Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

New Olympus PEN Taking on New “PEN F” Design?

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Olympus PEN F

New rumors over at Photo Rumors point to an upcoming Olympus PEN Micro Four Thirds model that will follow closely to the design of the old PEN F film camera. Additional rumors suggest a built-in viewfinder, which would be a welcomed feature on the mirrorless model.

No other details on specs are being tossed around at this time; however, such a camera would presumably reside at the top of the PEN line-up while the E-PM and E-PL series rounded out the low- and mid-range PEN options. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve seen a new top-level camera in the PEN series (the E-P3 in 2011, which is now discontinued).

Reasonable expectations for a release time frame would be Summer 2013.

 

Olympus M.ZUIKO ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II Lens Officially Unveiled

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Olympus M.ZUIKO ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II

Olympus has officially announced its new M.ZUIKO ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II lens for Micro Four Thirds mount. The lens has been designed to match the OM-D E-M5 and PEN Micro Four Thirds series cameras. Olympus added a new advancedZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating to keep scratches off, and eliminate ghosting and lens flare.

The new 75-300mm lens offers a reach equivalent to 150-600mm when used on Micro Four Thirds cameras with their 2x crop factor. The M.ZUIKO ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II lens should be available in March at a retail price of $549.99. Check availability here at B&H Photo.

Olympus XZ-10 and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II Lens Coming Soon

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New leaks point to a new Olympus XZ-10 compact camera and 75-300mm Micro Four Thirds lens coming next week during the CP+ show in Japan.

The XZ-10 is rumored to be a high-end compact camera that will likely serve as a replacement or companion model to the Olympus XZ-2.

The new lens will be the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II Micro Four Thirds lens that will be a 150-600mm equivalent zoom lens. The first version of this lens is already listed as discontinued.

[via Photo Rumors]

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Version 1.5 Firmware Update

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Olympus OM-D E-M5

Olympus has issued a firmware update for the OM-D E-M5, which offers the following improvements:

1)      Decreased operating sounds in photo ready mode

2)      Improved 5-axis stabilization when using OM lenses with an adapter, even in Movie mode

3)      All updates up to version 1.2 are included

You can get the firmware update through Olympus’ software updater.

Olympus Stylus XZ-2 Unveiled

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Olympus XZ-2

The Olympus Stylus XZ-2 is a follow-up to the popular and powerful XZ-1.  The XZ-2 adds a new hybrid control ringer and touch controls similar to what is found on the Olympus OM-D E-M5.

Olympus Stylus XZ-2 Key Features

  • 12MP BSI CMOS sensor
  • 4x optical zoom (24-96mm equivalent)
  • Fast aperture f/1.8-2.5
  • 3-inch swivel touchscreen LCD
  • 5fps burst mode
  • ISO 100-12800
  • 1080p HD video capture
  • RAW image capture
  • Sensor-shift image stabilization
  • Hot shoe
  • Olympus Art Filters

The Olympus XZ-2 should be available in November 2012 for $599.99.  Check availability here at B&H Photo.

Olympus E-PL5 Officially Announced with Ultra-thin 15mm Lens

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Olympus E-PL5

The Olympus E-PL5 is a new Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera with a 16MP LiveMOS sensor.  The new mirrorless camera sports an all-metal body, a 170-degree tilting LCD and captures 1080i HD video.

Olympus also introduced a new body cap alongside the E-PL5 that sports a built-in 15mm f/8 lens, which means you can grab a quick shot without a bulky lens (you know, since it’s a lens too…).

Olympus E-PL5 Key Features

  • 16MP Live MOS Sensor
  • TruePic VI Image Processor
  • RAW Image Capture
  • 8fps Frame Rate
  • M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5 Lens
  • 3.0″ Flip Portrait LCD w/ Touch Control
  • Full 1080i HD Video
  • F.A.S.T. Auto Focus
  • In-Body Image Stabilization
  • ISO Range to 25600
  • 12 In-camera Art Filters
  • Includes FL-LM1 Flash Unit

The Olympus E-PL5 should be available in October for $699.  Check availability here at B&H Photo.

Olympus E-PL5, E-PM2 and New Lens Pricing Confirmed

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Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL5

Samy’s Camera has product pages and pre-orders listed for the Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2, as well as new lenses with US pricing info confirmed.

The Olympus E-PM2 with 14-42mm kit lens is priced at $599 (link).  The E-PL5 with 14-42mm kit lens is priced at $699 (link).  As previously reported, both new cameras will sport a 16.05MP Live MOS sensor (apparently the same one used in the OM-D EM-5).

A pair of new lenses, the 60mm f/2.8 Macro (link) and the 12mm f/2 Limited Edition (link) are priced at $499 and $1099, respectively.

Expect official announcements on these products to hit tomorrow.