Need advice! Should I sell my Olympus E-PL1 for a Sony a55?

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Hi,

I currently have a Olympus E-PL1, and have been enjoying it. However, I have been offered an excellent deal on a Sony A55. It basically works out at selling my Olympus and adding £20!

I have spent all weekend reading up on the Sony a55, and although reviews are good. People seem mixed on the camera, and I also read up about overheating problems.

For me the Olympus is nice to use, however it can be slow at times and you miss getting a shot of an insect for example. I have also had some trouble with night shots, but this could just be as I am not using correct settings.

The Sony I have read is fast at taking pics, but how much of a difference is there in image quality between the 2 cameras? Same with video quality.

Is it worth selling my Olympus for the Sony? I know its a bit of a strange comparison as they are both very different camera types. But I havent been able to find a comparison online. So thought I would ask on here encase anyone has used both, and could give there opinion.

I am fairly new to photography, but am interested in Landscapes, Insects, Night Scenes and textures.

If anyone could give there opinion on this it would be a great help, as I have been trying to decide all weekend on wheather or not to get the Sony.

Thanks.
 
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As you say, it is a very different camera. The only real advantage to the Olympus is the small size and low weight. If size and weight are not relevant to you then I would prefer the Sony as it will will do most things better (faster focus, quicker operation, viewfinder etc,.)
 
a55 is a nice camera, its actually pretty small, but the viewfinder is stepped back, so that's comfortable :-)

focus speed will kill a mirrorless.

see if you can try a sony in a shop
 
I moved from a Sony A380 to a A77, I know its not the same as your looking it but it is also an SLT like the A55 not an SLR.

The cameras are very quick, easy to use, lots of features.

You say all you have to do is add £20, what is £20 if you get a faster/better camera out of the deal.

I would go for it and I doubt you would disappointed
 
ernesto said:
As you say, it is a very different camera. The only real advantage to the Olympus is the small size and low weight. If size and weight are not relevant to you then I would prefer the Sony as it will will do most things better (faster focus, quicker operation, viewfinder etc,.)
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Thanks for the reply. No weight and size isnt a problem. My main concern was wheather the difference in image quality between the two was noticable enought to choose the Sony over the Micro 4/3.


a55 is a nice camera, its actually pretty small, but the viewfinder is stepped back, so that's comfortable :-)

focus speed will kill a mirrorless.

see if you can try a sony in a shop
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Thanks for replying. Do you have an a55 yourself? How do you find the Image and Video quality and have you ever had the overheating problem? Thanks.



I moved from a Sony A380 to a A77, I know its not the same as your looking it but it is also an SLT like the A55 not an SLR.

The cameras are very quick, easy to use, lots of features.

You say all you have to do is add £20, what is £20 if you get a faster/better camera out of the deal.

I would go for it and I doubt you would disappointed
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Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I think I might go with the Sony.
 
twist said:
Ive had an EPL-1 and A55, IMO the A55 was better in every way.
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Thanks for replying. Nice to hear from someone who has used both, sounds like I will go for the A55.

Just curious, did the overheating sensor problem cause much trouble for you? Thats my only worry with it, as I have seen a number of people mention it. Other than that I really like the look of it, and the idea of fast shooting speeds.
 
Never overheated for me, though I dont shoot a lot of video. Its a great little camera, especially the fantastic screen and fast live view.
 
You don't mention video in your lists of interests and the overheating issue is video related isn't it?
 
ernesto said:
You don't mention video in your lists of interests and the overheating issue is video related isn't it?
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Yeah, forgot to mention video. Im more focused on images, but may shoot the odd video on ocasions. Though I doubt I would need to use it for long periods of time. Also, yeah. Heating is just video related when stabilisation is turned on.

Overall images are more important to me, but the video would be a bonus. If I could get 10 mins of video I would be happy.


Never overheated for me, though I dont shoot a lot of video. Its a great little camera, especially the fantastic screen and fast live view.
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Thats great to hear, thanks.
 
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Grums said:
For me the Olympus is nice to use, however it can be slow at times and you miss getting a shot of an insect for example. I have also had some trouble with night shots, but this could just be as I am not using correct settings.

The Sony I have read is fast at taking pics, but how much of a difference is there in image quality between the 2 cameras? Same with video quality.

Is it worth selling my Olympus for the Sony? I know its a bit of a strange comparison as they are both very different camera types.
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I think that some of the problems you're having, slow to focus, trouble with night shots... could well be "settings" but could also be lens related.

It'd be a shame to swap systems and possibly end up with some of the same problems so perhaps it's worth thinking more about what problems you're actually having and what they're most likely caused by and how to fix them or at least make them less of an issue before jumping in and spending money.
 
woof woof said:
I think that some of the problems you're having, slow to focus, trouble with night shots... could well be "settings" but could also be lens related.

It'd be a shame to swap systems and possibly end up with some of the same problems so perhaps it's worth thinking more about what problems you're actually having and what they're most likely caused by and how to fix them or at least make them less of an issue before jumping in and spending money.
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Hi, thanks for replying. Yeah, bad night shots im sure is my fault as I have seen great images online. They are very blurred and noisy. I tried auto mode first, then manual and had a little more luck but still not to good. I've been reading online to try and learn to get better shots, but I think I need to get myself a tripod for night shots to help with the bluring. The slow focus could be my fault as well, but I have read about the slow focus on some reviews. Also, the lens im using is the 14-42mm kit lens.

Initially I wasnt looking to sell the camera, but have been offered what I think is an amazing deal on the A55. £160 with the 18 - 55kit. I have a friend willing to buy my olympus kit with all the extras etc for £135. So works out just adding a few pound for the A55. I beleived I was getting a very good deal, but wanted to check online first to make sure.

Everyones replied so far have been very helpful. Thanks.
 
I think you have proven Alan right there. A blurred and noisy night shot would still be blurred and noisy with the A55 if you are using very high ISO and too slow a shutter speed by limiting yourself to hand holding the camera but seems like you know that already.
The focusing speed however is probably not your fault so a bit of both really.
 
I paid 330 for a55 with 18 55 and 75 300, 6month warrenty, about 8 9 months ago, so 160 sounds very good.

I'd say shoot raw cos sony jpg engine is meh, but for 160 its a great camera
 
Grums said:
Hi, thanks for replying. Yeah, bad night shots im sure is my fault as I have seen great images online. They are very blurred and noisy. I tried auto mode first, then manual and had a little more luck but still not to good. I've been reading online to try and learn to get better shots, but I think I need to get myself a tripod for night shots to help with the bluring. The slow focus could be my fault as well, but I have read about the slow focus on some reviews. Also, the lens im using is the 14-42mm kit lens.
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I have a G1 and used to have a GF1, maybe these cameras are the same generation or perhaps even earlier than yours... Anyway, if you want to shoot hand held at night with these cameras you want to be shooting between ISO 800 and 1600 at wide aperture. I remember shooting in Belgium with my GF1 and 20mm lens at F1.7 and I managed shutter speeds of about 1/80 at those apertures which was adequate.

The Sony will very probably give you better image quality but you may find yourself limited at least to a degree by the lens which will probably be something like a f3.5-5.6 and I think you will very probably be better off adding a faster lens if the budget allows. In fact, I think your Oly + a wide aperture lens could quite possibly match or better the Sony with kit lens.

f1.7, 1/80, ISO 1600.

 
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woof woof said:
I have a G1 and used to have a GF1, maybe these cameras are the same generation or perhaps even earlier than yours... Anyway, if you want to shoot hand held at night with these cameras you want to be shooting between ISO 800 and 1600 at wide aperture. I remember shooting in Belgium with my GF1 and 20mm lens at F1.7 and I managed shutter speeds of about 1/80 at those apertures which was adequate.

The Sony will very probably give you better image quality but you may find yourself limited at least to a degree by the lens which will probably be something like a f3.5-5.6 and I think you will very probably be better off adding a faster lens if the budget allows. In fact, I think your Oly + a wide aperture lens could quite possibly match or better the Sony with kit lens.

f1.7, 1/80, ISO 1600.
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Thank you, that is great advice. I will even try playing around with my Oly tonight to see if I can get better shots.

Also, its interesting that the Oly with a better lens could produce better quality than the Sony. This is something I will definitley look into.

How much would a good wide aperature lens cost. Both for the Oly and Sony? If you could name or recommend me a few that would be very helpful.
I would be on a budget though, so preferably a resonably priced lens.

Thanks again.
 
Grums said:
How much would a good wide aperature lens cost. Both for the Oly and Sony? If you could name or recommend me a few that would be very helpful.
I would be on a budget though, so preferably a resonably priced lens.

Thanks again.
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I expect you know that if you want a zoom the fastest you'll get will probably be a f2.8 and if you want somthing with a wider aperture it'll probably be a prime. I used a Panasonic 20mm f1.7 on my GF1 but I'm not too up on prices so maybe you could check on line and of course if you are willing to consider a used one that'll save you some money.

The cheapest way of getting a wide aperture lens would be to go for a manual legacy lens such as an Olympus Zuiko or Minolta Rokkor. You'll be able to get a 50mm f1.7/f1.8 for about £15 or so and it'll cost you another £10 for an adapter which will enable you to mount it on your Oly. 50mm is quite a long lens on a micro four thirds camera but you may like it... I have several 50mm lenses and I use them quite a lot on my G1.

If you decide to go for the Sony I think you'll face some of the problems that you have now with the Oly so either way... keep the Oly / go for the Sony... I think that the way to more fully solve the problems you're encountering would be to look at better lenses than the usual f3.5-5.6 mid range "kit" zooms.
 
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pingu666 said:
you can get a 50mm 1.8 for the sony for £65ish, second hand probably, but theres plenty about, about 120 up for the 1.4, again second hand
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That price sounds pretty good, compared to some of the lenses I was looking at. I will have a look for it. Thanks.


woof woof said:
I expect you know that if you want a zoom the fastest you'll get will probably be a f2.8 and if you want somthing with a wider aperture it'll probably be a prime. I used a Panasonic 20mm f1.7 on my GF1 but I'm not too up on prices so maybe you could check on line and of course if you are willing to consider a used one that'll save you some money.

The cheapest way of getting a wide aperture lens would be to go for a manual legacy lens such as an Olympus Zuiko or Minolta Rokkor. You'll be able to get a 50mm f1.7/f1.8 for about £15 or so and it'll cost you another £10 for an adapter which will enable you to mount it on your Oly. 50mm is quite a long lens on a micro four thirds camera but you may like it... I have several 50mm lenses and I use them quite a lot on my G1.

If you decide to go for the Sony I think you'll face some of the problems that you have now with the Oly so either way... keep the Oly / go for the Sony... I think that the way to more fully solve the problems you're encountering would be to look at better lenses than the usual f3.5-5.6 mid range "kit" zooms.
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Thanks for all your advice. Yeah, I agree. I will need to get a better lens. The once you mentioned for the olympus sounds very cheap! So that is tempting over the Sony. Going to have a look around for a few lenses now. If I get a good price on a Sony one then I will go with the A55, if not I will kepy the Oly and get some lenses for it.
 
Grums said:
Also, its interesting that the Oly with a better lens could produce better quality than the Sony.
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what he actually said was "I think your Oly + a wide aperture lens could quite possibly match or better the Sony with kit lens" which is true.
But put 2 equivalent lenses on both & the Sony will AF quicker, have better high ISO image quality & have the potential for less depth of field for better subject isolation.
 
heidfirst said:
what he actually said was "I think your Oly + a wide aperture lens could quite possibly match or better the Sony with kit lens" which is true.
But put 2 equivalent lenses on both & the Sony will AF quicker, have better high ISO image quality & have the potential for less depth of field for better subject isolation.
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Ah, thanks for explaining that.

I have been out and about over the good weather with my E-PL1, and have really gotten to like it alot over the past few days. So I have decided to keep it. It also seems to be a great camera for beginners like me. Thanks for the night shot tips to everyone that helped.

I will start posting images on this forum for feedback, and at some point will move up to a DSLR when I get more knowledgable at photography.
 
I have an E-PL1 and an A57 (replacement for the A55) and would agree with Twist - the A55 is better in every way. Well except one actually - the jpegs from the E-PL1 are fantastic, Sony jpegs are okay but nowhere near as good.
(Try the standard jpeg setting with no adjustments which seems to give the best jpegs and set 'high iso noise reduction' to 'low' in the menu).

But for £20 I would say it's a total no-brainer to upgrade/switch - you get a viewfinder (with horizon level), a much bigger better screen (which articulates - very useful), much better high iso performance - Epl1 is decent up to ISO 800 the Sony up to ISO 3200. The 16mp sensor in the A55 (also in the A37 and A57 and some Nex cameras) is excellent. The Sony cameras also have a 'handheld twilight scene' setting which actually takes pretty decent pictures at night without a tripod - provided the subject is not moving! (So buildings, that kind of thing - otherwise buy a tripod). Plus you get GPS on the A55 which you now only get on the higher end Sony bodies (A65 and I think also on A77). Video quality on the A55 is better than the Olympus too. Personally I think the dslr form factor makes the A55 faster and easier to use too and you can change settings in the electronic viewfinder and instantly see the effect on exposure etc which is a good way to learn.

You can pick up a new 35mm f1.8 for the Sony for £130 or a 50mm 1.8 for about £100 new or a Minolta 50mm f1.7 AF for around £60 to £70 used.
http://www.red-onions.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=133311
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002CQB4...de=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B002CQB4J6

The Panasonic 20mm f1.7 for the E-PL1 in comparison is £250 (excellent lens though and a new improved version is due soon).

You can compare camera sizes here, but the A55 is quite small and light for a dslr (slt): http://camerasize.com/compare/#354,238

A55 reviews: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyslta55/18
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_a55_review/review_roundup/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA55/AA55A.HTM
 
ebay :-), I went for a m42 1.4 as I prefered the bokeh, but it requires the pin to be pushed in to change apature, soooo its 1.4 always on a modern cam till I fix that...
 
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