Reading mode: Light Dark

If you were going to have only one camera ...

Go to last post
K

kamisu

Member
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
Location
US
Hi all,

I know that many of you have more than one cameras but, if you were going to have only one, for all you photography needs, "with kit lens", and "no more lenses", would it be E-pl1 or an entry level DSLR like D5000 or T2i?

JPEG engine, sharpness and size tells me go for E-PL1, but I am not sure if this is a good decision. On the other hand, after looking at many pictures on the web, it looks like pictures from D5000 and T2i, with kit lenses, does not have sharpness like E-PL1.

Please let me know your opinions. Thanks
 
Definitely an E-PL1,......it's the way of the future for most users.

Rgds, Rob
--
Give a wise man instruction and he is yet wiser !

Olympus E500, E520, E30, 14-45mm, 40-150mm, 11-22mm, 14-54mm, 70-300mm, 25mm 'Pancake' , FL36R
 
J-Finite,

I have read that E-PL1 is better than E-620 in IQ. Agree?

Art_p,

I mean in this price range, under 1000$. And by no other lens, I mean no other lens of the same reach, but, in future, I would buy one non expensive macro and one prime.

Indeed, I am confused between Pentax K7, D90, T2i and E-PL1. I prefer size and weight and sharpness of E-PL1, but since many say dynamic range and ISO performance are not like say T2i, since it is gonna to be my only camera, I think someday I may say wish I had bought something else.
 
Leica M9, 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux.

Oh, you don't have $19,000 USD to spend? Buy them used. Only $16,500 USD.

--
Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado
 
kamisu said:
J-Finite,

I have read that E-PL1 is better than E-620 in IQ. Agree?

Art_p,

I mean in this price range, under 1000$. And by no other lens, I mean no other lens of the same reach, but, in future, I would buy one non expensive macro and one prime.

Indeed, I am confused between Pentax K7, D90, T2i and E-PL1. I prefer size and weight and sharpness of E-PL1, but since many say dynamic range and ISO performance are not like say T2i, since it is gonna to be my only camera, I think someday I may say wish I had bought something else.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, no one company has gotten it all together, IMOP.

Pentax K7 has all the features, reasonably compact body, weathersealing and decent price, but the older design Samsung sensor (arguably the most important piece) from what I've read is not all it could be, and you're tied to Pentax prime rich but zoom poor lens line-up.

Nikon D90, a great camera for low light with class leading dynamic range, but hardly compact, also heavy and no weathersealing; gets even heavier when you add in the Nikon lens line-up.

Nikon D5000, same sensor as D90, but again overweight, not compact for its class, and you lose the D90's nice large and bright viewfinder.

Canon T2i, should be the hands down winner, but noisy low light IQ in spite of its 18 MP sensor when compared to the Nikon D90/D5000, usual poor Canon grip ergonomics, and pricey for its class.

Olympus E-620, I love mine in every respect except less than outstanding low light capabilities (noise beyond ISO 400). If you do not generally shoot in low light, I highly recommend it for its otherwise great IQ/Olympus color (see DPR's review) great ergonomics, flip LCD, compact form/light weight and solid build quality for its class. At $685 as a 2 lens kit (35mm equivalent 28-300mm) is a bargain, and Olympus makes arguably the best digital zoom lenses.

Olympus E-PL1, from what I've read, has better low light performance than the E-620 due to an improved sensor/processing engine, the usual great Olympus colors, very light weight and compact body/mFT lenses, and low kit cost of $525 with 14-42mm (28-84mm equivalent) zoom. Downsides include still limited and pricey optional mFT lenses, $250 to get the optional EVF, limited controls and less solid feeling build than E-620.

That's why I'm hanging onto my E-620. Compared to the other DSLR's it is very full featured (except video, which I personally don't care about) with compact and light body and lenses (for a DSLR) at an outstanding price. When one adds the EVF to the E-PL1, it is no longer a bargain, but a $775 camera that still falls short of the E-620's features (flip LCD, better controls, better built-in flash and 2 lenses for a full zoom range out of the box).

I'm hanging around waiting for either an E-720 with E-PL1 sensor/processor and improved OVF or an E-Px/E-PLx at a more comparable cost. And I'm in no hurry, very happy with the E-620 IQ/Olympus color given I typically shoot below ISO 400.
--
Sailin' Steve
 
We should add hot pixel and error issues to other D5000 and D90 issues too.

I prefer to have video with camera, and this is why E620 or Sony alphas are not in my list. Also according to DXOmark, Pentax K7 sensor is very close to E-PL1 in low light.

I have checked many pictures from T2i and E-PL1, and T2i does not produce images as sharp as those from E-PL1, with kit lens. If low light performance is important, which is, sharpness is also important.

It looks like there are rumors about Oly E5. Since EPL1 and EP2 released shortly after EP1, I think it is better to wait a few months, at least till Photokina, which is in Sept., to see if a newer model is released.

It is still difficult for me to neglect T2i, although it is much more expensive, 900$ vs 525$, bulkier and with worse kit lens.
 
Nikon D700 or D3s w/ 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II & 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF
--
BobT
 
kamisu said:
We should add hot pixel and error issues to other D5000 and D90 issues too.

I prefer to have video with camera, and this is why E620 or Sony alphas are not in my list. Also according to DXOmark, Pentax K7 sensor is very close to E-PL1 in low light.

I have checked many pictures from T2i and E-PL1, and T2i does not produce images as sharp as those from E-PL1, with kit lens. If low light performance is important, which is, sharpness is also important.

It looks like there are rumors about Oly E5. Since EPL1 and EP2 released shortly after EP1, I think it is better to wait a few months, at least till Photokina, which is in Sept., to see if a newer model is released.

It is still difficult for me to neglect T2i, although it is much more expensive, 900$ vs 525$, bulkier and with worse kit lens.
Click to expand...
Hey, there's a wealth of very good DSLR/IL cameras now available. What you choose boils down to your shooting priorities along with the lens system that accompanies it.

I loved the whole concept of the K7 from the time it was introduced, Pentax simply nailed the features any high level enthusiast camera should have:
  • built solid as a rock with weather sealing
  • body the same height/length as the E-620's
  • hi-res 3" LCD
  • large 100% coverage OVF (same size as D300's) with available grid lines
  • 77 zone metering
  • IBIS
  • HD video with stereo mic socket
  • AF assist light
  • excellent Pentax "Limited" primes to select from
Reminds me of the Verizon commercial's "Can you hear me now" line in the message it should send to many manufacturers and especially Olympus. This is the camera the E-30 should have been, offering a featureset/build quality that could have breathed much needed new life into the Olympus line.

Why didn't I make the jump? I fell in love with the E-620's:
  • much lighter weight
  • more slender body
  • tilt LCD
  • very good IQ if low light isn't a big priority/Olympus colors
  • Olympus' excellent line of zooms
  • price point far below the others (I bought the body for $450 thru B&H last February)
For me it was a no brainer, this was a great fit for my current needs. As a long time Olympus user (OM2s, E-510) I also trusted the brand and had some lenses to build from.

As for the Canon T2i, it's virtually the same size/weight as the E-620, not a bulky camera at all, and has great potential should you spring for L-series lenses. On the flip side:
  • it really requires expensive Canon optics to take proper advantage of its 18MP sensor (which can actually reveal the flaws in lesser optics)
  • no IBIS
  • the bulk of many Canon lenses often negates its small/light body
  • it's priced like a D90, but is not in that class of camera (smaller OVF, no top LCD, etc.).
D5000: great low light sensor/DR, but heavy/bulky for this class and no IBIS. Still, a very good camera at its price point.

If you don't have a DSLR/IL camera now, I'd say hop off the fence and make your best judgement. Any of the cameras discussed would prove excellent. Also try to look ahead to what system of lenses makes the most sense for you along with the camera manufacturer's commitment to advancing the line (i.e., future-proofing your purchase).

And at its current price point you could throw in an E-PL1 kit to play with, at $525 they're almost at compact camera prices.

Hope this helps.

--
Sailin' Steve
 
The EPL1 won't handle your long hand held telezoom needs as well as a DSLR unless you add the viewfinder and it's still not as good for fast focus/action. However, the E620 and EPL1 make a good combo because the 4/3 lenses can be used with a $120 adapter. Legacy lenses focus well on the EPL1 too.

Image sharpness is determined more by the lenses anyway, and the kit lenses for all cameras are just within the acceptability standards.

How about the Pentax K-X in white for a unobtrusive compact DLSR with good low light capability and a Canon Elph for everyday carrying.
 
And if only one Lens for Leica, then its have to be 50mm Summilux 1.4

Timi
--
iThink, therefore iMac
 
You miss half of the value proposition of an ILC.

That being said, I'll say the e-p2, currently, with the 25mm f/1.4 Leica D summilux.
kamisu said:
Hi all,

I know that many of you have more than one cameras but, if you were going to have only one, for all you photography needs, "with kit lens", and "no more lenses", would it be E-pl1 or an entry level DSLR like D5000 or T2i?

JPEG engine, sharpness and size tells me go for E-PL1, but I am not sure if this is a good decision. On the other hand, after looking at many pictures on the web, it looks like pictures from D5000 and T2i, with kit lenses, does not have sharpness like E-PL1.

Please let me know your opinions. Thanks
Click to expand...
--
'I have no responsibilities here whatsoever'
 
Timmi said:
And if only one Lens for Leica, then its have to be 50mm Summilux 1.4
Click to expand...
See my earlier post. Since I cannot afford an M9, even used, I've decided that my lens would be the Noctilux 50mm f/0.95, since I can't afford that either.

If I cannot have something, I may as well not have the very best and most expensive something. I do realize, though, that the 50 Lux is legendary.

--
Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado
 
If video is something you would use, I'd recommend the E-P2 or something from Panasonic. I have't gone there yet — but a dual-media camera in such a small package is very appealing. And no more video tape!
--
Barry
 
I fully expect the new Panasonic LX5 to surface also as the Leica D-Lux 5 later this year. With a fixed 24-90mm (equiv) f/2.0-3.3 zoom, optional EVF, 1/4000 max shutter speed, HD video, four selectable aspect ratios, and Leica's typically excellent JPG engine tweaks, I could live with that as my only camera. Price? With EVF, I expect under $1300.

I have a Leica D-Lux 4. It's image quality is beyond reproach at ISO 80. I expect the D-Lux 5 to be 1 to 2 stops better as it's two years newer. I already shoot B&W on the D-Lux 4 at ISO 800-1600 without hesitation. The resulting noise has a nice film grain quality about it. The truly limiting factor for me has been the 60mm (equiv) max focal length. 90mm will take me into comfortable portrait and scenery isolation territory.

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top