GF1/EPL1 biased opinions??

Lunaticsamurai

Lunaticsamurai

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Hi all, after joining the site last night and spending a few hours looking around, a question has popped up in my mind.

It seems to me that majority of the members on this site prefer the Panasonic GF1 compared to the Pen series like the E-PL1, is there any reason for this?.

I have done a fair amount of research on these cameras and its seems they are pretty much on par with each other, +'s and -'s boths ways.

But doing a search on this site there is hardly any talk about Pens and loads about the GF1?

I'm looking into 4/3rds and the EPL1 seems like a good choice for an everyday camera, although the lens choice is rather expensive for some reason, but having the built in image stabilizer is a massive plus surely...

I have posted up about this but got virtually 0% feedback, so i would be interested to see what feedback this thread gets.
 
Hi

Im sure its a case of (like most things) which bits you prefer about each camera and what is most important to YOU.

The EP1 seems to have slower autofocus which is quite important to most folk.

You are right, there are pros and cons and each person weighs those out differently.
:thumbs:
 
I have a GF1, it's my 2nd as I sold one and bought another as I missed it. I also had a E-P1 which was almost exactly the same but had a nicer body, slower auto focus and some functions i would have liked easier access too rather than dive into the easy menu system.

The E-PL1 is a different camera but similar to the E-P1 and from what i have read/heard is a very good camera giving excelent image quality.

Sadly I may have to sell my GF1 as I 'need' a really decent lens for my Canon 550d but hoping not to have to.
 
Hey Janice, thanks for the reply.

i have read that the firmware update and non standard kit glass rules out the slow AF on the Pen, i have also read that image quality slightlyout performs the GF1, but yet still hardly anything about the Pen, could it just be a case of no-one on here has really bought one but rather gone with majority of members having owned the GF1.

This is really interesting.

If you go to the 4/3rds forum, its the other way around.
 
I think that initially the GF1 got better reviews than the Pen. It was said to have faster responses and then there's the 20mm f1.7 and the in built flash. Maybe the popularity of the LX range helped too. I have a LX2 and therefore felt at home with the styling and handling of the GF1. All in all I think that for many the GF1 looked the more attractive option.

The Pen has a more retro look and that attracted some as did the in body IS and the art modes.

For me another plus for the GF1 is that it doesn't look as attention grabbing as the Pen. For me the GF1 looks like a pretty ordinary digital camera and therefore possibly more likely to avoid unwanted attention. That might be all in my mind though.
 
AndyWest said:
I have a GF1, it's my 2nd as I sold one and bought another as I missed it. I also had a E-P1 which was almost exactly the same but had a nicer body, slower auto focus and some functions i would have liked easier access too rather than dive into the easy menu system.

The E-PL1 is a different camera but similar to the E-P1 and from what i have read/heard is a very good camera giving excelent image quality.

Sadly I may have to sell my GF1 as I 'need' a really decent lens for my Canon 550d but hoping not to have to.
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Have you had any hands on experience with the EPL1? what did you think of the image quality?

And is there any other options ofr cheaper lenses,as with an EPL1 standard kit and decent lens put the price up really high.
 
When i had the E-P1 i had the panasonic 20mm f1.7 lens on it (with no adapter!! woo hoo!) and after the firmware update it was close to the GF1 for autofocus. I expect the E-PL1 will be the same. Loads of people on the 4/3 forum love the E-PL1.
 
What are the prices differences are there between the GF1 and Pen,or are there none being that they are both M4/3rds....

I'm in such a dillema between the two but the price of lenses is seriously putting me off, i used to shoot DSLR but i dont want big and bulky anymore, so i have managed to wittle it down to the two leading industry options.
 
Lunaticsamurai said:
Have you had any hands on experience with the EPL1? what did you think of the image quality?

And is there any other options ofr cheaper lenses,as with an EPL1 standard kit and decent lens put the price up really high.
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Not hadled the E-PL1 but seen lots of really good images and hear nowt but good reports.

The 14-45mm lens is really good and quite cheap used. I did a test between the 20mm f1.7 and the 14-45mm f3.5 both at 20mm f5.6 and I could not tell the difference in image quality between the two.

Another option is to buy old manual focus lenses and an adapter. You can get 50mm f1.8 quality lenses for as little as £25 upwards! Just put the camera on Aperture Priority and focus manually.

If you are looking for that type of camera the E-PL1 is very good value for money.
 
Lunaticsamurai said:
What are the prices differences are there between the GF1 and Pen,or are there none being that they are both M4/3rds....

I'm in such a dillema between the two but the price of lenses is seriously putting me off, i used to shoot DSLR but i dont want big and bulky anymore, so i have managed to wittle it down to the two leading industry options.
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You can check on line for the price difference but if it's close i would go for the Panasonic GF1 because the lenses are better in my opinion. If the price difference is a lot to swallow then i'm sure you won't be dissapointed in the E-PL1
 
AndyWest said:
You can check on line for the price difference but if it's close i would go for the Panasonic GF1 because the lenses are better in my opinion. If the price difference is a lot to swallow then i'm sure you won't be dissapointed in the E-PL1
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Thanks for your input on this, its been very very helpfull...

Can you recommend any places to get standard focus lenses, as you mentioned?
 
Whn I was making my choice the only one of the two I could actually try before buying was the EP-1. I wasn't all that keen on the way it felt in the hand, mainly down to the lack of a real grip and the shiny surface on body, however the real thing that put me off and to be fair it was more down to aesthetics, was the fact that the display model in Jessops, despite being fairly new and having been in a locked display case all of it's life, was covered in handling scratches.

I got the impression that to keep it in "as new" condition would have been nigh-on impossible if it was to be used on a regular basis....
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Whn I was making my choice the only one of the two I could actually try before buying was the EP-1. I wasn't all that keen on the way it felt in the hand, mainly down to the lack of a real grip and the shiny surface on body, however the real thing that put me off and to be fair it was more down to aesthetics, was the fact that the display model in Jessops, despite being fairly new and having been in a locked display case all of it's life, was covered in handling scratches.

I got the impression that to keep it in "as new" condition would have been nigh-on impossible if it was to be used on a regular basis....
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Do you mean the EPL1? or the EP1
 
Lunaticsamurai said:
Thanks for your input on this, its been very very helpfull...

Can you recommend any places to get standard focus lenses, as you mentioned?
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eBay is your best bet for older manual focus lenses.

Lenses with an M42 thread are also poular but if you go for a Olympus camera it would be cool to use Olympus OM lenses!
 
Right ok, so i have spent another few hours searching online and it really does seem to be the EPL1. I have also been searching at the same time for cheaper lenses, i even called Jessops, (they are about as helpfull as a chocolate tea-pot).

CAn anyone add some links to some adaptors and lenses in the not so expensive price range otherwise i find i may just have to spend £300 oon a decent high end point and shoot.
 
EPL1 looks good but I think it doesn't have a control dial for easy adjustment of aperture etc - also isn't the build quality not meant to be as good as the GF1?

And Andy - don't do it! You'll only end up buying one again!
 
AndyWest said:
eBay is your best bet for older manual focus lenses.

Lenses with an M42 thread are also poular but if you go for a Olympus camera it would be cool to use Olympus OM lenses!
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Don't waste your money. The E-PL1 and GF1 are Micro FourThirds. That means the lens mount is about 6mm smaller than a standard fourthirds camera. You need a Micro FourThirds to FourThirds adapter, then a manual to AF adapter for OM lenses. Then an M42 to OM adapter for M42 lenses. You'd end up with a barge pole on your tiny body. :)

BTW, the GF1 destroys the Pen series in picture quality IMHO but that smaller sensor just can't compete with the Samsung NX10 or the new Sony NEX 3/5 which both use APS-C crop sensors...
 
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just seen the link... they make them now do they? Boy do I feel stupid.
 
aardvark said:
Don't waste your money. The E-PL1 and GF1 are Micro FourThirds. That means the lens mount is about 6mm smaller than a standard fourthirds camera. You need a Micro FourThirds to FourThirds adapter, then a manual to AF adapter for OM lenses. Then an M42 to OM adapter for M42 lenses. You'd end up with a barge pole on your tiny body. :)

BTW, the GF1 destroys the Pen series in picture quality IMHO but that smaller sensor just can't compete with the Samsung NX10 or the new Sony NEX 3/5 which both use APS-C crop sensors...
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Trouble is that it detracts from what i require which is a pocketable take everywhere camera.

But i find it interesting that you say the GF1 destroys the Pen series on photo's as on field test studies its the other way round, in jpeg, but RAW they are pretty much on par with each other.
 
After much thought on this i think i am going to just buy a high end point and shoot, but am i going to regret it? I have been looking at the DSLR's again,and thinking that if i buy a high end PS or a 4/3rds then i will ultimately just regret it, because in a few weeks of having one, i will just miss the diversity and image quality of a DSLR, so do i just blow a couple of hundred quid on a high end PS or just wait a few weeks and get a Canikon?
 
I really think you will regret buying a P&S Go for the GF1 or E-PL1, they are more fun!
 
The Sony NEX-3 or 5 are very small camera bodies and have an APS-C sensor.

With regards to my previous post, my apologies, I was referring to the E-P1. Oly have improved with the E-P2 and E-PL1 and they trump the GF1. :) I still think the GF1 looks nicer though.

Noise is still an issue with MFT though and I'd say if it gets on your nerves as much as it does mine, then stay away from it. ;)
 
aardvark said:
The Sony NEX-3 or 5 are very small camera bodies and have an APS-C sensor.

With regards to my previous post, my apologies, I was referring to the E-P1. Oly have improved with the E-P2 and E-PL1 and they trump the GF1. :) I still think the GF1 looks nicer though.

Noise is still an issue with MFT though and I'd say if it gets on your nerves as much as it does mine, then stay away from it. ;)
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Oly have improved with the E-P2 and E-PL1 and they trump the GF1. :)
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Er no! They are all much of a muchness:D.

I still think the GF1 looks nicer though.
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I don't :D I think the E-P2 look nice and retro. E-PL1 looks pants in my opinion. :D

Noise is still an issue with MFT though and I'd say if it gets on your nerves as much as it does mine, then stay away from it. ;)[/
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Agreed!! Anything above ISO400 iso get's noisy!;)
 
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AndyWest said:
Er no! They are all much of a muchness:D.
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Not when I tested them all against each other. I found that the GF1 won against the EP1 and the EP2 won against the GF1. Basically, it was always the newer camera with improved noise control.:D
 
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