Oly E-330 is annouced

[Norm in Fujino]

See some previews at:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/olympuse330/
http://www.mycen.com.my/picturestory/e330_a.html

Quick story is, it's a 7.5MP "live MOS" sensor with swinging (vertical only) 2.5" TFT LCD monitor with 215k pixels.

[Jason25]

I'm quite impressed. They seem to have done a great job! I'm sure this will snag some potential Sony R1 customers. Hats off to Olympus :D

[Jeff Keller]

See some previews at:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/olympuse330/
http://www.mycen.com.my/picturestory/e330_a.html



Don't forget our preview either! ;)

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/e330-review/index.shtml

[Ali_baba]

Atlast, my dream came true

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15888

Just not twistable LCD like in A620 but hey, it has flip-out LCD though :D

[Norm in Fujino]

Don't forget our preview either! ;)

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/e330-review/index.shtml

OOps, sorry for missing that. Thanks a lot!
Also another one over on Imaging Resource (http://imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E330/E330A.HTM#)

[jamison55]

Wow. Doesn't look like they did much about high ISO's yet, but you have to admit Olympus is the leader in innovation when it comes to DSLR's. They out to snag a lot of digicammers who just can't get used to the idea of looking through the vf with this one!

[cdifoto]

Not to be a turd, but how useful is this live preview REALLY going to be for those digicammers? It can't be used with autofocus (how many digicammers really use manual focus?), and there are quite a few mirrors in there that could go out of alignment (maybe). Even if a digicammer does want to manual focus...how easy is it really going to be on the LCD? Pretty difficult I'd imagine to hold the camera out, steady, watch LCD, compose, MF, press shutter...

I'm guessing the live preview won't be for catching fleeting moments...but then isn't that what a lot of dSLRs are for (when quality is king)? And isn't it also why people buy P&S cams? To capture moments when the moment is more important than lugging the gear?

I can see people buying it thinking it's the greatest thing since sliced bread....and then getting frustrated by it.

Sorry but I had to say my 2 cents.

[Norm in Fujino]

Sorry but I had to say my 2 cents.

No need to be sorry about it. At this point I don't think it's a camera that I will need, either, but I glad Olympus is looking in more directions than the simple unilinear dSLR upgrade path. And we don't know much about image quality yet, so we'll have to wait for the full reviews to make any kind of real judgment. If it's made with the same quality as the E-300, tho, I doubt there will be any more tendency for mirrors to become unaligned than with other cameras--at least, the E-300 is pretty complicated as it is, and it has no problem with mirrors coming unglued.

[cdifoto]

I do admire Olympus for their innovation. Without it, and the R&D the other companies put on table as well, we wouldn't be where we are.

[coldrain]

You CAN use the LCD preview with AF. That is what the 2nd sensor is for. Read Jeff's preview.

It is pretty nifty, but not perfect. It will enable a lot of shots you can not make with a view finder, no doubt about that. You just have the choice, and that is pretty cool.

[cdifoto]

You CAN use the LCD preview with AF. That is what the 2nd sensor is for. Read Jeff's preview.

It is pretty nifty, but not perfect. It will enable a lot of shots you can not make with a view finder, no doubt about that. You just have the choice, and that is pretty cool.


Maybe I misread this from Jeff's Preview:

But wait, there's more. The E-330's main sensor -- called a Live MOS (similar to CMOS) -- can also be used for live viewing (called "Live Mode B" this time). Since the mirror is flipped out of the way, the autofocus system cannot function, so this mode is for manual focusing only. The quality of the live image produced by the 7.5 Megapixel Live MOS sensor is much better than the one with the secondary sensor, and as an added bonus you can digitally enlarge the view by as much as ten times -- and move around in the zoomed-in area -- perfect for ensuring proper (manual) focus.

[jamison55]

Don, there are two LCD's for live preview. One of them is in the viewfinder and works with AF (more like an EVF), the other is the main LCD on the back. I can see using the live preview on the main LCD like a waist level VF (on an old fashioned camera). Since you can zoom the image on the LCD while MF'ing, I would think that you could be much more accurate with your focus than when MF'ing through the TINY TTL VF's on our 20D's and XT's. That's a BIG plus for macro shooters, or those who like to shoot at really wide apertures!

[cdifoto]

Don, there are two LCD's for live preview. One of them is in the viewfinder and works with AF (more like an EVF), the other is the main LCD on the back. I can see using the live preview on the main LCD like a waist level VF (on an old fashioned camera). Since you can zoom the image on the LCD while MF'ing, I would think that you could be much more accurate with your focus than when MF'ing through the TINY TTL VF's on our 20D's and XT's. That's a BIG plus for macro shooters, or those who like to shoot at really wide apertures!


Oh ok. I was confused then...not misreading. :D Thanks for clearing that up.

[coldrain]

Don, there are two LCD's for live preview. One of them is in the viewfinder and works with AF (more like an EVF), the other is the main LCD on the back. I can see using the live preview on the main LCD like a waist level VF (on an old fashioned camera). Since you can zoom the image on the LCD while MF'ing, I would think that you could be much more accurate with your focus than when MF'ing through the TINY TTL VF's on our 20D's and XT's. That's a BIG plus for macro shooters, or those who like to shoot at really wide apertures!
QUIT confusing eachother :p

It has TWO SENSORS! One NMOS (the actual picture taking sensor) and one CCD (for live preview purposes only).

They BOTH can show live preview on the ONE LCD. If you use the NMOS for live preview, you can not see through the lens, because the mirror is out of the way. You can also not use AF in this mode, because the AF sensor does not get any image because the mirror is open.
If you use the CCD for live preview, you can use the viewfinder, but the live preview is of lesser quality because most of the light goes to the view finder and the CCD only gets a bit of light, making the preview darker and less contrasty. Because the mirror is in posotion, you CAN use AF in this mode.

So, a pretty inventive and expensive, and it will spur the competition on I think.

[George Riehm]

Pretty techie indeed. Hope the cool stuff makes up for the tiny 4:3 sensor (again!).

But kudos to Oly for finding a way to set their $1000 entry level camera appart from the $600 entry level cameras.

I can't wait to hear the sales pitch at Best Buy, and I predict that this will be a big seller.

[jamison55]

QUIT confusing eachother :P

It has TWO SENSORS! One NMOS (the actual picture taking sensor) and one CCD (for live preview purposes only)...

Aaaaaah, it all makes sense now!

[George Riehm]

QUIT confusing eachother :p

It has TWO SENSORS! One NMOS (the actual picture taking sensor) and one CCD (for live preview purposes only).

They BOTH can show live preview on the ONE LCD. If you use the NMOS for live preview, you can not see through the lens, because the mirror is out of the way. You can also not use AF in this mode, because the AF sensor does not get any image because the mirror is open.
If you use the CCD for live preview, you can use the viewfinder, but the live preview is of lesser quality because most of the light goes to the view finder and the CCD only gets a bit of light, making the preview darker and less contrasty. Because the mirror is in posotion, you CAN use AF in this mode.

So, a pretty inventive and expensive, and it will spur the competition on I think.

Thanks for clarifying that, but I think it's; one CMOS (main) and one CCD (preview). CCD's are usually NMOS process.

I wonder what the effect is on battery life...

[aparmley]

Pretty techie indeed. Hope the cool stuff makes up for the tiny 4:3 sensor (again!).

But kudos to Oly for finding a way to set their $1000 entry level camera appart from the $600 entry level cameras.

I can't wait to hear the sales pitch at Best Buy, and I predict that this will be a big seller.

No kidding, especially after just about every new person to the DSLR market, or even those considering, make a post, "XT - No live preview, WTF?" - LOL. I'm glad I came over to the DSLR market before live preview. . . But, I can't blame Olympus for trying to gain market share by making the switch to DSLRs a little more P&S user friendly.

[coldrain]

Thanks for clarifying that, but I think it's; one CMOS (main) and one CCD (preview). CCD's are usually NMOS process.

I wonder what the effect is on battery life...
From dpreview's specsheet:

• 4/3 Type 'Live MOS' (NMOS)
• 7.5 million effective pixels


Hmmm... apparently they are using a Panasonic sensor. Or Steves digicams says it is an Olympus design.
Other interesting features: 2 under water scene modes....
And Live preview gives this camera a very interesting use.... an under water DSLR!!!
An appropriate housing is available.

[George Riehm]

From dpreview's specsheet:

• 4/3 Type 'Live MOS' (NMOS)
• 7.5 million effective pixels


Hmmm... apparently they are using a Panasonic sensor. Or Steves digicams says it is an Olympus design.
Other interesting features: 2 under water scene modes....
And Live preview gives this camera a very interesting use.... an under water DSLR!!!
An appropriate housing is available.

Since all previous 5MP and 8MP Oly 4:3 dSLR sensors were CCD's, from Kodak, so the DPreview spec. makes sense. And typically CCD's are NMOS process.

But, in reading Jeffs preview:

"The E-330's main sensor -- called a Live MOS (similar to CMOS) -- can also be used for live viewing (called "Live Mode B" this time)."

So we have a difference in statements leading to different conclusions.;)

I didn't see the sensor manufacturer listed, or mentioned, in any of the reviews, but maybe I missed it. Since they are part of the 4:3 consortium, and have a competent (if not competitive) semiconductor group, Panasonic may be the imager source replacing Kodak.

I'm pretty sure that there are underwater housings available for most popular dSLR's. Here is a fun, and timely recent article:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-7890-8019

And as a final thought on using Oly's live preview for underwater shooting...

... Doesn't live viewing require manual focus?

[erichlund]

And as a final thought on using Oly's live preview for underwater shooting...

... Doesn't live viewing require manual focus?
There is a switch on the back for A or B live preview. Live preview A, through the secondary sensor, is autofocus capable. Live Preview B, which uses the main sensor, requires manual focus via the LCD and a tripod is recommended due to the shutter lag (The mirror is out of the way. It has to be reset when the shutter is pressed so the camera can meter the shot, then get out of the way again for the shutter to open and close for the actual shot.) I presume you could only use live preview A for the underwater case, unless the housing has a mechanism to manually focus the camera.

[pip22]

No doubt this novel idea from Oly will bring more digicam users over to DSLR, but personally I dislike using an LCD screen for composing and shooting. I swapped my Sony digicam for an Oly E-300 for the very purpose of getting back the 'normal' viewfinder of an SLR like I was used to having for 18 years on my film SLR. Holding your camera at arms length and looking at the LCD screen whilst at the same time trying to hold the camera steady feels so unnatural to me. Give me a TTL eye-level finder everytime -- you can push the camera against your face which helps to avoid camera shake.

[coldrain]

Since all previous 5MP and 8MP Oly 4:3 dSLR sensors were CCD's, from Kodak, so the DPreview spec. makes sense. And typically CCD's are NMOS process.

But, in reading Jeffs preview:

"The E-330's main sensor -- called a Live MOS (similar to CMOS) -- can also be used for live viewing (called "Live Mode B" this time)."

So we have a difference in statements leading to different conclusions.;)

I didn't see the sensor manufacturer listed, or mentioned, in any of the reviews, but maybe I missed it. Since they are part of the 4:3 consortium, and have a competent (if not competitive) semiconductor group, Panasonic may be the imager source replacing Kodak.

I'm pretty sure that there are underwater housings available for most popular dSLR's. Here is a fun, and timely recent article:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-7890-8019

And as a final thought on using Oly's live preview for underwater shooting...

... Doesn't live viewing require manual focus?
It is clear the "live MOS" does not mean CCD. Also, that there are underwater housings is not what is so "exciting", but that you have an LCD to look on instead of NOT BEING ABLE to look through the view finder because of diver gear on your head. You can just hold the camera in forant of you while swimming, no idea why DLSR owners have such a hard time seeing the advantages in LCD preview in a lot of situations...

And if you still think you need to manual focus with its live preview, I can only advice you to read the information on DCReview, DPreview and Steves site. Or just read the postings in this thread.

[coldrain]

No doubt this novel idea from Oly will bring more digicam users over to DSLR, but personally I dislike using an LCD screen for composing and shooting. I swapped my Sony digicam for an Oly E-300 for the very purpose of getting back the 'normal' viewfinder of an SLR like I was used to having for 18 years on my film SLR. Holding your camera at arms length and looking at the LCD screen whilst at the same time trying to hold the camera steady feels so unnatural to me. Give me a TTL eye-level finder everytime -- you can push the camera against your face which helps to avoid camera shake.

You too fail to understand that it is an OPTION, the E-330 has a normal viewfinder, which you can normally use when the situation allows it.
Have fun laying flat in mud of wet grass trying to make a macro photo of something, have fun trying to point your DSLR over your head, not knowing if your subject is framed or not, or in focus. It really is not hard to understand the advantage of a live preview as an option.

[pip22]

I fail to understand nothing my friend! I know it's an option, just not one that I would ever use. I've been using a film SLR for 20 years and never once been in a situation where I couldn't use the eye-level viewfinder to take the shot. And don't forget, the live preview on the E-330 (in mode 'A' which allows autofocus to work) is darker and grainier than most digicam LCD screens owing to the image being generated by a second sensor which is smaller than the capture sensor. You can brighten this by enabling the 'LiveView Boost', but that introduces image flicker and even more grain according to the reviews I've just read. Optional extras are fine as far as they go, but this particular one needs further development to make it practical -- but I still wouldn't use it. hat's off to Olympus though for 'raising the stakes' yet again. Will be interesting to see if other DSLR manufacturer's follow their lead.

[Rex914]

Regardless of whether you like these innovations or not, they are still innovations. Without innovations, we'd get nowhere in technology. So even if there are hitches and limitations in these innovations, I guarantee that in a few generations, the new technology will supplant the old technology. It's just a fact of how this industry works. If you never let an idea that sounded bad at first to flourish, a lot of good discoveries in this world would never have happened.

I don't think that the OVF will ever go away, but we will eventually reach the point where a much, much more mature form of this technology will supplant it. It's a crazy thought, but we can talk in 10 years about that. :)

[udigold1]

What's the point of implementing this feature of it doesn't preview white balance and it's very dark to see?
You'd think that after Sony debuted a successful 'live mode' in their DSC-R1 model, which uses a bigger sensor than E-330, Olympus could do the same, but obviously they haven't been able to.... What a shame.

[coldrain]

What's the point of implementing this feature of it doesn't preview white balance and it's very dark to see?
You'd think that after Sony debuted a successful 'live mode' in their DSC-R1 model, which uses a bigger sensor than E-330, Olympus could do the same, but obviously they haven't been able to.... What a shame.
Sony has no DSLR, the R1 does not have to share the light with the viewfinder.
And white balance is fixed in production models. You dont need the correct white balance for framing anyway, and thats what the preview is for.

[udigold1]

I'm quite aware that the R1 isn't a DSLR mainly because it's got a fixed lens. However, in terms of sensor size it's quite like DSLR. As we know, they've managed to reduce the power consumption of the sensor and that's why there's a 'live preview' mode there. What I meant is, that once a company managed to do so well, you'd expect the rest will follow. It's very nice that Olympus tried to do 'live preview' but there's definetly much room for improvment. :)

[George Riehm]

It is clear the "live MOS" does not mean CCD.

Actually it wasn't very clear at the time, and your input was that this was NMOS which is the primary process for CCD's. If "Live MOS" is an NMOS process then it is basically a CCD design. Otherwise it would be CMOS.

Anyway, in-between discussions I have read that it is a new hybrid design incorporating both technologies to overcome the heating problems faced with standard single process technologies, and this makes sense. How this was done has yet to be revealed, but hybrid, generally (not always) points toward stacked die. Pretty cool idea... literally and figuratively.;)

Also, that there are underwater housings is not what is so "exciting", but that you have an LCD to look on instead of NOT BEING ABLE to look through the view finder because of diver gear on your head. You can just hold the camera in forant of you while swimming,

What I said was that there are underwater housings for a variety of dSLR's and the attached article just seemed timely, and I thought the readers here, including you, might enjoy it.

no idea why DLSR owners have such a hard time seeing the advantages in LCD preview in a lot of situations...

Don't aim that barb at me. I agree that LCD preview would be very handy for odd angle shots (and now underwater photography as well). I just think that, for my purposes, and for those not planning to dive with their dSLR, a good quality equivalent of the Zigview might be a better solution, and can be moved from camera to camera without all the Rube Goldberg mirror design and expensive hybrid technology.

Don't get me wrong. I think the Oly design is a great idea, but I just think there is a better and easier way to implement this function, when needed, and get a great camera to boot.

And if you still think you need to manual focus with its live preview, I can only advice you to read the information on DCReview, DPreview and Steves site. Or just read the postings in this thread.

Just a simple question.

Eric, thanks for the answer.

[coldrain]

I'm quite aware that the R1 isn't a DSLR mainly because it's got a fixed lens. However, in terms of sensor size it's quite like DSLR. As we know, they've managed to reduce the power consumption of the sensor and that's why there's a 'live preview' mode there. What I meant is, that once a company managed to do so well, you'd expect the rest will follow. It's very nice that Olympus tried to do 'live preview' but there's definetly much room for improvment. :)
The term SLR has nothing to do with fixed aor exchangable lenses, you can well have an SLR with a fixed lens, or a camera with exchangable lenses which are no SLR's (Leica, Contax for instance... Epson's digital camera...).

What makes an SLR an SLR is that you look THROUGH the lens, via a mirror Single Lens Reflex). Since the R1 gets the light directly on the sensor and that is then displayed on an LCD in the view finder, it is not an SLR.
Olympus' E-10 and E-20 were DSLR's with a SMALL sensor, a fixed zoom lens and a prisma that directed light up to the view finder and let light through to the sensor.

So, to have live preview on a DSLR which uses lenses of the 35mm film SLR ilk, you need to tackle two technical problems, one is the heat the sensor generates (Sony (R1) and Olympus (E-330) have tackles this), and you need to tackle the problem of the mirror in front of the lens (Olympus tackled that in an elaborate and difficult way), because not only do you need to choose between viewfinder or LCD, you also lose autofocus if the mirror is up (thats why the E-330 has that 2nd image sensor, for AF with live preview). Not an easy task to make such a DSLR...

[ktixx]

Regardless of whether you like these innovations or not, they are still innovations. Without innovations, we'd get nowhere in technology. So even if there are hitches and limitations in these innovations, I guarantee that in a few generations, the new technology will supplant the old technology. It's just a fact of how this industry works. If you never let an idea that sounded bad at first to flourish, a lot of good discoveries in this world would never have happened.

I don't think that the OVF will ever go away, but we will eventually reach the point where a much, much more mature form of this technology will supplant it. It's a crazy thought, but we can talk in 10 years about that.
Let me start by saying that this is in no way a commented directed at you Rex, the quote I took from you just touches on what I think most people are thinking. With that said...I definitely agree that innovations are necessary to the progress of technology, but I would have to relate this innovation to betamax or "new Coke". Professional and amatures alike have survived for years using optical view finders, what is the reason for a live preview!? I know...saying "photographers survived for years..." doesn't work, because photographers survived for years using film, but digital was a true innovation that opened the doors to better quality and more options for photographers (ie: more pictures, less development costs, increased customization with editors etc. etc.) What I am basically trying to say is I don't see the reasoning behind wanting to use the LCD to frame images. Immagine streching out your arms to use the LCD to frame an image when you are holding a futuristic 1D with a 70-200 f/2.8 lens. It's ridiculous. Overall I am a huge technology buff and love new ideas, but I really don't understand the reasoning for this "innovation", it is the same thing as replacing the windshield in my car with an LCD screen...I don't care how good they make it, or how clear it can get, I would much rather look through glass than an LCD...Just my opinon...
Ken

[erichlund]

What I am basically trying to say is I don't see the reasoning behind wanting to use the LCD to frame images.
While I suspect journalists will turn up their noses at the clear sacrifices you make with this camera, they will at least like the idea of holding a camera above their head and framing the shot for real, rather than getting the shot from long practice shooting blind until they can regularly get it right. Shooting over the heads of the crowd is a time honored journalism photographers trick.

[cdifoto]

While I suspect journalists will turn up their noses at the clear sacrifices you make with this camera, they will at least like the idea of holding a camera above their head and framing the shot for real, rather than getting the shot from long practice shooting blind until they can regularly get it right. Shooting over the heads of the crowd is a time honored journalism photographers trick.


Yeah but the dpreview specs say the LCD can flip out and UP...not down...so you'd still be shooting blind in that situation.

[coldrain]

Yeah but the dpreview specs say the LCD can flip out and UP...not down...so you'd still be shooting blind in that situation.
It flips both ways.

[ktixx]

I think we are all missing the point here...WHY would a journalist use this camera? :rolleyes: :) When's the last time you saw a professional Journalist using anything but Nikon or Canon. I guess as said before, this is a new technology and it has the potential (although I believe unlikely) of improving and moving into the professional market...
Ken

[scalia]

here's an interesting interview
interview with Oly product manager (http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Interview-With-Sally-Smith-Clemens-Product-Manager-and-Richard-Pelkowski-Product-Manager-DSLRs-at-Olympus-/Part-One.htm)

cheers

[ktixx]

here's an interesting interview
interview with Oly product manager (http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Interview-With-Sally-Smith-Clemens-Product-Manager-and-Richard-Pelkowski-Product-Manager-DSLRs-at-Olympus-/Part-One.htm)

cheers
That helps to explain a lot. Their target market is definitely people who are very entry level and just want to use an SLR as said in this quote:
Probably about 80 percent of the people who purchase this camera are going to be the mass consumer who like the whole live view aspect, and they’ll never take it out of live view A mode--which is going to be the default, out of the box setting.

Thanks for the link.
Ken

[coldrain]

That helps to explain a lot. Their target market is definitely people who are very entry level and just want to use an SLR as said in this quote:


Thanks for the link.
Ken
Or people that can benifit from live view like they explain later on in the article, like macro photography. It is a lot less entry level than a Nikon D50. Nice how you read selectively :p

[Shooter]

KTIXX, relating to your analogy of replacing your car's windshield with an LCD. While you are correct that that would be undesirable, you can look out your windshield with both eyes, and you have peripheral vision, allowing you to absorb the whole scene. With a DSLR it is much more akin to looking out your rear view mirror with only one eye: quite frustrating, can’t see the kid behind you, but for most people, it works well enough. But here’s the thing, some cars (new, more luxurious, better cars) are having their rear view mirror SUPPLEMENTED by, guess what, your friendly LCD display with a camera on your bumper! People that have it reportedly love it too…

I have an SLR and a digicam, and I simply get better framing with an LCD. I also suggest you look at a photo with one eye closed, then with both eyes, and decide which scene you like better. Or try walking around with one eye closed. I believe that as humans with two functional eyes, we are better at judging the world while using TWO eyes. When framing on an LCD, I use the top half of my peripheral vision to judge the scene and what I want to capture, while using my eye’s focus to judge the frame itself. Being able to continuously update your framing to get it ‘just right’ is simply a million times easier than ‘one-eyeing it, removing the camera from your face to check the picture, and trying it again and again.

In my humble opinion, there’s a reason that DSLR users are addicted to cropping while others get great framing straight from the camera.

Anyways, you have the choice. There’s the good ‘ole optical viewfinder for you if you want to be a bit steadier. Half a stop less bright is not a big deal, the D50 viewfinder is miserably dim and it still takes good pictures.

I’m still not buying one though, too expensive.

[JTL]

I thought that the day live preview on a dSLR was announced for the first time it would be a really big deal...but it seems to me like it's a really big yawn instead. Is it because people are jaded? Is it because it's Oly and not Nikon or Canon? Is it because the implementation seems hokey? Or is it because it's really just a speciality feature for now and that the average SLR shooter (pro or not) has lived without it for so long that it just isn't even part of the equation for them? Hmmmmm......

[erichlund]

I thought that the day live preview on a dSLR was announced for the first time it would be a really big deal...but it seems to me like it's a really big yawn instead. Is it because people are jaded? Is it because it's Oly and not Nikon or Canon? Is it because the implementation seems hokey? Or is it because it's really just a speciality feature for now and that the average SLR shooter (pro or not) has lived without it for so long that it just isn't even part of the equation for them? Hmmmmm......
Well the hokey bit certainly plays into it, for me. OTOH, even when using a P&S with a live viewfinder, I find myself using the optical viewfinder most of the time. It's just never been a big issue with me.

[ktixx]

KTIXX, relating to your analogy of replacing your car's windshield with an LCD. While you are correct that that would be undesirable, you can look out your windshield with both eyes, and you have peripheral vision, allowing you to absorb the whole scene. With a DSLR it is much more akin to looking out your rear view mirror with only one eye: quite frustrating, can’t see the kid behind you, but for most people, it works well enough. But here’s the thing, some cars (new, more luxurious, better cars) are having their rear view mirror SUPPLEMENTED by, guess what, your friendly LCD display with a camera on your bumper! People that have it reportedly love it too…

I knew someone was going to bring up the LCD rear view car camera:) ...to me is isn't the same thing. A rear camera w/lcd monitor is an adaption to allow drivers to see behind the car BETTER (key word). I am saying given the same field of view, same peripherals, replace all the glass in the car with lcd's, it doesn't make sense. I would much rather look through a clear glass pane than liquid crystals. I understand what you are saying about being able to take in the entire scene, but in I still disagree. When you are shooting using the OVF your eye isn't glued to the viewfinder, when i shoot I am looking all around at the scene, when i see something I like I put my eye up to it and shoot. I am in the same boat as you (only on the oposite side) I don't understand the need for an EVF, nor do I think I would use it, but if you like it and you want it, go for it..I could care less :D.
Ken

[ktixx]

I personall think it is a little bit of this:
Is it because the implementation seems hokey?

little bit of this:
Or is it because it's really just a speciality feature for now and that the average SLR shooter (pro or not) has lived without it for so long that it just isn't even part of the equation for them?

and a whole lot of this:
Is it because it's Oly and not Nikon or Canon?

Ken

[jeisner]

Or is it because it's really just a speciality feature for now and that the average SLR shooter (pro or not) has lived without it for so long that it just isn't even part of the equation for them? Hmmmmm......

Mostly this...

[Norm in Fujino]

Mostly this...

There are a few occasions in which it would come in very handy--I've been to some public events that were butt-to-muzzle crowded and I had to lift my camera above my head to get a shot, and most of them didn't turn out that well precisely because I couldn't frame anything. But normally give me the optical viewfinder. Oly has said they don't expect it to be any kind of dragon-slayer, anyway; it will no doubt have a niche appeal, and will attract some dSLR newbies moving up from digicams; beyond that it's a toss-up. As an addition, it may turn out to be the wave of the future, so long as the ovf is maintained.

[jeisner]

There are a few occasions in which it would come in very handy--I've been to some public events that were butt-to-muzzle crowded and I had to lift my camera above my head to get a shot, and most of them didn't turn out that well precisely because I couldn't frame anything. But normally give me the optical viewfinder. Oly has said they don't expect it to be any kind of dragon-slayer, anyway; it will no doubt have a niche appeal, and will attract some dSLR newbies moving up from digicams; beyond that it's a toss-up. As an addition, it may turn out to be the wave of the future, so long as the ovf is maintained.

I have never needed that.. The only use for me is for macro/closeup for objects at ground level.. Although I ended up buying an angle finder for that, which suits my needs... You are right in that it will attract many first time DSLR buyers..

P.S. My brother picked up my DSLR and couldn't understand why he couldn't take photos at arms length... He would buy it as he thinks thats how photos should be taken, strange as back in MF days he had an SLR..