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An E5-free zone...update your Oly DSLR

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520man

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Some say that E-xxx and E-xx won't be updated. Hmm, I don't know. I think that Oly can't offer one DSLR for the next five years...something else has to stay. Which one(s)? I don't know.

What, in your opinion, would be good upgrades on your camera? I know we'd all like the best IQ, but what would you change, what would you keep, what would you add, feature-wise?

Mine: E30

Add, Change: I'd like to see a top notch (articulating) 3" screen, video as long as it doesn't cost too much, backlit buttons like on the 620. If it has video, I guess HDMI out would be good.

I shoot so much macro and after 1 hour or 1.5 hours maybe, it overheats. Some of that is probably due to the Texas heat. I'd like to be able to shoot longer.

And, I think it would be nice if they rated the shutter. I've shot 25K pictures in 6 months so I'd like to be able to compare that to the model we aren't talking about :).

Also let's get rid of the xD card in favor of SD.

Keep: BLM1, top display, grip.
--
Gear listed in profile under "plan."

Someone stop me before I buy again, please!
Dave
 
Man, you really need the camera which name must not be written here!
:) :)

--
Petr
Zenfolio gallery at http://medsved.net
 
petrbur said:
Man, you really need the camera which name must not be written here!
:) :)

--
Petr
Zenfolio gallery at http://medsved.net
Click to expand...
No, just thought it would be refreshing for those of us without said camera to extol the virtues of what we have, note what could be improved.

--
Gear listed in profile under "plan."

Someone stop me before I buy again, please!
Dave
 
...the camera that shall not be named in an E-30 sized body at a $1,200 price point body only. I am ok with the camera that shall not be named I just have no need for the weather sealing and magnesium body.

I believe the BLM-1 will no longer be produced due to japanese law but the BLM-5 and BLM-1 are interchangable so no big deal.

As far as heat, I took linen cloth and wrapped it around my body to keep the heat off this summer where it was pretty bad even in New England.
 
with all the hoopla about Oly not going to produce etc, I don't see what prevents them from issuing E30 successor by stripping alloy and weatherproofing of That Which Should Not Be Named, and squeezing the rest in E30-sized body. Not sure the LCD can be 3", but upped resolution surely can be given to it, plus all the rest of goodies. Easy upgrade, and seems highly probable to me.
 
Pedal2Floor said:
...the camera that shall not be named in an E-30 sized body at a $1,200 price point body only. I am ok with the camera that shall not be named I just have no need for the weather sealing and magnesium body.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's just it. I don't have the weather sealed body anyway, and I'm not a pro. Love my E-30 but realize it could be improved, especially if the sensor itself is improved.
pris said:
I believe the BLM-1 will no longer be produced due to japanese law but the BLM-5 and BLM-1 are interchangable so no big deal.
Click to expand...
I didn't know there was a legal issue, nor did I realize BLM-5 and BLM-1 were interchangeable. In that case, it's all good :)
pris said:
As far as heat, I took linen cloth and wrapped it around my body to keep the heat off this summer where it was pretty bad even in New England.
Click to expand...
I'm in Texas...we had heat indices approaching 110F. I think it's mainly a summer problem because I'd used it some in the spring and it didn't seem to overheat like that. But I figured it's probably a fact of life with live view.
pris said:
with all the hoopla about Oly not going to produce etc, I don't see what prevents them from issuing E30 successor by stripping alloy and weatherproofing of That Which Should Not Be Named, and squeezing the rest in E30-sized body. Not sure the LCD can be 3", but upped resolution surely can be given to it, plus all the rest of goodies. Easy upgrade, and seems highly probable to me.
Click to expand...
Exactly. I really don't see how they could leave the E5 as the only new model for the next few years. Something needs to be kept so the entry level people can be attracted and would hopefully upgrade over time etc.

--
Gear listed in profile under "plan."

Someone stop me before I buy again, please!
Dave
 
to me personally all the e-620 needs is a new sensor, the new processing and keep the same low count AF points but make them as sensitive to low light as the E-3's.

But I don't think we will see this model. The lower end has been taken over by micro four thirds.

If I saw the new camera having the merit of carrying the price it carries, I could see a gap where an E-30 successor could kick in. But I am seeing the new camera really in the end carrying a value close to what the E-30 successor would have been so I don't see that successor happening.

--
Raist3d (Photographer & Tools/Systems/Gui Games Developer)
Andreas Feininger (1906-1999) 'Photographers — idiots, of which there are
so many — say, “Oh, if only I had a Nikon or a Leica, I could make great
photographs.” That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. It’s
nothing but a matter of seeing, and thinking, and interest. That’s what
makes a good photograph.'
 
Paul in Toronto said:
As someone with no fear of That Which Must Not Be Named, or the repercussions resulting from naming it, I'm just going to come out and say it. It's the Olympus E-....

Arrrrrgh!

Gah!
Click to expand...
Well I don't think as the OP I make the laws or anything. I don't think we have to avoid mentioning the E5, like "I want an E50 with a 3 inch LCD like the E5" because that's focused on the E50, not the E5. And it's valid; if I were asking for a 4 inch screen, that isn't available as far as we know. The E5 proves they can do it.

On the other hand, I noticed many many threads about the E5 and I wanted a refuge from it. I'd just say let's not get dragged into another E5 discussion but otherwise....
--
Gear listed in profile under "plan."

Someone stop me before I buy again, please!
Dave
 
If there were a "fix" done on the focus system in a new E-6##, to make it "quicker" in low light, I would buy the new camera for only that..., in a heartbeat.

I can think of no other "fix" that it needs.
--
Larry Lynch'
Mystic, Connecticut
New England
USA.
 
herebefore said:
If there were a "fix" done on the focus system in a new E-6##, to make it "quicker" in low light, I would buy the new camera for only that..., in a heartbeat.

I can think of no other "fix" that it needs.
--
Larry Lynch'
Mystic, Connecticut
New England
USA.
Click to expand...
Seems like the 620 is the darling of the system. Light, small, capable, reasonably priced, competitive with cameras from other makers in its price range. If the success of the 620 doesn't convince Oly to continue updating DSLRs, I don't know what would.

But that's "photography" talking. Business-wise, maybe they made good money on the 620 but the money's better still in m43. I really hope not. :(
--
Gear listed in profile under "plan."

Someone stop me before I buy again, please!
Dave
 
Drop E-XX from product line as the E30 is the most unimaginative and pointless camera Olympus has ever made. E-X should have been the same size.

I think dropping E5xx line is not smart move at all as this is the strongest product overall in 4/3 line. So that's what I want - E5xx upgrade. And no, they do not have to make some wondercam out of it.
New sensor with improved DR and no banding. 10-12 mpx is enough.
AF as in E620.
Bring back Focus Bracketing.
Add AF confirmation for manual lenses.
And please - no Tilt and Swivel screen!

If Olympus would have done exactly this - released a no nonsense upgrade of E5xx (and maybe E6xx) no one would be complaining.

--

There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are. (Ernst Haas)

http://md.tsoon.com
 
MarkusDaaniel said:
Drop E-XX from product line as the E30 is the most unimaginative and pointless camera Olympus has ever made. E-X should have been the same size.
Click to expand...
Until and unless E-X is of the same size, E-XX makes a lot of sense. Funny to read "most unimaginative and pointless" about what many dubbed as "the best Oly DSLR to date." You may have no use for it - how does it mean no one else does? Noticed how many sang high praises to E30 over last year or so, after its price declined and invited many buyers to try it?
MarkusDaaniel said:
And please - no Tilt and Swivel screen!
Click to expand...
This alone shows that individual's views can be very far from mainstream. That's totally fine but manufacturers tend to make products suited for most rather than for fringe.
MarkusDaaniel said:
If Olympus would have done exactly this - released a no nonsense upgrade of E5xx (and maybe E6xx) no one would be complaining.
Click to expand...
Really? Olympus released a no-nonsense upgrade of E-X and look what happened in complaining wise.
 
pris said:
Until and unless E-X is of the same size, E-XX makes a lot of sense. Funny to read "most unimaginative and pointless" about what many dubbed as "the best Oly DSLR to date." You may have no use for it - how does it mean no one else does? Noticed how many sang high praises to E30 over last year or so, after its price declined and invited many buyers to try it?
Click to expand...
I think it was dubbed best because it had improved AF and IQ. But otherwise it is an unimaginative Canon clone. More over it is as big as the 50D and D90 with a smaller sensor and does not do anything better than competition. So no, E30 does not make "a lot of sense". Actually this is one of indicators that Olympus has lost the plot.
pris said:
pris said:
And please - no Tilt and Swivel screen!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
pris said:
This alone shows that individual's views can be very far from mainstream. That's totally fine but manufacturers tend to make products suited for most rather than for fringe.
Click to expand...
This has nothing to do with belonging or not to mainstream. Not every camera needs a Tilt and Swivel screen. What moves, breaks eventually (like the E3 screen that tends to fall apart). Having choice in product line actually is useful to manufacturer himself.
pris said:
Really? Olympus released a no-nonsense upgrade of E-X and look what happened in complaining wise.
Click to expand...
That is exactly the problem. It is a question of perception. Having stable upgrades in the middle of the line would have indicated that they really are not ditching the 4/3. Releasing a new flagship with old tech that is not competitive in the marketplace and that shows they really did not even try, sends a clear message about the current state and future of 4/3.

--

There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are. (Ernst Haas)

http://md.tsoon.com
 
MarkusDaaniel said:
I think it was dubbed best because it had improved AF and IQ.
Click to expand...
And added AF fine-tuning. And leveller. And a few more goodies. What does a camera need to add to now be, umm, "an unimaginative Canon clone" ? Shrug. It's a camera placed between 620 and 3 (at the time), what does it have to do with Canon? It's no more Canon clone than 510.
MarkusDaaniel said:
So no, E30 does not make "a lot of sense".
Click to expand...
See, here is the problem: should you have added "to me and for my needs", who would have argued? But no, you consider YOUR views the only right ones it seems. So, let me conclude with: well, it makes a lot of sense to a lot of people who like this camera - a lot.

With your kind permission, I'll remove myself from discussing the rest of points.
 
MarkusDaaniel said:
Drop E-XX from product line as the E30 is the most unimaginative and pointless camera Olympus has ever made. E-X should have been the same size.
Click to expand...
Wow, I like my 520...but I love my E30. I can see where pros would like the smaller, less rugged but very capable camera, has pentaprism instead of pentamirror. Same battery, too.
MarkusDaaniel said:
I think dropping E5xx line is not smart move at all as this is the strongest product overall in 4/3 line. So that's what I want - E5xx upgrade. And no, they do not have to make some wondercam out of it.
Click to expand...
Let's see, calling cards:
E4xx is very small, affordable, available to masses at Wal Mart.
E5xx has a great grip, IS, better battery and VF.
E6xx is very compact and capable, with articulated screen

I agree that the 520 is good bang for the buck.
MarkusDaaniel said:
New sensor with improved DR and no banding. 10-12 mpx is enough.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
MarkusDaaniel said:
AF as in E620.
Bring back Focus Bracketing.
Add AF confirmation for manual lenses.
Click to expand...
? My adapter for MD lenses has a chip, and it focus confirms for me....
MarkusDaaniel said:
And please - no Tilt and Swivel screen!
Click to expand...
What's the aversion here? You simply want to keep the price down or...? I didn't think it was a big deal and so bought a 520. Once I got into macro though I was all over the E-30's. But, understood: if you're always shooting eye level and it costs a premium you wouldn't want to pay a lot for it.
MarkusDaaniel said:
If Olympus would have done exactly this - released a no nonsense upgrade of E5xx (and maybe E6xx) no one would be complaining.
Click to expand...
The 620 seems solid and IMO the E30 doesn't need upgrading at the moment, so that only leaves the 4xx. I could see dropping that line; what's their profit margin at the low end? And for a little more money, the 520 is a better camera. Yeah, people buy 420s as backups to their 620s, but how much do you profit on a body?What are the odds of a 420 owner later buying pricey lenses and-or becoming a flagship owner later on? The math never adds up: my 520 kit was $550 and if you subtract the cost of a 14-42 and 40-150, how much did the body cost, $200? Are the kits essentially loss leaders?
MarkusDaaniel said:
--

There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are. (Ernst Haas)

http://md.tsoon.com
Click to expand...
--
Gear listed in profile under "plan."

Someone stop me before I buy again, please!
Dave
 
I don't quite hold with your harsh assesment of the E30, however, I do agree an update to the 5xx line would be nice, and possibly a good seller.
Larry MacKinnon
MarkusDaaniel said:
Drop E-XX from product line as the E30 is the most unimaginative and pointless camera Olympus has ever made. E-X should have been the same size.

I think dropping E5xx line is not smart move at all as this is the strongest product overall in 4/3 line. So that's what I want - E5xx upgrade. And no, they do not have to make some wondercam out of it.
New sensor with improved DR and no banding. 10-12 mpx is enough.
AF as in E620.
Bring back Focus Bracketing.
Add AF confirmation for manual lenses.
And please - no Tilt and Swivel screen!

If Olympus would have done exactly this - released a no nonsense upgrade of E5xx (and maybe E6xx) no one would be complaining.

--

There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are. (Ernst Haas)

http://md.tsoon.com
Click to expand...
 
Having used the 620 for a while -- and added the 14-54 II, 25 pancake, some MF lenses, and flash -- there are some improvements I'd like to see in a new body (in rough order of priority):
  • better AF performance, especially in low light (at least E-30 level in a 620 sized body; better if in a larger body)
  • 1-2 stops better ISO performance; in particular, less noise and loss of detail and DR at ISO1600
  • lighter AA filter
  • AF assist lamp
  • no more noise where it shouldn't be at ISOs 200-400, e.g. well exposed blue skies
  • E-30 size/quality VF or better
  • two control wheels
  • improved CDAF speed
  • more dedicated switches, less button driven interface
I'd prefer a 620 or Pentax K-7 sized body, even E-30-size would be fine, but I have no interest in anything as large as the E-3.

If Oly could be bothered to release an update to the 620 or E-30 I expect most these issues would be addressed; then I would strongly consider sticking with Oly, buying the body and another lens or two, and sticking around to see where they go with merging 4/3 and m4/3. But if current rumors are correct, they can't be bothered. :x
 
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