My wonderful XTi - keep it? or....sell it?

[Photo-John]

Liz-
I wouldn't expect Canon to come out with Micro Four Thirds camera. They aren't a part of that partnership and they pretty much alwasy do their own thing.

Have you read my Olympus E-P1 article? I am loving the E-P1. If you're worried about image quality - don't. The E-P1 is the best camera yet from Olympus. The image quality is wonderful - definitely way better than the G9 or G10. I think you should make a trip over to B&H to get one in your hands and see what you think.

My Olympus E-P1 Article >>
My Olympus E-P1 Gallery >>

[Liz]

Liz-
I wouldn't expect Canon to come out with Micro Four Thirds camera. They aren't a part of that partnership and they pretty much alwasy do their own thing.

Have you read my Olympus E-P1 article? I am loving the E-P1. If you're worried about image quality - don't. The E-P1 is the best camera yet from Olympus. The image quality is wonderful - definitely way better than the G9 or G10. I think you should make a trip over to B&H to get one in your hands and see what you think.

John - I will check it out. HOWEVER,

I'm looking for a camera to replace the XTi - not the G9. I only have the G9 to complement the XTi. I never meant to compare any of the four-third systems with the G9.

The reason I'm hesitating to sell the XTi is because I can't give up the dslr image quality. I mentioned selling the G9 along with the XTi because I would still have the LX3 - and selling the XTi and G9 would help pay for a new system.

I'm looking for a lighter weight dslr-type camera - at least something comparable. So far, I haven't seen any images from the four-thirds cameras that match the XTi IQ.

I will check out the E-P1 - and samples.

Liz

[Franglais]

I checked out some weights:

Your Canon XTi body: 510g
Latest Canon Rebel Ti1 body: 480g
Latest Canon 18-55 IS lens: 200g
Your Canon 24-105L: 670g
Olympus E620 (4x3 format) body only: 475g
Canon G10: 401g
Olympus P1 without lens: 375g

I don't think the 4x3 system is going to give you a DSLR that is significantly lighter than the Rebel. And from what I've heard, the latest plastic 18-55 IS lens is quite a good performer.

[Liz]

I checked out some weights:

Your Canon XTi body: 510g
Latest Canon Rebel Ti1 body: 480g
Latest Canon 18-55 IS lens: 200g
Your Canon 24-105L: 670g
Olympus E620 (4x3 format) body only: 475g
Canon G10: 401g
Olympus P1 without lens: 375g

I don't think the 4x3 system is going to give you a DSLR that is significantly lighter than the Rebel. And from what I've heard, the latest plastic 18-55 IS lens is quite a good performer.

Wow! Thanks so much for doing this.......it really helps to be able to compare the weight of the cameras/lenses (btw I sold the 24-105L due to the weight). I didn't realize it was so much heavier than the camera!

I think I'll look at this again in the morning....after I've had my coffee and can think a bit more clearly!

Thanks again.

Liz

[Photo-John]

Liz-
I think you'll get equal to or better quality than your XTi from the E-P1. The Four Thirds sensor is much bigger than a compact camera and the E-P1 sensor is much newer than the XTi with a brand new processor that has made a big difference in image quality compared to previous Olympus DSLRs. It's perfectly fair to compare it to the XTi and even the XSi. I have studio samples taken with it but haven't posted them yet due to some technical issues with the gallery. I need to figure out a way to post them. When I do you can compare them to the XTi studio tests and see what you think.

[Liz]

Liz-
I think you'll get equal to or better quality than your XTi from the E-P1. The Four Thirds sensor is much bigger than a compact camera and the E-P1 sensor is much newer than the XTi with a brand new processor that has made a big difference in image quality compared to previous Olympus DSLRs. It's perfectly fair to compare it to the XTi and even the XSi. I have studio samples taken with it but haven't posted them yet due to some technical issues with the gallery. I need to figure out a way to post them. When I do you can compare them to the XTi studio tests and see what you think.

Your video is great, John! I'm almost SOLD on this little camera after watching it.

After reading your review and watching the video, I googled the E-P1 to find some sample images. I found quite a few images - along with a test/review by Imaging Resource with sample images. There are 3 issues that concern me just a little - which I hope you can address for me (although I don't think they would be deal breakers).

1) No VF - along with low resolution (230,000 pixels) LCD - how is it in the sun?

2) Shutter lag: One test review (Imaging Resource) stated that the shutter lag is slower than any other digital camera out there except the Sigma DP series.

3) Although the samples I viewed were quite sharp with good color - many outdoor shots exhibited blown highlights - and "mushing" of trees, etc.

John - I look forward to seeing your photos - and learning more (details) of what you think about the camera.

Thanks.....

Liz