Olympus E-620 Art Filters: Built in Creative Fun The Olympus E-P1 is Coming: Time to Start Saving

Olympus E-P1 First Look: The Olympus Micro Four-Thirds Compact?

13 comments

Posted by Patrick on Jun 6, 2009 in Cameras, Rumors

If this doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. Posted in this forum, we have the above shot (click here for a larger view) of a top-side view of the Olympus micro four-thirds compact, here branded as the E-P1. After the oh so retro styling hits you, you’ll of course immediately notice the 17mm f/2.8 prime lens attached. 17mm would work itself out to a 34mm equivalent, again a classic fixed width length in keeping with the lineage of the Pen camera that Olympus has been promoting into the leadup of what we’ll call the E-P1 announcement. Now, that’s an interesting length, but I suspect that we’ll be seeing the 14-42mm offered as well in a E-P1 size. Checking the mode dial, you’ve got you’re P, A, S, and M shooting modes offered, as well as an Auto, Scene, and Art, which means Art filters will be making an appearance on the E-P1 . There’s one more icon on that mode dial, and that movie camera icon points to a video mode, and I’d expect that to be a 720p offering, though given the Panasonic GH-1, we all know full well the potentials that a movie mode could bring in a micro four thirds camera. Also note the mode dial flush with the top of the camera, and looks to be accessed via the black dial on the back of the camera. Other than that all we have clearly left to discern is a hotshoe mount for an external flash, dual camera strap mounts (no wrist strap here) and an exposure compensation button. That said, you want specifications, and we got some guesses:

  • 12 Megapixel Sensor
  • ISO 100-3200
  • 3″ LCD
  • Image Stabilization
  • SSWF (anti-dust)
  • At least one version in black and silver, though I’d suspect other color combos.
  • At least 720P video
  • Art Filters (hopefully a new set, with more film looks?)
  • SD/SDHC
  • new external flash unit

Beyond that, you really have to start taking some leaps.

If all that isn’t enough for you, there is one more picture. This one, a side view:

Side view of the Olympus E-P1

Side view of the Olympus E-P1

Note this only clarifies the LCD looks to extend all the way to the side of the E-P1, meaning camera functions are relegated to the right hand side of the rear of the camera.

That’s it for now, but heck yes, this is exciting. I know, there’s a lot more we need to find out, but already I’m seeing forum posters saying “this is exactly what I’ve been waiting for”. All I can say is, please Olympus, have this guy stocked.

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13 Responses to “Olympus E-P1 First Look: The Olympus Micro Four-Thirds Compact?”

  1. nate says:
    June 6, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    thanks for posting this, count me as a photographer who says “this is exactly what I’ve been waiting for”. I really like what Olympus is doing with the E-620, pancake lenses and now with a movie mode, sounds great.

    reply
    • Patrick says:
      June 6, 2009 at 1:03 pm

      Nate,
      I suspect the “everything I’ve been waiting for” club will be much larger than some of the other camera makers (nikon, canon, etc) might have thought. I’m hoping they sell a lot of these.

      reply
  2. Eolake Stobblehouse says:
    June 6, 2009 at 12:23 pm

    Yes, seems very right indeed.

    Though I really was hoping for a hinged screen. I love those, it frees up your viewpoint. But I guess it would have added bulk.

    If the 17mm lens is as sharp as the DP2’s lens, that’d be wonderful.

    reply
    • Patrick says:
      June 6, 2009 at 1:12 pm

      Oh, I just knew you’d have some thoughts on all of this….

      You’re right about the flip screen, you can’t have everything, but I’ve got an olympus E-620 right now, and I’m constantly thinking its flip out LCD should be on every camera,

      As for the lens, we know Olympus makes some amazing lenses, I’d be surprised if they slacked on a prime for a new product launch.

      Also Eolake,
      The POSSIBILITIES! with an adaptor, there will be tons of lens possibilites.

      reply
  3. Eolake Stobblehouse says:
    June 6, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    Yes, it would be a good message if it would sell well. (And Oly deserves it.)

    We can already see a strong interest in high end compacts in the success of the Panasonic LX3. And the interest in Ricoh and Sigma, despite all their flaws.

    reply
  4. Eolake Stobblehouse says:
    June 6, 2009 at 2:38 pm

    Any idea what SSWF means?

    reply
  5. Eolake Stobblehouse says:
    June 6, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    I want a lime green one!

    reply

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