Olympus PEN: EVF/OVF/LCD???

[jett]

whoah this thread is quite confusing

Not much to do with EVFs but as for my body, I'm going to go PM1 because sports the newest sensor at the lowest price.

 

[mh2000]

Sorry for all the confusion. The E-PM1 has the same sensor as all the other 12MP Pens, it just has the current super fast AF.

I don't shoot with an EVF or OVF. I have occasionally thought of buying the little OVF to go with my 17, but am really happy enough with the LCD so I haven't bothered. There have only been a handful of times where the LCD was a problem in extremely sunny situations.

Enjoy the E-PM1! I think it is a sweet little camera!

🙂

 

[traveler_101]

whoah this thread is quite confusing

Not much to do with EVFs but as for my body, I'm going to go PM1 because sports the newest sensor at the lowest price.

Actually the sensor on the E-PM1 is the same 12-megapixel Live MOS sensor that Olympus introduced with the E-P1. What differed with that generation of PENs--meaning the E-PM1, E-PL3 and E-P3--was a new processor that greatly improved focusing speed. The only PEN cameras with the new 16-megapixel sensor are the E-PM2 and E-PL5 and presumably the soon to be released E-P5.

Sensor is one issue, focus speed a second issue.

Accessible controls/ergonomics is a third issue. There the higher end cameras - P1, P2, P3 - are the best of the PENs, IF having physical controls is important to your shooting style. Other people accept fewer controls in favor of moving LCD screens (E-PL3 & E-PL5) or very, very small cameras like the PM models.

The question of the EVF is a fourth issue. There are a number of factors to consider there. Cost is one. How comfortable you are with using the LCD screen is another. Also of critical importance is the type of lenses you want to use. If I were using MF lenses or zooms then I would say the EVF is probably necessary, certainly necessary for MF lenses. I use native m43 prime lenses 95% of the time with an ocular viewfinder in coordination with the LCD. I have described how I use it here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2097475&postcount=5