I searched for an E-PL2 thread, couldn't find one, so thought I'd start my own. This is my second Pen (first was E-PL1), and it is proving to be a nice upgrade.
Overall, I'm impressed with the camera's functionality and quality, especially after remapping a few buttons (nice feature). It's just the right size to keep handy for quick shots or for taking on a trip where I don't want to pack along my 5D and multiple lenses. Love those Olympus colors!
If I could change two things, I would bring back a 100 ISO option and redesign the rear dial. It has to be handled too gently to avoid pushing a button while trying to turn the dial. I did notice that auto white balance can produce different results in sequential shots where the light doesn't change. I always shoot a raw+jpg combination, so this won't be a big problem.
I purchased the Panasonic 20mm lens and VF2 electronic viewfinder as options. Both are great investments if you can afford them after the initial price tag. The viewfinder has great resolution, and the Panny lens speaks for itself in many reviews.
The sample photos below are from this weekend's trip to Reelfoot Lake in northwest Tennessee. They are from jpg's since Lightroom doesn't support the raw files yet (soon I'm sure).
I was so glad to see this because I ordered an E-PL2 yesterday (should have it on Friday at the latest). I had a Panasonic G1 for four months, but found it a struggle to get colors that I like, even with RAW, so I ended up selling it.
I love my 5D, but it's not always practical to bring it. Also, I like to go out with 5D and 35L or 50L. Then I sometimes also bring the tiny Powershot S95 in case I'd need a little more reach or width. S95 is a neat little camera with surprisingly good image quality, but when I use it together with 5D it rarely generates any keepers since the quality difference is just too obvious.
I'm hoping that E-PL2 can both work together with 5D (with the kit zoom or some other zoom) and by itself (with 20/1.7 and a zoom) for really light traveling.
I bashed the m43 some times, saying the best compromise for me is still the APS-C format.
But I'm changing my mind when it comes to hiking, travelling, needing a smallerlighter kit just because.
So I'm thinking about replacing my XSi with the e-pl2 and kit lens (and the Pana 20 in the near future). Can anyone who made this move comment about APS-C versus m43 tradeoffs?
alexandre wrote:
I bashed the m43 some times, saying the best compromise for me is still the APS-C format.
But I'm changing my mind when it comes to hiking, travelling, needing a smallerlighter kit just because.
So I'm thinking about replacing my XSi with the e-pl2 and kit lens (and the Pana 20 in the near future). Can anyone who made this move comment about APS-C versus m43 tradeoffs?
i moved in the opposite direction (from 4/3 to aps-c) but tried out the various µ4/3 options before getting the NEX. you lose a little high iso, a tiny bit dof control, and a little dynamic range/highlight recovery going to µ4/3 from aps-c (you also lose wideness of focal length using alts). you shouldn't lose very much though going from a two generations ago canon and you'll save a lot of space. if you don't plan on using the camera at the edge of it's lowlight capability you really won't notice any iq difference. autofocus is noticeably worse on the olympus µ4/3 cameras versus an entry level dslr, but manual focus is better.
I think the punch and quality of these Olympus jpegs should not be understated. Having owned a G2, GF1, and now the E-PL2 I can tell you this is about the perfect compromise (with the panasonic primes). The files look fantastic right out of the camera, no fuss. That's a huge deal for me. I could not make the Panasonic bodies produce jpegs I liked at all. I've also tried the Rebel with a 50 as a "take everywhere" body and it's still way too big. Plus, I don't love Canon's JPEG processing so I'm always tempted to shoot raw with my SLR's. The E-PL2 with the 14mm or 20mm is a (jacket) pocketable camera with excellent image quality. You can even tilt the on-board flash straight up to use as a bounce! Not terribly powerful, but works great if you're under a typical 8' or 9' ceiling. I'm frankly amazed how happy I am with this camera.
kjcramer wrote:
I think the punch and quality of these Olympus jpegs should not be understated. Having owned a G2, GF1, and now the E-PL2 I can tell you this is about the perfect compromise (with the panasonic primes). The files look fantastic right out of the camera, no fuss. That's a huge deal for me. I could not make the Panasonic bodies produce jpegs I liked at all. I've also tried the Rebel with a 50 as a "take everywhere" body and it's still way too big. Plus, I don't love Canon's JPEG processing so I'm always tempted to shoot raw with my SLR's. The E-PL2 with the 14mm or 20mm is a (jacket) pocketable camera with excellent image quality. You can even tilt the on-board flash straight up to use as a bounce! Not terribly powerful, but works great if you're under a typical 8' or 9' ceiling. I'm frankly amazed how happy I am with this camera. ...Show more →
+1 on the Oly jpgs, but Oly needs to get it in gear, and release a model with an integrated VF IMO. ( The VF2 seems like a stop-gap solution to me) Panasonic has had one from the beginning. My arms aren't long enough anymore to MF using the screen, so I need to put on my reading glasses. Takes all the fun out of it
I like the VF2 option because I prefer to carry the smaller range-finder style camera. I used a G2 for awhile and while the built-in viewfinder is nice, I like the option to remove it and have the smallest body possible. To each their own...
kjcramer wrote:
I like the VF2 option because I prefer to carry the smaller range-finder style camera. I used a G2 for awhile and while the built-in viewfinder is nice, I like the option to remove it and have the smallest body possible. To each their own...
alexandre wrote:
I bashed the m43 some times, saying the best compromise for me is still the APS-C format.
But I'm changing my mind when it comes to hiking, travelling, needing a smallerlighter kit just because.
So I'm thinking about replacing my XSi with the e-pl2 and kit lens (and the Pana 20 in the near future). Can anyone who made this move comment about APS-C versus m43 tradeoffs?
DR: when shooting high contrast scenes, all my m43s gave files that I could not push enough to recover highlights.
2X FACTOR: there are so many sweet WAs and UWAs out there that just can't be used as such with the 2X crop; shame as 20mm-30mm is my prefered range.
YMMV
Other than that, I found no other discernible drawbacks between the two formats.
Have been giving this camera strong consideration (with exactly the accessories you mentioned) and this doesn't help matters (for my wallet anyway.) I, for one, would appreciate more images and impressions of the camera when you have them. Great shots.
These samples certainly look impressive. I am usually bothered by too much "pop" in pictures, especially when it's artificial, but the tonal qualities in these photos are fascinating. I might suggest that they seem a tad over-sharpened, but not to the point of any bothersome artifacts.
Thanks for posting, very nice IQ on your images. I shoot both DSLR and M4/3 and based on your post I think I'll pick up one of these. I too really like the panasonic 20mm and the evf on the Olympus is a must for manual focus and macro quick I enjoy with an old Nikon mf macro on M 4/3 mount.
I just got the EPL2, 2 lens kit ... I've shot both 4/3 and micro 4/3, as well as Nikon (D80) and Canon, but this is my favorite so far. Like being able to power an off-camera flash TTL with this tiny camera. Carry it without the VF2 for day to day convenience, use the VF2 when I need critical attention. Overall a nice kit.
Got mine today, but when the battery was charged it was already very dark, so any testing will have to wait until tomorrow. Frustrating, because the light was beautiful today and tomorrow it's supposed to be very dull. I did take a few photos inside our not very brightly lit house and focus seems to work fine.
If I like the camera enough to keep it I'll definitely buy 20/1.7 and most likely also the VF2. Later maybe also 9-18 and 40-150. Those three should make a great little kit for traveling. If I got it right all of that together with my Gorillapod should weigh about 1kg. Amazing, that's just a little more than the 5D with no lens mounted.
I'd love to see more photos if anyone has any to share!
Any comments on E-PL1 vs E-PL2? Jpeg quality, handling, af speed etc?
I have been scouring dpreview looking at the differences and can get a E-PL1 kit for $399 these days. Wondering if it is really worth going for the 2 for $200 more. Does the pl1 built in flash bounce too? Is there an in camera HDR mode? Wife acceptance factor? What about panorama mode? The art filters look like a blast! Thanks for any comments or feedback. This would be my carry around cam to supplement the 30D.
It's really tough to beat the jpg.. I mean.. you can shoot raw and develop till blue in the face to get those results.. it's almost worth just shooting a 3 shot bracket at -2/3 +2/3 and choosing the best exposure in tricky situations, or blending.
I prefer the epl series to the gf1 I own, I borrowed one for a while, it was great.
