Olympus shows off next-gen top-end SLR

LAS VEGAS--Olympus began showing off its next-generation top-end SLR Thursday, a successor to the E-1.

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET Networks)

Olympus has been short on details other than to say the camera will ship this year. In addition, the company said the new model would be rugged and weatherproof for the demanding conditions of professional photographers.

The camera prototype was on display at the Photo Marketing Association trade show here. It featured a main camera body and a detachable grip for taking vertically oriented shots and--if other manufacturers' products are anything to go by--for housing more batteries.

[make_or_break]

So much for small

Olympus had been known for their diminutive film SLRs of yore. While I admit that it's been a LONG TIME since I've even considered an Oly, this thing looks positively MASSIVE in comparison. The great thing is that they use the four thirds lens mount; if there's any mounting system that can qualify as 'universal' these days, the four thirds is it. Panasonic/Leica also uses the system, so this camera can potentially take advantage of some superb glass.

Shame that I'm Nikkor all the way these days.

[William Crow]

New Olympus

Now if they'll just get rid of the 4/3 concept.