Olympus Pen E-PL1 : A Good Camera But Somewhat of a Mixed Bag

admin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:35:09 +0000

Exactly what do you will get when you take Olympus PEN and mix it having a stripper (Of course I mean somebody who strips features from a camera). You receive the E-PL1 camera which is a little bit of a mixed bag. On the 1 hand you've among the greatest versions of the m4/3 sensor to date. From what I've read it's much better than both the E-P1 and E-P2 sensors. It's hard to tell the difference at regular screen and printing resolutions and I take a picture at its entire and don't pixel peep so I cannot verify that. What I can say is this camera is capable of producing world class images. Additionally, this camera has the Olympus JPEG engine which is regarded within the business as among the best. This camera is also fairly little and light and consists of a fill flash. Additionally, it has image stabilization (IS) built into the camera. It is not pocketable and also the size of this camera has much more to do using the lens that it's wearing then the actual camera itself.

Olympus Pen E-PL1

However, you have a camera that's slow to focus. Seems like to me that it zooms to infinity (and beyond) and then catches the focus on its way back in. If you are taking photos of forever-in-motion children you can make sure you'll miss very a few decisive moments. Additionally, this camera lacks the most important camera control there is. This is the control wheel used to change exposure, aperture, and shutter settings in a fast efficient manner. Instead this camera uses buttons which is an unwieldy way of making these modifications. Most higher end Point and Shoot (P+S) cameras have some version of this control wheel. I believe anyone transitioning to this camera from a DSLR or high end P+S will probably be frustrated by this. I've observed this billed as a good thing as you will find less controls to get confused over. That might be so but all m4/3 cameras may be used as point and shoot by just keeping in the intelligent Auto(iA) mode. This simplifies the menu choices and takes fantastic photos a majority of the time.

I believe for anybody who wants to step up from a P+S to take better Image Quality photos but plans to stay within the iA mode 90% of the time, then this camera will serve you well and will take some amazing images. Just keep in mind P+S kind focusing speed.

Anyone, who has a E-P1or E-P2 who want a sensors with a weaker Anti-Aliasing filter (i.e. much less detail lost to the AA filter) and a fill flash will enjoy this camera for the IQ but will most likely be frustrated with the loss of the control wheel.

Anyone either stepping up from a high end P+S such as the LX3, S90, or G11 will probably be impressed with the images, but not blown away by the distinction, unimpressed with the P+S focus performance, and frustrated in the P, A, S or M shooting modes. Additionally, you will be unimpressed using the larger size of the camera but will enjoy the flexibility if your budget includes other lenses.

Anybody, obtaining this as a second carry around camera to a DSLR, will be happy with the smaller size and weight but unhappy using the slower performance. And frustrated by the clumsy controls but pleased with the video capabilities.

In the event you do not need or want the video, don't mind IS in the lens instead of the camera, and can put up having a slight decrease in you IQ, ISO, and JPEG performance, then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Red) provides many upgrades at the same cost (Integrated 1.4mp EVF, Swivel Screen, 460k screen, Grip for larger lenses, faster focus performance, etc)

For the exact same price, the newly announced G10 matches the E-PL1 with video, and new processing engine (cross your fingers for a JPEG improvement). Additionally, it has a 2kp EVF (I'm not sure how helpful which will be), a grip, a control wheel, a 1/4000 shutter speed and faster focus performance. It does not have in-camera IS.

For those planning on getting the EVF at some point or with an ~$200 greater budget, take a look at the newly announced G2. Take the G1, add 720P 60/50fps video, an improved processing engine, a brand new dial to alter focusing modes, touch screen controls that look to function as slick as an iPhone, and touch screen focus, and you have a truly really nice full featured camera.

Lastly, in the event you don't require interchangeable lenses or don't strategy on buying any more lenses and you don't mind a degradation of IQ, then the Canon S90, Canon G11, and Panasonic LX3(Leica D-Lux 4) are easier to carry about everywhere (especially the S90) and are cheaper(the gap will close when the cost of this camera falls).

Here is a quick list of pros and cons of the E-PL1

Pros
The best Olympus implementation of the m4/3 sensor
Among the greatest JPEG engines within the business
Relatively little and light
Built in flash
In camera Image Stabilization(IS)
Price (The cheapest m4/3 however)
Optional EVF (A very nice 1.4mp unit but extremely pricy at $279)
Its obtainable
Nice build high quality

Cons
Slow Autofocus (Panasonic has this figured out. Olympus, not so a lot)
Missing Control Wheel slows down aperture, shutter, and exposure changes
Only 230k screen?!
1/2000 shutter speed?! A lot of P+S go to 1/4000
Locking lens is annoying to deploy and stow

Overall
A good and nice camera that will take spectacular pictures. Slow autofocus and clunky controls will make this camera frustrating to numerous individuals.

Wedding Photography

Olympus Pen E-PL1 : A Good Camera But Somewhat of a Mixed Bag

Peoples find the article by: