thinking in terms of versatility ... i really enjoyed the articulated screen on my old canon G3.

i'm not sure whether the articulated screen of the EPL3 would be more handy than an add on VF, such as the VF3 (which has a healthy rebate currently).

or, is the angle of view of these screens wide enough that the tilt (or VF) is not really much of an advantage?

i'm looking for small form factor with a pancake lens like the 20 panny or 17 oly. i've also considered the GF3 but there is no add on VF option for it, however the touch screen looks interesting.

i would appreciate hearing comments from those of you who have actually handled and used these different cameras.

I have had the E PM1 since last December.
I love the small form factor.
I just recently picked up an E PL3, mostly for the extra controls.
I think between the two I prefer the E PL3.It's like the best of both worlds.

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E-PL1
X-E1
X100
E-PM1
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/13969659@N04/

FWIW I found the touchscreen on the GF3 to be rather poor - it's the old kind, not like a decent phone (or the E-P3) has. I think I'd go with the E-PL3 for now and see how you get on - you can always add the VF later, but you can't an articulating screen.

capodave does the EPM1 seem a lot smaller? reading the specs it does not sound like much but might be different actually in hand (or more importantly, in pocket!).

do you all feel that the articulating screen is a significant advantage over the EPM1 (or EP3) as far as getting "odd perspective" shots, i.e. holding the camera really low or high? that is what i liked about the canon G3 that i had.

however, i played with a friend's nikon D7k and the live view is good from such a wide angle i'm not sure that having an articulating VF would help that camera much. my current DSLR does not have live view.

thanks for the help

I love the E-PL1 with the VF2. It's a superb combo, thinking you'd like that more than the VF3 - or the E-PL3. With the screen displays, the sun is always playing havoc with my trying to get the shot. Almost never happens with the VF2.

yes the VF2 is the better VF, but with the current rebate the VF3 is only $80. i'm thinking that for framing purposes the VF3 may be adequate. but i've never used either.

I've used both. The VF2 is the bigger VF, and if you like to look at things, it is better for that purpose. For framing purposes the VF3 is fine. I didn't see any difficulties with magnify mode either for manual focus.

I have the VF2, but if I were buying a PEN today, the $99 rebate for the VF3 makes it a nice accessory,

- PM1 and PL3 are of same size. Blindfolded you would not notice the difference, neither in hand nor in pocket. Visually you would have look at both one next to the other from above to notice 3mm more depth.

- The articulating screen is a definitive advantage for those shots, and generally to reduce reflections. P3 on the other hand has an OLED screen, which could be better to view under an angle.

Is the Panny G3 too big for you? That would feel a lot like an Old Canon G3.

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EM5; 9-18, PL25, 100-300 and some others.
(also, 6D + RX100)

The E PM is much lighter and also thiner.
Easier to shoot one haned with a wrist strap.
I have a VF2 but rarely use it.
I like the advatage of the articulated screen.
I haven't used it enough to know how much i will use it.
I do prefer the extra controls on the E PL3 tho.

__________________
E-PL1
X-E1
X100
E-PM1
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/13969659@N04/