Olympus as promised today released the E-P2 as its second-generation Micro Four Thirds compact. The update to the 12.3-megapixel camera primarily adds continuous, motion-track autofocusing that can better follow a subject across the frame. HD movie recording likewise gets a boost with manual control over the aperture and shutter speed.
Olympus' E-P2 Micro Four Thirds camera has been revealed early thanks to a preview posted in advance. The rangefinder-like design is now known by BJP to be getting only a handful of new features but will importantly bring AF motion tracking and consequently fix a common complaint of slow autofocusing with the E-P1. Alongside this, it brings in a new electronic viewfinder option that is both very high-resolution (1.44 megapixels) and which pivots up to 90 degrees off-axis.
Olympus' success to its first Micro Four Thirds camera should make its debut in as little as a week based on both official and unofficial news. A teaser page from the company is counting down to a "new PEN" launch on November 6th and has been accompanied by a leak showing the new camera. Still believed to be called the E-P2, the camera now appears to be virtually identical to the E-P1 on the outside but will come in black and have the option of a stereo mic attachment in addition to an add-on electronic viewfinder.
A less expensive companion to the Olympus E-P1 digital camera, the E-P2, may be officially revealed on October 31st. This is indicated by Olympus' Chinese website, which is already listing the camera. Both the E-P1 and E-P2 rely on the Micro Four Thirds standard.
The Wireless Power Consortium on Thursday announced that cellphone maker Nokia has become one of its members. This is expected to result in quicker development and the more widespread use of the Qi wireless charging standard the Consortium is working on. With the addition of Nokia, the company has backed the open standards that would be shared among many makers of cell phones and other portable electronics devices.
Japanese wireless provider NTT DoCoMo on Thursday announced it has created two prototype handsets constructed of excess wood from trees felled during thinning operations designed to ensure a healthy forest. The devices were built through collaboration between Sharp, Olympus and More Trees, a reforestation project in Japan. Either prototype handset sports cypress wood and goes by the Touch Wood name. Despite the wood construction, the bodies are resistant to water, insects and mildew thanks to 3D compression molding technology developed by Olympus.
As expected, Panasonic today launched the Lumix GF1, its own take on the idea of a rangefinder-like Micro Four Thirds camera. In addition to being slightly smaller than the Olympus E-P1 it shares its system with, the GF1 has a surprise fix for the absence of built-in flash on its competitor: the corner opposite the grip has a hidden pop-up flash that properly distances the illumination from the lens. No viewfinder is built-in, but an optional electronic viewfinder provides 100 percent coverage regardless of lens.
Panasonic has inadvertently spoiled its launch plans for the Lumix GF1 through at least one ad. Appearing on UK sites, the tower spot is short on details but confirms its position as Panasonic's rough equivalent to the Olympus E-P1 with a point-and-shoot style body but a Micro Four Thirds lens system. It also supports notions that the GF1 will ship in multiple colors, such as the red found on the G1/GH1 as well as black, silver and white.
Olympus this morning took the wraps from a new entry-level digital SLR that should help it fight rivals like the Nikon D3000. The E-600 is very similar to the 12-megapixel E-620 but makes key choices to drop the price: it removes the backlighting from the buttons and scales back a handful of software features, including the aspect mask control, a double-shot exposure mode. Half the art filters have also been removed and limit the E-600 to three of the live visual effects.
Plans by Olympus to launch a new lower-end DSLR were spoiled today by a collection of nondescript photos at a dealer. Likely a scaled-down version of the E-620, the E-600 spotted by a DPReview forum member would have the former's swivel LCD and would inherit other features from previous cameras, like Art Filters and in-body image stabilization. What else has changed isn't evident as there have been no labels or other signs to accompany the retail display.
Panasonic's Lumix GF1 could get an announcement in three weeks based on a invitation that was briefly posted in a Chinese forum. The image lists an "unvealing" (potentially a play on words) for a new Lumix model in a two-day event that starts September 1st. A silhouette in the shot appears to match that of the GF1.
Panasonic's third camera using the Micro Four Thirds system in less than a year should be a direct answer to the Olympus E-P1, a leak through a Chinese forum shows. The Lumix GF1 is potentially smaller than the E-P1 but should answer some of the weaknesses of its sibling, including adding a hidden (likely pop-up) flash on the top left. It would still omit a dedicated viewfinder but would bring a dedicated movie button to start capturing 720p video in the AVCHD Lite (H.264) format also used by some of Panasonic's fixed-lens compact cameras.
Olympus is already preparing a sequel to its E-P1 that would address at least one main complaint about the Micro Four Thirds camera, according to a claim by French magazine Chasseur d'Images. Coming from the same issue that accurately leaked the Nikon S1000pj under its working codename, the assertion intercepted by Photo Rumors has an Olympus E-P2 adding a built-in viewfinder. The current model only has an optional viewfinder that needs to use the camera's hot shoe, preventing it from using flash at the same time and providing a view separate from what the lens itself sees.
Samsung this morning launched a teaser page for the impending launch of a new line of "smart cameras." The company plans to gradually reveal features of the cameras up until August 13th, when the cameras themselves should appear. Few details are available today, but the name for the campaign, Tap and Take, hints either at touchscreen displays or else a whole-body tap feature similar to Olympus' tap control.
Olympus on Wednesday announced the addition of three new point and shoot digital cameras to its FE series, including the FE-5020, FE-4000 and FE-46, all with 12-megapixel sensors. The FE-5020 and FE-4000 feature ultra-wide angle lenses, with the former offering a 5x zoom lens, or the 35mm equivalent of 24mm-120mm, and the latter sporting a 4x (26mm-105mm) lens. All share the same 2.7-inch LCD screen and have enhanced tracking capabilities, including Intelligent Auto that picks the best mode for a particular environment and AF Tracking that focuses on fast-moving subjects and can remember them even when they leave the frame.
Olympus has announced the Stylus-7010, an upcoming compact camera. The model relies on a 12-megapixel sensor, backed by a TruePic III image processor. Distinguishing the 7010 from rivals is the presence of a 7x zoom lens, providing range equivalent to 28-196mm on a full-sized SLR sensor. Hardware image stabilization is handled through sensor-shift technology.
Olympus chose Friday to introduce a new generation of its hardened TOUGH-series compact cameras. The mju TOUGH-6010 (to be called the Stylus TOUGH-6010 in the US) is superficially a standard 12-megapixel camera with 3.6X zoom but is waterproof to a depth of 9.8 feet, withstands drops up to 4.9 feet and will avoid freezing at temperatures as low as 14F. Magic Filters are new to the 6010 and, like the Art Filters on the E-P1 and full DSLRs, can either simulate real effects like a pinhole camera's or else strictly artistic visuals like an Andy Warhol-style Pop Art filter.
The Olympus E-P1 is now shipping to the US through Amazon. The camera avoids the common SLR profile and instead has a more retro look that resembles the former Olympus PEN cameras. Although the camera is visibly smaller than an SLR, the E-P1 features a large DSLR sensor and removable lenses. The 12-megapixel camera is the first Olympus to incorporate the Micro Four Thirds system and, unlike Panasonic's cameras using the system, does not include a electronic viewfinder above the 3-inch LCD. However, an optical add-on viewer is available.
The E-P1 Micro Four Thirds digital camera from Olympus that was officially introduced last week is now available for pre-order at Amazon. As promised, the camera will be available without a lens, priced at $750; as a kit with a 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 lens for $800; or bundled with a 17mm f2.8 fixed-zoom lens for $900. An add-on optical viewfinder that mounts to the hot-shoe, the VF-1, is a standalone option for all variations and carries a price of $100.
The E-P1 will be supplemented by more distinct Micro Four Thirds models and with more professional features, Olympus product planning manager Akira Watanabe said in the wake of the new camera launch today. He explains to DPReview that the E-P1 is just the first in a larger range and that at least one future model will have an electronic viewfinder, much as Panasonic's Lumix G1 and GH1 have now. More lenses should also come in tow and may include more prime lenses beyond the new 17mm f2.8.
Olympus today finally launched the E-P1, its first camera using the Micro Four Thirds system and the first to adopt a non-SLR profile. Meant to recall the company's PEN cameras, it has a consciously retro but compact design that allows a large DSLR sensor and removable lenses but without the depth needed with a conventional mirror box or large optics. In a unique approach, Olympus doesn't have a dedicated electronic viewfinder beyond the 3-inch LCD but does give the choice of an optical add-on viewfinder.
One day ahead of its scheduled release, Olympus' EP-1 micro four thirds digital camera has been leaked. The camera is equipped with a 13-megapixel, 3 CCD sensor and can capture RAW images. It relies on an SD memory card for storage, and much like Panasonic's Lumix GH1 can shoot seven minutes of 720p video or else 14 minutes of 640x480 resolution video.
Sony is bringing its TransferJet wireless data transmission technology closer to production by announcing recently it is now accepting licensing applications from interested companies. A Wednesday report has Sony taking "adopter" membership from companies that are interested in incorporating TransferJet into their products. TransferJet, which operates on a 4.5GHz radio frequency, lets users transfer data between portable devices at up to 375Mbps when they are about an inch apart. It is faster than wired USB 2.0 and FireWire connections and is supported by Japan, the US, European Union members and South Korea.
Lensbaby, makers of unusual optics add-ons for DSLRs, continues to evolve the product, as seen with the recently introduced Composer. We've taken a quick look at the system to see how it works as well as to provide some anecdotes from our experience using it in practice. We've also taken a look at the Optic Swap System that lets you tailor the visual effects of the Composer.
Camera builder Olympus has announced the E-450, its newest entry-level DSLR. The camera is a replacement for the earlier E-420, and sports a 10-megapixel sensor, combined with a TruePic III+ image processor. Light sensitivity ranges only from ISO 100 to 1600, while shooting speed is limited to 3.5fps, supplemented by a buffer capable of holding just eight RAW images; the camera does however benefit from an improved Live View mode, with contrast and phase difference detection autofocus. The mode has also been given face detection and shadow compensation abilities.
Olympus' first digital camera based on Micro Four Thirds technology, originally spotted at Photokina in September, has made another appearance that now includes a likely release date. The company now expects the DSLR, which resembles a vintage rangefinder, to ship sometime during the summer. Olympus is still keeping mum about pricing for its unnamed Micro Four Thirds camera, however. Specs, including megapixel count, are also not yet disclosed.
Olympus this morning preceded PMA with a launch for the E-620. The camera replaces the mid-grade E-520 and is not only smaller but also billed as the smallest DSLR with in-camera image stabilization; it also gets the 12.3-megapixel sensor depth and TruePic III+ image engine of the E-30 that let it shoot between ISO 100 (in extended mode) and ISO 3,200, but scales back to 4 frames per second and a 7-point autofocusing system.
Olympus will have not one but two cameras based on the Micro Four Thirds system in the near future, a Russian leak hints. The first, the M-1, would have a relatively compact body but would carry a 3.2-inch LCD and shoot HD video, making it one of the first DSLRs below the Nikon D90 to get the feature. It will also reportedly come with a relatively short-ranged but removable 12-45mm lens.
Olympus today tackled the absence of a mid-range digital SLR in the E-system lineup with the E-30, a step between the entry-level E-520 and the more professional E-3. The 12.3-megapixel camera has the faster and more accurate 11-point autofocus performance of the higher-end E-3, an electronic level to ensure straight landscape shots and image stabilization built into the sensor rather than just the lens. Simultaneously, though, it also carries beginner-oriented features such as face detection and live visual effects dubbed Art Filters.
Olympus preceded the Photokina expo today with two prototypes of its future camera technology. The first, unnamed device is the company's first example of a Micro Four Thirds model and uses the smaller, mirrorless design to replicate the look and short, swappable lenses of a vintage rangefinder camera but with the large sensor of a digital SLR. The new design would drop any separate viewfinder altogether in favor of the preview LCD and would have simple navigation and mode dial controls.
Olympus on Monday swept through its camera line with several updates ahead of the Photokina expo. The SP-565UZ ultra-zoom keeps the 20X, 26-520mm equivalent lens range of the 570UZ but is both smaller and lighter than the earlier camera. It makes a few minor sacrifices to reach this goal, including a smaller 2.5-inch preview LCD (down from 2.7); in exchange, the camera gains a microSD adapter to use the normally cellphone-oriented cards to store photos.
Olympus today quickly followed up on European announcements with two new FE series cameras that will be available for US customers. The FE-360 and FE-370 both have 8 megapixels and face detection. The FE-360 offers 3x optical zoom while the FE-370 has a more powerful 5x lens. Both feature digital image stabilization, with additional optical stabilization on the FE-370.
Olympus on Tuesday gave a preview of updates to its camera lines ahead of Photokina with European announcements of cameras that should appear in the US. The µ[mju:] 1060 (Stylus 1060 in the US) is unusually long-ranged and boasts a 7X zoom, 37-260mm equivalent lens that helps compose distant landscape shots. Both hardware- and software-based image stabilization keep the resulting 10-megapixel images steady and are backed by a very high-speed mode that shoots at nine frames per second in exchange for lower-resolution three-megapixel shots.
Addressing complaints from amateur photographers hoping to graduate to digital SLRs, Olympus and Panasonic today teamed up to develop a much smaller version of the Four Thirds lens system. The new approach is simply titled Micro Four Thirds and aims to significantly shrink the dimensions needed for an interchangeable lens system while making relatively mild sacrifices. While not a true SLR system in that it drops the use of a mirror, the system will purportedly generate the same image quality as the full-size offering and allow for compact, light cameras that would be more familiar to point-and-shoot owners.
Olympus in Japan today unveiled a prototype of what's claimed as the world's first-ever true 360-degree camera and matching lens. The sensor can not only capture the entire horizontal view of a given scene but improves on early technology first outlined last year for taking vertical shots. Thanks in part to a uniquely curved lens with specially-made glass, the example can also capture at up to a 180 vertical angle versus an earlier 45 degrees, essentially allowing the camera to snap a complete dome-shaped picture of a scene.
Olympus early this morning updated its E-series cameras with the E-520. Replacing the E-510, the new 10-megapixel digital SLR mirrors changes brought to the earlier E-420 with a larger 2.7-inch LCD and a much more advanced live preview feature: photographers can not only use autofocusing but also see the effects of changes to exposure and white balance before taking the shot. The camera also shoots faster, at up to 3.5 frames per second, and includes both face detection and shadow compensation to bring out detail in darker areas.
Adobe has taken the unusual step of withdrawing updates for two key pieces of photography software: Lightroom, its editing and management tool, and Camera Raw, its plug-in for support of RAW files. The principal issue is in the time stamping in EXIF information, as both Lightroom 1.4 and Camera Raw 4.4 may decide that files are out of sync with its own information, and impose their own (incorrect) stamp on the original file. Images are otherwise unaffected, and the XMP sidecar files and metadata should remain accurate.
Olympus today took advantage of the relative quiet to revamp its EVOLT digital SLRs with the E-420. The 10-megapixel camera is claimed as the smallest and lightest ever in the category and weighs just 13.4 ounces, or at least 20 percent lighter than the next-best in the class. It also represents an improved ease of use over the earlier E-410, with both a shadow correction function and a new onscreen autofocus feature that uses the live preview LCD to mark out properly focused subjects. The combination is said by Olympus to produce a camera that can be used like a compact point-and-shoot while still offering all the control of a full SLR.
A Russian website claims to have leaked information on Olympus' next DSLR. The E-430 would follow in the wake of the E-410, and rely on a new, 12-megapixel Live MOS sensor, paired with a TruePic III processor. As described, it would also have a "real" (faster) USB 2.0 interface; the camera's most striking feature, however, may be its warped upper frame, which even distorts the shape of the pop-up flash housing.
In a lone addition to its ultra-zoom cameras, Olympus this morning revealed the SP-570 UZ. Oriented as a 'prosumer' camera, the body sits between compact cameras and entry digital SLRs but revolves around a built-in lens stronger than many of those from either class. At 20X zoom, the lens can capture very long-range telephoto shots courtesy of a 520mm-equivalent focal length; but with a wide angle, it can also shoot with a 26mm length that allows the camera to shoot macro images of subjects as close as 0.39 inches away. With newer image processing, it also shoots as quickly as 13.5 frames per second by dropping from its native 10.1 megapixels to 3.
Olympus today began the run-up to next week's PMA photography expo with several updates to its Stylus and FE point-and-shoot cameras. Headlining the charge, the Stylus 1030 SW (shown) is billed as the toughest compact camera in the world: a new design can take a drop from as high as 6.6 feet while also proofing the camera against dust, temperatures as low as 14F, and water up to depths of 33 feet. The camera can also shoot 10.1 megapixel images with a 3.6X wide-angle zoom and with face detection and ISO-based blur compensation. It accepts either xD or microSD cards and begins shipping in March for $400.
