Olympus E-P3 vs. $500 Compacts

What you'll find with many folks (and I happen to be in that category), is that regardless of what DSLR (or m4/3) models that we may own, there will always be the proclivity for us to seek out the next newest all-in-one enthusiast model.

One can hold on to a DSLR for years (gosh, I still have the ole', venerable E-1 and love it).  For example, m4/3-wise I have the older Panny GF-1 and GH-1 cameras (still love them for their capabilities).  On the Olympus side of the house, I still use the older EP-2 and recently, I just picked up the awesome little E-PL5 (which, BTW, is just about the same size as the XZ-2 and actually less expensive than the model).

So using the traditional mindset (involving substitution), I could easily state that comparing the XZ-2 (just an example) price-wise with an Olympus E-PL5, will find you grabbing the latter.  I got the E-PL5 from B&H during a few-day sale for only $549 ($50 cheaper than the XZ-2), and we're talkin' a camera with a larger sensor, 16 MP sensor, and a nice kit lens.  So price-wise, it makes sense to pick up let's say....a micro 4/3 model.

But again - and I'm getting back to how I opened this reply - regardless of all of that, there are many of us who for some odd reason enjoy keeping up with the latest enthusiast models.  I've always stated that the ideal situation is for a person to have one of each - meaning, at least one DSLR (or m4/3 model), and one enthusiast model.  This provides for maximum flexibility for a variety of situations that come you way.

You see, there will be times when you don't want to lug around a camera bag and a camera with removable lenses (such as party of some quick family event).  In those (and other) situations, having a smallish enthusiast camera makes all the sense in the world...and convenient too!  But there will be other scenarios that will cause you to want to bring along something more sophisticated - something that will perform superbly in most lighting situations - and something that will allow for more flexibility (i.e. lenses, optional external lighting, etc.).  If I'm going out to do scenic photography for example, I will bring an interchangeable lens camera and accessories.

So you can either look at this scenario by posing the question, "since their price-points are so similar now, which should I get?"  Which in this case, just chose the least expensive scenario.  Or, you can keep in mind that in many situations it's good to have one of each category (an interchangeable lens camera and an enthusiast model) to ensure that you have the flexibility for a variety of photographic situations.

Don't know if this helps, but it did help me to offset some of my jitters as I just had 5 cups of morning coffee.....LOL!

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Have a great one....
Bernd (Ben) W. Herrmann
North Carolina, USA
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