As my old Olympus OM-system collecting dust there is an imminent launching of the "long-awaited" Olympus OM-digital. Not a full frame dSLR though - it is actually another version of mirror-less micro 4-thirds dSLR similar to Olympus PEN EP-series, Panasonic Lumix G-series, etc...
Looks like the OM-Digital will be the "pro" version of the popular Olympus PEN EP-series that has been talked about for the last one year or two. Finally Olympus gets serious and rightfully so.
Olympus has had a difficult time of late. Despite being a founder member of the 4-thirds system fair to say that despite some outstanding optics they have lagged behind Panasonic in respect to camera bodies, somewhat restricted by the continued use of an elderly 12Mp sensor. It could be argued that the Pen Series whilst offering some great features and looking the business haven’t really honoured Olympus’s photographic & innovative history. Well that could be coming to an end. It’s 40 years since Olympus launched the famous OM series of petite SLR’s and there is every indication that in early February they will announce the OM-D, a modern digital OM type camera.
Rumours abound that a retro looking OM clone camera which is weather sealed, has a built in 1.4m EVF, an articulated 640K dot rear screen and will house a modern 16Mp micro 4-thirds sensor is due to be announced.
The new sensor may offer a fanatastic dynamic range and that the resulting images will show the famed “Olympus Colours”. Educating guessing would suggest the rear screen is similar to that on the Pen EP3 and therefore have touch screen capacity.
It is called Olympus E-M5
It is called Olympus E-M5
The NEW Olympus E-M5 is actually the answer to "wish list" from user feedback in Japan. Based on customer requests, the OLYMPUS E-M5 is also built to meet high demand for a rain- and dust-resistant body.
The camera has been completely redesigned from the inside out, with a dust- and splash-proof magnesium alloy body that's slightly bigger than anything Olympus has released in its micro 4-thirds cameras. The E-M5 can handle rain and spray, but it isn't designed to be submerged underwater...!
