Steve, whats the PEN like?

Steve

Any pictures....plus first impressions?

Bes

Siegfried

Hi Siegfried,
Uh - I realize that this is your site, and that we all have "real lives" that prevent us from spending all the time we would like in places like these - but don't you read some of the threads? Not meaning to sound sarcastic (and please forgive me if it came out that way) but I got a bit of a chuckle - and one of those "HUH???" moments when I saw this topic/thread. I had previously made the following two posts here - and actually surprised/disappointed that you did not post any sort of response to either of them since I think you are like me and LOVE to play with new stuff.
Anyways - short summary of the EP1 - I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have any questions that I didn't cover or wish to ask, just let me know.
Your friend,
Steve

Initial impressions: http://mycanong7.forumotion.com/olympus-cameras-f7/initial-impressions-of-the-yes-it-has-no-ovf-olympus-pen-e-t683.htm

Photos: http://mycanong7.forumotion.com/not-edited-pictures-f13/first-day-with-ep1-t684.htm

Thats sounds great when reading it, HUH.

Well Uh, could be my question was not put well. I did read through your last post and I recall it being interesting, especially you fitting the 14 - 54 MKII. I then thought ask what you think of the MKII versus the MKI and did not thinking it would be rude within the excitement of the PEN.....

Well apologies for not commenting.....and yes the interest for the new toy did not go away....

My last post was more asking....what do you think of the actual camera after a few days....how it handles, the IQ, maybe a few interesting aspects you discovered.....

Looking forward to your reply...

Sieg

Sorry guys my fault, I was away this weekend, I would have redirected if I had seen it.
Mind if I tidy this up for clarity on this topic.
Si

I am glad to see you back....thought it was a little quite....

I have not seen any pictures....

Siegfried

Hi Siegfried, No opologies necessary - we all have these moments as we get older (at least I certainly do).
I was not exaggerating when I said I love it. Granted if you really need/want the real focusing speed of a DSLR you will be a little dissapointed. Granted that the Pana G1/GH1 both focus quicker and quieter than the EP1. (But from what I have read Pana was only concerned with AF speeds with the m4/3 lenses - Olympus' main concern was that ALL the 4/3 lenses would AF with the adapter.) But the comments about the "terrible AF" are greatly exaggerated. It is better than any DSLR I have used/seen in Live View mode. It is as good or better than every P&S that I have used (last one the G7). Certainly would not compromise 95% of the shots that most people would purchase a high-end P&S for. (Again - I would say that every DSLR NOT using a Live View mode would probably AF faster.)
The IQ is very close if not better than the latest generation from Oly/Pana (meaning the E30/E620/E450). Noise is controlled well - but now you can go to ISO6400 and still get a very useable (if properly exposed) image.
As far as the lenses go - I only have the kit 14-42 so far. I planned on using my 4/3 25mm pancake but if you are using a pancake for the size benefit, adding the 4/3 adapter to the 25mm pancake doubles it's size and takes away the size benefit. So I have the 17mm on order. There have been comments about the IQ of the two lenses. I partially agree but they are much better than what a few people are complaining about. There had to be compromises in constructing these lenses - especially the pancake. If you compare them to the Pana/Leica m4/3 lenses they are much smaller. Again a design compromise - smaller size and weight at possibly the cost of a little bit of IQ. I would like Oly to release a line of better quality (not build wise) m4/3 lenses but I feel they will be much larger/heavier.
I no longer have the 14-54 MKI (sold that years ago to get the 12-60). The only non-CDAF lens that I have is the older version of the 40-150. It definitely focuses - but it feels clunky - sort of like the Hybrid mode on the E30. The lenses that are CDAF compatible just work smoother.
Another benefit of the Pana is that (from what I have heard) if you plan on doing a lot of video, it's AF mode is better. More of a continuous AF whereas the EP1 you have to either use Manual Focus or keep pushing the AEL button to refocus. And you do hear the lens focusing in the video. Don't plan on using it alot but it is fun and the quality is amazing.
Whew - that's all for today's segment. (Simon - Hope I answered in the right place. Otherwise you can add all these responses to the other thread if you prefer.)
Regards,
Steve

Today I noticed the great report the E620 received from DPR....well done Oly, you have all the reason to be proud....it was a long road and hard work. I could not help to page back to the E30 report and yes great results....

Picture quality. Having had the E30 for a while I went back in history, page through a few I took and yes they are on a different level. Does it mean I will sell my E3, absolutely not, it could happen that I will sell my 2nd body to be replaced by the new gen cams....

That all said, Steve I understand what you mean the IQ is awesome based on the above. Focus speed, well HUH what do they want from a compact??? Again I understand what you try to do when comparing the Panny G1 with the PEN.... I had the L10 and as you can recall, I just loved it for its awesome IQ and resolution power. I then bough the E3 and it blew the L10 right into the water.....the E3 is refined, its complete, its extremely advanced on so many levels, its just in a totally different class. Do we have similarities with the PEN, versus G1....?

That leaves me with the question, what is best for a 2nd body?

All the best my friend

Siegfried

Siegfried,
I have always wanted a second camera/backup for my regular DSLR (now the E30 as you know). I got the E420 (replaced the Canon G7 which I loved but always felt that while I liked the small size I wanted something that I could get better IQ out of - especially at middle to high ISOs since I really don't like flash photography. (Always liked natural light better.) The E420 filled that niche nicely (backup to the E30 and good small camera). But reading about the proposals of the Micro 4/3 kept whetting my interest. When the G1 was first released my initial impression was "G-d, it's ugly!" So I became more interested in waiting for Oly's idea. To me the EP1 looks retro (like a range finder) and cool at the same time. I have sold my E420 without any qualms. But after seeing how easily I could get great results from the EP1 I am now considering using only it when I travel. (And - believe it or not - ordering a small Canon P&S to use as backup and for my wife if she gets interested. Probably getting the SD960IS to fill that need - it's small, easy to use and my wife likes the pink color.) Just walking around with the EP1 and the kit zoom was such a pleasure, I could see myself actually enjoying our trips more with this smaller kit. (And the fact that it will use any of the 4/3 lenses is an added bonus also.)
Steve

I understand Steve. Compacts developed so fast during the most recent months that its often difficult to say no to the compact. It force us to decide what do we want to do when we on holiday.

Last week my son and me were standing in Bern looking at the people plus many tourists wandering about. The next moment we saw a older guy with a heavy weight camera and lens hanging round his neck. literally pulling him downwards. That's not the best yet, behind him came his wife with a short ladder under the arm. He would then stop, frame the shot with his hands, she then set up the ladder, he gets up, take the shot, get down and without a blink go to the next stop. Behind him, she then fold up the ladder and then follow him..... Was he a Pro of some sort...does he make a fortune with his pics....

Personally I think something like the PEN could be more than enough when on holiday.....at the most you won't need a ladder I think....you can use the LV

All the best and I really wish you many many fun pictures with your new camera....sounds like a winner....

Best

Siegfried

Hi Siegfried,
What I find very funny is watching how many people - I am refering to tourists - use their camera phones to take their vacation pictures. Now I will be the first to admit that some recent phones take excellent shots. (I just got a Samsung Omnia and between it being 5MP and giving just about every option as far as adjustments/filters/etc. as a regular Samsung P&S, I have been VERY impressed with the shots.) But while I like being able to take it out of my pocket when walking/riding to grab a shot of something that caught my eye, I would never think to use it solely on a vacation. Oh well, to each his own.
Seriously - if you are not even remotely interested in the EP1 - DON'T GO AND TRY/HANDLE ONE!!!
Regards,
Steve
(I'll try to post some more pics from it later on.)

Steve,

It's a good thing that your wife will just tell you to buy that pink camera, otherwise you could suffer from another sleepless night considering what's the best:

If I'm correct:
- SD960IS (IXUS 110IS): 28-112 mm - 12,1 MP - CCD 1/2,3: rendering 43MP/cm2 - JPG compresion: fine/normal
- SD880IS (IXUS 870IS): 28-112 mm - 10,0 MP - CCD 1/2,3: rendering 35MP/cm2 - JPG compression: superfine/fine/normal
- SD990IS (IXUS 880IS): 35-135 mm - 14,7 MP - CCD 1/1,7: rendering 34MP/cm2 - Manual mode: JPG compression: superfine/fine/normal - manual focus possible

Beside that the SD990IS has a slightly stronger flash (with manual output-settings), a lot of the other specs are the same (as all 3 are featuring the Digic 4 processor). There still are some differences (you'll have to document yourself on that).

PS: be aware that once your wife finds the on and off switch on the camera (it being in either Auto-mode or in P-mode with a few pre-settings you put in), you'll discover after your next holiday that she will come home with at least double the number of pictures you took ...

In any case, happy shooting to both of you!
Paul

Hi Paul.
We were looking at the SD960IS and the SD780IS. I prefered the 960 because the lens was wider even though it is a bit more money. Fortunately my wife prefered the look and the pink color - instead of the fire-engine Red of the 780.
The slight differences in specs is not a major concern - hopefully as a backup I won't have to use it. What she likes is the iPhoto mode (at least that is what Olympus calls it on the EP1) where it is basically an idiot-proof camera.
We will have to see about the number of pics she takes. I would be very surprised if there was actually a significant number - but only time will tell. I would love it if she would really get into photography.
Thanks,
Steve

Steve's post just proves that wives are smarter than their husbands.
Mrs Wandy wants a pink camera, I think I can read between the lines on that one....
She has rightly thought to herself if I get a new camera Steve will want to use it because its nice and small and he could just put it in his pocket and that will be the last I will see of it, but if I get a pink one!!!!!!! Women 1 men 0

Hi guys....

Steve what is the older E500 like?

Today I had the PEN in my hand.....what a feeling.....and the auto focus is great, what does people complain about....

Siegfried

Simon - don't know if that was her thought process (though I would not doubt it) but we will see. I can assure you that PINK was not my first choice. But if it gets me a decent quality backup camera so that I don't have to bring the E30 as backup to the EP1 (even the thought is sort of funny) I really don't care.

Siegfried - I never had the E500 - actually at the time I was pretty happy with the E300/E330 that I had and never liked the size/feel of the E500. When they redesigned it into the E510 I was happier.
About the AF on the PEN - yeah I think the people making an issue of it have either never used it or are comparing it to a DSLR, which it's not. But if you compare it properly to the P&S cameras that are out there, it easily holds it's own. (Also against the various implementations of Live View to date.)
Steve