Author Topic: Why does Olympus hate its E-P1 customers? (Read 2663 times)

patrick · « **on:** February 03, 2010, 06:30:54 PM »

At first I felt like they were kicking e-p1 owners to the curb with the release of the overpriced e-p2. Now I feel with the cheaper e-pl1 they kind of wish we all were never born. Is it true that we will not see the light of another firmware update? Have they really left us in the dust?

I guess what I'm trying to say is: where's the love, Oly?

count_zero · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2010, 08:07:19 PM »

True, there really is no reason to buy an EP-1 today. I wonder what the GF-1 sales would have been like if the EP-1 had the EVF connector built in. The EP-2 was clearly an oh-shit, we need something fast that has an EVF solution. E-PL1 appears to be a little better designed even though the body is plastic. I don't buy the marketing excuse that the EP-1 wasn't built with an EVF connector because the VF-2 wasn't ready at that time. My guess would be that they wanted to see the market's reaction to not offering an EVF and hopefully save cost in the long run. Ironically, the E-PL1 looks like early mock up shots of what the EP-2 was supposed to look like.

voyager · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2010, 09:16:55 PM »

Don't think of the E-PL1 as a kick to the E-P1. As we have noticed, there are many things missing, like a control dial or wheel, a top shutter speed of only 1/2000 sec and ISO 3200. That popup flash is the only thing redeeming about it. The E-P3 will probably have one.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2010, 05:50:03 AM »

i agree they knew they would create an evf down the road and should have included a port in the ep1 even if the evfs arrival was 6 months down the road

popo · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2010, 09:47:44 AM »

While the E-PL1 price will eventually fall, right now the preorder price on Amazon UK is higher than the equivalent E-P1 kit.

I don't see it as a kick. This is technology. The gap between buying and something new coming along is never that long.

With hindsight, I get the impression the E-P1 was a case of "get the product out quick", even if it doesn't feel quick. It's the first, so may be the hardest. After that, it is only refining the design, hence the E-P2 was relatively easy to bring out afterwards. The E-PL1 sounds like they have now had some time to figure out where to cut costs, and in the long term that will help everything.

patrick · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2010, 10:20:50 AM »

I understand technology's aim is to drive cost down while keeping quality up. That's fine. I just don't understand how they can release a solid product with a strong following and less than a year in discontinue support for it.

It's the first and last time I buy an Olympus product (and I've had mine less than a month). The IQ might be the best in its class, but the lack of substantial firmware updates (in comparison to the new software functions of the E-P2 and E-PL1 models) for essentially the same computer is just bad business.

Next time I'll stick with Panasonic.

joebee · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2010, 11:38:17 AM »

Every one who has bought the E-P1 has known to be an early adopter paying a premium price for a fist generation camera of a new species.

But I think it was a mistake that Olympus did not include a port for the EVF so that they had to release the E-P2 so soon after the E-P1.

The E-P1 is still a great camera for which I've been waiting a long time. The only thing I'm missing are the fast, small primes. I don't want to attach any of these huge zoom lenses. Thankfully we have lens mount adapters allowing us to attach real glass which does not depreciate within several months.

dCap · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2010, 11:46:44 AM »

sorry, I fail to see what is suddenly wrong with the E-P1?

but then I'm not wanting the clip-on (break/snap/wobble-off) viewfinder thing that makes the size shape a joke ... so I'll still take the E-P1 over the other three options any day.

voyager · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2010, 02:05:09 PM »

Very understandable being frustrated with Olympus cutting off updates and supports for the E-P1 so quickly. Nikon still updates the D70's firmware and it was released in 2004. Olympus is really cutting it too short with this.

Ian Tindale · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2010, 02:15:15 PM »

â€œfist generationâ€
Youâ€™ve got that right.

voyager · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2010, 02:16:20 PM »

Well, look at the first generation Canon DSLRs (D30, D60) compared to even the 10D and 20D (not trying to defend Olympus, but helping everyone understand them).

Federico Alberto · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2010, 02:25:41 PM »

Now help me here...

When was it Olympus released the latest E-P1 firmware update?

3 weeks ago?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1001/10011301olyep1firmware.asp

voyager · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2010, 02:29:21 PM »

It seems I was misinformed.

lorenski · « **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2010, 03:16:49 PM »

they should have named it the e-p0, not the confusing e-pl1

popo · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2010, 03:38:12 PM »

Two firmware updates for the E-P1 so far, and the AF has improved twice. A few more of those and we might be at GF1 levels

rudegus604 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2010, 04:02:34 PM »

Well as an E-P2 owner, i can honestly say that the E-P1 is by FAR the best looking camera. And admittedly being new to the game, I don't use the EVF very often. If I had to start all over right now, i'd probably get the E-P1. It's a beautiful piece of kit. I wouldn't be heart broken if i was an early adopter. And personally, the PL1 looks like a bag of smashed a-holes to me. It looks like a toy, or a cheap knock off from the P1/P2.

scblur · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2010, 05:58:50 PM »

I fail to see why anyone is slighted with the release of any camera after the E-P1. The E-P1 is perfect as it is and given the opportunity to do it all again, I would buy it all over and pay more for it.
The E-P1 is a beautiful well made camera and frankly takes better photos than my E620. It looks great as well and I am quite proud to own it, all cameras that follow are just that, followers, not the leader (E-P1). Every time Oly puts out a new "E-Px" I feel good about my choice of the E-P1.

On the other hand putting out a new camera ever few months does seem a bit annoying. Putting out some lenses would be more productive. Especially if the price were not $599 and up. I am not paying $600 for a f/4 tele!

gareth · « **Reply #17 on:** February 04, 2010, 07:35:17 PM »

@Patrick
I failed to understand your allegations as well as suspicions of "discontinue support for it" and "we will not see the light of another firmware update". That's not what many other people perceive to say the least.

Perhaps you feel bad because you first owned the wonderful E-P1 one month ago. I would say that it does not matter whether a camera gadget has the latest technology or not. I would say that what counts is whether it can help delivering wonderful pictures to one's ability.

2 cents worth.

voyager · « **Reply #18 on:** February 04, 2010, 07:41:47 PM »

Just because it's the older camera doesn't mean you have any reason to not like your E-P1.

patrick · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2010, 09:18:41 PM »

It's not that I don't like it-- I really do, especially with my old hexanon primes attached. I bought it for its size and durability, to bring with me to South America for some hiking in Patagonia... and i know it will do a great job.

I don't really care about the missing EVF and flash. I researched it enough to know what I was buying. I'm just whining because I'm hoping someone from Olympus will throw us a couple more art filters and manual video so we can still feel relevant in the ever-changing micro four thirds environment.

voyager · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2010, 10:06:07 PM »

Well, I don't think Olympus reads this forum. If they did I might be in trouble for the logo (shh).

Zephyr · « **Reply #21 on:** February 08, 2010, 09:38:56 AM »

I still love my E-P1 but surely I like their progress in E-PL1.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2010, 10:34:42 AM »

patrick i just got the 57 f 1.2 hexanon and i love it........ i have the ep1 and the gf 1 and i much prefer its performance on the the extra quality of the jpegs really shines

i agree with all your criticisms however of olympus they have nothing but contempt for their users

Streetshooter · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2010, 12:09:03 PM »

You know.
The more I thought about this the more I realize their position.
Hold on, hold on!

All over the net, users rave about the Pen 1. I am extremely guilty of this. So then Oly must see that there are many happy campers and I guess this supports the decision not to give full support to the camera.
If nothings wrong, then don't fix what's not broken. Unfortunately, this creates a bad vibe for 1st responders.

The more they go forward, like with the new improved cheaper plastic, Diana wannabe camera...the harder it will be to look back.

Already, shooters want what the Pen 2 has...so with the new one...the same thing will happen.
I am not in agreement with them, don't read me wrong...I just kinda understand why they treat us like shit....

I love the camera but it ain't right...it needs firmware..but I don't think we'll see it...

f64 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2010, 12:48:59 PM »

It's really troublesome to see the new paradigm in photography....Camera makers seem to be tossing new camera models in the ring 3 or 4 times a year, seemingly to "see what sticks". Photographers seem to be changing cameras more often than their underwear.

Fortunately (and unfortunately in a way) we are in a stage of very rapidly changing technology and camera companies are taking advantage of photographers who are caught up in the "I need/want/have to have" the latest and greatest camera feature. For those of us that have been shooting for a long while, this is both an exciting and a very weird time. In the heyday of film, it wasn't unusual to use a camera for 10-15 years.

Olympus is simply caught up in the new paradigm. They don't hate anyone or anything except declining profits.

Author Topic: Why does Olympus hate its E-P1 customers? (Read 2663 times)

dCap

Ian Tindale

scblur

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