It's launched!

[Barney]

... but not linked to on the News board yet.

[Barney]

And also laucnhed is the new Pen website

[Manofolympus]

There's even an adapter to mount OM lenses! I knew there would be a reason to buy them.

[whistley]

For the tech specs web site click HERE

[Barney]

DPR's preview here.

[Zou]

Hmm, it does look great, and DPR's samples are very promising (although none shot with the 17mm).

[Photocracy]

Yes, it looks lovely. Out of my reach at that price but I expect it will come down. The design is an impressive fusion of retro and modern and I like its appearance very much. I especially like the retro style accessories and the zoom lens which looks like an original Pen design. I think it's a winner!

And also laucnhed is the new Pen website

Excellent!

[Lazza]

Do see a name change coming here ..... NorthernOlympus or NorthernPen maybe?

I'm also interested in how the 17mm will compare, this camera seems to have caught almost everyone's interest right now. I've got a box of OM lenses myself so the compatibility is sounding great.

[Barney]

Do see a name change coming here ..... NorthernOlympus or NorthernPen maybe?

I was thinking Northern 82% Nikon

[zuiko]

To me its a 50 year old concept thats been modernized with latest technologies and the message seems to be quality in a small package. Con would infer that the camera had the internals make up of compact in a plastic body, selling as a gimmick with sleek advertising but something that wouldn't last and at an inflated price. The forthcoming tests will reveal all.



David

[Lazza]

How typical though for us in "Rip-Off" Britain .....

On sale with 14-42mm @ Amazon.com for $799 - Amazon.co.uk - £699

So as usual we are to be stung and then some on price.

[Barney]

How typical though for us in "Rip-Off" Britain .....

If you don't like it leave.

Contrary to popular opinion, companies don't arbitrarily up the price for the UK only, goods and services cost more here for a whole number of reasons.

The RRP seems high, but I’ve not doubt that it will drop. Whether it drops quickly enough before I can resist temptation is another thing entirely.

[Learning]

To me its a 50 year old concept thats been modernized with latest technologies and the message seems to be quality in a small package. Con would infer that the camera had the internals make up of compact in a plastic body, selling as a gimmick with sleek advertising but something that wouldn't last and at an inflated price. The forthcoming tests will reveal all.



David

I'm a bit p*****d at the moment. I am not sure if you are in support or otherwise? The body is metal not plastic. It is a classy object of desire. It is an expensive luxory. It will work. It is not quite what we want but it might come close. If the image quality is up to an Oly DSLR then in spite of its shortcomings it will be a very desirable object.

[zuiko]

I was merely responding to the Editors own comment/title/topic whatever.



here

David

[Learning]

I also like the 'ever ready case' without the 'never ready front'.The front bits of my SP2 and FMn2 cases are mint but the bases are very scruffy indeed.

[Manofolympus]

I also like the 'ever ready case' without the 'never ready front'.The front bits of my SP2 and FMn2 cases are mint but the bases are very scruffy indeed.

I think it's a rather good touch though I suspect it has more to do with retro style than protection-I'm not sure I'd pick white for a "go anywhere camera". Still-at least you don't have to struggle to get it off to change films

[apian]

Hi folks,

first post and I'm going to throw a spanner in the works. Hopefully this will be taken in the spirit of open discussion as I'd be interested in your feedback.


This looks a great camera, but doubts are creeping in about the lack of an in built electronic viewfinder. I understand this is to reduce bulk and weight, but will it make the zoom lens less useable?

The optional viewfinder will cover the field of view of the 17mm pancake, but I'd choose the 14-42mm lens for landscape work, so the viewfinder won't include all of the final picture when set to 14mm (my preferred focal length for half frame). Thus I'll either be composing at arms length, which doesn't feel very stable and may be difficult in bright sunlight or I'll have to use a tripod (which reduces the advantage of a lightweight camera). Better to have a 14mm wide angle viewfinder possibly with markings to indicate 17, 25, and 42mm (if possible).

ALSO: if composing in live view as per the design I wonder how much sensor heat will be generated possibly producing noise and reducing picture quality back towards that of a run of the mill compact camera.

I'll be looking out for comments in these areas in future test reports.

[Barney]

This looks a great camera, but doubts are creeping in about the lack of an in built electronic viewfinder. I understand this is to reduce bulk and weight, but will it make the zoom lens less useable?

Who's having these doubts? If you want a camera with an EVF, get a Panasonic G1. I don't want an EVF, and the viewfinder accessory is fine for my needs.

The kit zoom is I feel targeted at those moving up from compacts who don't want a DSLR. For them viewfinders are an alien concept. The prime is more for your serious photographer seeking a large sensor in a compact design.

The optional viewfinder will cover the field of view of the 17mm pancake, but I'd choose the 14-42mm lens for landscape work, so the viewfinder won't include all of the final picture when set to 14mm (my preferred focal length for half frame).

Not really any different then to many DLSRs which don't have 100% coverage. But I'd wager that a wider prime will be released in due course, potentially along with an associated viewfinder.

Thus I'll either be composing at arms length, which doesn't feel very stable and may be difficult in bright sunlight or I'll have to use a tripod (which reduces the advantage of a lightweight camera).

Why would you be composing at arms length? What's wrong with composing as you would a camera with a viewfinder, just move it forwward slightly until you can view the screen comfortably. Far more stable.

Better to have a 14mm wide angle viewfinder possibly with markings to indicate 17, 25, and 42mm (if possible).

But then you compromise the view in the viewfinder, especially at the longer focal lengths.

ALSO: if composing in live view as per the design I wonder how much sensor heat will be generated possibly producing noise and reducing picture quality back towards that of a run of the mill compact camera.

You'd have to generate a significant amount of heat to erode the benefits of the much larger sensor, certainly I doubt if it comes anywhere near enough drop the qulaity down to traditional compact territoty.

[Zou]

IMHO, optical finder > accessory finder > no finder > EVF. No I'm not worried about the lack of EVF at all.

I would say that if I do get one, I'd be quite likely to use it for landscapes, but because it is small and light, I can carry it plus a tripod without getting overloaded. I have a Manfrotto 'digi' tripod which would be ideal for a camera like this.

[apian]

Hi NorthernNikon, thanks for your detailed reply. In answer to your question it's me who's having doubts. I am a serious photographer using a full frame DSLR at the mo' but have developed a need for a lighter camera to take backpacking that would produce landscape images acceptable to the editors who publish my photographs. Because I work quickly, moving from scene to scene, for the most part I don't use a tripod. I therefore need a camera that issuited to this role. I discounted the Sigma DP1 because it's too slow, and doesn't have a zoom. I discounted the Panny G1 as soon as I realised there was no real weight advantage over the lighter Olympus DSLRs (with larger sensors and optical viewfinders) but have been holding off getting a lighter DSLR while Olympus brought out their m4/3s camera. I use a zoom at the moment and would like to continue taking advantage of their convenience.

I think my DSLR viefinder covers 95% of the image produced, which in no way converts 28mm up to 34mm. I hardly notice the effect.

You're right I would hold the camera closer than arm's length - I just wanted to make the point and probably overstated it, though my elbows would still be out, and therefore less stable than the tucked in position when using a viewfinder.

Do you know how much "a significant amount of heat" is? I know of photographers who consider this is a significant problem, but I have no experience with live view.


Cheers Ian