Hi guys, my old Samsung GX-1S has given up as for some strange reason doesn't like to work in my hands anyone else s it does! im confused lol. anyway I was thinking of getting the Nikon D3100 but then my dad gave me the idea of the Nikon 1 J1 but then said the Olympus PEN E-PM1 for £280 with 14-42mm and 40-150mm lenses but then i seen the Olympus PEN E-PL3 for £300 with 14-42mm lens. now i don't know which to go for I have held the Nikon 1 and PEN E-PL3 and i hardly put the PL3 think its the PL3 but no one near me has the PM1 so guys which would you recommend i buy? I will be buying a lens adaptor for my 300mm Tamron lens so i can use it on the camera i buy. Ideally id like to buy the camera tomo. i will be using it for all sorts holiday, Motorsport, landscape and general learning of photography.
Help me what Olympus?
- Thread starter mark1b
- Start date
- Messages
- 613
- Name
- Mark
- Edit My Images
- No
There is a good user review of the E-PM1 here:
http://www.mu-43.com/f102/my-epm1-review-18929/
It's basically identical to the E-PL3 except the E-PL3 has the tilt screen, a mode dial and an extra control button on the rear.
The E-PM1 twin lens kit (@Jessops?) for £279 is a great deal as just the lenses on their own would cost that much.
Some good primes are the Panasonic 20mm and 14mm and the Olympus 45mm.
For motorsport and low light a dslr is a better choice though. Main advantage of the micro four thirds cameras is their compact size and low weight so you are more likely to take them with you. (With the 20mm or 14mm pancake lens on an E-PM1 body you can fit it in a large jacket pocket).
http://www.mu-43.com/f102/my-epm1-review-18929/
It's basically identical to the E-PL3 except the E-PL3 has the tilt screen, a mode dial and an extra control button on the rear.
The E-PM1 twin lens kit (@Jessops?) for £279 is a great deal as just the lenses on their own would cost that much.
Some good primes are the Panasonic 20mm and 14mm and the Olympus 45mm.
For motorsport and low light a dslr is a better choice though. Main advantage of the micro four thirds cameras is their compact size and low weight so you are more likely to take them with you. (With the 20mm or 14mm pancake lens on an E-PM1 body you can fit it in a large jacket pocket).
Thanks for ur reply applemint. Just had a quick look at that review what i can see it does look dam good now. I have seen both at jessops for once the cheapest place in the high st and beats nearly all on line places. if i was to buy a dslr i dont think it would be used as much as one of these pens. I like the art setting on these pens.
- Messages
- 2,414
- Name
- Scott
- Edit My Images
- No
if you can afford it (£500) a K-30.
A K-R will be cheaper if you can still find 1 in stock.
As applemint said for low light & fast moving subjects a DSLR is better than a PEN.
- Messages
- 613
- Name
- Mark
- Edit My Images
- No
The art setting is fun but on a camera without one it is very easy to replicate on jpegs with the click of a button using the filters on free software like Picasa or with raw files in Lightroom using presets - so I wouldn't let the art filters influence your decision. The novelty soons wears off anyhow.
You need to have a good think about your needs and then decide if micro four thirds or dslr is the route you want to go. A dslr offers more options but is also bulkier and more hassle to take with you. If you want a camera you take everywhere, then go for the E-PM1, if you want a camera that does everything then go for a dslr.
Hey thanks for that i went for the E-PM1 I will take time to get used to it, tho my heart was set on the e-pl3. mainly went for the E-PM1 cos the 2 lenses and it gives me some cash to buy a lens or 2. gonna be looking at getting a spare battery, filters and 1 or 2 lenses. now can you recommend a lens for macro and one for distance? wont have much to spend on the lenses so depends how much one will cost if i can get 2.
Last edited:
- Messages
- 2,138
- Edit My Images
- Yes
You already got the 40-150, pretty good for distance, it should do fine.
The Olympus 45mmF1.8 should be your next lens purchase, trust me.
The Olympus 45mmF1.8 should be your next lens purchase, trust me.
- Messages
- 613
- Name
- Mark
- Edit My Images
- No
Stick a Raynox or Marumi on the 40-150mm and that will do you quite well as a budget macro solution. If you want a dedicated macro lens consider a legacy lens and convertor as you will be manual focusing anyway.
For your first native prime lens consider the Olympus 45mm 1.8 suggested (£215) or the Panasonic 20mm. (Panasonic are doing £50 cashback at the moment so it's £211 instead of £261) - both around the same price - depends which focal length you prefer.
Personally I get more use out of the 20mm as it's smaller (so camera + lens fits in jacket pocket), a more 'normal' view (40mm equivalent on 35mm) and focuses closer. Both are great lenses though. Enjoy your E-PM1.
For your first native prime lens consider the Olympus 45mm 1.8 suggested (£215) or the Panasonic 20mm. (Panasonic are doing £50 cashback at the moment so it's £211 instead of £261) - both around the same price - depends which focal length you prefer.
Personally I get more use out of the 20mm as it's smaller (so camera + lens fits in jacket pocket), a more 'normal' view (40mm equivalent on 35mm) and focuses closer. Both are great lenses though. Enjoy your E-PM1.