Olympus launches E-30 DSLR

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0811/08110502oly_e_30.asp

Very odd mix of features. I can't work out who this camera is aimed at. Do dSLR users want "creative" in-camera

filters? I don't.

They are the ones who won't stand about during rain 'to get the shot' yet they'll pobably make use of those creative filters. It actually looks like a fine basic camera if you ignore the more zany of the highlight features... it's got much of the E-3 within it but for less £/$. And they've 'fixed' the 2 troublesome buttons, the AEL and the DOF preview. Though they've put a small(er) eyepiece around the viewfinder thus that dioptre wheel will self-adjust when getting it in/out of a bag. The E-3 was perfect in this regard in that it fixed this fault that was also in the E-1.

 

What I found notable is the 14-54 ll, did you see the eclectic line-up of DZs that got the CD-AF firmware upgrade a week or so ago? [The updated lenses are the 35mm F3.5 Macro, 25mm F2.8 pancake, 35-100mm F2, 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm F4.0-5.6] Spot the odd lens out? ;-)

 

http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/firm/e1/

 

The 14-42 and 40-150 are a given.. as is the 25/2.8. I can see why they included the tiny 35/3.5.. BUT the 35-100/2? LOL I thought at the time they've included that as a signal that says "don't worry, we'll do all the lenses from all the tiers... even the top tier".

 

However, the 14-54ii blows that out the water as it looks like thee are some lenses that can't be made to do CD-AF.

 

The pitch & roll 'level' inicators? The E-3 should have had that seeing it has the same IS measuring points. Not that that alone is a great thing, just useful to have, I suppose.

 

The user-implemented aspect ratios: when I read of the 6:6 capture, I thought for a mad moment that we could be seeing a square sensored camera. Alas, it's a normal 4:3 ratio sensor that achives these ratios via cropping out of that initial area.

 

While I was wrong and thaat it didn't 're-use the same moulds as the E-3', I still think we're bound to see a E-4 next summer. More MP, faster FPS, different button/dial placment (more refined) and an AF system with 'helper' points, a 3in flip/twist screen with far more rez. What else?

I like it. As far as the "art features", I can see soccer moms using those. I am interested in the multiple exposure feature, might be interesting. I'm also hoping that when they say "interchangeable focus screens", they mean the end user can change. This looks like the new body I've been waiting on from Olympus. I have an E330, and I like it, but this one looks nice. One other thing, is that a pentaprism i see in the cutaway view? That would be a nice improvement as well.

I'm looking forward to seeing both the E-30 and the E-3 replacement. Until then I'll keep using my trusty E-300. :)

I hadn't noticed that bit. That ["interchangeable focus screens"] used to be a feature that set the better cameras [read: 'Pro'] away from the entry-level ones. Here we see it on a 'mid level' body.

 

Michael, it looks like it follows the practice set by the E-3 in that it is a manufacturer replaced screen:

 

http://asia.olympus-imaging.com/products/dslr/e30/spec/

 

Quote: "Focusing screen:- Fixed, Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen

(Interchangeable; FS-3 Focusing Screen is available at an Olympus authorised service centre.)

 

The FS-3 is the same screen the E-3 uses! That too is Olympus-only replacable.

 

Actually reading this specs page, you can not only adjust the brightness of the 2.7" screen, you can change the 'Colour temperature control' as well. Tell me that that is new and I've not forgotten it on the E-3? Speaking of which, it has lost the white dot on that rear screen, the dot that hid the 'auto brightness adjust sensor'.

 

What is "Exposure reference adjust:- ±1 EV range selectable in 1/6 EV steps" ???? Sounds interesting!

 

HLD4, same battery grip as the E-3. I suppose that's good news for some?

 

I'd have hoped they'd have gone to 14 bit raw by now and that they'd have increased the custom reset and my modes quantities and that they'd have provided a 3rd axis of rotation for the IS it does up/down & side to side now, doesn't it? Couldn't they add 'rotate' as well?

 

Reading the specs through, it's exactly like the E-3 but with slight additions to the firmware [art filters, multi-exposure, etc] while removing odd bits of hardware [internal eyepiece screen, external remote port (it uses the RM-UC1 Remote Cable instead), etc]

 

I can't help but want them to price it lower but if they price it w-a-y low, there goes an E-3 level camera for entry level prices... talk about cutting your own throat come next iteration of models!!

The price is $1299, which seems a little high compared to E3 which is now $1366. Either the E30 orice will go down a little bit after its in the market or E3 would still be a good choice with the weather sealing. What say you.

The viewfinder is also better in E-3, though the E-30 looks like a big improvement over the xx0 series.

It may have a lot of the E-3 at somewhat less cost and weight. What is does have is important. A bright pentaprism (we trust) and a tilt and shift bright preview screen. At a thousand or so, I think it will sell. At 1299.00 I would not jump for six months or so. Scene modes are not for the pro body and may be symbolic that this is for a different user. Doesn't bother me. The fact that this is coming on line early in '09 is a good sign. Olympus keeps marching along. I was more excited about the Olympus mockup of the micro four thirds. That could be a humdinger.

Weather sealing is not all that important to me. I own the old cable release so if I bought the E-30 I'd have to

invest in the USB version. That in itself is no big deal for me. I like the idea of using the same grip as the

E-3. Why couldn't they do that with the HLD-3 and the bodies after the E-300. Truth be told this is one of the

main reasons why I opted not to buy another body (that and there's nothing wrong with the E-300). Hopefully I'll

still be able to use the AC-1 adapter (another reason I passed on the other bodies)...a lot of compact cameras

have this capability including ones from Olympus!

 

ISO 3200 is nice, but I'm hoping for better noise control. I frequently shoot at ISO-400 (and sometimes higher)

so I'm hoping the noise control will be an improvement. The higher speed sequential shooting and and 1/8000

shutter speed is nice. I haven't maxed this out often with the E-300, but still it's nice to have it. Scene

modes don't bother me much; I don't have to use them. Some of them do seem interesting and I'd try them if I

owned the E-30. Imagine getting the effect you want without a bunch of time on the PC to get the same effect?

The new 14-54 sounds nice, but I'd most likely opt for the current version due to its price.

 

One thing is the price seems somewhat high, but I reckon street prices will be under a $1,000. If they don't

they're indeed shooting them selves in the foot in that regard. A release of Jan 09 seems a bit of an

overestimation looking at Olympus' track record. I'd imagine fall 09 to be more realistic.

 

Jesse

"A release of Jan 09 seems a bit of an overestimation looking at Olympus' track record. I'd imagine fall 09 to be more realistic."

 

I wouldn't be so hard on Olympus. There is very little new in this body. E-3 took time because they had to make a lot of new innovations and ensure it is up to the level of their competitors. E-30 is just a bit simpler version of existing technology.

It does indeed seem to be an E-3 "Lite", but with micro 4/3 on the horizon it may get backburnered for a while. All we can do is wait and see...

 

Jesse

Latest buzz shows it coming to a store near you by January 2009. The E-3 is a power user model. Since I am a stripling of a user, I expect this next E body with a decent pentaprism may be irresistable and fit my desires for quality in the mid range. I think it will be a while to see how the micro system shakes out. Panasonic research could push it quite far if the market shows great interest.