How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

[Guest]

With all the speculation and anticipation of the E3 pending replacement, how will you personally benefit from it? I'm not looking for a list of what the new model should have but how will it benefit you as a photographer? What will make the photos it produces better than what you are getting now from the trusty E3.

The E3 serves me very well, the pictures I get are tack sharp and detailed, I have no real issues with noise, I don't do a lot of low light shooting but even when I do I find any noise cleans up OK in LR2 or 3.
The resolution (10Mp) seems to be enough for most of my work even when doing post processing crops.

The handling of the E3 is fine, I have no issues with focussing or metering, I like the ergonomics.

I'll buy the E-x when it comes out but I'm not expecting the quality of my work to change dramatically - or at all in most cases.

I think most of us want to see the replacement just for the sake of it, not because we really need it, it's more a case of keeping up with the "Jonses" (the Canikons).

One thing is for sure I'm not planning to jump ship or change any of my kit, I'm completely content with what I have ( especially my lovely lenses) and when the E-x does arrive great but I'm really not that concerned.

Opinions?

Paul

[theMusicMan]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

I guess the answer to this question really depends on what the additional features of the E-n will actually be, Paul.

For me, less noise at high ISO would be good, as I do a lot of HDR shooting.

I am uncertain if I'd upgrade or not - this for me remains to be seen - but one thing I know for sure that I won't be getting should I upgrade, is what I term full-frame lovelyness...!! There really is something magical about the overall quality of images taken on FF sensors compared to any images from any of the Olympus range. I do love my E-3, but I do so relish the thing that I know I won't get with 4/3rds, which is that sheer, blissful, full frame lushness.

[Zuiko]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

I guess the answer to this question really depends on what the additional features of the E-n will actually be, Paul.

For me, less noise at high ISO would be good, as I do a lot of HDR shooting.

I am uncertain if I'd upgrade or not - this for me remains to be seen - but one thing I know for sure that I won't be getting should I upgrade, is what I term full-frame lovelyness...!! There really is something magical about the overall quality of images taken on FF sensors compared to any images from any of the Olympus range. I do love my E-3, but I do so relish the thing that I know I won't get with 4/3rds, which is that sheer, blissful, full frame lushness.

Ah, that's a bit like 35mm film compared to Medium Format, it was much more than just higher resolution, the smoothness of tonality made a big difference too. Odd, though - I became dissatisfied with 35mm long ago and never regretted my upgrade to MF, but I just don't feel that pull to do likewise from 4/3 to Full Frame.

[theMusicMan]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

Ah, that's a bit like 35mm film compared to Medium Format, it was much more than just higher resolution, the smoothness of tonality made a big difference too. Odd, though - I became dissatisfied with 35mm long ago and never regretted my upgrade to MF, but I just don't feel that pull to do likewise from 4/3 to Full Frame.

Yep, you have got it there for me John in one - that's exactly the way I see it. I won't be jumping ship, but I do so relish that full frame smoothness you can see clearly in many FF images. Nicely explained sir.

My wife thinks I am sad that I can identify a FF image

[Guest]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

I don't see the issue with the E-3 and hdr, if you space out the shots adequately across the range then noise is no longer an issue, you get problems with photomatix only if you do not have a good exposure of the dark areas (even if you the want to make them dark again in pp). Basically the shadows need to be centred on the histogram at your maximum +ev, everything else will then be blown. If you leave the shadows in the dark (lhs) then photomatix will generate noise into grain.

Insect shots, I often get better shots at iso 800 than I do at iso 100 at the same shutter speed because the flash intensity is lower. Higher clean iso would help me use flash less.

Bigger image size (more pixels) would also help - both because cropping would help as 'digital' magnification, only a little bit, but a couple of inches is important in photographing insects. And for cropping to square which is a desirable shape for composition.

But these are relatively small niggles, at the end of the day the E-3 is limited by me, it is a camera whose capabilities would have seemed unbelievable 20 years ago. And there are a hell of a lot of pictures/photographers from 20-50-100 years ago whose work I can't equal.

I think I do enough photography to know I am the limiting factor, not the camera, the key thing any replacement will do is drive me test its limits, and the only real reason that'll be good is that I haven't the wit to that without a new camera.

Nick

[Zuiko]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

I'm assuming the E-5 will be specified pretty much in line with current 4/3 and Micro 4/3 sensor and processor technology. That's 12mp, around one stop better high ISO performance with significantly less banding and greater sharpness due to a weaker AA filter. Maybe better focusing in live view. There will probably be some extra features such as HD video and electronic level, maybe a slightly larger and better resolution screen and perhaps face detection AF.

Most of that would be nice, but I can't see that the overall gain would justify the cost of upgrading. Of course, I might be wrong and perhaps there will be a quantum leap forward in technology that Panny/Oly are on the brink of perfecting - maybe 16mp and 2 stops better ISO. Even then I'm not sure, I seldom feel short changed in pixels at the moment and rarely need really high ISO.

To be honest, I'm more anxious about them getting a built in EVF and articulated screen into a Pen without increasing the size!

For me the E-3 remains a thoroughly capable and rugged workhorse that inspires confidence and gives me joy every time I use it. Sure, many of my shots leave a lot to be desired but that's down to me, not the camera!

[yorky]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

well, for me the E3 is fine though I do use the EP 1 more than I ever thought I would, mainly owing to its lightness. However, one thing is as certain as day following night..The press will still knock it?

[DanH56]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

The new model will benefit me as a number of good condition E3's will consequently come on to the market and, if I can afford it, I will snap one up. Having handled one and taken a few pictures I am hooked.

[StephenL]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

It will have to be something really special to woo me away from my E-30 and E-P2. At the moment I use the Pen almost exclusively, to my surprise.

I was initially a Pen doubter, but the addition of the EVF has converted (or perverted) me.

Both these cameras have more than enough pixels, and coupled with Lightroom 3, I don't find noise a problem (although even higher ISOs are always useful).

Perversely, lower ISOs could be useful to obviate the need for ND filters on long exposures.

[E-3]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

Maybe the reason Olympus are taking so long to bring a newer model out is the fact that nobody actually needs it!

[Who's_E]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

But these are relatively small niggles, at the end of the day the E-3 is limited by me, it is a camera whose capabilities would have seemed unbelievable 20 years ago. And there are a hell of a lot of pictures/photographers from 20-50-100 years ago whose work I can't equal.

[photo_owl]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

I'm assuming the E-5 will be specified pretty much in line with current 4/3 and Micro 4/3 sensor and processor technology. That's 12mp, around one stop better high ISO performance with significantly less banding and greater sharpness due to a weaker AA filter. Maybe better focusing in live view. There will probably be some extra features such as HD video and electronic level, maybe a slightly larger and better resolution screen and perhaps face detection AF.

Most of that would be nice, but I can't see that the overall gain would justify the cost of upgrading.

....

as you have pretty much quoted the spec of the E30 (as far as those elements go) I would tend to agree (although I did that upgrade and rarely use the 3 in dry weather now) - and yes even FD AF is there in LV - but I have never used it.

[Kiwi Paul]

Re: How will the E-x 'really' benefit you?

I would like to think the new E-x camera will have a higher spec than that, I'm anticipating something significantly better than any of the current E series, hopefully with an even newer generation sensor and processor than any of the E series or m 4/3 offerings, a higher resolution LCD screen, improved autofocus and the list goes on. I suspect / hope that is the reason for the delay in releasing it.

Paul