Wed 17 Jun 2009
Olympus E-P1 vs the Panasonic GH1
Posted by Prakash under Photography
[8] Comments
Olympus just released its Micro Four Thirds camera the Olympus E-P1. It was Panasonic which introduced this concept by doing away with the Prism, thereby reducing the size of the camera and now Olympus is following suit.
Enough of technology, what does all this mean?
This means that you can have a small camera with inter-changeable lenses.
Whats I like about this camera:
- 12 MP Camera
- 3 inches LCD screen
- High Definition video recording with stereo sound
- Built in Image Stabilisation
- HDMI port
- Support for SD Memory, makes it easy to swap memory with other consumer devices. Thank god the xD format is gone
- Adaptor for four third and older Olympus lenses, so you can use your existing lenses
- Support upto 30 min exposure for those long exposures
- Metalic Body
- Good quality lenses
- Dust reduction system
- Audio recording to have your notes narrations
- Art Filter for more creativity
- Better compatibility with other 4/3rd lenses.
What I don’t like:
No Viewfinder? Come on Olympus, you know photographers better than anyone else. I like using the LCD but in certain conditions, such as when there is too much light, the LCD can’t be seen and thats when the viewfinder comes to your rescue.
However there is an optional viewfinder available if you must.
No Built In Flash. Which means you can’t use it for indoor evening parties. You do have optional flashes at additional costs. However you can’t use flash and optical finder at same time, as they both sit into the same slot.
Comparison with Panasonic GH1
Olympus Advantage
- Image Stabilisation
- Metalic Body
Panasonic Advantage
- Electronic View Finder
- Built in Flash
- Faster Auto Focus
- Vari-angle LCD, which means the LCD can be moved around to take the difficult shots.
- 1080p video recording vs 720p of Olympus
Here is more stuff from DPReview.
43rumors was the first to report this camera, and has lots of more information.
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OHMYGOD I can imagine the magic we’re going to create together. We meaning me, EP-1, 17mm f/2.8, and FL-36
I find myself using the viewfinder less these days. It takes a bit of practise to look at the real action in front of you rather than through something. Anyway, the add-on viewfinder isn’t going to be accurate, and it’s precisely the thing that was traded off to achieve this incredible form factor.
Built-in Flash – even amateurs don’t use this evil thing anymore. Seems like the perfect time to buy an FL-36 flash (even though I have FL-50.)
It may be using normal SD card but bad habits die hard. In their earlier models only cards
supplied by Olympus would work. Of course these cost twice as much!!!
If by chance you formatted the card externally it would no longer work with the Camera. I would not put it past them to repeat this restriction.
Are you saying Olympus has better Image Stabilization. I own the Panasonic G1 and the stabilization is awesome.
The E-P1 has certainly come up with very promsing developments:
The high ISO performance is a jump that would make any user happy.
I wouldn’t worry so much about the missing viewfinder – after all the camera is targeted not as a replacement for the DSLR user.
the missing built-in flash .. well if the camera is producing very good noise performances at ISO of 1600 or even 3200 and coupled with a lens like the 17mm 2.8 it should be able to handle low light conditions with ease.
The Raw files downloaded and processed in the Olympus Master(so far the only RAW processor for these files)are more than good for a camera that is so compact and carry-able anytime and anywhere.
I’d think it makes an easy add on camera for those who already posses the 4/3 system lenses which could add a lot of high quality optics for their everyday shoots when the big heavy DSLR’s are not really required.
The only factor that can hold back most Indian buyers is the cost (about 45k INR)- But time will tell.
Hi,
I am planning to buy this product in india, can you please give me the following info?
1. Since it is for medical photography, I have to attach the body to another device which has its own lens system. Will the camera body work or will it always look for the lens?
2.do you know any dealer in india?
Thanks a lot.
Govind Raj
The Panasonic GH1 also comes with an image stabilized lens(14-140mm).
The E-P1 seems like an incomplete camera.
The GH-1 is perfect for those who want great pictures and Broadcast Quality(almost) videos.
I haven’t shot anything with my Canon G10 since I got the Olympus, the E-P1 fits in my backpack. I can’t wait for two things with it: 1) get my hands on the 17mm f/2,8 and 2) get a Raw profile for it in Adobe Camera Raw. In the meantime, I’m going to continue to put this camera through its paces and report along the way. Also I noticed this product fits on the E-P1. Flipout screen???
http://flipbac.com/Olympus-E-P1-LCD-protector-viewfinder-flipbac.htm
GH1 is still not available in India. I doubt it will be launched here or not. If I am getting it from UK or Singapore(PAL), there will be no warranty… don’t know what to do. please suggest.