Olympus new E-420 and pancake lens

Olympus has announced a replacement for the E-410 with new live view.

New features include the following from Fourthirdsphoto.com

They also comment that the underwater modes are not in the menu and that the camera will "not" fit in the E-410 housing (PT-E03) although the camera is the same size.

The E-410/PT-E03 combo has been a great entry level DSLR at a cost near the digicam level.

"The E-420 features -

Auto Focus in Live View by depressing the shutter release buttonhalfway

New grip on the front of the body for a more secure hold

Face Detection Technology

Shadow Adjustment Technology for greater detail in the shadows

Larger 2.7â€HyperCrystal II LCD Display -Twice the contrast for better viewing in extreme lighting conditions, broader color gamut displays a greater range of color detail, wider view up to 176 degrees off center

Perfect Shot Preview -Live exposure effects displayed in a thumbnail view on the LCD for easy selection/adjustment prior to capturing the image

10MP Live MOS sensor with improved dynamic range –more detailed images

Improved Auto WB (white balance) performance with a new algorithm for more accurate color -Similar color reproduction to the Flagship E-3 model

Increased sequence shooting speed up to 3.5fps

Wireless flash capability with the FL-36R or FL-56R"

"Please note that the E-420 is missing the 2 under water modes that the E-410 had. No exact word on why, but with the larger LCD on the E-420, the existing E-410 underwater case will not fit the E-420."

http://www.fourthirdsphoto.com/preview/e-420_01.php

Phil Rudin

It will be a shame if it doesn't fit the PTE03 housing ( especially if its the same size !)

not having the underwater settings wont make a lot of difference

be interesting to know how much different the new live view is

(sigh) And the envy train marches on...

I think the new "grip" is the reason the camera will not fit into the housing. Additionally, isn't the sensor different than the E410...supposedly better with noise. I read the live view now allows focusing during liveview so it operates faster than the E410 when taking photos in live view.

Attached is a link to the basic information on the new live view and why is should work faster than the E-410/E-510 arrangement.

It remains to be seen if the E-420 can be fitted into the Olympus PT-E03 housing. It does not appear that much of a change would need to be made to get a housing out sooner rather than later.

http://fourthirdsphoto.com/preview/e-420_05.php

Phil

This is very interesting. If the sensor is actually the same or even an improved version of the one found in the E-3 IQ and noise performance should be quite good, and the new live view features sound very nice. I wouldn't mind getting one of these specifically for UW, rather than investing in housing etc for the E-3.

Hopefully there will be a housing available soon. Also wouldn't mind seeing the 8-16 WA lens released shortly!