A fresh perspective, Germany 2010
So today is finally my long-promised review of my new Olympus E-P1. But this is no ordinary review, but rather a review of the personal commitment, because the technical details of the camera and any test charts for line count so you can find anywhere on the Internet. In my article on the PL1 is more about the little things you everyday until the use of a camera and noticed that in the same old magazine tests are not usually find so, as I discovered frequently. But I like all the external tester, of course, also crucial to the questions: Does the PL1 good photos? PL1 makes fun? Is it worth to buy it?
My report will PL1 on the Olympus I post in several parts, as a small series that appear in the next few days. We start with today's positive qualities, then follow the next part of the things that have not liked me so much, and finally I will then have a comparison between the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1 draw, which I had already discussed. Also, I had already directly after the announcement of PL1 in February a small comparison made only in accordance with technical data, still is found in the former Post . Most said there are details still to me, personal experience has confirmed my suspicions almost always.
Part 1: Good things about the Olympus E-P1
or: The ultimate adulation
This camera is fun. It makes excellent photos, especially with the Panasonic 20mm/F1.7 Pancake lens. It is small and lightweight and does not cost the world. - That I could actually stop the review, because the properties are so important that I know of this quality and no combination of other cameras. And I know what I'm talking about, because I know a lot of cameras of different brands from my own experience. Either you get high Bildqualtität or a small handheld package, but where else can you get both? At the moment, can only compete directly PENs the Olympus and Panasonic GF1. In my humble opinion. But I getting ahead too far, because of course it depends on the details that I will list now. Whether it for you, so play a role as for me, that you must of course decide. Although the graffiti in the next photo from advertising warning, I will not sponsored by Olympus or any other company!
image quality
The sharpness of the photos with the Panasonic 20/1.7 Pancake already at full aperture (!) Incredibly well. The anti-aliasing filter of PL1 was apparently reduced even further by Olympus in thickness. How and what is done in software in the camera to expect other artifacts out, I'm almost does not matter because the images succeed just beautiful, and because it focuses directly on the sensor, is finally the time is over where I and systematic errors focus in individual Objective had to fight. (And in many cameras with a mirror and the usual phase-AF, there is still no way to even readjust the focus!) The pictures succeed so sharp that I was in Lightroom even my original Olympus preset had to readjust a bit, because the otherwise over-sharpened images quickly impacts. Incidentally, the PL1 is now recognized correctly in the latest version 2.7 of Lightroom.
The exposure of the PL1 succeed in automatic mode ESP very safe, also the white balance works very well. You get often without further corrections, the Olympus typical fine JPEG images directly from the camera. I can clear even in the unfortunate and completely overvalued on "noise" type: Here the PL1 cuts even better than, say, the E-620 or the GF1. (Test patterns will follow in the final direct comparison of PL1 and GF1.) For me, enough already, the noise behavior of the E-620 completely, because for me it is more important to the visual message as the last grains of freedom from noise. And when I need it again very smooth and perfect noise-free photos, then I fear I'd be a full frame camera and consider myself not long on APS-C devices. Until then, I maintain all the "ignorant" like the prejudice the oh-so-bad-noisy Olympus!
Incidentally, the 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 kit lens is any good, you just can not the error, make it directly comparable with the Panasonic 20/1.7 pancake, because it can not keep up, of course. In my opinion, the 20/1.7 Pancake almost mandatory for a pen so that the photography is great fun, especially with open aperture. But as I said, the kit lens is a cheap addition (for 50, - € extra charge along with the camera) a real bargain, with which one can make in most cases, beautiful photos. Oh, and I still have forgotten the great image stabilizer, which is integrated into the PL1 and independently from the lens allows in many cases, even in low light still shots without camera shake. He is said to be not quite as effective as PEN E-P2, but he really creates some 3 whole stops, and save as many photos.
handling
Yes, indeed, the Olympus E-P1 is no dial for focus or iris. And so I run here on in positive characteristics? At first I also thought that I could annoy the always first having to press any buttons to change aperture or shutter speed and exposure compensation can. But I was quickly reassured: It's not bugged. On the contrary, it happened to me already in the E-620 or even in the GF1 (rarely) that I accidentally pressed the dial and thus unintentionally had a little to. That does not happen in PL1. And the operation is really quite simple, even without a wheel: you press the button once on OK and can then adjust with the four arrow keys to OK around aperture and exposure time (depending on the mode in which you are). If you forget that in the beginning, no problem, the monitor displays the relevant ads, small arrows, which button to press for what must be. Is actually simpler than it sounds. Personally I let the camera almost always in the mode "A" (ie, aperture priority, and thus automatic mode), and regulated by two or three mouse clicks from time to time by the aperture and exposure. So I can take the most time on the essential focus, namely on the photo or on the image and the image. And the Auto ISO, the upper limit I usually set to ISO 1000, the rest
Another beautiful creation done for a correctly exposed photo is the live histogram and the live-exposure warning (if selected) the failure exposed areas of the image highlighted. This is done in real time (!), And looks something like this as we know it from the playback mode of most cameras ago. Thus, the technique "Expose to the right" easy. By the way, the monitor back on the PL1 perhaps not so big as on other cameras today be sold, but it is sufficiently clear, bright and sharp, so the move a perfect control of the images is possible. With three quick keystrokes you can zoom in, for example, to 5-fold increase in the photo and check the sharpness. Otherwise offers the usual PL1 all play modes with histogram display, etc. Overall, I can with the PL1 after turning off all useless for me shoot automatic modes as well as I used it with a "large" DSLR am.
Since the latest firmware update, the AF speed is not increased. Of course, the PL1 no sports action cam, but with practice it is enough for a quick snapshot with children or dogs who do not play all the time still. Anyway, I'm at the speed of the camera initially satisfied, even if it is still better. But the AF meets his goal very reliable and is not looking around for ever, unless you shoot the proverbial black carbon in the dark night cellar with defective lighting.
wonderful, I find that Olympus has finally built a little flash into the PL1. As can be seen in the adjacent image you can flash that even with a little practice, "bounce", ie you hold it with one finger pointing upwards, so that he can shine against a white ceiling, get out of there to fall back on his subjects, so that the light is very soft and there are no ugly harsh flash shadows. It works despite the relatively low strength of the small slave flash in many situations very well. Otherwise you can use on a conventional hot shoe, clip, or a radio trigger, as I have done over the weekend during a portrait shoot. Here I used the manual mode, in which even up to speeds of 1 / 200 second the external flash sync still could (contrary to the statement of 1 / 160 seconds as "official" flash sync speed for PL1, this is true only for the internal flash). From 1 / 250 second, you watch but at the lower Edge the dark cap. If you have a flash with Olympus Super-FP High Speed Sync is used, you could still get much faster times, you are finally connected with the PL1 a complete system.
The Olympus system
This brings me to the point of my last great modern hymn of praise to the PL1: The full lens compatibility with the FT lenses from Olympus. All my lenses, I have connected via the FT-MFT adapters work perfectly, even my great-Panasonic Leica 14-150mm. Perhaps they are not quite as fast as in the latest FT-cameras, and the C-AF does not work, but they work properly with the S-AF, and thus the PL1 as a backup body for example a suitable E-620. It is also a great advantage, that just need the E-620 and PL1 the same battery and the same charger. We are always pleased when you can easily exchange accessories.
conclusion of the positive points:
I probably have forgotten still advantages of the camera because it has very many! The video function as I have not even mentioned, but I use the time more as fun in between, or for recording audio impressions or short interviews. I see at least in many cases no longer grounds, lugging a giant equipment when the PL1 with a few hundred grams in weight and a small dent in the pocket finally delivers the same quality, but much more fun. And alone with the Panasonic Pancake at the PL1 and the absence of much zoom range I have gained so much creativity, as I had not thought possible. The GF1 was good, but with the built-in image stabilizer, built-in flash and even better image quality for me PL1 nose right at the front. But I digress
starting again, the comparison will follow later with GF1. Until then, I can now (even without mentioning the negative points), the Olympus E-P1 recommend without hesitation, especially since it together right now with the 14-42mm kit lens already for 500, - € is to be had (for the relevant post order).
You might have noticed that I love this tiny little camera ... And what about you? Post your opinion into the comments, please! Thanks.
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