Quo Vadis

Working in a camera shop, I get to see all sorts of new cameras and to monitor trends in the photographic trade. I've seen more Kodak film formats come and go than I've had hot dinners, but then so has everyone...

One trend that was as welcome as it was inevitable was the move to smaller and lighter camera systems. Not that the average DSLR is that big, but the really large professional ones can be as large as a head of cabbage...no problem if you are making coleslaw, but difficult if you are going to want to fit it into the overhead locker of a small airliner - particularly if you have decided to fit a lens to it.

Even the littler ones -  the APS-C sized DSLRs - can bulk big on your side if you are carrying them in a shoulder bag. Thus was born the desire for the smaller device, and the rise of the micro-4/3 format. Olympus were the first with this...though not alone any more...and have always devoted themselves to  making the best use of small dimensions.

I was a little shocked, however, when I unboxed the latest of the Olympus. I have included a photograph of it alongside an Olympus E-P5 camera with a 17 mm lens. As you can see it is made for considerably smaller hands. I do not have the specification sheet with me to read out, but I suspect it will have a reduced megapixel count compared to the other cameras in the range.

At least it should solve the ever-growing problem of excess baggage charges. You'll be able to get this and an entire suite of lenses under the 5 Kg limit. However, you would be wise to remember to pack a pair of strong tweezers to help you change memory cards.

I'm still in two minds about being ambivalent. I like to idea of a smaller burden, but I wonder if it will really take off as a commercial success. I hope this is not just a case of a Friday 13th product...