E-P1/E-PL1 or decent compect

menthel

menthel

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Having taken out my 7d and a couple of lenses yesterday to an event that only really needed a camera and a zoom and not something of the quality (and weight!) of a 7d, I have come round to the idea that a m4/3 with kit lens or a fancy compact would be a good idea for those times when I don't want to lug the 7d around. I really like the oly cameras and my in-laws have an e-pl1 but i really like the look of the e-p1. The lack of flash and evf doesn't bother me and I like the idea of 2 separate control wheels as I shoot in manual quite a lot with the 7d. I can get both for around the same price with kit lens (refurbished). The other option is a fancy compact such as the xz-1 or the lx5.

What are your experiences/opinions? As you may be able to tell I hope to maintain some creative control over the images with regards depth of field etc and would like to shoot raw so that I can fix my mistakes as necessary!
 
THe newest PENs have the same sensor, and essentially the same firmware/software as the latest full size Oly E-5, it's a sensor that pretty much defies its resolution, and paired ip with some good glass it can outresolve sensors with much higher pixel counts.

The contrast AF system on the PENs is not as fast as the latest Panasonic efforts, but in every day situations it's as fast as an entry level dSLR and some mid range dSLRs. Contrast AF is also said to be more accurate than a lot of phase based AF systems.
 
Thanks.

Does anyone have any experience of the e-P1 and the e-pl1? How about the portability, picture quality and handling versus the higher end compacts?
 
I had an E-P1 for a while....it's not really pocketable, not with the kit lens. Lovely piece of kit to handle though, and it does take great pictures. The in-body IS good, but the autofocus I found pretty appalling in low light. The panny G-series is much better on the AF front.

I have a Panny TZ7 compact which is a fantastic camera to stuff in the pocket....but to be honest most of the time I end up taking the G1 + 20mm out slung over my shoulder, it's so much more accomplished in low-light.
 
mid_gen said:
I had an E-P1 for a while....it's not really pocketable, not with the kit lens. Lovely piece of kit to handle though, and it does take great pictures. The in-body IS good, but the autofocus I found pretty appalling in low light. The panny G-series is much better on the AF front.

I have a Panny TZ7 compact which is a fantastic camera to stuff in the pocket....but to be honest most of the time I end up taking the G1 + 20mm out slung over my shoulder, it's so much more accomplished in low-light.
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Thanks. I am not too bothered about low light, if I know I will be in crappy light and I really want photos I will grab my 7d and one of my primes.

Otherwise, the e-p1 is good? I am leaning towards it because of the dual controls and the fact that you can get one with kit lens for less than £250.

Either that or I go mad and buy an x100!
 
If you wish to make largish enlargements , or crop severely , a micro 4/3rds camera will be considerably better than any compact with tiny sensor .
The e-p1 would be much less of a drop from the Canon than a compact in terms of quality .
I have a G1 to complement my M8 / Pentax K10d , and I now carry it everywhere in a bag .
dee
 
The LX5 is a gorgeous compact - thread can be found here:

LX5 thread
 
Thanks all. I still have no clue what to do! I will just keep on looking and thinking. Meanwhile any samples or opinions on the e-p1 and compacts would be great!
 
I have an E-PL1 and the 20mm f1.7 pancake and it really is a pocketable camera. Took this combo on a recent trip to Tallin and was totally blown away with the image quality from such a small setup. The E-PL1 is a bit smaller and lighter than the E-P1, which influenced my decision as I really wanted the smallest / best value camera I could get. Recently also bought the EVF1 electronic viewfinder for it , which is a superb bit of kit and have been having some fun with my Minolta MD Rokkor manual focus lenses. I can see me leaving my D700 at home more and more .
 
have you read the reviews on dpreview, if not start there and it sounds like you are happy to use the earlier version, no bells and whistles so have a play with one in the shop and see what it feels like. I prefer the olympus to the panasonic and it feels like a camera unlike the plastic panasonics, plus there were some good deals over the bank holidays it was back down to £299
 
Thanks, its all good food for thought. I will have to look at the maths tonight as annual gym membership is coming up as well as the need for a new computer! ;)
 
mid_gen said:
The panny G-series is much better on the AF front.

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Actually a lot of it's down the lens, I had an m.Zuiko 14-42mm on my GH1 originally and it performed terribly. The Panny 14-45mm is a LOT better, but of course nowhere near as pocketable.
 
Thanks for that. Apparently the new oly kit lens is much better. Hmm.
 
I'd highly recommend the E-P1/2 awesome little things, get it with the Pan 20mm f1.7 better, quieter, faster focus than the 17mm f2.8. today i randomly placed the camera in my back jeans pocket as i was helping my nephew on his first bike and had nowhere to put it down and was amazed it fitted.... only had it for 2 1/2 years

also setting it up for the first time is a pain to get Super Fine quality for jpeg pictures as it is in a hidden menu. the software isn't that great for editting so use photoshot (i use capture 1)

here is some examples

here is a link to a set of photos off my E-P1 i just put together and a few below

5694091231_7c9c5e4d20.jpg

just on the 17mm f2.8 fully auto.
5694085243_9c8fae0ce9.jpg

with canon 300mm f4, +1.4x +2x convertors slight crop. video watch at highest quality, forgot to set camera first so just in auto video
5694655126_f921fc9f70.jpg

can't remember the settings but i'm sure i had to muck around a bit, but the camera is straight forward to use

My friend is a wannabe videographer and whilst on holiday decided to make a small video shot in Av mode on Video MF set to infinity f8, editted in iMovie. I am not an actor and can't do the same accent twice. linky linky. little note to people if your videoing whilst moving use the neck strap as it stops the camera flying away.

EDIT honest last bit, baby robins in my garden awwww, canon 70-200mm 1.4x on tripod with remote release.
 
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