| Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF | |
|
|
|
Olympus PEN E-PL1 12.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (Slate Blue) | 
| Brand: Olympus
Buy New: Too low to display
as of 3/18/2010 07:14 CDT details
New (14)
Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 10013
Color: Slate Blue
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Includes Software: Yes
Optical Zoom: 3
Connectivity: AV
Maximum Resolution: 12300000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6 x 4.4
MPN: E-PL1 Slate Blue Kit
Model: E-PL1 Slate Blue Kit
UPC: 050332173255
EAN: 0050332173255
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Pre-Order (0-0 Business Days)
| |
| Features:
| • | 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens digital camera; Micro Four Thirds format | | • | Includes 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 digital zoom lens; features built-in flash | | • | 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD with Live View function; Continuous Autofocus (C-AF) tracking system | | • | Capture HD video with high-quality audio; new "Direct Button" for easy recording | | • | New Live Guide interface simplifies great photography; capture images to SD/SDHC cards (not included) |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
12.3-megapixel effective recording * Four Thirds-type Live MOS image sensor (17.3 x 13.0 mm) * 14-42mm M. Zuiko Digital ED f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens (35mm equivalent focal length: 28-84mm) * 3X optical zoom * high-def movie mode (up to 720p) with sound and manual exposure control * dedicated record button instantly puts you into movie mode * 2-11/16" LCD screen with Live View for composing shots in real-time * in-body image stabilization compensates for camera shake (works with any attached lens) * 11-point autofocus system with AF tracking for rapid, precise autofocusing with moving subjects * face-detection autofocus (up to 8 faces) for sharp, clear portraits and group shots * six preset art filters allow creative movie or still image effects, including Diorama, Soft Focus, Pop Art, Pin Hole, and Grainy Film * built-in pop-up flash with wireless control for compatible external Olympus flashes * AVI movie files (Motion JPEG) up to 1280 x 720 resolution at 30 frames per second with built-in mono microphone *
|
| Customer Reviews:
 A Nice Camera But A Bit of A Mixed Bag March 6, 2010
B. Fuller (United States)
6 out of 10 found this review helpful
What do you get when you take Olympus PEN and mix it with a stripper (Of course I mean someone who strips features from a camera). You get the E-PL1 camera which is a little bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand you have one of the best versions of the m4/3 sensor to date. From what I have read it is better than both the E-P1 and E-P2 sensors. It is hard to tell the difference at normal screen and printing resolutions and I take a picture at its whole and don't pixel peep so I cannot verify that. What I can say is this camera is capable of producing world class images. Additionally, this camera has the Olympus JPEG engine which is regarded in the business as one of the best. This camera is also relatively small and light and includes a fill flash. Additionally, it has image stabilization (IS) built into the camera. It is not pocketable and the size of this camera has more to do with the lens that it is wearing then the actual camera itself.
On the other hand, you have a camera that is slow to focus. It appears to me that it zooms to infinity (and beyond) and then catches the focus on its way back in. If you are taking pictures of forever-in-motion kids you can be sure you will miss quite a few decisive moments. Additionally, this camera lacks the most important camera control there is. This is the control wheel used to change exposure, aperture, and shutter settings in a quick efficient manner. Instead this camera uses buttons which is an unwieldy way of making these changes. Most higher end Point and Shoot (P+S) cameras have some version of this control wheel. I think anyone transitioning to this camera from a DSLR or high end P+S will be frustrated by this. I've seen this billed as a good thing as there are less controls to get confused over. That may be so but all m4/3 cameras can be used as point and shoot by just keeping in the intelligent Auto(iA) mode. This simplifies the menu options and takes great pictures a majority of the time.
I think for anyone who wants to step up from a P+S to take better Image Quality pictures but plans to stay in the iA mode 90% of the time, then this camera will serve you well and will take some amazing images. Just remember P+S type focusing speed.
Anyone, who has a E-P1or E-P2 who want a sensors with a weaker Anti-Aliasing filter (i.e. less detail lost to the AA filter) and a fill flash will enjoy this camera for the IQ but will probably be frustrated with the loss of the control wheel
Anyone either stepping up from a high end P+S such as the LX3, S90, or G11 will be impressed with the images, but not blown away by the difference, unimpressed with the P+S focus performance, and frustrated in the P, A, S or M shooting modes. Additionally, you will be unimpressed with the bigger size of the camera but will enjoy the flexibility if your budget includes other lenses.
Anyone, getting this as a second carry around camera to a DSLR, will be happy with the smaller size and weight but unhappy with the slower performance. And frustrated by the clumsy controls but happy with the video capabilities.
If you don't need or want the video, don't mind IS in the lens instead of the camera, and can put up with a slight decrease in you IQ, ISO, and JPEG performance, then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Red) offers many upgrades at the same price (Integrated 1.4mp EVF, Swivel Screen, 460k screen, Grip for bigger lenses, faster focus performance, etc)
For the same price, the newly announced G10 matches the E-PL1 with video, and new processing engine (cross your fingers for a JPEG improvement). Additionally, it has a 2kp EVF (I'm not sure how useful that will be), a grip, a control wheel, a 1/4000 shutter speed and faster focus performance. It does not have in-camera IS.
For those planning on getting the EVF at some point or with an ~$200 greater budget, check out the newly announced G2. Take the G1, add 720P 60/50fps video, an improved processing engine, a new dial to change focusing modes, touch screen controls that look to work as slick as an iPhone, and touch screen focus, and you have a really really nice full featured camera.
Finally, if you don't need interchangeable lenses or don't plan on buying any more lenses and you don't mind a degradation of IQ, then the Canon S90, Canon G11, and Panasonic LX3(Leica D-Lux 4) are easier to carry around everywhere (especially the S90) and are cheaper(the gap will close when the price of this camera falls).
Here is a quick list of pros and cons of the E-PL1
Pros
The best Olympus implementation of the m4/3 sensor
One of the best JPEG engines in the business
Relatively small and light
Built in flash
In camera Image Stabilization(IS)
Price (The cheapest m4/3 yet)
Optional EVF (A very nice 1.4mp unit but very pricy at $279)
Its available
Nice build quality
Cons
Slow Autofocus (Panasonic has this figured out. Olympus, not so much)
Missing Control Wheel slows down aperture, shutter, and exposure changes
Only 230k screen?!
1/2000 shutter speed?! A lot of P+S go to 1/4000
Locking lens is annoying to deploy and stow
Overall
A competent and nice camera that will take stunning images. Slow autofocus and clunky controls will make this camera frustrating to many people.
 Olympus is setting micro 4/3 backwards March 10, 2010
K. Duro (No Cal)
6 out of 20 found this review helpful
I had high hopes for this camera. I brought no bias into this purchase/evaluation, as a mater of fact. I anticipated this camera, but was only slightly concerned about the low res smaller LCD in the back. However, once I got it in the mail, I opened it and was struck by its over-all small size. Although I do have manly hands, they are not huge- and this camera was a little on the small side for me. The LCD in the back did look too small, and once I started using it, it became an issue that I could not overlook. The auto-focus points and timing were flakey, and the screen fluctuated back and forth from bright to dim every time I tried to take a shot. Additionally, the resolution on this LCD is lower than most good point and shoot, (230K 2.7 inch Vs 3 inch 460K)- and the irony is that micro four-thirds LCD is supposed to be state of the art- whereby- the lens optics is supposed to be brought to this screen- you know- as a viewfinder. I am a little insulted that Olympus decided to keep such low resolution for this smaller screen- especially when you need to depend on it for your shots, it is an essential and fundamental aspect of the 4/3 camera- so why cheap out?!
The kit lens is plasticly-- but it does retract which is nice for stowing. I was a little concerned about the autofocus initially, so I brought it over to Samy's and compared it to the Panasonic GF1- side by side. The guy who was helping me was a rep for Olympus years back, so He was happy to see an Olympus customer. However, his enthusiasm was shallow in light of the comparison right in front of me. The GF1 killed the Olympus- I was soon overcome with the feeling that I bought the wrong camera. THe more photos I took, the more I fell in love with the GF1, but I was torn from buyers remorse.
I think that Olympus made a mistake and possibly set the micro 4/3 camera category back 2 years with this attempt to cheapen the design and cutting corners. In this economy- companies should be trying to give people more for their money, not less. Not withstanding the fancy-smancey art filters-effect- I still felt like I was playing around with a Sony camera that was desperately trying to justify the $600. (besides, these fancy effects made the handling tricky and time consuming) I am insulted by this tact. I don' know if I will forgive Olympus for trying this marketing ploy/strategy- and don't misunderstand me-- this camera was designed by the marketing department, and not the engineers, or real photographers.
I know that most reviews you read on the internet are laden with bias, and extremes- and that you can hardly believe anything that anybody says anymore. My 27 inch iMac for instance. I was terrified to buy one because of all the gadget geeks were screaming about the screen failures-- But I ignored them and finally bought one. I love this mac- and feel abused by all the idiot chatter.
So, what do I think about this camera- I felt ripped off, and that I had nothing but an expensive bulked up point and shoot that could not hold a candle to the Panasonic GF1- and for the extra $150- I went ahead and bought the GF1 - while getting a refund from this camera. Olympus has a long way to go before I will ever look at there stuff again...
Do yourself a favor, Save your money and look past the slick ads or brown nosing Digital review bloggers... apply your own critical thinking, and handle the camera for yourself next to the Panasonic GF1 before you buy.... nuff said!
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. - | |
