The Olympus Pen EP-7 is pretty good

GutiWong wrote:

Raist3d wrote:

alan brown wrote:

I would have jumped on this camera but for two reasons: not available in black and the inability to use my vf-4 on it. Doesn't make sense for me then. But nice camera for many.

It's refreshing to read someone that sees the camera is not for them but understands may work for others

The EP7 is the smallest m43rds camera with 5-axis IBIS.

It’s sad to see that many of the user will give up buying E-P7 because of no EVF.
I admit that without EVF will affect the use in some occasion (strong sunshine). But I think it’s a sacrifice that worth for buying a compact, beautiful, easy to use camera.

Ditto

Impulses wrote:

slow_cooker wrote:

@Raist3d: Yes I'm aware of your reviews. They helped me a lot when I was doing research. Thank you so much!

I agree that the EM10 IV is equally great, if not better because of the evf. I would have got it if I didn't come across this E-P7 for basically the same price. It's too pretty so I fell for it haha. Also I'm a small person. My EM1 looks gigantic on me (at least that's how I view myself), so when I downsized I went all the way through. I guess my point is that the E-P7 deserves much better recognition and more people should give it a try.

I agree on the shutter lol. It's so loud. I guess they want it that way? It may sound cool to some people

Yes I hope the OM-1 tech trickles down to the more compact cameras as well. I think live ND would be really nice to have, along with handheld high res.

Hmm, I'd be tempted to pick one up for the IBIS when they get a tad cheaper but I think I'd value my GX850's quiet shutter more than IBIS, for what I use it for anyway... The E-P7 does look like the spiritual successor to the E-PL line, and a good step for PENs in general.

The EP7 has silent shutter mode, so it's even quieter if that could be possible than the mechanical shutter of the GX850.  The only issue there is rolling shutter.

The GX850 also has an e-shutter mode but you lose 1 stop DR/ISO quality when using it.

I hope Oly carries on with the E-P# line and brings it over stateside, M4/3 has been ignoring smaller body lines for a while. I dunno what it is about Oly/Pana that makes them shift focus so dramatic, Fuji seems to be able to update their smaller / entry-level bodies at the same pace as the X-T & X-H or even the GFX.

GutiWong wrote:

Raist3d wrote:

alan brown wrote:

I would have jumped on this camera but for two reasons: not available in black and the inability to use my vf-4 on it. Doesn't make sense for me then. But nice camera for many.

It's refreshing to read someone that sees the camera is not for them but understands may work for others

The EP7 is the smallest m43rds camera with 5-axis IBIS.

It’s sad to see that many of the user will give up buying E-P7 because of no EVF.
I admit that without EVF will affect the use in some occasion (strong sunshine). But I think it’s a sacrifice that worth for buying a compact, beautiful, easy to use camera.

Well, I don't see it as sad in that everyone has different needs. THere's the OM10MK4 for them. It's what separates the lines.

I do wish for a poup EVF on a successor instead of pop up flash though. My close eye sight is not as good anymore and an EVF helps here.

GutiWong wrote:

Raist3d wrote:

alan brown wrote:

I would have jumped on this camera but for two reasons: not available in black and the inability to use my vf-4 on it. Doesn't make sense for me then. But nice camera for many.

It's refreshing to read someone that sees the camera is not for them but understands may work for others

The EP7 is the smallest m43rds camera with 5-axis IBIS.

It’s sad to see that many of the user will give up buying E-P7 because of no EVF.
I admit that without EVF will affect the use in some occasion (strong sunshine). But I think it’s a sacrifice that worth for buying a compact, beautiful, easy to use camera.

You’re right but, fortunately the advent of cell phone photography developed a lot of users that have never used,/considered/wanted an evf. I was always an ovf/evf person. But, with smartphone use, I now find myself with a GM1, and now E-P7, getting 90% of my use.

Mated with the PL15, P20 or O25/1.8, I’m having a ball with this camera. And I’m shooting outside in very bright South Florida.

This is my first Olympus/OM camera. The IBIS is lovely, the files and processing pipeline is just to my liking, the UI stinks but I'll adjust.

Impulses wrote:

Raist3d wrote:

Impulses wrote:

slow_cooker wrote:

@Raist3d: Yes I'm aware of your reviews. They helped me a lot when I was doing research. Thank you so much!

I agree that the EM10 IV is equally great, if not better because of the evf. I would have got it if I didn't come across this E-P7 for basically the same price. It's too pretty so I fell for it haha. Also I'm a small person. My EM1 looks gigantic on me (at least that's how I view myself), so when I downsized I went all the way through. I guess my point is that the E-P7 deserves much better recognition and more people should give it a try.

I agree on the shutter lol. It's so loud. I guess they want it that way? It may sound cool to some people

Yes I hope the OM-1 tech trickles down to the more compact cameras as well. I think live ND would be really nice to have, along with handheld high res.

Hmm, I'd be tempted to pick one up for the IBIS when they get a tad cheaper but I think I'd value my GX850's quiet shutter more than IBIS, for what I use it for anyway... The E-P7 does look like the spiritual successor to the E-PL line, and a good step for PENs in general.

The EP7 has silent shutter mode, so it's even quieter if that could be possible than the mechanical shutter of the GX850. The only issue there is rolling shutter.

The GX850 also has an e-shutter mode but you lose 1 stop DR/ISO quality when using it.

Yeah, I'm aware, the second either OM or Pana make a small body like this with the E-M5 III / E-M1 II/III sensor I'd be all over it, cause rolling shutter becomes a lot less of a concern at 1/60 and there's no e-shutter readout bit-depth penalty on any of the Sony sensors AFAIK.

Correct (at least the ones we are using). the GX9 which uses a Sony sensor also doesn't have that e-shutter read bit depth penalty.

I have a some questions for those of you who have both the Olypmus EP-7 and Ricoh GR III / IIIx.

How does the Olympus EP-7 lcd screen compare with the Ricoh GR IIIx in bright sunlight?

Has the EP-7 replaced your GR III / IIIx?

Thank in advance!

Glad you’re enjoying your EP-7. I may get one too. The OM-10 IV is also appealing with the evf. 😉

Ken Prager wrote:

I have a some questions for those of you who have both the Olypmus EP-7 and Ricoh GR III / IIIx.

How does the Olympus EP-7 lcd screen compare with the Ricoh GR IIIx in bright sunlight?

Has the EP-7 replaced your GR III / IIIx?

Thank in advance!

I don’t have the Ricoh. I do live in South Florida and the E-P7 is currently my outdoors daily carry. As it’s outdoors only, brightness is at the max. Battery life is surprisingly good. No issues at all with seeing the lcd. I can contrast it to my X00V where I do struggle at times even when set to full bright.

Edmund Dorf wrote:

The title of this thread is in error. The PEN EP-7 is not an Olympus camera (although the word Olympus is on the camera). This is the first OM System camera. I have one and love it.

Yes, ignore how the company decided to label the product. But perhaps it’s a JIP, not an OM. And it’s OM Digital Solutions, not OM System. All too confusing for me, I refer to my E-P7 by the name that’s prominently stamped on it, Olympus.

uniball wrote:

Ken Prager wrote:

I have a some questions for those of you who have both the Olypmus EP-7 and Ricoh GR III / IIIx.

How does the Olympus EP-7 lcd screen compare with the Ricoh GR IIIx in bright sunlight?

Has the EP-7 replaced your GR III / IIIx?

Thank in advance!

I don’t have the Ricoh. I do live in South Florida and the E-P7 is currently my outdoors daily carry. As it’s outdoors only, brightness is at the max. Battery life is surprisingly good. No issues at all with seeing the lcd. I can contrast it to my X00V where I do struggle at times even when set to full bright.

I don't have the new E-P7 but have the EPL-7 and for most shooting situations I can see the screen fine. The only exception for me is in bright sunlight I find it useless.  If I have to shoot in that condition it is done blindly so to speak.

Ken Prager wrote:

I have a some questions for those of you who have both the Olypmus EP-7 and Ricoh GR III / IIIx.

How does the Olympus EP-7 lcd screen compare with the Ricoh GR IIIx in bright sunlight?

Has the EP-7 replaced your GR III / IIIx?

Thank in advance!

I have both the GRIII and GRIIIx.  The LCD screen is highly customizable.

"LCD Auto Dim"  I keep it off all the time.

"LCD Setting"   You can adjust brightness, Saturation, Blue-Amber, and Green-Magenta.  I keep it at default settings.

"Outdoor View Setting"  from -2 to +2.  I keep it at +1 and that works fine for me in bright sunlight.

I would never give up my GRs.  They are so highly customizable and the IQ is spectaular!  Having said that I have wanted to buy an EP-7, but in the US the only place I see it available is on e-bay from Japan and I don't want the hassel as I don't know if even when listed new if the seller has removed it from the box and taken out the charger, the kit lens, etc.  And the sellers do not accept returns.  Of course I could always contact them for clarification.

For those who have bought the EP-7 from Japan does it have an English language setting?  I would assume so.  The GRIII has a lengthy list of languages.

Has anyone in the USA had to pay import duty?

Ken Prager wrote:

I have a some questions for those of you who have both the Olypmus EP-7 and Ricoh GR III / IIIx.

How does the Olympus EP-7 lcd screen compare with the Ricoh GR IIIx in bright sunlight?

I find the GRIIIx a bit better. It's also higher resolution and the camera has an amazing touch screen UI.

Has the EP-7 replaced your GR III / IIIx?

It was going to be the other way around, but the GRIIIx doesn't focus as well/fast on lower light and since I do a lot of street night life, that killed it for me.

That said, the GRIII/GRIIIx is superbly well designed. Probably best UI/feature set I have seen in a camera & usability - at that size in particular and for street.

The EP7, still good. It's dials inspire confidence in use.

Thank in advance!

Promeneur wrote:

Ken Prager wrote:

I have a some questions for those of you who have both the Olypmus EP-7 and Ricoh GR III / IIIx.

How does the Olympus EP-7 lcd screen compare with the Ricoh GR IIIx in bright sunlight?

Has the EP-7 replaced your GR III / IIIx?

Thank in advance!

I have both the GRIII and GRIIIx. The LCD screen is highly customizable.

"LCD Auto Dim" I keep it off all the time.

"LCD Setting" You can adjust brightness, Saturation, Blue-Amber, and Green-Magenta. I keep it at default settings.

"Outdoor View Setting" from -2 to +2. I keep it at +1 and that works fine for me in bright sunlight.

I would never give up my GRs. They are so highly customizable and the IQ is spectaular! Having said that I have wanted to buy an EP-7, but in the US the only place I see it available is on e-bay from Japan and I don't want the hassel as I don't know if even when listed new if the seller has removed it from the box and taken out the charger, the kit lens, etc. And the sellers do not accept returns. Of course I could always contact them for clarification.

For those who have bought the EP-7 from Japan does it have an English language setting? I would assume so. The GRIII has a lengthy list of languages.

Has anyone in the USA had to pay import duty?

I bought mine new from Amazon Japan (https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/OLYMPUS-PEN-E-P7-Body-Silver/dp/B096LYQNB1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=301QLMNC5JGOR&keywords=E-p7&qid=1660151717&sprefix=e-p7%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1). Circa USD 600, body only. Less than they were on eBay at the time. First boot was in English as I vaguely recall, whatever it was, English menus were clearly selectable. No duties, no US Customs or USPS Q&A, delivered in less than a week.

I didn't even think about ordering from Amazon Japan!  Done!  I should have my first Oly M43 in around a week!!!  I really prefer small cameras and had been thinking about this camera ever since it came out.