Olympus EVOLT - 8 MP Consumer DSLR (four thirds)

"Richard Cockburn" wrote in message
...
On the surface, that is what one would expect, but the first time DSLR
owner might not be as concerned about that. Look at how many people are
buying these 8MP cameras like the Pro1 ... with a 2/3 sensor. If the price
is right, Oly might actually have something here.

I still plan to buy my 20D very soon. My EOS bag is pretty decent, and
this
now Oly model can't touch the 20D. I'll also be keeping the 10D.
Nonetheless, I still like to see competition among the manufacturers, and
it will be interesting to see how this affects the entry-level DSLR market
... if it has any effect at all.

I don't see Olympus selling many of these bodies until they do something
about their lens pricing. There aren't many at 'entry level' pricing.

"PhotoMan" writes:

"Richard Cockburn" wrote in message
...
On the surface, that is what one would expect, but the first time DSLR
owner might not be as concerned about that. Look at how many people are
buying these 8MP cameras like the Pro1 ... with a 2/3 sensor. If the price
is right, Oly might actually have something here.

I still plan to buy my 20D very soon. My EOS bag is pretty decent, and
this
now Oly model can't touch the 20D. I'll also be keeping the 10D.
Nonetheless, I still like to see competition among the manufacturers, and
it will be interesting to see how this affects the entry-level DSLR market
... if it has any effect at all.

I don't see Olympus selling many of these bodies until they do something
about their lens pricing. There aren't many at 'entry level' pricing.

Well they just announced two new consumer lenses 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm
f/3.5-4.5 along with the EVOLT, though I don't recall the pricing information.
I would imagine the third lens announced, 7-14mm (14-28mm) f/4.0 is more of a
professional lens. Sigma also announced the 18-135 lens.

--
Michael Meissner
email:
http://www.the-meissners.org

Some of us want to move on from the ties of last century's 35mm format,
and welcome the move to smaller sensors. The chance of lighter kit at a
similar quality to yesterday's 35mm systems would be great, and I do hope
that you find the E-300 suitable for your needs. Please report back!

Cheers,
David

I am also looking for a light travel digicam. I currently have the D60
with several L lenses and while I love the images, I hate the weight and
size. I watched the 8 megapixel non-dslr's with an eye toward a travel cam
but none really did the trick. If a small EVOLT with 2 small lenses drops
the weight, I will go that way. Actually the 20D has freed me from the Canon
stable as the EF-s lenses requires I buy a new system anyway. So which ever
ends up suiting my needs best gets the next round of my money.
Enjoy the shopping as much as the using. Dave

Michael Meissner wrote:

Well they just announced two new consumer lenses 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6
and 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 along with the EVOLT, though I don't recall
the pricing information. I would imagine the third lens announced,
7-14mm (14-28mm) f/4.0 is more of a professional lens.

Let's see... the 40-150/3.5-4.5 is equivalent to an 80-300 lens for
a 35mm camera. Not bad, f/4.5 at the long end, for a consumer lens.

Has anybody figured out the pop-up flash on the Evolt/E300? Specs
say it's a "slide pop-up" but I have no idea what that means.

My first impression was "that's an ugly camera" but I think that's
because it doesn't have a raised viewfinder/prism box and high flash.
Maybe I could get used to the new look, but I fear the flash doesn't
pop up high enough to avoid redeye.

Michael Meissner wrote:

Well they just announced two new consumer lenses 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6
and 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 along with the EVOLT, though I don't recall
the pricing information. I would imagine the third lens announced,
7-14mm (14-28mm) f/4.0 is more of a professional lens.

Let's see... the 40-150/3.5-4.5 is equivalent to an 80-300 lens for
a 35mm camera. Not bad, f/4.5 at the long end, for a consumer lens.

Has anybody figured out the pop-up flash on the Evolt/E300? Specs
say it's a "slide pop-up" but I have no idea what that means.

My first impression was "that's an ugly camera" but I think that's
because it doesn't have a raised viewfinder/prism box and high flash.
Maybe I could get used to the new look, but I fear the flash doesn't
pop up high enough to avoid redeye.

Bill Tuthill wrote:
Michael Meissner wrote:

Well they just announced two new consumer lenses 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6
and 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 along with the EVOLT, though I don't recall
the pricing information. I would imagine the third lens announced,
7-14mm (14-28mm) f/4.0 is more of a professional lens.


Let's see... the 40-150/3.5-4.5 is equivalent to an 80-300 lens for
a 35mm camera. Not bad, f/4.5 at the long end, for a consumer lens.

Has anybody figured out the pop-up flash on the Evolt/E300? Specs
say it's a "slide pop-up" but I have no idea what that means.

My first impression was "that's an ugly camera" but I think that's
because it doesn't have a raised viewfinder/prism box and high flash.
Maybe I could get used to the new look, but I fear the flash doesn't
pop up high enough to avoid redeye.


To really avoid redeye, you need the flash about 12" above the lens.
That's why wedding photographers put the flash on those brackets. That
also gives some shading to faces and clothes.

A lot of new digital camera are "ugly". I guess beauty is in the output.
I'm waiting breathlessly to see what the results of that are for the
EVOLT and the new lens. That "ugly" camera sure looks nice and small
though. That also helps it's 'looks'.

Clyde

Clyde wrote:

EVOLT and the new lens. That "ugly" camera sure looks nice and small
though. That also helps it's 'looks'.

The only look that counts is the image that is made. There are a few undeniably
cool looking cameras, and I personally love the old brassy Nikon look, but
really it is the result that counts.

--
-- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource:
-- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.--

Brian C. Baird wrote:
In article , says...
My guess with that sensor size is... No.


On the surface, that is what one would expect, but the first time
DSLR
owner might not be as concerned about that. Look at how many people
are
buying these 8MP cameras like the Pro1 ... with a 2/3 sensor. If
the price
is right, Oly might actually have something here.

Sure, but how long until Canon packs the 20D sensor in an updated
Rebel
body for $899? Olys high noise glory will be short lived.

I still plan to buy my 20D very soon. My EOS bag is pretty decent,
and this
now Oly model can't touch the 20D. I'll also be keeping the 10D.
Nonetheless, I still like to see competition among the
manufacturers, and
it will be interesting to see how this affects the entry-level DSLR
market
... if it has any effect at all.

I'd expect more competition out of Minolta or Pentax than Oly. At
least
they (Minny and Penny) haven't tied themselves down to a nowhere
format.

Oh please. The 4/3 concept works. At least the lenses are designed for
the format, using a full frame lenses on 1.6x crop cameras is like
using a medium format on a 35mm camera. It may work, but it is a
crutch.
And the lenses are actually smaller/lighter than 35mm lenses, just like
35mm lenses are smaller and lighter than medium format lenses.
And the E-300 IS the first 8MP entry-level DSLR. A 8MP Rebel won't be
out until summer/autumn 2005, if my sources are right.
--
http://www.pbase.com/bcbaird/

Brian C. Baird wrote:
In article , says...
My guess with that sensor size is... No.


On the surface, that is what one would expect, but the first time
DSLR
owner might not be as concerned about that. Look at how many people
are
buying these 8MP cameras like the Pro1 ... with a 2/3 sensor. If
the price
is right, Oly might actually have something here.

Sure, but how long until Canon packs the 20D sensor in an updated
Rebel
body for $899? Olys high noise glory will be short lived.

I still plan to buy my 20D very soon. My EOS bag is pretty decent,
and this
now Oly model can't touch the 20D. I'll also be keeping the 10D.
Nonetheless, I still like to see competition among the
manufacturers, and
it will be interesting to see how this affects the entry-level DSLR
market
... if it has any effect at all.

I'd expect more competition out of Minolta or Pentax than Oly. At
least
they (Minny and Penny) haven't tied themselves down to a nowhere
format.

Oh please. The 4/3 concept works. At least the lenses are designed for
the format, using a full frame lenses on 1.6x crop cameras is like
using a medium format on a 35mm camera. It may work, but it is a
crutch.
And the lenses are actually smaller/lighter than 35mm lenses, just like
35mm lenses are smaller and lighter than medium format lenses.
And the E-300 IS the first 8MP entry-level DSLR. A 8MP Rebel won't be
out until summer/autumn 2005, if my sources are right.
--
http://www.pbase.com/bcbaird/

B=F6ws=E9r wrote:
"Richard Cockburn" wrote in message
...
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0409/04...lympuse300.asp

8 Megapixel consumer DSLR from Olympus ... will this be a
formidable
challenge to the Canon Digital Rebel and the Nikon D70? Will this
be the
big break for four thirds?

Unless there's a technological breakghrough, no. At the end of the
day,
larger photo sites are better than small, and larger sensors permit
more and
bigger photo sites. The 4/3 system is a wonderful looking system, but
I
think Olympus, and others may have boxed themselves in to a sensor
size that
too small. However, it still looks like a wonderful system, and I may
be
taking a long look at the E300 and a few lenses as a travel kit. Only
if the
quality is there, and the results are at lease equal to the 20D,
which I
view as it's principal competitor. And yes, I realize that Canon,
Nikon and
others have boxed themselves in with the "DX" series lenses, as well.
Even
though they may be able to build bigger sensors, those lenses won't
cover
the area necessary.
I respectfully disagree. Look at the smaller sensors like 1/1.8". Every
year, they are packed with more cells, and every year, the output gets
better, or at least the same. I see no reason why 4/3 should have to
use bigger sensors in the future. The MP race seems to be slowing down.
16MP is already plenty, and some people say it is good as medium
format.
CCD/CMOS sensors will improve/get cheaper, but I don't see any
breakthrough regarding lens manufacturing, they have been made using
the same methods in a century.
And you know that your wide-angle will be usable on every 4/3 camera,
you don't have to "upgrade" your lenses if you upgrade the camera.
(NB. I am supporter of the whole 4/3 concept, btw)




Three new lenses too ...

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0409/04...mpuslenses.asp


--
"We are twice armed if we fight with faith." (Plato)

-Richard Cockburn