Olympus micro 4/3 retro concept

[Piarco]

It's stunning!



I've been toying with the idea of getting a fairly powerful compact RAW shooter for those occasions that I don't require/need my D300 yet I want more performance than my compact can offer, so the idea of micro 4/3 was intruiging.

So far I haven't been impressed by the offerings, all seem to be of a near-DSLR size, and nowhere near pocketable. Enter this Olympus gem.

A small, pocketable, micro-4/3 camera with interchangeable lenses? Combined with fantastic retro looks? Yes please!

Couple it with a hotshoe based viewfinder and I'll be very happy. No sign of an inbuilt flash, but it is only a concept after all. I'd sign up for one in a heartbeat, and I hope this goes beyond the concept stage - and that the finished article looks as good!

I'll be putting my Canon G9 plans on hold for the time being...

 

[Westside guy]

I totally agree. The Olympus prototype finally gets to the point where IMO this whole m4/3 idea needs to go.

Here's the DPreview news item, to supplement what Piarco posted.

 

[Phrasikleia]

This is an exciting time for digital cameras. Things have changed dramatically from May, when I was last in the market. People moving up from PnS cameras now have to do some serious homework and soulsearching!

 

[CrackedButter]

I'm selling my Contax G2 in order to bag myself one of these later in the year, I'm too impatient to work with film now and would love one of these.

 

[miloblithe]

Looks very cool. This is what I immediately thought of when reading about the micro 4/3 system when it was announced. This looks about as interesting as the Panasonic G1 looks uninteresting.

 

[Yoursh]

When I first heard of the Micro standard, this is was the style I was thinking. It'll be interesting to see as more models are released. Perhaps the varying designs will help with overall acceptance of the format.

 

[spyker3292]

I want one! Then I can use my E-510's lenses with it (with an adapter of course). Good deal (just what's the price ).

Even if it's just a concept I hope they release something just like this very very soon. Looks amazing.

 

[ChrisA]

It looks good

The first thing I noticed about the silly G1 was th fake pentaprism. If there is no optical viewfinder why the pointy looking thing on top?. I'm sure it's only purpose is so the camera will look like an SLR.

This new camera is better but still is is styled to look like a device meant to hold two spools of film. Why even do that? My ideal "micro 4/3" camera would look a lot more like a rear lens cap, just this little gadget you screw on the end of your lens. Ok it has to have space for some controls, but make it shaped to fit the hands, not a box.

All of the classic designs like the SLR or the rangfinder are designed around a 35mm film transport that has two film spools that are parallel and aligned with the film plane. We no longer need this. Camera makers have preserved this shape simply sotheir digital cameras will look familiar to us

Still this looks good. The new Lieca M8.2 looks good too and is about the same size and has likely beter IQ but at 10X the price. I could see myself buying one of these after Oly fills out the line with more bodies and lenses.

 

[Phrasikleia]

...My ideal "micro 4/3" camera would look a lot more like a rear lens cap, just this little gadget you screw on the end of your lens. Ok it has to have space for some controls, but make it shaped to fit the hands, not a box...Camera makers have preserved this shape simply sotheir digital cameras will look familiar to us

People tend not to like cameras that look nothing like cameras. Those early, swiveling Agfa and Casio cameras are a case in point. Didn't do so well. I think there were some other brands that suffered from the same problem in the early days of digital photography. I'll be surprised if we see any radical camera designs anytime soon.

 

[taylorwilsdon]

I love it. I'm not sure if I dig the textured leather (almost wood grainey?) stripe but overall this is what I've always wanted - a digital rangefinder, a small body (canon a1, nikon fe) that takes multiple lenses.

I'll almost certainly be purchasing one.

 

[cutsman]

That is a VERY cool camera! My jaw dropped when I saw it... compact, changeable lenses, good looks! If the price is right... i can see it being a great compact camera for when I don't want to lug around my D50 + lenses.

The best part is it matches my Polaroid SX-70!

 

[Mr. G4]

It looks good
The first thing I noticed about the silly G1 was th fake pentaprism. If there is no optical viewfinder why the pointy looking thing on top?. I'm sure it's only purpose is so the camera will look like an SLR.

Indeed this mock-up camera looks good. As for the G1, Panasonic said that according to their study in Japan people want the look and feel of and DSLR however with a smaller size...that is why they can up with the G serie.

Without a doubt this new Olympus micro4/3rd would be a killer when it come out.

 

[gnd]

The first thing I noticed about the silly G1 was th fake pentaprism. If there is no optical viewfinder why the pointy looking thing on top?. I'm sure it's only purpose is so the camera will look like an SLR.

What pointy looking thing on top? You mean the pointy thing that looks like a flash mount? I think the purpose of that thing on top is to mount the flash.

 

[Abstract]

So far I haven't been impressed by the offerings, all seem to be of a near-DSLR size, and nowhere near pocketable.

What other offerings? There's one, and it hasn't even been released yet.

If there were 50 models out there, and none of them impressed you, then that would be a concern. m4/3rds hasn't had time to disappoint. There's one model announced so far.

 

[butterfly0fdoom]

What pointy looking thing on top? You mean the pointy thing that looks like a flash mount? I think the purpose of that thing on top is to mount the flash.

No, the thing under the flash mount. The part that protrudes a la an SLR (or an ultrazoom, even). That's really unnecessary on the G, but I guess it does a good job of giving the G1 a mini-SLR look. Although I think a rangefinder look would've been cooler.

 

[Piarco]

What other offerings? There's one, and it hasn't even been released yet.

If there were 50 models out there, and none of them impressed you, then that would be a concern. m4/3rds hasn't had time to disappoint. There's one model announced so far.

But I can be unimpressed by the implementation of the announced model can't I??

To see a DSLR styled micro 4/3rds be released was the opposite direction I thought the idea would go in...

I totally agree. The Olympus prototype finally gets to the point where IMO this whole m4/3 idea needs to go.

Here's the DPreview news item, to supplement what Piarco posted.

Agreed, and thanks for the extra info and pics - nice to see a good shot of the rear. Not as attractive as up front, but there is time yet...

 

[147798]

The only issue with the Oly is it's a prototype. It took Sigma more than a year between announcement and delivery of the DP1. Granted, Oly might be quicker, but I still don't think it's coming out by year's end, and maybe not till next summer or so.

 

[Lone Deranger]

That's very cool. Though I'd much rather see them do a digital version of the original OM-1, which is without a doubt the coolest looking camera ever designed.
Of course it should have interchangeable support for the original Zuiko lenses. I'd pay a small fortune for that.

 

[tony-in-japan]

Interesting opinions from different sites...

Well, it is interesting hearing comments from here about the new Oly mock and from those in Dpreview.

Here it seems people appreciate the retro-styling and compact-form. On Dpreview, there are many seasoned-4/3-users who are deeply disappointed it does not have an EVF and are (amusingly for me) throwing their toys out of their prams! Oh, the drama!

I think with readers here being mac users, there is an appreciation of style and aesthetics, while on Dpreview they tend to be more tech-heads and couldn’t care less about the colour and metallic finish!

Anyway, I did some photoshop work on seeing how this mock would look in different colours. The tan just doesn’t do it for me.

 

[tony-in-japan]

I like this view...

This is my fave view. Notice the blue banding on the lens just like on their Zuiko lenses -- to me a sign of glass that rocks!

 

[Piarco]

Anyway, I did some photoshop work on seeing how this mock would look in different colours. The tan just doesn’t do it for me.

I don't mind the tan that much, but you just got me sold on the dark brown or black... mmmmmmmmmmmm baby they look sweet! If the spec is up to the same standard as the looks I'll be a happy camper!

 

[CrackedButter]

Well, it is interesting hearing comments from here about the new Oly mock and from those in Dpreview.

Here it seems people appreciate the retro-styling and compact-form. On Dpreview, there are many seasoned-4/3-users who are deeply disappointed it does not have an EVF and are (amusingly for me) throwing their toys out of their prams! Oh, the drama!

I think with readers here being mac users, there is an appreciation of style and aesthetics, while on Dpreview they tend to be more tech-heads and couldn’t care less about the colour and metallic finish!

Anyway, I did some photoshop work on seeing how this mock would look in different colours. The tan just doesn’t do it for me.

You must be the same Tony-in-Japan! I did ask you on DPreview but you didn't answer back.

Anyway, I like this concept and I think you're right, there is too much whining over on dp, its silly. Anyway I can't tell from the pics how big these cameras are but like I said before I would like to replace my Contax G2 (the body of the G2 is bigger than the E420!) with one of these. I just hope the lens selection is full of lovely little primes.

I was thinking (because they were moaning over at dp) that they will release a consumer version and then a bigger version with more features for the pro? Who knows.

 

[tinfai]

I'm selling my Contax G2 in order to bag myself one of these later in the year, I'm too impatient to work with film now and would love one of these.

The G2 is a great camera and part of a very unique and useful system. Think carefully before ridding yourself of this beauty. It's never fun to re-purchase a camera which you thought you could live without.

 

[tinfai]

Well, it is interesting hearing comments from here about the new Oly mock and from those in Dpreview.

Here it seems people appreciate the retro-styling and compact-form. On Dpreview, there are many seasoned-4/3-users who are deeply disappointed it does not have an EVF and are (amusingly for me) throwing their toys out of their prams! Oh, the drama!

I think with readers here being mac users, there is an appreciation of style and aesthetics, while on Dpreview they tend to be more tech-heads and couldn’t care less about the colour and metallic finish!

Anyway, I did some photoshop work on seeing how this mock would look in different colours. The tan just doesn’t do it for me.

I like your first rendition, with the black trim. It reminds me of one of my favorite small film cameras of all times -- the Leica Minilux. I've been pining for a digital version of the Minilux or CL for so long. The Olympus mock-up has great aesthetics compared to the Panny G1. Olympus might finally have the answer. *fingers crossed*

 

[tony-in-japan]

Apologies...

You must be the same Tony-in-Japan! I did ask you on DPreview but you didn't answer back.

Sorry CrackedButter for not answering you on DP. I did not read that post.

What is your name on DP? Must be different to CrackedButter.

Anyway, ‘Oh it’s a small (internet) world, isn’t it!!’

Anyway I can't tell from the pics how big these cameras are but like I said before I would like to replace my Contax G2 (the body of the G2 is bigger than the E420!) with one of these. I just hope the lens selection is full of lovely little primes.

I saw the size specs somewhere... anyway, it IS small! Much smaller than the Sigma DP1 I heard. But the size of this mock is, in my opinion, designed for primes and small lenses. It is obvious Pana’s G1, with hand grip, is more suited to zooms and superzooms. Good product distinction that is necessary for them to attract difference market audiences.

I was thinking (because they were moaning over at dp) that they will release a consumer version and then a bigger version with more features for the pro? Who knows.

I think it is inevitable for them to go for a higher-spec version that can attract the pro-user looking for a compact back-up. Olympus would be crazy not to go for this market! Then they could attract Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony FF DSLR users to come aboard (without making them betray their brand faithfulness) and discover the world of Zuikos.

But first things first, it is natural for them to aim their first m4/3 at the non-pro consumer.