Micro 4/3 Photos of new PEN E-P3

Now i have seen a few vids on youtube I'm really warming to the E-P3, so much so that I feel this could replace the 500D as after using the XZ-1 and GF-1 the 500D feels clumpy and heavy. I'll have a good think about it over the hols and may find the 500D replaced by the E-P3 soon after it's release. The E-PM1 looks like a good replacement for the GF-1 so I could be 100% Olympus by October!!
 
Now i have seen a few vids on youtube I'm really warming to the E-P3, so much so that I feel this could replace the 500D as after using the XZ-1 and GF-1 the 500D feels clumpy and heavy. I'll have a good think about it over the hols and may find the 500D replaced by the E-P3 soon after it's release. The E-PM1 looks like a good replacement for the GF-1 so I could be 100% Olympus by October!!

So just maybe the wheel is turning back to Olympus from Panasonic?
 
So just maybe the wheel is turning back to Olympus from Panasonic?

Maybe mate, maybe!!:D Mind you the G3 is really nice too and a little more practical. Image quality is also very good. hmmmmm I remember when I 1st saw the G3 and thought WOW!! just what I have been wanting in a camera for ages so this is one I should really look at more. I have not had much of a chance to play with it at work but when I have I have been mightily impressed.
 
I wonder, if the E-P3 makes sense for me. Sure, the AF is much quicker than before, but since I am happy with the AF of my E-PL1 and use mostly manual focus lenses for serious shooting, a better AF is not the most important thing for me. Although it is said that the E-P3 has a new sensor, it has become rather clear to me, that it's only the old sensor which has been revised a little bit and I don't think, that there is much difference. Since I would prefer the E-P1 to the E-PL1, if the E-P1 had an EVF, I am considering to get the E-P2, which should cost me significantly less money than the E-P3 without loosing much.

I am also contemplating to get a NEX instead, as soon as there is an EVF for the NEX, because its sensor is much better and I would only have to buy new adapters for my manual lenses. That's the big advantage of buying manual focus lenses: one can change the system easily. A NEX with two adapters costs less than the E-P3 and the image quality would be better because of the better sensor.
 
Talk to the NEX folks. Don loves his NEX with what I am 99% sure is a Canon lens.

Plus, if you can bide your time a bit you might want to wait to see what SONY comes out with next. It could lower the prices on the NEX5 and possibly offer you that EVF, I don't know.... I"m just guessing.
 
I suppose, that the NEX 5 is going to be replaced soon. The C3 looks very promising (apart from the viewfinder) and I would even take the C3. Well, I am in no hurry and I would not exchange my µ4/3 gear, but complement it. Buying a NEX and two adapters (one for my Canon FD lenses and one for my Leica lenses) costs less than the E-P3 and would give me more than I would gain by buying the E-P3, which I intended to buy when it was announced. I have also abandoned my intention to buy the new Olympus lenses.
 
The Nex is the not so silent contender. My Nex 5 with the MF lenses is excellent. Mind you, I haven't used it much for a spell due the the X100 but it's a real champ in the arena.
Pictor, with my Canon FD glass, it's as sweet as can be. With the new peaking firmware, you don't miss an EVF. The screen is so bright and contrasty, who needs an EVF? Also, I don't need the MF assist anymore.

The Pen 3 has the "Look" but we need to see what's under the surface...
Soon....
 
jonoslack said:
Well, the Pen 3 looks good to me - rumour has it that the NEX 7 is coming with a 24mp sensor and a built in 3mp viewfinder :eek:

Any idea when the nex 7 might come out? If it does come out with an EVF, I might consider over the epl-3.
 
Hi There

Sony Rumour site

I only got the information from here - they say it'll be late August, but I think that's the announcement, still, Sony don't usually hang about that long, so I'd guess October or so.

As for the look of the Pen against the M9p . . . . not a chance! But I'm not after a substitute for the M9 - I just love shooting with it, the simplicity and the way it doesn't get in the way - I love it, and I'm not really sure that I need any improvements.

What I want is something small and tough with interchangeable lenses (mainly zooms to be honest, as I use the leica if I'm shooting primes).

I thought the ephotozone comparison of the Ep3 and the G3 was illuminating in that they thought that (at base ISO) the Olympus showed more detail :confused:, I can't imagine it matching a 24mp sensor . . . but I wonder how the lenses will do with such a sensor.
 
The Nex 5 with a Leica or even Canon lens gives the X100 a run for the money. In fact, it's actually better lens wise. If the 7 comes out with an EVF, that would be something to look at.
I'm not a big EVF guy but I enjoy it with the X100 sometimes. I could maybe enjoy it with a Nex also...
 
The Nex 5 with a Leica or even Canon lens gives the X100 a run for the money. In fact, it's actually better lens wise. If the 7 comes out with an EVF, that would be something to look at.
I'm not a big EVF guy but I enjoy it with the X100 sometimes. I could maybe enjoy it with a Nex also...

Well - It'll be interesting to see if it's built in or 'fixed', and if it's fixed, whether it's in a bump like the G3, or like the X100. If it's like the X100 that's fine . . . except it's supposed to be 3million dots (that's twice as many as the X100). The Olympus VF-2 plug in seems to be okay as well.

At any rate, the NEX 7 one is supposed to be the same as that in the Sony A77, which is rumoured to be splendid. We Shall See (or not, as the case may be!)
 
Some good EP3 with 12mm and 45mm lens shots

at:
Review: Unveiling of Olympus E-PL3 and the E-P3.

Beginning to see the real advantage of M43 format over APS in that the lenses are significantly smaller,lighter and better edge sharpness. Sony and Samsung lenses (especially zooms) by comparison are bigger and unbalanced on their camera bodies. The Sony wide prime is unable maintain sharpness across the frame like the M.Zuiko 12mm.

So looks like the APS versus M43 differences are becoming more apparent. Anyone can make a skinny body, but the bigger the sensor the more difficult/expensive it will be to try to make the lens smaller while maintaining image quality.
 
I thought the ephotozone comparison of the Ep3 and the G3 was illuminating in that they thought that (at base ISO) the Olympus showed more detail , I can't imagine it matching a 24mp sensor . . . but I wonder how the lenses will do with such a sensor.

I felt the ephotozine comparison was a bit weak at best. It may suggest some things, but it smacks very much of wanting to get out there with a review that brings traffic rather than one that is thorough. In my view, solid conclusions cannot be made until comparisons are with RAW images, across a range of settings and lenses, and using a common RAW converter. This 'test' does not bear up with the evidence of other jpeg tests, but they too need to be taken with a bit of circumspection.

We want, and even need to know the results of comparisons, but some of the resulting stuff is rushed and sloppy at best.
 
I felt the ephotozine comparison was a bit weak at best. It may suggest some things, but it smacks very much of wanting to get out there with a review that brings traffic rather than one that is thorough. In my view, solid conclusions cannot be made until comparisons are with RAW images, across a range of settings and lenses, and using a common RAW converter. This 'test' does not bear up with the evidence of other jpeg tests, but they too need to be taken with a bit of circumspection.

We want, and even need to know the results of comparisons, but some of the resulting stuff is rushed and sloppy at best.
Well, I quite agree with you about the comparison.
On the other hand, if it really needs lots of tests across a range of lenses and settings, and using a common raw converter . . . . . . . . then the difference is not going to be big enough to as important as the colour and ergonomics issues which are so important (to me at least).
 
Well, I quite agree with you about the comparison.
On the other hand, if it really needs lots of tests across a range of lenses and settings, and using a common raw converter . . . . . . . . then the difference is not going to be big enough to as important as the colour and ergonomics issues which are so important (to me at least).

Yes, of course we each have the things that are most important. In reality, for many of us either camera will have excellent image quality ability, being limited or curbed only by the photographer :)

Ergonomics and the UI are very important to me. I like a camera to be configurable for the core controls, and intuitive in it's use. For some of the things that matter to me, the E-P3 retains elements from my E-P2 that I did not like. I find the Panasonic interface much simpler, more direct and easier to use for the controls core to my shooting (ISO, Aperture, shutter speed, Exp Comp, magnification and setting up a shooting screen to my liking). But, of course, it's a personal thing.

Anyway, a lot of reviews are, in my view, at best snapshots of certain aspects and then highly opinionated in favour of supporting an existing preference. Nothing wrong with that, but then say so - don't masquerade as a valid comparison or review. Sorry to rant, and certainly not directed at you.
 
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