E-P5 versus E-P1: Evaluating the new Olympus sensor & camera

traveler_101

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I really have few complaints bout my E-P1 + 20mm f/1.7 kit. i just had it out again this weekend. Focusing is slow, but I manage to get many clear shots of my 7 year old, with single point AF on the LCD screen and then reframing with the VF-1. Nonetheless, ever since the release of the E-M5 and the decision to share Olympus's new sensor with the Pen cameras, I have felt almost obligated to at least consider buying a new camera. The release of the E-P5 has brought these feelings to a head.
I have resorted to Snapsort to compare the cameras; here is a summary of what they say

Advantages of the Olympus E-P5

Much higher resolution screen 1,036,800k dots vs 230k dots

Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps

Better maximum light sensitivity 25,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO

Has a touch screen Yes vs No

Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No

Higher true resolution 15.9 MP vs 12.2 MP

Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos

Shoots faster 9 fps vs 3 fps

Longer battery life 330 shots vs 300 shots

Built-in flash Yes vs No

Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s


Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P1

Cheaper

Lighter 355 g vs 420 g Around 20% lighter

http://snapsort.com/compare/Olympus-Pen-E-P5-vs-Olympus_PEN_E-P1

Some of the advantages of the E-P5 don't really tempt me and seem gimmicky (but maybe I just don't know what I'm missing): touch screen, flip-out screen, 25,000 ISO--what the hell? And I see that the E-P5 is heavier than the E-P1.

Other advantages would be very nice: much better clarity on LCD screen, better resolution movies and built-in flash.

But the thing that sticks in my craw is the "30% more detail in your photos" claim; and they don't mention the reputedly better dynamic range of the new sensor--for some strange reason--and limited dynamic range is my biggest complaint with the E-P1.

Bottom line: am I going to get 30% better photos with the E-P5? How do you evaluate this claim?
 
in my completely non-scientific opinion, having owned an E-PL1, E-P3, and now an E-PL5- You'll notice a difference.

I'm still happy with the quality of the photos that my E-P3 put out.
The files from the E-PL5 though definitely have less noise at the higher ISO. Noticeably.
Dynamic range? I was always relatively happy w/ the E-P3 in that regard. Maybe a bit more highlight room on the E-PL5? hasn't been a problem though.
The extra resolution is nice sometimes though.

The screens though- the newer screens are a HUGE improvement over what was in the original E-P1 (and even more over the E-PL1). It's good enough that I never ended up buying the EVF I was sure I was going to need. And the touch screen is more useful than you might think. No more need for center point focus all the time- touch your subject and shoot. Not always MY style of shooting (but my 4yr old loves it. :))
Touch screen is great for playback too.

I'm NOT buying an E-P5 simply because I already have that sensor in my E-PL5, and while I'd like some of the extra things that the new camera, I can't justify the upgrade-it's my primary digital camera, but I'm not really shooting as much digi as film...

If I had an E-P1 though, I'd probably be next in line for the new one.

-Brian
 
i used the ep2 for years to very good effect with both AF and a variety of MF lenses. i was so excited about the new sensor, higher iso ability, internal vf and flip touch screen, i sold the ep2 to fund the omd before it even came out. bottom line, it did have better low light ability, and the flip touch screen was really amazing for me in street shooting situations, but honestly i didnt like the overall IQ, or maybe it was just the different 'look', between the ep2 and omd sensors. given a choice today i would go with the ep2 sensor. i ended up selling the omd and buying a gxr m mount, but i periodically contemplate rebuying an ep2 for the 2 x crop factor.

same thing happened with my old fuji x10 and the new 'improved' sensor on the x20: i love the operational improvements, but i much prefer the look of the old x10 sensor. bottm line is these things are not so clear cut as the 'chart shooters' and 'stat keepers' would have you believe. its much more subjective, based on how and what you shoot and the look that most appeals to you.

my only upgrade suggestion would be that if you do any 'candid' or street shooting, you not underestimate the touch tilt screen that allows for simultaneous touch/focus/shutter fire. it is truly an amazing and useful tool for those type situations, and you can get a much cheaper old sensored oly pen that accomplishes this task.
tony
 
I can't pick a camera based on a bunch of numbers. The E-P5 isn't available yet. When it's available, I'll try one in my hands and see what it feels like. And whether I like a few test shots I make with it.

If I like it I'll buy it. It's that simple.
Same for any other camera brand or line.

The essence of a camera is nothing hidden in the specification sheet. The essence of the camera is what it feels like and how it works in your hands. They're all good enough nowadays to make whatever pictures you want to make.

G
 
The EP1 is a very nice compact daylight camera with the 20 1.7 or 14 2.5. Got mine in 2010 for $220 when the Pana G1 was my main digital, and gave it to my son Xmas 2011 after moving on to the GXR. It just came home b/c he was so used to the Pana LX3 he cd not adjust to the Oly controls (which were too busy, to be fair). Now he has the G1, which I should have given him in the first place as a more advanced version /same controls of the LX3.

And I am enjoying the EP1 again, mostly on manual to keep the shooting simple/film-like, and mostly with the 20 1.7 because it delivers splendid results. .........-->But I did just give b&h $250 for a Pana GX1 because I do know the Pana layout well, and having more ISO headroom for my adapted m43 lenses will be delightful, and getting about the same deal as I got with the EP1 is perhaps best of all.
 
The EP1 is a very nice compact daylight camera with the 20 1.7 or 14 2.5. . . .

And I am enjoying the EP1 again, mostly on manual to keep the shooting simple/film-like, and mostly with the 20 1.7 because it delivers splendid results. .........--

Well there are still other people out there who think it is a nice camera! Thanks. I also shoot it like a film camera in that I set ISO as if i was loading film and generally set aperture myself, though i let the camera set shutter speed automatically and then use exposure compensation. What's the advantage of shooting full manual?
I agree about the 20/1.7 as well. For some reason the photos have a clarity and level of contrast that is just outstanding. I have the 14/2.5 and it doesn't really compete.

i used the ep2 for years to very good effect with both AF and a variety of MF lenses. i was so excited about the new sensor, higher iso ability, internal vf and flip touch screen, i sold the ep2 to fund the omd before it even came out. bottom line, it did have better low light ability, and the flip touch screen was really amazing for me in street shooting situations, but honestly i didnt like the overall IQ, or maybe it was just the different 'look', between the ep2 and omd sensors. given a choice today i would go with the ep2 sensor. i ended up selling the omd and buying a gxr m mount, but i periodically contemplate rebuying an ep2 for the 2 x crop factor.

Thanks for this. I often wondered if anyone would come to this conclusion. I suppose in redesigning the sensor to emphasise certain qualities others are lost. One thing is certain is that regardless of what else I do, I will not be selling my E-P1. I feel that it will eventually have collector's value and I have sentimental attachment to it.

in my completely non-scientific opinion, having owned an E-PL1, E-P3, and now an E-PL5- You'll notice a difference.

The screens though- the newer screens are a HUGE improvement over what was in the original E-P1 (and even more over the E-PL1). . . . And the touch screen is more useful than you might think. No more need for center point focus all the time- touch your subject and shoot. . .
-Brian

my only upgrade suggestion would be that if you do any 'candid' or street shooting, you not underestimate the touch tilt screen that allows for simultaneous touch/focus/shutter fire. it is truly an amazing and useful tool for those type situations, and you can get a much cheaper old sensored oly pen that accomplishes this task.
tony

I don't really mind centre-point focus, Brian; I often reframe with the VF-1 (hot shoe ocular finder) and it is an operation that is somewhat similar to my Leica IIIf--where you focus with the rangefinder and frame with the viewfinder. But point taken about the new screens--and it would be nice to try one. And I take your point about street shooting Tony. I can see how that would be useful. I guess the E-P3 would be possible for this purpose, though it lacks the tilt feature; otherwise it would have to be the E-PL5.

. . .
The essence of a camera is nothing hidden in the specification sheet. The essence of the camera is what it feels like and how it works in your hands. They're all good enough nowadays to make whatever pictures you want to make.

G

Good point and not only have I always liked handling the E-P1, I have read that other Pens, perhaps not including the E-P5, lack the solid feel.


Wow. Already there's an ep5?
. . .

Well they skipped the E-P4. :) Apparently the number four in Japan is a bit like the number thirteen for us.

The OP didn't mention that the E-P5 also takes an electronic VF, something the E-P1 cannot.

Perhaps I should have mentioned it, but I don't care to shoot with the attached EVF. My wife has an E-PL1 with the VF-2 that she scarcely uses. Once in a while I shoot it with manual focus lenses. It can be fun as a lark, but generally I use native m43 AF lenses which are suitable for the kind of shooting I do with the camera.

So maybe I will stick with the E-P1 and look for a E-P3 at some point here.
 
While I might like to step up to the E-P5 or even the OM-D, I'm not going to, because I find these incremental upgrades highly annoying from a financial standpoint.

I bought the E-PL1 new at a big discount and have generally been satisfied with it, particularly its video aspect.
I almost always shoot with the VF-2, because I don't enjoy taking photos using only the LCD. Plus, I can't tell what is in focus and what isn't in focus, because my close-up vision isn't what it used to be.

I think the Sony NEX-6 looks interesting, but not at $900. The E-P5 looks really nice, but not at $1,000 for the body.
 
As mentioned, the numbers difference are just that until you have time to play around with them and feel the real, tangible differences. I went from an EP2 to an OMD and I'm really happy with the upgrade.

Sure the upgraded sensor means my highlights blow out a little less and the shadow detail is slightly better, yada, yada, yada. But in the end, very little of that mattered for the type of photography I did -- namely candid, available light shooting of family friends and sometimes strangers. What I did very much notice was:

-- WAY better responsiveness overall including focus, shutter lag, menus, etc...
-- Clean B&W shooting to 3200 (even 6400) ISO
-- Tilt screen (for shooting like a TLR)
-- Touch to focus and shutter

That last one sounded kind of gimmicky in the press release, but when combined with the tilt screen it's amazing. It also means I can hand it to anyone -- including my 2 year old -- and they can intuitively take great pictures. Very fun and surprisingly useful, especially for street shooting without looking like you are taking pictures.
 
I bought the E-PL1 new at a big discount and have generally been satisfied with it, particularly its video aspect.

I´d be interested to know why you particularly like the video of the E-PL1. I have one and am frustrated with the video, mostly because of the poor continuous focusing, and I´m rubbish at manual focus with the screen or the VF.
Am I missing a trick or two?

Thanks.
 
I went from an EP-1 --> EP-2 (for the EVF) --> OM-D and cannot imagine going back to an earlier generation Pen.

As mentioned by previous posters, the current generation Olympus m4/3's cameras are far more responsive than their predecessors. In my opinion, this is an compelling advantage in favor of the EP-5.

Another huge advantage is the increased highlight room with the Sony sensor. (Another benefit I wouldn't want to live without.)

And finally, the annoying, bright green power-on indicator has been replaced by a much more sensible and stealthy power switch on the EP-5!
 
I've just moved from my 4yo E-P1 to an OM-D E-M5 and, trust me, you can see the difference! Focus speed and a two extra stops to work: grain at ISO 6400 on OM-D = ISO 1600 on E-P1...
 
I use my EP2 and EPL1 as high end P&S cameras. Both cameras work well.
I am not tempted to get another EP.
 
I've been using a E-PL1 for a year now, and just got a great deal for a E-P3 and it's
so much better, the focusing speed, higher ISO, better screen and a few other things
on it make it a great all around camera.

Range
 
I have been an E-P1 user for several years now, skipping all the e-2 ... e-p3 upgrades.
Now I finally got an E-P5 and what I can say is this:

1. IQ is DEFINITELY improved! ISO 1600 on E-P5 = ISO 400 on E-P1
2. I noticed that E-P1 focuses much (MUCH) faster with current 17mm/1,8. Cannot say that E-P5 wins here.
3. EVF is brilliant + focus peaking

What I can say is that E-P1 is still a pretty comparable camera, especially considering the price factor. May be consider waiting until E-p6? :)
 
I can only offer two points, one often overlooked...

I can only offer two points, one often overlooked...

1) No matter how you may feel about it, the EP1 is an OLD camera. It falls short on many seemingly insignificant tweaks and features.

The comparison to the EP5 or the E-PL5 is apples and pomegranets, or perhaps pineapples.

The biggest factor for me is that he EP! did not benefit by the weaker AA filter that was intro'd on the E-PL1.

Once I purchased the E-PL1, and saw the results of the weaker AA filter I was sold. I suspect comments about increased resolution/sharpness could really have been touted with the E-PL1. In terms of sharpness OOC it outperformed the EP1 and all the Panasonics that continued with the older formula for AA filtering.

Now all the cameras in both micro 4/3 and 4/3 after the E-PL1 were produced with the weaker low pass AA filtering. In fact the newest models may even benefit from NO such filtering.

Now, I contend that even the E-PL1 outshot the older EP1 mostly because of the change in filtering.

Now advance that to the newer sensor/processing engine in the last micro 4/3... the OM-D and the EPM2, E-PL5, E-P5. The E-PL5 has an articulating LCD. I paid $475 for my Refurb E-PL5 and kit zoom. Much less than the price of the EP5 and not very old at this time.

Those are my thoughts and primarily I focused on the whole low pass AA filter for super sharp images OOC. Or perhaps that "increased resolution" you are struggling with. Good luck.

I am a potential candidate for the OMD because of my experience with the E-PL5 and essentially the same innards, while I am not a candidate for the EP5 or the new EM1 due to price. It's just a hobby and I don't stretch the budget THAT far.
 
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