There are only 3 processed pics....3 of the pathfinder...and you can figure out which ones those are :P

ugh, what?

I guess I was expecting better.

The EP2's seem to have a enhanced look to them. Was the style setting just on normal?

wait, error on my part.

You hit the processed one didnt you...

Didnt really have anything interesting or cool to shoot.

looks like a drab day too, eh.

A little June Gloom, but the sun was fully out.

No used EP2s on fred miranda...none really around me either...that arent being sold as big kits.

Another possible thought it to buy a EP1....everything is the EXACT same except no acces port for the awesome external VF, and overall performance is very minimally not as fast. But picture quality is the same and apparently AF speed is the same with the latest firmware.

EP1 bodies can be had for around 4-500..and a lumix lens for 400....bam.

What do you guys think about that? Wonder if the VF is that big of a loss....everyone seems to love it.

Well, it's still contrast focus. Can't expect miracles here.


That's pretty odd to me. The 4/3 sensor is fairly large - about 5x larger than the g11's sensor, and about 1/3 smaller than all my canon DSLRS. I would think ISO 100/200 should be pretty decent.


I've always been pretty curious about these 4/3s cameras.
I think they're a nice step up from point and shoots - bigger sensor, interchangable lenses. I saw a recent term I liked - they called them ILCs - Interchangeable lens compacts.

I played with the GF1 a while ago, and it seemed decent enough.
The owner can't seem to get through an entire day on one battery, but that kinda comes with the territory with no viewfinder. (that external should help this).

- Frank

i was all looking into GF1 too... maybe i should go take some sample shoots with it too

hmmm GF2 will be out in January..

i will at least wait for that one

I'm up way too early, but I did notice that newegg is offering 15 percent off dslr cameras, and for some odd reason that I don't think I'll argue with they group the mirror less compact's as dslr.

i may spring on one...

one of the features that is REALLY appealing to me - is that the built-in flash can be turned 90 degrees upward.

Gf2 sounds like a let down to higher end shooters. Aiming more to p&s people looking for a bit more.

Bascially a smaller body with touch screen. Same sensor, etc. Bummer.

do you think the GF1 is better? how will they compare, IQ-wise?

I wasnt impressed with the GF1s image quality...Im not sure they really improved on it for the GF2 more so just making it more appealing to broader range of customers.

dpreview has a right up on one they are testing.

I'll throw in my two bits on the GF1 + 20mm pancake. I've had it for about three months, and my motivation for purchasing it was a desire for a more portable alternative to a full DSLR rig. Pretty simple. I looked at all manner of P&S cameras, including the Canon G series, but the micro 4/3 platform was intriguing because of the promise of better IQ than a small-sensor P&S and interchangeable lenses.

The good:

-I think the IQ is pretty damn good myself. If you are coming from a high end DSLR and expecting equivalent IQ you're going to be disappointed, especially at higher ISO's. But shooting RAW, which is all I do, and keeping ISO at 800 or below, things turn out nicely. At the lowest ISO, IQ is excellent; good color; good sharpness and contrast.

-The 20mm lens is one of the best I've used, bar none. Tack sharp, fast @ f/1.7 and a pleasure to use. Equivalent focal length is 40mm, making it a pretty good "normal" lens. Just outstanding.

-Build quality is rock solid, the screen is very nice and AF is pretty snappy for a contrast-based system. For those who don't like Panny, I will say they make damn fine cameras. If you are coming from a different brand of course you will need to adjust to a different menu system, but I didn't have much trouble at all coming form Canon. You can also set up a "Q" menu for frequently needed settings, which helps to minimize drilling.

-Very good video quality, which isn't something I use much, but it's high quality nonetheless.

-Interchangeable lenses. What more needs to be said? There's some excellent glass out there for these cameras, and you can use legacy lenses as well, if you so desire.

-It has a built in flash, where the current Oly's do not. It may not sound like much, but it can be really useful in fill flash situations.

The not so good:

-The camera can be a little slippery to hold at times, and it has taken me a while to find the best grip for it. One handed shooting is challenging, but can be done.

-You will get noise at higher ISO's. I've heard the Oly's are better at this, but I have no direct experience. The good news is that if you shoot RAW the images clean up nicely, and the noise isn't obnoxious, IMO.

-While smaller than a DSLR, it is not small in a pocketable sense. With the pancake, it's pretty easy to carry around all day and nowhere near as cumbersome a DSLR rig. BUT, if you start adding larger glass, like the 14-15, you lose quite a bit of that, and end up really dealing with a smallish DSLR.

-The camera is prone to clipping highlights and you have to be aware of that. It's not horrible, but if you hate blown highlights you have to compensate in contrasty scenes.

All in all, I'm pleased with the camera, though the 40D is still my go-to camera. I will reiterate that Panasonic makes some high quality cameras, and this one does not disappoint. Like any camera, you have to learn its strengths and weaknesses and shoot accordingly. I plan on expanding my lens kit at some point, probably starting with the pricey 7-14mm wide angle zoom. It gets great reviews.

I agree mostly, but I actually really like the grip on it. The way it handles reminds me of my yashica range finders, but without the mercury batteries. I was also really surprised that the button layout is usable. The only lumix cameras I used before this had some sort of retarded nipple interface.

The little gripe I have is the mono microphone with no aux input option and no shutter speed control. My only use for video is making people dizzy so this doesn't really bother me.

The huge gripe I have is... Why use a proprietary freaking usb connector. Generally if I forget a flash card reader I probably also forgot your stupid BS hybrid cable. I thought we, as a gadget society, had moved beyond this.

After exclusively using the s90 for a while I found that I really missed the flash hot shoe in some situations, but still wanted something more compact than the xti was. With a snug case I can fit this in my small tool bag and have it at arms reach all day. Also, I can't resist a sale.

Olympus has announed and previewed the all new EP3, EPL3, and a new Mini E series camera...ultra compact but with the 4/3 lens system.

The initial impressions on the EP3 are VERY good. Stating it has the the fastest AF-S system to date in a 4/3 camera.

Oly also announced a new 14mm (24mm eq) f2 lens.

Sigh...more back and forth. I LOVE the idea of the x100....but even with the new firmware upgrade...the price, availability, and things that still need to be fixed on the camera are all a big bummer.

The EP3 sounds very enticing. Supposed to come out in August.

Hell, at this point I REALLY wish I had bought the GF1 when that sale was happening. Cant even find them used at this point...I think after using one, I'd probably be inclined to go that route.