Olympus Pen EP-1 Launches in UK Next Week

#1 Gary Denness

I'm not convinced the camera is hitting the shelves on 25th June. I could be wrong, but other sites are suggesting September. Jessops appear to only be taking pre orders.

Also, Olympus have a testers program yet to start - that would seem pointless if the camera were already out.

10:53 am - Friday, June 19, 2009

#2 Eric

It's launch event, I don't think Olympus or Jessops have said it's actually going to be in stock.

12:16 pm - Friday, June 19, 2009

#3 andy

I have it on good authority that Jessops will have a small quantity of units for sale with the free pen.

4:19 pm - Thursday, June 25, 2009

#4 Bernard

The Ep-1 stands on the verge of being the perfect street camera. Unfortunately it came with an external optical viewfinder and that, only for the 17mm(???) lense.

I had hoped they would have included an Electronic Viewfinder, external or otherwise. Now it seems they will. Hopefully, it will have the resolution of the Panasonic G1 viewfinder and provide frame lines for their exclusive "square format" capability. Then, I think the Ep-1 will be unbeatable. Now, how will I save up to buy this camera???

7:37 pm - Saturday, July 11, 2009

#5 bernard

By the way, I dont get the 17mm(34mm) lense. For street use, a 14mm(28mm) lense is the best. I have been shooting the street for years and once I got 14mm capability in the G1 I have been in heaven - especially in view of the very low distortion in this lense. It allow for great compositions when shooting close, though because of its wide angle it sometime includes a little too much.

The classic focal lengths for the street are 50mm, 35mm and 28mm. Some people like a 24mm lense but when I see what 28mm can do a 24mm seems more like a novelty lense than a serious tool for creating good compact compositions. If Olympus can produce a 28mm lense (14mm digital) that has no distortion I will have to save up for that too somehow.

7:46 pm - Saturday, July 11, 2009

#6 Bernard

The reason I am so interested in seeing Olympus provide framelines for their square format in their electronic viewfinder is that I want to shoot square format with a wide lense. I think the potential for really original and exciting pictures is very high with such a combination.

7:52 pm - Saturday, July 11, 2009

#7 Bernard

And... Including image stabilization in the body is real homerun for Olympus. I would trade-in my Panasonic G1 for an EP-1 that had framelines for square format.

Pansonic really dropped the ball when they put image stabilization in their lenses instead of the body. Big, big, mistake.

For some reason, camera manufacturers dont think you need image stabilization for wide angle lenses. Another mistake. Instead of making decisions like that for users, why dont they just put stabilization in the body. Maybe tyhey make more money selling stabilization in their lenses. If so, very greedy...and not user friendly

7:57 pm - Saturday, July 11, 2009

#8 MK @ Photography Blog

For anyone who is interested, Peter Burian just published a nice review of the EP-1 over on Photocrati (http://www.photocrati.com/olympus-e-p1-review-field-test-report/). Like a previous commenter here, Peter also notes the absence of a viewfinder... but gives the EP-1 pretty high marks anyway.

4:49 pm - Monday, July 13, 2009

#9 PeterKBurian

Thanks for posting the note about my E-P1 review at http://www.photocrati.com

I have also posted larger versions of some of my images at http://picasaweb.google.com/pkburian/BURIANOLYMPUSEP1#

Click on the magnifiying glass icon for an enlarged view.

Cheers! Peter Burian in Toronto

1:14 pm - Friday, July 17, 2009

#10 Bernard

Very nice review and pictures Peter. I cant imagine how the lack of a viewfinder can be overcome though. As good as the EP-1 is, I simply cant justify buying one that doesnt have a viewfinder. It just doesnt work. Holding a camera out at arms length to take a picture is simply unjustifiable.

That being said, there is no doubt the EP-1 is close to being the best digital street camera so far. With Nikon producing a camera with auto-focus in the lense instead of in the body, the EP-1 makes Nikon look completely clueless and Canon's G10 seems almost pre-historic. In its current configuration the EP-1 is clearly a fabulous little camera. Your review and your excellent pictures have certainly done it justice.

1:05 pm - Saturday, July 18, 2009

#11 PeterKBurian

Thanks for your kind comment, Bernard.

Olympus really wanted to keep the camera small and sleek so no electronic viewfinder. I suppose the technology exists to provide a zooming optical finder that would work well with some lenses, but that would have made the E-P1 more expensive.

Some people will prefer a camera with built-in lens and viewfinder like the Canon G10 that I reviewed at http://www.shutterbug.com/.../compact_digicams/0509digicams/

But the E-P1 is far more handsome and more versatile re: lenses AND provides *much* better image quality at ISO 400 and above. And the accessory flash is very nice!

Cheers! Peter http://www.peterkburian.com

1:22 pm - Saturday, July 18, 2009

#12 Bernard

I have never suggested that the EP-1 should have an optical viewfinder. Quite the opposite and I wholly applaud Olympuses approach to a hot shoe viewfinder. I also think that an EVF on the hot shoe is quite possible. And Olympus seems to be heading in that direction. I also have no doubt that if Olymopus does introduce a hot shoe EVF it will be a good one. Among other things, you could provide framelines for Olympuses square format - something I consider a huge bonus. Olympuses square format is a huge advantage one that they have to exploit if it is going to have any meaning at all. Otherwise it will end up being nothing more than a rarely used novelty.

My whole point concerning a viewfinder for the EP-1 is that it is possible to provide an EVF version for the hot shoe. If Olympus can provide such an EVF with the resolving power of the Panasonic G1 viewfinder then that would be a real knock-out. In any case, as much resolution in the EVF as possible is probably Olympuses aim.

As for a built-in viewfinder, it is unneccessary. A hot shoe version is quite good enough.

Some people find an EVF to be a sort of sacrilege. But again, when you see the EVF viewfinder used on the PAnasonic G1 you will easily understand the advantages. With a good auto-focus capability, a good EVF is as good as most people need. The Panasonic has allowed me to take some very quick shots that would have been impossible with an optical viewfinder and manual focus. As I have already pointed out in my other comments, I do a lot of street shooting and the Panasonic G1 combination of EVF and autofocus has proven to be a giant step forward in my work.

I really believe that the features on the Panasonis G1 and the fabulous resolution it provides in its images, are good enough for a lot of professional purposes. In fact I believe the G1 and the Ep-1 with a hot shoe EVF are quite good enough for professional use in street photography. Some Magnum photographers use equipment similar to these two cameras, and in my humble opinion and in respect to your excellent photography Peter, I think you might agree that Magnum photographers are among the best.

2:28 pm - Saturday, July 18, 2009

#13 PeterKBurian

Bernard: You are one of the few to suggest that a viewfinder is not essential. (I'm still not sure how I personally feel; I guess I could get used to the lack of a finder since I would still use my digital SLR for many purposes.) But sure, for street photography, Live View is definitely preferable.

The 17mm lens (34mm equivalent) comes with an optical finder. Naturally, this type of accessory would not be suitable for zoom lenses.

......If Olympus can provide such an EVF with the resolving power of the Panasonic G1 viewfinder then that would be a real knock-out...... Agreed, but I doubt that Panasonic would let Olympus use theirs, so highly unlikely. (The G series cameras use a finder that employs technology developed for Panasonic's pro camcorders.)

....quite good enough for professional use in street photography.... Absolutely! A friend who is a pro Travel photographer had been using a Ricoh camera with built-in lens (and a tiny sensor). The E-P1 with 17mm lens would be perfect for him.

Cheers! Peter

3:08 pm - Saturday, July 18, 2009

#14 Bernard

I agree Peter. There is no replacement for an optical viewfinder on cameras in an SLR though the Panasonic G1 is an interesting configuration. In any case, optical viewfinders are preferable in most SLR's certainly it would be idiotic to put an EVF on something like the Canon MKIII.

I agree that your Travel photographer friend could be very happy with the EP-1 - external optical viewfinder with the 17mm lense. While I prefer 14mm(28mm film), a 17mm is still pretty good though not enough to make me buy. I have been much too spoiled by the G1's 14mm (almost distortion free) capability. But I repeat, the EP-1 with 17mm and the hot shoe optical finder is a good choice.

Finally, with all I have said about Olympuses external EVF for the EP-1, I forgot the critical importance of a diopter. Hope they can do it!

Now with all this talk, I have begun to see Panasonic and Olympus as more technologically innovative than the big guns like Canon and Nikon. They strike me now as more intent on pushing consumers into increasingly expensive configurations. Very corporate - not nice!

I have met many Canon and Nikon users who have lost that original sense of pride and satisfaction with owning their equipment. Obviously my friends are not a representative sample but the issue of image stabilization is no small matter for these people. To make matters worse, the few number of good Canon and Nikon lenses that have low distortion and that include 14mm capability AND that also have image stabilization is quite a disappointing and frustrating experience for these people.

Not only do I see Panasonic and Olympus as more innovative but they seem much more responsive and respectful of users. The only weak point there is Panasonics use of image stabilization in its G1 lenses. I am sure there are good arguments for it, but instead of buying a second G1 I am now waiting for Olympus to produce an EVF for the EP1 and then it would have to provide framelines for the square format -so, with image stabilization already in the EP1 body - well there would just be no equal on the market. And, I would feel a much stronger sense of loyalty to Olympus for appearing to be much more responsive and apparently more considerate and respectful of consumers.

I read your review of the Canon G10. Very good. But you and Dpreview have noted the problems that the G10 has over ISO100. I shoot in Ottawa where at high noon, on the many cloudy days you get here, you need at least ISO400 and sometimes even ISO800 to take any shots at all. And the optical viewfinder on the G10 with its absurd 85% view makes the camera completely useless for me - it is almost as if Canon wanted to sabotage their G10. They could not have done worse and when Olympus comes out with a hot shoe EVF for the EP-1, well, why produce a G10 at all?

I know this sounds harsh and there are many enthusiastic G10 owners - the G10 can take some great shots - but I was so looking forward to Canon producing a good street camera that its shortcomings simply left me very disappointed. Again, the issue that made it worse for me was the apparent complete failure on Canon's part to show even the least degree of user responsiveness in their design. Olympus accomplished that sort of responsiveness on the first try.

Is it really that hard to put consumers needs first?

5:24 pm - Saturday, July 18, 2009

#15 PeterKBurian

Bernard: Well, the best thing is that Panasonic and Olympus are keeping the other manufacturers on their toes.

I'm not sure a hot shoe EVF is feasible, however. (What would you do if you decided to mount the flash unit?) No idea what Olympus is planning to do re: a viewfinder on a future model.

Yes, high ISO quality is the weak link in the G10. And sure, the viewfinder problem is really surprsing.

Of course, I am constantly testing new cameras, so I never use the same camera for months and months. If I did, then the weak link in any model would be more likely to drive me crazy.

Cheers! Peter in Toronto

10:56 pm - Saturday, July 18, 2009

#16 Bernard

Well I see your point of course about the hot shoe EVF. But it would be a simple matter to slip in the flash and compose on the LCD -not something I look forward to but a minor inconvenience. One alternative or one addition Olympus could make would be to offer optical hot shoe finders for each of their prime lenses. One for 14mm, and one for a 25mmm lense. It adds more to the cost and its a lot more awkward, but I personally wouldnt mind. Of course they would have to include framelines for square format. And there is always the ability to produce a single hot shoe viewfinder with framelines for more than one focal length. It could be done and I'll leave the details up to Olympus.

It would be a step back into nostalgia. After all, some of the great photographers worked not very differently from that configuraton. We tend to forget there was a time when there were no zoom lenses. It was not unusual for photographers to set out with just a single lense. I know of one quite famous photogrpaher who would even go out to do a fashion shoot with only a 21mm on his leica for the whole day.

A photographer could learn a lot from using only a single lense for a whole day.

7:36 am - Sunday, July 19, 2009

#17 Steve

I'm a total convert. I bought the Olympus after a lot of "should I, shouldn't I" thinking. I also wanted HD video with zooming possible during shooting. Buying the Pen was the best decision. The pictures are great, the HD video is superb and the camera is very easy to use through nearly all of its functions. I'm now saving to buy some more lenses. I'm not sure I'll ever need another camera unless I loose this one or it gets nicked. Also, it looks great. Go get one.

8:20 pm - Monday, December 21, 2009