuracy unless you are in a MF situation, and "bad eyed" people probably aren't using MF.

The biggest benefit is when it is hard to see thru the viewfinder because of the angle rather than because of a vision issue.

I have found live view extremely beneficial for product photography (no yoga positions around the tripod) and for street life (you can be more discreet or keep interactivity with the subject making eye contact). The later more on the e-330 because of live view mode A.

What I read into what Olympus wrote, is that the E-3 will have full time autofocusing liveview with hardly any lag. This makes me think they figured out a way to do mode A again somehow or a super mode B and a far faster processor to keep the signal more "real time."

- Raist

[Mr. Pickles]

And if they can make Live view even better, then it will be better. It is more of an innovation that they are noted for producing. If it is really live, and virtually no shutter lag or whatever, then it should be better than anybody elses, and keeps them above what others have.

Gives C&N folks something to "so, whatever, I don't need it" and when they end up getting it, they go yippee...

[Sidebyte]

Originally Posted by Raist3d

for street life (you can be more discreet or keep interactivity with the subject making eye contact). The later more on the e-330 because of live view mode A.
- Raist

The LCD with live view even if only able to raise to 90 deg. would suit my style of street photography well. I have used this method for 50 years dating back to my time in Asia when in the Navy. Tried not to be conspicuous as much as possible. 90 degreees away from the subject.

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

From Masaaki Komiya, Olympus Group Leader in R&D...

"If it's called 'Live View,' then it should be live - that is, the image should always be there for the photographer to see.

Unfortunately, having an image displayed on the LCD at all times would generate heat and could generate noise in the captured images.

To deal with this, we developed a new 10-megapixel image sensor that inherits the technology originally developed for the 7.5-megapixel Live MOS image sensor incorporated in the E-330.

At the same time, we boosted processing speed and reduced power consumption, while maintaining a wide dynamic range equivalent to or better than full-frame transfer CCDs.

We also succeeded in reducing the noise caused by heat generation. The end result was a full-time Live View function - something previously impossible with CCDs."

So I guess what Oly are saying is that it'll be an nMOS sensor a la the E-330, but with better dynamic range than an equivalent pixel density FFT CCD. That would be impressive if true, though that also indicates that it won't be a rehash of the E-410/510 sensor I guess?

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Raist3d

I have found live view extremely beneficial for product photography (no yoga positions around the tripod) and for street life (you can be more discreet or keep interactivity with the subject making eye contact). The later more on the e-330 because of live view mode A.

What I read into what Olympus wrote, is that the E-3 will have full time autofocusing liveview with hardly any lag. This makes me think they figured out a way to do mode A again somehow or a super mode B and a far faster processor to keep the signal more "real time."

- Raist

Mode A was great (and is still unique in DSLR's I think), but had the obvious limitation of affecting the optical viewfinder due to the porro mirror. If they can do mode A but still retain the full optical benefits of a prism then I'm going to be very impressed indeed (and also very curious about how they could achieve that) .

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

So I guess what Oly are saying is that it'll be an nMOS sensor a la the E-330, but with better dynamic range than an equivalent pixel density FFT CCD. That would be impressive if true, though that also indicates that it won't be a rehash of the E-410/510 sensor I guess?

Keep in mind that's the same marketing material Olympus said about the sensor of the e-410/e-510. In fact, I think they are talking about the e-410/e-510 technology in general when they say that.

That being said, I am inclined to believe now that the sensor will still be a Live MOS but a different one judging from the fact the Panasonic L10 - as supposedly alleged by Panasonic, uses a different sensor from the e-410/e-510 and reading a bit between the lines....

- Raist

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

Mode A was great (and is still unique in DSLR's I think), but had the obvious limitation of affecting the optical viewfinder due to the porro mirror. If they can do mode A but still retain the full optical benefits of a prism then I'm going to be very impressed indeed (and also very curious about how they could achieve that) .

I really think what's going to happen (not sure on this one but seems reasonable) there will be a new "super mode B" that will be very fast refreshing, capable of full autofocus.. what I wonder is about the performance penalty in focus speed.

- Raist