Olympus are building exchangeable lens cameras now which use solely EVF and no optical path. Referred to as "micro four thirds" format. These are by definition NOT an SLR as the R implies a Reflex optical path to the eye - but they are an SLR as the term has come to be meant - which is that the lens is user fast-swappable and you site image through it. In 2003 I used a Minolta 7Hi camera which had a nice but not good enough EV= F. It did the job but wasn't up to SLR optical standards. I subsequently had a Minolta A2 with a VGS resolution EVF - and still not up to SLR optical standards. But very nice. Digital zooming did produce a result superior in resolution to an SLR, but only over part of the picture at a time. So I doubt that Epsons SVGA version is going to be good enough. It would be superb for EVF live view - the viewfinder is EITHER an optical path OR an electronic view. Live view to the LCD on the rear of the camera can be useful but if it is the only way of getting "live view" on a camera then it is a pale shadow of having it in the viewfinder. My latest camera - a Sony A700 - doe not have live view at all. I'd like it, but I'll wait until the Nikon D700s is announced, appears and drops to a half sensible price. D700s will be THE world's best low light & sports camera photographically* for those who value mobility and portability. For those who don't, D3s is (already). * Canon come close but Nikon produces slightly superior results at high ISO. This could change at any time. Considered overall (and not just on raw image results) it's a personal preference. Russell 2009/10/19 M. Adam Davis : > Interesting! =A0I 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. =A0I 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 wr= ote: >> 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 cam= eras. >> 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 megapixel= s) >> 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 > -- = http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist