Olympus EP1 Review
Olympus EP1 w/ 17mm pancake f/2.8
I’ve decide to do my own, non-scientific, quick review of the Olympus EP1 since most of the reviews online managed to all remain non original by slamming the weak points of the EP1. My review will based on my style of shooting for this camera. Street photography, portraits, urban type images. I don’t plan to use this for any work related material nor is it my main rig.
This review is to simply state that the short comings the reviewers are saying about the EP1 are rubbish. I guess it’s a good thing because when I went to the store, I was expecting some really awful sluggish focusing speeds with a horrible LCD.
To my surprise, none of that was true and I hope this helps people with their online purchase. Especially those that don’t have the benefit of trying it out beforehand.
I will say that the online reviews I read were correct to a certain extent. The weak points of the EP1 are indeed the focus speed and lcd. What they don’t tell you is, those weak points, don’t diminish the fact that what you can do with the EP1, surpasses most compact digital cameras on the market and even rival some of the low end dslr cameras.
So let’s get that out of the way. Yes, it’s auto focus isn’t as fast as a dslr. Yes, the lcd screen could have more resolution. No, I personally don’t believe speed of the auto focus will cause you to miss shots. No, the lcd screen doesn’t suck.
Another gripe people complained about was the lack of an electronic view finder either in body or as an accessory. Look, this is micro four thirds technology. They have to start somewhere. Go ahead an argue that the Panasonic GF1 (which look amazing btw) has an optional EVF, but I’ll argue back that it sets you back 200 essentially making your GF1 $1100 usd.
For me, viewfinders are for the future with these systems that have a rangefinder styled body. I’m ok with waiting for the next generation to have a built in EVF as long as they do it well. Look into the GH1 if you really feel an EVF is necessary for your line of photography.
More images of the EP1:
Lovin' the f/2.8 on this
LCD screen has good color and sharpness
So compact and chic
So let’s start with the body, feel and design. I think it’s amazing. Probably the reason I chose it over the Panasonic GF1. Images and video don’t capture the mood of the camera when it’s in your hands. It’s weight is perfect, materials are right on and the vintage feel to the camera is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Here’s how it looks when in use:
Using the OVF to compose
I wanted to test the camera in studio. Obviously if I were to do studio work for a client, I would use my canon system, but for fun with friends… the ability to pick this little guy up and use with my strobes is a major plus. I didn’t know the EP1 worked with pocket wizards and I didn’t know I’d be so surprised with the quality of images from the studio.
What surprised me most are the colors from the EP1. I didn’t have to tweak much. These are shot in raw:
Test shots, strobe camera top left
Touched up the skin a bit
For me, the 17mm f/2.8 provides a nice bokeh. I find it quick, responsive, the colors perfect and very sharp.
Gotta have a flower image right? f/2.8, iso 200
Dogs are quicker than kids... f/2.8 iso 100
Great bokeh f/2.8 iso 160
Touched up in Light Room
One thing I found really great was the cameras ability to adapt to lighting situations. The first image the sunlight is hitting the skin directly and in the second image, I’m using the sun as back lighting with no fill flash:
f/2.8 iso 200
f/2.8 iso 100 - no fill flash
I wasn’t so sure I’d use the art filters because I like post processing as much as taking the photo but I did find one to be really useful for my style of shooting. It’s the pinhole filter. I love that I can shoot in raw with jpeg and the pinhole filter is only applied to the jpeg:
f/2.8 iso 400
And lastly, here’s a video I did of the focusing speeds. I was holding my 5dmkII with one hand to shoot this so it’s not the best but at least it shows how well the focusing performs. Well, for me anyway.
If you have any questions or requests, hit up the comments and I’ll do my best to address them. Thanks for reading!
Pros:
Body and design feels solid 17mm f/2.8 is a perfect combo Body IS, can’t wait for the panny 20mm f/1.7 IQ is on point LCD screen is sharp and responsive Perfect weight for that size Manual focus ring works well Love the shutter sound Taking photos is fun with this little guy Color is amazingly on point Color with strobes is just as good Comfortable using iso 800 & 1600 Cons:
Not a fan of Olympus Menus Wish I could have bought kit without the $100 OVF I still want a white GF1 
*all images of EP1 are taken with a Canon 5dmkII + Sigma 24mm f/1.8 macro
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Well i have been reading some of your revieuws about the new camera.
I am thinking about buying Nikon D90 Do you have any kind of advice?
D90 would probably be the way to go for a first dslr purchase.
I think you are spot on with the E-P1. I don’t understand why everyone is bashing this beauty over its AF system. I hardly use my 50D now that I have this baby. Lightweight, compact, and still gets awesome results! What more can you ask for?
Nice page Migs.
Here’s a work around I use to overcome the perceived focusing delay, where the problem seems to stem from the E-P1 AF cycling on every exposure.
The secret for me was to set up the AEL/AFL button to initiate AF in S-AF mode. (Mode 3) under :
Menu>>Gears>>Button/Dial>>AEL/AFL>>S-AF
So Now I :
1.) I set AF with the AEL/AFL button and release it.
2.) Lock exposure with a half press of the shutter release.
3>) Expose with a full press.
Because the camera is not constantly refocusing with every exposure the shutter lag is non existant. I’ts Iike shooting with a MF camera.
If the subject moves I press the AEL/AFL button again.
This works better for me with wide to normal focal lengths, though it may not be for everyone.
Hi Migs,
Nice review. Do you still have your DP2 or did you sell it?
I sold it simply because I didn’t use it. IQ for IQ DP2 wins… EP1 is better in my hands though.
Thanks for the review, your DP2 review was also very good.
There was a firmware update for the EP1 that improved AF, maybe that’s why initial reviews were more negative about AF speed. When I played around with an EP1 a few months ago at a store, the ‘hunting’ process seemed slower than in your vid. Looks good now!
Yea this is with the new firmware, I loaded it immediately after purchasing so I don’t know how it was prior. Great camera! DP2 is excellent too, but I sold it because I was using the EP1 way more.
thanks for this great review and killer shots.
one thing i was wondering and couldn’t seem to find a clear answer on in any of the reviews…how is the external OVF?
is it worth the price to add on? does it magnify at all (i.e. could you keep both eyes open)? how does it work? does it show focus information?
It’s more so for the look and feel or a rangefinder camera. I find it worthless and only have it on when it’s on display (sitting on my desk). There is no information and is not connected electronically. It’s basically just a piece of glass you look through to give you a field view of what 17mm (or in this case, 40mm) lens is seeing.
OVF is basically that. EVF (electronic view finder) is similar to what you see from a dslr, but instead of looking at a mirror/prism, you’re looking at an electronic image of what the camera is seeing so it’s not as clear and based off the resolution of the EVF which isn’t so great right now.
thanks.
i’m not interested in the EVF so i definitely don’t think i’ll go with the e-p2. i’ll pick up an e-p1 one of these days and give it a shot.