Thread: Rumored Olympus XZ-10

Oly m43 fixed lens, reasonably bright, maybe 3X zoom. Maybe Oly just doesn't have the quality engineers that a Fuji has.

Originally Posted by Armanius

If I'm going to dream, I might as well dream 17/.95! While keeping it a pancake sized lens!!

I could go along with that, and, in addition, they ought to include their wonderful VF2 quality EVF, built in to the camera.

I think that the concept of a fixed lens camera works best with a zoom because there is more space saving potential compared to a prime. For instance, compare the Canon G1X to any Micro 4/3 camera with a zom lens. The only m4/3 lens that comes close to matching the depth of the Canon is the Panasonic collapsible 14-42mm X zoom, but that lens has proven to be quite problematic. The older Panasonic 14-45mm comes closest to the Canon for sharpness but isn't a 4x zoom and isn't as bright at the wide end (f/3.5 vs f/2.8). The Canon does all this with a larger sensor as well.

The question is, would you prefer the lens to be as compact as possible and slow, or larger and brighter? On the 4/3 sensor, I would be interested in the latter if it was in the region of f/2.8-4. There is also the possibility of using the Sony 1" sensor but I would only see that as a decent option if it had an even faster lens on it, say f/2-2.8 or better.

A RX100 with a 25-100/1.8-2.5 would make me happy too! Or even a 24-90/1.4-2.5!

Originally Posted by Luckypenguin

I think that the concept of a fixed lens camera works best with a zoom because there is more space saving potential compared to a prime. For instance, compare the Canon G1X to any Micro 4/3 camera with a zom lens. The only m4/3 lens that comes close to matching the depth of the Canon is the Panasonic collapsible 14-42mm X zoom, but that lens has proven to be quite problematic. The older Panasonic 14-45mm comes closest to the Canon for sharpness but isn't a 4x zoom and isn't as bright at the wide end (f/3.5 vs f/2.8). The Canon does all this with a larger sensor as well.

The question is, would you prefer the lens to be as compact as possible and slow, or larger and brighter? On the 4/3 sensor, I would be interested in the latter if it was in the region of f/2.8-4. There is also the possibility of using the Sony 1" sensor but I would only see that as a decent option if it had an even faster lens on it, say f/2-2.8 or better.

Larger and brighter for me, at least up to a certain point. If it is not pocketable then for me there is not much of an advantage to be size of an E-PM2 vs an E-M5, for example. In fact, if this mythical beast ever comes to be I'd want it as my primary camera, so a little larger and better ergo would be a real positive. I'd be cool with something as large as the X-Pro, if you can keep the depth closer to the G1X or an E-M5 + 20/1.7.

Originally Posted by Luckypenguin

I think that the concept of a fixed lens camera works best with a zoom because there is more space saving potential compared to a prime. For instance, compare the Canon G1X to any Micro 4/3 camera with a zom lens. The only m4/3 lens that comes close to matching the depth of the Canon is the Panasonic collapsible 14-42mm X zoom, but that lens has proven to be quite problematic. The older Panasonic 14-45mm comes closest to the Canon for sharpness but isn't a 4x zoom and isn't as bright at the wide end (f/3.5 vs f/2.8). The Canon does all this with a larger sensor as well.

The question is, would you prefer the lens to be as compact as possible and slow, or larger and brighter? On the 4/3 sensor, I would be interested in the latter if it was in the region of f/2.8-4. There is also the possibility of using the Sony 1" sensor but I would only see that as a decent option if it had an even faster lens on it, say f/2-2.8 or better.

I tend to agree with this on the zoom. I think for a fixed lens compact it would be hard to beat the X100 or the new Sony. I'm just not sure I see the benefit of a MFT fixed lens camera with a 35mm equivalent. What would it offer over the X100 which would have a larger sensor? I guess if the price point was lower that would be an advantage.

Retrotastic good looks, sharp, fast 35mm lens, and a Big juicy viewfinder and the magic price point of $599.

Originally Posted by Luke

Retrotastic good looks, sharp, fast 35mm lens, and a Big juicy viewfinder and the magic price point of $599.

I think that would be more like $999. I think they could do one at that price point. Just add up the cost of the lens, Pen body, and VF2. Of course it wouldn't have the OVF option which is what I use most of the time on the X100. For me, I would pay the extra $299 for the larger sensor but I bet a lot of people would be happy with $999.

Originally Posted by stanleyk

What would it offer over the X100 which would have a larger sensor? I guess if the price point was lower that would be an advantage.

It would likely for similar reasons you might choose, say an E-PL5 or an X-E1. Smaller overall size, image stabilsation, touchscreen, maybe tiltscreen. Just something with a more modern feature set would make it different enough.

Originally Posted by Luckypenguin

It would likely for similar reasons you might choose, say an E-PL5 and an X-E1. Smaller overall size, image stabilsation, touchscreen, maybe tiltscreen. Just something with a more modern feature set would make it different enough.

Good point. I think that's really at some level that's the fundamental difference with the Fuji cameras. They are really old fashioned in many ways. I like that about them but I understand why some people don't. I never use the LCD for anything other than the looking at the menu and I rarely ever change anything anyway other than the aperture and ISO. For some reason I don't even look at any pictures I take until I get home. I also use the optical viewfinder more. I think electronic ones are great, I just prefer optical ones. I like the aperture ring on the lens. I guess I'm just a stick in the mud.

I do think for some people the sensor size is important. Trust me if I could afford that new Sony I would be all over it. No way that's happening. All that said, I think if Olympus could do something like the X100 at $999 it would be a big seller. I think Fuji sold over 100,000 X100's. I bet a lot of current users upgrade to the newer version.