Image on top: The E-30 sensor (not the rumored new one!)
I got two small rumors from reliable sources. They told me that the real new highlight of the upcoming new Olympus cameras is the sensor. All new upcoming PEN’s will use completely new sensors. I want to remind you that a very reliable source told me weeks ago that Olympus has designed their first sensor which will be produced by Panasonic. So if one plus one makes two than my speculation leads me to believe (or to hope) the Olympus E-P3 could be the very first camera using an own designed Olympus sensor. But that has not been confirmed by my sources yet!
By the way, Olympus has the necessary sensor technology knowledge because they are already using own designed sensors for medical products (See endoscopic stuff). And you can find many sensor patents fulfilled by Olympus (See the last one here at freepatentsonline).
The other news is that the E-P3 will use a dual processor. It will become the very first Oly camera having that. Usually this should be a sign that noise reduction, fps and video quality will be improved. The [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink] and [shoplink 22077]G3[/shoplink] for example already do feature a triple processor. UPDATE: The [shoplink 22580 ebay]Olympus SZ-30[/shoplink] is already using a dual processor. It’s not a MFT camera as you knwo but it’s interesting to know that the camera can simultaneously capture full 16 Megapixel still photos and 1080p Full HD movies (Thanks Nomen Oblitum!).
P.S.: I have still no clue if the Olympus will have a built-in viewfinder a la [shoplink 22269 ebay]rangefinder style[/shoplink] or not. Some new sources do say yes, some say no. Sounds like Olympus isn’t sharing detail about that, making anyone guess based on Olympus staff reactions and smiles :)
Links to the:
Olympus SZ-30 at [shopcountry 22580]
GH2 at [shopcountry 16254]
G3 at [shopcountry 22077]
See some rangefinder styled cameras on [shoplink 22269 ebay]aBay (Click here)[/shoplink]
Reminder -> Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct