Almost perfect PEN (E-PL-3)

As intense Olympus fan and users with the Oly DSLR E-520 (Double Zoom Kit) and E-30 (with 2.8-4.0 / 12-60 SWD) and additional excellent Zuiko lenses (2.8 / 25 mm; 3.5 / 35 mm, 2.0 / 50mm, 4.0-5.6 / 70-300 mm) I had for some time my beloved E-450 (see my review on Amazon) in favor of a PEN sold. Simply because the PEN is again lighter and smaller than the E-450. At first I had tested an E-PL2, which also was not bad. The display was very good, built-in flash, great type filter, better standard zoom 14-42 II than with the E-PL1. What more do you want. What I did not like: the menu knob, a few buttons and the overall processing quality were somehow not as reassuring as I was accustomed from Olympus it. So sent back and later ordered the E-PL1 Body without lens, but with FT Adapter. Haptics and processing even better than the E-PL2, image quality (when properly exposed) than the best of e-PL`s. AF speed, worse display and shortest exposure time 1/2000 s but not enough to me. If you can live with the small flaws, obtained with the E-PL1 is a very good and currently priced system camera. However, it has follow-up costs when you buy more delights to the highly recommended standard zoom 14-42 II (not available in the set). One can also satisfactorily shoot with the E-PL1 with the FT Adapter and the FT Standard Objective. Nevertheless sent back.
The third test: E-PL3 with standard zoom 14-42 II R (Fast AF), VF-2 viewfinder and FT-adapter.
My result: simply ingenious Recommended combination. Very valuable and noble processed, an optical and technical delicacy. I was immediately impressed.
My main motivation for buying a PEN were low weight (who has an e-30 with 12-60 SWD lens at 35 ° C three worn days by Rome, know what I mean), faster Live View (Contrast) - AF in the important for me 16: 9 aspect ratio (as viewed on the flat-TV) and the very good image quality (up to ISO 800-1000). Nevertheless, until now none of the tested by me PEN to about ISO 360, depending on the picture quality of my E-520 / E-30 with the Zuikos 2.0 / 3.5 50 mm / 35 mm and 2.8-4.0 / 12-60 SWD (this Olympus lenses are almost without competition) approached. From ISO 400 again outweigh the benefits of E-PL3.
Therefore, for me a PEN imperfect substitutes for a good SLR but a useful supplement for many applications (everyday, Landscape, Street, Art filter, 16: 9 photos, 3D, especially holiday pictures, etc.)
Here are my positive experiences, which are also my justification for the purchase of E-PL3:
- Small and light, easy and very good lenses
- All FT lenses easily available, then AF but slower, great handy
Combination with the Zuiko 2.8 / 25 mm, 3,5 / 35 mm, 4.0-5.6 / 40-150 mm, in large
Lenses you wear the camera on the lens
- Very fast and precise AF, thereby significantly faster 16: 9 photography as with
my E-30 (contrast AF significantly slower)
- Great automatic enlarged at MF, and you turn the focus ring
- Previously extremely foolproof exposure (as well as no readjustment necessary
should also be on the E-5 above), best color, sharpness and contrast
- You can safely turn off the photo-result display after shooting
to save time and energy, the picture will always be 100% so, how the
Live image has seen in the preview (obviously except for flash)
downright outstanding brilliant
- Great folding screen, quickly up or down, great resolution
- Improved menu design significantly
- At ISO 200 perfect until ISO 800-1000 (is fully sufficient) great
Image quality, without lifetime-consuming post-processing or RAW development
- Ingenious combinable ART-filter, for example, pop art with a black frame and -0.3 EV
give wonderful fall foliage photos
- Time-saving ART BKT (Bracketing) function, in which I with a trigger
Any number of art filters and picture styles as finished pictures Receive
- HD and Full HD video with silent nachführendem AF (for me subordinated)
- Great post-processing functions in the camera, because I hate it forever on your PC
sit (sit 9 h / day professionally on the PC)
- The compact flash is indeed more complicated than the integrated flashes of E-PL1
and 2, but it sits right in the middle above the lens (no
Shadows on the subject), the flash is to use only as a fill,
Amazingly, the flash control comes easily with an ISO Auto (eg
to ISO 800) setting clear, no flashes About
- The grip is slightly worse than the E-PL1-2, but the rubber piece
on the back (for the thumb) is well located and there is a clear wertigere
Look from the front, you have to stop to hold the camera more on the lens
- Better and wertigeres Standard Zoom 14-42 II R as to the e-PL1-2, in 14 mm only
very low distortion
- In connection with the great foldable viewfinder VF-2, great handling and
Photographing, almost like mini-DSLR
- Great accessories on offer such as: macro converter, macro LED lights etc, MFT
Lenses easily KB-Objekive with adapter and manual
Operation available
- The battery is the same as in the E-450 / E-620
- Noise performance substantially better than on my FT-DSLR, to ISO 800-1000
problems, about only for faster shutter speeds makes sense (not if
too dark), the FT-MFT sensor is there just because of his size to his
Limits, but it shows in the resolution APS-C sensors which nowadays
is technically possible
- Copyright Information (eg photographer) may from the camera directly into the Exif file
to be written

Some negative experiences, and suggestions for improvement from me:
- Lower losses instead texture resolution (as at the E-PL1, E-5) would
more important to me
- ISO 100 is for lower noise actually mandatory, even if it be borne
the momentum going (like the E-30)
- Would be a Brighter MFT Standard Zoom nice (like FT Zuiko 2.8-4.0 / 12-60
SWD)
- An integrated viewfinder (optical as at Fuji would be enough) to very bright
Environment would be great
- A built-in flash as the E-P3 should be compulsory
- A standard mini HDMI connection would be better
- Why are the shutter sounds so loud? Only a solution to Spiegelau
simulate? Although (are much quieter than a DSLR, but still too loud,
silently would be possible)
- Why is the time interval between 2 photos (except for sequential shots) so great, where
but the pure AF speed is quite short (had me on the E-PL2
most disturbed).
Too bad that the E-PL3's still not perfect PEN. But I'm still very pleased with her and she can for the upwardly mobile, transfer passengers and professionals recommend (for special shots). The system cameras of different manufacturers there are many more suggestions for improvement for me. The main advantages of nebem small size and weight are the clamp 16 for me: 9 photography (by many underestimated), the absolute reliability in the rchtigen exposure and the exact image preview. The FT / MFT concept is a great thing, some of which is still to be expected in the future. Meanwhile, other lens manufacturers (Voigtländer, Sigma, Schneider-Kreuznach, etc.) are also already joined the MFT Standard. From the high-quality Olympus - quality, I am convinced still. Unfortunately, many photographers look in imageträchtigere name, high MP sensors and unilaterally to lowest noise (but what?). Best lab results do not necessarily mean also beautiful image results. Before my purchase of E-30 I've compared eg 3 weeks with a Canon 50D in the test. There, too, the Olympus E-30 already had more possibilities to offer the better overall concept and beautiful Jepeg`s.

Supplement February 2012:
Great advantages in PL3: no tilting moment when triggered (similar to the E-450), as the trigger is quite close to the thumb and it's no Spiegelau solution exists as to an SLR (also brings unrest in the system, so there is there the mirror lockup). I have in any case in the last 1000 photos no blurry photos, up to 5-6 images I panned, and the AF was too little time. Everything super tack-sharp photos. When video films I make the stabilizer or IS 3 (only vertical stabilization), otherwise the stabilizer tried the swing to compensate for the horizontal movements. With a little practice you get out first-class full-HD videos that come with swivel free shots at HD + TV reception. For my purposes perfectly adequate (small holiday memories). Overall, PENs are a great thing. Improvements are always possible. But how often do you need more ??? Honestly, that everything is whining at a high level. Meanwhile, I have used the PL3 now 1 week starting at 1.800 meters above sea level at the ski in Obertauern daily and am increasingly excited about this camera, especially on the foolproof exposure, especially in difficult lighting conditions in the snow. I did not have to readjust once. One of the great discoveries for me is the 3D Photography with fantastic results that are possible with the PL3. It makes the program 3D scene, two photos next to each other and the camera takes an incredible 3D image therefrom. Recently, I have a 3D TV (LG 42LW5590 with polarized glasses, see my review) and a 3D Blu-ray player from Panasonic, the (incidentally, also the Full HD video format) can read the 3D format of the PL3. Just plug the SDHC card and enjoy Affenstark. Should try to imagine at all at any time. This results in completely new possibilities in photography (unfortunately for the time being only for the TV). Only for 3D photography, the PL3 has already paid off. The results are so natural, sharp and brilliant, that one wonders how Olympus has so hinbekommen. There are quite a few 3D movies to buy, who do not have such great 3D effects. The depth and the formal protruding objects from the TV are just awesome. The easiest photo opportunities are to feast and make regular AHA moments for the viewers. Insider tip: definitely try.

Addendum Okt.2012:
Got myself in Malle holidays in June also some frustration experiences. Unfortunately, I have noticed it only at home on the screen. With extreme brightness (sunny beach, bright rock environment, bright facades) the system E-PL3 comes with the standard lens 14-42mmm in automatic programming to its limits. Usually occurs FT / MFT sensor due until aperture 11 a diffraction blur a. This objective, however, the images are already starting aperture 8 blurred (in very bright environments). So sure in a lot of light with the auto iris and aperture 5.6 or 6.5, to photograph a maximum 7.1. Sometimes you get it for now problems with the exposure time, as these only to 1/4000 s is possible and is within easy reach at minimum ISO 200. ISO 100 is lacking here easy, unfortunately !!! My E-30 has to 1/8000 sec shutter speed, also has ISO 100 (albeit with reduced momentum in the dark areas).
For high end lenses which funtioniert without problems until aperture 11. Highly recommended are the Sigma MFT 2.8 / 19 mm and the Oly MFT 1.8 / 45 mm. Even with normal apertures these lenses are much sharper and come lenses serve up some very good Oly FT.
Happy, AZ