Olympus E-P1: My Random Thoughts, Day by Day

[bgpro611]

Great thread; I've been trying to decide if the EP-1 or the GF-1 would suit me better. The slow autofocus that I keep hearing about is what is holding me back on this camera. I can not find a GF-1 to check out. Thanks for a very good report. BTW the pics out of that camera are great.

[rfortson]

Originally Posted by bgpro611

Great thread; I've been trying to decide if the EP-1 or the GF-1 would suit me better. The slow autofocus that I keep hearing about is what is holding me back on this camera. I can not find a GF-1 to check out. Thanks for a very good report. BTW the pics out of that camera are great.

I'd recommend that you give the E-P1 a try and see if the AF is a problem for you. It doesn't bother me, but it obviously affects others. I believe Dennis has stated elsewhere that the GF1 is faster with AF. I really like the E-P1 as is, but there are limitations. Only you can decide if those matter to you.

Of course, finding one locally may be a problem. I don't know. I bought mine over the web as I do all my gear.

[bgpro611]

I may do that. HCE had one at least one a week or so ago.
Also just one point. I buy a lot of stuff on line including camera equipment but when possible and when prices are close such as this camera I like to support my local camera stores. If we don't all we will have left are the Walmarts of the world.

[utmiken]

I've owned both now and can share a few thoughts and personal opinions. I bought the Olympus shortly after its release and was very pleased on first impressions. It filled the spot between a P&S and SLR nicely. Even my wife was taking better pictures now and we were carrying it around everywhere. I bought the GF1 with the 20mm f1.7 last month and it was then that the EP1's shortcomings became more evident. The following is IMHO and may differ from others.

-EP1 looks way cooler than the GF1
-Panasonic 20mm > Olympus 17mm
-EP1 high ISO (800 and above)>GF1
-GF1 built in flash in a pinch> Olympus has none
-GF1 autofocus >>> Olympus (this is very evident in low light situations and moving subjects)
-EP1 controls and layout>GF1

Overall IMO GF1>EP1 however that may all change if and when the rumored EP2 is released and it addresses some of these issues.

Here a 2 samples from the GF1 and 20mm f1.7 (SOOC w/standard settings)

[bgpro611]

Thanks. I just learned of a possible EP-2 by year end and may wait to see what it offers. I did like the way the EP-1 felt and handled however a lot of my shots include smal children. Buying a $200.00 flash and a $100.00 viewfinder also give me pause. As a grab shot semi pocket camera I would prefer to have built in flash. But then again it did feel good in my hands..... Where did you buy your GF-1?

[utmiken]

I actually bought it from a member here who ordered 2 and needed to get rid of 1. I just stumbled upon it one day in the buy/sell forum.

[rfortson]

Originally Posted by utmiken

I've owned both now and can share a few thoughts and personal opinions. I bought the Olympus shortly after its release and was very pleased on first impressions. It filled the spot between a P&S and SLR nicely. Even my wife was taking better pictures now and we were carrying it around everywhere. I bought the GF1 with the 20mm f1.7 last month and it was then that the EP1's shortcomings became more evident. The following is IMHO and may differ from others.

-EP1 looks way cooler than the GF1
-Panasonic 20mm > Olympus 17mm
-EP1 high ISO (800 and above)>GF1
-GF1 built in flash in a pinch> Olympus has none
-GF1 autofocus >>> Olympus (this is very evident in low light situations and moving subjects)
-EP1 controls and layout>GF1

Overall IMO GF1>EP1 however that may all change if and when the rumored EP2 is released and it addresses some of these issues.

That sounds like a fair review. I know Dennis here had the GF1 as well as the E-P1, and decided to keep the E-P1. It really does come down to preference and intended use. (Just call me Captain Obvious!)

For pictures of small kids running around, I might be tempted to get the GF1, though I've found the E-P1 fast enough for my 7 year old daughter. She's good at posing, though. Aesthtically, I really love the look and feel of the E-P1.

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by utmiken

I've owned both now and can share a few thoughts and personal opinions. I bought the Olympus shortly after its release and was very pleased on first impressions. It filled the spot between a P&S and SLR nicely. Even my wife was taking better pictures now and we were carrying it around everywhere. I bought the GF1 with the 20mm f1.7 last month and it was then that the EP1's shortcomings became more evident. The following is IMHO and may differ from others.

-EP1 looks way cooler than the GF1
-Panasonic 20mm > Olympus 17mm
-EP1 high ISO (800 and above)>GF1
-GF1 built in flash in a pinch> Olympus has none
-GF1 autofocus >>> Olympus (this is very evident in low light situations and moving subjects)
-EP1 controls and layout>GF1

Overall IMO GF1>EP1 however that may all change if and when the rumored EP2 is released and it addresses some of these issues.

Originally Posted by rfortson

That sounds like a fair review. I know Dennis here had the GF1 as well as the E-P1, and decided to keep the E-P1. It really does come down to preference and intended use. (Just call me Captain Obvious!)

For pictures of small kids running around, I might be tempted to get the GF1, though I've found the E-P1 fast enough for my 7 year old daughter. She's good at posing, though. Aesthtically, I really love the look and feel of the E-P1.

Interesting comparison Guys! Thanks!!!

How about noise in indoor shots using a flash? Any thoughts? I know the Pen doesn't have a built in flash though!
Noise in indoor shots with a flash is my biggest gripe with the Canon G10.

[rfortson]

One of the things that impressed me and helped convince me to get the E-P1 was the way it handles noise at high ISO. I shoot at ISO 1600 all the time with this thing. I bought the little flash that was made for it, and the few times I've used it, it didn't affect noise in dark areas.

The GF1 apparently doesn't handle high ISO as well, but then they also are more conservative in their ISO ratings. Seems like I remember reading something about ISO 1600 on the E-P1 really being lower, and ISO rating on the GF1 being a little higher. Makes sense since the sensors are similar.

I don't have any shots handy to compare noise with flash, but it hasn't been a problem for me. If you'd like, I can post some samples.

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by rfortson

One of the things that impressed me and helped convince me to get the E-P1 was the way it handles noise at high ISO. I shoot at ISO 1600 all the time with this thing. I bought the little flash that was made for it, and the few times I've used it, it didn't affect noise in dark areas.

The GF1 apparently doesn't handle high ISO as well, but then they also are more conservative in their ISO ratings. Seems like I remember reading something about ISO 1600 on the E-P1 really being lower, and ISO rating on the GF1 being a little higher. Makes sense since the sensors are similar.

I don't have any shots handy to compare noise with flash, but it hasn't been a problem for me. If you'd like, I can post some samples.

Thank you for your reply Russ.
No need for samples.

[d2creative]

I had the GF1 and didn't keep it long enough to bother doing another review like this. Well, i had it for a couple weeks doing back to back tests but I guess it just didn't "do it" for me like the pen did. I did focus faster, but I liked the tonality and other things about the EP1 better. There's something in the Olympus shots that appeal to me, a certain look that I wasn't getting with the GF1. So i sold it and kept the EP1. I did keep the Lumix 14-45 lens though. It doesn't collapse like the Olympus lens but it felt a bit higher quality and seemed sharper. I also picked up the Lumix 20mm 1.7 which is a pretty fantastic lens. I just got back from a dude ranch in Bandera, TX so I'll post a few images once I go through them. I took the D700 with me for walking around, but the EP1 came with me on horseback and seemed to perform very well from what I can tell so far. The EP2 should be announced this month as well as a new offering from Ricoh. Any faults in the EP1 should be fixed by one of these two... I hope.