GF1 vs Nex5

[JW73]

Imo I prefer m4/3 design more than nex. The look of the zoom lens on the tiny nex seems out if balance.
If compare specs, the larger sensor of nex sure win hands down. Looking at Panasonic development, they are leading in terms of lens development. They hv given up Dslr market n I m sure they will focus all the energy on this format.

 

[john316]

for outward appearance and design, i prefer GF1.

for larger use of accessories range, i prefer NEX5 at all cost ! it can mount Leica, Nikon, Minolta Sony lenses etc etc via adapters, AF support for these lenses will be in firmware update within 6 months time.

as for video quality, do note AVCHD is a joint development project by Pana and Sony, both are equally good in sensor technology.

 

[rOnGrEn]

Imo I prefer m4/3 design more than nex. The look of the zoom lens on the tiny nex seems out if balance.
If compare specs, the larger sensor of nex sure win hands down. Looking at Panasonic development, they are leading in terms of lens development. They hv given up Dslr market n I m sure they will focus all the energy on this format.

"seems" out of balance, but actual handling is quite good..
no problem with handling since you grip the camera by the lens.
Besides, the kit zoom lens is :thumbsup:.. very solid feel and no plasticky feel of typical kit lens.. focusing is dead silent.. somemore you have the potential to use the nex with tonnes of lenses as pointed out..

I have to agree with the bad user interface of the Nex though.. in trying to simplify things for their target users, they have actually made it much more inconvenient for experienced users.. I couldnt find the function to change the ISO initially too.. :bsmilie:

 

[OpenLens]

NEX = piss poor UI and inconvenient to an extreme if you want to shoot in anything but auto-everything mode. It does come in cute fashionable colors, though...I mean, if you need something to match your shoes or handbag.

Same goes for the Oly PL-1.

The GF-1, E-P1, & E-P2 have a much better control layout and quick access to all modes and control in those modes. Being m4/3 also means a good selection of native lenses as well as being adaptable to more mounts then any other mount type. Also, the 4/3 standard includes things like the flash communication protocol, so Oly flashes will work fully TTL on Pana and vice versa. I'm using a Nissin Di466.

I'm guessing that you are considering the GF-1 because it seems to be the flavor of the week, but I've played with a GF-1, E-P1, and E-P2 and can tell you that the PENS are better buys. Here's why:

Better image processing (albeit a non-issue if you're shooting straight RAW)
In-Camera IS (works with manual focus lenses, too...AND when recording video in the E-P2)
Full Manual in Video mode on the E-P2
Better pixel density (3x) on the E-P2 EVF

I agree that the Pana 20/1.7 is a great lens. Thankfully, you can use it on the PENS. And with the current firmware, the E-P2 with the Pana 20/1.7 focuses slightly faster then the GF-1.

I currently own an E-P1 and E-P2. After lending the E-P1 to a friend for a couple of weeks, he asking to buy it from me and get rid of his GF-1. The in-body IS combined with the 20/1.7 makes for a great low-light combo.

 

[gbn2377]

I had the same question in mind.

Did quite a bit of research - which did not lead to any clear conclusion.

So I tried my hands on it.

Went to the SONY shop, and tried the NEX-5. I concluded that I did not like the user interface. Too many steps, which were not that intuitive (to me). It actually got me frustrated.

I tried the GF1 and loved the interface. .

I think once we learn the settings its there forever when we use.We know exactly to go there with ease.Many reviewers when they rate camera on settings it may done quick not after using it with some time....

 

[wksoh]

Hi, Nex5 shoots like a machine gun with panaroma view which I uploaded to my computer screen 16:9 27" screen which looks great. No stitching is required, good for landscape. It is wider than wide angle lens of 122
degree but no depth of field like wide angle lens.

This NEX Panorama is a nice feature....:thumbsup:

 

[Ouverture]

Actually we have to really give credit to Sony for producing such a small, well built camera that takes good DSLR quality pictures and fantastic HD videos.

Though many have complained about the UI, but seriously, how often do people really change the settings often? Even with my DSLR, I also seldom change the settings often except for ISO, WB and perhaps shooting mode.

True that NEX UI is not easy to change settings esp for ISO, but then I Normally left it in ISO AUTO since the high ISO is good.

Other than that, since it's meant to be used as a PNS or backup casual camera, I think UI is not the deal-breaker.

What matter most is easy and light to bring out and produce good photos and videos, that's about what a good camera should do isn't it?

 

[Z7Z7Z7]

Hey, there is still the Samsung NX 10

 

[pinholecam]

Have a look at the Samsung NX10 as well.
Well implemented in most respects :
1. APS-C
2. Bright AMOLED LV screen
3. Has an electronic viewfinder
4. Has buttons and dials for rather fast access (ie. not too much menu diving)
5. On camera flash.
6. Well sized. Not small for the sake of small.

Decent line up (as well as intended lineup) of small primes as well.
My only doubt abt it is Samsung support for it over 5-10+yrs (would they keep to it?).
If you are thinking only as a 1-3 small lens, small camera system w/o much investment which can certainly last 3-5yrs, then they are good to consider.

 

[gymak90]

Have a look at the Samsung NX10 as well.
Well implemented in most respects :
1. APS-C
2. Bright AMOLED LV screen
3. Has an electronic viewfinder
4. Has buttons and dials for rather fast access (ie. not too much menu diving)
5. On camera flash.
6. Well sized. Not small for the sake of small.

Decent line up (as well as intended lineup) of small primes as well.
My only doubt abt it is Samsung support for it over 5-10+yrs (would they keep to it?).
If you are thinking only as a 1-3 small lens, small camera system w/o much investment which can certainly last 3-5yrs, then they are good to consider.

Response for NX10 has been quite good. I see quite a number of users. I believe we can tell samsung's commitment into this market by looking at their lens line up and how often they will come up with a new lens.

Problem is, samsung can't beat sony/oly's lens line up in any time soon. If you're looking for a dslr replacement/complement, get a NEX or Oly, with a mount, you'll have access to all their lenses.

 

[pinholecam]

Response for NX10 has been quite good. I see quite a number of users. I believe we can tell samsung's commitment into this market by looking at their lens line up and how often they will come up with a new lens.

Problem is, samsung can't beat sony/oly's lens line up in any time soon. If you're looking for a dslr replacement/complement, get a NEX or Oly, with a mount, you'll have access to all their lenses.

It depends. A small form factor like this is probably better off being kept small with some pancake lenses and dedicated lenses. A sort of 'digital rangefinder'. This means that lens range just needs to be enough rather than overwhelming. In fact the gaps can always be plugged with adapters and other brand lenses, though losing some convenience in the process. The NX10 has a Pentax adapter (say in the shops); don't know about other adapters.

How come you don't recommend a Panny??

 

[Michael68]

Hi,
Just saw OpenLens reply to this thread. Chanced across this local review and wanted to get your thoughts as I am seriously contemplating either GF1 or Oly EP-L1:

http://www.davidchuaphotography.com...l1-vs-panasonic-lumix-dmc-gf1/comment-page-1/

Sorry, do not mean to favour any brand at the moment but hoping to hear some objective feedback. Thanks!

Regards,
Michael

 

[OpenLens]

Hi,
Just saw OpenLens reply to this thread. Chanced across this local review and wanted to get your thoughts as I am seriously contemplating either GF1 or Oly EP-L1:

http://www.davidchuaphotography.com...l1-vs-panasonic-lumix-dmc-gf1/comment-page-1/

Sorry, do not mean to favour any brand at the moment but hoping to hear some objective feedback. Thanks!

Regards,
Michael

Looks aside, the only place where the GF-1 soundly beats the PL-1 is the rear LCD, which has a greater pixel depth.

With current firmware, the PENs focus as fast as the GF-1. The PENs have in-body IS...this makes them slightly heavier, but it means the lenses are smaller & lighter. I personally like the image processor in the PENs, especially at ISO1600.

I'm going to meet with my GF-1-toting friend for coffee again next Tuesday. And he is going to borrow my E-P1 again.

 

[ziggy]

for outward appearance and design, i prefer GF1.

for larger use of accessories range, i prefer NEX5 at all cost ! it can mount Leica, Nikon, Minolta Sony lenses etc etc via adapters, AF support for these lenses will be in firmware update within 6 months time.

QUOTE]

Mounts for the various lenses have been available for MFT cameras for some time already. Most are for MF while a few can support AF. I think it will be the same for NEX mounts i.e. no AF except maybe with Sony/Minolta/Konica AF lenses.

 

[wksoh]

Looks aside, the only place where the GF-1 soundly beats the PL-1 is the rear LCD, which has a greater pixel depth.

With current firmware, the PENs focus as fast as the GF-1. The PENs have in-body IS...this makes them slightly heavier, but it means the lenses are smaller & lighter. I personally like the image processor in the PENs, especially at ISO1600.

I'm going to meet with my GF-1-toting friend for coffee again next Tuesday. And he is going to borrow my E-P1 again.

According to DXOMARK, ISO1600 in the EPL1 is over reported. It is actually nearer to ISO800 in the GF1...

If you believe DXO, that is... click on "ISO sensitivity"

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en...(onglet)/0/(brand)/Olympus/(brand2)/Panasonic

 

[microcosm]

According to DXOMARK, ISO1600 in the EPL1 is over reported. It is actually nearer to ISO800 in the GF1...

If you believe DXO, that is... click on "ISO sensitivity"

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en/Camera-Sensor/Compare-sensors/(appareil1)/643%7C0/(appareil2)/632%7C0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Olympus/(brand2)/Panasonic

I believe sample images would make the loudest noise. Why not get owners of both cameras to post images shot in ISO1600, and having many different pictures to look at, under different lighting, lighting condition, shooting condition, and shooting situations, that would really shed light on which camera is better suited for the person. And the funny thing is, no one can really be right. It is all subjective.

 

[spidey89]

I believe sample images would make the loudest noise. Why not get owners of both cameras to post images shot in ISO1600, and having many different pictures to look at, under different lighting, lighting condition, shooting condition, and shooting situations, that would really shed light on which camera is better suited for the person. And the funny thing is, no one can really be right. It is all subjective.

Can ask Headfonz,he has both E-PL1 and GF1 with him now(Saboing in progress :angel

 

[wksoh]

I believe sample images would make the loudest noise. Why not get owners of both cameras to post images shot in ISO1600, and having many different pictures to look at, under different lighting, lighting condition, shooting condition, and shooting situations, that would really shed light on which camera is better suited for the person. And the funny thing is, no one can really be right. It is all subjective.

That would be really interesting.. but i'm not in position to test as I don't have both cameras..
If we could get both camera to use the same lens, shoot at same target in the same low light environment with same aperture.

1) Test 1: Both camera select same shutter speed.
Compare brightness of picture, the one with higher exposure has higher sensitivity.

2) Test 2: Let camera choose it's own shutter speed.
If one camera chooses a higher shutter speed - that camera has higher sensitivity. But the difficult part is making sure brightness of both picture is exactly the same. And this part is really subjective and debatable.

I have no intention of supporting any brand... just that I don't know the answer to this.
In fact I'm currently looking at DSLR to replace the GF1.

 

[Sispecho]

Actually we have to really give credit to Sony for producing such a small, well built camera that takes good DSLR quality pictures and fantastic HD videos.

Though many have complained about the UI, but seriously, how often do people really change the settings often? Even with my DSLR, I also seldom change the settings often except for ISO, WB and perhaps shooting mode.

True that NEX UI is not easy to change settings esp for ISO, but then I Normally left it in ISO AUTO since the high ISO is good.

Other than that, since it's meant to be used as a PNS or backup casual camera, I think UI is not the deal-breaker.

What matter most is easy and light to bring out and produce good photos and videos, that's about what a good camera should do isn't it?

So i may have been one of those rare people who change settings often when shooting.....

 

[wksoh]

Ah... I actually had a test done before that I remember in Courts at Jurong Point.

I brought my 20mm lens along and shot with both camera at the same place.

EPL1 / 20mm / f1.7 / ISO 200 = 1/60s

EPL1 / 20mm/f1.7/ISO200 = 1/60 by wksoh, on Flickr



GF1 / 20mm / f1.7 / ISO 100 = 1/40s

GF1 /20mm/f1.7/ISO100 = 1/40 by wksoh, on Flickr


If my understanding is correct:
The GF1 with ISO 200 would be equivalent to = 1/80s (This is an assumption and may be flawed)

I went to the shop to compare the colors between the cameras - not to compare ISO. SO as you can see, I had the intention of changing to Oly. Brand loyalty is not my virtue.

Sorry I had to make the assumption above. It's the only pictures I have. If you think it is flawed and have better data to show,... pls share.