Cotty wrote: > >This from DPReview on the UK pricing of the E-1 DSLR from Olympus: > >"Olympus UK has today confirmed that the body only list price of the E- 1 digital SLR (including 17.5% VAT) will be £1699.99. This means that at least initially the E-1 will be approximately £200 more than a Nikon D100 and £450 more than a Canon EOS-10D. Assuming the E-1's street price drops once the immediate rush is over we could see it matching the D100 at £1499 (inc. VAT). In my opinion this price is simply too high for a new SLR system. We still don't have official pricing for lenses or accessories." > >Full story: > <http://www.dpreview.com/news/0307/03070101e1ukprice.asp> > >I agree that it is too high. Time will tell. That *ist D has to be well >into D10 territory. Has to be.
I disagree. The E1 was never aimed to compete with the consumer Nikon D100 and Canon EOS 10D. It's very much a pro camera and is positioned nearer to the Nikon D1 range and Canon EOS 1D. It is said to be built like a tank and that alone positions it a lot higher than the D100 and EOS D10. When prices settle down, the E1 will be seen as very good value for money. With Fuji and Olympus both making lenses for this system, competition will develop and drive prices down. It seems likely that the lens mount and interface will be licensed to independent manufacturers and this will bring prices down further. It will be at that point, and not before, that we should judge the success (or otherwise) of the 4/3 system. Personally, I think the 4/3 system could be the future of digital, and that we will see the 'Holy Grail' of a 24x36mm sensor as more of a 'blind alley'. No doubt Paal will tell me I'm wrong again. ;-) John
