Nytt dSLR fra Olympus

Olympus viser en prototype av et speilreflekskamera på årets Photokina, som etter alt å dømme vil fylle et tomrom i produktspekteret mellom E-520 og E-3.

Det nye kameraet får mange trekk som minner om E-3, ikke minst utvippbar LCD-skjerm og plassering av kontrollfuksjoner. Legg også merke til at det nye kameraet får E-3s superraske fokusssystem. Skal kameraet henge med i mellomklassen og konkurrere med Nikon D90 og Canon 50D bør det levere rundt 12 megapiksler, og det spekuleres allerede om kmaeraet vil få den samme bildebrikken som Panasonic Lumix G1. Det sies ikke noe om muligheter for videoopptak, men Olympus har tradisjon for å levere kamera med mange funksjoner, så det er lov å håpe.

Pressemelding fra Olympus:

Olympus is developing a new interchangeable lens D-SLR to expand its successful E-System line-up. The new Four Thirds System-compliant camera reinforces the company’s commitment to the standard which was specifically designed for digital SLR photography. Positioned as a mid-level model, it is intended for anyone wanting to express their creativity through photography - no matter if an amateur just starting out, or a professional with years of experience already behind them. The new camera is expected to be introduced in the first quarter of 2009.

It will be exhibited as a prototype model at photokina 2008, the world’s biggest trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries held in Cologne, Germany, running from 23 to 28 September.

At the last photokina in the autumn of 2006, Olympus declared that the next major chapter in the story of the Olympus E-System would commence in 2007. Among the highlights of this new chapter was the incorporation of "Full-time Live View" as a standard function for the first time in the industry. This added to the excitement already generated by other distinctive features of the Olympus E-System such as the "100% Digital-Dedicated Design" and "Dust Reduction System." At present, the E-System camera line-up contains models including the E-420 and E-520, as well as the flagship E-3. Each of these cameras provides D-SLR camera users with high picture quality, superior reliability and exceptional portability.

The prototype model displayed at this year's photokina is being developed as an advanced amateur model that will be positioned between the E-520 and E-3. In terms of quality and performance, however, there is nothing mid-level about this model. It will inherit all the outstanding features of the E-3 such as the high-speed AF system using an 11-point full twin-cross sensor and the built-in image stabilisation mechanism with a correction effect of up to 5 EV steps*. Other highlights will include a new and updated feature to replace the current splash and dustproof function of the E-3.

With the introduction of this new E-System camera, Olympus will expand its range of Four Thirds System-compliant D-SLR cameras, providing a wider range of choices to a wider range of users - from serious amateurs to professionals. Olympus anticipates its release in the first quarter of 2009.

Launch date First quarter of 2009