Tell me about four thirds camera systems...
Discussion
Only just stumbled upon these style of cameras and they really appeal to me.
I currently have a Canon EOS3 that I was toying with replacing with DSLR, but after taking out my SLR a few weekends ago when I went to Vienna I remembered what a PITA it is to lug around with me and why i always take the little panasonic TZ7 instead!.
The thing is I would love the size of the panny but with full manual control, and the ability to add filters (mainly polarising) plus change lenses.
How much of this can the four thirds camera system deliver?
I love the retro look of some of them, the question is does the quality deliver too (note I do not need professional quality, im a home snapper that likes a bit of control, the max a picture would ever be blown up would be poster size, and even that is very unlikely, more just used as a screen saver on the computer!!)
Any info welcome
I currently have a Canon EOS3 that I was toying with replacing with DSLR, but after taking out my SLR a few weekends ago when I went to Vienna I remembered what a PITA it is to lug around with me and why i always take the little panasonic TZ7 instead!.
The thing is I would love the size of the panny but with full manual control, and the ability to add filters (mainly polarising) plus change lenses.
How much of this can the four thirds camera system deliver?
I love the retro look of some of them, the question is does the quality deliver too (note I do not need professional quality, im a home snapper that likes a bit of control, the max a picture would ever be blown up would be poster size, and even that is very unlikely, more just used as a screen saver on the computer!!)
Any info welcome
Nothing specificaly wrong with the 43rds system - are you looking at micro 43rds or normal?
The sensor is on the small side as SLR's go, its a 2 * crop so 100mm will give the same field of view as a 200mm lens on your EOS 3.
But still they have much larger sensors than the P&S stuff.
Smaller sensor gives a larger Depth of field and poorer low light abilities but sensors are much better than when 43rds first came out so for most situations the low light ability is decent.
Theres a decent range of lenses (if not to compete with canon/nikon). and they seem to perform OK.
Micreo 43rds is a step closer to P&S, with no real optical viewfinder and contrast af etc.
Also look at the sony NEX stuff, they have 1.6 crop sensors.
The sensor is on the small side as SLR's go, its a 2 * crop so 100mm will give the same field of view as a 200mm lens on your EOS 3.
But still they have much larger sensors than the P&S stuff.
Smaller sensor gives a larger Depth of field and poorer low light abilities but sensors are much better than when 43rds first came out so for most situations the low light ability is decent.
Theres a decent range of lenses (if not to compete with canon/nikon). and they seem to perform OK.
Micreo 43rds is a step closer to P&S, with no real optical viewfinder and contrast af etc.
Also look at the sony NEX stuff, they have 1.6 crop sensors.
For what you want it'll be fine I should imagine. The trade off for the small form factor is quality - I believe most are a x2 crop.
I think prices vary a bit but the olympus lenses are not too bad price wise.
The other thing to consider is that the entry level DSLRs (450D/500D/550D Canon and D3100/D5000 Nikon) are actually quite small, you'll have better quality (x1.6 crop, better noise handling) and access to a wider range of lenses too.
It would certainly be worth getting hands on and having a play with all cameras before deciding which way to go.
I think prices vary a bit but the olympus lenses are not too bad price wise.
The other thing to consider is that the entry level DSLRs (450D/500D/550D Canon and D3100/D5000 Nikon) are actually quite small, you'll have better quality (x1.6 crop, better noise handling) and access to a wider range of lenses too.
It would certainly be worth getting hands on and having a play with all cameras before deciding which way to go.
The only limitations I can think of right now are
1. Smaller sensor size means noise at higher ISO's. On the flip side this is improving all the time. If you shoot under ISO 400 all the time this may be irrelevant
2. It is said in a number of reviews that the AF is not as quick as some of the bigger DSLRs. Whether this is of utmost importance to you is up to what you shoot. Sports or wildlife it could have an impact, most other stuff, you should be fine
3. Currently less kit available second hand & places that can repair in an emergency are less likely to be available if you travel widely
On the clear advantage side
1. Smaller designs, so generally lighter bodies
2. Cropped sensors mean a smaller image circle requried to cover the sensor which means the lenses can be smaller than full frame DLSR ones. Smaller lenses = lighter
3. Cropped sensor also means decent telephotos are not too heavy
If you are not already heavily invested in a particular system and the kit is right for your style of photography then I'd say they are well worth serious consideration
Chris
1. Smaller sensor size means noise at higher ISO's. On the flip side this is improving all the time. If you shoot under ISO 400 all the time this may be irrelevant
2. It is said in a number of reviews that the AF is not as quick as some of the bigger DSLRs. Whether this is of utmost importance to you is up to what you shoot. Sports or wildlife it could have an impact, most other stuff, you should be fine
3. Currently less kit available second hand & places that can repair in an emergency are less likely to be available if you travel widely
On the clear advantage side
1. Smaller designs, so generally lighter bodies
2. Cropped sensors mean a smaller image circle requried to cover the sensor which means the lenses can be smaller than full frame DLSR ones. Smaller lenses = lighter
3. Cropped sensor also means decent telephotos are not too heavy
If you are not already heavily invested in a particular system and the kit is right for your style of photography then I'd say they are well worth serious consideration
Chris
Necropost I know, but I've just got rid of a 4/3rds Olympus (well, getting rid of) - and I'd still have it were it not for the fact I've bought a D70 to utilise/steal my friends lenses as they're all Nikon.
They're good cameras, and cheap too (heck, I only paid £150 for my E-300) and it certainly will take good enough pictures. The limitation was always me, but a few of my friends with more of a talent for it could get stunning results.
I just stumbled across 4/3rds and wanted to big it up, going back to my hole now....
They're good cameras, and cheap too (heck, I only paid £150 for my E-300) and it certainly will take good enough pictures. The limitation was always me, but a few of my friends with more of a talent for it could get stunning results.
I just stumbled across 4/3rds and wanted to big it up, going back to my hole now....
Nowt wrong with the Olymous 4/3rd I use them all the time
Kit is light and Pro lenses as good as any other make
Have a look at my Flikr for some examples
Here is just one
Hoverfly by bobshepherdphotography, on Flickr
Kit is light and Pro lenses as good as any other make
Have a look at my Flikr for some examples
Here is just one
Hoverfly by bobshepherdphotography, on Flickr
You're a lot more talented than me 
But yeah, I also found with the E-300 as it doesn't have the prism hump (technical term?) on the top, it would fit in my old bridge camera bag with the lens on, wheras the D70 won't.
The kit 14-45mm lens focussed a lot better than the Tamron 28-80mm that came with the D70 too, it just felt like a solid quality piece of kit.
Plus of course, the solid thunk it makes when you release the shutter is a lot nicer than the weird swishy whirr my friends D3100 makes, it sounds almost like a film camera
But yeah, I also found with the E-300 as it doesn't have the prism hump (technical term?) on the top, it would fit in my old bridge camera bag with the lens on, wheras the D70 won't.
The kit 14-45mm lens focussed a lot better than the Tamron 28-80mm that came with the D70 too, it just felt like a solid quality piece of kit.
Plus of course, the solid thunk it makes when you release the shutter is a lot nicer than the weird swishy whirr my friends D3100 makes, it sounds almost like a film camera
Nope, I think it swings the mirror sideways or something. It does it differently anyway...
Ah, here we go...
Ah, here we go...
Wikipedia said:
The camera's appearance was unique, as it lacked the ubiquitous SLR pentaprism "hump". Instead, a Porro prism system was used; it fitted sideways within the camera, with a sideways-swinging mirror, and located the viewfinder eyepiece to the left (seen from behind) relative to the lens centerline. The body was largely of ABS plastic over a metal frame; the lens mount was metal, and there was a metal covered area on the left top of the camera. This area also contained the onboard flash, which popped up and forward at the touch of a button. The onboard flash popup mechanism is manual. In low light scenarios the flash will not pop up automatically but the photographer must press the button and pop it up just before taking the photo.
The E-300 uses Olympus' patented Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system to shake dust from the sensor during startup and when requested by the user; this largely eliminates the problem of dust accumulation on the surface of the image sensor.
The E-300 was replaced by the Olympus E-330, a similar model with live preview, in January 2006.
The E-300 uses Olympus' patented Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system to shake dust from the sensor during startup and when requested by the user; this largely eliminates the problem of dust accumulation on the surface of the image sensor.
The E-300 was replaced by the Olympus E-330, a similar model with live preview, in January 2006.
Simpo Two said:
Well I never!
But it still sounds like somebody trying to reinvent the horse by moving all the legs round a bit...
LOL But it still sounds like somebody trying to reinvent the horse by moving all the legs round a bit...
A mate of mine announced he had bought a camera the other day:
DD - Oh really what kind?
mate - Olympus
DD - good choice, an SLR?
mate - Yeah, PEN something
DD - Hmm. Not heard of that one...
mate - PEN something, it's got two lenses
DD - Oh, is it that PEN IS model?
mate - That's it!!
Sheesh. He's a good lad but not too well clued up on photography matters - he had actually bough a micro 4/3s Olympus E-P2
Simpo Two said:
Well I never!
But it still sounds like somebody trying to reinvent the horse by moving all the legs round a bit...
It is kind of convenient though, as I say it takes up a lot less space and feels remarkably solid for a largely plastic object...But it still sounds like somebody trying to reinvent the horse by moving all the legs round a bit...
Are the Micro 4/3rds ones similar to the Sony NEX thingy's?
everyone knows the best way to reinvent a horse is to add another 4 legs spider-style
I presume that you're looking at micro 4/3's, ie the PEN models rather than the olympus DSLR range?
I have a couple of oly dslrs (e1, e510) and while they are good with excellent lenses, I would not recommend anyone start buying them now. Olympus seem to be giving up on the DSLR market - very limited range of new bodies and support has really dropped off (software support is rubbish).
Instead they are concentrating on the micro4/3 models - which may be what you want for a smaller than dslr but better than compact/bridge models.
I have a couple of oly dslrs (e1, e510) and while they are good with excellent lenses, I would not recommend anyone start buying them now. Olympus seem to be giving up on the DSLR market - very limited range of new bodies and support has really dropped off (software support is rubbish).
Instead they are concentrating on the micro4/3 models - which may be what you want for a smaller than dslr but better than compact/bridge models.
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff