Digital Minilux/CM is upon us?

[Ruhayat]

Or, at least, the technology to make it in a 4/3 format has arrived:

Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | Benefits of Micro Four Thirds

Even better, according to the joint press release from Olympus and Panasonic, this new compact system will allow interchangeable lenses! Give me 21mm and 40mm pancake lenses and I'm all set!

[FastFashnReloaded]

Originally Posted by Ruhayat

Or, at least, the technology to make it in a 4/3 format has arrived:

Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | Benefits of Micro Four Thirds

Even better, according to the joint press release from Olympus and Panasonic, this new compact system will allow interchangeable lenses! Give me 21mm and 40mm pancake lenses and I'm all set!

Don't tell the Marys, some of them on here are sure that this means doom, DOOM, for all but the CaNikon survivors who will now run the entire world. Doom!

I'm quite interested in this system myself. Would like to see a modern equivalent of a Contax G1/G2 for digital.

[Ruhayat]

I'm curious: why wouldn't they like it? It seems a good compromise to me, a compact camera about the size of my Ricoh GRD but with substantially better image quality AND interchangeable lenses (I have the 21mm and 40mm lens attachments for the GRD, which are good quality, but they make the camera too bulky). And then Leica can make a full-frame M for the rest.

I've tried a friend's Oly 310 with pancake lens and it was good but not nearly compact enough. My trouser pockets are not that big, dammit, and I live near the equator so we don't have jacket pockets.

[Ruhayat]

Ah. Never mind, I have just found "that" thread. I guess I'm ONLY 5 days late to the party.

Anyway. I think I see the problem. Most people here probably don't shoot primarily with small-sensor cameras; I do. Hence we're coming from opposite directions -- while people who are used to M's can only see the limitations, I see only strengths, because this new system is far better quality and flexible than what small-sensor afficionados are used to. It's why I'm excited about the possible opportunities it will open for me.

There's a place for large format cameras -- it's why I just ditched my D-Lux 3 for a Nikon D80 and am already saving up to get a D700. But those big sensor cameras will be used for work. As a hobbyist tool, I'd much rather have a small camera in my trouser pocket in the streets, where I tend to do my photography for pleasure.

To each his own, I guess. But I have to say it again, though: bring on the digital CM!

[stunsworth]

Leica have had their fingers burnt with the D3, I can't see them returning for a second bite at the poisonous, for them, cherry.

I expect a smaller range finder, but I'd also expect it to be built on existing technology - if for no other reason than the fact it'll already have been several months in development.

[Ruhayat]

Yes, it's too bad about the D3. But Leica did quite well with the original CL/Minilux, and Ricoh and Sigma continue to do well with their 'pro' compacts, so I'd guess the market for serious small cameras are perhaps bigger than the one for a Leica-branded SLR.

They shouldn't have made the D2 replacement an SLR in the first place -- just stick a 4/3 sensor in the D2 (or the slightly bigger and heavier D3, if they must) casing, update the resolution to 8MP and be done with it. Now THAT would have been a D3 I would have bought...

I was at an event last week and I still get too many interested queries about my D2, even after I have completely covered the silver bits with black tape. It can get annoying and distracting. On the other hand, whenever I whip out my little GRD, no one cares. Bliss.