classic (played out?) question EP1 or GF1

[iZac]

I'm by no means a camera buff, but I’m looking to get a 'prosumer' camera to help take some better images. It doesn’t have to be pocketable, since I carry my satchel around with me most of the time anyway, so I was looking at the micro four thirds offerings from Olympus and Panasonic, namely the EP1 and the GF1. I'm sure this debate has ravaged on many times before, so I apologise for treading old ground. I have a budget of ~£600 and would use it mostly for architectural images, landscapes and a few casual snaps of friends.

Now i should also explain that I’m horribly superficial and only leaned toward a micro four thirds since i saw Olympus' awesome concept But my friend took a few shots of me with his Pentax something-or-other a while ago and I was amazed by the depth and quality of a dslr over my crappy point and shoot. I also perhaps feel a full dslr would be a bit too bulky for me, and for the casual shots I might take with my camera, they can be a bit intimidating to the subject.


All that said, what do you think, EP1 or GF1 or something totally different? Any left-field suggestions are more than welcome, but bear in mind my budget and shallow nature

 

[First tee]

Micro 4/3

I have a GF1 and love it.

My suggestion is that you should spend some time looking through the micro 4/3 forum at dpreview. I think you will learn a lot about what people like and don't like.

 

[El Cabong]

What do you currently have, and what do you like/not like about it?

In a nutshell, the GF1 is more responsive (better autofocus => less shutter lag) and has a built-in flash, but has no built-in image stabilization, while the E-P1 is slower and has no built-in flash, but has built-in image stabilization. You'd probably want to go with the one with a flash (the upcoming E-PL1, a smaller version of the E-P1, will have a flash built in). I'd personally go with the GF1 for its looks (shallow!) and the above-mentioned features. I like the second control dial on the E-P1 (the E-PL1 won't have it), but that shouldn't matter as much to someone coming from point-and-shoots.

 

[G.T.]

I'm by no means a camera buff, but I’m looking to get a 'prosumer' camera to help take some better images. It doesn’t have to be pocketable, since I carry my satchel around with me most of the time anyway, so I was looking at the micro four thirds offerings from Olympus and Panasonic, namely the EP1 and the GF1. I'm sure this debate has ravaged on many times before, so I apologise for treading old ground. I have a budget of ~£600 and would use it mostly for architectural images, landscapes and a few casual snaps of friends.

Now i should also explain that I’m horribly superficial and only leaned toward a micro four thirds since i saw Olympus' awesome concept But my friend took a few shots of me with his Pentax something-or-other a while ago and I was amazed by the depth and quality of a dslr over my crappy point and shoot. I also perhaps feel a full dslr would be a bit too bulky for me, and for the casual shots I might take with my camera, they can be a bit intimidating to the subject.


All that said, what do you think, EP1 or GF1 or something totally different? Any left-field suggestions are more than welcome, but bear in mind my budget and shallow nature

I have GF1 with 20mm lens, its really good. I had the same dilemma as you
apparently reviews suggest the PEN is much slower with focusing.

My devianart has some example shots see sig.

 

[toxic]

as El Cabong said, it's basically a choice between image stabilization or faster AF. coming from a point-&-shoot, the E-P1 AF is probably still an improvement, but the GF1 is much closer to SLR-quick AF...with certain lenses. Panasonic developed the technology for faster AF in a mirrorless camera, but I dunno if they'll be sharing it with other manufacturers.

another thing to consider is Jpeg processing (I'm assuming you will shoot Jpeg coming from a P&S). the Olympus reputedly has better-looking Jpegs.

DPReview has a comparison between the two in the GF1 review, I think. try looking there.

 

[iZac]

excellent help chaps, most people in this and other threads do seem to be leaning toward the GF1, ill give DPReview a trawl and a lurk as some of you have suggested, although i read somewhere that Panasonic might be announcing something mid march and Sony just unveiled some concept micro four thirds the other day, i might hold out for a month or so, to see if anything new reveals.

Ah yes, El Cabong, i saw the reveal for the E-PL1 the other day and although it adds a flip-up flash like the GF1, it feels a bit like the EP1s special brother.

Of note, my P&S is so old and nasty, I'm rather too embarrassed to mention it. Suffice to say either of them will feel like black magic compared to it.

 

[iZac]

Update:

I got the GF1 with the 14-45 mm lens, since i think for what i'm going to do with it, its a bit more versatile. £550 plus a £50 rebate which ill have to send off soon. I'm very happy with it so far, learning how it works - now ill have to find something to take a picture of!

Coming from a P&S, the shots seem lightning fast!