I would recommend Olympus E-620 at any time.

1. Construction, Operation: Olympus PEN E-P1 makes a very solid, trivalent impression, even if the metal housing is only simulated. The main features are about something small buttons (on the back too poorly visible or less) satisfactory access. Disappointingly, only the On / Off button. The leaves when the sun is almost non-visible light once again the question remains open after the state seized the device is switched on but then a gentle press on the multi-selector and one’s wrong with ISO, timer ect. to pretend. Better to switch off these options in the area and change the camera settings on the Ribbon Menu clear. That is quite clearly visible in sunlight, because the only low-resolution screen is better than its reputation and the desire for electronic and optical viewfinder can not arise in the first.

2. Admission unfold: Lens, wait for power on, sensor cleaning, wait until the auto focus goes from near to infinity and back to the proper distance throwing. Anyone who has gone through this routine a few times, which is clear that it is in Olympus PEN E-P1 is not a snapshot camera, but requires patience. Of course you can do with some luck Vorfokussieren and sports photography, but for sure there is better equipment. When manually setting the magnifying glass feature is helpful, but what in the strong sun and not much help. Getting used to the distance setting by wire, especially as the smooth adjustment ring has no distance markings. Neither the Kitobjektiv, nor for the 17mm lens sun visors are available, which leads to increased light scattering (compare Nikon) in the pictures.

3. Image quality: On the there is not much to find fault. The lens is a good average, the image parameters can be adjusted in a manner that is usually reserved for professional cameras. If the pictures seem to 6400 ISO under certain circumstances, be acceptable, this is a sign that the Image Stabilizer-equipped with an internal camera for indoor and Schwachlichtsituationen is well endowed.

Conclusion: The Olympus E-P1 is a solid, handy camera, which relates what the image quality-even with the Kitobjektiv brings excellent results. Outdoor fans are not quite on their behalf, the camera is not weatherproof and not just quick to use, moreover, still lacks a sound-ready case.

We know that the sensor size of the “displacement” of a camera. Where a lot of power under the hood, there are plenty in reserve. The Canon G10 “had already impressed me, however, the tiny sensor size of a compact camera of course has its limits in terms of light sensitivity, noise performance and depth. At ISO 200) should be slowly closing in the “Canon G10 ‘(ISO 400 at the” G11 “…

The sensor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is 5 times greater than that of the” Canon G10/G11 and slightly smaller than that of the DSLR ‘K20D Pentax (APS-C). As expected, one can make quite relaxed up to ISO 800 virtually noise-free pictures, only from ISO 1600, image noise (so that one begins to notice it). And depth is also not a problem, such as portraits with blurred background are, of course (with an open aperture, of course, is best). The SLR is feeling!

The speed of the autofocus is very good as opposed to “Olympus Pen”, which indeed is also available in the MFT (Micro Four Thirds) sector. Measured by the shutter lag is about 0.4 seconds including autofocus without AF even only 0.05 seconds (insanely fast) even for DSLR conditions. With three frames per second, it is as fast as the “Pentax K20D, but quietly charming. In the midst of a crowd, it all falls on not if you flash a picture series “fires”.

The picture quality is simply stunning: super-sharp, natural colors with rather less saturation, virtually no image noise until ISO 800 Demo images on richy Schley de. The guide number of 6 rather puny-sized pop-up flash goes through as a fill-in any event and makes absolutely no red eyes. Assembled “to correct” flashes on the hot shoe (for example, Metz, LZ 48) and work via the TTL (through the lens), together with the best GF1. The viewfinder (which I have not) might be of interest in strong sunlight, although the brilliant 3-inch display permits (460,000 pixels) very good image control. In manual focus the camera automatically switches to the lens, so you can see the finest details.

The operation is intuitive and easy OPERATIONS WERE CARRIED (unlike the maze-down menu of “Olympus PEN”). Beginners can turn on the “iA” mode and all settings (including ISO, leaving Weissabglich) the camera’s computer. With the uppermost rotary switch to switch to continuous shooting, exposure bracketing, and self-timer. With the “ISO button to quickly switch between different sensitivities to and fro. The Quick menu you can quickly select JPG, RAW or RAW + JPG and more.

For the manipulation of images in RAW format, the extensive and send software “SILKYPIX Developer SE” is available. It optimizes the picture, either automatically or manually. The results are convincing.

And then the HD videos! Simply great. On Youtube you will find so many demos … The mono microphone reminds you that you have a camera in hand and no camcorder. But the quality is also in full screen (1440 x 900 with me one way) to kneel down. You can zoom during filming, and either manually or via auto focus (works great!). For editing and cutting, I suppose, “Pinnacle Studio HD.

A special feature is the interchangeable lenses. You can use not only the MFT lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, but with adapters for many camera models and old treasures, even Zeiss lenses. So you can make on a camera market is a bargain and that Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 mount (of course) without autofocus and image stabilizer. The built-in kit zoom lens image stabilization allows for sharp handheld photos even at 1 / 5 seconds, not only at 28mm wide angle, but also in 90mm telephoto.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 (makes me at least) addictive because they’re so small, is so quiet and so powerful. An SLR camera in the format! For people who have the money remains absolutely recommended and a guarantor of happiness for demanding photographers who appreciate the compact size of a “Canon G10″ with the picture quality of an SLR.

Final decision to buy for me were:
-The compact dimensions of the camera AND the lenses and the light weight
-the relatively low price
The high-quality appearance (design & processing)

Having now been using the camera a few weeks, I can allow myself slowly a verdict. The other reviewers have already written about many things and much that is true, this camera and the image quality. I would like to add a few points. It is solely to criticism, but you should not misinterpret this: I think the camera is good in spite of everything!

Portraits
Consider yourself why they need the camera. Not to be discussed here due to physical factors make it for Basic, like me, and maybe you, too, with this camera and the “conventional lenses (see above) rather difficult to make portraits in such a way that the background nicely blurred, while the person is hot is) (known as bokeh. That can buy cameras from other manufacturers with a larger sensor would be better or you would have a more appropriate basis of additional Olympus lenses (eg 50mm)

Low-light situations
The kit lenses are good, but for low-light situations not recommend unreservedly. A (not existing) image stabilizer would improve the results. Also consider in this context that the camera flash in dark environments, the focus prior to shooting to be able to use (instead of a red light relief) as with other manufacturers. That can be really annoying.

Live View
The Live View function sounds impressive, but despite everything, not nearly as practicable as in a compact camera, since the mirror is folded prior to the initiation anscheind always first. As a result, it has one, in my opinion, quite long and unacceptable “shutter lag”. I now once again use the viewfinder.

Which kit should you take?
The 25mm pancake lens gives the camera a relatively compact DSLR combination. However, you have the pancake with no zoom and the view is not well suited for every situation. The picture quality of this lens is also my opinion not better than the 14-42mm zoom. And for the price but the 25mm pancake you already have a compact camera. You can actually put in your pocket, what with the 420, despite their “relative” compactness, unfortunately, does not go so well.
I personally find the double zoom kit most appropriate. The information contained lenses are good and very light and compact.
To whom is less important to the weight, you can buy the camera separately and to the excellent 14-54mm or 12-60mm. Over the 17-45mm, I can not say anything, I do not know.
Side note: The cheaper lenses work in manual mode all the way, not mechanically but “by wire”. I.e. when the camera is off, can not be offline in order to advance herumzoomen different compositions tested.

The Seeker
The viewfinder is smaller than in many other DSLR cameras. How big is this disadvantage, everyone must decide for themselves. But there is a “viewfinder” that can be infected, instead of the eye cup, which enlarges the viewfinder image by a factor of 1.2.

The worst picture is the way to what was not even fired. Finally, I would therefore like to emphasize that the camera invites me because of their ease of use and outstanding processing constantly attracts and / or photographs to play with. What can be said on a commendable camera?

In the Olympus E-520, there is a live-view, so you can, as usual with compact cameras to see through the display, which wants to take. The delay on the trigger should not be underestimated, however. Runterschwenken The mirror must be first, then the AF measures the distance, then works back up the mirror and the image is made. Nothing for snapshots.
While here recently are the so-called contrast measurement, which can also measure the distance and when folded mirror is slightly faster.
Especially for macro photography on a tripod Live View is great! Above all, because you can see on the 10x zoom of the preview image and focus very precisely, whether the image is sharp. For macro photographers a real HighLight!
The E-520 can also be seen faces! Yes, no nonsense, this works! I first thought of a joke, but nothing there! However, only works in Live View, right.
If the face is turned on, you can see on the screen a small rectangle around the face, which has been detected. Works well with two faces, two rectangles. Whether this is also linked to three or four, I have not been tested yet. In any case, the exposure will be something on the detected faces? Concentrated?. Lying face e.g. in the dark, then lit a bit longer. Actually worked quite well, even though this feature at first something? yes? happened to sound funny.
The E-520 has improved with a different processor. She also now has a shadow brightening, with the very dark areas, which threaten to drown, to be raised somewhat. Very nice for those who do not want to bother with RAW and complicate subsequent processing on the computer.

The enclosed 40-150 before I could inspect times. In my opinion, an absolute highlight in the segment! Easy and cheap, but knackscharf in the picture! No wonder in light intensity, but you can not have it all.
The small zoom does his job well. Very small and light, very tidy imaging properties.

Finally, I can only say that the Olympus E-520 is really fun! Small and lightweight, with excellent details (ImageStabilizer, live-view) and very good image quality. For those who have an entry into the SLR world looking for a real tip, just with those two lenses.