Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

Had a play with something interesting? Got something that we all covet? Found a real lemon? Write a few lines about it, and share your experiences.

Moderator: Moderators

Forum rules
Please ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

Postby ozimax on Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:58 pm

I purchased an E-PL1 last week as I'm heading os again next week and I couldn't be bothered carrying my 5D and lens in NZ for two weeks. Here's a few preliminary thoughts:

1. Very well built though light
2. 14-42 lens a bit fiddly to operate
3. HD video is sensationally easy to take
4. ISO 800 is clean
5. Inbuilt flash is good and can be angled to bounce off ceiling
6. RAW files are a pain as there doesn't seem to be any support at this stage. The Olympus proprietary software doesn't work with Mac osx.
7. Updating the firmware is a bit of a pain compared to Canon
8. Image quality seems great as per the many reviews

So far so good.
President, A.A.A.A.A (Australian Association Against Acronym Abuse)
Canon EOS R6, RF 24-105 F4, RF 70-200 F4, RF 35mm F1.8, RF 16mm F2.8
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
User avatar
ozimax
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5284
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:58 am
Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW

Re: Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

Postby aim54x on Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:10 pm

What is your view on the manual control? I find it too compact camera like
Cameron
Nikon F/Nikon 1 | Hasselblad V/XPAN| Leica M/LTM |Sony α/FE/E/Maxxum/M42
Wishlist Nikkor 24/85 f/1.4| Fuji Natura Black
Scout-Images | Flickr | 365Project
User avatar
aim54x
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7305
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:13 pm
Location: Penshurst, Sydney

Re: Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

Postby ozimax on Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:52 pm

aim54x wrote:What is your view on the manual control? I find it too compact camera like


It's a cinch. In A mode, one click up on the 4-way button and then you're able to control the aperture easily. It's not quite as nice as the little roller button on the E-p1 or the ring on the Canon S90 but it is more aimed at the mass market than the E-P1. Like everything, it takes a few goes to get used to it. The LX3 was a tad quirky but you soon got used to it.
President, A.A.A.A.A (Australian Association Against Acronym Abuse)
Canon EOS R6, RF 24-105 F4, RF 70-200 F4, RF 35mm F1.8, RF 16mm F2.8
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
User avatar
ozimax
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5284
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:58 am
Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW

Re: Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

Postby aim54x on Sat Jul 03, 2010 11:37 pm

That is exactly what I was talking about. Reverting to the fiddly and clumsy 4-way controller to control aperture and shutter speed is worse than the LX3 which has the dedicated joystick thing....
Cameron
Nikon F/Nikon 1 | Hasselblad V/XPAN| Leica M/LTM |Sony α/FE/E/Maxxum/M42
Wishlist Nikkor 24/85 f/1.4| Fuji Natura Black
Scout-Images | Flickr | 365Project
User avatar
aim54x
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7305
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:13 pm
Location: Penshurst, Sydney

Re: Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

Postby alexparker on Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:46 pm

How about it compare with GF1, since some of my friend say the spec is similar
Alex: Be Brave!!!!
alexparker
Newbie
 
Posts: 28
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:41 pm
Location: Calamvale, QLD

Re: Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

Postby chrisk on Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:40 pm

aim54x wrote:That is exactly what I was talking about. Reverting to the fiddly and clumsy 4-way controller to control aperture and shutter speed is worse than the LX3 which has the dedicated joystick thing....


i must be the only one that likes that joystick. lol
EM1 l 7.5 l 12-40 l 14 l 17 l 25 l 45 l 60 l 75 l AW1 l V3
User avatar
chrisk
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3317
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:50 pm
Location: Oyster Bay, Sydney

Re: Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

Postby photohiker on Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:31 am

alexparker wrote:How about it compare with GF1, since some of my friend say the spec is similar


On the GF1, with A mode set on the top exposure mode dial, changing aperture is achieved by twirling the thumbwheel on the back of the camera. Adjusting the exposure is achieved by pressing the thumbwheel to change into exposure compensation mode, and then twirling it. Both of these adjustments bring up a graphical display showing the F-stop, shutter speed and exposure adjustment.

I haven't played with an EPL1, my impression is that it isn't quite as straightforward, but like all these things time with the camera will instruct your choice far better than some dude describing the operation on the internet. :)

Michael
photohiker
Senior Member
 
Posts: 687
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:56 am
Location: Burnside, South Australia.

Re: Olympus PEN E-PL1 quick review

Postby alexparker on Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:20 pm

photohiker wrote:
alexparker wrote:How about it compare with GF1, since some of my friend say the spec is similar


On the GF1, with A mode set on the top exposure mode dial, changing aperture is achieved by twirling the thumbwheel on the back of the camera. Adjusting the exposure is achieved by pressing the thumbwheel to change into exposure compensation mode, and then twirling it. Both of these adjustments bring up a graphical display showing the F-stop, shutter speed and exposure adjustment.

I haven't played with an EPL1, my impression is that it isn't quite as straightforward, but like all these things time with the camera will instruct your choice far better than some dude describing the operation on the internet. :)

Michael


Mic you are right! WE should try the real one :agree:
Alex: Be Brave!!!!
alexparker
Newbie
 
Posts: 28
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:41 pm
Location: Calamvale, QLD


Return to Equipment Reviews

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 32 guests

cron