[jms698]

DCRP News: Olympus introduces E-420 digital SLR, compact 25mm lens

At 380g the E-420 nearly half as heavy as the K200d and really compact. With the new Olympus "Pancake" lens it can even be put into a tight pocket. This looks like the ultimate travel D-SLR. The K200d does, of course, have it's appeal: weather sealing and anti-shake. However, I'd wish Pentax could have innovated like Olympus have here. They've had the pancake lenses for years and could have easily captured the ultra-lightweight SLR camera market.

On top of all that the E-420 has can shoot more fps than even the K20d, has phase-detection live view autofocus and is really cheap, too.

[aegisphan]

Unfortunately, Olympus users have to put up with their small sensor. I would say optical-wise, the Olympus is not as good. To be honest, my K10D without the grip is pretty small in my hand (probably i'm used to with the grip combo), though it's still not pocketable. Nevertheless, it wouldn't break your neck either.
Olympus introduced Live-View to dSLR segment so they have come a long way compared to Pentax. The only thing I like about 4/3 system is their ability to adapt other brands' lenses on their system, but the small sensor is just a big minus for me to get one as a second body.

[zntgrg]

DCRP News: Olympus introduces E-420 digital SLR, compact 25mm lens

At 380g the E-420 nearly half as heavy as the K200d and really compact. With the new Olympus "Pancake" lens it can even be put into a tight pocket. This looks like the ultimate travel D-SLR. The K200d does, of course, have it's appeal: weather sealing and anti-shake. However, I'd wish Pentax could have innovated like Olympus have here. They've had the pancake lenses for years and could have easily captured the ultra-lightweight SLR camera market.

E-420 is a pure genius work...especially after the "boring" E-3...it's good to see that little photo companies have still so much energy! Btw, the Pentax pancake lens is not a kit lens, it costs a lot [maybe twice than the 18-55 imo]. Then, we'll see how Oly is going to sell a fixed lens [imagine the potential buyer whining: "omg, it has not zoom? even my crappy compact optio has zooming!!"]

[SupremeMoFo]

Interesting, but limited. I don't like the 2x crop sensor either. I've never thought SLRs needed to be more compact and this camera could probably be matched by some higher end P&Ss while being more versatile thanks to zoom lenses. No thanks!! The E-510 looks like a toy...

[welshwizard645]

I've seen that it's $200 for the lens....suddenly doesn't look so cheap for what is effectively a standard lens. The FA 50 1.4 is a fairly compact lens..

And...if the E-420 is nearly half as heavy as the K200d, then that implies the K200D weighs 260g

[thePiRaTE!!]

Theres always the K2000...

[thibs]

Theres always the K2000...

Indeed, this is more like what the hypothetical K1000D should be like. We'll have to wait (and cross fingers) but definitely do ont expect live view.

[RiceHigh]

nooooooooo texxxxxxxxxtttttttt

DCRP News: Olympus introduces E-420 digital SLR, compact 25mm lens

At 380g the E-420 nearly half as heavy as the K200d and really compact. With the new Olympus "Pancake" lens it can even be put into a tight pocket. This looks like the ultimate travel D-SLR. The K200d does, of course, have it's appeal: weather sealing and anti-shake. However, I'd wish Pentax could have innovated like Olympus have here. They've had the pancake lenses for years and could have easily captured the ultra-lightweight SLR camera market.

On top of all that the E-420 has can shoot more fps than even the K20d, has phase-detection live view autofocus and is really cheap, too.

[janneman]

DCRP News: Olympus introduces E-420 digital SLR, compact 25mm lens

At 380g the E-420 nearly half as heavy as the K200d and really compact. With the new Olympus "Pancake" lens it can even be put into a tight pocket. This looks like the ultimate travel D-SLR. The K200d does, of course, have it's appeal: weather sealing and anti-shake. However, I'd wish Pentax could have innovated like Olympus have here. They've had the pancake lenses for years and could have easily captured the ultra-lightweight SLR camera market.

On top of all that the E-420 has can shoot more fps than even the K20d, has phase-detection live view autofocus and is really cheap, too.

Dimensions stated are "excluding protrusions"and the viewfinder does stick out..
It is not that much smaller than the *istDs .
(Ds: 125 x 93 x 66 mm (4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 in), E420: 129.5 x 91 x 53 mm (5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in) , jusy a huge weight difference but less weight will make it feel less solid in the hands of those who hold it).
Pentax simply need to start making that one as well again . I bet it was the *ist Ds + pancake DA40 that made Oly go this way, they are not "leaders", they are "followers"....


And for Rice, look at Phils conclusions on the E3 focusing...

[Maxington]

No shake reduction and from reviews of other Olympus cameras, a noisy and limited DR 2x crop sensor?

I really like Olympus and the way they innovate, but those are some pretty important features to give up in the name of size.

This isn't innovation, this is Nikon-style culling of features for a small package and price. The D40 all over again.

[regken]

Dimensions stated are "excluding protrusions"and the viewfinder does stick out..
It is not that much smaller than the *istDs .
(Ds: 125 x 93 x 66 mm (4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 in), E420: 129.5 x 91 x 53 mm (5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in) , jusy a huge weight difference but less weight will make it feel less solid in the hands of those who hold it).
Pentax simply need to start making that one as well again . I bet it was the *ist Ds + pancake DA40 that made Oly go this way, they are not "leaders", they are "followers"....

Agreed!!! IF they would start making it again, and IF they included LV. I'll give them to the end of the year to announce it. Otherwise I'm buying the Oly as a travel camera.

[mattdm]

The 2× crop sensor is still huge compared to a P&S. Honestly, had this been available a year ago, I'm not sure I'd be here in this forum.

Don't get me wrong, I love my K10D, but I also agree with the sentiment of the original poster — this is Pentax's ground to lose.

[RiceHigh]

Dimensions stated are "excluding protrusions"and the viewfinder does stick out..
It is not that much smaller than the *istDs .
(Ds: 125 x 93 x 66 mm (4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 in), E420: 129.5 x 91 x 53 mm (5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in) , jusy a huge weight difference but less weight will make it feel less solid in the hands of those who hold it).
Pentax simply need to start making that one as well again . I bet it was the *ist Ds + pancake DA40 that made Oly go this way, they are not "leaders", they are "followers"....

Yes, the DS is a small and lightweight cutie camera with a large viewfinder (amongst other APS-C DSLRs, especially entry level ones).

And for Rice, look at Phils conclusions on the E3 focusing...

I don't know what Phil says about the E-3 and its AF. But I know a 2X "cropped" DSLR won't be too good in collecting more light for both imaging and doing the AF (and for viewing as well).

Well, I still believe that 135 Full Frame is yet the way to go - at least Pentax should start to do it, as the last DSLR maker who could do it! (Oly is not one of them - I bet they would be kicked out of the game eventually. Maybe they will only build P&S DSLR like the E-420 forever even if they can survive)

[janneman]

Well, I still believe that 135 Full Frame is yet the way to go - at least Pentax should start to do it, as the last DSLR maker who could do it! (Oly is not one of them - I bet they would be kicked out of the game eventually. Maybe they will only build P&S DSLR like the E-420 forever even if they can survive)

wow 135... isn't that VFF??? (Very Full Frame)

[RiceHigh]

wow 135... isn't that VFF??? (Very Full Frame)

Do you mean that APS-C is "Full Frame" if 135 is VFF?

Well, unless you stick your favourite tapes onto one of the FF DSLRs and leaving an APS-C window... Nothing will be true as you suggested! ;-)