I am new to the Leica Forum

[Panamera_S]

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Actually, I am very new to photography. I will be ordering a new Leica D-Lux 4 shortly, but before I am making the order, I would like to know from your point of view and experience regarding this Leica D-Lux 4 and the new Olympus E-P2 with electronic view finder. What is the advantage and con of each one ? Thanks so much in advance.

[fotografr]

I know nothing about the EP-2 so can't comment on it, but I've used the D-Lux 4 for about a year. It has very good image quality at lower ISO settings (up to ISO 200), particularly for a camera of its size. It is easy to use, well built, reliable and has a fast enough lens (f/2.0) that good results can be obtained in low light. The built-in flash is practically useless beyond 8 to 10 feet, but that's true for most point & shoot cameras.

[h00ligan]

Is there a reason you settledon the PEN as the other choice? I own both a gf1 and dlux 4 - and have decided to return the dlux 4 - mostly because I wanted more depth of field control. With the 20mm pancake lens,the gf1 isn't that much bigger or heavier...they have very very similar menu designs - neither one is for a jeans pocket - both have removable lens caps - both would fit in a purse.

 

A MFT system is going to offer better high iso performance. it also takes filters out of the box.

 

The dl4 has amazing macro, but if you want to ever add the extension tubes / filters, then I really think mft is better suited.

 

Dlux 4 has in body anti shake - like the pen.

 

The PEN doesn't have a flash.

 

according to reviews auto focus on the pen is significantly slower than both the gf1 and dlux 4.

 

ultimately i prefer the IQ of the mft

[farnz]

Actually, I am very new to photography. I will be ordering a new Leica D-Lux 4 shortly, but before I am making the order, I would like to know from your point of view and experience regarding this Leica D-Lux 4 and the new Olympus E-P2 with electronic view finder. What is the advantage and con of each one ? Thanks so much in advance.

Welcome to the forum!

 

Like fotografr above, I've only used the D-Lux 4, not the E-P2, and I agree with what he says. I believe that h00ligan has chosen to return his D-Lux 4 because it doesn't handle right for him but don't be discouraged by that because it's a superb little camera.

 

There are a couple of fundamental differences between the two cameras: firstly, the E-P2 uses interchangeable lenses and can use many lenses from multiple suppliers by using an adaptor whereas the DL4 has a fixed zoom lens.

 

The other major difference is that the E-P2 supports an EVF, and the difference in rough terms is whether you prefer to compose your shots with arms outstretched looking at the LCD screen on the rear of the DL4 or by pulling the E-P2 to your face and looking into the EVF. I think most photographers would prefer to use the camera close to their face but with an EVF it depends how good its resolution is.

 

Pete.

[Digitom]

Actually, I am very new to photography. I will be ordering a new Leica D-Lux 4 shortly, but before I am making the order, I would like to know from your point of view and experience regarding this Leica D-Lux 4 and the new Olympus E-P2 with electronic view finder. What is the advantage and con of each one ? Thanks so much in advance.

 

Although I have none of the 2 cams mentioned I will give a comment which may be also important. I use a Digilux 2 with an electronic viewfinder and an older D-Lux 2 which has a monitor only, and no possibility to use an optical viewfinder (because C-Lux 2 has no hotshoe).

But i can recommend from my experience: When you are new in photography it is maybe better to use the D-Lux 4 with an optional optical viewfinder, because you may learn to see in a photograhic way. You see the scenery as it is in reality, not through an elecrtonic viewfinder which has on the other hand 2 main advances: 1st you see through the lens! 2nd is you have the different real view with the mounted lens (zzom, wide angle, whatever).

 

With an optical viewfinder of the D-Lux 4 you have only one view, but this is the best way IMHO to get in contact with the picture you wanna take, to "create" the frame of the picture. Also with some experience you may use the zoom at 60mm although you are looking through the optical viewfinder.

 

So I would prefer the D-Lux 4 WITH viewfinder and later you may also use the monitor of the D-Lux 4 in special situations. To start with these monitor of the PEN in combination with the electronical VF may be more comfortable, but you will never have the experience of "point, create(!) and shoot".

 

Have a good Choice (sure you have already decided )

[h00ligan]

I believe that h00ligan has chosen to return his D-Lux 4 because it doesn't handle right for him but don't be discouraged by that because it's a superb little camera.

 

Yes that is one reason, but it's one of the smaller ones - and absolutely that should not be a consideration for others unless they are quite tall (6'5) with large hand spans.

 

I actually think a grip would have probably cured the handling problem.

 

At the end of the day - I returned it because I could see myself outgrowing it quickly and wanting to play more with depth of field. For me, I decided I would order an X1 - and in the meantime try out a gf1 (which I bought at an exceptionally good price and it's in high demand right now - so I risk basically nothing by trying it, taking care of it, and selling on in a few months)

 

The Dlux 4 is a fantastic camera - I would say it's the best compact cam on the market. I just decided I needed a bit more, and I don't have the money to have a whole bunch of different cams, lenses, etc - which is why I may not end up with an X1... or at least that I couldn't justify spending for 2-4 cams given this is a new undertaking for me.

 

Certainly my choice to return the dl4 had very little to do with the quality of the cam - but did have to do with my deciding that for the money - I could get more out of a micro 4/3 - or really splurge and get the x1.

 

One huge plus for the dl4 is - in the time I've had it, it has been a FANTASTIC tool with which to learn - and everything is pretty intuitive - which is the main reason I went with the gf1 not the pen (since panasonic shares bloodlines with the dl4 and the menus of the gf1 are very very similar).

 

You certainly wouldn't be making a bad choice with the dl4 - by any stretch, But it is still a small sensor camera - and given I wanted to go to one camera - that was too limiting for me - just a massive dslr setup would have been.

[pierovitch]

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From a non technical perspective If you want to take social pictures and want your friends and family to wonder why your photos just seem to be better quality than the usual compact get a Leica. If you really want to get into a hobby and follow your creative aspirations you can spend a lot of money on other brands that are almost as good as a Leica. This can be fun until one day you wake up and realize all the money you lost trading around would have payed for the best brand anyway. If money is tight at least have a Leica lens on it.

 

After 30+ years flexing the trigger finger for a living I am back to the point and shoot.

My wife points - I shoot.