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All posts tagged "pen"


Monday, September 17, 2012

Olympus Announces E-PL5 and E-PM2 PEN Cameras, X-Z2 Compact, and Two Micro Four Thirds Lenses

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 11:41 AM

Olympus has announced a number of new products. First up are the PEN E-PL5 (pictured above) and E-PM2 cameras. The main new feature is the 16 megapixel sensor that is the same the OM-D EM-5's, which is truly excellent, being a Sony sensor. Other new features include the AF system from the E-M5, and a new 3" touchscreen HVGA LCD. In the E-PL5's case, the screen can be tilted up to 170 degrees, making it possible for self-portraits. BOth cameras offer 1080p video at 30 FPS as well. The main difference between the two cameras is in that tilting LCD screen, and a mode dial with a few extra buttons for the E-PL5. Both cameras still do not offer a built-in flash, instead they will be packaged with a small external flash like their predecessors. Ships in October for US$700 for the E-PL5 with the 14-42 lens, or US$600 for the E-PM2 with the same 14-42 lens.

Next up, the Olympus XZ-2. The original XZ-1 was something unique, as it offered a 28-112mm equivalent f/1.8 - 2.5 lens that was still pretty bright across the entire range. Now in 2012, the same lens is a little less competitive, given that both Panasonic and Samsung have similar cameras that feature a f/1.4 lens at the wide side, which are also wider at 24mm equivalent. The main upgrades are in the new 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, a tilting 3" VGA LCD screen, and a new detachable grip like the E-PL5 above. 1080p video at 30 FPS is present. Ships in November for US$600.

Finally, the lenses. The two lenses are the weather-sealed 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens that does 1:1, and the "body cap" fixed-focus lens of a 15mm f/8, which is only 9mm thick. The former will be available for US$500 in October. No word on the body cap lens, though the Europe price is just 70 Euros. Oh, well, there is the re-release of the 12mm f/2 in black at an eye-watering price of US$1100, though this time around, it comes with a lens hood. There is also a "development announcement" (or what I call the "please-don't-go-we-have-something-up-our-sleeve" announcemnt) of a 17mm f/1.8, which should be perfect for street shooters, but only available in 2013. More photos and details at the following links:

DPReview.com: Olympus Pen E-PL5 and E-PM2

DPReview.com: Olympus XZ-2

DPReview.com: Olympus Micro Four Thirds Lenses


Friday, May 25, 2012

Olympus Announces M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 Lens

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/0...zuiko-75mm-F1-8

Micro Four Thirds shooters, there is yet more good news for you! After Panasonic's 12-35/2.8 lens, Olympus has announced a 75mm f/1.8 lens, which translates to a 150mm lens on a 35mm camera. I actually managed to spend some time with a pre-production version of the lens, and I was very impressed with it. Due to the pre-production status of the lens, along with the pre-production OM-D E-M5 it was on, I did not get any images from it, but reviewing the results on the rear OLED screen showed promise. Get ready your wallets, for this lens ships in Summer 2012 for US$900. DPReview has a hands-on at the read link.


Thursday, June 30, 2011

Olympus Announces PEN E-P3 Camera

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 04:17 AM

http://www.dcresource.com/news/news...tem.php?id=4333

It is a big day for Olympus here, as they launch a total of THREE new Micro Four Thirds cameras. The first is the leading PEN camera, the E-P3. This is a bigger overhaul than the "upgrade" that the E-P2 was. There is a new 12 megapixel sensor (with the by-now usual Olympus sensor-shift stabilsation), an upgraded AF engine with 35 points that is touted to be even faster than the phase detect systems used in SLRs, a very nice 3 inch OLED touchscreen with 614k dots (I still am not certain of the resolution yet), 1080i60 movie mode with manual controls, a popup flash handy for daytime fill flash, and a removeable grip when you want the camera to look sleeker. DCResource.com has a review up, so go check it out. I think it is looking very promising, and might even be an upgrade for GF1 users or photographers looking for something like the GF1. Ships in August at US$899 for the camera and a kit lens, with a choice of either the 17/2.8 pancake or the 14-42/3.5-5.6 zoom.

More Coverage:

DPReview.com


Olympus Announces PEN E-PL3 and E-PM1 Cameras

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 04:16 AM

http://www.dcresource.com/news/news...tem.php?id=4332

Next up are the smaller versions of the E-P3. In a way they are Olympus's answer to Sony's tiny NEX cameras; this time the E-PL3 has been given a diet, and is made smaller and lighter. As a result, it loses the nice handgrip found on the E-PL2, along with the built-in flash. That is now an external accessory, like the NEX cameras, but at least it uses a standard hotshoe. That said, it gains a flip LCD, which is a nice bonus. The LCD itself is a standard 3" HVGA affair, so it is not quite as nice as the one on the the E-P3. The rest of the camera reads pretty much like the E-P3 specifications-wise, with the same revamped 12 megapixel sensor, the same fast 35 points AF engine, and the added bonus of having a faster continuous shooting speed of 5.5 FPS compared to the E-P3's 3 FPS. I think Olympus has come up with a nice compromise in both the E-P3 and E-PL3 that satisfies the enthusiasts while attempting to capture the market Sony is going for with the NEX. Price and availability is unknown.

The E-PM1, dubbed the "Mini", is essentially the E-PL3 with fewer buttons and a fixed LCD to get the size down even more. Without having seen either camera in the flesh, I wonder if the sacrifices are worth the space savings, not to mention the need to market and sell another product in the lineup. Again, price and availability are unknown. Photo of the E-PM1 after the break, and check out the link for full specs and more photos!

More coverage:

DPReview.com

Read more...


Olympus Announces Two Micro-Zuiko Lenses and Flash; Nearly Makes My Wish Come True

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 04:15 AM

http://www.dcresource.com/news/news...tem.php?id=4331

Olympus also announced two new Micro Four Thirds lenses: The Micro Zuiko 12mm f/2.0 and the Micro Zuiko 45mm f/1.8. I have been wanting to use my own Micro Four Thirds system as a three lens camera, with the three lenses being an ultra-wide, a normal, and a short telephoto. The two lenses almost come close. I say almost, because what I really wanted was something along the lines of a 10mm f/2.8. Still, this is a f/2.0, so it will help with the slightly noisier Micro Four Thirds sensors. Also, the 12mm f/2.0 has something few Micro Four Thirds lenses have: A focusing scale to use hyperfocusing techniques with! The 12mm f/2.0 is shipping now for about US$800 (ouch), and the 45mm f/1.8 will ship in September for about US$400.

Also introduced is a slim compact flash, the FL-300R, which can pivot up and down for various situations. With a guide number of just 19 metres at ISO 100 however, I think bouncing its output is a bad idea. The flash is available now for about US$170. Photos of the 45mm f/1.8 and the flash at the news link.


Thursday, January 6, 2011

Olympus E-PL2 Released; It's a Big Upgrade Folks!

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 09:12 AM

http://www.dcresource.com/news/news...tem.php?id=4247

Now this is an upgrade! The E-PL2, while an upgrade over the E-PL1, makes a number of changes that make even the E-P2 look outdated. Right now, the only advantage of the E-P2 appears to be the design and construction, as well as having a thumb dial, which the E-PL2 removes. The 12 megapixel sensor remains the same, but now there is a new 3" HVGA LCD screen, a new grip that looks much better to hold, and of course, a much lower price at US$600, which includes the new 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) lens, which focuses quickly and quietly.

A bit of a minor laugh comes where Olympus mentions the new lens is also compatible with three new conversion lenses; a macro, wide-angle and a fisheye. I thought the idea behind an interchangeable lens camera was to well, you know, change lenses. I do wonder if the macro and fisheye convertors are a response to keeping Olympus users from buying Panasonic lenses. If so, here's a hint: Make your own lenses Olympus.

Other features include 720p video, a built-in flash (which the E-P2 lacks) and even more Art Filters. One downside is that the camera uses a new battery type. Sorry, no bringing in your old batteries from the last camera.

Also introduced are two new hotshoe accessories. First is the MAL-1 macro light, which is essentially two LED lights with mini diffusers each attached to a gooseneck to allow adjustments. Second is the very interesting PENPal Bluetooth dongle to allow sending photos to mobile phones and computers. As I mentioned in my previous article, connected cameras are the way to go, and this is the first step. It does look a little bulky though, so Olympus needs to get ease of use and reliability of the connection right. If it is a UI nightmare or bug-filled mess, the idea will die a still birth.

The E-PL2 will be available this month. Once again, price is US$600 with the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 MSC lens.


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Olympus to Release LX5/S95 Challenger in XZ-1; E-PL2 Leaked As Well

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 09:54 PM

http://photorumors.com/2010/12/29/o...uiko-zoom-lens/

Rumour times are abound with CES 2011 just next week, so here's something fairly concrete from Olympus. First up is their premium compact entry, coming in to the party really late. It is quite an impressive one though, with a Zuiko-branded lens that is a 28-112mm equivalent f/1.8-2.5 which is mated. That's a nice fast lens. Other rumoured niceties include a 3" OLED screen and HD video. It better support RAW image output!

The other rumour is the E-PL2, the follow-up to the budget E-PL1. The most interesting tidbit is the dongle for Bluetooth (which slots into the hotshoe and uses the connector below it) that allows the camera to send images to your phone. I have been very impressed with what one can do with photos on smartphones, and I think this is a good step towards merging the best of both worlds; the quality of a proper camera and the software on the smartphone. I wish it was integrated though. Photo of the E-PL2 after the break.

Olympus XZ-1 compact camera with a fast f/1.8 Zuiko zoom lens

Olympus E-PL2 Surfaces

Read more...


Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Mirrorless Cameras Round Up

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 09:30 AM

http://www.seriouscompacts.com/f41/...pl1-gf1-g2-295/

"Having compared the size of several different mirrorless interchangeable lens systems, we'll now take a look at how much detail relative to noise is captured at any given ISO by each of these systems. "

Serious Compacts has done a really nice comparison of the various mirrorless cameras on the market, comparing them based on their size, as well as doing an ISO test. The comparison is split into two parts, so be sure to check them out.

Part 1: Mirrorless Camera Size Comparison: NEX5, NX10, E-P2, E-PL1, GF1, G2

Part 2: Mirrorless Camera ISO Signal/Noise Shootout: NEX5, NX10, E-P2, E-PL1, GF1, G2, GH1


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