X-1 vs Olympus P1 & P2

[jsrockit]

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...so few words, so many assumptions and sweeping generalisations. Speak for yourself, eh?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Sorry, didn't mean to offend you sir. My opinion was based on what I've been seeing around the internet. Certain forums have pictures of people's u4/3 set-ups and I see many long lenses and many fast lenses (which are large in size). As far as Ms being used for wideangles more than telephotos... I don't think that is an assumption or a sweeping generalization. I guess I should have said 50mm lens and wider.

[lct]

...I guess I should have said 50mm lens and wider.

Hehe yes some of us prefer the 'standard' focal length for sure, now Leica would make more 0.85x bodies if we were that many i guess.

[tom0511]

I havent compared the E-P2 to an x1 (have never used an x1), but do use the M9, E-P2 and Nikon gear.

So far I do like the E-P2 a lot and thought it would give me more than the X1:

1) ability to interchange lenses - even though I do like 35mm FOV a lot and could live with just a 35mm FOV prime. But still - I could put my Leica 90mm Macro lens on the E-P2 and would have a stabilized great 180mm FOV macro.

2) ability to take movies (even though I much prefer a real video camera it is sometimes nice to have movie in your camera, just for those little moments/ stories etc. when you have kids or when you party.

3) price

4) with new firmware probably better AF than x1

5) availability (haha)

 

Now I still find the x1 tempting, because of the simplicity of its user interface. The E-P2 does have too many options, menues etc. It really confuses me. A D3x is easier to "program" than the E-P2 IMO.

Sensor size....yeah, but I think the E-P2 does fine for me. X1 has bigger sensor which wouldnt hurt.

[NZDavid]

Yep, lens choice comes into it so make sure you are happy with a fixed 35. Otherwise, Jim, I think it's really very simple: As an M user you will find the X1 is the closest you can possibly get in a compact digital in terms of ergonomics and operability. With its easy-to-use dials and rounded ends the X1 feels like a mini M. It does have its foibles like slow AF, and you will probably need an external viewfinder, but results are top notch.

[caimi]

The X1 is tempting but the main thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is the lack of a viewfinder. In fact, that is exactly what convinced me to sell my EP-1 when the EP-2 became available. I am very pleased with the Olympus image quality (especially when using the Lumix 20mm lens) and based on the photos I've seen recently from X1's, I'm sure I'd be please and amazed at its image quality as well. But I just think the lack of VF is the deal breaker for me.

 

Any thoughts from those who have shot an X1 ? Is the lack of VF overcome by other factors?

[Guest badbob]

The X1 is tempting but the main thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is the lack of a viewfinder. In fact, that is exactly what convinced me to sell my EP-1 when the EP-2 became available. I am very pleased with the Olympus image quality (especially when using the Lumix 20mm lens) and based on the photos I've seen recently from X1's, I'm sure I'd be please and amazed at its image quality as well. But I just think the lack of VF is the deal breaker for me.

Any thoughts from those who have shot an X1 ? Is the lack of VF overcome by other factors?

 

I used to consider a lack of viewfinder to be a real problem. But after several weeks with the X1, I actually don't miss the viewfinder. Of all the complaints I've heard or read about seeing the LCD screen in bright light, I don't think those matter that much. It's easy enough to shade the screen. And even with viewfinders, if a very bright light is coming in to your other eye at the wrong angle, you have to shade that viewfinder as well.

[jsrockit]

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I have to disagree with badbob a bit. I do not miss the VF in most situations. I find the LCD to be my favorite way of getting the most accurate framing and most interesting compostions. However, bright sunlight IS an issue and shading an LCD with one hand while composing with the other just isn't that condusive to getting the shot I want sometimes.

[Guest badbob]

I have to disagree with badbob a bit. I do not miss the VF in most situations. I find the LCD to be my favorite way of getting the most accurate framing and most interesting compostions. However, bright sunlight IS an issue and shading an LCD with one hand while composing with the other just isn't that condusive to getting the shot I want sometimes.

 

We need a better shade solution I guess. I'll look around.

 

BTW, I was downtown recently photo'ing some flowers, and a woman using a tripod and DSLR asked me to hold her hat over her camera to shade it from the sun while she lined something up in the viewfinder. Interesting, huh? And she was the proprietor of a photo agency in Savannah Georgia.

[tom0511]

The X1 is tempting but the main thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is the lack of a viewfinder. In fact, that is exactly what convinced me to sell my EP-1 when the EP-2 became available. I am very pleased with the Olympus image quality (especially when using the Lumix 20mm lens) and based on the photos I've seen recently from X1's, I'm sure I'd be please and amazed at its image quality as well. But I just think the lack of VF is the deal breaker for me.

 

Any thoughts from those who have shot an X1 ? Is the lack of VF overcome by other factors?

 

My thought is the following: If its just about the viewfinder than put an optical viewfinder on the x1 and be happy.

IMO an EVF has only advantages if you want to use a zoom or shoot video.

If you shoot 35mm prime and no video I would prefer an optical viewfinder any day.

[tom0511]

ahh, another thing: after more shooting with the E-P2 and 17mm prime I have to say I am very happy with the camera IQ and handling.

2 things where I would prefer a x1-ish camera: size/weight and flash.

 

Now the other thing is while I do have also 2 zooms for the E-P2 (9-18 and Pana 14-45) I much prefer using the 17mm prime.

AND-I havent shot much video with it so far.

So it seems a bit that I do not really use the advantgaes of the E-P2 over hte x1 (interchangable lenses and video) but would like to have the advantages of the x1 (less weight and included flash).

But than there is still the faster AF of the EP2, the posibility to exchange lenses in case I would like to (maybe during vacation), and the internal IS. And there is also the high prce of the x1.

I think I will stay with the E-P2 right now.

[jsrockit]

Does the E-P2 have improved AF over the E-P1? To me, the E-P1 w/ 17mm was just as slow as the X1.

[tom0511]

Does the E-P2 have improved AF over the E-P1? To me, the E-P1 w/ 17mm was just as slow as the X1.

 

I believe they are the same but the latest firmware did improve AF considerable

[DRabbit]

I believe they are the same but the latest firmware did improve AF considerable

 

Yes, the latest firmware puts the ep2 and epl1 on par with the panasonics when the same lens is mounted. It was pretty much determined that the 14-42 Oly kit lens was the big limiting factor... Even the gf1 was very slow to focus it.