A few Micro Four Third's concept sketches...

Olympus has had a fair amount of success with its 4/3 concept, due in part I think to being able to transfer some of its expertise from the OM SLR system and lenses to a DSLR. However, the M-4/3 concept does not seem to gel with any of its past products and I wonder if it is being driven by Panasonic. They have close links with Leica and may be planning a Panaleica camera, in which case your first idea is more likely to be close to the mark.

I really think the Pen F is history.

Glad you included an optical VF accessory. I detest those electronic things almost as much as sticking a camera out 24" from my face.

My problem is by the time time all this gets made to Leica standard, it will be very expensive and too big. As much as I like my film Leicas, I would rather have a D40 Nikon than what you show.

I am not sure what you mean about this not gelling with past products... Olympus's entire success story has been based on affordable, easy to use, carry anywhere, compact cameras. Just look at the original Pen cameras, the XA, the mju/Stylus cameras and compare them to the professional level Pen F and OM cameras.... Olympus designs have always been a bridge between "professional" features and quality, and "amateur" size and ease-of-use. If anything this fits more firmly into their historical role in the camera market than the 4/3's dSLR's which are rather over-sized compared not only to their sensor size, but to even the OM cameras in my opinion. But you might be right that this might be more of a push by Panasonic, as it fits in closer to their fixed-lens Leica-branded P-N-S cameras. These concepts are just fun ideas about what's POSSIBLE... not likely directions that either company will take, I honestly could care less about predicting the future and guessing about actual products, I'll leave the rumor-bloggers to that. :)

Interesting Patrick. You are a pretty good draftsman.

In a small camera, I could probably learn to live with a shoe mounted small optical finder, but your version is interesting. I know about the limitations of same, but that might not deter me from getting a small 4/3 camera to complement the larger 4/3 cameras. I have made mental break from the past when I got into Olympus digital and am actually getting used to composing on an LCD screen if it is bright enough and big enough. The micro system would have to have a good all around high quality lens w autofocus and a stabilization system. Solid construction by at least one of the partners would be a must. Weather sealing is really great for lenses. I no longer sweat the mold and humidity fogging that I use to be concerned with. All of your concepts are interesting. I am glad that 4/3 is pushing ahead with innovation. In bodies and with their glass. Never thought to see aspherics and ED design get to the mass market as it has.

Patrick, very nice but where does the film go?

Andy, in the Pen camera, or XA, or mju in your other pocket. ;)

Thanks for your effort Patrick, the Pen F concept really appeals to me, I have two working Pen F's and still after all these years they are still my favorites as a walkabout SLR. I wonder about power though. It seems that a lot of the size of DSLRs is taken up with batteries. Hopefully Olympus has been reducing the power required for their 4:3 system and have a compact battery for the M4/3 camera. Your pick off simi-reflecting glass is interesting but as you show it would it cover the whole field? Looks like it would only show the center few millimeters of the image.

Yup, a few millimeters is all that's needed to provide TTL split-prism focusing and TTL Phase Detection AF. You already have TTL focusing with the Live View screen and the option of split-prism focusing or Phase Detection AF adds the accuracy of a real SLR that so many people complain about with PNS cameras. Of course the Phase Detection would only work across a sliver of the image, but really does anyone really NEED 30-some AF zones? Three or even five Phase Detection AF zones spread across the long axis of the sensor should be enough for any practical use, and when incorporated with the Contrast Detection that will already be available, it seems more than generous to me.... although I'm not an AF shooter at all so what do I know?

I know this is an older thread, but I really appreciate you taking the time to make these drafts. I really hope that Olympus does use a style very similar to these. If it "looks" anything like your drawings, I will definitely be getting one. I don't know why these companies haven't used the older slr designs. Their micro 4/3 concept design was okay, but it really does look like an aluminum can of spam. I think the grip material should wrap around the sides as you have it. I hope their designers or marketing people realize that THIS is what we want and I hope that the speculation of the Pen-micro 4/3 being released in June is correct.

They kinda sorta did Marc, But better and made it even closer to the Pen F design. I like Patrick's OVF design better tho.