Topic: Olympus LS-5 appears

[flintstone]

http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/2581_23095.htm

The Olympus folks have announced a less expensive version of the LS-11 recorder.  It's called the LS-5.  The specifications show minor differences between the LS-5 and LS-11 (no programmable function button on the LS-5, and only 2GB internal flash memory for the LS-5, for example).  But the specs for the internal mic and line input, and the battery life (23 hours record time) are the same.

Prices for the LS-5 on the web pages of European dealers are about 2/3 the price of the LS-11.  If that holds true in USA, the LS-5's price will be around $225 within a couple of months of the recorder's release here.

I read about the LS-5 first on the Naturerecordists list on Yahoo.

Flintstone

[flintstone]

upon further review:

The LS-5 specifications page says, "Programmable button   0"  but the photo of the LS-5 clearly shows a button labeled "FN," just like on the LS-11.  So now I'm thinking that the LS-5 has a programmable function button after all.

The specs page says, "Remote Control   No," but the retailer's web page says the IR remote is an option. 

One sure difference is that the LS-5 is bundled with audio management software called Sonority written by Olympus, while the LS-11 comes with a true audio editor, Cubase 4 LE.   And the LS-5's aluminum top skin has an electric blue finish, while the LS-11 is silver.

[flintstone]

The plot thickens.  The following was posted by Tom Williams to the Yahoo Naturerecordists group:

"I asked Olympus on their Twitter account how the LS-5 differs from the LS-10, and the reply was 'Pretty much identical. Only real difference is that the LS-5 does not include the Cubase software.'"

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/naturerecordists/message/41538

First, who knew Olympus customer service had a Twitter account?  Second, the LS-5 does have 2GB of flash memory internal, while the LS-11 has 8GB.  Both have a slot for a SDHC card, so this difference is of little consequence.  Can the price be the primary difference?  The user guide for the LS-5 is not online yet.

Flintstone

[Chuck Sidfrum]

I contacted Olympus UK asking about the new LS-5, about middle of July, and was told the LS-5 was being discontinued. I said it had only been released on the website in the last week, they double checked, and said not only was the LS-5 being discontinued, but so to the LS-10 and LS-11.

Now the Sony PCM-M10 may be good, buy I didn't think it was that good.

Maybe Olympus can sort out their communications soon, however the lack of information on the internet regarding the LS-5 suggests to me Olympus UK told me correct information when they told me it was being discontinued.

[John Willett]

I contacted Olympus UK asking about the new LS-5, about middle of July, and was told the LS-5 was being discontinued. I said it had only been released on the website in the last week, they double checked, and said not only was the LS-5 being discontinued, but so to the LS-10 and LS-11.

Now the Sony PCM-M10 may be good, buy I didn't think it was that good.

Maybe Olympus can sort out their communications soon, however the lack of information on the internet regarding the LS-5 suggests to me Olympus UK told me correct information when they told me it was being discontinued.

Interesting .................

When I looked at the website I suspected that the LS-5 may be a re-badged LS-10 to pick-up sales at the lower end of the market.

But if Olympus have decided to leave the market after just entering it - Strange

[flintstone]

It didn't seem right to me that Olympus would introduce a product in May and discontinue it in July. 

I found a press release about the LS-5 on the Olympus-Europa web site.  It contained the email address of the Communications Manager for Olympus in Europe.  I wrote to ask for a clarification about the LS-5's status.  I received a reply this morning that that the LS-5 is a current product that is available now from a few outlets in Europe, and will be available world-wide in August.  There are no plans to discontinue the LS-5.

Chuck Sidfrum, Olympus-Europa wants to know which Olympus employee told you that the LS-5 is a discontinued product!  Send me a PM, please.

Flintstone

[rastasean]

It didn't seem right to me that Olympus would introduce a product in May and discontinue it in July. 

its a very, very limited edition.

[flintstone]

"the LS-5 may be a re-badged LS-10"

The LS-5's specs, particularly its run time on 2 AA cells, is like the LS-11, not the LS-10.

I think Olympus wanted a product to compete with the Sony PCM-M10 and Roland R-05,
so they downgraded a couple of elements of the LS-11 (the built-in Flash memory, and
the bundled software, for example) to create a machine they could sell at a lower price
point. 

We won't know if the LS-5 shares its internals and mic capsules with the LS-11 until they
are tested.

[flintstone]

Isn't it time for Church-Audio to post about how much he hated his LS-10?   

[John Willett]

Isn't it time for Church-Audio to post about how much he hated his LS-10?   

But I still like mine 

It's perfect as a carry-everywhere machine.  I use my Nagra VI, though, for the serious stuff.

[flintstone]

The British audio retailer Solid State Sound has a web page up that describes the differences between the LS-11 and LS-5.  The LS-5 is advertised as available in "mid-August," so any day now.  The prices on the web page indicate that the LS-5 should cost about $240 when it first appears in USA.

http://www.solidstatesound.co.uk/olympus_ls-series.htm