Observations of micro 4/3rds and an open invitation to camera makers
My posts here have been a little sporadic lately. It hasn't been intentional. Nope. I've been busy shooting a lot. Mostly I've been shooting with the GF1, but I've also been shooting with my Nikon D90. What? I mentioned a DSLR here on the small shooter blog at NO DSLR's website. Well, in the interest of full disclosure, I do own an DSLR. Let me explain.
Not only have I been shooting a lot, I've been studying micro 4/3rds. I've also studied the FLICKR user groups and what not and have come to a few conclusions. I don't necessarily claim that I am the originator of any of this information nor do I guarantee it is true. It is however, my experience.
So...Here are a few observations.
1) If you are coming from a DSLR and looking for one of the current cameras to replace your DSLR, you may not be satisfied with what is on the market. Don't get me wrong. I love the my GF1. LOVE IT! However, I'm not ready to make this my only camera. I do predict that someday it will, but right now the current crop of micro 4/3rds just don't quite offer enough speed and performance.
2) If you are stepping up from a point and shoot, you will love the micro 4/3rds cameras...Other than the slightly larger size. In my opinion, the GF1 and E-P1 outperform every small chip point and shoot camera on the market. That is why you are now seeing the LX3 sell for under list price again and see Canon's brand new G11 sell for under $500 bucks as well.
3) High end point & shoots need to find a new way to survive. Is it the Ricoh module/block system? Is it super compact size? Who knows but I think that Nikon and Canon need to figure it out as sales of their flagship point and shoots go elsewhere.
4) In reviewing Flickr galleries, it appears that both the Olympus e-p1 and the Panasonic GF1 appear to be bringing out the bokeh artist. So many of the images shared in Flickr GF1 and EP1 groups are about the "bokeh" produced by these cameras.
5) Old lenses - Many photographers are justifying the purchase of micro 4/3rds to once again use some of the old lenses in their collection.
On a personal note, I love the GF1 but here is my open invitation for micro 4/3rd camera makers.
1) I need a weather proof camera. I don't need all the crazy features found on the current crop of micro 4/3rd cameras. I need the basic functions of the GF1 or the G1/GH1 in a weather proof body. I need a smaller pro/semi pro camera. Someone needs to do this and don't tell me that the Pentax K-7 is in that category because I've held it in my hands and it's not anything like the EP1, GF1, G1 or GH1.
2) I would like faster frames per second and better focus tracking. This is pretty much the only reason I shoot my DSLR. Bring it to 5 FPS and improve the continuous focus tracking.
3) Lenses - Why can't Olympus (or Panasonic/Leica) produce higher quality lenses like they did with the 4/3rds format. I shot an Olympus 4/3rds camera with high quality Zuiko lenses. I miss them. Folks will pay for higher quality glass. Someone just needs to do it!
4) Please adopt DNG like Pentax and Ricoh. This will allow much easier digital workflow and increased immediate sales because folks would not have to wait for Adobe updates. Just do it. I also like the RAW button for shooting individual RAW shots. That is a feature I would love.
OK....That's enough ramblings for now.
Olympus EP1, Panasonic GF1 in Camera Drivel, Olympus, Panasonic, Panasonic GF1
Reader Comments (5)
I was interested in hearing more about:
"If you are coming from a DSLR and looking for one of the current cameras to replace your DSLR, you may not be satisfied with what is on the market."
I have some point and shoots. I also have an original Canon Digital Rebel. However, I think its time to upgrade. I love the idea of the GF1, but think I need more camera maybe. I think I like the 4x3 aspect of these cameras over other more rectangular formats though.
Why do you think the 4/3rds camera won't make me happy if I don't worry as much about your other points? Any suggestions?
Hey, thanks for the comment. I'll do my best to explain.
I love my GF1. I'm shooting more than I ever have as a result. However, there are some limitations. I am working on my formal review of the camera but will share my thoughts on this now.
So....coming from a DSLR, this is my experience.
Focus tracking isn't any where near my Nikon D90. Shooting moving objects is possible with the GF1, but it's hard and I miss more shots.
Low light sensitivities. While the GF1's low light capabilities are far beyond a point and shoot, they are again way behind low light capabilities of today's APSC sized sensors. I shot a cyclo cross race last weekend and was shooting at ISO 1600 with my D90. ISO 1600 is unusable with the GF1.
Shooting in Live View all the time - I don't have the EVF and probably won't purchase one either. While the screen is awesome, there are some definite drawbacks to not having a view finder and it's harder to hold a camera steady away from your body.
If you don't care about those two things, the GF1 could be your only camera. For me, it is my 80-85% camera. I love it and can't wait to shoot more with it.
In all honesty, I would take a very close look at the G1 (if you don't want video). I pondered this for ages, but ended up going the GF1 route. It has everything the GF1 does and includes a very good EVF and you can choose to shoot in live view if you wish.
If that doesn't help, shoot me an email and I'll spend some more time trying to help.
I'd like to agree with the desire to have a sturdier, weatherproof camera in that market. By that I mean I totally desire to have one, BUT (yeah, there's a but) the additional weight/size/cost it would engender would be a big limitation. It'd be a rougher and tougher camera, but they'd have to carve something out to make it both affordable and usable. I think. Maybe. Probably.
It reminds me of those beautiful Nikon titanium 35ti and 28ti. I was in college when those came out. Gorgeous things, they were (and are, if you have one) with top notch technical capabilities. But so expensive!
http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/35ti.htm
Sorry, I'm rambling a bit. Camera talk tends to do that to me.
Back on topic: I own the first generation of the Pentax Optio point and shoots. It's waterproof/dustproof, tough, with fairly decent abilities (for a point and shoot). It's also small enough to be able to handle easily from a moving bicycle. In a perfect world, I'd love that toughness combined with the capabilities of a 4/3 micro in a package I can still one hand it with. I am sure someone will make it, and that I'll have to take out a loan to buy one. ;)
Funny thing is...back in the day there was no weatherproof anything with SLR's. Your best best was to buy a bulletproof Nikon FM2 or F3. Nor are there any weatherproof DSLR's. So, by asking for this in a 4/3rds micro, are we being realistic?
OK. I'll shut it now and go back to work! Thanks for the site. It's great!
- Erik
Eric, thanks for the reply. I too can ramble on and on about cameras too.
I understand your concern about size. However, I'm confident they could make a more weather proof design in a not too big package. Lot's of compact cameras are coming in weather proof designs. They are leading the way. I'd like to see some of this technology trickle upward to Micro Four Thirds.
Additionally, my points of view were also about ways to set MFT apart. Panasonic and Olympus are building similar cameras. Someone needs to make something unique. Don't just make the same offerings.
Lastly, my desire comes from how I use a camera. I take a camera out in my back pack when it rains. Should I take the GF1? Or should I take say a Pentax K7? Right now, given certain conditions I'd carry a larger camera because it has what I need. My gut feeling is that a weather proof G1 or GF1 from Panasonic would be slightly bigger than the current offerings but still smaller than a K7.
I just want a weather proof camera larger than a compact camera.
The point of how we use the camera driving our desire is right on the money! :)
When I did the GDR a few years back (solo on a motorcycle) I kept a small camera on my pack's shoulder strap via a Lowe Pro camera pouch. The camera wrist strap in turn got attached to a self retracting key retainer (also attached to the shoulder strap) in case it was dropped at speed. That way I could reach up, take out the camera and take 1 handed shots without stopping. The whole thing worked really well, for the most part. The fly in the ointment being the limitations of a small point and shoot like the Pentax Optio.
I'm leaning towards the 2009 Canon s90 as being a good compromise camera. My usage is as an adventure camera for bikes and (if I am lucky) motorcycles. Plus impromptu shots of my 3 year old as we romp around having fun!
That doesn't keep me from lusting after the current crop of 4/3rds cameras though! Hahahahaha!
- Erik