High Demand for PEN E-PL8!!!! Sold OUT!!!!

dv312 wrote:

Most of the forum members here perhaps have already owned one of more MFT bodies so the EPL8 may not be for them (or you)

However, there's a potentially huge market for:

1) New camera owners who want high IQ results (better than 1" and smart phones)

Better than smartphones, yes; it might be hard to argue that image quality of a m4/3 camera with f/3.5-5.6 kit zoom is much better than a 1" f/1.8-2.8 camera, though.

2) But don't need EVF

3) Don't want large bodies

Yep, there's a market for A5100s, so there's a market for this

4) Want a stylish camera

I didn't know this was a thing.

5) Want to be able to switch lenses if need be

6) But would be happy with kit lens

Problem with most of this segment is that they're generally happy with the kit lens and don't want to mess with any kind of lens changes. Sure, you have my friend who just picked up a GM1, 12-32, 35-100, and a PL15, but for every one of her there's another ten that are like my fiancee and another friend who just want big-sensor image quality, 15x zoom, macro capability, and near-pocketability (all at once!), without having the icky business of changing lenses.

7) Can take advantage of IBIS to help with their shooting

8) MFT (or other brands) owners who want a second carry anywhere body

Yes, but how many non-gearheads have more than one camera? The one-camera market's already a niche, now you're talking about the two-camera market?

9) Want an easy to use camera

Easy to use is not an adjective many would ascribe to a) any ILC, or b) Olympus in particular. Anybody who's ever set foot in the m4/3 forum has heard the gripes about Oly's menu system.

In summary, it may not be for you but it can still be sold to many others

Cheers,

(I actually like it, it's rather cute , almost feminine in a way; if I don't already own 2 EP5s I 'd have gotten 1 and leave it in my car for those occasions where I forget to bring my main gear)

Even though I griped a lot up there, I'm not against this camera - I own a PM2 and am often charmed by it - and after carrying around the M1 and heavy lenses, it's always a joy to break out the PM2, 17mm, and 45mm. But pricing such a camera at $650 puts it in strange waters.

Another way to say it: Knowing nothing about cameras, standing in Best Buy: you see the E-PL8 on one table, with 16mp sensor and lens that sticks out. Then on another table, you see an A6000, with 24mp sensor, flat lens, EVF, built in flash. Sure, the E-PL8 has a touch screen, but you really gotta love having a touch screen to give up on everything else at the same price.