New PEN 3

Looks like the new salvo in the pocket rocket war. Fast AF, but may be based on 35 IR or Green sensors (pixels) on the sensor. I don't think IR based IF will do us much good underwater.

Bob

See 43 Rumors

PEN E-P3 – main features:Image Quality

Powerful image processor TruePic VI, a faster response time and excellent picture quality

Extremely effective, integrated in the body image stabilization for both video and sharp, blur-free images – works with any lens

12.3 effective megapixel sensor, High Speed ​​Live MOS sensor for the perfect operation in low light and when shooting HD

To ISO 12800

Record 1080i HD video with stereo audio, AVCHD recording format or the Motion JPEG

Compatibility with the new generation of dedicated lenses PEN

Ease of use

World’s fastest autofocus system – FAST AF – the camera with interchangeable lenses, from 35 AF points, highlighting the AF for pictures in low light and AF tracking the subject even outside the frame

Super light, providing wide viewing angles, touch screen 3.0 inch OLED screen with a resolution of 610.000 points – provides photo-quality color reproduction

Separate knobs for setting shutter speed and exposure

Touch Guide Live Guide available for filming and shooting HD, also in P / S / M / A

Live View mode and HD movie photos

3 programmable buttons

The scale level to facilitate the setting position in relation to the horizon

Easy to use menu function in the form of wheel settings – Live Wheel

More importantly, will it be any better than other Olympus products in low light...

My 520 is great in good light but unusable in low. I haven't found much amelioration with the 620. Not sure about the Pen line. Any opinions about low light performance of the Pen?

More importantly, will it be any better than other Olympus products in low light...

 

My 520 is great in good light but unusable in low. I haven't found much amelioration with the 620. Not sure about the Pen line. Any opinions about low light performance of the Pen?

Not yet Rene. There are reviews all over the Net, but just refer to the "revised" 12 MB sensor. Full reviews should be coming in soon.

Bob

Three new PEN cameras have been released, two with Olympus housings now rated to 45 meters. The new housings also feature built-in LED focusing lights for macro use. A new 12mm f/2 lens is also being released. At a retail price of around $1200.00 for camera, 14-42mm zoom, housing and zoom gear this is still a great entry level camera package.

http://www.olympus-global.com/en/news/2011...10630epl3e.html

Phil Rudin

Three new PEN cameras have been released, two with Olympus housings now rated to 45 meters. The new housings also feature built-in LED focusing lights for macro use. A new 12mm f/2 lens is also being released. At a retail price of around $1200.00 for camera, 14-42mm zoom, housing and zoom gear this is still a great entry level camera package.

 

http://www.olympus-global.com/en/news/2011...10630epl3e.html

 

Phil Rudin

Phil,

Thanks for the link. So, the Oly housings are for the PM1 & the PL3 and not for the P3. Your eyes may be better than mine; are there fiber optic connection? Will the LEDs cut off with the flash cycle? Otherwise, could have backscatter since the 4 lights are point straight ahead.

Bob

The E-P cameras, 1,2 and now 3 have never been supported by Olympus, you need to go to Athena for that, http://www.athena-opt.com/housing_E1.html

The new E-PL3 & E-PM1 were made without the pop-up flash but come with a small add-on flash which can trigger the external strobes by fiber optics. The optical ports are in a window center top of the housing.

The LED's appear to have an on/off button on the front of the housing, don't know if they are in sync with the shutter to turn off.

Look down the page here for a better view of the top of the housing, http://www.ephotozine.com/article/olympus-...n-preview-16847

Phil Rudin

There is always something lost in translation....... I backed up on the Athena page and starting reading about the strobe housing. "Latch&F***" hmmmm, for opening and closing of body????

Got a chuckle out of that one.

Finally! An OLY micro 4/3 with fast af and low shutter lag.

Pity oly does not support the EP 1/2/3 series, but 10 bar also made one for the EP1, and we can hope for the EP3.

This might be the gh2/g3 killer.

There is always something lost in translation....... I backed up on the Athena page and starting reading about the strobe housing. "Latch&F***" hmmmm, for opening and closing of body????

Got a chuckle out of that one.

Well, it is for opening & closing body.

The E-P cameras, 1,2 and now 3 have never been supported by Olympus, you need to go to Athena for that, http://www.athena-opt.com/housing_E1.html

 

Look down the page here for a better view of the top of the housing, http://www.ephotozine.com/article/olympus-...n-preview-16847

 

Phil Rudin

The Athena are really small puppies! I love the retro look of the Pens. Thanks Phil.

Bob

Whoa! Here's a little tidbit:

Synchronization speed 1/60-1/180

Super FP 1/125-1/4000 with External Flash

Is there an athena dealer in the US who carries housings?

Yikes! The plastic athena is over $2000 list, without ports I guess.

And I was wrong earlier, and there have been no 10 bar housings for the ep series.

Please please please, olympus, make an affordable housing for the ep3!!

Everybody, go to the http://www.olympus-global.com/en/

and pick your region, and find the contact us, and ask them for an underwater housing for the ep3, and not just the epl series.

Here is the link for USA:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/...umercontact.asp

I told them how they were so great to keep the underwater housings going, but serious photogs don't want to use a menu wheel for aperture and shutter adjustment. If we have to pay $2000 for a 3rd party housing, then we are better off buying a canon 600D and ikelite housing.

Come on everyone. Let's get them to upgrade their strategy!

OK, ok, I'll call LC at 10Bar tonight! :-;

Any Athena dealer can order their cases, even have them drop shipped, but few if any have stocked them.

Jack

Bravo Olympus for making something with a control dial. I'm very curious about the PTWC-01 conversion lens on the PT-E05L housing. One review of the conversion lens on a PT-050 housing came back very positive.

Seriously, it's whether Oly was tired of reading hate-mails, or they just read forums like Wetpixel to find what photographers need.

I remember last year when i wanted to compare epl1 with other cameras,

people said af is important underwater and oly really sucked at it.

I heard that the new af on the 3 pens', is at par/better than a dslr (correct me on that)

The ad itself stated "world's fastest".

So whether the final product is an epic fail or ending up making it to the Guinness Book of World Record,

I would like to salute Oly for listening to us photographers amateurs and pros alike.

Take for example, the design. Epl1 was uuuggerrrr-ly. In which why i hate it the 1st place.

Now that it is more simpler, and seriously, if the 3 doesn't suit any of you, there's something wrong with you.. (or me in that matter)

I guess my hate mail must have reach them at some point after all..

And to those haters, who thinks Oly makes "the worst decision on releasing the 3 pens" (i read that somewhere on the net)

You either hate Oly because they good at listening to people, or just jealous of their success stories.

There is no perfect camera on planet earth.

Although release after release of cameras from manufacturers really makes me sick a lil bit.

Since the change from previous model is very little.

If the 3 pens really do suck later at some point, and if the only good thing is the af,

then that would be an epic waste of time for oly.. (and us for discussing about this)

Final word, great job Oly for listening, just dont suck on the final product.

(ps: im not an oly fanboy, although i own one of their product)

[snip]

I heard that the new af on the 3 pens', is at par/better than a dslr (correct me on that)

The ad itself stated "world's fastest".

[snip]

Final word, great job Oly for listening, just dont suck on the final product.

 

(ps: im not an oly fanboy, although i own one of their product)

A qualifier for "world's fastest"; it is single not continuous focus mode. It does look like a much improved camera. I don't own one now, but I might!

Bob

look at the prices they want for their better quality, faster AF lenses, and you might as well buy leica...

look at the prices they want for their better quality, faster AF lenses, and you might as well buy leica...

The new lenses are labled MSC (Movie & Still Compatible). The lenses are new and not likely to be discounted too soon. USD to Yen is ~ 1: 80 which doesn't help.

14-42 ~ $300

12 f/2 $800

45 f/1.8 $400

Gee, a slower Leica 24 mm f/3.8 MF lens would only put you out $2,500 Sigma will make 4/3 lenses and the Oly prices may come down. You could put some of the Panasonic lenses on this 4/3 mount and the would say "Leica".

Let's just wait to see what shakes out.

Bob

I was looking at the olympus web site for prices on their micro 4/3 lenses, and was shocked:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/...sp?section=lens

You are right though, the prices for the new kit lenses are not completely outrageous.