Olympus make an E-P6 like this

​First let me just say that I know there is basically no chance that Olympus or Panasonic will make a camera like this, but I can still have fun suggesting that they do and explaining why. There may even be a few of you who will agree with me. Knowing this forum though I am aware that my opinions are usually in the minority and often unpopular. Here goes anyway.

I would like a new model and for what I am thinking the E-P5 is probably the closest so I will use it as the baseline and just change/add a few things. I shoot with my left eye and there has never been a camera with an eye-level viewfinder in the 50 or so years I have been photographing that has been ideal. Naturally, the camera companies always prioritize making the ergonomics best for people who shoot with their right eye since that is the majority. With m4/3 though using my left eye means that the controls on the back on the right side are sometimes rather convenient and slow to use because my face is over there too and makes quick adjustments with my thumb not so good. It also means that although I would like to use the touch AF and ability to move the AF point around with my thumb I always have to disable that function because my face causes the AF point to randomly jump around at the most inopportune times.

I like my PEN-F with the EVF over on the left corner and it helps some, but probably the best I have used with m4/3 is an E-P5 with the big VF-4 EVF attached to the top. The EVF is well above the rear of the camera and that means my eye and face is moved higher too. Unfortunately, it has a huge downside and that is that there is this big, bulky, removable EVF that makes the whole camera more of a hassle to deal with. The EVF can get knocked or even broken, you can't just quickly stuff it in your camera bag since you need to remove the EVF, you can't quickly take the camera out of the bag and use it because you need to attach the EVF, and so on.

My idea is that it would be cool to have a pop-up EVF ala the Sony RX100V or Canon G5XII. Both of them have a good EVF and since it pops up in the left corner it sits above the camera when you are using it. You can pop it up quickly and also push it down quickly. It is permanently attached and part of the camera, but when you don't want it or want to stow the camera you can push it down and the camera top is smooth. It is not as high when in use as the VF-4, but would still be great because it is in the corner and raised up rather than the center. And much better than an EVF such as the PEN-F EVF that is flush with the top of the body.

Although we can all think of things to add on and changes to make, I would be pretty happy if an EP-6 was essentially the same as the E-P5 plus this collapsible EVF. Even the same 16mp sensor. Nice to have an electronic shutter too, but doesn't the E-P5 already have that? My E-M10II does. Put the EVF where the E-P5 flash is and just have a tiny external flash provided like the PEN-F.

To remind you of what the E-P5 looks like I found a few photos on the internet.

I want a viewfinder that I can attach to my spectacles. That would solve all problems with positioning, articulation etc. I don't get why they don't make them. The tech exists.

rurikw wrote:

I want a viewfinder that I can attach to my spectacles. That would solve all problems with positioning, articulation etc. I don't get why they don't make them. The tech exists.

There's at least one of these available (if your camera can output 720P via HDMI):

https://store.vufine.com/products/vufine-wearable-display-2

Heritage Cameras wrote:

rurikw wrote:

I want a viewfinder that I can attach to my spectacles. That would solve all problems with positioning, articulation etc. I don't get why they don't make them. The tech exists.

There's at least one of these available (if your camera can output 720P via HDMI):

https://store.vufine.com/products/vufine-wearable-display-2

I know. I even mailed Vufine about my GX7 and Sigma Merriills. They just repeated what was on their website. There may be ways to convert to 720. Maybe I should give it another shot. Didn't find any reasonably priced alternatives to Vufine. Most seem geared toward virtual reality and gaming.

Henry Richardson wrote:

I like my PEN-F with the EVF over on the left corner and it helps some, but probably the best I have used with m4/3 is an E-P5 with the big VF-4 EVF attached to the top. The EVF is well above the rear of the camera and that means my eye and face is moved higher too.

Simple solution - buy one of the SLR-inspired OMD cameras.

rurikw wrote:

Heritage Cameras wrote:

rurikw wrote:

I want a viewfinder that I can attach to my spectacles. That would solve all problems with positioning, articulation etc. I don't get why they don't make them. The tech exists.

There's at least one of these available (if your camera can output 720P via HDMI):

https://store.vufine.com/products/vufine-wearable-display-2

I know. I even mailed Vufine about my GX7 and Sigma Merriills. They just repeated what was on their website. There may be ways to convert to 720. Maybe I should give it another shot. Didn't find any reasonably priced alternatives to Vufine. Most seem geared toward virtual reality and gaming.

The spec sheet for the GX7 says that it can output 720P on its HDMI connection.

• HDMI miniHDMI TypeC / VIERA Link
• HDMI Video: Auto / 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p (576p in PAL system)
• HDMI Audio: Stereo

Henry Richardson wrote:

Nice to have an electronic shutter too, but doesn't the E-P5 already have that?

No, it doesn't. It came out before that feature debuted on m43 cameras. It DOES have a faster max shutter speed (mech) than the EM-5i, fwiw.

This setup is my current kit. E-P5, vf-4, 12-40pro. I can't say I've ever had difficulty stowing and un-stowing my camera with the VF-4 attached. It's just one of those things you take into account when you're thinking about what bag to use, what strap to use, etc. What's great about it is that one CAN quickly remove it, when necessary. It takes less than a second, literally. If you're really worried about that amount of time between start-up and shoot, maybe a change-up in camera body and technique is in order.

For street shooting I don't usually use the vf-4, both because I don't need it and because it makes a smaller package.

The idea of a pop-up vf is interesting, though the PEN-F seems the only body that could accommodate it. The Pens are def too small. I like the idea of trying to come up with a creative solution for left-eye shooters.. that's how innovation works, right? Now let's innovate away all those flippy screens.

In my fantasy world, I'd combine an E-P5 with the GX8 VF. That thing's a beaut. And you retain the tilt! I could sacrifice the flash for that.

Eric Nepean wrote:

rurikw wrote:

Heritage Cameras wrote:

rurikw wrote:

I want a viewfinder that I can attach to my spectacles. That would solve all problems with positioning, articulation etc. I don't get why they don't make them. The tech exists.

There's at least one of these available (if your camera can output 720P via HDMI):

https://store.vufine.com/products/vufine-wearable-display-2

I know. I even mailed Vufine about my GX7 and Sigma Merriills. They just repeated what was on their website. There may be ways to convert to 720. Maybe I should give it another shot. Didn't find any reasonably priced alternatives to Vufine. Most seem geared toward virtual reality and gaming.

The spec sheet for the GX7 says that it can output 720P on its HDMI connection.

• HDMI miniHDMI TypeC / VIERA Link
• HDMI Video: Auto / 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p (576p in PAL system)
• HDMI Audio: Stereo

Thanks, how did I miss/forget that. Though more needed on the Sigmas with their fixed screens.

rurikw wrote:

Eric Nepean wrote:

rurikw wrote:

Heritage Cameras wrote:

rurikw wrote:

I want a viewfinder that I can attach to my spectacles. That would solve all problems with positioning, articulation etc. I don't get why they don't make them. The tech exists.

There's at least one of these available (if your camera can output 720P via HDMI):

https://store.vufine.com/products/vufine-wearable-display-2

I know. I even mailed Vufine about my GX7 and Sigma Merriills. They just repeated what was on their website. There may be ways to convert to 720. Maybe I should give it another shot. Didn't find any reasonably priced alternatives to Vufine. Most seem geared toward virtual reality and gaming.

The spec sheet for the GX7 says that it can output 720P on its HDMI connection.

• HDMI miniHDMI TypeC / VIERA Link
• HDMI Video: Auto / 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p (576p in PAL system)
• HDMI Audio: Stereo

Thanks, how did I miss/forget that. Though more needed on the Sigmas with their fixed screens.

Google is you friend "Specs Sigma Merriill  ____"

Nt

Eric Nepean wrote:

rurikw wrote:

Eric Nepean wrote:

rurikw wrote:

Heritage Cameras wrote:

rurikw wrote:

I want a viewfinder that I can attach to my spectacles. That would solve all problems with positioning, articulation etc. I don't get why they don't make them. The tech exists.

There's at least one of these available (if your camera can output 720P via HDMI):

https://store.vufine.com/products/vufine-wearable-display-2

I know. I even mailed Vufine about my GX7 and Sigma Merriills. They just repeated what was on their website. There may be ways to convert to 720. Maybe I should give it another shot. Didn't find any reasonably priced alternatives to Vufine. Most seem geared toward virtual reality and gaming.

The spec sheet for the GX7 says that it can output 720P on its HDMI connection.

• HDMI miniHDMI TypeC / VIERA Link
• HDMI Video: Auto / 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p (576p in PAL system)
• HDMI Audio: Stereo

Thanks, how did I miss/forget that. Though more needed on the Sigmas with their fixed screens.

Google is you friend "Specs Sigma Merriill ____"

Yes, video 640x480, no HDMI. I guess that kills it.

Henry Richardson wrote:

By the way, these cameras are even smaller than the E-P5.

True. I'm not familiar with the evf specs for any of these, however. Are they better than the VF-4? Also, the PEN F and OMDs have other gear inside them like IBIS, room for lens mount, etc that make a straight size comparison a bit fraught.

Henry Richardson wrote:

By the way, these cameras are even smaller than the E-P5.

As they should be  since they have a smaller sensor and way less controls

Harold