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survey: buy Olympus E-P1 or not?

black and white with green and blue, Germany 2010

Update: The analysis of this survey and the new Survey to all MFT cameras can be found here !

was announced today by the New Olympus MFT Camera PEN presented E-PL1 that should be on the market in March 2010. Now make sure some of you question whether it is worthwhile to buy this camera or what alternatives to offer. Therefore I have started a new survey that accurately reads the data. Take part please just a mouse click, I'm very curious about your opinion! Thank you. (Incidentally, the previous survey will soon be evaluated in another post.) The two images in this review are of course not from the PL1, but from my Panasonic GF1 .

To help do I want in my preview of only the essential differences that arise when comparing the E-P1 to other previously available cameras.

• The Flash: The PL1, unlike the first two PENs finally a small built-in flash (Guide number 7). Such a flash can be as fill flash or in dark rooms, very practical. Those who already carries constantly with a remote flash? The Panasonic GF1 has also an integrated flash (Guide number 6, ie less minimal). In contrast to the GF1 however PL1 dominated with their flash and the remote control of external flash units.
  
• The image stabilizer: The added PL1, as it is already standard in Olympus, a housing built into the stabilizer, which is realized through the mobile suspended sensor. He is not quite as effective as in the first pens or in the FT models that promise all 4 stops profit. But the promised 3 stops of PL1 are not bad. In comparison, the Panasonic GF1 has no built-in image stabilization in the housing.
• No orientation sensor: The E-P1 has to write unlike e-P2 (and E-30 and E-620) no built-in sensor that is used to host the pictures in the EXIF data and thus a to enable automatic rotation of photos. But this is not so tragic can the Panasonic GF1 with the 20/1.7 pancake lens does not stay, and I've gotten used to select in Lightroom after importing all the images in short-edge style, and then turn with a click appropriate. With Panasonic lenses, which have added an image stabilizer, GF1, however, can then identify the orientation. To my knowledge, the group can function in PL1 is not so simple "upgrade".
• Compatible Lenses: Using a suitable adapter can be connected to the PL1 and also to the other PENs almost all Four Thirds lenses to operate smoothly, but there are very few restrictions on the contrast AF. GF1 The Panasonic, however there are many the Olympus lenses FT partly great limitations in auto-focus, see this list .
  
• Operation: The PL1 is missing a few buttons and the dials of the other cameras, so that some settings are only accessible via menus. I think that's a shame, because I most often used settings such as aperture and exposure compensation (in the mode "Aperture Priority") can now be controlled directly by bicycle again. Here you can see that the PL1 aimed at more automation and the mass market rather than the ambitious photographer.

• Design: The PL1 is it in "champagne", white and black. She sees the first two PENs extremely similar. However, it has only a 2.7-inch screen on the back, as opposed to the usual 3 inches. This, in my opinion, but rather unimportant, as the sharpness control of the photos you zoom into the images anyway, and for the display then goes safely. In addition, the PL1 contain some more plastic and a bit less robust construction than the first two pens. But then it is wonderfully light, it weighs only 300 grams without battery and memory card, or 15 g more than the Panasonic GF1, but 35 grams lighter than the E-P2. The dimensions of the MFT cameras are opposed to a few millimeters, almost identical, the E-P1 is at best a little thicker.
  
• Other Features: The PL1 can of course also store movies in 720p (30 fps unfortunately fixed), but take over the internal microphone only mono sound. However, there is a separately available adapter that allows you to connect a stereo microphone. Similarly, there are the external electronic viewfinder VF-2 (the same as in the E-P2) as an option. Compared to the E-P2 provides the PL1 only a flash sync speed of 1 / 160 sec (instead of 1/180sec.) And only a fastest shutter speed of 1 / 2000 sec (instead of 1 / 4000 sec) but not much difference makes. (Actually, ridiculous that the producers only for the more external flashes shorter synchronization times ...) Any additional type filter or a lack of artificial horizon to the horizontal orientation of the camera in my opinion are minor details. In addition, you can not control the PL1 by remote control, but that I need personally.
  
• Power: The battery BLS-1 came in the first pen and in the E-620 and allows the use of PL1 in stock about 290 pictures on one battery charge to be made (based on CIPA standard, with activated IS). I think this is a very acceptable level, if that with the 300 images of the E-P2 and 350 at the GF1 (each based on CIPA standard) compares. I can do personally with the GF1 usually much more photos, since I have neither the flash nor the LCD very common use, so I would guess that you should create for economical use with the E-P1 significantly more than 300 images.
• Price: The Olympus E-P1 is in March for about 600, - € (body only) or about 650, - € (incl. 14-42mm kit lens) to be available. Other hand, costs the E-P1 is currently about 480, - € or 570, - € and the E-P2 740, - € or 860, - €. The Panasonic GF1 is the time for about 560, - € to have, and with the 14-45mm lens for about 690, - €. The street price of the new E-P1 (body only) is expected but after a few weeks, probably more towards 500, - € stabilize.
• Important questions: How It looks like the image quality of the PL1 (sharpness, noise) and AF-speed? Supposedly the PL1 a very thin low-pass filter in front of the sensor, so it is hoped to have crisp, sharp images. The unknown quantity, which is however very important for my personal opinion, is the speed with which adjusts the PL1 autofocus! Here's hope that they can at least keep up with the Panasonic GF1 ...

My personal conclusion: if it is wrong image quality and AF speed, could become the PEN E-PL1 for me an alternative for the summer, because with its built-in image stabilizer, it offers a beautiful alternative to use stabilized by the FT-adapter and my old four thirds (tele) lenses. It could therefore be a good addition or a backup for the FT-cameras. Whether they can replace even the E-620, remains to be seen yet, as it must prove itself in direct comparison with the Panasonic GF1, with which I am very satisfied.

Although I think are too short for the intervals at which introduces new Olympus cameras, the E-P1 is a step in the right direction. But we still lack speed lenses for the MFT system from Olympus. So far there is in any case only the Panasonic Pancake 1.7/20mm. Unfortunately, Olympus brings until April / May, two new lenses at the start, the 9-18mm and the 14-150mm 4.0-5.6, each with a maximum aperture. Olympus here must still reloading.

What do you think about buying the new Olympus E-P1? Take your vote right now!