E1 - Way Too Expensive

[Howie Mudge]

I've been waiting like everyone to see the specs and what exactly comes with the E1. Camera looks nice, lens and accessories look great but over $2,000 way too expensive for me to even consider the E1. This is Olympus's first venture into what I consider the professional digital SLR market (I know the E10, E20 are great cameras) but they really needed to compete with the Canon D10, Fuji S2, and Nikon D100 on price. Here in the UK it's probably going to cost me around £2000 all being relevant and even for all the benefits of the new system, it's not the one for me. I will probably buy the Canon 10D which the body will cost me £1150 and then I can spend £850 on some quality Canon lenses. As I am quite used to Canon SLR's, lens size is not an issue for me and the extra 1.3mp gives me a lot more options for cropping.

As a serious amature I have taken everything into consideration. For me £ for £ personally, the D10 is a better option. I know this won't be relevant for everyone and I am sure people who buy the E1 will be very happy with their purchases.

Just my thoughts,

Howie

 

[Dirk Seffern]

Wait til October and read then the price tag again. I do not believe that they will risk to make it more expensive than the 10D.

On dpreview they did not yet confirmed the rumour prices - and I do not believe that these will be the prices of October 2003

Dirk

http://www.olympusinfo.com

As a serious amature I have taken everything into consideration.
For me £ for £ personally, the D10 is a better option. I know this
won't be relevant for everyone and I am sure people who buy the E1
will be very happy with their purchases.

Just my thoughts,

Howie

 

[Peter Wardley-Repen]

Bear in mind, everyone, that the E-1 is a pro camera and the EOS 10D and D100 aren't. The competition is the Nikon D1 and the Canon EOS-1D/Ds, whose prices make much fairer comparisons.

That said, i would expect the price to have dropped by shipping time anyway, but not by as much as people are expecting.

Peter W-R

I've been waiting like everyone to see the specs and what exactly
comes with the E1. Camera looks nice, lens and accessories look
great but over $2,000 way too expensive for me to even consider the
E1. This is Olympus's first venture into what I consider the
professional digital SLR market (I know the E10, E20 are great
cameras) but they really needed to compete with the Canon D10, Fuji
S2, and Nikon D100 on price. Here in the UK it's probably going to
cost me around £2000 all being relevant and even for all the
benefits of the new system, it's not the one for me. I will
probably buy the Canon 10D which the body will cost me £1150 and
then I can spend £850 on some quality Canon lenses. As I am quite
used to Canon SLR's, lens size is not an issue for me and the extra
1.3mp gives me a lot more options for cropping.

As a serious amature I have taken everything into consideration.
For me £ for £ personally, the D10 is a better option. I know this
won't be relevant for everyone and I am sure people who buy the E1
will be very happy with their purchases.

Just my thoughts,

Howie

--
Peter Wardley-Repen

 

[Phil Askey]

This is where I get uncomfortable. The E-1 is superbly built and the environmental sealing is nice however the 1D and 1Ds both have capabilities beyond the E-1 (1D - 8 fps, 21 images. 1Ds - 11 megapixels) and both are better built and have better weatherproofing.

The E-1 will inevitably be compared to the D100 and 10D.

That said, i would expect the price to have dropped by shipping
time anyway, but not by as much as people are expecting.

Peter W-R

I've been waiting like everyone to see the specs and what exactly
comes with the E1. Camera looks nice, lens and accessories look
great but over $2,000 way too expensive for me to even consider the
E1. This is Olympus's first venture into what I consider the
professional digital SLR market (I know the E10, E20 are great
cameras) but they really needed to compete with the Canon D10, Fuji
S2, and Nikon D100 on price. Here in the UK it's probably going to
cost me around £2000 all being relevant and even for all the
benefits of the new system, it's not the one for me. I will
probably buy the Canon 10D which the body will cost me £1150 and
then I can spend £850 on some quality Canon lenses. As I am quite
used to Canon SLR's, lens size is not an issue for me and the extra
1.3mp gives me a lot more options for cropping.

As a serious amature I have taken everything into consideration.
For me £ for £ personally, the D10 is a better option. I know this
won't be relevant for everyone and I am sure people who buy the E1
will be very happy with their purchases.

Just my thoughts,

Howie

--
Peter Wardley-Repen

--
Phil Askey
Editor / Owner, dpreview.com

 

[BobHo]

The E-1 is a 15 MP/Sec camera (Pixels/frame * Frames/second). It may have a few "pro' features, but fundamentally, its competition are the D100, 10D, Fuji's S2 and Sigma's SD9.

Having said that, I'll be the first to admit that the 1D and especially the 1Ds are very overpriced.

That said, i would expect the price to have dropped by shipping
time anyway, but not by as much as people are expecting.

Peter W-R

I've been waiting like everyone to see the specs and what exactly
comes with the E1. Camera looks nice, lens and accessories look
great but over $2,000 way too expensive for me to even consider the
E1. This is Olympus's first venture into what I consider the
professional digital SLR market (I know the E10, E20 are great
cameras) but they really needed to compete with the Canon D10, Fuji
S2, and Nikon D100 on price. Here in the UK it's probably going to
cost me around £2000 all being relevant and even for all the
benefits of the new system, it's not the one for me. I will
probably buy the Canon 10D which the body will cost me £1150 and
then I can spend £850 on some quality Canon lenses. As I am quite
used to Canon SLR's, lens size is not an issue for me and the extra
1.3mp gives me a lot more options for cropping.

As a serious amature I have taken everything into consideration.
For me £ for £ personally, the D10 is a better option. I know this
won't be relevant for everyone and I am sure people who buy the E1
will be very happy with their purchases.

Just my thoughts,

Howie

--
Peter Wardley-Repen

--
Bob

 

[Howie Mudge]

Olympus are taking a big gamble if they are trying to compete with the canon Eos 1Ds as they have an 11mp sensor. To me there is no comparison. I think if Olympus aimed for the prosumer photographer they would have a chance. If they are aiming for the true professional, I think they have already lost.

If I was in Olympus I would release the body for around £750 and price match the lenses of Canon and Nikon, then they would be on to a possible winnner. I personally don't see anything that the E1 can offer you can't get with a 10D. Fit a 15-30mm sigma lens on the 10D and you have the equivelant of 24-44mm. I for one don't shoot any wider than 24mm so any less is of no benefit to me.

I think most Pro's already own their Nikon D1's or canon Eos 1Ds and I can't see them changing especially if they already own lenses etc. Price is Olympus's secret in my eyes. If they get that right, a lot of people will purchase. get it wrong and it's that old chestnut. VHS vs Betamax...

 

[David Blehar]

I'd have to agree with the others. I think Olympus has to target the high end amatuer if this is to be successful. This would have to be one heck of a camera for any pro to drop thier current body and lenses and move over to a new system. The amatuer on the other hand may not already be invested so can start fresh. That being said, its a tough sell to think that someone in that postion will choose the Olympus at over $2000 with lenses at $600 and up versus the 10D or D100 at much less for the body and a much more extensive selection of lenses, flash units, etc. The solution for them has to be to hit a lower price point.

No matter how much Olympus touts this camera as designed for the professional, it still doesn't put it on par with the 1Ds, D1x, etc. and I think its not too likely that the target market for those cameras is going to make the switch over.

Well, should be interesting to see how it all plays out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David
http://www.bleharphotography.com

 

[vladG]

Looking at E10/E20 history I can assume that price for E-1 body drops dramatically in a year (down to ~$1200), but "accessories" keep their $500+ price tags. So E-1 + prime lens effectively replaces E20 (with better write times, better autofocus, better ISO etc). Plus there is an opportunity to buy good 400mm for additional 1K.
I doubt Oly can compete for the real "pro" market...

 

[Howie Mudge]

I have to agree with you Phil. The market Olympus should be aiming against is the D10, D100, S2 with what they are releasing with the E1 and better the prices that any of the other camera makers. I also believe that Canon, Fuji and Nikon have such a greater control of the market in the Digital SLR field. I am sure Olympus will sell the E1 fairly succesfully but if they market the product correctly, they could sell so many more. If Olympus are naive and don't look seriously at what they are trying to achieve, they will lose so many more customers.

The E-1 will inevitably be compared to the D100 and 10D.

That said, i would expect the price to have dropped by shipping
time anyway, but not by as much as people are expecting.

Peter W-R

I've been waiting like everyone to see the specs and what exactly
comes with the E1. Camera looks nice, lens and accessories look
great but over $2,000 way too expensive for me to even consider the
E1. This is Olympus's first venture into what I consider the
professional digital SLR market (I know the E10, E20 are great
cameras) but they really needed to compete with the Canon D10, Fuji
S2, and Nikon D100 on price. Here in the UK it's probably going to
cost me around £2000 all being relevant and even for all the
benefits of the new system, it's not the one for me. I will
probably buy the Canon 10D which the body will cost me £1150 and
then I can spend £850 on some quality Canon lenses. As I am quite
used to Canon SLR's, lens size is not an issue for me and the extra
1.3mp gives me a lot more options for cropping.

As a serious amature I have taken everything into consideration.
For me £ for £ personally, the D10 is a better option. I know this
won't be relevant for everyone and I am sure people who buy the E1
will be very happy with their purchases.

Just my thoughts,

Howie

--
Peter Wardley-Repen

--
Phil Askey
Editor / Owner, dpreview.com

 

[Howie Mudge]

Have to agree with you 100% David. Olympus must at least price match the 10D, D100 or S2 to have a hope of competing. Even then the other three camera's offer more lens selection and of course the extra 1.3mp. Price is the key for Olympus.

I'd have to agree with the others. I think Olympus has to target
the high end amatuer if this is to be successful. This would have
to be one heck of a camera for any pro to drop thier current body
and lenses and move over to a new system. The amatuer on the other
hand may not already be invested so can start fresh. That being
said, its a tough sell to think that someone in that postion will
choose the Olympus at over $2000 with lenses at $600 and up versus
the 10D or D100 at much less for the body and a much more extensive
selection of lenses, flash units, etc. The solution for them has to
be to hit a lower price point.

No matter how much Olympus touts this camera as designed for the
professional, it still doesn't put it on par with the 1Ds, D1x,
etc. and I think its not too likely that the target market for
those cameras is going to make the switch over.

Well, should be interesting to see how it all plays out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David
http://www.bleharphotography.com

 

[FMP]

What nonsense pricing, lenses as well. I bet Fuji, Nikon, and Canon are laughing like crazy. I had hopes for this one. But no way. Even if price drops the features just do not warrant this price.

What is Olympus thinking????

I've been waiting like everyone to see the specs and what exactly
comes with the E1. Camera looks nice, lens and accessories look
great but over $2,000 way too expensive for me to even consider the
E1. This is Olympus's first venture into what I consider the
professional digital SLR market (I know the E10, E20 are great
cameras) but they really needed to compete with the Canon D10, Fuji
S2, and Nikon D100 on price. Here in the UK it's probably going to
cost me around £2000 all being relevant and even for all the
benefits of the new system, it's not the one for me. I will
probably buy the Canon 10D which the body will cost me £1150 and
then I can spend £850 on some quality Canon lenses. As I am quite
used to Canon SLR's, lens size is not an issue for me and the extra
1.3mp gives me a lot more options for cropping.

As a serious amature I have taken everything into consideration.
For me £ for £ personally, the D10 is a better option. I know this
won't be relevant for everyone and I am sure people who buy the E1
will be very happy with their purchases.

Just my thoughts,

Howie

 

[Ger Bee]

The competition is the Nikon D1 and the Canon

EOS-1D/Ds,

...................... what U smoking son, hahahahahaahahahahahah!!!!!

 

[boldav38]

Wait, wait, wait. That's the mantra for the new dslrs. I think the price of the E1 will be competitive with the D100 and the 10D when it finally gets released. By then the Pentax *ist D will be out (hopefully), and presumeably the overall prices for dslrs will have dropped a little. Still, I think it will take a year or two before we will be able to get one for around $1000. Then even I will be able to afford one I guess only time will tell. Wait, wait, wait.

 

[Thomas Pfarr]

$500 for a Battery Grip? How much are the "official Batteries" $1000 each? Way too expensive for a wanabe camera.

 

[Ger Bee]

I think most Pro's already own their Nikon D1's or canon Eos 1Ds
and I can't see them changing

................ no absolutely not. I'm confused about the FOV if the lenses are supposed to be matched, what's this guff about FOV x2 and a $3,000 300mm 2.8 being actually a 600mm I'd have to try this to see, but AFAIK the 300mm is a 300mm equiv in reality.

If it's really a genuine 600mm equiv then it's something else to thing about, I'm thrown a curveball on this one.

 

[David Blehar]

The persistant price for the lenses may not be unreasonable. If it is quality glass then it may well warrant the current price and warrant staying there. Camera bodies (digital bodies I should say) drop in price pretty quickly because there is always an upgrade. The lenses should carry over to the next body and typically only lose their value if something better comes along specific to the lens.

Having said that, the lenses might be a touch overpriced where they are now, with the 50 mm f2 at $600. If my memory serves me, my Canon EF 50 1.4 was about half that price.

David

Looking at E10/E20 history I can assume that price for E-1 body
drops dramatically in a year (down to ~$1200), but "accessories"
keep their $500+ price tags. So E-1 + prime lens effectively
replaces E20 (with better write times, better autofocus, better ISO
etc). Plus there is an opportunity to buy good 400mm for additional
1K.
I doubt Oly can compete for the real "pro" market...

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David
http://www.bleharphotography.com

 

[Howie Mudge]

The Canon 50mm 1.8 mkII is a meagre £78 and a quality lens and a huge difference between this and the predicted price of the Olympus new lens.

Having said that, the lenses might be a touch overpriced where they
are now, with the 50 mm f2 at $600. If my memory serves me, my
Canon EF 50 1.4 was about half that price.

David

Looking at E10/E20 history I can assume that price for E-1 body
drops dramatically in a year (down to ~$1200), but "accessories"
keep their $500+ price tags. So E-1 + prime lens effectively
replaces E20 (with better write times, better autofocus, better ISO
etc). Plus there is an opportunity to buy good 400mm for additional
1K.
I doubt Oly can compete for the real "pro" market...

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David
http://www.bleharphotography.com

 

[David Blehar]

You know what, I stand corrected. I was looking at the review again and that 50 mm actually turns into the equivalent of a 100 mm f2 macro. In that light I guess you have to compare it to the EF 100 mm 2.8 macro which I think was about $500 when I bought it. Granted, that is a really great lens but the Olympus is a stop faster, so if its as sharp, maybe worth the price. Who knows, we may see that these lenses are one of the real quality points of the system and whereas we scoff at the comparison of the E1 to the high end Canon and Nikon DSLR's, it may not be unreasonable to compare the lenses to the high end offerings of those companies. I imagine people will argue about the lack of IS but aside from that they may compete with the "L's" in which case, they're a bargain.

Having said that, the lenses might be a touch overpriced where they
are now, with the 50 mm f2 at $600. If my memory serves me, my
Canon EF 50 1.4 was about half that price.

David

Looking at E10/E20 history I can assume that price for E-1 body
drops dramatically in a year (down to ~$1200), but "accessories"
keep their $500+ price tags. So E-1 + prime lens effectively
replaces E20 (with better write times, better autofocus, better ISO
etc). Plus there is an opportunity to buy good 400mm for additional
1K.
I doubt Oly can compete for the real "pro" market...

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David
http://www.bleharphotography.com

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David
http://www.bleharphotography.com

 

[David Blehar]

Not bad though, a 600 mm 2.8. Pretty long and fast.

I think most Pro's already own their Nikon D1's or canon Eos 1Ds
and I can't see them changing

................ no absolutely not. I'm confused about the FOV if
the lenses are supposed to be matched, what's this guff about FOV
x2 and a $3,000 300mm 2.8 being actually a 600mm I'd have to try
this to see, but AFAIK the 300mm is a 300mm equiv in reality.

If it's really a genuine 600mm equiv then it's something else to
thing about, I'm thrown a curveball on this one.

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David
http://www.bleharphotography.com

 

[Jon Ragnarsson]

Yes, the 1D's and D1's have some more features, but you pay for it too. And Phil, you took time to point out 1Ds excellent weather sealing, why should the E-1 be any worse?
The line between consumer and pro SLR is getting quite blurry with the E-1.
J.

The E-1 will inevitably be compared to the D100 and 10D.

That said, i would expect the price to have dropped by shipping
time anyway, but not by as much as people are expecting.

Peter W-R

I've been waiting like everyone to see the specs and what exactly
comes with the E1. Camera looks nice, lens and accessories look
great but over $2,000 way too expensive for me to even consider the
E1. This is Olympus's first venture into what I consider the
professional digital SLR market (I know the E10, E20 are great
cameras) but they really needed to compete with the Canon D10, Fuji
S2, and Nikon D100 on price. Here in the UK it's probably going to
cost me around £2000 all being relevant and even for all the
benefits of the new system, it's not the one for me. I will
probably buy the Canon 10D which the body will cost me £1150 and
then I can spend £850 on some quality Canon lenses. As I am quite
used to Canon SLR's, lens size is not an issue for me and the extra
1.3mp gives me a lot more options for cropping.

As a serious amature I have taken everything into consideration.
For me £ for £ personally, the D10 is a better option. I know this
won't be relevant for everyone and I am sure people who buy the E1
will be very happy with their purchases.

Just my thoughts,

Howie

--
Peter Wardley-Repen

--
Phil Askey
Editor / Owner, dpreview.com

--
http://jonr.beecee.org/