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The Panasonic models - G1 and GH1 - are getting on a bit now (in the crazy world of "as soon as its released it's out of date" digital technology.) The G1 is about to be replaced, and Panasonic are rumoured to be introducing a G2 and G10 real soon now. Given that, it is reasonable to see Panasonic prices tumble.
The Olympus E-P1 was introduced in June '09 so should be seeing some price contraction in the marketplace by now. Especially, now that the E-P2 is available. Also, the E-PL1 should be on the shelf soon, and this is designed to be a lower cost camera.
I love the idea of micro four thirds, and I'm not surprised others are producing similar cameras now. It would be nice if a standard had been agreed that everybody signed up to. This would have made for an interesting marketplace. Looks like everybody will go their own way though.
The parks will fly when Canon, Nikon and SONY jump in.
Quote: when Canon, Nikon and SONY jump in.
Not sure they will bother, Apart from having to produce bodies designed around a smaller sensor, They would have to consider lens options, Move the focal plane and use current lens if possible would defeat the object of smaller size.
Canon lens mount is also a potential problem, Because its much bigger than most if not all of the other brands.
The move into 4/3s might in these circumstances demand a whole new lens line up.
Unless micro 4/3s can match the APS sensored system for quality & high ISO performance in all areas, Then its unlikey to become a contender for the APS or Full Frame formats, For sure it will appeal to a few who like new toys or tiny gadgets.
So will Canon/Nikon/Sony/Pentax/Samsung join in, I doubt it.....!!!
Probably been asked/answered many times before but d'you reckon the normal DSLR days are numbers? (killed off by all these smaller format cameras)?
Quote: d'you reckon the normal DSLR days are numbers?
Not until they put DSLR-sized sensors into non-DSLRs.
Which won't happen. Why? Because the lenses which would be needed for a compact/bridge-type of camera would mean that the camera would be a leviathan and not a compact.
Note: it would be very easy to put a full-frame sensor into a compact. But the lens with the typical 3x - 5x would be very large - and a 18x -30x lens for a compact with FF sensor would be frankly ridiculous!
That's good, cos I imagined all these professional wedding photographers turning up with tiny tiny point-and-shoot-camera with big long lenses on 'em!!
Quote: Samsung have joined in! 
Nikon and Canon will protect their current range of cameras unless....sales rocket for the smaller formats.
Adam
Sony have stated that they are on the boat, even showing mock ups of models to be released later this year. APS-C compacts Here
I would of thought that Canon and Nikon are seriously looking into this market, if not developing models already.
Samsung have currently moved away from DSLR's to concentrate on the NX system as they think they will be on a winner. Only time will tell?
As I mentioned in an earlier thread, SLRS have been with us for about 50 years now so who knows what the future will bring?
The idea behind an SLR is to see more or less exactly what the lens sees. If electronics like what we have now were around then the instant return mirror may never have got past the drawing board?
Still prefer to view through one though!
Ken
Olympus and Panasonic use a four thirds sensor in their micro four thirds bodies. It is the ability to share components, such as IS, SSWF and sensors that that makes them viable. Regarding size of the sensor, there is very little in it between an APS-C sensor and a four thirds sensor. Check out the results from the Olympus E-P1 and say the quality isn't there... it is!
SONY and Samsung are both in or joining the SLD (single lens direct view) market (but not with micro 4/3 cameras). Nikon are rumoured to be working on a 1" sensor SLD camera. Sigma have expressed a strong desire to produce such a camera. They will all have to produce a range of lenses for them (and possibly adapters for existing lenses too).
If you understand the advantages of the rangefinder design that makes Leica lenses so highly regarded, then you will also understand that the same criteria apply to SLD designs. Similarly, using very strong telephoto lenses on such designs is far from ideal, if just using the rear LCD screen.
Ultimately, the market will dictate to manufacturers if they are in or out. At the moment, the cameras being produced are all finding customers, and demand is huge. Nikon and Canon may have no choice but to produce systems. It is also a Photokina year so expect September / October to be a busy period for announcements.
Interesting times!
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