New D-SLR arriving from Panasonic

[manning]

It is the Lumix DMC-L1 developed in joint with Olympus

http://www.letsgodigital.org/html/review/panasonic/lumix_dmcl1/slr_camera.html

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I honestly don't know how long the "four-third" system is going to last. There is not a single photo paper that actually take 4:3 ratio uncropped. There at least 2 standard photo papers that will print complete frame of 3:2 which is 4x6 and 8x12.

Also human eyes' angle of view is closer to 3:2 than 4:3

PS: 4:3 is the traditional TV ratio which nowadays are slowly being replaced with 16:9 anyway especially in the computer industry.

 

[manning]

The Olympus result of the joint venture is their E330 SLR.

 

[manning]

I honestly don't know how long the "four-third" system is going to last. There is not a single photo paper that actually take 4:3 ratio uncropped. There at least 2 standard photo papers that will print complete frame of 3:2 which is 4x6 and 8x12.

Also human eyes' angle of view is closer to 3:2 than 4:3

PS: 4:3 is the traditional TV ratio which nowadays are slowly being replaced with 16:9 anyway especially in the computer industry.

This may explain why Panasonic, Olympus, Kodak and possibly Fuji are going to this format, Also about, and I haven't varified that figure, 95% of P&S cameras sensors are 4:3 ratio.

http://www.four-thirds.org/en/pdf/FourThirdsSystem.pdf

http://www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/dslr_7045.htm

It appears it's not the printing and viewing that is driving this but the efficiency gained by this ratio in the sensor.

 

[Anewman]

This may explain why Panasonic, Olympus, Kodak and possibly Fuji are going to this format, Also about, and I haven't varified that figure, 95% of P&S cameras sensors are 4:3 ratio.

http://www.four-thirds.org/en/pdf/FourThirdsSystem.pdf

http://www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/dslr_7045.htm

It appears it's not the printing and viewing that is driving this but the efficiency gained by this ratio in the sensor.

But if you add up all the D-SLR sales of Panny, OLY, Kodak and Fuji they would still be a distant 3rd(if lucky) place. So I would not exactly use the term "driving", more like "trying" as in trying to compete with Nikon/Canon.

Yes you are correct most P&S cameras are 4:3 ratio and Most shooters will not realize that no matter what standard size they print, part of the image will be cropped. While 3/2 would still require cropping with some standard print sizes like 5x7 and 8x10, but with 4x6, 8x12 and 12x18(which are very common) you can print FULL FRAME with no loss of image or pixels.

I assume that D-SLR buyers are trying to take their skill to the next level, and should IMO take this into consideration.
I cant speak for anyone else but I get the chills when I get the perfect shot, and would like to be able to print that perfect shot exactly as it deserves to be printed.

 

[manning]

But if you add up all the D-SLR sales of Panny, OLY, Kodak and Fuji they would still be a distant 3rd(if lucky) place. So I would not exactly use the term "driving", more like "trying" as in trying to compete with Nikon/Canon.

Yes you are correct most P&S cameras are 4:3 ratio and Most shooters will not realize that no matter what standard size they print, part of the image will be cropped. While 3/2 would still require cropping with some standard print sizes like 5x7 and 8x10, but with 4x6, 8x12 and 12x18(which are very common) you can print FULL FRAME with no loss of image or pixels.

I assume that D-SLR buyers are trying to take their skill to the next level, and should IMO take this into consideration.
I cant speak for anyone else but I get the chills when I get the perfect shot, and would like to be able to print that perfect shot exactly as it deserves to be printed.

I don't think I meant driving in the sense you interpret it. I was trying to point out there reasoning for the direction they are going in. They are taking a calculated risk like Canon did when they introduced CMOS. Time will tell if they guessed right.

I also noticed that Olympus other SLR, the E-1 is also using a 4:3 ratio. From what I read from another article this is a new format they along with Kodak, the developer, are trying to promote.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Yes you are correct most P&S cameras are 4:3 ratio and Most shooters will not realize that no matter what standard size they print, part of the image will be cropped. While 3/2 would still require cropping with some standard print sizes like 5x7 and 8x10, but with 4x6, 8x12 and 12x18(which are very common) you can print FULL FRAME with no loss of image or pixels.

Absolutely on the money. 3:2 require cropping unless you're printing 4x6 (the most common print paper), 8x12 and 12x18 (less common but they are considered as 'standard sized photo paper'.

Whereas Four Third system from Panasonic and Olympus dSLR (4:3) doesn't have a single photo paper that can print the whole thing full-frame. The other 'advantage' for manufacturer is to fudge the MP count. If they claim to hae 8 MP in the 4:3 area, when you print on a regular 3:2 area it'll only be about 6.2 MP. (rough estimation)

Last but not least, 4:3 is the aspect ratio that is in the process of being abandoned. All newer TVs are 16:9, the same goes with laptop and now computer screens. Many parts of Asia, Australia and Europe have converted to 16:9. I honestly don't understand these companies' fixation on 4:3 ratio instead of the standard 3:2 (which is closer to 16:9 too).