Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

[ozimax]

I purchased an E-PL1 last week as I'm heading os again next week and I couldn't be bothered carrying my 5D and lens in NZ for two weeks. Here's a few preliminary thoughts:

1. Very well built though light
2. 14-42 lens a bit fiddly to operate
3. HD video is sensationally easy to take
4. ISO 800 is clean
5. Inbuilt flash is good and can be angled to bounce off ceiling
6. RAW files are a pain as there doesn't seem to be any support at this stage. The Olympus proprietary software doesn't work with Mac osx.
7. Updating the firmware is a bit of a pain compared to Canon
8. Image quality seems great as per the many reviews

So far so good.

[aim54x]

What is your view on the manual control? I find it too compact camera like

[ozimax]

What is your view on the manual control? I find it too compact camera like

It's a cinch. In A mode, one click up on the 4-way button and then you're able to control the aperture easily. It's not quite as nice as the little roller button on the E-p1 or the ring on the Canon S90 but it is more aimed at the mass market than the E-P1. Like everything, it takes a few goes to get used to it. The LX3 was a tad quirky but you soon got used to it.

[aim54x]

That is exactly what I was talking about. Reverting to the fiddly and clumsy 4-way controller to control aperture and shutter speed is worse than the LX3 which has the dedicated joystick thing....

[alexparker]

How about it compare with GF1, since some of my friend say the spec is similar

[chrisk]

That is exactly what I was talking about. Reverting to the fiddly and clumsy 4-way controller to control aperture and shutter speed is worse than the LX3 which has the dedicated joystick thing....

i must be the only one that likes that joystick. lol

[photohiker]

How about it compare with GF1, since some of my friend say the spec is similar

On the GF1, with A mode set on the top exposure mode dial, changing aperture is achieved by twirling the thumbwheel on the back of the camera. Adjusting the exposure is achieved by pressing the thumbwheel to change into exposure compensation mode, and then twirling it. Both of these adjustments bring up a graphical display showing the F-stop, shutter speed and exposure adjustment.

I haven't played with an EPL1, my impression is that it isn't quite as straightforward, but like all these things time with the camera will instruct your choice far better than some dude describing the operation on the internet.

Michael

[alexparker]

How about it compare with GF1, since some of my friend say the spec is similar

On the GF1, with A mode set on the top exposure mode dial, changing aperture is achieved by twirling the thumbwheel on the back of the camera. Adjusting the exposure is achieved by pressing the thumbwheel to change into exposure compensation mode, and then twirling it. Both of these adjustments bring up a graphical display showing the F-stop, shutter speed and exposure adjustment.

I haven't played with an EPL1, my impression is that it isn't quite as straightforward, but like all these things time with the camera will instruct your choice far better than some dude describing the operation on the internet.

Michael

Mic you are right! WE should try the real one