Olympus Pen E-P1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1: High ISO Image Noise Performance – Cliff Smith:
I was expecting the E-P1 to show similar high-ISO noise results as the Panasonic G1, but unfortunately this is not the case. While the G1 doesn’t start showing any noise until 800 ISO, the E-P1 has visible colour mottling and noise in the darker tones at its default auto setting of 200 ISO, getting progressively worse, although overall colour reproduction remains reasonably good right up to 3200 ISO. JPEG images also show some over-sharpening, but at least the compression rate is nice and low, with fine JPEG mode producing files of around 5.5MB and Raw files of around 12MB.
Why the manual focus process is better on the Olympus E-P1 than on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 – Brian Mosley:
Apart from the way you hold the camera, the main difference is the fact that the G1 cancels your MF assist zoom view the moment you half depress the shutter release button. We asked for this to be improved several months ago – with specific suggestions accepted as feedback by Panasonic – still waiting for an upgrade via firmware.
So, in summary, I personally find the E-P1 much easier in practical terms to shoot a lengthy series of manually focused shots… but the G1 could be improved any time now with a firmware fix (hopefully!).
Framing and composing on the Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 – Brian Mosley:
The E-P1, without doubt has a clearer, crisper and more visible LCD than the G1 – it's a fairer comparison to compare it with the G1 EVF, which is similar in visible quality for framing / focusing to the E-P1 LCD.
The advantage goes to the G1 in brilliant sunshine – where the EVF is shielded… although in this situation I'd prefer to be using an OVF.
For all other situations, I much prefer the LCD of the E-P1 – it is more 'open' in that you retain peripheral vision of the scene, and is fast large and clear.
I also think that framing and focusing with an LCD is dramatically less obtrusive than using an eye level viewfinder. This is really a huge benefit for social photography in public – people remain far more relaxed in the vicinity
Panasonic G1 vs Leica D-LUX 4 – Birddogman, from a Canon DSLR user's perspective:
I bought a G1 thinking I would get the best of both worlds – a portable camera for the field, quick to get into action; but ye a camera with close to the capability and flexibility of my trusty Canon system. What I got was the worst of both worlds – a camera nearly as bulky, awkward, delicate and slow to get into action as my big DSLR, but with few of the capabilities of the big Canon – especially poor in burst shooting and quick focus on rapidly moving subjects like birddogs and wild upland birds. The DL4 was better and I’ve gone back to it. The G1 has become a truck camera for lack of anything else to do with it.
Canon 5D (Mark 1) vs Panasonic G1 – Diane B on the image quality of the cameras after having shot them side-by-side:
I discovered that no one really could tell the difference–even when I shot foliage–up to 11 x 17 prints and if I did a 2 over 2 pano, I could print easily to 16 x 24. It gives up a bit of DR, higher ISO in very low light, but I haven't not gotten a shot and with good technique and RAW processing, I'm very happy.
In her post, Diane mentioned the following lenses that she purchased for the Lumix DMC-G1:
- Panasonic 45-200mm f/4.0-5.6 Lumix G Vario MEGA OIS Zoom.
- Olympus 17mm f/2.8.
- Hexanon 40mm f/1.8 (manual focus / MF lens).
Canon DSLR Cameras vs Panasonic G1 for Speed – RS2:
I got a G1 in May, primarily to utilize my collection of Leica M lenses. I find using the G1 reminiscent of my many years of shooting with Leica rangefinders, but still use my Canon gear for sports, mostly due to speed.
Also, Gregm61 points out the following about the Live View feature on the E-P1:
Even worse, press and hold down the release to shoot a burst of 2, 3 or more shots in succession and all live view is terminated for the duration of the burst. The only thing the screen gives you are quick views of what you just shot, not where the subject is now, so framing a moving subject while shooting a burst is impossible unless the action is happening in one spot, meaning you can hold the camera perfectly still, like a double play relay at second base in a baseball game. There is nothing revolutionary about the LCD finder on the E-P1 compared to any other camera that uses this method to compose and shoot that will give you any more of a chance to shoot action, and soccer players don't stand still in one spot on the field.
… and …
This is a finder issue. If you want to be able to shoot action as well as everything else with whatever camera you decide to buy, you are going to find using the LCD of the E-P1 to follow, keep accurately framed and capture moving action like soccer players in motion very frustrating.
… and …
The burst rate of the E-P1, even if it was 10 frames per second, is irrelevent for moving action shots because you cannot follow the subject in burst mode. The finder won't let you.