I am thinking this is a real pretty camera, if it was cheaper I might consider it as a replacement for my point and shoot. However in saying that I think the camera is designed for men that read GQ magazine. I think it screams to be carried in some kind of man bag.
thoughts?
Discussion about
Target Audience
I believe it's more than just eye candy for a "man bag" but I'm anxious to see a thorough review. I believe John C. Dvorak was flashing one around on This Week in Tech a few weeks ago.
TWiT 200, from June 21
www.twit.tv/200
I remember because Roger Chang was also lusting over this camera, and that's the only episode he's been on in a long time.
www.twit.tv/200
I remember because Roger Chang was also lusting over this camera, and that's the only episode he's been on in a long time.
I'd say photo enthusiasts who value portability in a camera, interchangeable lenses and want high image quality, full controls and other SLR-grade characteristics in a smaller shell. This seems true especially due to the pancake lens.
for what you're getting, i don't feel like it is over-priced.....it's not as 'cheap' as a 'point-and-shoot', but then again, it really isn't a 'point-and-shoot' i feel like this is closer to the higher-end RangeFinders in the film world (although, in this case we don't have a finder :-( )...and you can also get an m-mount adapter for it for older Leica lenses!! That, in addition to the micro-four-thirds sensor format, you really are getting a great kit!!!
I was a point and shoot user and my POV in photo shooting is all about composition, i don't know much about techniques and stuff, i think prospective IS the most important thing to create a good shot. I am also looking for a more serious camera and in my recent trip to Europe i borrowed a Cannon entry DSLR (i think it was D400?), it was all ok but the portability was really a concern especially for a long distant travel with constant moving. That's how EP1 caught my eyes. You do have tradeoffs but it's about what you need. No build-in flash does suck but doesn't the optional flash add up the retro aesthetics more?
I'd like to see one in person before making a purchase. There is no optical viewfinder or built in flash. I don't need a flash but not having a viewfinder could be kind of a dealbreaker. It would be weird to hold a camera with interchangeable lenses way out in front of your face to try and see the screen to focus. I would rather be looking through a viewfinder.
The form factor is so nice though and it's so compact. Should be a good camera to go a couple notches up from a point and shoot.
The form factor is so nice though and it's so compact. Should be a good camera to go a couple notches up from a point and shoot.
I think the E-P1 has three different target audiences, with different expectations and requirements. I believe that trying to work with so disparate audiences may be Olympus greatest problem, since what is good for one is bad for another.
1) Compact camera users that want to upgrade. Most "normal" (i.e. non-photographer) users find dSLRs confusingly hard to operate and just to large to be useful, but some of them still want the image quality that comes with a large sensor. They will probably have a problem with the price (about twice as much as other high-end-compacts) and the lack of a built-in flash, and maybe the size and weight turn out to be to much after all. However, my feeling is that this is the group Olympus is aiming most for (since it is the largest group...), so I think most users willing to shell out the cash will be pleased.
2) Professional or prosumer photographers who are well used to their dSLRs, but want a secondary camera to have with them all the time with similar image quality and manual controls. They won't mind the external flash and won't worry about the weight, but may have issues with the lack of a viewfinder or the slow (compared to phase-detect) focusing performance, the slow (aperture) kit lenses and the lack of weather sealing. However, fixing those problems would make the camera bigger and heavier, in other words conflict with group 1. Also, right now there isn't really any other camera that serves this group better, so it's basically a case of accepting the compromises or waiting for better times...
3) People who want a better looking camera, more of a design statement than the cheep look-alike plastic point-and-shoots. This is the type of people that buy a Leica D-Lux 4 over the (technically identical) Panasonic LX3, or Gucci handbags, or whatever. From what I gather from reviews this camera is a step above the competition in design and build quality, so I think this group is going to be pleased, at least for a few months until something else comes out that grabs the eye more...
1) Compact camera users that want to upgrade. Most "normal" (i.e. non-photographer) users find dSLRs confusingly hard to operate and just to large to be useful, but some of them still want the image quality that comes with a large sensor. They will probably have a problem with the price (about twice as much as other high-end-compacts) and the lack of a built-in flash, and maybe the size and weight turn out to be to much after all. However, my feeling is that this is the group Olympus is aiming most for (since it is the largest group...), so I think most users willing to shell out the cash will be pleased.
2) Professional or prosumer photographers who are well used to their dSLRs, but want a secondary camera to have with them all the time with similar image quality and manual controls. They won't mind the external flash and won't worry about the weight, but may have issues with the lack of a viewfinder or the slow (compared to phase-detect) focusing performance, the slow (aperture) kit lenses and the lack of weather sealing. However, fixing those problems would make the camera bigger and heavier, in other words conflict with group 1. Also, right now there isn't really any other camera that serves this group better, so it's basically a case of accepting the compromises or waiting for better times...
3) People who want a better looking camera, more of a design statement than the cheep look-alike plastic point-and-shoots. This is the type of people that buy a Leica D-Lux 4 over the (technically identical) Panasonic LX3, or Gucci handbags, or whatever. From what I gather from reviews this camera is a step above the competition in design and build quality, so I think this group is going to be pleased, at least for a few months until something else comes out that grabs the eye more...
I pretty much agree with you, I think the majority of purchases will come from type 3 people.
I reckon Olympus designed the camera first with this group being the focus of their attentions, great design being the primary goal. They probably realised fast that they had much more space to stuff the camera full of internal goodies, pleasing most of the type 1 people. If only they had added a view finder and they could have got a few more type 2's.
I reckon Olympus designed the camera first with this group being the focus of their attentions, great design being the primary goal. They probably realised fast that they had much more space to stuff the camera full of internal goodies, pleasing most of the type 1 people. If only they had added a view finder and they could have got a few more type 2's.
The people who would buy a Leica D-Lux 4 over the Panasonic LX3 do *not* do it because of a difference in design or build-quality as you suggest, because these are virtually identical, aside from the subtle grip on the LX3.
The difference here is *brand*. Leica is a high-end, luxury brand. Olympus is respectable, but is *not* a luxury brand.
I do agree the E-P1 will attract those who appreciate good design and quality, but it's unfair and off the mark to group these people in with brand-whores and show-offs.
The difference here is *brand*. Leica is a high-end, luxury brand. Olympus is respectable, but is *not* a luxury brand.
I do agree the E-P1 will attract those who appreciate good design and quality, but it's unfair and off the mark to group these people in with brand-whores and show-offs.
OK, you're correct of course and my example with the D-Lux 4 was probably not the best. But I do think that there will be a number of prospective buyers that would be interested primarily for the looks and status (compared to compact cameras of less than half the price), rather than more objective technical merits. I certainly didn't mean to imply that *everyone* interested in the design and quality where nothing but show-offs. Personally, I love both the look of the camera, as well as (most parts of) the specs sheet.
I think the E-P1 will be great for street photography. Should be not as attention grabbing as a DSLR. Yes, I think I would miss the viewfinder, but you can't have everything.
Plus it looks cool (I prefer the Pen F though... Olympus should have stayed faithful to its design. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_Pen_F . Maybe they will make a limited edition which keeps the old Olympus font?).
Plus it looks cool (I prefer the Pen F though... Olympus should have stayed faithful to its design. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_Pen_F . Maybe they will make a limited edition which keeps the old Olympus font?).
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