Interesting! I wonder if it's actually going to be cheaper than the pentaprism/mirror assembly, given that it should reduce the overall size (and materials) of the camera. Still, it'll be awhile before many SLR enthusiasts switch to something like that. I expect the first few models to have a noticable latency and slow-ish frame rate. On the other hand, with techniques such as storing the 3 frames before and after the shutter release (which cannot currently be done with the mirror down in an SLR) and no loss of image when taking a picture (mirror up), there are certainly advantages to a digital viewfinder SLR which may be worth dealing with latency. -Adam On Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 8:14 AM, Russell McMahon wrot= e: > SVGA > > James wants one. > > http://www.dpreview.com/news/0910/09101501epsonhtpspanel.asp > > Their claims re replacing optical viewfinders are very likely to be > overblown at this stage, but it's good to see a company like Epson > getting into the high resolution EVF field. > An eye view SVGA display may be useful for 'other things' as well as came= ras. > I'm looking forwards to an > - Acceptably priced > - High resolution HUD > - That will fit unnoticeably in spectacles > > Chose any 3. > Not yet, but this is a step in the right direction. > > __________ > > TOKYO, Japan, October 2009 =96 Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson", > TSE:6724) today announced that it has begun volume production of a new > high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT color panel for electronic > viewfinders. Measuring just 0.47 of an inch (1.2 cm) diagonally, the > new panels offer SVGA (800 x RGB x 600) resolution in red, green and > blue for a total of 1.44 megapixels. > The new panels are targeted at camera manufacturers for use as > electronic viewfinders in mid- to high-end digital single lens reflex > (DSLR) cameras. > > ___________ > > Text version of the above page below. > See original page for nicely formated version. > > > =A0 =A0 Russell McMahon > > > _____________________ > > Epson is claiming its new Ultimicron series of compact, > high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) panels will allow electronic > viewfinders to offer the 'resolution and fidelity' required to fully > replace optical viewfinders on digital SLRs. The new panel, which has > just gone into mass production, offers a similar 1.44MP resolution > (800x600xRGB) to the class-leading viewfinders in Panasonic's > DMC-G1/GH1, but uses a color filter to prevent color breakup when > panning or shooting fast-moving objects. The poor performance of most > existing EVF technology when compared to reflex viewfinders is a major > barrier to the adoption of mirrorless interchangeable lens system > cameras, and Epson obviously has high hopes for a market segment > that's expected to grow significantly during 2010. > > Jump to: > > Press Release > Specifications > > Press Release: > > Epson Starts Volume Production of Ultra-Compact, High-Resolution HTPS > TFT Color Liquid Crystal Panel for Electronic Viewfinders > > Optical viewfinder replacement enables smaller, thinner digital cameras > > TOKYO, Japan, October 2009 =96 Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson", > TSE:6724) today announced that it has begun volume production of a new > high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT color panel for electronic > viewfinders. Measuring just 0.47 of an inch (1.2 cm) diagonally, the > new panels offer SVGA (800 x RGB x 600) resolution in red, green and > blue for a total of 1.44 megapixels. > The new panels are targeted at camera manufacturers for use as > electronic viewfinders in mid- to high-end digital single lens reflex > (DSLR) cameras. > > Competition in the digital camera market has reached a fever pitch. > Companies are launching new products with higher resolutions and more > features at even lower prices. In recent years, more and more > consumers have been switching from compact cameras to SLR units in > pursuit of better performance and image quality, driving the need for > smaller and thinner DSLR cameras with video and other features. > Epson's new panels meet this need and open a whole world of > possibilities for DSLR cameras. > > Until now, no electronic viewfinder has been able to offer the > resolution and fidelity needed to replace optical viewfinders and to > focus the image. Epson's new panel, developed using HTPS technology, > not only makes this possible but also uses an analog driver to > recreate smooth gradations and a natural softness. This panel will > allow camera manufacturers to eliminate the mirrors and pentaprisms > needed for optical viewfinders, enabling much smaller and thinner > camera bodies and letting users capture the image they see. In > addition, the use of a color filter prevents the color breakup that > tends to occur with other color systems when shooting fast-moving > subjects and while panning. > > Epson has long developed HTPS panels to meet the high-definition, > high-resolution needs of its market-leading projector business. Using > technology developed for projectors, Epson created this new product to > meet the needs of the digital camera market. > > This panel is the first in Epson's new "ULTIMICRON" series of compact, > high-resolution HTPS panels that display full color on a single screen > for electronic viewfinders and other compact displays. Epson will > continue to offer new solutions for the growing DSLR camera market by > expanding its lineup with higher resolutions, better image quality, > and smaller sizes. > > Features of the new panel > > Compact > Small 0.47-inch diagonal screen enables compact, thin cameras > High resolution > High pixel density with SVGA resolution (800 x RGB x 600, 1.44 megapixels) > Color filter > Not affected by color breakup that occurs with fast-moving subjects > and panning shots when using a field-sequential color system > > Advantages when used in a DSLR camera > > High resolution enables easy focusing > Can capture images as they are seen > Viable alternative to optical viewfinder > > Avoids the blackout of optical viewfinders when shooting video > Enables smaller cameras by eliminating need for mirrors and pentaprisms > Eliminates mechanical time lag caused by mirror > > Panel specifications > > NameL3F04S-80300 > LCD typeTN mode, organic alignment layer > Color display system > > Color filter (RGB stripe) > > Effective pixels800 x RGB x 600 (SVGA) > Panel size (diagonal) > > 0.47 inch (1.2 cm) > > Pixel pitch12 =B5m (4 x RGB) x 12 =B5m > Color space > > 92% of sRGB > > Contrast ratio280:1 > Backlight > > Yes > > Surface luminance460 cd/m2 > Displayable colors > > Approx. 16.77 million colors > > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > -- = http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist