Olympus Pen EPL-1 - save it or upgrade it?

[Ainsley77]

My Pen EPL-1 has started blacking out and not storing the image. After initial diagnostics, it's been deemed that it will cost $AUD300 to repair. The EPL-1 is now three years old. Is it worth fixing? I've thoroughly enjoyed it but would prefer to invest in something that will last the distance. Do the other PEN's have a black out issue? Appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

 

[KCook]

Personally, I would not spend that much to repair my PL2. Try the Micro Four Thirds forum -

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/1041

Kelly Cook

 

[cprevost]

Not sure what prices are like where you are but a PL1 here in the US it's not worth much. Certainly not the cost of a repair. There are a ton of newer m 4/3 cameras out now that would be a worthy upgrade. The cheapest way to get the best sensor available would be the Oly epm2. It would be a massive upgrade to your pl1. If you want to spend a bit more the new Panny Gx7 or either of the OMD models are top end. The Panny Gx1 would give you a great autofocus and a bit of IQ upgrade for a cheap price as well although the sensor is not quite as good as the epm2. Lots to choose from.

 

[Rriley]

have you tried a different formatted card

and/or a different charged battery

?

 

[Ainsley77]

Thanks Rriley, I did. When I took it to Olympus even they didn't know what was wrong with it. Unfortunately being in Australia means they have to send overseas for parts which is where the price is coming from.

Appreciate your ideas though. Thanks.

Ainsley

 

[dagobah]

Ainsley77 wrote:

My Pen EPL-1 has started blacking out and not storing the image. After initial diagnostics, it's been deemed that it will cost $AUD300 to repair. The EPL-1 is now three years old. Is it worth fixing? I've thoroughly enjoyed it but would prefer to invest in something that will last the distance. Do the other PEN's have a black out issue? Appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

I'm not sure how much they go for in your neck of the woods, but Amazon's price for a brand new E-PL3 is less than that, including a new kit lens (and you could sell both your old kit lens and the broken camera -- for some reason, maybe tinkering, people seem to buy broken cameras on ebay). You may even consider paying a bit more and getting the E-PM2, which has the same sensor as the flagship EM-5. Then it would really feel like an upgrade.

 

[Ainsley77]

Thank you cprevost! Great info. Much appreciated.

Ainsley