Olympus Pen E-P1 initial hands-on review

[Wijtze]

Hello

Unfortunately I'm nearing the "reading glasses phase". Some small print is hard to read for me already. But I haven't had any trouble with my E-P1. I think Ilook at it from a distance where the problem is less.
Having said this, I never considdered my age when buying the E-P1, oops.

Wijtze

[Kuifje]

One "problem" I run into with my E-1 and L-1 is that when I hand it over to my wife I would like to have an "auto" mode or iAuto ignoring all my settings basically making it full automatic. For my SLR's I don't need the option but for a micro four thirds I would see this as a benefit.

On my Canon film camera's the "green setting" overrode everything - making it a full automatic. Flash sync on first or second curtain? AE-lock? the green setting ignored all making it a full auto. The scene mode's btw did the same.

To what extend does iAuto work in this way? Otherwise I would like to add this feature to the mFT wish list.

Thanks, Martin

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Kuifje

One "problem" I run into with my E-1 and L-1 is that when I hand it over to my wife I would like to have an "auto" mode or iAuto ignoring all my settings basically making it full automatic. For my SLR's I don't need the option but for a micro four thirds I would see this as a benefit.

On my Canon film camera's the "green setting" overrode everything - making it a full automatic. Flash sync on first or second curtain? AE-lock? the green setting ignored all making it a full auto. The scene mode's btw did the same.

To what extend does iAuto work in this way? Otherwise I would like to add this feature to the mFT wish list.

Thanks, Martin

Auto mode on all the recent Olympus E-System DSLRs will revert to auto defaults, disregarding any customisations you have made. This is the big difference between Program and Auto - Program will remember some preferences, like ISO, white balance, etc., while Auto goes back to basics.

The E-P1 has an iAuto mode, and this will attempt to identify scenes and apply them. Panasonic's iAuto mode, which is featured in the G1 and GH1, is more revolved and does all sorts of clever things automatically, like increase the ISO to boost the shutter if a lot of subject movement (which is differen to camera shake) is detected.

Ian

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Wijtze

Hello

Unfortunately I'm nearing the "reading glasses phase". Some small print is hard to read for me already. But I haven't had any trouble with my E-P1. I think Ilook at it from a distance where the problem is less.
Having said this, I never considdered my age when buying the E-P1, oops.

Wijtze

I'm 48, and have worn specs (and toric contacts) for astigmatism since my mid-twenties. I personally don't have any problem using LCD screens for critical focus. As I get older I do sometimes find it difficult to focus on close up things in low light and if I'm tired. But otherwise no problem. I do think the E-P1 screen is noticeably easier to read than the current crop of 2.7 inch E-System screens. There is no difference in pixel resolution; it's down to the quality of the screen and its larger size.

Ian

[Ian]

Originally Posted by John Perriment

Hi Patrick,

I don't think you have to be an Oly basher to have severe reservations about this camera. It is a striking design and style and is bound to polarise opinions but it certainly won't be ignored. I wonder if this is a deliberate ploy by Olympus to grab maximum attention before they release something a little more conservative.

Personally I love the style, particularly the white one, and my only concern would be whether subsequent lenses would be in matching colour. Having said that, I can certainly understand why many others would hate it!

However, I can't afford the indulgent luxury of buying a camera on looks alone and I'm not completely sold on the E-P1 although I am warming to it. Which is academic really as I'm in no position to afford one!

I think you are right, John. The E-P1 is not a super-logical design. But it is great fun to use and is so different to anything else. This will mean it won't appeal to everyone, I even detected that opinion was polarised, with many think it was awful and just as many saying it was great.

Ian

[Kuifje]

Thanks Ian, very helpfull.

Martin

[Wickster]

Pardon the space out. I know this has been answered before but I can't seem to find the question and the answer. Sorry.

But will the Panasonic DMW-MA1 mFT to FT lens adapter work with the E-P1? Auto Focus on specified lenses and all? Or does Oly's version have something extra about it?

Thanks.

[fluffy]

Functionally Ian said they're the same. Differences are merely cosmetic.

Steve

[Wickster]

Awesome. Thanks. Cause the Olympus version seems to be a bit more expensive.

[ThePenIsMighty]

I bought the MA1 because the oly one was not available and i was desperate to try out my ZD 70-300mm on my pen. Funny thing was when the salesman tried out the lens on a panasonic G1 with the MA1, it couldnt autofocus but when tried on the pen it worked flawlessly.