E-P3 specs released

[SkiHound]

IF the sensor is really an upgrade with respect to dynamic range and noise it looks like a really interesting camera. While 12mp is enough for me if it's really an upgraded sensor, I think from a marketing stand point it's not a strong selling point. It'll be interesting to see if this is basically the same 12mp sensor that's been used for several years or it it's really an improved sensor? I'd also hope that handle systems offer the ability to use both the EVF and flash at the same time. On paper the faster AF also sounds like a real advance. It'll be interesting to see what lenses the improved AF works with. My sense is that Panasonic is starting to separate themselves from Olympus.

--
http://www.bjaphotos.smugmug.com

 

[Jorginho]

Exactly what I thought, although it is manufactured by Panny I believe. And how about the D700.....12 Mpixel also....Not a goodcam I guess.

 

[wolfie]

according to the various sources, all of the three new models will have:
-faster than GH focusing
-have AF assist light
-new Olympus designed sensor - not a re-hash of the panasonic one
-use various degrees of touch panel control

Sounds like Olympus are getting to an important point where they can match or exceed Panny AF and can be independent of them for sensor technology. They already have IBIS, better JPEGS, better colour and better pricing.

Looks like all the doom-sayers have got it wrong.

Roll on June 30.

--
Shoot the Light fantastic

 

[Chez Wimpy]

And how about the D700.....12 Mpixel also....Not a goodcam I guess.

Not for landscapes, not unless you print small... there is an awful lot of resolution going to waste with Nikon's high end glass. D700 is mostly useful for portraits and low light it seems. Even my 5D2 isn't pushing my lenses (same pixel pitch as my 20D from 2004!), and a lack of pixels is why I always stitch for A2+ prints.

As for Olympus, they would manage just 3MP if they carved a 4/3rds sensor out of the D700. I don't use my m43 for high-pixel-count purposes (would be fine if they topped out at 12MP) but the DR and noise levels have to improve to make the system a non-compromised alternative when out and about.

Would it really be too much to contract with Sony for a "sliced" version of their D5100 D7000 sensor at this point? Surely the IQ - in all the aspects that matter to posters here - would be beyond reproach, and any MP difference moot since Oly has already conceded the pixel race (along with most users it seems).

--
-CW

よしよし、今日も生きのいい魂が手に入ったな

 

[Mark Chan]

Giddy with anticipation...

Even going all out and considering to sell my E5 (or EPL2) to get funds for EP3.

If the AF is truely there, then I really have no need for a heavier digital camera.

Any takers? (In Hong Kong)

 

[ahrensjt]

• Truepic VI engine (two processor in one)

Unclear what this means other than a new roman numeral... faster frames per second? More/longer burst capability before camera freezes? art filters useful in movie mode? Waiting for details here.

• fastest AF to date for any mirrorless cam (and I have been told that it is considerably faster that the Panasonic GH2!).

Honestly, the GH2 is so fast that the lens movement is probably the limiting factor at this point. I am skeptical that C-AF is better than Panasonic given the limitations of contract detection in general. Improvement is good, of course, but I'm doubtful it will be a distinguishing feature of this camera.

Regards,
Jeff

 

[Doug Brown]

Trust me, Olympus reads these forums.

Douglas Brown

 

[WC Wood]

--
W.C.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29320396@N05/show/

 

[Everdog]

From 43 rumors:

(FT5) Source_2:
1. All three PEN cameras do have AF assist lamp

This would be a shock..but very welcome.

 

[tinternaut]

A completely new sensor into which Olympus has had design input is not impossible but strikes me as highly unlikely (though if I'm proven wrong, and if it delivers, I'm buying one of those cameras)!

--
Regards
J

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jasonhindleuk
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Gear in profile

 

[453C]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3ZOKDmorj0

The End Times are Nigh! (FT5)
--
http://453c.smugmug.com/

 

[CWilt]

good ISO 3200 IQ, one more stop of dynamic range and a faster LCD refresh rate in burst mode my daughter will be getting one for graduation.

My concern is that lower noise will come at the cost of less Oly like color.

--
Charles
My family images are at http://www.stakeman.smugmug.com
Be sure of your subject.
Never, force the shot.

 

[Jorginho]

Small.....that is subjective. Would a 16 Mpixel cam be such a big difference btw? I don't know, no experience in printing A2+.

But 12 Mpixel would be nice on A2 or A3+ I guess (I am sure). How many people would shoot A2+? A couple, but I think we are talking about 1-5% at most. Otoh: if the 12 mpixel would mean Sony like DR and noise performance throughout the range or slightly less and get Oly soemthing like a DxO 70-75 score I would try that one.

Only thing that makes me hesitate to get a G3 is the low ISO DR especially. But if I look at the few RAw files at ISO 1600 and 3200 I must say the G3 looks very convincing.

I have a G1 and am pretty happy everstill, so no problem here to wait for Oly. But a new cam will be bought before and july, that is for sure.

I moght even be tempted by the NX20 later on this year, if it does perform much better than the current series (not only sensor, but EVF, swivle screen, AF, movie etc)...

 

[jim stirling]

But 12 Mpixel would be nice on A2 or A3+ I guess (I am sure). How many people would shoot A2+? A couple, but I think we are talking about 1-5% at most. Otoh: if the 12 mpixel would mean Sony like DR and noise performance throughout the range or slightly less and get Oly soemthing like a DxO 70-75 score

I don't think pixel density has all that much to do with DR as the GH2 with the highest pixel count in mFT demonstrates and it has a better rating than any of the Olympus bodies including the E-5. The problem seems to be that Olympus is yet again using an older sensor and while tweaking the AA filter on the E-5 has resulted in improvements with regards to sharpness the gains in DR are negligible when compared to other cameras using older versions of the sensor.
Jim

 

[Jorginho]

IF rumours are correct, the only thing it shares with the old m43 sensor is pixel count and size. Nothing else.

 

[jim stirling]

. . . but, they are being stubborn with sticking to the 12mp sensor and their whole "12mp is enough" proclamation that they made a while back

both apsc and m43, the entry level sensors are now 16mp, thats what the market demands. unless you have some other value proposition or killer app, then you cant just strike out on your own and say were going to be different and stick with 12mp

. . . 43rumors: FT4 - "the sensor is Olympus own – its not sharing anything with Panasonic"

. . . You may not like them staying with 12mp but lets be clear about this. It's apparently a brand new sensor and it's not from Panny. If 12mp is good enough for the $6000 Nikon D3s, why not for these new PEN's as well? If it gives them better ISO capability and DR, I'm sure that even the most naive newbie can be sold on buying it. If they're buying 10mp G12's from Canon, why not a 12mp PEN that is much more capable for producing the IQ that everyone wants?

Hi Tim,

I think claiming it is a brand new sensor is much akin to the claims that the E-5 used a "new" sensor when in reality it is just a tweaked version of the same old sensor not that Olympus may not be able to get better results out of it such as improvements in sharpness by changing the AA filter. However with regards to DR and high ISO performance from the RAW files there is little gain between say the E-620 and the E-5, for jpeg output better processors and software may also give better out of camera results .

The D3s is a vastly different option with unmatched high ISO performance and excellent DR at these high ISO settings. And it is a specialist tool for specialist work there is also the D3x for those wanting more MP in FF model and the newer APS-c cameras all have more than 12mp and , when the successor to the D3s comes along I would be happy to wager that the MP count will be higher. Though I do agree for the vast majority of photography 12mp is plenty.
Jim

 

[jim stirling]

IF rumours are correct, the only thing it shares with the old m43 sensor is pixel count and size. Nothing else.

The rumours seem to be clearly saying tweaked , and I will be very surprised if it is a totally new sensor and even more surprised if it has any real gains in RAW output with regard to DR and so on. But it is only rumours and we will fin out soon enough.
Jim

 

[jim stirling]

IF rumours are correct, the only thing it shares with the old m43 sensor is pixel count and size. Nothing else.

The rumours were saying tweaked but who knows , I will be very surprised if it is a totally new sensor and even more surprised if it has any real gains in RAW output with regard to DR and so on. But hey it is only rumours and we will fin out soon enough.
Jim

 

[zakk9]

Giddy with anticipation...

Even going all out and considering to sell my E5 (or EPL2) to get funds for EP3.

If the AF is truely there, then I really have no need for a heavier digital camera.

Any takers? (In Hong Kong)

I would consider it. Depends on price. In Bangkok, but can fly.

--
Jorgen, my name is Jorgen

 

[ennemkay]

if image quality improves why should one care whether it's due to a new sensor or an optimized version of an old sensor?