Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF-1

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF-1

  • Olympus E-P1

    Votes: 180 36.6%
  • Panasonic GF-1

    Votes: 312 63.4%

  • Total voters
    492
  • Poll closed .
The lack of focus distance indicator and DOF scale on ALL m4/3 cameras worries me though. Even my current camera, the Olympus C-7070, has a focus distance indicator on the LCD, allowing for accurate and precise pre-set focus. Lack of even a basic distance indicator on any of the m4/3 bodies is inexcusable.
Amen to that. As a matter of fact, I missed having distance indicators so much for instants shooting that I actually bought a 21 Skopar for that sole purpose. :bang:
 
I purchased the Ep-1 yesterday after a month long due diligence process as an easy AF option when my M8 doesn't suit. I read all the reviews, opinions, photos on flickr tra, la,la. My mind was made up when I went to my local dealer and we took both EP-1 & 17 and GF1 & 20 out on bright early summers day around lunchtime and took a series of same samples with both. We printed the samples. Ep-1 was significantly better to my eye with better detail in the shadows without blowing the highlights. Colours were definitely punchier on the Ep-1. I always preferred the look of the Ep-1 but am happy that I made an informed decision rather than my normal emotional one.
 
I will be getting a EP-1 after Christmas. Like Hausen, I've researched until my head started to spin. Was looking at the GF-1, Richo GRX, and the EP-2. But if the only difference between the EP-1 & 2 is the EVF, AF tracking and 2 additional art filters the EP-1 is an easy choice. I can use the dollars saved to by an adapter for my OM lenses and an extra battery....
 
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I posted this on another thread here a while ago but it's probably still worth mentioning for anyone considering the E-P1 with 17mm and the OVF. I put a small dot on the front element of the OVF that aligns itself fairly well with one of the single focus areas, (in my case I aligned it with the middle focus area.) Ya know, it works pretty well for focusing without using the LCD. It can miss a bit sometimes but overall with the 17mm on the EP-1 I've found it's fine. Occasionally I'll glance down down at the LCD to confirm I'm focusing where in the frame I want to and most of the time it's on. It takes a couple of trys to get the alignment right. I used a black sharpie. Just a thought.
. . . David
 
The Pen with the 17 and it's finder is closer as you are looking thru your subject....
The EVF is still seeing in 2 dimensions....
Not a bad thing but different.
 
Does anyone know of a picture of an e-p1 next to a leica m-6,m-7 for size comparison?

This would really help me out. I live in the Ozarks and no-one stocks the Olympus. :)
 
Does anyone know of a picture of an e-p1 next to a leica m-6,m-7 for size comparison?

This would really help me out. I live in the Ozarks and no-one stocks the Olympus. :)

Can't find anyone with a film M, but here's a comparison with an M8

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Thanks santi-u! That was just the size I was hoping for. Just a tad smaller than my m-6 should be perfect, a little more compact but still comfortable in my hands.
 
This is my story.

I accidentally saw a used EP1 on a shelve, with a good price tag on it, it was still very new. Out of curiosity, I tried it for 3 days. I told the shopkeeper if I come for the 4th time I will definitely buy it. Then comes the day, when I arrived with the cash, the EP1 was no longer displayed, "it was taken 2 hours ago, you are late," said the man. So I bought the GF1 new instead.

Now Im using the GF1 with the M Zuiko 17.
 
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I think I'm going to put my money on a used E-P1. I want the optical viewfinder (not into the EVF) and don't need any of the extra stuff that the E-P2 offers.
 
Hey man, I was thinking about the same. One thing i noticed is the lens behavior/character. If anybody got a chance to view or scrutinise http://www.dpreview.com/news/0912/09121102spaceyvid.asp you'll get the idea where the CA of the prime comes from. IMHO the engineers in Olympus were trying to reflect everything of the first PEN 1959. The lens was intentionally designed to have CA...it is pretty obvious!

it's totally retro...The Story of Pen EP1

* my iPhone CA controller seems way better than the 17mm...i wonder.
 
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i quite like the ep-1. I thought i'd hate a micro 4/3's camera, but alas, having a small carry around all around camera with me at all times is superb. I'm pretty sure the panasonic would also be wonderful as they fit the same role.
 
endustry, sure you'll enjoy it, but after a while you can feel the camera tempreture increase - quite hot. does ep1 behave the same?

or maybe the climate..i dunno.
 
I have had the Ep-1 for a couple of weeks now and I am stunned by how much I love it. It is the perfect compliment for my M8 because I like to do some close up shots and the Ep-1 works brilliantly. Focusing on the Ep-1 screen with my Lecia 90/2.8 is easier than on my M8 and the colours are awesome. The colours were the reason I chose the EP-1 over the GF1
 
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