Dave Jenkins
Loose Canon
My wife and I went to Israel and Jordan in April of 2010. I carried a basic Canon outfit, a 5D with a 17-35 f2.8L, a 70-200 f4L, a 50mm macro, and a 20D with the 24-85 f3.5-4.5 for backup and for my wife to use. One of the places we visited was Petra, Jordan, the amazing city carved into stone cliffs.
Trudging up a hill toward some impressive temples on an oppressively hot afternoon, cursing my increasingly heavy camera bag with every step, I chanced to meet a European who was carrying nothing but an Olympus Pen E-P2 with the 14-42mm kit zoom and the VF-2 electronic viewfinder. We talked for a few minutes, and since I had been reading about the Pen micro 4/3s cameras, I asked if I could look through his camera.
"Wow!" I thought to myself as the weight of the little camera rested comfortably in my hand, "I'll bet this thing and two or three lenses wouldn't weigh any more than a 5D with a 50."
Well, I got an E-PL1 and have had it for about a year now. Am I happy? No, not really.
What do I like about it?
1. It’s small and light.
2. See No. 1.
Is the image quality as good as my 5D? I don’t think so, but Thom Hogan rates it as high as his Nikon D700, which is pretty good. In any case, it’s probably good enough for stock sales, book illustrations, and reasonably large prints. I have the kit lens and an OM 50 f1.8 and 75-150 f4 which I use with a Fotodiox adapter.
What do I not like about it?
1. It is a major battery hog. If anyone knows how to reduce battery usage without greatly reducing convenience, I could use your help.
2. It seems to change settings on its own and without consulting me. Again, if anyone knows how to keep it from doing that, I would appreciate the help.
I travel quite a bit on book projects and would like to make the Pen E-P series my basic travel outfit. But if I can’t find solutions to the problems, that won’t happen.
Trudging up a hill toward some impressive temples on an oppressively hot afternoon, cursing my increasingly heavy camera bag with every step, I chanced to meet a European who was carrying nothing but an Olympus Pen E-P2 with the 14-42mm kit zoom and the VF-2 electronic viewfinder. We talked for a few minutes, and since I had been reading about the Pen micro 4/3s cameras, I asked if I could look through his camera.
"Wow!" I thought to myself as the weight of the little camera rested comfortably in my hand, "I'll bet this thing and two or three lenses wouldn't weigh any more than a 5D with a 50."
Well, I got an E-PL1 and have had it for about a year now. Am I happy? No, not really.
What do I like about it?
1. It’s small and light.
2. See No. 1.
Is the image quality as good as my 5D? I don’t think so, but Thom Hogan rates it as high as his Nikon D700, which is pretty good. In any case, it’s probably good enough for stock sales, book illustrations, and reasonably large prints. I have the kit lens and an OM 50 f1.8 and 75-150 f4 which I use with a Fotodiox adapter.
What do I not like about it?
1. It is a major battery hog. If anyone knows how to reduce battery usage without greatly reducing convenience, I could use your help.
2. It seems to change settings on its own and without consulting me. Again, if anyone knows how to keep it from doing that, I would appreciate the help.
I travel quite a bit on book projects and would like to make the Pen E-P series my basic travel outfit. But if I can’t find solutions to the problems, that won’t happen.
Bingley
Veteran
I have an E-PL1, and haven't noticed the battery problems you mention. I'm taking the E-PL1 to Scandinavia and England in July, but as the back-up/indoor/lowlight companion to an M2. I did buy an extra battery for the trip. I'm very satisfied so far w/ the jpegs straight from the camera; I don't know if shooting RAW would affect battery life on this cam.
zumbido
-
Mine neither eats batteries (compared to other compact digitals with proprietary packs--it does eat more than my K-x did with four AA Eneloops, but that's clearly not a straight comparison), nor has problems with settings changing on their own.
The only thing I can think of on the latter is that you're inadvertently pressing buttons on the back while handling the camera. If that is the case, and it's still happening after a year of use, then yes, it's probably not the camera for you. The ergonomics are far from perfect on any compact, it will trouble some more than others depending on your natural habits (where your fingers fall, etc.).
The only thing I can think of on the latter is that you're inadvertently pressing buttons on the back while handling the camera. If that is the case, and it's still happening after a year of use, then yes, it's probably not the camera for you. The ergonomics are far from perfect on any compact, it will trouble some more than others depending on your natural habits (where your fingers fall, etc.).
Flinor
Well-known
I did that same Israel and Jordan trip with an EP-2, EVF and 20 1.7 and the 14-45 last September. I had none of the problems you mentioned and it was wonderful traveling with just the camera on my shoulder, the pare lens and battery in my pocket and nothing else. I've only used my SLR once for an air show since I got the Pen.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
As others pointed out, I don't experience any of the above problems. You may want to have your camera checked by Olympus.
Quite the contrary, my Pen E-P2 surprised me in regards to its ability to withstand abuse (similar usage scenario, international travel for a month), and being so reliable and predictable, which is very useful when you are soaking the atmosphere and taking pictures at the same time.
MaxElmar
Well-known
I think the solution to most of your problems is called E-PL2....
rdeleskie
Well-known
I had an EPL1 that I upgraded to an EPL2. Battery life is better, but it's still easy to inadvertently change settings by hitting the buttons as the camera goes in and out of your pocket, bag, etc.
There are a variety of cheap batteries available for the EPL1 - that may help with pt. 1. Still not sure about pt. 2.
That said, I think both cameras are terrific for travel. I took one to Lisbon along with my M6 last fall and returned with my best travel photos. Every time I saw someone with a big camera bag, or a big DSLR with a giant zoom I was glad I'd made the choice I did.
There are a variety of cheap batteries available for the EPL1 - that may help with pt. 1. Still not sure about pt. 2.
That said, I think both cameras are terrific for travel. I took one to Lisbon along with my M6 last fall and returned with my best travel photos. Every time I saw someone with a big camera bag, or a big DSLR with a giant zoom I was glad I'd made the choice I did.
Jason C
Established
The only battery solution I've used are third party batteries rated over 1800 mAh, in which I can get over 300 captures plus on a full charge.
I have never considered my E-P1's file quality can match that of my 1Ds and 1DMKII, but its darn good none the less. I shoot RAW and find I get the most out of my files using Capture One 6.
Sorry thats all I got...
Jason C
I have never considered my E-P1's file quality can match that of my 1Ds and 1DMKII, but its darn good none the less. I shoot RAW and find I get the most out of my files using Capture One 6.
Sorry thats all I got...
Jason C