olympus PEN, Any pitfalls?

Matt

Matt

TPer Emeritus
Suspended / Banned
Messages
22,999
Name
matt
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm looking at a Pen, pcworld/currys have them at £300(can't do a link, I'm on my iPhone) so wondering what problems if any this may have, anyone got one, how does it perform? sample images? Are the panasonic or Sony models of similar type better or worse?
 
Yv said:
I was looking at those too, dropping hints at Yves Geza. They are showing out of stock on line atm, though the stores may have them. Would also be interested to hear opinions from users.
Click to expand...

In store he said they had plenty, the guy couldn't show me any lenses though as he didn't know what he was looking at, he'd just sold me a tv...
 
hmmm, online they are selling one with a 14-42 lens [effectively much longer on that sensor I pressume] at 379, or the GF1 with similar lens at 399.... I do prefer the retro look of the Pen though

Might have to pop over to currys now we have a local one for a shufty
 
Yv said:
hmmm, online they are selling one with a 14-42 lens [effectively much longer on that sensor I pressume] at 379, or the GF1 with similar lens at 399.... I do prefer the retro look of the Pen though

Might have to pop over to currys now we have a local one for a shufty
Click to expand...

It was the look that I liked, if the image and use match the looks....
 
Not used a PEN but I have used M4/3 cameras lots and I am a big fan. You lose a bit in shutter lag/af speed/high iso performance from a DSLR, but you get a very compact sexy little camera that you just want to take everywhere with you, and is capable of superb IQ.

The GF1 is meant to have slightly faster AF, the PEN slightly better jpegs and high ISO performance.

You want the Panasonic 20mm 1.7 lens to go with it really though - f1.7 and IBIS. :)
 
Looks like the £300 deal at Currys is finished and few other places seem to have them in stock, so that was probably an end of line clearance price, as the only shops that seem to have them in stock are selling the body only for £30+ more.
 
If it's any use Jessops have the newer, but not-so-cute EP-L1 with the 14-42 lens for £379, or alternatively without the lens for £20 more :thinking: :shrug:
 
grum said:
You lose a bit in /high iso performance from a DSLR,
The GF1 is meant to have slightly faster AF, the PEN slightly better jpegs and high ISO performance.

You want the Panasonic 20mm 1.7 lens to go with it really though - f1.7 and
IBIS. :)
Click to expand...

GH1 and 2 as well as PEN ISO performance is nearly as good as the Oly E5, and eclipse the lower spec DSLRS, as well as panasonics other m4/3 offerings.

JPEGS are mre natural from the panasonics, Oly have a much more appealing brown/red rendition though IMO. Panasonic JPEGS are compressed more than Olys even at the best setting.

AF is very good in the panasonics with Panasonic lens, a little worse with Zuiko lenses and the pens are lagging behind, but still acceptable I feel.

PENs have in built Image stabilisation which is nice. The pannys don't

My advice:

If you want a superb compact camera then go PEN + Lumix20mm lens

if you want a baby DSLR then go GH1 or GH2.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
If it's any use Jessops have the newer, but not-so-cute EP-L1 with the 14-42 lens for £379, or alternatively without the lens for £20 more :thinking: :shrug:
Click to expand...

just popped into currys and they had no Pens on display at all. They did however have the EP-L1 side by side with Gf1. definately less cute than the Pen but equally dinky and pocketable, even with the 14-42 lens. ATM they have got £30 cashback on it, making it 349 so even cheaper then jessops. The GF1 felt marginally more solid and the lens definately looks more 'pro' but the price difference didn't warrant buying on looks alone.

a quick look at Oly website shows a digital viewfinder is available and a 17mm pancake lens, again, something I would certainly want.

So, thankyou so far to those that have posted and any more reviews of the EP1 or EP-L1 appreciated :thumbs:
 
Yv said:
The GF1 felt marginally more solid and the lens definately looks more 'pro' but the price difference didn't warrant buying on looks alone.
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that, as it was really a Pen that I wanted, however one of the reasons I ended up buying the GF-1 was that at a glance it just looks like a point and shoot, so doesn't attract any unwanted attention.

As far as been pocketable, I've just bought one of these and it's absolutely perfect for the GF-1 with the pancake lens on it.
 
Last edited:
Not used the Olypus but got myself the GF1 as well the other week. With the 14-45mm lens also the 20mm as I liked it more then the PEN also reading the reviews seemed slightly better, shot in RAW anyway and from the Reviews that seems better quality from Raw shots. Only done about 600 odd shots so far but liking it. I just wanted something when traveling light and not able to take my full SLR, but still have the flexiablity. Both camera's will have their pro's and con's I would just go into the shop and try them out and get the one you like the best.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Park Cameras have the silver EP-1 + 14-42mm lens for £329 if that's any help
Click to expand...

.....or, same deal as currys but in the colour scheme I actually wanted! EPL1 :D


Also, liking that bag Graham. Hama also do a range of small funkily patterned padded bags which are damn near useless for a normal dslr but perfect for this size of kit.I seem to recall 7 day shop are selling them, and if not, amazon, and they are about a tenner or something silly like that.
 
If you do get one, get the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 for it!!!!!!!!!!:thumbs:
 
Yv said:
whoa....hang on...are you saying both cameras [panny and oly] use same lens mounts, both types of lenses can be used?
Click to expand...

Yes. old Mr. Whitworth would be proud of our standardisation!
 
absolutely love my EP-1, performs well at high ISO, love the art filters and its solid and comfortable to hold..

my only gripe(apparently plagues all CSC's) is AF in low light, it can be rather annoying but MF is a dream to use so not a biggy, and it is the only little gripe I have.
 
One of the PENs has a flash. One doesn't. As a GF1 owner who uses his a lot indoors for crappy snapshots of people, cats etc, I wouldn't be without a flash now, even though a lot are ok without flash and the 20mm 1.7 lens.
 
strumstrum said:
absolutely love my EP-1, performs well at high ISO, love the art filters and its solid and comfortable to hold..

my only gripe(apparently plagues all CSC's) is AF in low light, it can be rather annoying but MF is a dream to use so not a biggy, and it is the only little gripe I have.
Click to expand...

thats liveable with. Hell I use a sigma on a D700 that is useless in low light.
 
Yv said:
whoa....hang on...are you saying both cameras [panny and oly] use same lens mounts, both types of lenses can be used?
Click to expand...


Yes, plus with an adaptor you can use most other fitments of lenses.....

37587_122999231078414_100001050131285_127778_2151317_n.jpg


:D
 
glad i came by this thread as i too am looking to buy a compact system camera and to be honest my head is spinning with what to buy lol

to clear one of my spins up what does the EP-L1 replace? is the EP-L1 not the pen?

currys are confusing me a bit with this, what am i missing are they not the same but ones dearer?

EPL1 £379
Pen EPL1 £429

also any views on the Sony NEX-5 as that was my other choice or is olympus the way to go.

thanks in advance but ive really lost the plot looking at hundreds of cameras recently lol
 
Last edited:
Flash In The Pan said:
Same camera, one is black the other is red, with a premium for the red finish
Click to expand...


that was my first thought then checked jessops and there all the same price £379 with £30 cash back what ever colour red/black/silver/white except in steel blue which Jessops say are exclusive to them and comes in at £379 no cash back. just currys taking the mick then...
 
If anyone fancies a look, all the images on my website were taken with the GF1 or G1 (which is basically the same camera but with a viewfinder and flippy screen) :)
 
grum said:
If anyone fancies a look, all the images on my website were taken with the GF1 or G1 (which is basically the same camera but with a viewfinder and flippy screen) :)
Click to expand...


how do you find the Panny?

great pics by the way, what lenses are you using with it?
 
Last edited:
suggs said:
how do you find the Panny?

great pics by the way, what lenses are you using with it?
Click to expand...

Yup I really like it - as said there are a few compromises but they are outweighed by the fact I can stick it in my jacket pocket and always have it with me.

Cheers for the comment on the pics. I would say most of them were taken with the 20mm or 14-45 - and quite a few with some old manual lenses like the Canon FD 50mm 1.4.
 
Yv said:
.....or, same deal as currys but in the colour scheme I actually wanted! EPL1 :D


Also, liking that bag Graham. Hama also do a range of small funkily patterned padded bags which are damn near useless for a normal dslr but perfect for this size of kit.I seem to recall 7 day shop are selling them, and if not, amazon, and they are about a tenner or something silly like that.
Click to expand...


I know it looks pricey, but what I love about this one is that it comes with the BR sling strap, which you can use with or without the bag, plus a wriststrap, well worth the extra money :thumbs:
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Yes. old Mr. Whitworth would be proud of our standardisation!
Click to expand...

One small qualification: the Oly can be used with ALL four thirds lenses (via an adaptor) with full AF, although on some of the FT lenses focus can be rather slow. The Pany's can also use all the FT lenses but some of them are are manual focus only, of the one that can use AF the Pany is slightly faster than the Oly

Incidently the Oly branded adaptor (mFT to FT) is believed to be identical to the panasonic version but the pany is cheaper.

I use my Pen with the 17mm pancake most of the time plus the Zuiko 50mm f2, results form the first are good, from the second superb. I have other bigger Zuiko lenses but they fit more comfortably on an E series body. I can not make up my mind whether to get the pany 20mm pancake or wait until more primes are announced.

Finally there is a wide range of cheap adaptors that allow almost any lens to be attached and used in manual focus mode I use a Canon FD f2.8 100mm as a cheap telephoto and am very pleased with it. I do not think there is any other camera range (not even from Canon) that can still use FD lenses
 
Last edited:
dd1989 said:
:lol: I want to fit a Sigma 50-500 with a 2x convertor to a Four Thirds body, that would be 2000mm EFL :lol:
Click to expand...

Personally I would rather fit a 500 F4 to a 4/3 body with a 2x converter. Far more ridiculous...
 
matty said:
I'm looking at a Pen, pcworld/currys have them at £300(can't do a link, I'm on my iPhone) so wondering what problems if any this may have, anyone got one, how does it perform? sample images? Are the panasonic or Sony models of similar type better or worse?
Click to expand...
You asked for some sample images and here are two with 100% crops included. No procesing has been done although I would normally adjust the levels at least

Ouse.jpg

OuseCrop.jpg

Abbey.jpg

AbbeyCrop.jpg


All taken with PEN E-P1 and 17mm pancake lens
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top