Traded my D90 to an EP-3 and now starting to ask why I did it.

I just recently traded my Nikon D90 to an Olympus EP-3 and now I'm starting to regret it,maybe because I just realized that the image quality from the EP-3 cannot match from that of my D90 and also lenses are quiet expensive especially primes.Well,there's no turning back now ,but will please someone tell me how can I get the most out of my EP-3?In terms of settings and whatnot.I will mainly use this for street photography .
TIA!

Sorry to hear that. This is why whenever I buy a new camera I never sell the old one until I have had time to evaluate both together. The D90 is a really nice camera one of Nikons best endevors. I've owned the Nikon D40, D40X, D200, D5000 D90 and D5100 and of those the D40 and D90 are the only ones I still own.  I also have an OM-D EM-5 which I love but will never part with my D90 or D40. Maybe you'll learn to like the EP-3 or you'll find another D90.

should have done more research before doing that... the last generation of m43 sensors were really terrible, (ep3, epl3, epm1 and below) in terms of noise performance above 800 ISO, and general lightroom adjustments headroom. the raw files really are shallow in shadow details. should have traded for the newer generation of sensors, as they are vastly superior, such as an epl5, e-pm2 (or the panasonic equivs, g5, gx1, gh2) ...

but now that you have it, i guess you can make up for the lack of high iso performance with some fast lens.. panasonic 25mm 1.4 perhaps, but its 500$. or everyones fav 20mm 1.7 if you dont have it already at 300ish$

I sold my D90 in Dec '11 and purchased an EP3 14-42mm kit. Initially, I was a little underwhelmed but as soon as I added the 20mm, 45mm and 14-150m I never looked back. I also enabled the SCP (with advise from this forum) and tweaked image settings according to so people preferences on here - never looked back. Firmly, in the m43rds camp now, the size of the system is great means I take it alot more places with my expanding family. The features such as touch screen focusing are massive bonus, the whole system feels so much more alive than lugging DSLR gear around and I am getting really nice quality images, from my equipment but mainly from my renewed motivation to learn more about photography with this system. my advice is stick with for a while longer

Cheers
Blue

I moved from the D200 to first the GF1 and later to the G3.  I liked it so much, I just bought a second G3 and the 25 mm lens.  If you shoot street, you have 3 Panasonic lens that are really good. The 14 mm, 20 mm and I hope the 25 mm lens.  In the past, I have used the 20 mm when I am going out to shoot the street and just plan to walk around looking for something of interest.  I use the 14 mm when I am going to be at a street festival or as I did this past year when I took street shots in Charlotte at the Democratic National Convention.  When I am using the 14 mm I am in close and I set my camera to focus on closes subject.  I think if you were to look at anyone of these lens you will be happier with your purchase.

www.photosbypike.com

The E-P3 is a better camera for street photography because it's less conspicuous. A huge DSLR attracts attention.

m43 image quality can be increased by buying a newer camera. Olympus cameras older than the E-M5 had an underperforming 12MP Panasonic sensor. The new cameras have superior 16MP Sony sensors.

There are no Nikon DX prime lenses other than one normal lens. So you are comparing expensive apples to nothing.

The 12mp Pens are no substitute for the IQ of a decent DSLR, they're just viable alternatives that offer reasonably good results in a package with much less mass.   Coming from a DSLR I am not surprised at all that 100% views are disappointing.   I had to hold the DSLR for a good year before I could decided I wanted to work exclusively with µ4/3, but I had to accept that the absolute IQ I was used to would never be attained with a Pen.  Yet, I've been quite enjoying working DSLR-less for the most part.

The release of the OM-D closed the gap between the two formats considerably.   It sounds like you anticipated the E-P3 would provide the results that we now see is possible with the OM-D.  Heck, I should have known better myself, but I too thought the E-P3 would offer some significance over the previous Pen models.

Unless you're trying to reproduce exactly what you could with the DSLR, I think you might consider letting the E-P3 go for one of the newer models (or wait for the E-P5).

--
...Bob, NYC
http://www.bobtullis.com
"Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't." - Little Big Man
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A suggestion:  Maybe you should sell the EP-3 and look at an EPL5.  It uses a MUCH better sensor than the EP-3, has a flip screen on the back, and is very inconspicuous.  Image quality with the EP-3 sensor is NOT going to be as good as the D90, whereas IQ with the EPL5 will be better than the D90's.

And, yes, you should look into getting one of the primes.  The 14mm f2.5 Panasonic can be had on Ebay for under $200...if that is too wide a focal length for your purposes, the 20mm is about $300  used, or $350 new....

I had a D90 and bought an EPL1 (which uses the same sensor as your EP3) as my second camera two years ago.  After using the EPL1 for a while, I switched to the GH2, which is still M43 format but used a better sensor.  After that, I felt no need to keep the D90, but if there had not been a GH2 level sensor, I would have not switched completely from the Nikon gear at that point.  You are in a similar situation although you did get rid of your Nikon stuff already...However, the solution is to just get an M43 camera with an advanced sensor.  In small body size, the EPL5 has the excellent 16MP sensor that is in the OMD, and will outperform your D90.  You could also look at the Panasonic GX1, which has a larger display (although it does not flip) and more direct controls on the body than the EPL5, and which also has a more advanced 16MP sensor than that in your EP3.

Lots of options, and you do NOT have to go back to a DSLR to get the same output quality as your D90 had.  However, yes, lenses are not cheap....but fast primes for anything (except for the Nikon 50mm f1.8) are not inexpensive, so I am not sure that part of the argument makes a whole lot of sense.  (Plus, if you are feeling adventurous, and want to try manual lens operation with zone focusing for street shooting, you could get any vintage lens you want, and use that with a cheap adapter on your M43....easy way to spend very little money on good glass, and have some fun at the same time   )

Good luck!

-J

which lens(es) do you have?

If it's just the collapsible kit lens, that might be part of the problem

some alternatives:

14/2.5 a tiny lens that performs well.  Pick it up new for $180 or less on eBay. I find it a little wide for general use.

20/1.7 slower to focus but faster aperture.

25/1.4 cream of the Panny primes, but is a 50mm equivalent best for street? also not cheap.

45/1.8 Not the best of Oly's primes, but still nice, and not excessively expensive (especially as a refurb or used.)

the 17mm twins: 2.8 pancake and 1.8 newcomer  Either would be good for street shooting. (I'm holding out for a 17/1.8 refurb)

Oh, maybe the best deal around at the moment- Sigma 19mm & 30mm pair for only $199.  If only one lens suits you, grab the pair and sell off the one you don't need.

As far as camera settings, I'd keep the ISO to 400 or less to reduce noise if that is what you find troubling. Or pick up noise reduction software, or convert to B&W and embrace the graininess

Yes, the latest generation has a Sony sensor that does much better at high ISOs, but doesn't sound like you have a lot of cash to upgrade to a new body.

Definitely turn on the super control panel (SCP) so much easier than delving into the menu

--
Art P
"I am a creature of contrast,
of light and shadow.
I live where the two play together,
I thrive on the conflict"

I bought the EP-3 for a compact camera for major trip.  It did its job well.  However, I was able to keep my D90 and lenses.   I'm ok with IQ with the Oly, but even after 9 months, the D90 is still easier, faster and better, IF I don't have to tote it a long way.

I have "enjoyed" learning the bizarre menu structure and figuring out how to minimize the inadvertent changes of setting.   Sure easier to haul with several lenses, just not a sure to get the shot.

Sell the M43 stuff and get a Nikon again.......call it a bad experience plus you lost money......try and buy a newer model or older full frame like the D700 and really enjoy your photography again....You could also stop pixel peeping, read some of my OMD articles which apply nearly 100% to the E-P3 and really enjoy a super fine camera.....for the cheaper M43 lenses like the 14 - 42, 14 - 150, 17 2n8, Sigma they great and can enable you to great images......are you artistic?

--
Community of Photographers
www.photographyisfun.ch

I found the image quality assertion curious.  The DPReview review widget doesn't extend back to the Nikon D90, but since they use some of the same test patterns you can still compare by flipping back and forth.  It ISO200 I'd give the EP3 a slight advantage over the D90 on the coin shot.

D90. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond90/26

EP3. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusep3/21

What about at ISO 800?  DP Review changed their test shot, so over to Imaging Resource we go.

Nikon D90 at ISO 800. http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D90/FULLRES/D90hSLI0800.HTM

EP3. http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/EP3/FULLRES/EP3hSLI00800NR2D.HTM

This again appears to be advantage EP3 overall, although I think some parts of the image favor the D90 (some of the fabric swatches for example).  At this point, I have to ask what you and other people are doing or testing at.  According to reference shots, the EP3 appears to produce better images up to ISO.  Now I would guess that any EP3 advantage fades as we get to higher ISOs and the Nikon's larger sensor gives it a boost.  But enough guessing by me.

--
http://jcharding.zenfolio.com/

in these street shot that you take, in what size prints are you seeing these IQ differences?

Are you getting exposure right?

The 12mp sensor will generate shadow noise if you underexpose, just like film used to.

In some of the 8x10"s I have, depending on the subject I can't tell the difference between a good shot taken with a 5mp camera and a good shot taken with a 12mp camera.

I doubt I would see any difference util I got up to or above 16 x 20".

Can you give us some details?

Tedolph

Have a look at the RAW files preferably with NR off . The files linked to above are JPEG and the E-P3 file has NR2 on. If you must compare sensors at least use RAW

Jim

You sure about that?  In my research it seems the sensor changed "for the better", including TruPic VI starting with the EP3, E-PM1 E-PM3 and newer.  And to describe the sensor of the E-PL2 etc as "terrible" is a little harsh don't you think?

I would steer away from the 14-150mm and steer towards the 40-150mm.

Although it is useless for "street" photography.

Tedolph

Those are your only choices for "street"?  Primes?  No worthy short zooms in all of Olympus' or Panasonic's lineup?

It would be nice to see you post comparison pictures so we can tell exactly what aspect of your old D90 photos is better than your current e-p3 and - I presume - 14-42 kit zoom.

I see you only have four posts in DPReview, and nothing from the Nikon DSLR forum.

Shame that.

I'm very interested to know why you did it, you must have had a reason. What were your objectives? Have they been met?  If not why not?  And if not why did you think they woould be?

--
My Galleries are at
http://picasaweb.google.com/trevorfcarpenter

Well, since you brought it up so to say.  I too switched from the Nikon D90 not because I did not like the camera, it was great.  I wanted something compact and this is about three or four years now.

I took advice from the forum. I read editor reviews. I use reviews from DPREVIEW, Steves Digicams, CNET, AMAZON.COM  B&H Photo and 43rumors and maybe one other site I just google to see what comes to light.

The choice is either Olympus or Panasonic for MFT's. While Olympus had strong points I just did not like the system. Panasonic has a few lenses with the Leica lens formula, its not a marketing scheme.  That was a definite positive for Panasonic.  So I bought the Panasonic GF-1 and maybe a year ago got the Panasonic GX-1 as finally the most direct replacement.  I also just got the GH-3.  So the GF-1 is long sold off and i have done many lens reconfiguring selling what does not get lots of use.

I have made it well known that once I choose a manufacture I like I also will only use the manufacture lens. Sure MFT's lenses and bodies are interchangeable, but that does not mean you have to.  Panasonic has both a well rounded lens selection and great camera body options that I have no use or need to introduce Olympus.

What made this decision for me is two things.  I have been shooting for about 20 years since the early 1990's and more important I sold cameras in a pro retail shop so I had first hand knowledge with all the pro photographers and what and why they used what they used.

I am criticized for my thought process, but I will tell you 99% not to mix and match body and lens manufactures for optimum results.  The 1% exception is a special situation where you like the look of a manual lens or to get a certain look.

Same for Nikon, sure Tamron, Sigma and Tokina work but its not optimum.  I think the open format between Panasonic and Olympus is odd. I say that because their is no way either manufacture is making their own lens to benefit another camera body.  Its like all lenses having a universal mount.

At the same time its also what I am used to, but I have no regrets or complaints or feel the need to switch to Olympus or go back to a DSLR. The GH-3 is that size but the 2.8 zoom lenses are small vs what a DSLR would have.