EPL1s, are they any good?

hi!

Of course it is still a great camera. I think you should decide based on the factors that relevant for you. Here are some:

Image Quality - The difference between the E-PL1 and the next generations is considered to be small. Some still prefer the E-PL1 and argue that the output is sharper but in some recent threads people reported on better color in the JPEGs in the latest generation. Additionally, some people argued that the 3rd generation cameras have better WB accuracy.

Display - E-PL2 has a better one, and E-PL3 has a tilt screen. For some people this is a very important feature. It could be that the aspect ratio is different, I'm not sure. With respect to the E-PL2 it is 4:3.

Ergonomics - E-PL2 has a better grip (in my opinion) than the E-PL1 while the E-PL3 has none and you need to buy a separate grip if you want one. The E-PL2 sits very well in my hands and this was an important factor for me. In addition, the E-PL1 has an all-button interface, which is less convenient than the control wheel of the E-PL2 and E-PL3.

Focus - E-PL2 is somewhat faster than the E-PL1, maybe mostly due to the new kit lens, and the E-PL3 is said to be even faster (thanks to improvement in the focusing module).

Kit lens - The E-PL2 and E-PL3 allow you to attach Macro and Wide angel converters while the E-PL1 doesn't. They are also better suited for video (MSC). But I think that the kit lens of the E-PL1 has better macro capabilities and it could be that it's sharper wide open.

Performance - I think that the E-PL1 equals the E-PL2 while the E-PL3 is faster. check in the reviews

Of course there are more things to look at... you need to read the reviews and decide what your priorities are.

btw, there are several threads about E-PL1 tips (I believe almost all of them are relevant also for the 2nd and 3rd generations), e.g.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=35445363

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=39037445&q=epl1+best&qf=m
use the search option to find more.

good luck!

tedolf said:

Jere Landis said:

tedolf said:

you really have a talent for making inane posts.

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What does inane mean?

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It means highly intelligent, insigtful, etc.

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Oh, brother! You know they sell dictionaries. Just the opposite of what inane means. Good for you, tedolf, you win dummy of the week for this forum)

tedolf said:

tedolf said:

Are there any tips about the EPL1 I would need to know, should I get one.

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Sigh,

yes there are tips you would need to know.

If it means you will be making more posts here do us a favor-do not get one.

Tedolph

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--



Time, that aged nurse,
rocked me to patience.

E-PL1 pluses:

Jpegs even sharper than newer Pens especially at higher ISOs. Less noise reduction so less smearing, plus the chance to turn NR off completely if you wish. RAW is pretty much the same as newer Pens.

Decent handling, although rather bulky.

E-PL1 minuses:

Colours improved in jpegs on newer Pens, but not by much. Contrast less harsh in jpegs on newer Pens, but not much. Speed of file saving improved in later models, plus AF is quicker, so everything seems speeded up. Newer Pens substantially smaller and lighter. Movie mode better on newer Pens because of h264 vs mjpeg compression which allows longer recording / smaller file size.

Original kit lens is good but mechanically weak. Some examples have a wobbly front extending section meaning at longer zoom and certain shutter speeds it won't always be tack sharp. A workaround is to support the front of the lens after focussing.

Conclusion: For stills of more static subjects where you don't have to hurry, the E-PL1 is a fabulous camera, the new Pens won't be better. With a Panny 20/1.7 lens, it just gets even better. And short movie clips are still very good if you have a large SD card. Beware the size and weight, though. It's not a pocket camera like the E-PM1 or E-PL3 are with a pancake lens mounted.

Every time I read a DPR review, I use the scene comparator and drop a PL1 into the mix.

Every time I go to a camera store, I play with the Oly and Panny m4/3 cameras.

So far there isn't anything that makes me want to upgrade from a PL1.

It's going to take an Oly with a Panny or Panny-like sensor at the very least, a built-in AF illuminator like the current gen, preferably with a built in EVF, built-in flash and hopefully an articulated screen. And a handgrip. And a few features like built in pano, in camera HDR and multi-shot twilight mode. And be available with the Oly 45mm 1.8 as a kit lens option.

That would be a "Shut up and take my money" camera.

Until then, the PL1 is a steal for the current going price.

rkhndjr said:

tedolf said:

Jere Landis said:

rkhndjr said:

you really have a talent for making inane posts.

Click to expand...

What does inane mean?

Click to expand...

It means highly intelligent, insigtful, etc.

Click to expand...

Oh, brother! You know they sell dictionaries. Just the opposite of what inane means. Good for you, tedolf, you win dummy of the week for this forum)

Click to expand...

No, you do.

I was being facetious.

Obvious from the context.

Congradulations on your award!

rkhndjr said:

rkhndjr said:

rkhndjr said:

Are there any tips about the EPL1 I would need to know, should I get one.

Click to expand...

Sigh,

yes there are tips you would need to know.

If it means you will be making more posts here do us a favor-do not get one.

Tedolph

Click to expand...

--



Time, that aged nurse,
rocked me to patience.

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TEdolph

The price for the EPL1 is very affordable now. For the $$$ saved, u can use it to get yourself a decent lens. Here's mine with the Panasonic 14-42X lens and some sample shots taken with this setup (straight OOC JPEGs, no PP except for resizing)...

Are you saying you wouldn't take time to answer a question I may have, or mentor me in any way at all?

Well......no......not exaclty.

Then you are saying you would mentor me on my EPL1 and 20mm 1.7, I'll have wednesday.

Jere Landis said:

Are you saying you wouldn't take time to answer a question I may have, or mentor me in any way at all?

Well......no......not exaclty.

Then you are saying you would mentor me on my EPL1 and 20mm 1.7, I'll have wednesday.

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help you in every way possible.

But........

you must post some pictures with full EXIF data to your Gallery with your E-pl1 first so that we are confident you are not pulling our leg.

We hope that you understand, it has happened to us before.

And really, the Dummies book is a good idea-I got one myself!

TEdolph

keep making the E-pl1 (body only, or with the 17mm) so it can be sold at these blow out prices. It is a great gateway camera to u 4/3 and a good digital back for legacy lenses.

TEdolph

Jere Landis said:

Just wondering if the EPL1 would still be a viable camera to buy, since the newer models have so many improvements. The price is pretty good in a lot of places, do most think it is a good buy at this time and can deliver good image quality compared to the new ones.

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I dont think the Image quality is any different on the newer cameras.

They have added more "Bells and whistles" (and faster focus) and that is what you are paying for with the newer models.

A look at the photos posted by people using the EPL1 will tell you the Image Quality is VERY good.

I got one last spring, and Im VERY happy with it..

I highly recommend getting one of the EVFs for it (VF2 or VF3). They make it easier to use the camera under some circumstances..

--
Larry Lynch
Olympus Aficionado

Mystic, Connecticut

In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane.
Oscar Wilde

Dear Jere,

the EPl1 was and is a very good camera for general use -a little slower to focus than the more recent models, otherwise just as good.
There is an album in my gallery at:
http://gallery.me.com/jillpw/100409
of pictures of Monet's garden, all taken on EPl1 with kit lens.
Look and see what you think.
Hope this helps.
--
Honorine, aka Jill

I agree about the IQ which is why I am passing up on the E-P3. Maybe the next top-of-the-line PEN will have a better sensor.

think when I upgrade from the PL1, I might turn it into an IR camera for playing around.