Opinions on Olympus PEN

Pickers · 28-12-2010, 14:31

Having resparked a bit of interest in photography, there are mutterings around me of the benfits of the Olympus PEN.

Has anyone used one and if so, what opinions have they formed? Im not sure I can see whats so revolutionary about it (above other compact system cameras I mean) and would love to hear some of your opinions, so, lets open the discussion!!

petemc · 28-12-2010, 17:07

Its basically a low end DSLR in a smaller body, more like a range finder. The sensor is larger than a compact sensor so noise isn't as much of an issue at higher ISO's. Meaning you can shoot in lower light with better results than a compact. I'd say the noise performance is on par with a Nikon D40/60.

Interchangeable lenses too. Don't get that on compacts.

I have a Panasonic GF1 which is ace. I'd look at that too. They use the same mount so lenses are interchangeable. Get the 20mm f/1.7 as its brilliant and will let you shoot anything from landscape to portrait.

http://craigmod.com/journal/gf1-fieldtest/

Jonny69 · 28-12-2010, 23:59

I really like the concept of the Pen but I was a bit disappointed with it. First - because it doesn't have a viewfinder and I'm used to using a viewfinder and second - it felt very cheap and plasticy for the price. Same with the new Sony shameless copy.

For low light conditions I was knocked off my feet with how well the new Canon compacts cope. I thought it was my skill and steady hand but, alas, it was the camera

Matblack · 29-12-2010, 10:14

My father is considering the PEN but I have encouraged him to do some more research on the GF1/2 and the G1/2 as I have read that these are better products.

He is coming from an IXUS and their cameras are used a lot of holiays (they go away a few times a year and often to quite exotic places (recently came back from Nepal and off to Iceland next year).

We're quite settled on the GF but the reports on the GF2 are a bit variably with some saying it's an improvement and others saying its a step back as far as versitility but as they aren't coming from a SLR but a simple compact I don't think they will be all that bothered.

The article you posted was very useful Pete and I find the fact that you have one very encouraging

MB

Jonny69 · 29-12-2010, 11:19

The dpreview site suggests it's gone from a photography enthusiast's camera to more of a consumer item. Reading this review, I think I'd probably agree with that:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcgf2/

Pickers · 29-12-2010, 11:28

Hmm this is all very useful stuff guys; thanks a lot! It seems generally its not looked on as favorably as olympus make out?

petemc · 29-12-2010, 14:35

I have friends with the Pen and the EPL2, smaller Pen with a flash I think. They love them and the recent firmware updates have made the focusing a lot faster. They're solid cameras but I prefer the GF1.

I wouldn't get the GF2. Its smaller and has less hardware buttons. A very odd design as the GF1 was clearly a camera for photographers who don't want to lug around a bag of gear. The new one is very much for consumers. A real shame. Still, the GF1 is cheaper now so thats a plus.

There's a Fuji X100 coming out soon. Fixed lens, aps-c sized sensor (as in nikon d90 / canon 50d size sensor) and it looks stunning.

My samples;

http://www.vanilladays.com/gallery/tag/gf1/
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=gf1&w=72788718%40N00

Jonny69 · 30-12-2010, 14:36

That looks rather like what I might be looking for. F stops round the lens, shutter speed on a click wheel. Hmm. How does one use manual focus on a camera like that then? Are we expecting it to be directly mechanically controlled by the focus ring or fly by wire? How does one see if it's focused through the viewfinder or does one have to revert to the LCD screen for that? Or is that something this 'hybrid' viewfinder is able to tackle?

This is making me want to crack out the old Kodak Retinette.

Edit: too late, I've got it out and I'm playing

petemc · 30-12-2010, 20:18

*shrugs* The GF1 is kinda clever when you manually focus. It zooms in to 100% so you can nail it. Digital cameras just aren't made for MF but it would be nice if the X100 changed that.

28-12-2010, 14:31	#1
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	Opinions on Olympus PEN Having resparked a bit of interest in photography, there are mutterings around me of the benfits of the Olympus PEN. Has anyone used one and if so, what opinions have they formed? Im not sure I can see whats so revolutionary about it (above other compact system cameras I mean) and would love to hear some of your opinions, so, lets open the discussion!! __________________ Pictures

28-12-2010, 17:07	#2
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	Its basically a low end DSLR in a smaller body, more like a range finder. The sensor is larger than a compact sensor so noise isn't as much of an issue at higher ISO's. Meaning you can shoot in lower light with better results than a compact. I'd say the noise performance is on par with a Nikon D40/60. Interchangeable lenses too. Don't get that on compacts. I have a Panasonic GF1 which is ace. I'd look at that too. They use the same mount so lenses are interchangeable. Get the 20mm f/1.7 as its brilliant and will let you shoot anything from landscape to portrait. http://craigmod.com/journal/gf1-fieldtest/ __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station!

28-12-2010, 23:59	#3
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	I really like the concept of the Pen but I was a bit disappointed with it. First - because it doesn't have a viewfinder and I'm used to using a viewfinder and second - it felt very cheap and plasticy for the price. Same with the new Sony shameless copy. For low light conditions I was knocked off my feet with how well the new Canon compacts cope. I thought it was my skill and steady hand but, alas, it was the camera __________________

29-12-2010, 10:14	#4
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	My father is considering the PEN but I have encouraged him to do some more research on the GF1/2 and the G1/2 as I have read that these are better products. He is coming from an IXUS and their cameras are used a lot of holiays (they go away a few times a year and often to quite exotic places (recently came back from Nepal and off to Iceland next year). We're quite settled on the GF but the reports on the GF2 are a bit variably with some saying it's an improvement and others saying its a step back as far as versitility but as they aren't coming from a SLR but a simple compact I don't think they will be all that bothered. The article you posted was very useful Pete and I find the fact that you have one very encouraging MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

29-12-2010, 11:19	#5
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	The dpreview site suggests it's gone from a photography enthusiast's camera to more of a consumer item. Reading this review, I think I'd probably agree with that: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcgf2/ __________________

29-12-2010, 11:28	#6
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	Hmm this is all very useful stuff guys; thanks a lot! It seems generally its not looked on as favorably as olympus make out? __________________ Pictures

29-12-2010, 14:35	#7
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	I have friends with the Pen and the EPL2, smaller Pen with a flash I think. They love them and the recent firmware updates have made the focusing a lot faster. They're solid cameras but I prefer the GF1. I wouldn't get the GF2. Its smaller and has less hardware buttons. A very odd design as the GF1 was clearly a camera for photographers who don't want to lug around a bag of gear. The new one is very much for consumers. A real shame. Still, the GF1 is cheaper now so thats a plus. There's a Fuji X100 coming out soon. Fixed lens, aps-c sized sensor (as in nikon d90 / canon 50d size sensor) and it looks stunning. My samples; http://www.vanilladays.com/gallery/tag/gf1/ http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=gf1&w=72788718%40N00 __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station!

30-12-2010, 14:36	#8
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	That looks rather like what I might be looking for. F stops round the lens, shutter speed on a click wheel. Hmm. How does one use manual focus on a camera like that then? Are we expecting it to be directly mechanically controlled by the focus ring or fly by wire? How does one see if it's focused through the viewfinder or does one have to revert to the LCD screen for that? Or is that something this 'hybrid' viewfinder is able to tackle? This is making me want to crack out the old Kodak Retinette. Edit: too late, I've got it out and I'm playing __________________

30-12-2010, 20:18	#9
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	shrugs The GF1 is kinda clever when you manually focus. It zooms in to 100% so you can nail it. Digital cameras just aren't made for MF but it would be nice if the X100 changed that. __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station!