Olympus E-P1 - thoughts?

electric ant · 16 Jun 2009 at 14:27

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/olympusep1/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/16/olympus-e-p1-digital-pen-gets-official-so-does-our-lust/

*12.3 Megapixel micro Four Thirds dslr sensor
*HD movies 720p
*two new kit lenses 14-42mm M.Zuiko and 17mm F2.8 Pancake
*Prices £599 body only
£699 with 14-42
£749 with 17mm

Looks pretty, no viewfinder or flash although these are optional extras.
Anyone gonna get one?

Raikiri · 16 Jun 2009 at 14:33

I want one, but can't justify the cost. The prototype looked a lot better too.

Mr Jones · 16 Jun 2009 at 19:15

I too want one but with my recent purchase (E-420), I cannot justify the cost. I'm really going to start saving up for the 7-14mm. Anyway, I think this kit, along with more to come, will fit nicely between the high end compacts and the entry DSLR.

The price should be lowered in time - but as it stands, it's too steep to justify when compared to entry DSLR (even if they are abit bigger)

Raikiri · 16 Jun 2009 at 19:54

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0906/09061602ep1movies.asp

Video Samples

robertgilbert86 · 16 Jun 2009 at 20:30

Looks great but if it doesn't fit in my pocket it's not a compact, so my D200 will do fine for now

EDIT: Hang on...doesn't look so compact at all with this girl: http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/0906/Olympus/EP1/17mm-people-3.jpg

Raikiri · 16 Jun 2009 at 20:50

She must be tiny, it's 12cmx7cmx3.5cm.

BUFF · 16 Jun 2009 at 21:36

another looks good but too dear in the UK.
£699 with 14-42mm but $800 in the US ... :rolleyes:

PinkFloyd · 16 Jun 2009 at 21:47

I love how it looks like an old SLR

Founder_film · 16 Jun 2009 at 21:57

I have been looking forward to this camera since the prototype. However I won't be buying one, its just too expensive. Now come on Olympus make the XA as a digital compact!

Jimbu · 27 Jun 2009 at 22:39

Just bought this pre-released from Jessops came with a pen worth £300 since i was one of the first 5 to purchase it. Sticking the pen on the bay and get some money back.

One sexy camera :cool:

rG-tom · 27 Jun 2009 at 22:54

Jimbu said:
Just bought this pre-released from Jessops came with a pen worth £300 since i was one of the first 5 to purchase it. Sticking the pen on the bay and get some money back.

One sexy camera

was that at the launch @ London oxford street with david bailey?

Jimbu · 28 Jun 2009 at 00:14

rG-tom said:
was that at the launch @ London oxford street with david bailey?

hmm actually no, was in Brum. But that would have been good.

robertgilbert86 · 28 Jun 2009 at 16:15

Unboxing; http://www.recentlyreviewed.net/2009/06/olympus-pen-e-p1-unboxed-cameras-pics.html

bigredshark · 1 Oct 2009 at 12:16

Dragging this back from the depths I know but has anyone actually gone and got one of these - I've seen a briefly used a colleagues and I'm tempted (I'd be sold already if it had a damn viewfinder built in)

Mr Jones · 1 Oct 2009 at 12:46

bigredshark said:
Dragging this back from the depths I know but has anyone actually gone and got one of these - I've seen a briefly used a colleagues and I'm tempted (I'd be sold already if it had a damn viewfinder built in)

Only had a mess around at my local store - had the 17mm pancake and the view finder fitted on. Very sleek and elegant little kit. Very portable option for serious photographers, have this rangefinder feel to it and the images captured are better than the usual compact, the ability to interchange the lens is also a plus for different functionality - even if the range of uFT lens is small, there is panasonic joining the scene with the G series and apparently Fuji is rumoured to join the scene of uFT.

IMO, it's a good little portable kit for and have it's uses - light portable and discreet. However, it will definitely not satisfy a pixel peeping shooter who expect tact sharp noiseless images. The noise above 400 is heavy but it's fine grain rather than coloured noise - great for B&W I suppose.

I personally didn't fit in the 'need it' catagory so skipped it and went off to buy the E620 instead. It's rather hard to justify the price when you get the E620 with better selection of FT lenses, keep an eye out on my review of it this weekend or something if you're interested.

bigredshark · 1 Oct 2009 at 13:02

Cheers for that - essentially I'm looking for a semi compact to compliment my D200 (which, with a 17-55 f2.8 and 70-200 VR, is a pain to carry round on the off chance). I've currently got a Leica D-LUX3 (that'll be a rebranded panasonic basically) and I was looking at this as something of an upgrade. The lack of viewfinder is annoying though, I like the styling, like the 17mm lens option...

Mr Jones · 1 Oct 2009 at 13:26

bigredshark said:
Cheers for that - essentially I'm looking for a semi compact to compliment my D200 (which, with a 17-55 f2.8 and 70-200 VR, is a pain to carry round on the off chance). I've currently got a Leica D-LUX3 (that'll be a rebranded panasonic basically) and I was looking at this as something of an upgrade. The lack of viewfinder is annoying though, I like the styling, like the 17mm lens option...

Since you've already for a full kit then this would suit you. The lack of VF is ok IF you're getting the 17mm as there is an extra attachment on the hotshoe. More money for it though :/

Have you considered the Panny G1 yet?
It's an alternative to consider but suspect the GBP price would be a lot more.

Mr Jones · 1 Oct 2009 at 14:27

BTW bigredshark, I was looking for something and by chance found the Olympus EP1 with 17mm, viewfinder, 4GB SDHC card and 'independent BLS-1 type rechargeable battery, independent zoomster style case and a digital SLR accessory kit (includes a mini tripod, cleaning cloth, lcd screen protectors and a memory card case).' all for £775.

Not too shabby. It's from an online camera store with a south-west city beginning with B.

The Mad Rapper · 1 Oct 2009 at 16:31

I'd rather put that cash towards a spare D3X body TBH...

Mr Jones · 1 Oct 2009 at 18:30

The Mad Rapper said:
I'd rather put that cash towards a spare D3X body TBH...

I agree to an extend but since he essentially have a full kit but is limited by it's size and weight for portable snapping, the EP1 has its use. In this case, it'd be more useful for bigredshark to get the EP1 (or similar body) than invest in a bigger body DSLR which will most likely be kept at home gathering dust.