And finally the true strength of the 4/3 system is realized… Just in case there’s anyone who *hasn’t* heard about it yet (my RSS reader already had about 15 articles on it!) Olympus has finally announced their first MFT camera, the e-p1, in a unmistakable homage to the PEN series of old. To me, this is what the 4/3 system should have been from the beginning. high-quality, interchangeable lenses, supercompact body. To me, this is more of a “digital rangefinder” than the Leica M8 (dons flame-retardant suit and hides from the leica-o-philes).
check out the size comparison next to the e-420 *already* the smallest dSLR on the market. 
All the usual goodies are checked, HD video, 12mp (reasonable for 4/3 sensor – glad they didn’t push it), a multi-apect sensor (very cool! – it shoots 1×1! square love!), yadda yadda yadda… The dual control wheel setup is unusual, but I could see myself liking it…
for the full rundown, check dpreviews hands-on preview.
and some more sample photos over at PhotographyBlog.com
Honestly, it’s hard to overstate my excitement at this camera. I’m not all that much of a “gearhead”, but when something like this comes along it’s just like “wow, that’s exactly what I’ve always wanted in a picture making tool”
4 Comments
I’m really excited too! This is the way all the compact cameras should be going!
Alas, the multiaspect sensor that the GH1 has is not found on this camera. It shoots native 3:4, any other aspect ratio is obtained by cropping, i.e. losing pixels. I think the GH1 sensor is a great idea and really hoped Olympus would include it in this camera.
Expect it to appear in the E-P2 in order to drive sales via upgrade
Doh… silly misleading spec sheet… listed multiple aspect ratios, I just assumed it was like the GH1
oh well. Still awesome
Please I need to find the olympus ep before tusday because I go back to Italy, I’m in Miami, can you help me with a place were I can go? Thank you so much