First M4/3 camera designs

[farnz]

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Hmm ... I'd noticed the "W" above the On/Off button and assumed it stood for the wide end of the zoom control but now I'm not so sure. Actually not sure what it's there for at all. (And, yes, I realise it's pure fiction. )

 

Pete.

[Guest malland]

Yup, the lack of an optical viewfinder would make it a dealbreaker for me.

It's odd...one of the most common complaints I have from customers with LCD only cameras is that they would definitely want a viewfinder in their future cameras.

This is just more proof that the manufacturers don't listen...THEY KNOW BEST!?

What you refer to is indeed a common complaint, but many people prefer using the LCD for framing and having the option of using an external viewfinder. With my Ricoh GRD2 I find that framing with the LCD has lead to a "looser" shooting style, which I value: I only use the LCD for roughly establishing the edges of the shot and look directly at the subject, not at the LCD, when pressing the shutter. Ricoh has explained that when they designed the original GRD did not want to include an internal viewfinder as they had on their GR1/GR21 film cameras because that type of optical viewfinder was necessarily of lower quality, owing to lack of sufficient space in the camera, than an external viewfinder. I agree and feel that in shooting with these digital cameras one is well served by approaching the experience with an open mind rather than trying to use the same approach that one had with film cameras.

 

Bangkok | Ricoh GRD2 | ISO 400

 

—Mitch/Potomac, MD

Flickr: Mitch Alland's Photostream

[Riley]

Yup, the lack of an optical viewfinder would make it a dealbreaker for me.

It's odd...one of the most common complaints I have from customers with LCD only cameras is that they would definitely want a viewfinder in their future cameras.

This is just more proof that the manufacturers don't listen...THEY KNOW BEST!?

 

the first question you have to ask yourself is, where will you get this camera and OVF, who makes it?

while you think of that, just how do you make an interchangeable lens camera that caters for a variety of lenses.

 

Traditionally the SLR resolved this dilemma, but now we find that digital SLRs have grown in size way above the original film counterparts. Losing the mirrorbox and the amount of register it imposes provides a quick 20mm width reduction and a 20mm length reduction, yet the VF issue still needs to be resolved. At least the EVF would resolve that and provide 100% frame view for 3x2, 4x3 and 16x9, as well as a host of other innovations.

[mooky]

Well they may be fake images, but the idea of a supplementary slip on electric viewfinder is intriguing. Just from the standpoint of design and ergonomics - if the quality was really good it at least makes one wonder just how far off the idea is.....

[Fotogo]

That guys good !

[mjh]

Hmm ... I'd noticed the "W" above the On/Off button and assumed it stood for the wide end of the zoom control but now I'm not so sure. Actually not sure what it's there for at all.

If you look at a real Panasonic, the LX3 for example, you see a similar lever integrated with the shutter release button. It’s a zoom lever, thus the “W” and “T” markings. The artist behind these rendered images appropriated this lever for switching between landscape and portrait orientation, but for some reason left the now pointless “W” marking in place, while the corresponding “T” appears to be gone. It isn’t really consistent though as the markings for the playback zoom are still there – if it’s a a two-position switch, it cannot do double duty as a zoom lever, even for playback zoom.

[ronaldh]

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I quite agree. I'd rather have a smaller LCD (say 1.8" or 2") on a compact camera like the Ricoh GRD or Panasonic LX3 if it means they can then squeeze in a viewfinder on the camera itself. The VF on my GRD keeps getting snagged in my bag.

 

The GRD ll has a much smaller viewfinder than the GRD and Ricoh sell a slipcase for the camera with the v/f fitted - though of course it is more pocketable and ready for use without the case.

[earleygallery]

There was an article in last weeks BJP about the new cameras. It made reference to a slip on EVF finder, also that the micro system is not open and only Panasonic and Olympus would produce products for it - they said there was no comment from Leica if they would have any involvement at all.

[Riley]

from an interview with Ogawa Haruo, originally published in Japanese by DC Watch

yƒCƒ“ƒ^ƒrƒ…[zƒIƒŠƒ“ƒpƒX‚É•·‚­gƒ}ƒCƒNƒƒtƒH[ƒT[ƒY"‚Ì‘_‚¢

 

DCW: The 4/3 standard started as an open lens-mount standard, but how will the M4/3 standard be treated?

 

OGAWA: Already five years have passed since we first announced FourThirds, and our corporate stance toward digital cameras has become settled. Panasonic aggressively stepped forward and so we jointly made the M4/3 standard. But when many items have to be negotiated between individual corporations, the pace of advance slows down, so we can’ t do this with any company that isn’t aggressive about it. In that sense, it’s different from before. We’re still canvassing for partners, but it won’t be a completely open standard.

[earleygallery]

Reading between the lines seems that there won't be a micro Leica version. I wonder what the terms of the licence are for Panasonic to use the Leica branding on their lenses? Seems unlikely that they'd want to lose the cachet for their new camera but also unlikely Leica would want micro 4/3 lenses if they don't have a camera for them..........

[Riley]

i dont agree James, if it were a closed shop they would say so.

 

I think they are either attempting to attract another bidder, or are in negotiation over the same. Really just a few candidates, Leica, Fuji have something Panasonic want, and Sigma is another potential contributor, though less likely.

 

Fuji imaging is claimed to be in somewhat of a mess, and Nikon are negotiating picking up the pieces, meanwhile Fuji's sensor wafers are now being fabed offshore by a third party. Panasonic could both use Fuji's Super CCD license or the wafer business for their new plant coming online in Aug 09. Panasonic have more of a co-operative nature than Nikon's winner take all approach, so Fuji just might be tempted.