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E-P1/2 or GF1?

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Sagar Joshi

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Okay, I don't want to start a brand war here and I am still patiently waiting for my E-P2 pre-order. But I got a chance to try GF1 for a week or two with 20/1.7 and more I am using it becoming more tempted to get one....

its like your brain says go for GF1 and heart says go for E-P1/2...Guys need help please share your feedback and help me decide on one
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thanks...sagar
 
I could be wrong, but I believe the relative merits of the EP1 and GF1 have been discussed before. Exhaustively!
 
I.S. and style or good AF

pick one :|

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Jon
 
I have had a chance to play with both cameras for about the last two or three weeks.

First of all, let me say that I think that with the same lens attached there will be no practical difference in image quality. Either of these cameras will take excellent pictures.

The advantage of the Olympus is the in-camera stabilization.

The advantages of the Panasonic are built in flash, a much better screen, and better focus performance.

This is strictly personal, but I found the interface on the Panasonic to be easier to understand and navigate. Your milage may vary on this one.

I have heard that the Olympus has better high ISO noise performance, but I did not find that to be the case. Taking the same picture with the same lens and the same shutter, aperture, and ISO, I found that the Olympus was about 1 stop underexposed compared to the Panasonic. When I corrected for this in processing, I didn't see any difference in the noise performance.

My choice between these two would be the Panasonic, but I don't think you will go wrong with either camera.
 
Need class leading AF performance? Go for the GF1. Want the best IQ (and superb OOC JPEGs), IS for all lenses and the best compatibility with Olympus 4/3 lenses? Go for Olympus. Want the best of both worlds? Wait for hell to freeze over......

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Regards
J



http://www.flickr.com/photos/jason_hindle

Gear in profile
 
Hah! since you bring in head & heart, let me relate to you my own experience. Before I had seen them in real life I thought like you: heart for the Pen and head for the Panny. But then I could lay my hands on them... To my surprise the heart instantly turned away from the Pen, for various unreasonable reasons like not liking the combination of four different blank metals on the body. Of course the lack of flash, the slightly disappointing LCD and the AF didn't help. To my surprise I reacted equally strong and unpredictably to the Pany: once I had it in my hands I just didn't wanna let it go no more. I guess other folks will have totally opposite reactions. So, if possible, try to lay your hands on them and see how you feel. And think about the type of pics you take: do you need a flash and fast AF or isn't that all-important to you and are you better off with IBIS...
 
There are the features, how you'll use it, and how much you'll like it. The last one is just as important as the others. If you don't like the size, feel, controls, menus, etc. you just won't use it as much. If you can get your hands on them that's the best way to figure it out. You said you'd been testing the GF1 and really liked it...That says something.

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Thanks,

Teski
http://www.tedescophotography.com
 
One thing I've not seen mentioned yet that would bias me strongly towards the E-P2 is the quality of the EVF. I gather that the Panny GF1 EVF is low res while the E-P2 is high res. If you plan on lots of EVF work, the high res will be much nicer to work with.
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Ross Alford
http://www.pbase.com/northqueenslandphotos
 
Why would you buy a camera, and a fairly expensive one at that, without handling it first??? You know can't figure this out via forum posts.

Ok, I'll play along...

I come at this from the other end - I want to build a system around the Pany 20mm. If I try to do this with an e-p2, I'm looking at $1500. So it has to be a kit deal for me.

(suggestion to oly - it wouldn't kill you to rebrand that 20mm)
 
On the heart/mind side, some thoughts.

I got the 20mm 1.7 lens and EP-1 body to put it on because I think I will like the pictures better with that combination.
1. GF1's Jpegs may have color shifts; & that causes more computer drudgery;
2. EP-1 has IBIS.
A wash: 1. Both cameras suffer similar characteristics in handling.
2. EVF's are expensive (if EP-2 is in the picture).

The EP-1 interface has received deserved criticism, and I can add to that, but I'm pretty much through with that phase now and am heading out on a photo mission with spare batteries and 12V charger to have some fun.
 
I agonized over this decision, particularly because I didn't want to wait 6 weeks for the GF1 + 20mm to ship to me, and the E-P1 was available down the street (and for less money).

For me, this was going to be my ONLY camera, replacing our point & shoot and our low-end DSLR. So having no flash was a deal-breaker.

Now, having handled both cameras, I could probably live without the flash, but the low-res screen on the E-P1 would actually be the deal-breaker. The EVF on the E-P2 sounds terrific, but part of the reason I want to have one of these cameras is because framing shots with the screen is less intimidating for many people, and I'm able to get better candids.

So after all my research, the GF1 was the clear winner (and after seeing the E-P1 in person, I prefer the GF1 aesthetically as well) No in-body OIS is a bummer, but the GF1 is perfect for my purposes. I'm really happy with it.
 
Everyone has different skills and priorities. What is best for me may not be for you or someone else. These cameras are very close. I have had both for over a month and still am not sure which I prefer. You can't go too far wrong with either of these.
 
thanks everyone for the reply. It has been very helful to come to my decision. After reading numerous posts here and other forums, I finally decided to stay with Panasonic GF1 and work with RAW images at least still Olympus matches AF speed with it PENs

This is also partly due to the fact that I luckily got a GF1 when there is so much waiting all around US. Else I would have compromised on EP1 But at heart I still like Olympus and will switch when they are ready for prime time :)
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thanks...sagar
 
Congrats, Sagar! I think you won't regret it! You're getting yourself a fine little camera with great responsiveness. Hope you're getting the 20mm with it, it's a true treasure.
 
Congrats. It's not like you're wasting your investment on the lenses - they'll work just as great (if not better in the case of non stabilized lenses) on the Oly.
 
You have made the right choice if AF speed is a priority. I would suggest the 14-45 lens for you, it will focus lightning fast on the GF-1. To be honest I have not noticed a huge difference in Oly/Pany focus speed with the 20 Panasonic lens mounted. The GF-1 does have the assist lamp though, which will help low light focus regardless of the lens mounted.
 
You are right. I had tried it earlier and difference is not that much in absolute terms BUT it can miss many opportunities. Like I could rarely take pic of my moving kid with EP1 but with GF1 I am finding keeper ration in terms of blur and focus is much beter
Roger65 said:
You have made the right choice if AF speed is a priority. I would suggest the 14-45 lens for you, it will focus lightning fast on the GF-1. To be honest I have not noticed a huge difference in Oly/Pany focus speed with the 20 Panasonic lens mounted. The GF-1 does have the assist lamp though, which will help low light focus regardless of the lens mounted.
Click to expand...
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thanks...sagar
 
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