Since new Olympus cameras become more video oriented it is good thing to make separate topic for them. Plus three new Olympus lenses seems to be suitable for video shooting.
Yeah, the E-P3 doesn't seem to deliver anything we haven't seen before. I recently tried out an Olympus E-620, which I returned as soon as the E-P3 was announced. The E-620 does low-light photos well, but is otherwise unremarkable and stodgy (e.g. no SD card slot). If the E-P3 had OIS in video mode it might've been a worthy replacement for the GF1 for ultra-compact nighttime shooting. Olympus seems intent on fading away quietly, if only Panasonic would buy them out and reissue Oly's fabulous Four Thirds lenses with M/43 mounts!
Pretty much good old same sensor for 3rd gen PEN. Raw sensor score isn't everything, but we know that's the weakest link for m43. Little more DR and gradation please. Make our lives little easier.
Interesting comments from the E-P3 manual about video recording:
Sensitivity can be set manually to values between ISO 400 and 1600; auto ISO sensitivity control is not available.
If [Image Stabilizer] is activated while recording a movie, the recorded image is enlarged slightly. Even if [Vertical IS] or [Horizontal IS] is selected, the setting for [Auto] is applied.
Stabilization is not possible when the camera shake is excessive.
With some art filters, [C-AF] operation is limited (implying that continuous auto-focus is normally available in movie mode).
When the inside of the camera becomes hot, shooting is automatically stopped to protect the camera.
Fast for photos but I think it still hunts and maybe slower in video mode from samples ive seen...either that or some of the sampleas are from ep1-2 lol
E-P3 has fuking fast AF. Almost no hunting. I have GH2... and I see some hunting.
The last video uses Zuiko 12-60 that doesn't support CDAF. Before pressing the shutter, the touch screen shows "continuous" focusing. 43 lenses except 14-54 mk2 are still slow in AF.
"The GH1 will remain a legend" I think it certainly is a camera that not only captured people's imaginations but also really created a new user base. Off to try out "max lat" as I have been away for six weeks. I have to say, though, the GH2 is very easy to use. Taking it on this long road trip and shooting a few thousand photos--it is a very good still cam. And in low light, not to bad! So Olympus, I like the 16 bit audio, now give me 24p, full manual and no jello!!!!!!!
Indeed GH1 is great...but...not to throw a cat among the pidgeons...this sony HX9 compact produces better HD video in good light....obviously not in bad light (with its small sensor limitation) Also as a stills cam...the GH aint too hot...Ironically RAW from GF1 is better ive found.
See this guy's photos by his GF1. link1link2link3. All MF. He hasn't seen true GF1 successor yet.
I know very good Canonikons. One with 40D. She had it for 4 years. Now she's just pondering about getting a new one... sometimes next year. The other with D40. Haha. Still using CS3.
The GH1 will remain a legend (along with the 5DMkII) long after Olympus and Panasonic move on. I doubt there will be a comparable milestone in the remaining years of the AVC videocam generation.
My mind is clear and calm. I know the world don't care what I buy or don't buy. But this is getting ridiculous. Eighteen m43 bodies over 3 years, but GH1 still having the best sensor score.
It seems clear what Oly and Panny are doing. Instead of targeting prosumers, they wanna sell more gears to compact owners. Why get suck into their game?
Patience is a virtue. Two more years will pass very quickly. I will be ready with lots of dough :)
E-P3 missing dedicated ISO and WB buttons. I wish great success to Olympus PEN series so that they make enough money to build a true Olympus 35-SP successor that would leave X100 the dust. E-P1 to E-P3 took 2 years. Give 2 more years. I will be the one placing preorder for either L1 successor or 35-SP successor :)
Panasonic L1 is a cool cam! Looking on the dpreview site image comparison tool, I don't see that the new Olly has better still photo IQ than the GH2, which I think is a step up from the GH1. You do get built in IS, though....
I still prefer my 7.5 megapixel Panasonic L1 for still photography. Its live-view exposure and auto-focus behavior produce more predictable results than the M43 cameras I've tried.
Once GH2 is hacked, I'm hoping for loading multiple settings so that I can change it on the fly from camera menu. e.g. Reliable-In-Camera setting to Max Latitude. Also more reliable 24p high bitrate.
I don't think either of you into Oly m43 AF lenses. GH2's MF shutter lag is only 0.077s that is faster than 7D's 0.083s. E-P3 could be faster, but GH2's shutter lag is fast enough. Also heavy MF lenses balance better in GH2.
Color tone is... subjective matter.
Touch screen.. who cares.
I bet GH2 will perform better than E-P3 in high ISO. GH2 has better sensor.
IBIS only for photo. This was true for All PEN models.
Swivel LCD and EVF of GH2 very convenient.
My next body will be a true L1 successor. Not just a body. The L1 kit lens, 14-50 2.8-3.5, successor, too. Noticeable raw improvement in DR and gradation!!! Nothing less!!!