Olympus EP-1 - It's out!

[d2creative]

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...p?product=1461

[johnastovall]

It's DOA. Apparently, Olympus has forgotten what the PEN F was.

[venchka]

yawn

Real cameras are only held at arms length for taking pictures if you're running for your life. Olympus went for fashion over function.

[d2creative]

Agreed, it would never replace my D700.

But unless the upcoming reviews over the next few weeks reveal any major flaws, this will probably replace my new Leica D-Lux 4. The EP-1 with the 17mm pancake and viewfinder.

[Marv800]

I dunno about this. While I love it as a cameral thats finally worthy as a P&S replacement, I read somewhere that the price is close to $1,000.

Hardy seems worth it, but then again, maybe it delivers where the Sigman DP1, DP2, Panasonic Lumix LX3, and the entire Canon GX series failed to deliver.

[zebulus]

Originally Posted by Marv800

I read somewhere that the price is close to $1,000.

Their smokin' dope. The original PEN system was loved for its versatility, durability, and AFFORDABILITY! I own one that belonged to my grandfather that he bought when it first came out in 195~, because it was the most camera for the least buck.

Has olympus lost their minds?

[venchka]

Meanwhile, Panasonic G1s with kit lens are hitting the used market for under $500.

Say what?

Its Intelligent Auto Mode (iAuto) identifies your shooting intent (including macro or sport photography) and adjusts the settings accordingly to achieve the best results.

I'm glad Olympus knows my shooting intent. I don't even know my shooting intent half the time.

Oh boy! I was waiting for this.

These include Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film and Pin Hole.

Make them stop. Please!

It comes in white too. "Good grief Charlie Brown!"

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by venchka

It comes in white too. "Good grief Charlie Brown!"

Hey now! I've been thinking I need a white M8 if Luigi can make a white case and strap for it. It would be perfect for my Tom Wolfe look.



But only some one with no fashion sense would carry that white EP-1.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by zebulus

Their smokin' dope. The original PEN system was loved for its versatility, durability, and AFFORDABILITY! I own one that belonged to my grandfather that he bought when it first came out in 195~, because it was the most camera for the least buck.

Has olympus lost their minds?

Priced at $749 (body only), $799 (with 14-42mm lens), and $899 (with 17mm pancake lens and viewfinder).

And nothing is as overpriced as Leica.

[johnastovall]

Quality has its cost... As a platform for the M series lenses, the M's are not overpriced.

Is a Benz or a Porche over priced?

[Marv800]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Quality has its cost... As a platform for the M series lenses, the M's are not overpriced.

Is a Benz or a Porche over priced?

As a previous and/or current owner of both marques, "no", i didn't think they were overpriced at the time but, "yes" looking back today, they were overpriced. The Mercedes more so than the Porsches, but nowadays, i'd go with an Audi.

[The Philos]

Makes me glad i just ordered my E-3.

[d2creative]

Current Leica's are overpriced. I have not seen one M8 image that makes me think it was worth anywhere near the cost of nearly 10k (m8 and a couple simple lenses) to get the shot. Leica ain't what it was.

Agree with Audi, which is why I own an A3 S-line.
If I could only afford an S5 or R8 (drool).

d2creative added 17 Minutes and 54 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

more info...

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0906/09...olympusep1.asp

[Pascal]

I wouldn't say the Digital PEN is DOA. In fact, I think it will do better than the rest of the Olympus or Panasonic Lineup. This is the first of a series of sub-compact micro 4/3rds to be released.

If you look at the sample images on DPreview, ISO 1600-ISO3200 is quite usable. ISO 800 is good as is without noise reduction. This coupled with the size, lenses, etc. can make this a much wanted product.

Agreed on the pricing - it is a bit high - then again this is MSRP and the product usually sells for less than that in a few months once the market has saturated. Any new product has to cover initial R&D costs.

And NO... this is not supposed to replace your D700's or 1Ds camera's - Olympus has not geared this product to compete at that level. However, it will kill any hopes Sigma may have had for the DP series and push the P&S market to provide for better G10's or Coolpix cameras at a much lower price.

The big drawbacks for me are the low resolution LCD display - Olympus has plagued itself on it's entire product line with this and doesn't seem to want to improve the LCD to 920k and the fact that there is no viewfinder are bothersome. Apart from that, I can see nothing that would kill this camera.

If Nikon or Canon had released this camera, I am sure the views would be slightly different. In fact, I think this little camera makes more sense than a Leica and it's overpriced lenses do in today's market.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by Pascal

The big drawbacks for me are the low resolution LCD display - Olympus has plagued itself on it's entire product line with this and doesn't seem to want to improve the LCD to 920k and the fact that there is no viewfinder are bothersome.

That was disappointing to me as well, especially given the lack of a VF.