Olympus Pen

[grumpy2]

OK all you experts out there. Any thoughts about the Olympus Pen we are seeing advertised all over the TV now. I am a novice and am looking to get a DSLR that is simple to use, yet takes great pics. I know alot depends on me too, but any thoughts or help. Thanks

 

[zackiedawg]

The Olympus Pen models, along with their cousins the Panasonic G2 and GF1, and their competitors with a bigger sensor, Sony NEX3 & NEX5 and Samsung NX10, are all actually NOT DSLRs, though share some similarities with them. All of these cameras are designed with interchangeable lens capabilities, and smaller bodies than DSLRs...the Olympus and Panasonic models use a '4/3' sensor which is bigger than P&S cameras, but smaller than DSLR sensors...while the Sony and Samsung use an 'APS-C' sensor which are the same as in most DSLRs. The main difference is they do not have mirror systems inside, which provide optical viewfinder paths like DSLRs do.

If you are looking for smallish, lighter cameras with more 'P&S' style interfaces, but want better low light ability, good video capability, and interchangeable lens abilities, these cameras look like very interesting options to consider. You should handle them all to see if the designs fit in your hand and all the controls fall where you want them. Know that these camera categories are fairly new, so they don't have as many dedicated lenses you can buy - all of these cameras will work with many different DSLR lenses from almost any make of camera with various adapters, but will lose autofocus capabilities with those lenses.

They aren't quite as fast as DSLRs for shooting speed, and focus can be a little bit slower especially in lower light...and they don't have optical viewfinders, relying instead on shooting using the LCD screen, or an electronic viewfinder. The 4/3 cameras perform at higher ISOs better than any P&S camera will, but not quite as good as almost any DSLR. The Sony NEX models are actually at the very top of the low light performance pile, even compared to APS-C sensored DSLRs. The Sony models are much smaller and with a sparing, modern design, so one should handle them to see if the controls and feel would work for them. The Olympus models are a more traditional design, almost like old rangefinder cameras or larger P&S models. Panasonic's models are almost like a 'mini-DSLR' design.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

A Disboards user review: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2489376&referrerid=70088

It's a nice little camera that should yield better results than a point and shoot will (user error notwithstanding ). I'll be buying one when I get some extra funds. I use an Olympus dSLR and this will be my backup when I need a smaller set up. My E30 and the PEN have the exact same sensor. Here's what Olympus has to say about it:

BIG SENSOR, NOT A BIG BODY.
At the heart of the E-PL1 is a large-size image sensor that's the same sensor as the one inside the Olympus E-30 and E-620 Digital SLR models. The only difference between this sensor and what the pros use is that this big sensor is inside the much smaller body of the E-PL1. This high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor (8 times larger than the average point-and-shoot camera sensor) delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and state-of-the-art technology to reduce noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.

Watch video under Sensor.

So just to clarify (my additions in red):

the Olympus and Panasonic models use a '4/3' sensor which is a lot bigger than P&S cameras, but a little smaller than DSLR sensors

Also, I don't want to split hairs in an otherwise - and as always - excellent post by zackiedawg, but I think he meant to say an APS-C sensor at the end of that sentence, as the 4/3 sensor is a dSLR sensor.

I think your best bet is to go out and use one; try it out. You probably also need to decide which route you want to go: EVIL (mirrorless) or dSLR. Keep in mind that at some point, you may want to have both, like Mosca, me, and a few others of us here. (cha ching, lol)

 

[zackiedawg]

Also, I don't want to split hairs in an otherwise - and as always - excellent post by zackiedawg, but I think he meant to say an APS-C sensor at the end of that sentence, as the 4/3 sensor is a dSLR sensor.

Indeed...there was meant to be a 'most' in there, as in a bit smaller than 'most' DSLR sensors. I'm always torn between using more technical language, and keeping it a little simpler - inevitably, too technical and you lose some folks, and too simple and you offend some folks! I take the correction gratefully, and with thanks!

 

[grumpy2]

Thanks for the info. I knew I would get help here. A lot to consider. Maybe a few photog classes would be helpfull as well. Again, many thanks.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

I have the pen's competitor, the Sony NEX3. Now I also have a full assortment of lenses and bodies for DSLR shooting, so for me, the Sony Nex3 fills a gap that I don't like point and shoots and wanted something more without having to carry around a huge camera and lens.

Here is what I can tell you:
Sony Nex3 has AWSOME video capabilities. Nex5 is even better because it records in full HD (the nex3 only in 720p HD). Also the Nex5 is IR remote controllable, something I miss about my nex 3. The Sony Nex also can use Minolta and Sony mount lenses, but ONLY IN MANUAL FOCUS and at max apature. Some idiot at Sony is likely to loose their job over that! Oh, and the flash isn't built in, it's attached to the accessory jack. oh, the only lenses avaialble for this camera, the 16mm f/2.8 (pancake) and the 18-55mm. An 18-200mm is comming out soon, but is to be as expensive as the camera it's self. Autofocus is FAST - and I say that owning one of canon's fastest lenses the new 70-200 f/2.8 IS II. Now, it's not as fast as a DSLR with a $2500 lens, but it is as fast as a DSLR with a kit lens without question - and it impressed me. Also it does 3fps continous or about double that if you tell it to keep the same exposure and focus settings. It can do RAW shooting, but Lightroom won't process the RAW files from this camera yet.

The PEN camera can take an assortment of 4/3 mount lenses and their is a good selection of them out their including from Sigma and Tamron. Can't talk about video as I haven't used that feature of one. The PEN camera also has that 1980's camera feel about it, something that turns me off.

If you are looking for an advanced point and shoot, I would recomend the Sony Nex, but if you are looking at a DSLR and plan on spending money on upgrades such as lenses and external flashes, etc, then you really want to go with the PEN camera, or even something like the Canon T2i. I actually love my T2i so much, I have two.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

It should also be pointed out that these new Mirrorless DSLR cameras have an always on LCD, that means like most point and shoots, you look at the LCD to take a picture.

Many new DSLR's have that capability too, but most, if not all, you loose features when using the LCD instead of looking through the view finder. This is often called "Live View"

I'm not sure about the PEN, but the NEX has a flip up or down (not left or right) view finder which I found let me be more creative, but I typically don't shoot in Live View Mode on my DSLR.

I also think the Nex takes better video than my Canon T2i, now the image quality and creative abilities are better on the T2i, but the flip your camera out, click record and shoot a quick video capability is possible with the Nex, but not with the Canon 5D Mark II or the T2i or the Nikon D90.