High Tech Lounge » Olympus

SZ-20 and SZ-30MR ultrazoom and Tough TG-810 cameras from Olympus

adina — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:30:04 +0000

Three new cameras have been brought by Olympus at its CP+ exposition and have been presented just in the wake of this event. Two of them, the SZ-20 and SZ-30MR have 16-megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensors, which are low-light friendly and at the same time capable of performing shooting videos at 1,080 pixels. The SZ-30MR camera is equipped with dual processors and is able to record full-quality photos and video at the same time, at different resolutions, whether using image filters or not.

The dual processing ism not the only difference between the two cameras, they also differ in their lens performance. While the SZ-30MR can shoot at 24× zoom (25-600mm), the SZ-20 has a 12.5× lens (24-300mm) and a single processor that allows it shoot in a more portable body. A three-inch preview LCD is a standard for both cameras, as well as a sensitivity range ISO 80 to 3,200 and official Eye-Fi card support. Similar to other models already presented this year, the new cameras are able to offer pseudo-3D by simply stitching together two shots which make the stereoscopic effect.

The Tough TG-810 is the new flagship rugged camera. It still uses a 5× lens (28-140mm) which allows it shooting at 14 megapixels but, compared to the recently arrived TG-610, is able to take larger drops of 6.5 feet (versus five) and also can take up to 220 pounds of pressure. The TG-810 captures 720-pixel video and artificial 3D equally. It is equipped with the same 920,000-pixel LCD, three-inch large, to get previews.

Details of the launch have only been given for the United Kingdom so far. The TG-810 is expected to be ready in late March and would cost £270 ($440 equivalent) including tax. The new SZ models would be ready in late April and would start at £220 ($359 equivalent) for the SZ-20 and £300 ($489 equivalent) for the SZ-30MR. The majority of Olympus cameras reaches the United States and could have lower prices.

Sigma plans a mirror-less camera with interchangeable lenses

adina — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:05:18 +0000

The camera and lens maker Sigma plans to produce a mirrorless camera provided with interchangeable lenses in the future. This information has been given by the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Kazuto Yamaky. He has revealed the new camera will be equipped with the home-made Foveon sensors. Sigma would consider producing lenses for the Micro Four Thirds cameras out on the market. Prime lenses are very popular for this category, but Yamaki believes that future demand will address zoom lenses.

Photo enthusiasts are the main buyers of Micro Four Thirds cameras, but zoom lenses will be more sought once the market share of the cameras increases. Sigma is currently building lenses for full-frame and APS-C cameras. The company will wait to see if the demand for micro four thirds lenses is important enough before committing to a specific lens model.

Micro Four Thirds cameras are produced by both Panasonic and Panasonic and Olympus, with the GF1 and E-P1, respectively, as their most important examples. The top-level entry for Samsung is the NX10 and Sony has also expressed its interest in this format.

Budget alternative to the Olympus E-P1 camera

adina — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:43:37 +0000

The rumoured Olympus camera is supposed to be a low-cost alternative to the E-P1, according to a leak. The 4/3 Rumors reveals that the device would have a plastic body and would cost less than the genuine retro Micro Four Thirds camera. It would feature the same 12-megapixel sensor like the E-P1, but also the faster auto focus of the E-P2 as well as a “hot” and new feature.

A leaked photo posted on an Asian forum shows the camera with a 14-42mm kit lens, but it is very likely that the new version of the device would use a new lens, in order to make possible a lower price. The naming convention would be changed into a double-digit E-Pxx scheme for a clear separation of the new camera from its higher-end relatives.

No release date is given to the public, but the new camera would not ship earlier than the beginning of this month. The E-P1 has normally a price of $800 and therefore the new model is expected to cost $700 or less.

The E-P2 camera from Olympus is coming to stores

adina — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:37:45 +0000

The Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus, considered an improvement of the E-P1, began to ship under the name E-P2. It brings aperture and shutter control, as well as continuous autofocus in 720-pixel movie recording. The E-P2 has new software filters, a more detailed electronic viewfinder and a stereo microphone adapter.

The camera is priced at $1,099 and is selling through Amazon, for the version with bundled VF-2 viewfinder. The same price applies to the 14-42mm version meant for average photographers and to the 17mm pancake lens meant for users ready to give up zoom for a wider aperture and portability. The 14-42mm Olympus E-P2 camera version is already available for selling.

Olympus E-P2 Finally Unveiled

adina — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:33:56 +0000

As promised, Olympus has released the E-P2, a second-generation Micro Four Thirds camera. This camera is rather a refinement of the original idea than a real successor of the E-P1 camera. Lack of viewfinder and built-in flash were generating most complaints from the customers. There is still no integrated flash, but the 12.3-megapixel E-P2 device adds motion-track auto focusing that allows better following of the subject across the frame, maybe the most important improvement. There is manual control of the aperture and shutter speed. A new VF-2 electronic viewfinder providing a 1.44-megapixel image is a big step forward compared to the previous version. It also allows 1.15× magnification with any attached lens and 100 percent coverage. This accessory port of the new camera allows a microphone adapter for a stereo microphone attachment. CEC support is added to the HDMI video output and is controllable by a compatible TV remote. The E-P2 is in black version only.

Olympus has also launched new Micro Four Thirds lenses working with both E-P cameras. A super wide 9-18-milimeter (an 18-36-millimeter film equivalent) f4.0-5.6 lens will enable a wide-angle zoom lens for the mounting system; a super zoom 14-150-millimeter (a 28-300-millimeter equivalent) f4.0-5.6 lens will give users the alternative to Panasonic’s telephoto-ranged lens. The lenses will not ship until the first half of 2010 and pricing will not be available until nearer launches.

The kits containing the 14-42-millimeter f3.5-5.6 lens or the17-millimeter lens will equally cost $1,100. What is even better is that the E-P1 camera will be cheaper this way, its actual price being $750 with a lens.

The camera comes with iEnhance, a mode that boosts the color saturation for pictures seeming unusually dull. Live Art Filter image effects include a Cross Process mode flipping color values for surreal look and a Diorama mode simulating the narrow depth of field.

Olympus New Camera, Probably E-P2, Next Week

adina — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:08:28 +0000

A teaser page from Olympus PEN is already counting down to a launch on November 6th for a new camera, probably being called E-P2. Some pictures of the new camera have leaked and it seems to be a lot alike the E-P1 on the outside but is black coloured and has the option of a stereo microphone attachment and an electronic viewfinder.

On the inside is supposed to be changed also, because many complaints where addressed to the slow auto focus speed. Resolution and image quality are also subject to changes. The existing E-P1 has a 12-megapixel sensor with 720-pixel movie recording, as well as with stereo audio. Lack of viewfinder and built-in flash were reasons for dissatisfaction for many customers.

Other complaints were about the camera’s price. E-P1 is currently selling at $800 and some people think that this price is too high for the performance. This new camera is supposed to be available before the end of this year.