Help me understand

[Tom Obszanski50651]

Beth,

The Kodak sensor that is rumored to be at the heart of the Olydak is a 4/3", 4:3 aspect ratio chip running 2614x1966 pixels ( http://www.dpreview.com/news/0205/02053101kaf5101c.asp ); the chips that Nikon and Canon use are slightly larger and have a 3:2 aspect ratio and run 3072x2048 (I used the Canon D60's pixel count because it's the camera that I'll consider along with the Olydak for my next step up)

If you notice, the vertical pixel count is only 82 pixels more on the Canon chip, while it's 458 pixels wider. If you are primarily printing 8x10 or 11x14" prints, you'll wind up cropping most of those pixels off of the Canon image while printing, leaving something much closer to the Kodak's actual image size. This puts the 5 and 6 megapixel cameras on a mostly even footing, assuming decent image quality on the Olydak. If you're printing at something closer to 13x19" as some Canon and Epson printers can, you'll wind up throwing away somewhere around 220 vertical pixels from the Kodak chip, while still being 458 pixels short on the horizontal end, effectively making the Olydak a 4.3Mp camera if you have to crop away for a 3:2 aspect ratio print.

If you open an existing Canon D60 image in Photoshop, open up the crop tool and set a fixed size of 2614x1966 you'll see a rough glance of what the Olydak might produce. Once you crop to that size, crop again with a fixed aspect ratio of 3:2 or 19:13 to see how much you'll lose if printing anything other than something close to a 5:4 ratio.

I hope I didn't confuse things further, if so, follow up here and I'll try to clarify it further.

BTW, thanks for the E10 shots that you've posted and linked to recently, they've gotten my photography kick-started a bit. I'll be getting my website together shortly, along with some select E10 images that I've taken recently.

Tom

Saw on another board tonight a message from Koo (she used to be an
Oly user) saying that a contact she has told her that Oly will soon
announce a DSLR with six lenses designed to match the sensor. She
says that it is not clear whether it will be a 5 or 6 megapixel
camera.

Now, here's my question...why would Olympus release a 5 mp camera
if they hope to compete with Nikon and Canon? Does this make sense
to anyone? I'm hoping the answer is that it doesn't make sense and
suggests that the camera WILL be a 6 mp.

It sounds more and more likely there IS going to be an
interchangeable lense DSLR from Oly.
--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

 

[Erik Magnuson]

I'm not very up on this technical stuff, but I'd guess that there
wouldn't be an LCD preview (just like there isn't on the D100, D1x
etc etc.)

Well, if it has a mirror, then there is no way to have a preview. If it has a pellicle like the E-xx, then it could have preview but for that the sensor has to support a 10 FPS or better fast output mode (usually by only reading a subset of the pixels.)

If you've got a decent viewfinder it really isn't necessary

I agree, but if you scan through the various forums, you will find others who seem disappointed that DSLRs don't have live review. Expect lots of kvetching if the OlyDak also lacks one.
--
Erik

 

[DavidMillier]

Bearing in mind the cost penalties associated with big sensor sizes, my guess would be stitched sensors if the engineering dfficulties could be worked out. This should be particularly possible with the lower cost cmos sensors. A matrix of 4 * 4MP sensors would be interesting..

A
16MP sensor would give medium format and probably large format a
run fro its money. I wonder how long it will take...

16mp on a 35mm sensor may take a while, if it ever gets there. The
existing 9um photosite would have to drop down to close to 4um,
which means the noise will not be better then the existing 1/8" on
the Sony F707. I dont think I even want to guess how bad the
Nikon/Canon 7um APS sensors would be if they had 16mp of sub-4um
photosites.

--
jc
F707 w/ Nikon 5T/6T
http://www.reefkeepers.org/gallery/f707
http://www.reeftec.com/gallery

 

[DavidMillier]

The 2000p is a pigment printer - possibly we are seeing the different presentations of dye printer and pigment printer?

I reckon the trade off is between A4 and A3, On my Epson 2000p
everything the E10 could throw up at 80 iso was just fine. A3 is
different, I agree, but I still think it's more to do with the
noise than the actual resolution.

kind regards
jono slack

My comment wasn't really aimed at the Exx series in particular
whatever Mr T thinks - it's just that eventually every camera
(including film) runs out of pixels at some print size. For me 3.7
MP hits the limit before 5MP or 6MP. I have a recent shot taken
fromn the London Eye using the 19-35mm on a clear but overcast day.
For that sort of shot full of distant fine detail the more pixels
the better.

I used to do the occasional E10 panoramic stitch using 3*3 image
matrices. They gave very good A3 prints with a lot more detail. A
16MP sensor would give medium format and probably large format a
run fro its money. I wonder how long it will take...

Least said . . . . . . .

But although I can telll the difference at A3 size - I can't really
tell the difference at A4

FWIW.

kind regards
jono slack

Jono

I'm not sure I agree with you about getting fine A3 prints from an
E10. I can see a clear difference between D100 and E10 at A4
without talking A3.

He didn't state or insinuate that A3 prints from an E-10 were
better than A3 prints from a D100. Surely you couldn't let him get
away with saying he got good A3 prints from his E-10 without yet
another D100/E-10 "comparison". Jeeze!

--
Jono Slack
http://www.slack.co.uk

--
Jono Slack
http://www.slack.co.uk

 

[William C]

What is better an 6 MP with a 1.6 multiplier like my D60 or
a 5 MP with 1.0 multiplier. I think Oly will have a winner here if
their camera has 1.0 multiplier.

Also the lens are key here. The quality, build and cost are very
important. Nobody will want a camera if it lens are not fast, sharp
and are prone to lens flare.

Also what is going to be the prices? The reason why I say this, Oly
sometimes prices thing at a level they think they can get away with.
I am think about the $500 I paid for my E-10 battery grip. Way over
priced but they could charge that because they where the only
ones that were selling it. Are they going to price their
lens in the range on Canon "L" lens. If they do they better have
something special.

Bill

Saw on another board tonight a message from Koo (she used to be an
Oly user) saying that a contact she has told her that Oly will soon
announce a DSLR with six lenses designed to match the sensor. She
says that it is not clear whether it will be a 5 or 6 megapixel
camera.

Now, here's my question...why would Olympus release a 5 mp camera
if they hope to compete with Nikon and Canon? Does this make sense
to anyone? I'm hoping the answer is that it doesn't make sense and
suggests that the camera WILL be a 6 mp.

It sounds more and more likely there IS going to be an
interchangeable lense DSLR from Oly.
--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

 

[TrentMcD]

With all else being equal, I agree that the more pixels the better. I think, however, there is a lot to be said for the information that is in those pixels.

A couple of months ago there was a big discussion here about the three modes of opening RAW files in PS. I have done more testing since then and have found that the second mode brings out A LOT more detail than the last mode. I was testing on the types of pictures mentioned here: landscapes with a lot of detail in the distance from my trip to the Tetons.

Playing around with the pictures I was able to bring out details that didn’t exist in the last method (I think the Oly plugin does a blur to get rid of some of the strange artifacts created during the convert to RGB that’s noticeable in areas of flat color at 200%). I’ve done printouts on 11” X 17” paper (image size about 10.5” X 14”) that look amazing, much better than anything I got using the last method or jpgs.

So even the E-10 has more info packed into it's pixels than most people realize.

I’m sure Jono’s D1 pulls even more detail out of each pixel even before we look at the dynamic range difference between 10 bit and 12 bit. A newer CCD based on newer technology should even do better. I wouldn't bet against 14 or 16 bit color.

Of course, as my example above shows, it isn’t just the info that’s picked up by the sensor but what the software does with it. For another example look at the big difference between the Sony, Minolta and Oly 5 MP cameras based on the same chip.

In other words, I believe it is possible that a 5 MP Olydak could produce an image comparable to a 6 MP D100 or D-60, particularly if has good glass.

The big problem, if it is 5 MP, will be people’s perception – most people think more = better.

Anyway, shouldn’t be much longer before we know for sure….

 

[TrentMcD]

Sorry for answering my own post right away but I forgot something.

If I have time I will start another thread about detail with some better examples, but for now you can refer back to an old post of mine:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=3091162

Not great, but I think the level of detail would allow the original picture to be blown up pretty big (I’m not at home and so don’t have access to any better images.)

 

[DavidMillier]

The lenses could only have a non X1 multiplier if Oly used lenses designed for a different camera format which seems a little unlikely!

Also the lens are key here. The quality, build and cost are very
important. Nobody will want a camera if it lens are not fast, sharp
and are prone to lens flare.

Also what is going to be the prices? The reason why I say this, Oly
sometimes prices thing at a level they think they can get away with.
I am think about the $500 I paid for my E-10 battery grip. Way over
priced but they could charge that because they where the only
ones that were selling it. Are they going to price their
lens in the range on Canon "L" lens. If they do they better have
something special.

Bill

Saw on another board tonight a message from Koo (she used to be an
Oly user) saying that a contact she has told her that Oly will soon
announce a DSLR with six lenses designed to match the sensor. She
says that it is not clear whether it will be a 5 or 6 megapixel
camera.

Now, here's my question...why would Olympus release a 5 mp camera
if they hope to compete with Nikon and Canon? Does this make sense
to anyone? I'm hoping the answer is that it doesn't make sense and
suggests that the camera WILL be a 6 mp.

It sounds more and more likely there IS going to be an
interchangeable lense DSLR from Oly.
--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

 

[JPhil]

Consider a company that wants to introduce a new digital SLR concept, with matched lenses.
Once you have matched lenses, you'll keep the same sensor size "forever".

Then we're pretty much like in the 35mm film world where the size of the film is a standard.

In the film world, companies are competing with lens quality, autofocus speed, exposition metering .....

Finally isn't this MPix count a new argument coming from the computer world that can be compared to the quality of the film you put in your camera (Kodak, Fuji, ....)

Now imagine a company that introduces the first camera with INTERCHANGEABLE CCD, proposing to upgrade it in their labs for a fair price if it's too complex to do it yourself.

1 - it will sell like mad and kill the others.

2- when situation is stabilized, camera companies will compete with the same arguments they do in the film world.

It will be all benefits for the company that will make this move first.

Call me stupid if you want but i think it will happen one day so why not tomorrow. After all, you can change the processor on your PC without buying a new one all the time.

The OlyDak with a 5MP sensor and a garantee the sensor can be upgraded later would be a killer ......

Just dreaming ....

 

[DavidMillier]

This is a dream idea but...

The ccd is not the whole story. Like a PC, a digicam is a system made up of optical, electrical and computery bits. Change the ccd and you may well have to change some of the other bits too - i.e. increase the pixel count and you increase the file size, meaning firmware changes and a strain on data transfer, processing and storage etc.

It could possibly work using the principle used by interchangeable digital backs on medium and large format cameras but that would be expensive and they often don't include the computing power and need to be tethered to a PC...

Today's throw away society means new models are probably the most economic way of doing things, sadly.

ps

Most PCs are not as upgradeable as you think. Faster processors usually demand new motherboards and chipsets and often new memory types and even bigger power supplies. Try upgrading a Athlon Thunderbird processor to a Athlon XP - usually you can't because the XP isn't supported in a lot of older motherboards.

Consider a company that wants to introduce a new digital SLR
concept, with matched lenses.
Once you have matched lenses, you'll keep the same sensor size
"forever".
Then we're pretty much like in the 35mm film world where the size
of the film is a standard.
In the film world, companies are competing with lens quality,
autofocus speed, exposition metering .....
Finally isn't this MPix count a new argument coming from the
computer world that can be compared to the quality of the film you
put in your camera (Kodak, Fuji, ....)

Now imagine a company that introduces the first camera with
INTERCHANGEABLE CCD, proposing to upgrade it in their labs for a
fair price if it's too complex to do it yourself.

1 - it will sell like mad and kill the others.
2- when situation is stabilized, camera companies will compete with
the same arguments they do in the film world.

It will be all benefits for the company that will make this move
first.

Call me stupid if you want but i think it will happen one day so
why not tomorrow. After all, you can change the processor on your
PC without buying a new one all the time.

The OlyDak with a 5MP sensor and a garantee the sensor can be
upgraded later would be a killer ......

Just dreaming ....

 

[peripheralfocus]

It's taking all my will power, Jono -- I'm getting the shakes and sweat is beading on my brow -- but out of respect for you I'm just gonna' leave this one alone.

What is better an 6 MP with a 1.6 multiplier like my D60 or
a 5 MP with 1.0 multiplier. I think Oly will have a winner here if
their camera has 1.0 multiplier.

 

[Phil Flash]

I don't think any reasonable 35mm photographer needs more resolution than the current crop of DSLRs. But what they do need is real wide angle functionality without having to buy 17mm lenses to get 28mm performance. The only thing driving the pixel craze with the big boys is to enlarge the sensor to match the 35mm lenses.

So if someone is brave enough to commit to a smaller sensor size (which can be improved over the years with more megapixels) and commit to developing a good, high speed lens system then the potential rewards are great.

EVF would be a mistake. The current E beam splitter is the way to go; who cares if they syphon off light if there is low noise at higher ISOs?

 

[Phil Flash]

Jono, old boy,

I used to sell the old 35mm cameras to put myself through college (I quit when the Maxxum was first introduced). I agreed that black looked better then and was worth the premium being charged.

But when you see the brassing that shows on older black bodies, and the fact that every damn cheap plastic body these days is black, I'm really glad that my chrome Nikon FM is chrome. It looks cool, and I am no prat.

Now the silver on the D7i -- that would make you look like a prat, even though it's a good enough camera. They've fixed that with the 71.

My rule for camera colors would be this:

plastic body: black or any custom color you want pink, blue, yellow, red, etc.
metal body: chrome or natural aluminum with black leatherette finish

As far as the ccd is concerned, the proof of the pudding will be in
the eating I guess. Bt there will be more bodies if it's a success.

It seems to me to be more important that they get off to a good
start with the lenses, maybe a couple of budget ones, but there
ought to be at least one or two high quality lenses for the whole
thing to get going with a bang.

Certainly, from my point of view, if they produce a couple of
desireable lenses I'll go for it anyway (unless the body is
obviously a catastrophe) - if there aren't I might be more
interested in waiting to see if Nikon do some matched lenses for
their dslrs

I used to get fine A3 (16X13) prints from the e10 at 4mp, and with
the larger sensor 5mp should be just fine. so I really don't think
we should be worrying about the resolution.

I'm more worried about whether the damn thing appears at all . . .
. . . and whether it's silver or not (for some reason I always feel
like a prat with a silver camera LOL).

kind regards
jono

Saw on another board tonight a message from Koo (she used to be an
Oly user) saying that a contact she has told her that Oly will soon
announce a DSLR with six lenses designed to match the sensor. She
says that it is not clear whether it will be a 5 or 6 megapixel
camera.

Now, here's my question...why would Olympus release a 5 mp camera
if they hope to compete with Nikon and Canon? Does this make sense
to anyone? I'm hoping the answer is that it doesn't make sense and
suggests that the camera WILL be a 6 mp.

It sounds more and more likely there IS going to be an
interchangeable lense DSLR from Oly.
--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Jono Slack
http://www.slack.co.uk

 

[Jason Stoller]

Jono its just shows you are a class act as you always have been!

Good to see you post!

Jason

The Nikon D1X is only 5.3mp - and I don't hear anyone complaining
about the image quality, it's certainly streets ahead of the E20 in
terms of noise and resolution.

Hey DavidM Terry Thorn or whoever you are

Why are you not having a go at Jono? You have attacked other
innocent people for saying much less. You won't do it... This shows
that you're manufacturing your 'complaints' for attention.

LCD

LOL - not sure that it shows anything, except possibly that I'm an
unrewarding target (mushy thinking, changing my mind all the time,
not willing to fight back etc.)

kind regards
jono
http://www.slack.co.uk

--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

We are just Beta Testers who pay the Camera Companies to test their new products!

 

[Terry Thorn]

I used to sell the old 35mm cameras to put myself through college
(I quit when the Maxxum was first introduced). I agreed that black
looked better then and was worth the premium being charged.

But when you see the brassing that shows on older black bodies, and
the fact that every damn cheap plastic body these days is black,
I'm really glad that my chrome Nikon FM is chrome. It looks cool,
and I am no prat.

Now the silver on the D7i -- that would make you look like a prat,
even though it's a good enough camera. They've fixed that with the
71.

My rule for camera colors would be this:

plastic body: black or any custom color you want pink, blue,
yellow, red, etc.
metal body: chrome or natural aluminum with black leatherette finish

As far as the ccd is concerned, the proof of the pudding will be in
the eating I guess. Bt there will be more bodies if it's a success.

It seems to me to be more important that they get off to a good
start with the lenses, maybe a couple of budget ones, but there
ought to be at least one or two high quality lenses for the whole
thing to get going with a bang.

Certainly, from my point of view, if they produce a couple of
desireable lenses I'll go for it anyway (unless the body is
obviously a catastrophe) - if there aren't I might be more
interested in waiting to see if Nikon do some matched lenses for
their dslrs

I used to get fine A3 (16X13) prints from the e10 at 4mp, and with
the larger sensor 5mp should be just fine. so I really don't think
we should be worrying about the resolution.

I'm more worried about whether the damn thing appears at all . . .
. . . and whether it's silver or not (for some reason I always feel
like a prat with a silver camera LOL).

kind regards
jono

Saw on another board tonight a message from Koo (she used to be an
Oly user) saying that a contact she has told her that Oly will soon
announce a DSLR with six lenses designed to match the sensor. She
says that it is not clear whether it will be a 5 or 6 megapixel
camera.

Now, here's my question...why would Olympus release a 5 mp camera
if they hope to compete with Nikon and Canon? Does this make sense
to anyone? I'm hoping the answer is that it doesn't make sense and
suggests that the camera WILL be a 6 mp.

It sounds more and more likely there IS going to be an
interchangeable lense DSLR from Oly.
--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Jono Slack
http://www.slack.co.uk

--

Give me BLACK or give me DEATH!!! Uh fellas? FELLAS!?! Put down those axes!!! ;-)

 

[Jason Stoller]

HI Dave
Well, I guess I agree with you, Landscapes with fine detail, group
shots are another example. I haven't seen results from a D1
printed that big.

I also find that if you want to do a lot of manipulation then the
D1x files definitely fare better . .

But I'm not really sure how much this is due to the resolution, and
how much due to the extra noise in the Exx images - I've seen some
good landscapes from the 1D, and that's only 4mp - In fact I've
seen some good landscapes from the D1H as well.

The size of the Pixels in both the 1D and D1H have a lot to do with the output from these cameras. Remember the 1D pixels are 12x the size of what you will find in a consumer camera! Larger Pixel size means better light sensativity, and less noise. I think when someone researches a new Camera, that one of the things they should consider is pixel size, not just the number of pixels.

The perception of

detail is a tricky business, and it may be that the actual
resolution of the sensor is not of so much importance as the lack
of noise for this sort of shot.

In which case, a good 4/3" 5mp sensor is likely to be up there with
the D100 and friends

kind regards
jono

I'm not sure I agree with you about getting fine A3 prints from an
E10. I can see a clear difference between D100 and E10 at A4
without talking A3.

To my eyes the E10 makes acceptable A3 prints with the right choice
of subject (say a portrait or a macro) but for landscapes or shots
with lots of distant fine detail it softens noticably beyond A4. I
did some A3 prints of shots taken in the Sierra Nevadas and detail
is lacking in a way that isn't unpleasant but still begs for a
higher resolution image.

The D100 does a significantlly better job but even so I would like
even more resolution for this sort of work. Stitched images work
well and really show up the softness of low res sensors by
comparison...

As far as the ccd is concerned, the proof of the pudding will be in
the eating I guess. Bt there will be more bodies if it's a success.

It seems to me to be more important that they get off to a good
start with the lenses, maybe a couple of budget ones, but there
ought to be at least one or two high quality lenses for the whole
thing to get going with a bang.

Certainly, from my point of view, if they produce a couple of
desireable lenses I'll go for it anyway (unless the body is
obviously a catastrophe) - if there aren't I might be more
interested in waiting to see if Nikon do some matched lenses for
their dslrs

I used to get fine A3 (16X13) prints from the e10 at 4mp, and with
the larger sensor 5mp should be just fine. so I really don't think
we should be worrying about the resolution.

I'm more worried about whether the damn thing appears at all . . .
. . . and whether it's silver or not (for some reason I always feel
like a prat with a silver camera LOL).

kind regards
jono

Saw on another board tonight a message from Koo (she used to be an
Oly user) saying that a contact she has told her that Oly will soon
announce a DSLR with six lenses designed to match the sensor. She
says that it is not clear whether it will be a 5 or 6 megapixel
camera.

Now, here's my question...why would Olympus release a 5 mp camera
if they hope to compete with Nikon and Canon? Does this make sense
to anyone? I'm hoping the answer is that it doesn't make sense and
suggests that the camera WILL be a 6 mp.

It sounds more and more likely there IS going to be an
interchangeable lense DSLR from Oly.
--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Jono Slack
http://www.slack.co.uk

--
Jono Slack
http://www.slack.co.uk

--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

We are just Beta Testers who pay the Camera Companies to test their new products!

 

[markE59102]

I used to sell the old 35mm cameras to put myself through college
(I quit when the Maxxum was first introduced). I agreed that black
looked better then and was worth the premium being charged.

But when you see the brassing that shows on older black bodies, and
the fact that every damn cheap plastic body these days is black,
I'm really glad that my chrome Nikon FM is chrome. It looks cool,
and I am no prat.

Now the silver on the D7i -- that would make you look like a prat,
even though it's a good enough camera. They've fixed that with the
71.

My rule for camera colors would be this:

plastic body: black or any custom color you want pink, blue,
yellow, red, etc.
metal body: chrome or natural aluminum with black leatherette finish

As far as the ccd is concerned, the proof of the pudding will be in
the eating I guess. Bt there will be more bodies if it's a success.

It seems to me to be more important that they get off to a good
start with the lenses, maybe a couple of budget ones, but there
ought to be at least one or two high quality lenses for the whole
thing to get going with a bang.

Certainly, from my point of view, if they produce a couple of
desireable lenses I'll go for it anyway (unless the body is
obviously a catastrophe) - if there aren't I might be more
interested in waiting to see if Nikon do some matched lenses for
their dslrs

I used to get fine A3 (16X13) prints from the e10 at 4mp, and with
the larger sensor 5mp should be just fine. so I really don't think
we should be worrying about the resolution.

I'm more worried about whether the damn thing appears at all . . .
. . . and whether it's silver or not (for some reason I always feel
like a prat with a silver camera LOL).

kind regards
jono

Saw on another board tonight a message from Koo (she used to be an
Oly user) saying that a contact she has told her that Oly will soon
announce a DSLR with six lenses designed to match the sensor. She
says that it is not clear whether it will be a 5 or 6 megapixel
camera.

Now, here's my question...why would Olympus release a 5 mp camera
if they hope to compete with Nikon and Canon? Does this make sense
to anyone? I'm hoping the answer is that it doesn't make sense and
suggests that the camera WILL be a 6 mp.

It sounds more and more likely there IS going to be an
interchangeable lense DSLR from Oly.
--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Jono Slack
http://www.slack.co.uk

--

Give me BLACK or give me DEATH!!! Uh fellas? FELLAS!?! Put down
those axes!!! ;-)

--
Cheers,
markE

• Oly E-20, Nikon CP 990, early 1970's era Argus/Cosina manual SLR, and a few disposables
• Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/marke/zoomart

 

[Jason Stoller]

Bill, good to see you post! I agree the multiplier is oh so important. That was an important thing on my list when I was considering upgrading. I think we will have to wait a several months after the release of the Olydak just like we did with the E-20 to see where the price fallout is going to be. If Oly does not do something special with the lenses, I wonder what would be the incentive for anyone to come back to them. Right now unless you specifically buy primes, you really cannot get below 2.8 with the exception of some fixed lens cameras like the E-10/E20. I would really like to see an interchangable zoom at the same F-stop as the E-10/20 zoom.

Jason

Also the lens are key here. The quality, build and cost are very
important. Nobody will want a camera if it lens are not fast, sharp
and are prone to lens flare.

Also what is going to be the prices? The reason why I say this, Oly
sometimes prices thing at a level they think they can get away with.
I am think about the $500 I paid for my E-10 battery grip. Way over
priced but they could charge that because they where the only
ones that were selling it. Are they going to price their
lens in the range on Canon "L" lens. If they do they better have
something special.

Bill

Saw on another board tonight a message from Koo (she used to be an
Oly user) saying that a contact she has told her that Oly will soon
announce a DSLR with six lenses designed to match the sensor. She
says that it is not clear whether it will be a 5 or 6 megapixel
camera.

Now, here's my question...why would Olympus release a 5 mp camera
if they hope to compete with Nikon and Canon? Does this make sense
to anyone? I'm hoping the answer is that it doesn't make sense and
suggests that the camera WILL be a 6 mp.

It sounds more and more likely there IS going to be an
interchangeable lense DSLR from Oly.
--
Olympus E-10, TCON, MCON, WCON and Fl-40
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

We are just Beta Testers who pay the Camera Companies to test their new products!

 

[William C]

What is better an 6 MP with a 1.6 multiplier like my D60 or
a 5 MP with 1.0 multiplier. I think Oly will have a winner here if
their camera has 1.0 multiplier.

 

[Maxven]

Hi Beth.

I'm kinda new in this forum but I've been lurking for a long time. Like you I can't wait to see if the Olydak exists and if so how good it'll be. I think the partnership between Olympus and Kodak makes a very powerful entity. Maybe enough to compete head to head with Nikon and Canon?

I read through this thread and heard many arguments that made sense to me regarding the use of Kodaks 5MP chip and why it's performance may be close to that of the 6MP DSLRs. One thing I didn't found mentioned is the impact of using lenses designed for digital. Maybe the point is moot because the 35mm based DSLRs only use part of the light of the lens. However, at some point as the sensor size approaches full frame there's going to be issues of light fallof at the edges. Unlike film a CCD or CMOS sensor need to have the light entering at close to a 90 degree angle. Digital lenses should compensate for that while regular 35mm film lenses aren't optimized for it. I'm not sure if the size of the sensors used in the current crop of DSLRs is big enough to make it an issue but potentially it could mean another edge for a 5MP Olydak.

Anybody feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I'm no expert on the subject, just passing on what I've read in varying threads here at dpreview.

Regards, Maxven

P.S.: Jono's an old geezer!