Lotusm50 wrote:
If says, "Next update, June 9, 2009." So I guess we'll know more in a couple days.
They've got several more of the original Pens to do yet. Looking at the layout of the page and the thumbnail sizes I suspect they may have two more "originals" to fit in. The Pen F has to be one, the other could be the FT or, possibly, the EM. Hopefully not the EF, a plastic travesty of Maitani's original design, even though it was the last Pen model launched.
Edward Castro wrote:
Rumors are $900 (a bit steep if you ask me) and yes, it will be available for the US market.
The issue I see with the price (if the camera delivers on its growing expectations) is if the pancake lens is not included but rather a larger zoom kit lens. Having to fork out another $300 or so for the lens most would want to use anyway would be way too much.
Tariq Gibran wrote:
The issue I see with the price (if the camera delivers on its growing expectations) is if the pancake lens is not included but rather a larger zoom kit lens. Having to fork out another $300 or so for the lens most would want to use anyway would be way too much.
There's supposed to be two seperate kits, one with the Pancake. Given the pancake is expected in the Y50,000 range and the zoom in the Y35,000 range, I'm hoping the pricing is for the pancake kit.
My major beef with the pricing is that it's more expensive than the G1, while the G1 is the better-spec'd camera (since it adds the flip/twist LCD and the EVF, both lacking from the E-P1).
The outside possibility is that the kit is a 'super' kit with the new FL14 flash as well, which would justify the leaked pricing rather much more.
mawz wrote:
There's supposed to be two seperate kits, one with the Pancake. Given the pancake is expected in the Y50,000 range and the zoom in the Y35,000 range, I'm hoping the pricing is for the pancake kit.
My major beef with the pricing is that it's more expensive than the G1, while the G1 is the better-spec'd camera (since it adds the flip/twist LCD and the EVF, both lacking from the E-P1).
The outside possibility is that the kit is a 'super' kit with the new FL14 flash as well, which would justify the leaked pricing rather much more.
I think this Olympus is marketed to those who will pay a premium for, hopefully, the best performance for the size dressed in vintage luxury clothing. Even though the G1 is the same format, I don't see these cameras attracting the same buyer.
Tariq Gibran wrote:
I think this Olympus is marketed to those who will pay a premium for, hopefully, the best performance for the size dressed in vintage luxury clothing. Even though the G1 is the same format, I don't see these cameras attracting the same buyer.
I think that's what Oly is trying to do. I don't think it's an entirely correct assumption on their part and quite a poor one when it comes to pricing. The folks who really want the IQ advantages will tend to be serious shooters, who will be cross-shopping the G1 most likely (especially once the 20/1.7 is available) and the rest are going to look at the LX3 and G10 and go 'that's WAY cheaper and smaller too'. The overall consumer market doesn't really care all that much about IQ as long as stuff looks good at web resolution.
mawz wrote:
I think that's what Oly is trying to do. I don't think it's an entirely correct assumption on their part and quite a poor one when it comes to pricing. The folks who really want the IQ advantages will tend to be serious shooters, who will be cross-shopping the G1 most likely (especially once the 20/1.7 is available) and the rest are going to look at the LX3 and G10 and go 'that's WAY cheaper and smaller too'. The overall consumer market doesn't really care all that much about IQ as long as stuff looks good at web resolution.
The LX3, though a nice and stealthy compact, is not in the same league with compact larger sensor cameras (G1, DP-1/2 and likely this Olympus) when it comes to image quality taken as a whole (dynamic range, color and resolution) but it is fast and much better than other small sensor cameras. Neither is the G10 (I don't think the G10 is smaller either). I would guess the average consumer who doesn't really care about IQ would not spend an amount equal to any of these. Those who would spend $500+ on a compact are either enthusiast or serious shooters who know and weigh the pluses and minuses between size, speed, IQ and, to a smaller degree, price, based on their perceived needs.
Tariq Gibran wrote:
The LX3, though a nice and stealthy compact, is not in the same league with compact larger sensor cameras (G1, DP-1/2 and likely this Olympus) when it comes to image quality taken as a whole (dynamic range, color and resolution) but it is fast and much better than other small sensor cameras. Neither is the G10 (I don't think the G10 is smaller either). I would guess the average consumer who doesn't really care about IQ would not spend an amount equal to any of these. Those who would spend $500+ on a compact are either enthusiast or serious shooters who know and weigh the pluses and minuses between size, speed, IQ and, to a smaller degree, price, based on their perceived needs. ...Show more →
+1! there are more than just PS and/or DSLR shooters out there. Even though this Oly may be in between in pricing, or even within the DSLR range, I think Olympus realizes the in-between unsatisfied market; the G1's popularity proved the market base for a serious compact high spec camera.
It's nice to have the flip LCD and all the other specs, but Aperture, Shutter and Manual control is what I really need to take photographs. The rest of the inportant features are in the software anyway. Oly may introduce further models with the added features found in DSLRs. I am sure the mft world will keep expanding.
dasrocket wrote:
+1! there are more than just PS and/or DSLR shooters out there. Even though this Oly may be in between in pricing, or even within the DSLR range, I think Olympus realizes the in-between unsatisfied market; the G1's popularity proved the market base for a serious compact high spec camera.
It's nice to have the flip LCD and all the other specs, but Aperture, Shutter and Manual control is what I really need to take photographs. The rest of the inportant features are in the software anyway. Oly may introduce further models with the added features found in DSLRs. I am sure the mft world will keep expanding.
The problem I see is that at 60% more than an LX3 or G10, Oly may well have priced themselves out of the consumer side of the market. It looks very much like the serious shooter's compact, but potentially too expensive to be the 'retro' compact that will sell in a wider market.
mawz wrote:
The problem I see is that at 60% more than an LX3 or G10, Oly may well have priced themselves out of the consumer side of the market. It looks very much like the serious shooter's compact, but potentially too expensive to be the 'retro' compact that will sell in a wider market.
They've already done that by focusing on prime lenses. I think they know full well that they're appealing to a smaller market segment.
