E-PL1

Sw1tchFX · Feb 3, 2010

:neutral:

The only people on here that I know shoots m4/3rds on here is usayit and myself, but i was wondering what everyone else thinks?

IMO piece of garbage that's going be on craigslist for $150 in a couple years.

Derrel · Feb 3, 2010

Considering that it's priced at $599 at introduction with the base model zoom lens, you are probably right; at that price NEW at INTRO, the price point will only go down at retail over the life of the camera, and as fast as new digital cameras are hitting the streets, it will probably be available for $150-$200 within a relatively short time span.

It's worth noting that this new class of interchangeable lens compact cameras with electronic viewfinders grabbed almost 11 percent of "slr camera" sales in Japan in 2009--and that from what? Three individual models???

This category of 4/3 or Micro4/3 is about to get much more crowded this year. Samsung has an entry, although it's not actually a 4/3 or M4/3 standard lens flange-to-sensor camera but is an ILC with EVF, and Nikon is rumored to have an interchangeable lens compact in 2010 as well; from what I read, the Japanese camera companies are looking VERY hard at M4/3 as a new niche to exploit,big-time.

I dunno....I bought a used Canon G-series compact (PowerShot G-3 I think it was) P&S for $250 back when they were selling for something like $799 new, and it was one generation out of date.A guy can buy out of production d-slrs now for $250,even though they sold for $1,000 brand new,so you;r eprobably right: from $599 to $150 in a short'ish time frame. Sure....I'd go along with that, especially if other cameras flood the market with similar features between now and then.

Jeff Canes · Feb 3, 2010

I gave E-P1 a test drive for a week last year. Got it for these folk LensRentals.com - Rent Olympus Lenses and Cameras Came away with mixed opinions but more good than bad. I liked the image quality, weight & size plus the m-mount option (did not use). Did not like the multi-ways the controls could be set up; strangely too easy to change setting my mistake and too difficult intentionally. For me the manual focusing or setting focus points on LCD screen was difficult, I would prefer a viewfinder so maybe E-PL2 would work better for me

ann · Feb 3, 2010

i love mine, however , i got it as a point and shoot. you are talking about the e-pen 1 correct?

usayit · Feb 4, 2010

I don't think it will be a complete flop... At that price range, they are now competing against the high-end P&S market which includes Sigma DP-series, Canon G-series, Panasonic LX3. Remember this market all but disappeared a few years ago as consumers split into two groups: Consumer P&S and the DSLR shooters. Only the G-series continued on. As time went on, some consumer P&S got a bit more demanding and some DSLR shooters started to look at more compact secondary systems. I think there is something in the market to tap.

What the E-PL1 brings to the table over the other high-end P&S is the larger sensor and interchangeable lenses all in a still compact design of a P&S. The only other offering with similar features is the Ricoh GXR... still new as well. Let's not forget that Ricoh doesn't exactly have a strong presence (at least here in the US). This also addresses one of the major complaints I have heard about the current m4/3rd offerings... too expensive. At the original price points, one has to consider simply buying an entry level DSLR.

For me, I would be interested in borrowing one. I wasn't too happy with the E-P1... but I'm always open to fresh innovative new products regardless of the branding or previous experience.

So Sw1tch, does that mean you are not happy with your GF1?

Village Idiot · Feb 4, 2010

Is it Pentax that has one with a 1.5x crop sensor in it? I think that's the one.

I'd prefer to go with something that has a traditional view finder. I think the Pentax one does, if that' the brand I'm thinking of.

But if I was going for portable P&S, the G11 would by my buy. It's a power house and it's the lack of detachable lens that makes it portable. Putting one of those cameras in your pocket vs. something like a G11 isn't going to fit as well.

Dwig · Feb 4, 2010

Sw1tchFX said:
...piece of garbage that's going be on craigslist for $150 in a couple years.

Hardly a piece of garbage.

IMHO, it will proved to be a decent option. It's not for those that are really attracted to the existing m4/3 models, though. It seems to be targeted primarily for those that want a dominantly auto-everything P&S class camera but desire higher image quality. Manual overide is there, but somewhat less convenient than in other m4/3 offerings.

IQ should easily be a match for the E-P2 and thus substantially better than the Pany LX-3 and Canon G-11 which will probably be its real competitors. The E-PL1 may also be a decent P&S "accessory camera" for someone whose primary camera(s) are one of the behemoth DSLRs. Something to take to parties and for family "happy snaps" that won't deliver unsatisfying IQ.

It won't lilkely prove to be a popular choice for serious users who want an m4/3rd system camera for their primary system. Its control interface seems to be a bit limiting for heavy serious use.

Personally, I'm close to replacing my current camera with an m4/3 model. I'm not particularily interested in the E-PL1 as its feature set isn't a good match for my needs. I'm looking forward for Panasonics announcements toward the end of this month which should include a replacement for the G-1.

The E-PL1, though, may prove to be a great thing for serious m4/3 users. If it gets good market acceptance it will increase m4/3's position in the market which will benefit all m4/3 users. A "rising tide lifts all boats" sort of thing.

Montana · Feb 4, 2010

i honestly dont see how 4/3 fits in the market. At the price, you are looking at entry level DSLR, and portability is not as great as a high end point and shoot. I don't understand it at all. I liken it too an iPAD.

usayit · Feb 4, 2010

Montana said:
i honestly dont see how 4/3 fits in the market. At the price, you are looking at entry level DSLR, and portability is not as great as a high end point and shoot. I don't understand it at all. I liken it too an iPAD.

Most people here in the TPF don't fall into the targeted market so it probably doesn't make sense to quite a few members here but:

Olympus and Panasonic rumors » Blog Archive » Japanese DSLR sales ranking of the whole year 2009!

The sales figures from Japan do indicate a market for such cameras..... Its a compromise between a DSLR (smaller but feature rich) and the high end P&S (slightly larger with better sensor). A compromise that most here wouldn't even consider.

Sw1tchFX · Feb 4, 2010

Montana said:
i honestly dont see how 4/3 fits in the market. At the price, you are looking at entry level DSLR, and portability is not as great as a high end point and shoot. I don't understand it at all. I liken it too an iPAD.

I can fit my GF1, 14-45, 20mm f/1.7, extra battery, 2 SD cards, and a table top tripod in a bag the size of my D700 and 24-120VR. Which means i can just toss it in my messenger bag, have it with me all the time, have IQ that blows away a compact, is pretty darn close to aps-c, and shoots HD video. If it's the gf1 and 20mm, i can fit it in my coat pocket easy.

Hikers are a great example where size and weight are at a premium. A GF1 and 20mm is just as sharp as a D700 with 50mm f/1.4. It's almost as fast, just as sharp, and can fit in a pocket and weighs only a fraction.

it's like a point and shoot with a sensor that's SLR size, a really great concept that if you can't wrap your head around, you obviously don't need.

Dwig said:
Hardly a piece of garbage.

IMHO, it will proved to be a decent option. It's not for those that are really attracted to the existing m4/3 models, though. It seems to be targeted primarily for those that want a dominantly auto-everything P&S class camera but desire higher image quality. Manual overide is there, but somewhat less convenient than in other m4/3 offerings.

IQ should easily be a match for the E-P2 and thus substantially better than the Pany LX-3 and Canon G-11 which will probably be its real competitors. The E-PL1 may also be a decent P&S "accessory camera" for someone whose primary camera(s) are one of the behemoth DSLRs. Something to take to parties and for family "happy snaps" that won't deliver unsatisfying IQ.

It won't lilkely prove to be a popular choice for serious users who want an m4/3rd system camera for their primary system. Its control interface seems to be a bit limiting for heavy serious use.

Personally, I'm close to replacing my current camera with an m4/3 model. I'm not particularily interested in the E-PL1 as its feature set isn't a good match for my needs. I'm looking forward for Panasonics announcements toward the end of this month which should include a replacement for the G-1.

The E-PL1, though, may prove to be a great thing for serious m4/3 users. If it gets good market acceptance it will increase m4/3's position in the market which will benefit all m4/3 users. A "rising tide lifts all boats" sort of thing.

I can see how it's good for the market, and I understand what your saying, it just seems like poor design to not even have ONE dial, and instead to dumb it all down to graphics and diagrams. I wish they at least kept a metal body to it.

usayit said:
I don't think it will be a complete flop... At that price range, they are now competing against the high-end P&S market which includes Sigma DP-series, Canon G-series, Panasonic LX3. Remember this market all but disappeared a few years ago as consumers split into two groups: Consumer P&S and the DSLR shooters. Only the G-series continued on. As time went on, some consumer P&S got a bit more demanding and some DSLR shooters started to look at more compact secondary systems. I think there is something in the market to tap.

What the E-PL1 brings to the table over the other high-end P&S is the larger sensor and interchangeable lenses all in a still compact design of a P&S. The only other offering with similar features is the Ricoh GXR... still new as well. Let's not forget that Ricoh doesn't exactly have a strong presence (at least here in the US). This also addresses one of the major complaints I have heard about the current m4/3rd offerings... too expensive. At the original price points, one has to consider simply buying an entry level DSLR.

For me, I would be interested in borrowing one. I wasn't too happy with the E-P1... but I'm always open to fresh innovative new products regardless of the branding or previous experience.

Completely makes sense, and yeah, i'd like to see one, but i can't see myself owning it, it just seems like it would be so frustrating to use.

usayit said:
So Sw1tch, does that mean you are not happy with your GF1?

Am I unhappy with my GF1? No, i'm not unhappy about it, it's just got a couple things that I don't like about it, and its kind of annoying:

The color is weird alot of times with skin tones, i'm always futzing with the color settings, and a lousy LCD screen doesn't help, way too contrasty and reds are too saturated. Also, It's a really really slippery camera. Every time i take it out i feel like i'm going to drop it, and I almost have where it would have been bad..twice.

I'm looking into maybe getting an EP-2 to replace it. I tried one out yesterday, the viewfinder is really nice and tilts, i can take it off for size, the LCD is far and wide more accurate, and most of all, it won't slip out of my hands. I'm going to buy one when the weather starts to turn around and see how I like it. If I consistently get better images out of it, with minimal futz, I can sell the GF1 and 14-45 for a good price, and not pay a whole lot extra for the E-P2. If I don't like it, I'll just return it. most places have about a 10 day thing anyway as long as it stays like new.