I love the retro styling. I don't care about lack of flash and I don't care about movie making. What I really seriously care about is the fact that there is no eye viewfinder. There are times when it is really difficult to hold a camera steady at arms' length to view the screen (I have a mju 1010), and I was hoping for a camera I could replace it with and stick in my pocket, complete with a small prime lens.
I'm sorry but Olympus has lost a serious purchaser here
Liz
Is the external VF-1 hot shoe finder for the 17mm pancake not for you?
Incidentally, I didn't mention in the article that I wasn't a great fan of the retro leather case. I eventually took mine off the camera.
I liked the appearance initially but the more I see the more it looks a bit plasticky, I think Black would have been a better bet or at least mainly black with a silver top/bottom cover. I'm not sure about the lack of EVF, I've recently been using a Panasonic FX-150 and find it ok most of the time just using the main LCD. Olympus need to take a look at the build quality of Panasonic cameras, the FX-150 is a gem, really solid and almost Leicalike in Black. A prime doesn't interest me really, I need a fast reasonably wide (28mm min, 24mm better) short zoom with minimal distortion as my intended use is for backpacking. Again for my needs a built in flash would probably be better. The video feature is something that I would use. Personally I think the G1/lens is a much better set-up but unfortunately not as cute or compact. I think the EP-1 looks better with the Black lens, really dislike the silver pancake, way too plasticky looking on a camera at that price.
The contenders for me are still the G1/GH1 or LX-3. I'll probably wait a bit longer to see if Olympus release a higher spec model, what would worry me is that Panasonic seem to have the better AF system but Olympus haven't/couldn't use it, Panasonic also have a pretty good EVF in the G1 but will Olympus be able to use it or make one as good or better?
In truth if Panasonic produced a more compact G1 by changing the form from SLR style to rangefinder style (DMC-LX1) while still retaining the EVF the EP-1would be dead in the water.
I feel that the EP-1 misses the mark in too many areas to be seen as an alternative to a DSLR for semi serious use, doesn't match the spec of the G1 and isn't likely to attractive to those wishing to move up from a compact/bridge as it's overpriced compared to the lower end DSLR's.
I was concerned right from the start and posted to the effect that the Olympus m4/3rds camera wouldn't live up to the hype and IMO it hasn't, I can't think of one area where you wouldn't be better served by a G1 a DSLR or even a compact like the LX-3.
Last edited by Ian; 18th June 2009 at 10:40 AM.
Reason: Fixed spurious smiley icon that appeared in the text.
Is the external VF-1 hot shoe finder for the 17mm pancake not for you?
Incidentally, I didn't mention in the article that I wasn't a great fan of the retro leather case. I eventually took mine off the camera.
Ian
Hi Ian,
I am not surprised by your assessment of the leather half case. I have a full case (with the top removable) for another camera and don't really like handling the camera in it, even with the top removed. Thought these definitely help to keep the cameras nice and shiny.
On that point, this is a half case and not a full case (aka: (n)everready case). For stowing the camera in e.g. a backpack while hill walking, this doesn't over enough protection. Considering the unusual form factor, it will be hard to find a good aftermarket bag for e.g. the E-P1 with the zoom, which doesn't add to much bulk. If I use a bag which could also house a Lumix G1, the size advantage of the Olympus has gone.
Is Olympus coming up with a proper protective bag any time soon? I think this is a critical accessory for e.g. the traveller market, which is one of the obvious target audiences for this camera.
So excited and so disappointed. I missed the VF-1. Presumably when looking through it there are allowances to be made re: what you see is not necessarily what you get?
So excited and so disappointed. I missed the VF-1. Presumably when looking through it there are allowances to be made re: what you see is not necessarily what you get?
Liz
Parallax error is an issue when viewing close, but then you can switch your eye to the screen very easily. The VF-1 has a bright line frame, but you can see beyond the frame as well, which can be useful to notice interesting details just out of normal view.
I think you are right, there's a lot of us who want pretty much the same type of camera and the EP1 isn't quite it. Hopefully the potential is there for a future model but it does need to be a bit smaller and cheaper. Losing the video should help!
The styling I adore and if I won the lottery I'd buy one for its looks alone. I know it screams "LOOK AT ME" but, here in the U.K. at least, I can see an advantage. The police won't take it seriously. Rather than thinking you're a terrorist with a fiendish DSLR they'll just think you're a tourist with an old fashioned film camera and leave you alone. And for street photography your subjects will just think you are an eccentric and ignore you.
Glad you like the signature, I tend to change it now and again according to my mood at the time and I do have a penchant for Pink Floyd lyrics!
I read the story and saw the video posted about what is happening to photographers over there. Amazing. Although, I have a feeling we may not be too far behind here in the States. Maybe you should carry an old 8x10 on a wood tripod. Would that be eccentric enough to keep the DSLR police away?
With the chance of being last in line, but you guys will let me go first right?
I just signed up at the Dutch Olympus website for a full weeks "test-drive" of the E-P1. Maybe my own hands-on preview ..
Don't know if it is offered in other countries.
Martin
Yes, the U.K. site is doing a similar promotion. To be selected you have to submit a proposal online for a photographic project that you will undertake during your week with the camera. Those with the best ideas will be selected. I almost entered but decided not to for various reasons. With the likelihood of being able to take time off work remote I realised that my project would have to fit in with my day to day life but at the same time have a specific relevance to the new Pen. This is what I came up with:-
MY PEN FRIENDS - ORDINARY PEOPLE, EXTRAORDINARY CAMERA.
For one week take as many pictures as I can of ordinary people that I encounter in my everyday life. Show them the Pen and the picture I have just taken and ask them what they think. Use the built in video to record their responses. Make extensive use of the built in Art Filters to suit the subject's personality and enhance the mood, for example Pop Art for extrovert teenager or Grainy Film for characterful old man.
I must admit I was quite pleased to come up with this idea as I thought it could fit the Pen concept quite well but, as I said, decided not to progress it for various reasons. If anyone else would like to take up this idea and adapt it to their own situation please feel free. Or perhaps you can come up with something much better.
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