E-PL9 and a few thoughts on Olympus "Brave" move.....

I got hold of a 2nd hand E-PL9 at a great price and took it. Will sell again, but first its play time....

Olympus doom and gloom or should one say M43 doom and gloom? Personally I think NOT the case. There is a format war going on, no question, I think it's much more intense in the strategy rooms than what we realize.... If the M43 sensor enjoyed the same R&D seen happening on the 1", 20MP sensor I think M43, tech orientated owners would be in a heavenly place today...

So what should or could Olympus do to really dig in? Here a few thoughts:

Young Generation & social media

- They did a great push in this direction with the launch of the EPL9

- Like the Pen F they fail to take it all the way, why?

- Apps, editing, filters, sharing of filters should be so easy

- For Olympus (the manufacturer) to create content OK - better let users create

- The fun aspect, integrating with social media, apps, tools should be so easy

- Vlogging - make the Olympus the Vlogger's camera of choice

- Like Clips - add a Vlogging menu with all tools needed

- Integrate Vloggers, youngsters, social media and let them be the focus

- Integrate hobby photographers, moms & dads into this group

Pro's & serious Hobby photographers

- I think this group will also benefit from a way more serious software approach

- Apps, social media, sharing, profiles, filters, add ons to PS & LR

- Size - Personally I think the EM1 is perfect - maintain re-sizing with adding options

- Its time to improve on core video specs, you've tried, make it now great!!

- Focus on a few functions like focus or EVF or touch screen and make it best in class

- Let photographers be your advertising - find ways to integrate all - social media?

- I think the future is software and how well the camera integrate day to day...

- So instead of partnering with Sigma - do a deal with Pixelmator or Macphun Luminar?

So I opened the box on the E-PL9, loved it...what a wow camera. First thought was put the 12-42mm EZ lens on there...logical choice. Yes it is a great match but not overly exciting....

Then I though let's put the 17mm, f1.8 on there. Wow what a combo, great fit esthetically, still small and compact and now it's a real serious tool.

So my final though.....no new stuff.....make that what you have the absolute best Olympus and become the best software & social network partner ever.....

Appoint and enable a few troll warriors to work the web....

My 2 cents

Siegfried

If only Olympus did not artificially and senselessly cripple the e-shutter, a (finally) first in their compact line. I was ready to snatch this camera up, maybe even get two bodies, but now I am firmly in the Panasonic smaller body camp because I will not be mocked like this.

- No viewfinder

- Old 16Mp sensor

- Only 3-axis IS

- No weather-sealing

= not the camera I am waiting for

Why do you use a e-shutter?

VideoPic wrote:

Why do you use a e-shutter?

Why would I want to use the mechanical shutter? I don't do sports/BIF or use flash, I am long past the novice fascination with the incessant click sound and I don't need to worry about shutter shock.

Sounds like a good reason....why not using your iPhone?

VideoPic wrote:

I got hold of a 2nd hand E-PL9 at a great price and took it. Will sell again, but first its play time....

I had the EP-L5, but now with EP-L9, their basic design remains the same, which in the current market is not competitive, except for the color choices (I like the whilte one).

In the old days, EP-L cameras were the "compact" cameras to be one step below EM10.  However EP-L are not so much smaller and lighter than EM10 relative to the missing features: no EVF, no built-in flash, and no second dial.  I sold mine and bought the EM10-II and will never look back.  In contrast, the new Panasonic GX9 is really where m4/3 should be going, in a smaller and lighter body, it includes EVF and flash plus all the dials.  Furthermore the GX9 is expected to have a better touch screen and video.  The only down side with that camera is that they price it too high by forcing you to buy the kit lens.

I've been a PEN fan since I had the EPL2, and am a little disappointed in the Pen F. The EPLs have been exactly what I like (and the best parts of m43 imo). They're small, adaptable, capable bodies. EPLs lack the better IS, but the EP-5 has 5 axis IS, so we know it CAN be done. Heck, the EP-5 had all the same stuff or better than the EM5-I.
I absolutely love the GX9 for having a tilting built-in evf and tilting LCD; if the Pen F had included these features I would have bought 2! The only thing about it that gives me pause is the evf quality, but unless Oly comes up with a better PEN the GX9 is probably going to be my next camera body.

One thing I miss specifically about the EPL-5 is the detachable grip. That grip didn't provide a lot on it's own, however it was extremely easy to modify. I actually glued a nice piece of walnut to a grip so that it stuck out about 1.5 inches for larger/heavier lenses.

VideoPic wrote:

Sounds like a good reason....why not using your iPhone?

I am not interested in that garbage ... why not staying on the topic of Olympus bodies?