Olympus E-5 (and four thirds) Rumors and Speculation
While there has been much fanfare for all the micro four thirds camera and lens releases this year the activity and news on the original four thirds format has been quite the opposite, almost non-existent. This has only fueled the rumors and speculation (such as on Dpreview) that Olympus will be killing the original four thirds format and solely focus on the newer (and better selling) micro four thirds system. Apparently according to some rumors Olympus made a very last minute decision in the spring not announce any new low and middle class four-thirds DSLRs, which had been ready for a world wide launch. Despite that if true the consensus was that Olympus would still release a successor to the E-3, the E-5 but through out 2010 there is been very little info about an new E-5 model and Olympus would only say they are still committed to the four third system despite not releasing a single new product for it this year so far.
The new rumors for an Olympus E-5 model seem to suggest it may be the last “classic” Four Thirds camera and if Olympus were to continue they system it may be different, perhaps maybe some sort of hybrid between the regular four thirds and the micro four thirds systems. As for a new E-5 the current speculation is that it will use the newer Panasonic sensor and be in the 14-16MP range. As mentioned before if we are to expect an Olympus E-5 announcement look for it mid-September.
(Picture above is just a fake mock-up someone made,)
UPDATE:
The Olympus E-5 has now been officially announced, click here for more details.
The Olympus E-5 is now available for Pre-Order, click here to Pre-Order the Olympus E-5
