New to 4/3 ready to pick...which one?

Hello and welcome to the forum. I'm sure there will be lots of advice but here's my 2c worth.

The E-P1 and 2 have more 'pro' features with 2 control dials for settings. Shutter speed also goes to 1/4000. They also are all-metal construction.

The E-PL1 is more of a beginner's camera with less control and shutter speed max of 1/2000. It is a metal + Plastic build. Audio is mono only.

The E-P2 and E-PL1 being newer can take the VF-2 electronic viewfinder or a video mic.

The Pen video specs are quite different to Panasonic bodies regardless of the lens chosen. This needs separate research.

Will let others chime in now and good luck with your decision.

 

Well, amongst those three cameras, I'd recommend the E-PL1. It's the best of the 3, it's got the best image quality and a built in flash.

But then reading that you want to take some movies, I wouldn't recommend any of the Olympus cameras. I'd recommend the new Sony NEX-5. It's much better for video, and actually a better camera overall.

If you must go M4/3rds, get a Panasonic for video.

Read some reviews, I recommend Imaging Resource, they're very good, however there are a bunch of sites out there.

Good luck!

 

I love the EP-2. I get tons of complements on it wherever i take it, and i love the retro feel and look. One thing to keep in mind is that the 20 mm from panasonic is similar to the 17mm, so if you go with option 3 you will have 2 similar lenses and no other ones. I bought the same deal that you are looking at, and will most likely not be in the market for the panny pancake. any money for a lens will go to a telezoom or wide angle. If you are dead set on getting the 20 mm panny (and people reallly like them) then perhaps option three is not the best choice.
I think i have been going about it the right way and have no regrets on my choice. I also was making the transition from P+S and it has been great  
One other thing to keep in mind is that there are some rumors that the EPL-2 will be announced in the upcoming couple of weeks. browse the forums for some info. However, I doubt that you will be kicking yourself if you buy an EP-2 and an EPL-2 comes out shortly after.
Edit: that is assuming of course that you arent huge into video and dont need a built in flash (i dont use one and don't have a seperate flash, although it could be something i buy eventually)

 

E-PL1 and E-P2 have a recording time limit of 7 mins (HD) and 14 mins (SD). Is that going to be a problem?

 

The Olympus cameras suck for video. I've got an E-PL1, and while it's a fantastic camera, the video is blurry and stored in M-JPEG which is a crap format. The Sony NEX-5 saves 1080i video in H.264 at 60fps. Way better.

 

I see on one of your links the GF1 was hacked - that improves the video quality considerably.

The 20/1.7 Panny lens is considered by most to be a "must have".

The GF1 utilizes lens-based IS. If you are planning on using legacy lenses, this could be a problem. If you have to buy lenses anyways, (most) all the Panasonic versions of the lenses have IS and are usually higher image quality than the Olympus, non IS, version.

 

video and the micro four thirds cameras

m43baby, I'd like to suggest that you take a look at our Video forum with its three subforums since video appears to be your main concern in decision making.

As a matter of fact, I think that I will move this thread down there right now into Filmmaking.

 

The Panasonic 20mm is a fabulous lens. Sadly, I don't use mine as much as I used to as it's very similar in focal length to my Voigtlander Ultron f/1.9 28mm on my Leica M8 (which is 37mm effective).

 

If you are referring to the 4/3 lens it will need an adapter to work with :43: and depending on the firmware may not AF or do so slowly on the GF1. Try before you buy in this case.

 

I've noticed that Olympus' IBIS isn't very good for video. When you are panning the camera the video starts to jitter. At least that is what I am experiencing with my E-P1 when the IS is active during video recording. So the Panny in lens IS would be better for video. Also the E-P1 records even the slightest sounds coming from the lens, so the external mic would come handy. The problem is with E-P1 that it doesn't support ext.mic.

If possible you should hold your decision until next week and see if there is going to be E-PL2 announce and what are the specs going to be.

E-P1 is still a wonderful camera (so E-P2 even better) for photo making and I love its looks and the feeling of metal against my palm. Panny 20mm is also an absolutely fantastic lens and with any PEN it makes a really powerful combination.

I have FL-36R flash, so the lack of on board flash doesn't bother me.