Micro 4/3 Prices for new Olympus PENs

[wolfie]

After the camera-shrinking war, Olympus looks to be starting the price-shrinking battle ...

E-PL3 at $599 US/Euro

E-PLM $499 US/Euro

 

[Ray Sachs]

Haven't each of the EPL series been $599 at introduction? And each of the EP series been about $899? Seems pretty consistent other than the EPLM which is kind of a new line altogether.

-Ray

 

[pictor]

Why on earth should one pay so much more for the E-P3, when there exists a virtually identical camera which costs so much less?

 

[jonoslack]

Why on earth should one pay so much more for the E-P3, when there exists a virtually identical camera which costs so much less?

Because of the build quality, the form factor and the extra dial on the back . . . it's bigger though, and doesn't have the articulating screen.

 

[pictor]

Because of the build quality, the form factor and the extra dial on the back . . . it's bigger though, and doesn't have the articulating screen.

The build quality is about the same, the form factor is a matter of taste, the extra dial isn't anything which is expensive. There is only the touch screen, which is a significantly better and pricier implementation than that of the Panasonic G3, and the flash which add something of substance. And there are some differences regarding the software. There are some features of the E-P3 which I would like to have, but I think that the price difference still seems to be bigger than the differences between both cameras suggest.

 

[Djarum]

Wow. When I decide to buy a new camera, the E-PL3 might even be down to ~500 bucks. Too bad it doesn't have a grip to speak of.

I'm in agreement, the extra features on the E-P3 are 300 bucks more?

 

[Ray Sachs]

If I didn't want the flip up screen of the epl3, I might be more interested in the EP3. I like the extra thumb-dial, I like brighter OLED screen, I'm not sure about the touch screen but this sounds like a very good implementation, and I like other little details like an orientation sensor and level. But I do REALLY like the flip up screen like the one on the Nex and will almost definitely get the EPL3 instead. I just sold my GH2 for a grand total of $50 less than I paid for it in February (not a bad "rental" fee for six months of use - thank you Panasonic for making these so difficult to find!) and am ready to plunk down for the EPL3 if it lives up to early reports. And Olympus has a cool little leather half case for it that should take care of any grip issues. They both look like great cameras to me and its nice to have the choice.

I don't have any interest in the EPLM, but that's probably a nice option for a lot of folks too.

-Ray

 

[wt21]

The build quality is about the same, the form factor is a matter of taste, the extra dial isn't anything which is expensive. There is only the touch screen, which is a significantly better and pricier implementation than that of the Panasonic G3, and the flash which add something of substance. And there are some differences regarding the software. There are some features of the E-P3 which I would like to have, but I think that the price difference still seems to be bigger than the differences between both cameras suggest.

Remember also, though, that the EPL3 has a new, redesigned shutter at 5 fps, making the price difference even harder to swallow. The EP3 needs to come down about $100. The EP3 is out first, so maybe the plan to lower the price when the EPL3 finally ships?? (Oly seems to be quicker with the first $50 price drop than Panny).

 

[pictor]

You are right. The 5 fps vs. 3 fps is something I don't understand, either.

There is only one reason for me to prefer the E-P3, that is its thickness. The E-PL3 seems to be much thinner than my E-PL1 which may be more problematic when I use the camera with my Canon FD 100mm macro lens on a tripod. So I should go for the E-P3, if I bought one of the new cameras. However, since the sensor does not seem to be as superior as I hoped, my E-PL1 does everything for me what I really need. The better AF is fine, but I shoot with MF lenses very much and I have never missed a faster single focus AF with my AF lenses. If the E-P3 had an articulating screen, I would buy it. If it had a much better sensor, I would buy it. But since this is just a small incremental upgrade, I am not so sure that buying the E-P3 makes sense for me. But I will wait until I get some raw files which I can develop in Lightroom, before I make the final decision.

 

[wt21]

From what I read on Oly's site, they had to redesign the shutter to fit the new cameras, and when they did that, they boosted it to 5fps. The EP3 has the same (old) shutter of the EP1/2 and EPL1/2, so that's why it's slower. Begs the question as to why they didn't redesign the EP3 shutter, and I'm sure the answer is -- that's what the EP3s will be

 

[wolfie]

I think this is just a really cool pic of an E-PL3 ...