Author Topic: The Best (overall) Micro Four Thirds camera (Read 4287 times)

voyager · « **on:** November 20, 2011, 10:08:53 PM »

This is a separate idea from the original best looking Micro Four Thirds camera, and in this poll, please select which camera you think is the best overall. This means in terms of aesthetics, design, usability, image quality, and any other qualities you can think of. Also, please list why you chose the camera you did. One vote per user.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2011, 10:22:17 PM »

i started it off with the gx1 ,i thinks its really beautiful in gunmetal and that wonderful grip which reminds me of the contax g alot

it has an advanced sensor.... flash , offers a great ovf option , its a worthy sucessot th o the gf1

but you know surveys like this with digital cameras always favor the most recent entrants due to sensor advances and tweaking of the mistakes and shortcomings of pasy models

i own an 2 ep1s 2 gf1s and a g2[bought for the wife who favors the slr form factor
i wanted to vote for the ep3 buts its aging and noisey sensor gives me pause the gf1 was my favorite for awhile but its not the best anymore either

Chill · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2011, 10:30:37 PM »

I've only ever had one camera, the e-p1. The only people who can make any accurate submissions to this poll are people who have used all of those cameras... Not only used them, but extensively used them... Results should be taken with a grain of salt.

voyager · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2011, 10:37:11 PM »

I don't think so, I have the E-P1 myself, but I think the GF2 is the best overall camera, and the GX1 could be even better.

Handheld · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2011, 10:50:29 PM »

No question in my mind that the GH2 is the best overall MFT camera, and it is probably the best compact system camera of any brand. It is equally versatile with stills and video, and produces quality images over a large range of conditions. Its styling might be called bland, but its controls and interface have the flexibility a serious photographer wants.

DonParrot · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2011, 11:08:51 PM »

For me it is without any doubt the E-PL3 with its - in the µFT camp - unique tilty screen allowing you to use it like a waist-level finder camera. At the ghugh level the camweras deliver, nearly all the other differences are just a matter of taste, imho, but this is a clear advantage ans any camera that wants to be bought by me, in the future, must have this tilty screen.

lisandra · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2011, 11:25:49 PM »

Quote from: Chill on November 20, 2011, 10:30:37 PM

I've only ever had one camera, the e-p1. The only people who can make any accurate submissions to this poll are people who have used all of those cameras... Not only used them, but extensively used them... Results should be taken with a grain of salt.

i dont think so either. if you have a particular model you know what and where it lacks and you can know if other models cover this just by reading specs and reviews. Before I had the GH2, there were a few things about the GH1 that bugged me. One I can remember in particular was thinking "i wish this button did this instead of that", then the GH2 came out and that button had that same function but it was also a customizable button. Right off the bat, without even seeing the camera, i know its more user friendly. As cool as I think front "thumb wheels" are, theyre unpractical, if you want to change settings with the shutter half pressed things get difficult. It was also the main reason people pressed the record button accidentally with the GH1, cause you have to apply more preasure to hold the camera with one finger less. They moved it to the back on the GH2, usability improves 500% without ever seeing it. Samples from the web showed me a good 1 stop of noise control over the GH1 ( 2 if you count banding). Leather like grip instead of the nightmarish rubber coating on the GH1 and black over silver sold me on the aesthetics. Touch screen was the only real question mark. Ive yet to hold an alpha 77, but i know its oodles more usable than the A55, by miles, I also know noise is worse, a lot worse. So it has yet to convince me. I never found the PEN comfortable, it has to do with the way I grip cameras, yet somehow I knew the shape of the G3/Gf3 (and to some extent the GX1) would be really comfortable to me. They were (I tried them out friday).

That said, you know I gave it to the GH2. I think the GX1 is the most beautiful, but thats about it and I think this poll isnt about just that. GH2 takes it on IQ, functionality, usability, noise control, controls, layout, movie mode, and burst speed. The GX1 is beautiful, so is the PEN 3 but overall I give it to the GH2

cacau · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2011, 11:45:53 PM »

I think that GX1 could be the best, but it lacks integrated image stabilization...

asterinex · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2011, 11:58:41 PM »

Quote from: Chill on November 20, 2011, 10:30:37 PM

I've only ever had one camera, the e-p1. The only people who can make any accurate submissions to this poll are people who have used all of those cameras... Not only used them, but extensively used them... Results should be taken with a grain of salt.

That is exactly what I was thinking. The only camera I own and know is the E-P1.
So I vote for the E-P1.

Chill · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2011, 12:45:27 AM »

My point is that I haven't done extensive research on all of these cameras. I don't have enough money to buy a new camera when one comes out, and to be honest, the hassle of learning new menu systems, etc. associated with a new camera isn't worth my time. My E-P1 vote is totally biased because of that. I'm not saying it's the most perfect camera ever made and it has no flaws, but it works well enough for me to not need an upgrade.

I tried out the E-P3 the other day at the store and I was really impressed by the features of it, but when you're in a dept. store you don't exactly get a feel for the camera the same way you would if you owned it and had time to spend with it.

lisandra · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2011, 01:06:20 AM »

Thats what I mean exactly, you dont need to buy the new version to know if its better, you know from the extensive use of the one you have what that particular model lacks and from there you can know if the rest are better or not just from info on the web. You know the AF is better on the PEN 3 and the pannys, you now the IQ is better on some pannys, the button layout might be better on the PEN 3. You know comparing it with the button layout of the camera you have and how you feel about it.

nich666 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2011, 04:30:38 AM »

Before voting on 'The BEST' Micro, shouldn't we be voting on the 'best Micro design'? I know i'm old fashioned now and was dragged up in the celluloid / enlarger / 'watching an image appear in the developer dish' era. But, does the design of modern cameras rush headlong into the form over function now that you also see in modern phones, [I have an HTC and have to dig into the screen to find the numbers to dial, how stupid is that?]. My E-P2 has a ton of different 'Art' functions that I can replicate in Photoshop, mostly, if I really want them but for me they are gimmicky at best. I still really like the E-P2 and the quality of build is top notch. My criteria for buying it was primarily the viewfinder, along with body stabilisation as well as using my Nikon lenses, since waving a camera at arms length doesn't always float my boat. Digital photography is streets ahead of how it used to be with ASA changes between shots, instant exposure/composition check on the back of the camera, no waiting a day or two for the prints to be returned and thrown away. Photoshop et al manipulation to save all sorts of errors, and not a safelight or chemical involvement to be seen, bar my laser printer. With all this going for it, why not design a camera that has the basic manual operations that used to be enough on the SLR's? Yes, use the digital advantages and keep the dredded menus for the restaurants, or, at least, reduce them to one click only. What would I require? Full manual control with auto programmed spot/centre weighted/multi exposure. Aperture/Speed priority function. Stop down button for depth of field assessment. Is there much I have missed? [that I would use, that is]. Do I really have to dig into the myriad menus to tell the camera it is dark, or snowing, or that I am focussing on an aeroplane??? Think how uncluttered, uncomplicated and fast that camera would be to operate. Now the smart ones amongst us will suggest me getting a prosumer BlattBlad or CanoPan as they do it all for you, or go back to SLR's and film, but I don't want that. I am open for suggestions for a camera already with these specs, and no extra clart for fossils like me. Am I suggesting the next topic to vote on? Not me. Regards, Brian.

alxcoghe · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2011, 05:00:20 AM »

I've voted GX1, because i think that Panasonic has moved a step further the already excellent results. I think also that without GX1 in the poll, i could select the GF2. I am an olympus pen e-p1, but this does not prevent me to recognize who has the winning cards.

In the future I might be able to use Panasonic cameras thanks to a professional agreement and test the cameras for the brand. This does not affect what I think never a camera, always trying to identify strengths and weaknesses without being influenced.

mynameisjonas · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2011, 05:23:17 AM »

Tying to be as objective as possible, I voted for the GX1. It seems to have the best combination of image quality, build quality, speed, compactness and ergonomics. I personally prefer the E-P3 though, as I think the GX1 looks extremely boring and uninspiring.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2011, 06:58:22 AM »

Although I think the O/E-PL2 may be a well thought out camera, the tilt screen, tilted me over the E-P3.
I think the P/GX1, because it is a little bigger to grip, (some of us, have trouble with small camera's and their controls being cloistered together), I voted for the GX1. Although, I prefer the SLR style for now. I'd like a GX1 with an OVF/EVF where the flash is, as my ideal body style.

Sent from my iPad

Chill · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2011, 09:39:28 AM »

Quote from: lisandra on November 21, 2011, 01:06:20 AM

Thats what I mean exactly, you dont need to buy the new version to know if its better, you know from the extensive use of the one you have what that particular model lacks and from there you can know if the rest are better or not just from info on the web. You know the AF is better on the PEN 3 and the pannys, you now the IQ is better on some pannys, the button layout might be better on the PEN 3. You know comparing it with the button layout of the camera you have and how you feel about it.

So then why does a camera with poor auto focus speed, less than optimal IQ and an apparently bad button layout get 8 votes?

ppotka · « **Reply #16 on:** November 21, 2011, 10:31:46 AM »

E-P3
- IBIS
- VF-2
- Buttons can be mapped just right
- THE ETTR king
- Astounding AF on the nearest eye
- Fast AF
- Customizable grip
- Built-in flash
- Right size
- Good IQ up to ISO 1600, with ETTR VERY good IQ

lisandra · « **Reply #17 on:** November 21, 2011, 11:37:22 AM »

Quote from: Chill on November 21, 2011, 09:39:28 AM

Quote from: lisandra on November 21, 2011, 01:06:20 AM
Thats what I mean exactly, you dont need to buy the new version to know if its better, you know from the extensive use of the one you have what that particular model lacks and from there you can know if the rest are better or not just from info on the web. You know the AF is better on the PEN 3 and the pannys, you now the IQ is better on some pannys, the button layout might be better on the PEN 3. You know comparing it with the button layout of the camera you have and how you feel about it.

So then why does a camera with poor auto focus speed, less than optimal IQ and an apparently bad button layout get 8 votes?

people are being subjective

Jason C · « **Reply #18 on:** November 21, 2011, 12:57:06 PM »

Best Mu43...easy; the Olympus E-P1.

Why?

Because I own it, and I've no experience with any other Mu43 body.

Jason C

Chill · « **Reply #19 on:** November 21, 2011, 03:50:21 PM »

Quote from: lisandra on November 21, 2011, 11:37:22 AM

Quote from: Chill on November 21, 2011, 09:39:28 AM
Quote from: lisandra on November 21, 2011, 01:06:20 AM
Thats what I mean exactly, you dont need to buy the new version to know if its better, you know from the extensive use of the one you have what that particular model lacks and from there you can know if the rest are better or not just from info on the web. You know the AF is better on the PEN 3 and the pannys, you now the IQ is better on some pannys, the button layout might be better on the PEN 3. You know comparing it with the button layout of the camera you have and how you feel about it.

So then why does a camera with poor auto focus speed, less than optimal IQ and an apparently bad button layout get 8 votes?
people are being subjective

Exactly my point, also the reason why I initially wrote "Results should be taken with a grain of salt."

yamarch · « **Reply #20 on:** November 21, 2011, 05:40:03 PM »

Who can resist the white E-P1. It's so retro and "Pan Am" cool!

lisandra · « **Reply #21 on:** November 21, 2011, 07:32:14 PM »

could the title be changed then?

Heres objective from me:
best looking- EP 1, silver GX
best vf- oly external, GH2 for internal
best layout- GH2
Best grip- G3
Best screen- EP 3
Best IQ detail- GH2, G3
best colors- EP 1,2,3
white balance- G3
customization- GH2
video- GH2
noise control- GH2, G3, GX1
burst- GH2
Shutter lag- EP3
auto focus- GH2, EP3
Size- EPM, GF3

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #22 on:** November 21, 2011, 07:38:38 PM »

Quote from: lisandra on November 21, 2011, 07:32:14 PM

could the title be changed then?

Heres objective from me:
best looking- EP 1, silver GX
best vf- oly external, GH2 for internal
best layout- GH2
Best grip- G3
Best screen- EP 3
Best IQ detail- GH2, G3
best colors- EP 1,2,3
white balance- G3
customization- GH2
video- GH2
noise control- GH2, G3, GX1
burst- GH2
Shutter lag- EP3
auto focus- GH2, EP3
Size- EPM, GF3

A balanced point of view, now to have a camera with all those great features... I guess we'd need 2, 1 non-EVF, 1 w/EVF

count_zero · « **Reply #23 on:** November 21, 2011, 10:53:46 PM »

I voted E-P3 because it's better than the E-P1, which I also have. Plus, it will become a collectors item when Olympus get's bought out by Zeiss and Zeiss starts producing digital Ikon's instead of Pens.

voyager · « **Reply #24 on:** November 21, 2011, 11:09:04 PM »

Any perspective on a public forum is of course going to be biased. It's all just a fun survey to see what people like the most. It doesn't matter what shortcomings some cameras have if they excel in other areas. By all logic I shouldn't like the E-P1, but I love it, and I can't find another Micro Four Thirds camera that I've used that I like more.

Poll

What do you think is the best (overall) Micro Four Thirds camera?

Author Topic: The Best (overall) Micro Four Thirds camera (Read 4287 times)

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