[ New Release 2010.03 ] - E-PL1

[Mad Armour]

IMHO, it's not a good analogy to compare EP1/2 with the pro series cameras (1Ds, D3 etc). This is because we should remember the value proposition of m4/3. Small, compact and light without the bulkiness of DSLR as it does away with the mirror box. Pros who use the 1Ds/D3 are prepared to lug alot of lighting equipment around or at least a few flashguns for their shoots. This is where the differences lie. Most people, myself included, who buy into the m4/3 value proposition do not want to bring an extra external flash around. Granted there are photogs (like yourself) who don't use the flash and use it to shoot RF/Photojournalist style. To each their own as different strokes for different folks.

However, one shouldn't try to "defend/justify" Olympus' decisions not to include flash in EPx series blindly by just saying "since I don't use it, it's no point including it!". Sales figures don't lie and apparently, there's a broader mass of consumers (might not be hobbyist or very serious photogs) who think having a built in flash is important to them (however small, "weak" or useless it might be to some of us).

And the inclusion of built in flash in latest E-PL1 at least shows that Olympus thinks this product feature is important to their target segment (current pns users who want better IQ pics without the complications of DSLR functions).

Above are my 2cts opinion and are in no way meant to start any flame wars.

It's human nature to want the best specifications, with the most hardware but pay the cheapest price. There's a Hokkien saying..........

 

[skeletonman]

Just got back from bkk and saw this thread! Buay tahan liao!!!!

 

[coolsigg]

It's human nature to want the best specifications, with the most hardware but pay the cheapest price. There's a Hokkien saying..........

actually, the E-PL1 specs look very good on paper. very tempting to get one to play after it's Mar launch.

yes, I am el cheapo! muahaha! :bsmilie:

 

[Mad Armour]

actually, the E-PL1 specs look very good on paper. very tempting to get one to play after it's Mar launch.

yes, I am el cheapo! muahaha! :bsmilie:

Oh, I personally think it should be good, but I'm happy with my E-P1. No point whingeing as there will always be a better and cheaper one tomorrow.

I paid $120 for my 64MB CF card when I got my first Nikon Coolpix (3MB) Digital P&S, which incidentally cost me $1199. Hahahahaha...........

 

[coolsigg]

Oh, I personally think it should be good, but I'm happy with my E-P1. No point whingeing as there will always be a better and cheaper one tomorrow.

I paid $120 for my 64MB CF card when I got my first Nikon Coolpix (3MB) Digital P&S, which incidentally cost me $1199. Hahahahaha...........

yes, u hit the nail on the head. just work within what you have and be happy always! :thumbsup:

 

[mojims]

Another significant, but overlooked, detail is the included 14-42mm kit lens now has plastic mount rather than metal. I'm sure this has significant production cost savings.

Issit?

 

[bousozoku]

Issit?

The one that's included with the E-PL1 has the plastic mount. Everything I've been led to believe is that the 14-42mm lens that is sold separately will still have the metal mount.

 

[Mad Armour]

Issit?

Quote from DPR.

'Stepping in to fill this void is the Olympus E-PL1, a camera that brings a stripped-down body and simplified interface to the Micro Four Thirds format. That cost saving, which extends to a lower-cost, plastic mount version of the collapsible 14-42mm kit lens, means the E-PL1 comes to market with a suggested selling price some $200 (or €150) below that of the E-P1.'

So when one buys the kit lens in the future, one has to know if it's the one with the metal mount or not!

 

[Oly5050]

Quote from DPR.

'Stepping in to fill this void is the Olympus E-PL1, a camera that brings a stripped-down body and simplified interface to the Micro Four Thirds format. That cost saving, which extends to a lower-cost, plastic mount version of the collapsible 14-42mm kit lens, means the E-PL1 comes to market with a suggested selling price some $200 (or €150) below that of the E-P1.'

So when one buys the kit lens in the future, one has to know if it's the one with the metal mount or not!

No lar, plastic mount or metal mount, all of them can use. The fit will be the same. Just that it is plastic and may be less durable. Its like the difference between the SG and the HG lens. SG lens mostly plastic mount, HG lens, all metal mounts.

 

[Oly5050]

Aiyah...dun tok so much liao lar.

Just choose what colour is nicest lar.

 

[coolsigg]

Aiyah...dun tok so much liao lar.

Just choose what colour is nicest lar.

Silver or red works for me! :thumbsup::lovegrin:

 

[chalib]

Black :sweatsm:

 

[Mad Armour]

No lar, plastic mount or metal mount, all of them can use. The fit will be the same. Just that it is plastic and may be less durable. Its like the difference between the SG and the HG lens. SG lens mostly plastic mount, HG lens, all metal mounts.

Well, I certainly did not remember me saying one is better than the other in term of picture quality. However, IF I were to buy one from the 2nd hand market, I'd certainly choose the metal mount if priced the same.

Presently we don't know which class the E-P1/2 kit lens come from. We don't even know IF there's a similar classification system for mFT lenses. All things points to both 14-42mm being same lens save for the mounts.

 

[mojims]

But we're not getting RED here in SG!!! ;(

 

[nightpiper]

Juz read the preview hands on at dpreview. Pretty darn good i must say. Oly has packed so much into such a small package. Amazing!! :thumbsup::heart: Think i can get the red one for me missus I have a strange feeling that i'll be using it more than her :bsmilie::bsmilie:

A small inconvenience though. They do away with the AEL button. With the inclusion of 1% spot meter, i wud expect the AEL button to be there for more control over exposure. Hopefully via firmware, owners can reassign a button to become AEL.

 

[maxmax]

But we're not getting RED here in SG!!! ;(

The RED look very nice, why are they not getting it in to Singapore?

 

[stetan]

Another review indicating that focusing speed is faster on E-PL1...but is funny why Olympus does not want this to be known :dunno:....thought it would be good to let people know this.

DCresource.com “Olympus has asked that I not post any specific focus times in this preview, but I can tell you that the E-PL1 feels a bit faster than its predecessors. It’s not as fast as the Panasonic G-series models, but it’s better than before. The camera still makes the lens run through the whole focus range every time the AF system runs, and the lack of an AF-assist lamp does not bode well for the PL1’s low light abilities.”

 

[nightpiper]

The RED look very nice, why are they not getting it in to Singapore?

Hint.... get it out of sg where they r cheaper. tsk... tsk... :lovegrin: Think u can expect the prowess of the next E-Px to be better than this PL 1. More BUY! BUY! BUY! AHEAD!! WATCH UR WALLETS FELLAS!!! :bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[Mad Armour]

A small inconvenience though. They do away with the AEL button. With the inclusion of 1% spot meter, i wud expect the AEL button to be there for more control over exposure. Hopefully via firmware, owners can reassign a button to become AEL.

I'm sure the omission is intended. P&S upgraders should not be bothered which things like AEL.

While not as cool-looking as the E-P1/2, I still think it looks good and all's good for the mFT platform.

 

[bousozoku]

This will make more sense,I completely forgot about the NX from Samsung :bsmilie:,I saw the Ricoh this morning in the newspaper though

Ricoh aren't likely to get many to switch companies. They're doing some interesting, but odd things.

well E-P2 is bundled with the external EVF which is quite pricey. but then again I'd agree that unless they offer a price drop it would affect E-P2 sales

as I read in another forum, E-P2 is treated like a luxury item in Japan. maybe we should start looking at it that way... E-PL1 = Nokia... E-P2 = Vertu :bsmilie:

Nokia and Vertu? Not nice things to say about any Olympus product.

The EPL-1 and E-P2 are for different customers, don't you think? People who want the E-P2 should be more likely to understand aperture and shutter speed whereas the EPL-1 buyer is more likely stepping up from a point-and-shoot and doesn't know anything technical more than removing the card to have prints made. That's why they designed the interactive guide software.