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GX80 pricing vs Pen-F

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Chippy99

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I'd really like to buy a Pen-F to complement my existing M43 gear (I use an E-M1). But I just can't stomach paying nearly £1,000 when the E-M5 II is way less than that and is arguably a better camera.

Do you think Olympus may drop their prices for the Pen-F now the GX80 is coming in at £509 body only? It's not 2x the camera the GX80 is, is it.
 
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Chippy99 said:
I'd really like to buy a Pen-F to complement my existing M43 gear (I use an E-M1). But I just can't stomach paying nearly £1,000 when the E-M5 II is way less than that and is arguably a better camera.

Do you think Olympus may drop their prices for the Pen-F now the GX80 is coming in at £509 body only? It's not 2x the camera the GX80 is, is it.
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Well, an argument can be made that any of the current M43 that use the 16MP sensor are going to give you the same output, so why not just buy the cheapest and be done with it?

The Pen-F uses the newer 20MP sensor and has a magnesium chassis, a true 4:3 EVF, and an articulating screen. If those features (amongst a few others) are not enough to inspire you to pay the difference in price, then you are not its target audience, and no, it's not worth the difference.

The thing is, ask yourself why you WANT the Pen F. If in addition to the above, it's the Oly UI, color output, and overall style, then no, the Panasonic won't do it for you, and yes, it's probably worth the difference. If no, then no way is it worth the price, and the GX80 will do quite nicely.

It's all about the marketing....

-J
 
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Nope, I certainly don't think it's twice the camera. Personally I think the GX80 and E-M10ii are the sweet spot in terms of value. The GX80 looks like terrific option. The one thing that bothers me on paper is the lack of a 2nd control dial. I really find having two control dials a huge improvement to handling. That said, Panny might have some other implementation that largely negates that concern. In part, I'd say the Pen-F is targeting that part of the market that values style and will pay a premium to get it. I must say, I find it a sexy and appealing body. Kind of like watches; a $30 plastic Casio will keep just as good time as a Rolex, but the Rolex still has a compelling appeal to a certain segment of the market.
 
SkiHound said:
Nope, I certainly don't think it's twice the camera. Personally I think the GX80 and E-M10ii are the sweet spot in terms of value. The GX80 looks like terrific option. The one thing that bothers me on paper is the lack of a 2nd control dial. I really find having two control dials a huge improvement to handling. That said, Panny might have some other implementation that largely negates that concern. In part, I'd say the Pen-F is targeting that part of the market that values style and will pay a premium to get it. I must say, I find it a sexy and appealing body. Kind of like watches; a $30 plastic Casio will keep just as good time as a Rolex, but the Rolex still has a compelling appeal to a certain segment of the market.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51072326@N08/
Click to expand...
Not sure how Panny will handle the lack of a second dial on the GX80, but they did it on the GM5 by making the dial clickable. Turn the dial to change aperture, press the dial, and then turn the dial to change exposure compensation.

That kinda works. Not as good as having twin dials (mostly because I always forget to press the dial a second time after expo comp and on the next shot I change the expo instead of the aperture... But that's me, you may be a lot better than me with that kind of things. :) ), but not really worse than the dial placement of the E-M10 (first version).

I still do prefer the ergonomics of the E-M1, E-M5 and E-M10 mkII over E-M10 or GM5 though... :)

Djaaf.
 
Djaaf said:
SkiHound said:
Nope, I certainly don't think it's twice the camera. Personally I think the GX80 and E-M10ii are the sweet spot in terms of value. The GX80 looks like terrific option. The one thing that bothers me on paper is the lack of a 2nd control dial. I really find having two control dials a huge improvement to handling. That said, Panny might have some other implementation that largely negates that concern. In part, I'd say the Pen-F is targeting that part of the market that values style and will pay a premium to get it. I must say, I find it a sexy and appealing body. Kind of like watches; a $30 plastic Casio will keep just as good time as a Rolex, but the Rolex still has a compelling appeal to a certain segment of the market.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
jalywol said:
Chippy99 said:
I'd really like to buy a Pen-F to complement my existing M43 gear (I use an E-M1). But I just can't stomach paying nearly £1,000 when the E-M5 II is way less than that and is arguably a better camera.

Do you think Olympus may drop their prices for the Pen-F now the GX80 is coming in at £509 body only? It's not 2x the camera the GX80 is, is it.
Click to expand...
Well, an argument can be made that any of the current M43 that use the 16MP sensor are going to give you the same output, so why not just buy the cheapest and be done with it?

The Pen-F uses the newer 20MP sensor and has a magnesium chassis, a true 4:3 EVF, and an articulating screen. If those features (amongst a few others) are not enough to inspire you to pay the difference in price, then you are not its target audience, and no, it's not worth the difference.

The thing is, ask yourself why you WANT the Pen F. If in addition to the above, it's the Oly UI, color output, and overall style, then no, the Panasonic won't do it for you, and yes, it's probably worth the difference. If no, then no way is it worth the price, and the GX80 will do quite nicely.

It's all about the marketing....

-J
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Thanks, but to be honest I was more interested in whether people think the Pen-F price will drop. Hence the question ;-)

I don't want a GX80.
 
Chippy99 said:
Thanks, but to be honest I was more interested in whether people think the Pen-F price will drop. Hence the question ;-)
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Oh, in that case, no. The market for the Pen-F is totally different than that for the GX80. I mean, it's aimed at the upscale market for people who want cool looking cameras, not utilitarian tools. Plus, Oly doesn't do price drops on their higher end stuff until the end of its production run, so no, it's not going anywhere. Last, it's most direct competitor, in terms of sensor and features, is the GX8, and that's a big clunky thing that's not going to appeal to the same market that wants the design of the Pen F....

GX80 and Pen F are not directly competitive products, so no, there will be no price drop.

-J

 
Chippy99 said:
I'd really like to buy a Pen-F to complement my existing M43 gear (I use an E-M1). But I just can't stomach paying nearly £1,000 when the E-M5 II is way less than that and is arguably a better camera.

Do you think Olympus may drop their prices for the Pen-F now the GX80 is coming in at £509 body only? It's not 2x the camera the GX80 is, is it.
Click to expand...
I don't know if it will help but Cameraworld a UK company have it at £899 :-)

Loading…

www.cameraworld.co.uk

Personally I think that the Pen F is grossly overpriced for a non-weather sealed offering with no 4k and at least according to a couple of major reviewer , mediocre AF performance. On the upside it does have trendy hipster style :-) But it really does not matter a jot what I or anyone else think it is you who will be parting with the cash
 
I watched a video from The Camera Store on YouTube. They tried the Pen twice because there first review was using preproduction camera. Neither would focus well. I will wait and see how the GX80 is reviewed here and else where also see how early users rate it. The Oly E-10 looks like a better camera than the Pen.

www.photosbypike.com

www.ncstreetphotographer.com
 
Charles Pike said:
I watched a video from The Camera Store on YouTube. They tried the Pen twice because there first review was using preproduction camera. Neither would focus well. I will wait and see how the GX80 is reviewed here and else where also see how early users rate it. The Oly E-10 looks like a better camera than the Pen.

www.photosbypike.com

www.ncstreetphotographer.com
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The Pen F focuses very well and flawlessly every time I use it.
 
JDLaing said:
Charles Pike said:
I watched a video from The Camera Store on YouTube. They tried the Pen twice because there first review was using preproduction camera. Neither would focus well. I will wait and see how the GX80 is reviewed here and else where also see how early users rate it. The Oly E-10 looks like a better camera than the Pen.

www.photosbypike.com

www.ncstreetphotographer.com
Click to expand...
The Pen F focuses very well and flawlessly every time I use it.
Click to expand...
The issues seem to arise when using c-af or tracking
 
Chippy99 said:
Do you think Olympus may drop their prices for the Pen-F now the GX80 is coming in at £509 body only?
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Nope. Sorry.

It seems rather unlikely the price will drop significantly any time in the next 6 months. It's a premium product.
 
SpinOne said:
Chippy99 said:
Do you think Olympus may drop their prices for the Pen-F now the GX80 is coming in at £509 body only?
Click to expand...
Nope. Sorry.

It seems rather unlikely the price will drop significantly any time in the next 6 months. It's a premium product.
Click to expand...
It can already be had for £100 less from camera world :-)

Loading…

www.camerapricebuster.co.uk
 
We are a long way off before any significant price drop of the Pen-F. How much of a price drop are you looking for? Honestly, after owning the Pen-F for a month now, and having always been a Pany fanboy, I believe the Pen-F is a fantastic camera and worth every penny. The Pen-F is just that good. Lastly, if you believe the Pen-F is essentially the same camera as the E-MII, then you don't undestand Olympus' marketing strategy and target customer type for the Pen-F. You simply don't "get it." You should probably buy the E-MII.
 
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[No message]
 
Chippy99 said:
I'd really like to buy a Pen-F to complement my existing M43 gear (I use an E-M1). But I just can't stomach paying nearly £1,000 when the E-M5 II is way less than that and is arguably a better camera.

Do you think Olympus may drop their prices for the Pen-F now the GX80 is coming in at £509 body only? It's not 2x the camera the GX80 is, is it.
Click to expand...
In two years, the Pen F will be $500. Just wait until then.

(Of course, by then, the Pen Fii will be out.)
 
Djaaf said:
SkiHound said:
Nope, I certainly don't think it's twice the camera. Personally I think the GX80 and E-M10ii are the sweet spot in terms of value. The GX80 looks like terrific option. The one thing that bothers me on paper is the lack of a 2nd control dial. I really find having two control dials a huge improvement to handling. That said, Panny might have some other implementation that largely negates that concern. In part, I'd say the Pen-F is targeting that part of the market that values style and will pay a premium to get it. I must say, I find it a sexy and appealing body. Kind of like watches; a $30 plastic Casio will keep just as good time as a Rolex, but the Rolex still has a compelling appeal to a certain segment of the market.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51072326@N08/
Click to expand...
Not sure how Panny will handle the lack of a second dial on the GX80, but they did it on the GM5 by making the dial clickable. Turn the dial to change aperture, press the dial, and then turn the dial to change exposure compensation.

That kinda works. Not as good as having twin dials (mostly because I always forget to press the dial a second time after expo comp and on the next shot I change the expo instead of the aperture... But that's me, you may be a lot better than me with that kind of things. :) ), but not really worse than the dial placement of the E-M10 (first version).

I still do prefer the ergonomics of the E-M1, E-M5 and E-M10 mkII over E-M10 or GM5 though... :)
Click to expand...
Not sure what your issue is with the E-m10 control setup. I find that I like the way that this tuff works on mine. I've picked up the other Oly models mentioned and I recall that the twin control wheels were pretty similar on each of these... my first m4/3 camera was a GH2 and though I could get along well enough with that camera, I didn't like the clickable single wheel setup nearly as much as using the dual wheels on the E-m10... I like that the way that those wheels are setup; one can be easily turned with the right hand thumb and the other with the index finger.... Perfect!


The only improvement that I could imagine is having one or both of the wheels also clickable to give you another control without ever having to move your hand away from the shutter position... The truth is though that most of the time two wheels is enough...

--
my flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/128435329@N08/
 
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racin06 said:
We are a long way off before any significant price drop of the Pen-F. How much of a price drop are you looking for? Honestly, after owning the Pen-F for a month now, and having always been a Pany fanboy, I believe the Pen-F is a fantastic camera and worth every penny. The Pen-F is just that good. Lastly, if you believe the Pen-F is essentially the same camera as the E-MII, then you don't undestand Olympus' marketing strategy and target customer type for the Pen-F. You simply don't "get it." You should probably buy the E-MII.
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You're probably right. What is it I don't "get"?
 
samtheman2014 said:
Chippy99 said:
I'd really like to buy a Pen-F to complement my existing M43 gear (I use an E-M1). But I just can't stomach paying nearly £1,000 when the E-M5 II is way less than that and is arguably a better camera.

Do you think Olympus may drop their prices for the Pen-F now the GX80 is coming in at £509 body only? It's not 2x the camera the GX80 is, is it.
Click to expand...
I don't know if it will help but Cameraworld a UK company have it at £899 :-)

http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/new-eq...lympus-pen-f-body-with-free-lowepro-case.html

Personally I think that the Pen F is grossly overpriced for a non-weather sealed offering with no 4k and at least according to a couple of major reviewer , mediocre AF performance.
Click to expand...
Me too!
 
cameron2 said:
Chippy99 said:
I'd really like to buy a Pen-F to complement my existing M43 gear (I use an E-M1). But I just can't stomach paying nearly £1,000 when the E-M5 II is way less than that and is arguably a better camera.

Do you think Olympus may drop their prices for the Pen-F now the GX80 is coming in at £509 body only? It's not 2x the camera the GX80 is, is it.
Click to expand...
In two years, the Pen F will be $500. Just wait until then.

(Of course, by then, the Pen Fii will be out.)
Click to expand...
Or the Pen FU ?
 
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