Panasonic Four Thirds

[lynnlett]

Don't know what model to buy or why!

[inkista]

Here's the way I see it when it comes to micro four-thirds:

The Olys are more available and at lower pricetags than the Panasonics. Hell you can pick up an E-P1 at Costco for $500, iirc. And they have in-body stabilization and (as long as we're not talking about the E-P1), the electronic viewfinder accessory is much high resolution than the Panasonic one; while the LCD is much lower. But the kit lenses aren't as nice as the Panasonic ones, and adding a Panasonic 20/1.7 is expensive and hecka hard to do. Also, the Oly menus are less than ideal.

The Panasonics lack in-body stabilization, they have higher resolution LCDs and lower resolution EVFs. But the response time and menus are (for most folks) better than the Oly controls, and the lenses (particularly the Leica-branded ones) rock. They are, however, hard to find in stock, and more expensive than the Olys. Also, the body shape on the gripped models is not necessarily as pocketable as the flat-box body design.

The Samsung NX and the Sony NEXs have larger APS-C sensors (1.5x, vs. 2x of the four-thirds sensor), but the Samsung NX cannot be adapted for most rangefinder glass, and the Sony NEXs are mostly meant for folks who want a P&S upgrade, with far from ideal menu/controls for a serious shooter who's used to full Manual control.

Does that help?

[MSidPhoto]

I don't know what camera you've been using before...whether a P&S or a dSLR but you do sound like you are new to photography (no offence ^_^).


Overall the Panasonic GF1 has received a better response than the Olympus E-P1, E-P2 and the EPL-1. It seems as if Panasonic was much more sucessful in capturing the Micro Four-Thirds' market as compared to the Olympus. Even though Olympus offers in bulit image stablisation and was the first to introduce the Micro Four Thirds and even has a lower price. The GF1 is a great compact camera. Easy to handle and the two kit lens (the 14-45mm and the 20mm) will perform nicely offering fast focusing. As far as additional lenses are concerned keep in mind that you can use the old screw mount lenses using the appropriate adapter on the Micro Four Thirds (both Panasonic as well as Olympus). So...I guess I'll advise you to get a Panasonic.

As far as the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 are concerned, if you have been using a P&S and want a small upgrade, something LIKE an SLR (I mean, it is an interchangable lens camera...but still )...then go for it. Why? Because it offers simplicity and IS NOT designed for those people who have been using dSLR and want another compact SLR. The GF1 was made for that purpose.

Hope this helps