EVF on Panasonic GF1

[Dunn]

I'm looking to get a used GF1 soon. I have never used one, but I've used an Olympus E-pl1. The manual focus I found was very difficult. I don't know if it's better on the GF1, but my question is: does the evf make manual focus easier? Is the evf worth the money?

I just don't really like looking at the lcd, but it seems expensive if it's just to add a crappy viewfinder that isn't going to help me much.

Also, does the lcd turn off when using the evf?

 

[Pablito]

EVF is quite good and you use one or the other not both LCD and EVF, yes LCD turns off. But I only borrowed the camera for a few days from a friend. You'll get better answers from those who own them.

 

[abnrmlbmw]

I have this setup, I like the EVF but not for focusing, actually I really have not tried to manually focus my minolta MD 50 1.4 with the EVF, only the screen... EVF is worth it outside on a sunny day and any other time too and as it pivots 90 degrees makes low camera work much nicer.... -Andy

 

[illuminati_02]

Agree. EVF is nice to have for framing and actual shooting, especially in sunny conditions, but IMHO it is awful for manual focussing, it just does not have the resolution. The screen is much nicer in this regard, and I love the manual focus assist. The EVF is pretty pricey for what it is.. it needs to have more resolution to be of much practical use.

 

[Paolo Bonello]

You know what Dunn, you really need to see one for yourself. Each person has a different opinion of acceptable clarity and size in EVF's. I bought one for the sole purpose to save my arse in bright sunlight and that it does. my opinion of the rest of it's functionality is that it's a pretty mediocre peice of equipment for the money.

 

[Dave Jenkins]

I find that manual focus on the E-PL1 is extremely easy and accurate with the EVF.

 

[Assaf]

I have an EVF on an Olympus EPL2, and I think it's a must buy.
Makes manual focusing much easier, help shoot video with low camera shake, and is superb for playing back pictures.
In playback, images are sharp, colorful and have a lovely 3D effect, which reminds me of color slides.
I think it's a must

 

[kuzano]

Resolution of EVF

Resolution of EVF

I could easily be wrong, having not used either EVF, but isn't the resolution of the Olympus Electronic Viewfinder two times better than the Panasonic EVF?

NOTE:...
In checking, the Panasonic EVF appears to have a fraction of the pixel count of the Olympus EVF, and they are not interchangeable... different port.

 

[Thardy]

I could easily be wrong, having not used either EVF, but isn't the resolution of the Olympus Electronic Viewfinder two times better than the Panasonic EVF?

Yes, but it does not fit the GF1.

Also, I don't think that manual focusing is that difficult on the GF1 with the EVF.

 

[biomed]

The Panasonic EVF is not as good as the Oly EVF, but I have used many a digicam that had worse EVFs. I use mine for manual focussing all of the time. Yes it is lower resolution, but not to the point of being unusable for MF.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I have a GF-1 and and use the EVF 99% of the time. It just feels natural to me.

I cannot remember a time when I used manual focus. I learned how the auto focus works and it fills my needs.

It makes no difference to me if the Olympus EVF is better. The Panasonic one is good enough that it does not impact the quality of my photos. That is all I care about.

If my goal was to have best viewfinder, instead of making photos, it would not be using either of these. It would be my Zeiss Ikon hands down.

 

[twopointeight]

Thrice I went to the camera store to buy the GF1 EVF, and all 3 times had to walk away. I use a Voigtlander 40mm OVF, and its not perfect for framing, but the view is clean and crisp. I hope they come out with a better EVF.

 

[kdemas]

If you really want to manual focus on a m4/3 body get a G2 or GH2. As good an EVF as exists. The EP-2 EVF is similar but I like the panasonic better from a usability perspective.