| Iloca |
| (Unregistered at user's request) |
| 22/09/2008 14:29 |
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Re: Another Oly Announcement
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Clearly we're not going to agree on this one for a variety of reasons but I'll try to explain myself.
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Hmmmm - the bits you say you need are the bits I'm glad it's missing, and the bits I would personally call toylike - EVF and a built-in flash.
Personally I don't mind the absence of a pop-up flash but for someone coming from a compact or as an alternative to a compact I think it's a must.
Regarding the EVF, well I posted my thoughts on viewfinders in relation to m4/3rds on another forum, I'll copy it in at the end.
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It looks to me as thought it may have enough controls from the back and top views, assuming that round dial to be something useful. That's the side where I'm reserving judgement - I think it'll be more XA than XA2, TBH.
It depends again how the controls are accessed, it looks too menu driven for my liking, XA/XA2 it doesn't make much difference to me personally, I don't like that kind of thing.
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The Panasonic does nothing for me at all, though - it seems to be a complete waste of time and is very much what you and others were suggesting - aimed solidly at compact owners with no interest in DSLRs.
Firstly I don't agree with the comment "you and others" I think what I expected and what I wanted were vastly different, I'm not sure I 'wanted' what others suggested as quite a few were based on wild flights of fancy.
No looking at the spec of the G1 it could with a few limitations perform pretty much as a DSLR, it has sufficient controls and the EVF while not being as good (I assume) as an OVF on an SLR does offer some interesting IMO benefits, live histogram, live view of the effects of shutter/aperture changes, overlay of a wealth of shooting information and of course VF size isn't dictated by sensor size. I think the G1 is aimed at Bridge camera users, those who are familiar with advanced control options (compared to a compact) but don't want something as big as a DSLR while still wanting to be able to change lenses.
Olympus appear to be aiming at those currently using compacts but who would like a bigger sensor, Panasonic appear to be aiming a Bridge owners who want to swap lenses (and benefit from a larger sensor)
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I hate the term Pancake, whats the proper name
There isn't one - it's Pancake, really.
Now that is disappointing
Form Function & Viewfinders
There seems to be some difference of opinion when it comes to the design of the G1 and the various forms of viewfinder that could/should be employed in the new m4/3rds series. The mock-ups were asthetically pleasing but neither featured an EVF. Clearly there has to be a viewfinder, they will not rely solely on the LCD for framing/composition so..........
As I see it there are 4 options (5 if you consider no viewfinder as an option)
a. Built in EVF
b. Hotshoe mounted EVF
c. Built in OVF
d. Hotshoe mounted OVF
In my view options c & d are out, they offer no advantage over an EVF, in fact they have considerable disadvantages that I won't go into.
The leaves options a & b, an EVF either built in or hot shoe mounted.
Personally I see little or no advantage in opting for a hotshoe mounted EVF other than making the camera more asthetically attractive when it isn't fitted. If it isn't fitted you either need to attach it prior to shooting or you frame on the LCD, if you keep it attached it's no more compact (probably less so) than a fixed EVF but much more fragile.
IMO the only practical option is a fixed EVF but there are various ways to execute the design, it could easily be done after the style of the E-300/330, DMC-L1 with a completley flat top design or the EVF and Pop-Up flash could be housed on the L/H side with the controls placed on the R/H side, a la Voigtlander Bessa. Of course this won't make the camera any more compact than the existing G1, the box size is likely to remain the same. Regarding the G1, neither the EVF/Flash Hump or the grip add to the effective size of the camera once a lens is fitted, even the 25mm?? prime lens will extend beyond the grip & EVF/Flash*
*The part of the EVF/Flash that extends beyond the lens mount.
I don't see a way to make an m4/3rds camera much more compact than the G1 while keeping the EVF so is it really down to 'style', is the G1 seen as not being 'Serious/Pro' looking and too much like a Bridge camera? If it resembled a rangefinder would it be more appealing to serious photographers even if it was in reality no smaller?
In my case if I'm honest I'd prefer more 'Serious' styling