the new digilux-2 is here and is a REFLEX!

[Beniliam]

The sensor is the same that Olympus introduce in the E330 with 7.5 mpx. Its a panasonic sensor. I read that its not much better than the E500 sensor. At 800 - 1600 - 3200 is very noised compared to Canon - Minolta cameras

 

[Socke]

It is basically an E330 in panasonic guise with some manual controls (much better IMHO).
Gid

And it looks much better, at leas from the front.

 

[Traut]

So we get rid of the mirrprs and prisms and substitute a viewfinder with some selectable frames and we're close.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Sigh, someday maybe we can have small fast lenses for the smaller digital sensors. But for the moment, nobody seems to care. It's like we're stuck in the p&s lens wars of the 1990's again.

I wonder if market research indicates that larger, more "professional" appearing cameras sell better? I use a little Sony DSC-V1 which I like well enough; I noticed that Sony replaced it with a DSC-V3 and the features were not all that impressive but they made the camera larger and more "SLR" like in appearance. It went from a camera you can slip in your pocket to one you would have to case or hang around your neck.

 

[vincentbenoit]

Why only that massive zoom lens ?

Compact Leica 4/3 system mount 17mm f/2 and 25 f/1.4 lenses with MF and aperture rings would have have really sparked things off.

My thoughts, exactly...

Vincent

 

[grantray]

If there is a Nikon mount adapter, I'd still have to give it a hard look. As in, how it would look, (and work), with a new Zeiss ZF lens mounted on it...

If such an adapter exists, I'd dump my D2 in a heartbeat!

-grant

 

[sunsworth]

"Why only that massive zoom lens ? "

Because that's the only one that Panasonic wanted to make?

Steve

 

[aizan]

If there is a Nikon mount adapter, I'd still have to give it a hard look. As in, how it would look, (and work), with a new Zeiss ZF lens mounted on it...

If such an adapter exists, I'd dump my D2 in a heartbeat!

-grant

say no more!

http://www.cameraquest.com/adapt_olyE1.htm

anyhow, i'm not very interested in the camera. basically like the e-330. it's good news though that it has a shallow grip...maybe it suggests better use with small lenses. =)

the lens would be great on an e-1, though. mike johnston must be drooling. and yes, the o.i.s. will work.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/pma2006/Olympus/

 

[photogdave]

I'm happy for those who invested in the 4/3 system early on. They will now be rewarded with many more lens and camera choices.
On the other hand, I'm a little perplexed that Pansonic/Leica are fetting into that format when they (and other companies) are promoting the "widescreen" capabilities of their compact cameras. With so many digital shooters displaying their images on computer monitors and HD TVs instead of making prints, is this wise?
I've shot with the E-1 and the higher end ED lenses and it's a fantastic DSLR system, but the 4/3 format doesn't do it for me - I like to go wide!

 

[vincentbenoit]

Hey guys

This is Rangefinder Forum. Who cares for a digital SLR with a tiny sensor and a massive zoom lens? Go drool on dpreview... 😉

Vincent

 

[humanized_form]

i think 4/3 does have the potential to become a great compromise sensor size for the digicam market. the smaller sensor could provide a point of differentiation between a manufacturers digicam and dslr cameras which would still feature their proprietary lens mounts.

so far sony is the only company pushing a large sensor digicam and i think this is because they do not yet have a dslr to sell and compete with/against.

the olympus e330 and the new panasonic are interesting. though i want the digital M! maybe Leica will show it under glass. a little tease.

 

[aizan]

http://imaging-resource.com/EVENTS/PMAS06/PMAS06VIDEO.HTML

the venus iii engine can process chrominance and luminance noise separately. 😀

 

[Chaser]

Ok now imagine the 4/3 sensor in a panasonic digi RF made to compliment the new digital M. 1.33 crop alongside 2x crop and it would make a very versital system that allows 16mm eqiv to possibly 270mm equiv or 180mm or 150mm depending on the possible focus accuracy. hmm would be awesome.

 

[Trius]

Guys: The real importance of this is twofold ...

1. The Vario Elmar in 4/3s mount. I assume there will be other Leica lenses in Panasonic's lineup. You can use them on any E-series body, including the E-330, which is different because...

2. The E-330 will have a hinged, highly maneuverable LCD with Live View. Hence, it will provide more flexible shooting for situations such as macro, over the crowd, candid, etc.

The porro-prism design makes the two-sensor capability possible, hence the "live view" capability.

The only things lacking in the E-330 and the Panasonic, IMO, are weather sealing (available in the E-1) and image stabilisation. I can live without both, but if Olympus (or Panasonic) comes up with both in an SLR (or RF!) design, it will be killer.

The other thing I note is that the Panasonic marketing blurb says the camer is designed along the lines of an analog camera. Now THAT is interesting.

I've been intrigued by the E-330 (not yet shipping AFAIK), considering getting it to use with OM primes before splashing out for a digital-specific lens. With this announcement, there's another line of lenses coming on stream. Yowza.

 

[yossarian]

Say what? OK, I didn't read every post in detail. The Panasonic L1 does not replace the Leica Digilux 2. Leica was not involved in the camera body design, but Olympus was, making the L1 and E330 brothers under the skin. Sigma is making available
five more of their existing lenses in 4/3 mount. It is believed Leica may make more
lenses in the 4/3 mount as well, but the company has made no statement either way
about a Leica brand 4/3 camera. Presumably the new 14-50 is made in Japan by--who knows? And as I stated in another thread, the Digital M probably won't surface
before photokina.

 

[Trius]

photogdave: Olympus makes some very good wide lenses for the 4/3s bodies, while others have problems with wide lenses. I don't understand your concern. Not cheap, but the 7-14 is repudtedly quite nice.

vincent: we're thinking a 4/3 sensor will be in an RF any day now...

 

[vha]

Hmm .. I really should stop reading this and do as planned, start saving to plane tickets .. but I´m not sure going to Buenos Aires is good for the GAS either, too many 2nd hand stores there, and Ernesto have probably found some more since last time.

Think it´s a good idea to start looking for a scissor so i can cut the internet connection 😉

It´s a hard life.

vha

 

[gustav[] pEña]

I think I know whats gonna happen. Leica is going to make their own version plus an adapter to mount R lenses.

Leica is going to own an autofocus line for the first time.


gustav[]

 

[gustav[] pEña]

Mmmm. I imagen mysef buyng the olympus om adpater from camaraquest and a beutifull om 28mm f2.8 for $150 and the DMC-L1 body. How much it will be $2500 total?

 

[grantray]

I bought my D2 NEW for $1600 from KBcamera. I highly doubt the the new body alone will run that much. Let's be honest. This camera is still no 5D or 20D. More likely, that Leica lens will be the REAL dent in the pocket.

-grant