Should I go for the E-P2

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ravenlot

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Hi everyone,

I'm sure this is probably going to be a rehash of a topic but I'm hoping to get some sage advice on what 4/3 camera I should get.

I'm thinking about getting the Olympus E-P2. I like the build quality over the E-PL1 and I don't mind that it doesn't have a build in flash. Video isn't a big deal to me so I don't mind if the record button is not as easily accessible.

I have some manual lenses and old film cameras that I'm really getting into so I want to use some of them in 4/3 system or even a Sony Nex system if that's the better choice. I've got FD lenses and old Kodak Retina IIIS lenses. Plus, I go to many estate sales around here nearly every other weekend and there are often old cameras and lenses that go unsold.

I get the impression that the Panasonic GF1 slightly edges out the Olympus offerings. Is that true? I was focused on Olympus because 1) I have an "old" Olympus 5050z digital that's one of my favorite early digital cameras and an Olympus 2020z digital that I use for infrared photography (also nice), and 2) the Olympus has that in body stabilization system which would seem nice when using old manual lenses.

I've heard that the Olympus doesn't autofocus as fast. I've seen video and that does seem to be the case but my guess is that it won't be much of an issue in the real world though this is just my best guess.

So, I was thinking about getting an Olympus E-P2 with perhaps the zoom lens kid and then adding the Panasonic 17mm lens. Then, if necessary, I can add the VF-2 or the early one that's just optical. Or perhaps, I might get a hoodman to use on the LCD.

Anyway, with the popularity of the Panasonic on this forum, I was concerned I might have it all wrong. What do you guys think? Is a Panasonic a better choice for my needs? If so, which model, the GF1 or some of these DSLR looking models? As for the Sony Nex, I haven't considered it so much since I have at least one relative that went for 4/3 and I'd like to be able to share lenses and accessories.

Thanks for any advice you can share.
 
I you plan on using legacy lenses with manual focus, you need the Electronic Viewfinder. I use my EP2's most of the time with the EVF attached, and use manual lenses.

The Adapter for Retina lenses runs ~$50 on Ebay, and allows control of the aperture.
 
The EP-2 is a great camera - and its EVF puts panasonic's to shame. If you're going to use manual lenses then the EP-2 IMO is the better choice to the Panasonic. If you're worried about the auto focus speed if you're going to being using m4/3rd lenses.. then it might just be the case to try before you buy.

The GF1 is more popular beacuse it got a foothold in the market first really, it added what the EP-1 was missing.
Sony NEX's are awesome but an ergonomic disaster for practical photography - but they are tiny. I'd also have a try with one and see what you think. =D
 
The Olympus E-P2 is awesome, it's the only compact digital camera that I've been using nowadays since three months now.

Don't worry about the Autofocus speed, it's more than good enough in most situations.

I've also used quite a few legacy lenses with focusing manually using the Olympus VF-2 electronic viewfinder, and I have no complain to make. Go for it 🙂
 
- E-P2
- Panasonic 20/1.7
- Zuiko 9-18mm
- turn down internet chatter and enjoy digital bliss...
 
I have the GF1 and 20/1.7 - at the time I bought it, it was far cheaper than going for the EP2 option. If you can afford the EP2 and the Panny lens, it's a no brainer; as has beem said, the EVF for the Panny is crappy, not worth the price of admission, while that on the EP2, altho' bulky, is far better for focusing legacy lenses.
 
I think "try before you buy" is important, since we all respond to controls and interfaces differently. Everything written here is opinion and chatter, nothing wrong with that, it can not be otherwise, but it means little until you hold a camera in your hand and try to take pictures with it.

The EP2 is a great camera, the Oly EVF is marvelous, and IBIS can help if you shoot static subjects in low light. I find the EVF absolutely necessary for shooting legacy glass and for any outdoor use. The Oly EVF is significantly better than the Pany GF1 add-on EVF, though the Pany is usable.

Keep in mind that:

1. The Oly EVF is $200+, twice the cost of the Pany (though more than twice as good). It makes the EP2 a pricier option than Pany
2. EP2 w/EVF stands taller than a Pany G w/integral EVF
3. Pany flip screen increases framing versatility
4. Pany AF is faster than Oly AF
5. Pany lowlight AF is significantly better than Oly (no AF-assist for Oly)
6. Many prefer Oly jpegs to Pany jpegs
7. Oly screen-magnify MF assist is less convenient than Pany

There is no clear winner objectively, but we've all made our choices subjectively. Think about which features matter to you, then play.
 
I really like mine. Am visiting NYC now. Three cameras: Nikon D3, M8, EP-2. The EP takes lenses from the other two and is the perfect "bridge" camera for me. Also, when I purchased it, I told myself that I would never use the movie mode. Turns out I use it all the time, for little snippets of real life. Ditto the EVF - very easy to use. I personally don't care about the autofocus -- 30 of the 31 lenses I use are legacy lenses or other-system lenses -- the only Oly lens I own is the 20/2.8 that came with the kit.
 
I have now a ep2 with the evf and had formerly a epl1. In terms of image quality, the epl1 is a little better and in the use, I miss epl1 screen in indicating whether there are some blown highlights or shadows some pastures, which in no ep2 exists.
In short, for beauty and speed of operation, ep2, for image quality, epl1.
 
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