Engadget Takes on the Olympus PEN E-P3

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/29/olympus-pen-e-p3-micro-four-thirds-camera-review/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/29/...-camera-review/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Olympus' PEN line has been a beautiful one from the start, but one that found itself out of consideration for many due to the poor value proposition. Even the newest PEN E-P3 isn't a bargain; at $900 with a somewhat versatile 14-42mm lens, it's well north of most entry-level DSLRs, and on-par with many mid-rangers. So, is it really worth splurging on a slightly more compact frame, devilishly good looks and "the world's fastest autofocus system?" Read on for our take."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1315365582.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>As a Panasonic GF-1 owner, I've found myself peering over the fence and looking at the Olympus micro 4/3rds cameras lately. I've been looking for an upgrade to my GF-1, but the direction that Panasonic is going with the GF series isn't very appealing to me. I like the manual controls and buttons; I don't want just a point and shoot camera with a better sensor. One thing's for sure though: the above image showing a small body camera with a large lens is the kind of thing I want to avoid.</p><p>I'd actually be happy to give up the ability to change lenses entirely if I could get a camera like the GF-1 that had a slender 18mm to 55mm focal range (or thereabouts). Yeah, I know, I should just buy a Nikon P7100 or a Canon G12...</p>

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Engadget should stop reviewing cameras. Or get better really quickly.

[marlof]

You're quite right, the usual Engadget camera review shows only one thing: they don't know what they're talking about.

Jason, you probably want to wait a bit until the X power zoom lens is available. From Engadget: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/26/panasonic-shrinks-its-micro-four-thirds-lenses-launches-x-serie/

[Jason Dunn]

Engadget should stop reviewing cameras. Or get better really quickly.

I don't disagree, though I wonder if their style of reviewing cameras is what average buyers can easily grasp...as in, the kind of reviews that more serious photographers enjoy wouldn't fly with the average users.

[Jason Dunn]

Jason, you probably want to wait a bit until the X power zoom lens is available.

The 14-42mm lens looks decent, but starting at f/3.5 is unappealing. My GF1 is pretty awful above ISO 800, so a fast lens is a must for keeping things in check. It would be hard to go from an f/1.8 to a f/3.5 to f/5.6. Bleh. So many compromises in photography...I guess that's part of the "fun". :rolleyes:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

I don't disagree, though I wonder if their style of reviewing cameras is what average buyers can easily grasp...as in, the kind of reviews that more serious photographers enjoy wouldn't fly with the average users.

Except I don't think they do that really well even. Plus, at that level, do you really need this kind of review? I think a good review aimed at casual buyers should seek to educate a bit, and not pander at their level.

The 14-42mm lens looks decent, but starting at f/3.5 is unappealing. My GF1 is pretty awful above ISO 800, so a fast lens is a must for keeping things in check. It would be hard to go from an f/1.8 to a f/3.5 to f/5.6. Bleh. So many compromises in photography...I guess that's part of the "fun". :rolleyes:

Fast glass is large and heavy (and expensive), hard to get around it. I've learnt to get used to hauling 4kg of gear on a shoulder. ;)