Which has a better electronic viewfinder, the Lumix DMC-GF1 or the Olympus PEN E-P2?

A

Apostrophe

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm struggling to choose between these two cameras. I think that the most important differentiating factor would probably be found in the quality of the electronic viewfinders. Has anyone here used both cameras? I'd really appreciate a judgement.
 
surely if they have similar specs the most important differentiating factor would be which feels best in your hands?

how easy are the controls to use and get at etc?
 
I seem to recall that the new oly one for the EP2 is a higher res than the panny one but you'd need to check that out. There is certainly a lot of info on the web that I read when deciding on a system but as with all things, it only stayed in my head while I needed it. :lol:
 
The GF1 viewfinder resolution is 202k whereas the E-P2 viewfinder is 1.4 million pixels. From what I've heard it is supposed to be very good and one of the best on the market.

Your best of trying both of them if you can.
 
The EP-2 EVF is supposed to be considerably better than the GF-1 one. The GF-1 is still a better-handling camera imho.
 
I found the E-P1 more comfortable (which swayed it for me), the grip does make a difference and reminds of the Ricoh's. Both are still cracking cameras though.
 
Willo said:
I found the E-P1 more comfortable (which swayed it for me), the grip does make a difference and reminds of the Ricoh's. Both are still cracking cameras though.
Click to expand...


:agree:

I think the EP-1/2 is the better looking camera, however the GF-1 just looks like a £200 point n shoot, which was part of it's attraction for me, if that makes any sense. :lol:
 
Interesting. Considering the way in which others have been banging on evangelically about the GF1 on this forum, I'm surprised to see the replies to this thread coming out, n balance, in favour of the PEN.

I haven't actually read reviews of either, but I do think the Olympus looks classier; can quite see myself prancing around the place like some latter-day Cartier Bresson with one of those! :lol:
 
If you look at these two cameras with any intent to buy, the conclusions are almost unavoidable. The Pen is the camera you'll want, without a doubt. The lanny is the one you'll buy though. It's just the the way it is. ;)
 
the Pen is very nice but its slow and the screen is poor, my experience with the panny EVF wasn't all that enamoring if I'm honest. Surely if your after a good EVF and you want MFT then the G1 would be your best bet (and a fair bit cheaper too!)
 
MrNutt said:
the Pen is very nice but its slow and the screen is poor, my experience with the panny EVF wasn't all that enamoring if I'm honest. Surely if your after a good EVF and you want MFT then the G1 would be your best bet (and a fair bit cheaper too!)
Click to expand...

I've been looking at these options just recently too. The thing is that if you want a viewfinder then the G1 makes a lot of sense. The panasonic interface is supposed to be better too. The addon viewfinders are more likely to get damaged than an inbuilt one.
But what makes me think the E-P2 might be better is that I want to use an adapter with manual focus m-mount lenses and olympus have image stabilisation in camera whereas panasonic have it in lens on some of their lenses. So neither the G1 or EP-2 does it all for me. Tough decision. And the G1 has inbuilt flash whereas the EP-2 doesn't and if you use a viewfinder then the hotshoe isn't available for flash which makes it an even tougher decision.
 
tlitody said:
I've been looking at these options just recently too. The thing is that if you want a viewfinder then the G1 makes a lot of sense. The panasonic interface is supposed to be better too. The addon viewfinders are more likely to get damaged than an inbuilt one.
But what makes me think the E-P2 might be better is that I want to use an adapter with manual focus m-mount lenses and olympus have image stabilisation in camera whereas panasonic have it in lens on some of their lenses. So neither the G1 or EP-2 does it all for me. Tough decision. And the G1 has inbuilt flash whereas the EP-2 doesn't and if you use a viewfinder then the hotshoe isn't available for flash which makes it an even tougher decision.
Click to expand...

The new E-PL1 has built-in flash and can use the EVF too. It's also cheaper than the E-P2 and has a weaker anti-alias filter, giving it a higher effective resolution.

Andy
 
Apostrophe said:
I'm struggling to choose between these two cameras.
Click to expand...
Isn't the point that that GF and Pen range are essentially 'finderless'?

I don't know why someone considering the use of a clip on viewfinder would not also be considering the Panasonic G1 (or GH1) or even the Olympus E-3.... ( although I'm only guessing that they might have 'better' viewfinders!)

Or is it that the image of being a 1950 photojournalist armed with just a IIIc and clip-on rangfinder is still alluring? ;)
 
Voyager said:
Isn't the point that that GF and Pen range are essentially 'finderless'?

I don't know why someone considering the use of a clip on viewfinder would not also be considering the Panasonic G1 (or GH1) or even the Olympus E-3.... ( although I'm only guessing that they might have 'better' viewfinders!)

Or is it that the image of being a 1950 photojournalist armed with just a IIIc and clip-on rangfinder is still alluring? ;)
Click to expand...

Not really. The finders are more useful than the G-1. Partly because the Olympus one is just better (resolution and speed) and partly because they can be tilted so you can use them more like a Rollei, looking down without the camera between you and your subject - much better for family gatherings, casual (or even professional!) portrait photography.

Andy
 
AndyElliott said:
Not really. The finders are more useful than the G-1. Partly because the Olympus one is just better (resolution and speed) and partly because they can be tilted so you can use them more like a Rollei, looking down without the camera between you and your subject - much better for family gatherings, casual (or even professional!) portrait photography
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. Indeed useful - although even I've spotted the G1 (and GH1) have an articulated screen that would allow that and does overhead shots too! :D
 
AndyElliott said:
The new E-PL1 has built-in flash and can use the EVF too. It's also cheaper than the E-P2 and has a weaker anti-alias filter, giving it a higher effective resolution.

Andy
Click to expand...

But designed to be used more as a point and shoot with no function dials so that using in manual mode is a pain to select options from several levels of menus according to what I have read.
 
Voyager said:
Isn't the point that that GF and Pen range are essentially 'finderless'?

I don't know why someone considering the use of a clip on viewfinder would not also be considering the Panasonic G1 (or GH1)
Click to expand...

Size Matters....


4137517118_bec2079dc9_o.jpg
 
It always amazes me on threads when someone asks a relatively sensible question the number of replies you get which are simply completely not to the point or devoid of anything meaningful. There is a vast difference between EVFs on these two cameras, yet people without an answer bang on about surely this surely that etc etc. :bang: It's not about trying to see if you're clever enough to get the poor bloke to completely rethink his obviously fairly well researched plan, but giving him the benefit of experience as per OP, i.e.
Has anyone here used both cameras?"
Click to expand...

Yes - if all else between them is equal in your eyes, the EVF of the Olympus is better.
 
py6km said:
It always amazes me on threads when someone asks a relatively sensible question the number of replies you get which are simply completely not to the point or devoid of anything meaningful. There is a vast difference between EVFs on these two cameras, yet people without an answer bang on about surely this surely that etc etc. :bang: It's not about trying to see if you're clever enough to get the poor bloke to completely rethink his obviously fairly well researched plan, but giving him the benefit of experience as per OP, i.e.

Yes - if all else between them is equal in your eyes, the EVF of the Olympus is better.
Click to expand...

But the OP said:
I think that the most important differentiating factor would probably be found in the quality of the electronic viewfinders.
Click to expand...
which implies a degree of uncertainty so everyone has given their opinion just to make sure the OP doesn't leave out other important considerations.
 
I think I'd toss a coin...or buy whichever was offered by the prettiest sales assistant. :love:
 
To me it pretty much came down to the fact that I prefer the look of the GF1 to the faux retro look of the Olympus camera. :lol:
 
tlitody said:
But designed to be used more as a point and shoot with no function dials so that using in manual mode is a pain to select options from several levels of menus according to what I have read.
Click to expand...

That's true, but I think it is something you should try out for yourself to see how much of a pain it really is.
 
AndyElliott said:
That's true, but I think it is something you should try out for yourself to see how much of a pain it really is.
Click to expand...

Well yes if that's possible. For me it's about whether the camera remembers previous settings so that if I have it set to manual non autofocus lens with aperture priority, then when I switch it on I can just fit whichever lens and fire away without having to play menus.
 
tlitody said:
Well yes if that's possible. For me it's about whether the camera remembers previous settings so that if I have it set to manual non autofocus lens with aperture priority, then when I switch it on I can just fit whichever lens and fire away without having to play menus.
Click to expand...

I don't know whether there are 'my modes' type presets or not. Doesn't look like the pdf manual is available to download yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top