I didn't think the body size would matter that much for compactness, but it does... I use it with only a wrist strap, and it travels in my jacket pocket. I think I’ll need some sort of belt pouch when the warmer weather returns.
Game changing size for me. Not much bigger than an LX-5 when it has a pancake on it. Even the 9-18/14-42 leave it about the same size as an LX-5 with the filter adpater on.
As for the belt pouch, it is a perfect fit for this:
Lowepro - Apex 100 AW Though not much room for other stuff. I am looking into this...
Kata Bags MarvelX-40 DL; 4/3 Camera Pouch - Holsters
Menu System/Lack of Buttons
“No buttons? Then it’s not for me!” That’s what I thought at first, until I got to try one, and then bought one. Trying is believing!
I eventually traded with cash for an EPL-3, but I came to the conclusion after the fact that the EPM-1 is an extraordinary value and that the added buttons and dials are not worth the extra bucks. You are right... the menus and the SCP when taken together give you all the control you need with the added benefit of being able to map a few extra buttons and control positions.
Regarding the circular ring around the four way controller: Oly has redesigned it, and my finger holds it much better than the EP1 or EPL2 (can't remember from my brief time with the EP3), but I find the ring, which I usually don't like on most cameras, is quite useable.
I have no other basis for comparison (though an E-PL2 is in the mail on the way to me), I do know that I am quite used to both front AND rear e-dials on a DSLR, and so having the capability of putting the camera up to my eye while adjusting settings via the dials. I've come to realize that I can easily manipulate the wheel while using an EVF and that I can even shift between shutter and aperture in Manual without removing my eye from the EVF. It seems well designed for both LCD and EVF use.
The IBIS Issue
The EPM1 IBIS issue is truly an issue on my camera. IBIS 1 (Auto), or IBIS 2 (vertical) degrades picture quality. IBIS 3 (horizontal) less so. So I leave IBIS off. With the PL25, getting a good shutter speed has not been an issue. My PL45 has OIS, and the 14mm doesn't often need IS (because of the f/2.5 and wide angle nature). If I were a kit lens shooter, though, trying to get indoor shots at 42mm at f/5.6, this would be a big issue for me. I've also assigned my 14-150 to my EPL2, which has good IBIS, though I might rebuy a used Panny 45-200 or the newer X 45-175, to get OIS.
Hmm.. mine too. I keep IBIS off most of the time too. On the other hand I am still not sorry I bought the camera. I tend to shoot wide, and when indoors on a tripod. So it's not a huge issue for me... it would be off on a tripod anyway. 90% of the remaining photography i do is normal to wide in decent light. They ought to get a handle on this though or they will drive Panasonic lens sales perhaps a little more than they intend. 45-200 with OIS is a good idea.
One other item of note: if you shut off IBIS, the EPM1 fires burst shots at 5.5fps! (vs. 4.1 with IBIS on)
That was a strong selling point to me.
Ergonomics
This camera is far more hold-able than I had first thought from seeing the reviews. I could possibly consider a Freniac grip, but I've got a white camera, and I'm not sure if he does one in white. But if you are used to holding compacts at all, the EPM1 is actually easier to hold, though it's not really a one-handed camera. One hand under the lens, the other using the rubber thumb rest. I did put on a wrist strap very quickly, though, as I shoot one handed from time to time (e.g. low to the ground shots), and it's a little tenuous one-handed. After the first few minutes out of the box, I knew this needed a strap. One odd thing -- Oly doesn't include a wrist strap. For a camera this small? A neck strap is really overkill, IMO.
+1 on all. Get a wrist strap. Hold with two hands with the knowledge that you can hold with one in a pinch (see also IBIS issue). Oly ought to include a wrist strap. And do consider the Freniac. Very nice. A tad close for very big fingers, but for those of us with average hands, it is an improvement (though it will change the way you hold... the compact hold will give way to wrapping the second finger around the grip. That will not change where your thumb falls though and that little pad of rubber will still be in just the right place.
Some reviewers have noted the screen is too small. I agree with that in principal, but I've never wanted to look at the backs of cameras that much anyway, and when you think about the physical shape of the device and the 4:3 sensor, you realize there wasn't much choice for the screen size. Oly actually made great use of what they did have, using the black spaces on either side of the image for the menu items, so the picture doesn't get cluttered up with icons. I just returned a G3 that cluttered up the image to some extent and a NEX 5n, where over half the screen is cluttered in icons (“I think there’s an actual photo image in there somewhere"). This screen size is a physical limitation that Oly turned into a positive.
16:9 is a revelation. The LX-5 hooked me on this. In that aspect ratio, there IS no issue with screen size. And it gives you room to crop if you really want to. Anyway, you are right... what a great use of the real estate when the aspect ratio leaves black... fill it instead of the image with the icons and info. I don't spend a lot of time chimping. Show me a decent histogram and let's get on with it. And by the way, if I want to zoom in on the picture to check for critical focus, that's a breeze too...
I have a VF2 that I purchased to use with my EPL2. When I’m indoors, I prefer using a viewfinder for stability. As a joke, I tacked it on the EPM1. I was really surprised. The VF2 works very nicely with this camera. I was worried it might look clownish, top heavy, or just have silly ergonomics. Turns out it doesn’t look that bad, and ergo-wise, is very useable.
+1 definitely. Good addition. Needed very much. The one complaint I had coming from DSLR. It does not look bad. I'll be interested to see if the Kata will accommodate it. Wouldn't THAT be nice!
Last ergo comment: Shutter release. I saw a lot of talk about the Gariz soft release buttons. My EP1 and EPL2 could really benefit from one of those. But IMO, the EPM1 shutter release is both raised up nicely, and already quite responsive.... My only thought is that this body is so small that the shutter has to be adding some kind of camera shake (though the shutter sound is actually pretty understated and pleasing, albeit not silent). The EPM1 body would greatly benefit from an electronic, global shutter.
+1. I tried using the crook of my finger as described in the review of the Gariz accessory, and have found that it is possible to do this kind of release without the added button. Been practicing, and it does seem to yield results. I used to do this with my film camera and it helped then too from 1/30th and under... E-PM1/E-PL3 shutter sound is indeed positive and understated.
Image Quality
I won’t comment too much on image quality at high ISO. We’re all here at mu-43, and we know from the DXO hounds that we have a supposedly sad-sack sensor, especially in the Oly. This past week, I had a G3, a NEX and the EPM1. My tests confirmed what I already knew. At ISO1600, the G3 is one stop ahead of the EPM1, and the NEX is one stop ahead of the G3. I would say that the NEX (in terms of noise) is just a hair behind my old 5D (I no longer have the 5D, so I was going by some shots that were not entirely comparable). But having said that, I’m still pretty pleased with the EPM1.
For me, it's fine too... if and when not, well that's what the full-blown DSLR is for...
I've been a RAW shooter for 3 years, but the jpgs coming out of this EPM1, for home-and-family type shots, are very useable. Three things I mainly used RAW for: White Balance, dodging and burning, and color and contrast adjustments.
This camera has, hands down, the best WB I've used in any camera -- compact, DLSR or CSC (and I've owned too many to list). You can actually see the camera, when you point it at an incandescent lit scene, show at first that yellow tint, then go “oops” and all the colors correct. Magically. Why the heck can’t anyone else do this!?!? I haven’t tried it yet under florescent, but I’ll get a chance tomorrow at a local Awanas club program.
I have to agree with WB comments. Hell, I've been able to get a reasonable custom set in some ridiculous situations. Auto is very good. Custom set is really also very good.
In conclusion: Two thoughts: I can't believe this thing was only $440, and I can't believe I basically have my old 5D + 50mm in the palm of my hand. Yes, it has quirks, and it might not fit everyone (kit lens shooters, maybe video shooters), but it's a fantastic second body, and for me, I think it will be my primary body, and relegate the EPL2 to second body status.
Yes. For me, the first M43 I've invested in has pretty much realized 90-95% of the promise of being able to downsize significantly without a huge loss in functionality, responsiveness, speed, quality, and ... joy.
I'm sold.
Great review. Thanks. There was some material in here that really helped me!
woof!
