Olympus E-P1 Micro Four Thirds Camera

[Photo-John]

The Olympus E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera has officially been announced. I had a pre-production camera to play with for a couple of days so I already have a little bit of hands-on time with it.

Olympus E-P1 Digital Camera Preview >>

I also have a video preview / box opening of the E-P1 but I haven't had a chance to upload it yet. So watch for that tomorrow. Chances are I'll just add it to the preview article. I'll let you know.

[SmartWombat]

From the BJP review:
"However, the camera lacks a optical or electronic viewfinder, Olympus selecting to release an add-on viewfinder"
Makes me go huh?
I assume it doesn't support live view either then, or their review is sub optimal.

"17mm 1:2.8 Pancake"
I want to see that in action, John!

"14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6"
I suppose it's too much to expect them to make it f/2.8 across the range.

Despite being half the price of the G1 here in the UK, I'm not convinced it's worth it.
But with that pancake I think it may make a great pocket camera.
How then does it compare to the Sigma DP2 ?

I know you'll have the answers, John :thumbsup:

[rigel]

Huh, no built-in flash?

I suppose this will slow down the impetus for Oly to release a video-capable dSLR. What do you guys think?

[Photo-John]

The box opening and video tour of the camera has been added to the E-P1 intro article. It's a pretty detailed video. Hope you like it!

[OldClicker]

In the video, you say that the video is manual focus only.

Another review says, "The E-P1 has the ability to focus continuously while recording a movie. The problem is, the noise from the slow contract detect autofocus will be picked up by the microphone."

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ol...1-review/using

Can you clarify?

TF

[photophorous]

Exciting. I'd like one just for shooting landscapes while backpacking. If they'd slap a rangefinder on it, I might give up my DSLR.

Paul

[Photo-John]

Can you clarify?

Yeah, I can clarify - I was wrong

Sorry about that. If you look at the article comments you can see that I added a note today while I was in the field. It has both continuous and singleshot auto focus in the video mode. I tested both today and they both seem to work pretty well.

I will make a correction to the article. And once again, sorry about the mistake.

[OldClicker]

Yeah, I can clarify - I was wrong

Sorry about that. If you look at the article comments you can see that I added a note today while I was in the field. It has both continuous and singleshot auto focus in the video mode. I tested both today and they both seem to work pretty well.

I will make a correction to the article. And once again, sorry about the mistake.

Thanks for checking it out. This is a first, right? - TF

[Atomic2]

It will be quite the camera once the price goes down a fair bit. I can't imagine owning it though, mostly because I don't have a use for it.


To be completely honest, a replacement for a dSLR it is not, nor is it a very good replacement for an all purpose pocket cam like any of the Panasonic TZ series. I can imagine the picture quality would be significantly better of course, but how much quality do we really need from a pocket camera?

In theory I love the idea, but I imagined it being a lot cheaper. Maybe when m4/3 is in the E420 price range then I'd be more likely to consider it if I didn't already own an E-3.

[mjs1973]

It looks like a very interesting camera. Not sure I would be a fan of the camera automatically zooming into the scene to help me manual focus though. Unless I was on a tripod, I think that auto zoomed in image would make me change my composition. I do use the zoom feature on my camera while using LiveView to help me focus, but only when I'm on a tripod, and my composition isn't changing.

Still an interesting camera that I'm looking forward to learning more about.

[Atomic2]

It looks like a very interesting camera. Not sure I would be a fan of the camera automatically zooming into the scene to help me manual focus though. Unless I was on a tripod, I think that auto zoomed in image would make me change my composition. I do use the zoom feature on my camera while using LiveView to help me focus, but only when I'm on a tripod, and my composition isn't changing.

Still an interesting camera that I'm looking forward to learning more about.

It will probably be possible to disable it.

[SmartWombat]

Oh and it seems the screen on the back is fixed, like a P&S, rather than adjustable like the Panasonic ?
I'm getting more and more reasons to like the Panasonic as my walkabout camera, except the Olympus has in body stabilisation.
Maybe I have to buy the Olympus for Angie, and the Panasonic for me.
Then invest in 4/3 lenses as well as Canon ... oh dear there goes the budget!

[Photo-John]

It will probably be possible to disable it.

I'm not sure if you can disable it. But knowing how much customization is possible with the Olympus cameras, it's not impossible. That said, I don't think it's a problem. It only zooms in when you are focusing. Stop focusing for a few seconds or tap the shutter release and it zooms back out so you can check your composition and take your picture.

[Atomic2]

Oh and it seems the screen on the back is fixed, like a P&S, rather than adjustable like the Panasonic ?
I'm getting more and more reasons to like the Panasonic as my walkabout camera, except the Olympus has in body stabilisation.
Maybe I have to buy the Olympus for Angie, and the Panasonic for me.
Then invest in 4/3 lenses as well as Canon ... oh dear there goes the budget!

Well there will be another m4/3 unveiled soon that will resemble the panasonic more. Probably with IS and a tilt flip screen.

[Photo-John]

Well there will be another m4/3 unveiled soon that will resemble the panasonic more. Probably with IS and a tilt flip screen.

The E-P1 does have sensor-level image stabilization.

[rigel]

Well there will be another m4/3 unveiled soon that will resemble the panasonic more. Probably with IS and a tilt flip screen.

Ye, I actually like Panny's version and wished Oly did it that way. Just prefer in-body IS as well [and the tilt screen IS sweet ]

[Photo-John]

Ye, I actually like Panny's version and wished Oly did it that way. Just prefer in-body IS as well [and the tilt screen IS sweet ]

I do find myself wishing for a tilt/swivel LCD with the E-P1. But I think Olympus really wanted to make it very different from anything that was currently available. I don't think it would be getting nearly as much attention if it was just the Olympus version of the Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera. And there's something about it that I can't put my finger on - but I'm just enjoying the Olympus more. I'm not sure why.

[Sushigaijin]

And there's something about it that I can't put my finger on - but I'm just enjoying the Olympus more. I'm not sure why.

It's because it is FINALLY a camera that isn't all space-ninja looking. Perhaps I'm alone in saying that today's cameras are universally ugly.

And while that seems superficial at first, confidence relates directly to enjoyment and you can't be confident with an ugly camera.