I leave the link for the ones that might be interested.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/04/olympus-fills-the-e-520-e-3-gap-with-the-e-30-dslr/


What do you think about it? Any brave one?

If it ends up at the right price (not too much over $1,000), it's probably exactly what I'm looking for

there is more information in dpreview.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0811/08110503olympus_e30_hands_on.asp


Sounds good.

The thing you have to love about Olympus is that they are so innovative. First with the articulated, Live View LCD screens and now they have this built in level. They seem to always come up with features that photographers will actually use(IS sensor, dust control that actually works). If the implementation of the Panasonic 12MP chip is good(meaning a weaker AA filter than used in the E3), this camera will be a huge success. I want one!

Level Gauge
The Level Gauge functions like a level used in construction – it helps ensure that pictures are straight and even. The built-in dual axis sensor detects the levels in roll and pitch. The level gauge is displayed in the viewfinder, on the Control Panel and on the rear LCD.

This looks like a very nice camera. More refined than the E-3, but with a smaller viewfinder and no weather sealing. But contrast detect AF in combination with in-body IS and articulated LCD seems like a good combination of features, and shooting with legacy, manual focus lenses shouldn't be to bad either

I never could decide between the E-3 and the E-520, so this must be it

The only issue will be the price. Its listed as $1299. It must be below $1000 for this camera to do well, not just $200 cheaper than an E3.

I bet it will be $800-900 max when it hits the streets.

The screen and the lack of weathersealing are downers. If Olympus is smart they will have this camera priced sig cheaper than the 40D..

I quote a poster in dpreview about a thing I find really interesting:

1. adjustable PDAF points - all 11 can be fine tuned in camera by up 20 data points
2. you can adjust your overall metering preference by up to 1EV in 1/6th steps

whilst the former shouldn't be necessary and will lead to endless threads (I suspect) on here over time the later would seem to provide an excellent feature (again based on historical posts).

Good copy from Olympus, these D3 features are very good ones.

AaronNegro wrote:

Good copy from Olympus, these D3 features are very good ones.

Now, if CanNikon would decide to copy some Olympus features such as the articulating screen, everyone could be happy!

Completely with you Tariq


I would love having the screen and the IS in my Canon 40D and the future 5D2 coming to my bag in a few months.

With the small sensor and the limitations of the 4/3-system, it better have some killer features to justify a 1299 USD price tag.

As much as I like competition between the manufacturers, I can't see any reason at all that this camera will do anything to change the massive failure status of the 4/3-system. Heck, it won't be too many years from now when we'll see 1299 USD FF cameras.

JonasY wrote:
With the small sensor and the limitations of the 4/3-system, it better have some killer features to justify a 1299 USD price tag.

As much as I like competition between the manufacturers, I can't see any reason at all that this camera will do anything to change the massive failure status of the 4/3-system. Heck, it won't be too many years from now when we'll see 1299 USD FF cameras.


Have to agree here. It's not nearly enough camera to justify the price premium over a D90 or a 40D.

Would have been a heck of a camera at $899 body only.

However, it might be $1299 with the kit lens. At that point it'll be worth that price (the kit lens is an update of one of the best lenses in the system). That would argue for a ~$900 body only price which is reasonable.

Nikon has the digital level already.