Author Topic: e-p1 / e-p2 / e-pl1 / e-pl2 How To Choose? (Read 2896 times)

JonCruise · « **on:** May 06, 2011, 05:00:41 AM »

This topic is for the people that don't know what camera to buy

Recently sold my Canon 50D / 17-40mm because:
-to heavy
-to big
-only used it when I was really planning a shooting
-could not take it in my bag at work for example
...

I only shoot in Manual mode. Sometimes manual or auto-focus.

Now back on my old Canon 350D 18-55mm, which takes very nice pictures and now I want something small and good.

I have searched the web to look for something good price/quality.

I will buy the E-p1 because it is nearly the same as the E-p2.
Why not the E-pl2 with a nicer screen? biggest reason is the missing of the buttons for Focal and Shutter speed control.
Also, the look of the E-p1/2 is just wow. Looks retro, feels nice, real metal...

Bad point is the screen not easy to protect + resolution, not a big deal... Buy a screen protector that covers the screen of the E-p1/2

I have found a good website to compare quickly some features:
e-p1 vs e-p2
http://snapsort.com/compare/Olympus_PEN_E-P1-vs-Olympus_PEN_E-P2

e-pl1 vs e-pl2
http://snapsort.com/compare/Olympus-E-PL2-vs-Olympus_PEN_E-PL1

Personnaly I don't like the Sony Nex3/5, Lumix soso...
Canon G12 is out of range, sensor is way to small... Sames for the Canon S95.

Voila!

Enjoy

tom-ep1 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2011, 06:28:14 AM »

I have chosen E-P1 against E-PL1 because it looks nicer/more solid and menu system is much better, builtin mini flash and video button i dont need. The kit lens on PL1 also has kind of plastic on the bottom.

But according to tests the images a bit more sharpen on E-PL1 against old E-P1 and E-P2 and its a bit lighter (50g). Also you can use an EVF not just an OVF.

E-PL2 i would prefer against both because it has much higher resolution which is important for MF but its simply to expensive. Such things like 1/4000s or >3200ISO i think hardly someone needs. Also the I.S. with 1 step less in E-PL1, i think nobody will see the difference.

traveler_101 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2011, 08:05:15 AM »

Quote from: JonCruise on May 06, 2011, 05:00:41 AM

This topic is for the people that don't know what camera to buy

Recently sold my Canon 50D / 17-40mm . . . .

Good for you!

Quote from: JonCruise on May 06, 2011, 05:00:41 AM

I only shoot in Manual mode. Sometimes manual or auto-focus.

In my view this means get either E-P1 or E-P2 because of the two dials. I also think you will appreciate the more solid feel and better design of this camera.

Quote from: JonCruise on May 06, 2011, 05:00:41 AM

Why not the E-pl2 with a nicer screen? biggest reason is the missing of the buttons for Focal and Shutter speed control.

Right.

Quote from: JonCruise on May 06, 2011, 05:00:41 AM

Also, the look of the E-p1/2 is just wow. Looks retro, feels nice, real metal...

Absolutely!

Quote from: JonCruise on May 06, 2011, 05:00:41 AM

Bad point is the screen not easy to protect + resolution, not a big deal... Buy a screen protector that covers the screen of the E-p1/2

I bought one of these cheap kits consisting of three plastic sheet protectors. It has been on my E-P1 for a year now. No problems.

Summary: you should buy either the E-P1 or E-P2. I have the P1. The difference between the two, asyou might know, is the ability to use the EVF (electronic view finder) on the P2. The EVF is a good accessory to have, especially for using manual focus lenses, but in actuality you can do most of the functions, even focusing, on the LCD screen, despite its less than ideal resolution. Of course, there are conditions--intense sunlight for instance--when you can't use the LCD screen, and there are those who prefer bringing the camera to eye level at times. In these circumstances, I use auxiliary ocular finders attached the the E-P1's cold shoe. Unlike the EVF, these do not provide a TTL (through the lens) view of course, but it does allow you to frame the shot at eye level. It works well with automatic focus lenses.

In my view the E-P1 is all you NEED. If you have more money to spend or you plan on relying heavily on manual focus lenses you probably should get the E-P2.

count_zero · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2011, 01:07:42 PM »

Don't forget that the E-P2 also has AF tracking, which could help quite a bit if you plan on shooting action photos.

voyager · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2011, 01:59:19 PM »

The E-P1 is quite a nice camera.

JonCruise · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2011, 08:26:03 PM »

ISO:
For the people looking at the ISO going super high or whatever marketing slogans, I would suggest DON'T LOOK and certainly don't get influenced.
4/3 cameras have a good sensor and going over 1600 ISO would be useless in my point of view (for my pics as I used maximum 1600 on my Canon 50D)

Pixel:
Same as above. I don't really care of pixels. +-8 MP sensors on a good camera can let you print pictures 2200x1500mm with no problem. good enough. Or are you an expert of Photoshop and going to handle your Raw pictures for hours?

Screen resolution:
ok, better for focus on a e-pl2, but not essential... this is not going to make the picture look nicer as you might think.

WheeE-P1 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:02:26 PM »

The E-P1 is the first digital camera I've had that actually feels like a camera, and not a piece of electronics that takes photographs. And while it isn't super light it seems to disappear, getting out of my way while I take pictures. For that alone I'd choose it again and again and again.

I'm actually considering buying a second body (in white) as a spare, just in case.

asterinex · « **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2011, 06:17:32 AM »

The e-p1 is cool and once will be a collectors item, but no

.
I personally think the e-pl2 is the best of the 3, but nothing beats the looks of the E-p1.
Or wait for the e-p3

e-p1 / e-p2 / e-pl1 / e-pl2 How To Choose?