4/3 System Discussion - What I like and hate about it... and more...


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Actually it is really very clever and I think Canon is the only one who managed to have actually lower noise without sacrificing detail. All the rest like sony/oly/nikon is basically working on the final image file I think.

I'm not sure whether Canon has a patent on that; it could be the reason why no one else is following suit.
 

I'm not sure whether Canon has a patent on that; it could be the reason why no one else is following suit.

I think it's one of the few really useful patents they're holding out of their 2000+ patents every year. In fact the sensor technology might well include a few dozen patents.

IBM was still untouchably No.1 in 2006 by the way. http://www.ificlaims.com/press_release012007a.htm
 

I think it's one of the few really useful patents they're holding out of their 2000+ patents every year. In fact the sensor technology might well include a few dozen patents.

IBM was still untouchably No.1 in 2006 by the way. http://www.ificlaims.com/press_release012007a.htm
Soon you'll see Apple & Microsoft catch up as they battle each other out in patent-related lawsuits :)
 

Image quality is my highest grade to keep Olympus 4/3 system (almost perfect like film property on Skintone)

Slow AF & bit noisy pictures on High ISO are the things those Olympus should improve for their future models.

Other things to improve also
  • Flash system with faster recycle, stroboscopic mode and wireless TTL metering with multiple unit capabilities,
  • Lenses with Ultrasonic motor like Canon USM not only for HQ and SHQ but applied to SQ grade as well
 

The primary reason why the new Oly cams are going MOS is because of LiveView. Apparently, CCDs heat up too quickly and are not suitable for LiveView.
Yes, but the live view sensor is not the same as the actual photo sensor. I did not know the E-510 is CMOS. Maybe that is one reason to wait to get it until all the issues are out. I would hate a new "banding" issue.

BTW, I don't think the Canon idea of killing noise at pixel level, near the source is "clever engineering" as somebody puts it. It is really basic and elemantary. All problems should be solved at the source if possible, or else they will accelerate. That is very basic engieering. I wonder how Oly engineers could have missed that lesson.
 

BTW, I don't think the Canon idea of killing noise at pixel level, near the source is "clever engineering" as somebody puts it. It is really basic and elemantary. All problems should be solved at the source if possible, or else they will accelerate. That is very basic engieering. I wonder how Oly engineers could have missed that lesson.

Probably the same bunch that erred on the clearance calculations for the E-330's on-board flash to pop up freely when a FL-50 is attached? :dunno:

Maybe they had bet that noise-reduction algorithms would be advanced enough by the time their project matured from the whiteboard/conceptual stage to the design-for-production stage that they needn't put in much or any noise-cancellation electronics. I guess they bet wrongly.
 

Yes, but the live view sensor is not the same as the actual photo sensor. I did not know the E-510 is CMOS. Maybe that is one reason to wait to get it until all the issues are out. I would hate a new "banding" issue.

BTW, I don't think the Canon idea of killing noise at pixel level, near the source is "clever engineering" as somebody puts it. It is really basic and elemantary. All problems should be solved at the source if possible, or else they will accelerate. That is very basic engieering. I wonder how Oly engineers could have missed that lesson.

Well, I called it clever engineering not because it was difficult to implement; rather it was real smart of Canon to go that path.
 

Probably the same bunch that erred on the clearance calculations for the E-330's on-board flash to pop up freely when a FL-50 is attached? :dunno:

Maybe they had bet that noise-reduction algorithms would be advanced enough by the time their project matured from the whiteboard/conceptual stage to the design-for-production stage that they needn't put in much or any noise-cancellation electronics. I guess they bet wrongly.
I think it is done by engineers who have a degree in economics and whose main interest is economy. Firmware/software is cheaper than hardware, especially if it still needs firmware. There are some engineers that believe they can do just as well with firmware as with hardware and convice companies to follow their line. While their theory may work on drawing boards it may not work in real life.

Same with the flash. Some bright and educated person thought, "why would anybody ever come up with the idea of using both the internal and an external flash at the same time? No need to spend time and money on solving that." So they did not do it. It would have been enogh to look up an old OM manual. Up to nine T32 could be controlled by one OM2n already in the 1980's. All in TTL. 2007 you can only have ONE FLASH IN TTL. Not even the E-1 which supposed to be a Pro camera can handle more.

I think Oly needs some engineers with photographic interests and to do the engineering.
 

Well, I called it clever engineering not because it was difficult to implement; rather it was real smart of Canon to go that path.
Why would that be difficult to implement? Noise cancellation is and has been applied in many areas, more difficult than digital photography also. Noise handling and filtering is one of the first basic lessons for every electronic engineer at the begining of their studies. The problem is that later they become brain washed by others and convinced that it can be done just as well by firmware.
 

BTW, I don't think the Canon idea of killing noise at pixel level, near the source is "clever engineering" as somebody puts it. It is really basic and elemantary. All problems should be solved at the source if possible, or else they will accelerate. That is very basic engieering. I wonder how Oly engineers could have missed that lesson.

Did you read the white paper on the Canon CMOS sensor? They manage to sample some of the noise and remove it during capture.

I mean if the 1001 other guys out there who did not see it, then it is not obvious and innovative in my book. Canon was the first guys who managed significant improvement in SNR at the sensor level.

fujifilm was the fist guy who managed improvement in in-cam noise reduction algorithms :)
 

Probably the same bunch that erred on the clearance calculations for the E-330's on-board flash to pop up freely when a FL-50 is attached? :dunno:

I don't think that was an oversight in olympus. The E300 cannot even attach the FL50 and use the built-in flash at the same time.

The E330 is improved that you can pop up the on-board flash and then mount the FL50 and fire away. I think the camera space is a bit tight and that was the best they can do.
 

Strange that you say this of the E-300. I tested the FL-50 and the FL36 on the E-300. Both the built in and the external can be mounted and used together.
 

Maybe typo error, he meant E-500 is it?
 

I am 99% sure the FL50 and E300's built in flash cannot work together. You have to use the FL36 for the E300.
 

I am 99% sure the FL50 and E300's built in flash cannot work together. You have to use the FL36 for the E300.
I have no idea about the E-3xx but I am 100% sure that you can not use both the built in and an external flash (any flash) at the same time. No matter if you want to use it on the hot shoe or via external cord. I HATE THAT!
 

I have no idea about the E-3xx but I am 100% sure that you can not use both the built in and an external flash (any flash) at the same time. No matter if you want to use it on the hot shoe or via external cord. I HATE THAT!

I just tried it both with my FL-36 and my Metz non-TTL with my E-300...both the internal and external fire...I use this when I want to both bounce light with the FL-36, and have some front fill with the internal (the internal power output set much lower). I wouldn't like it if my camera didn't have that ability (then I'd have to use the slave feature on the Metz).
 

Did you read the white paper on the Canon CMOS sensor? They manage to sample some of the noise and remove it during capture.

I mean if the 1001 other guys out there who did not see it, then it is not obvious and innovative in my book. Canon was the first guys who managed significant improvement in SNR at the sensor level.

fujifilm was the fist guy who managed improvement in in-cam noise reduction algorithms :)
No, I did not read the white paper and I probably never will due to lack of time. I don't say they did not do a good job, or that they were not the first one. I just say, to me, an engineer with 30 years of working experience that is just basic. On the other hand, I see many things in digital photography that was been better before and is still at a strating stage in digital photography. If Canon was the first to kill noise at sensor level and improve SNR (signal/noise ratio) it does not say they did something revolutionary. Just that they did something that is basic, but for some reason was not done before.
 

I am 99% sure the FL50 and E300's built in flash cannot work together. You have to use the FL36 for the E300.

Yes you can. Just use the FL-50 in auto mode! :)
Of course, assuming the E-300 and E-330 are similar enough to do so.

Won't work together if in TTL mode though.
Why do they not work together in TTL mode? Weird. Olympus pray tell us!
 

Yes you can. Just use the FL-50 in auto mode! :)
Of course, assuming the E-300 and E-330 are similar enough to do so.

Won't work together if in TTL mode though.
Why do they not work together in TTL mode? Weird. Olympus pray tell us!

cannot lah, the FL50 will BLOCK the E300 built-in flash from rising fully. The E330 is better in that aspect that you can eject the built-in flash and then mount the FL50 to use both flash at the same time.
 

cannot lah, the FL50 will BLOCK the E300 built-in flash from rising fully. The E330 is better in that aspect that you can eject the built-in flash and then mount the FL50 to use both flash at the same time.

Hmm, looks like the interference issue is more severe with the E-300.
On the E-330, you can still eject the built-in flash (and also by giving it a nudge with your finger) AFTER putting on the FL-50.
 

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