Camera Labs

Mine arrived at work this morning. I can't use it until I get home as I don't have a SD card on me. The battery is on charge so it will be ready by then.

I unwrapped the lens first. This is the 14-42 kit zoom. In size it is roughly similar to a 50mm prime like the f/1.4 from Sony or f/1.8 from Canon at least. Obviously it is stored in fully retracted position. Twisting the zoom ring, it extends into operating position. The zoom lock doesn't restrict it in this direction. It only prevents retraction from working range to storage location. The manual focus ring is quite thin which is understandable given the lack of space. It feels nice and smooth, but remember this uses focus by wire so it isn't attached to any mechanics. In a way, I'd almost describe the lens as cute. It's like a normal DSLR zoom lens, but much smaller!

Next I unwrapped the body. While small for a DSLR, it is big for a compact. It is made of copious amounts of metal and feels quite heavy for its size, giving a solid reliable impression. Controls are pretty much as expected.

Not a lot else I can do for now, I'll update later

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Can you send an E-P1 my way?

Edit: can one buy the Four-Third lens mount at this point?

I haven't looked at accessories yet, but even if the Oly adapter isn't out yet, there's the Pana one I think.

Just done first test shots on it. AF speed is reasonable but not quite DSLR phase change fast. For normal shooting I don't see any problem.

The menu system and controls are really going to take some getting used to. At the moment I'm taking quite some time trying to find the right settings if they're not available via dedicated button on the back.

The back D-pad also doubles as a rotating wheel, but annoyingly it is in the reverse direction to the iPod for menu navigation.

Out of the box IS was disabled. I turned it on for my testing. Automatic ISO seems to go up to ISO1600 as my indoor shots all came out at that setting. Shutter times to 1/6s at 42mm were sharp but that was part supported.

Sample pics to follow later. I'm going down the park for real world test shots.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

How does the viewfinder compare to that of the 50D?

I wish they could have just made the camera black, and lenses black as well. Silver finish camera with black lenses looks so naff.

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I've upped my Iso, now up yours.
Nikon D700, Nikon D80, Micro Nikkor 105 f2.8 AI-S,Nikon 85mm 1.8D, Nikon 50mm 1.8D, Nikon 35mm F2D, Nikon 16-35 f4 VR, Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 AF-S, Nikon 70-200VRII, Nikon 70-300mm VR, 300mm f2.8 AI IF ED, SB-800, SB-900. Noiseware pro,NIK Dfine, Nik Colour Effex, Nik Sharpener Pro

Not only that, silver stands out and thus increases the likelihood of being nicked.

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PhilipGoh.com

HAHA, not sure about that one. I think a D3 with 70-200VR on it would stand out more

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I've upped my Iso, now up yours.
Nikon D700, Nikon D80, Micro Nikkor 105 f2.8 AI-S,Nikon 85mm 1.8D, Nikon 50mm 1.8D, Nikon 35mm F2D, Nikon 16-35 f4 VR, Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 AF-S, Nikon 70-200VRII, Nikon 70-300mm VR, 300mm f2.8 AI IF ED, SB-800, SB-900. Noiseware pro,NIK Dfine, Nik Colour Effex, Nik Sharpener Pro

Viewfinder? What viewfinder?

The LCD is great. I didn't feel a lack of resolution in composition use, although as always it might be handy for reviewing. With the protective backing sheet still stuck on it, I let the evening sun fall on it and it remained visible. Maybe midday sun would be worse, I'll test that later. There wasn't any noticeable lag between movement and screen.

The contrast AF is good for the job. What do I mean by that? In single shot mode it is fine for static or slow moving subjects. However before every shot there is a slight delay while it reseeks even if the focus is unchanged. So there is a bit of shutter lag. If you press the button all the way, it will AF and take the shot immediately. If you want to do lots of sports/fast action shooting, this isn't ideal but then again, you'd probably want something a bit more meaty anyway.

I'm using a 150x 2GB SD card. Continuous mode went at high speed for around 10 shots or so (I wasn't counting) before it slowed down slightly.

My biggest barrier at the moment is simply getting familiar with the controls so I can know what settings it is on and change it as necessary quickly. Some buttons vary in function depending on the shooting mode which rather confused me a bit.

It definitely felt a lot LESS conspicuous than a DSLR.

I'm going through the pics now and will upload samples later. My impression so far are that the quality is within expectations and generally comparable to crop sensor DSLRs. By accident I put it in ISO6400 for a bit. While there is a fair amount of luminance noise, the chroma noise is well controlled and at first glance I might even suggest it is more usable than on the 50D which suffers more from banding. The side by side high ISO test will follow another day.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

ahh now that's a user review (and sample pics) I'm really looking forward to! keep it up

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Canon EOS 5D Mark II | Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM | Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM | Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM
...and a lot of lighting stuff. -> complete list of equipment

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Sample pics will follow later. Just wanted to add that this isn't one for pixel peepers. I think it's a combo of the lens and processing, but it doesn't shout sharp particularly when close focusing. Taking the bigger picture, it is fine.

Noise is a bit higher than average at low ISO but nothing to worry about. I think it will clean up easily with noise reduction software.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

thanks for sharing, can't wait for more

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

Sample video: http://www.vimeo.com/5399888 - seems to be done processing but plays back blank to me. Anyone else get that? Does the download work ok? If they do supply the original (mjpeg) it should be ok.

Have to warn you I have no idea what I was doing. All I did was turn the dial to video, and pushed the shutter button. No idea at this stage what or if there is anything else you can do during recording.


Onto the pics! This is a mix of normally processed pics as well as some 100% lossless crops from camera jpeg output.


Crop and processed normally.


100% lossless crop from original of above.


Resize only and processed normally.


100% lossless crop from original of above.


Slight crop to 3:2 aspect, processed normally including cloning out some junk on the lawn.


100% lossless crop from original of above. Note slight CA in window.


Crop and processed normally.


100% lossless crop from original of above.


Resize only and processed normally.


100% lossless crop from original.


100% lossless crop from original.

EXIF should be intact on all if you want to know settings.

All considered, if you want bigger picture it has not trouble delivering. 100% crops here were the better ones. Like on DSLRs working with shallow DoF, it is easy to have small errors in focus causing increased softness. Again like DSLRs, the AF will pick on higher contrast areas in the AF area which might not be what you want (e.g. often it will focus on water ripples instead of the birds).

Increasing ISO seems to increase softness and luminance noise when viewed 100%.

I don't know what the maximum magnification of the kit lens is, but it does a passable closeup. Not so great for bugs as the working distance is quite short.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

thanks for the pics. I can't see the video.

I think u're right, noise start to creep in at 400 ISO, also it is pretty soft. Maybe it is the kit lens.

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

The video seems to be working now.

I should point out most of the above images were taken with the camera in fine jpeg mode, although some might also be taken in normal. That's something for me to compare later as normal would significantly increase storage capacity.

That reminds me, I need to get myself another SD card and a spare battery...

For now, here's a couple of snaps comparing the lens with the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

One question, with compact cameras, you have to hold the camera away from you, to see the screen. I would've thought that would result in a less steady hold on the camera. I suppose if you are using this as a point and shoot with the ability to change lenses then fair enough, but obviously for shots where you have slower shutter speeds etc, the screen might not be as effective as a viewfinder? Any thoughts?

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I've upped my Iso, now up yours.
Nikon D700, Nikon D80, Micro Nikkor 105 f2.8 AI-S,Nikon 85mm 1.8D, Nikon 50mm 1.8D, Nikon 35mm F2D, Nikon 16-35 f4 VR, Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 AF-S, Nikon 70-200VRII, Nikon 70-300mm VR, 300mm f2.8 AI IF ED, SB-800, SB-900. Noiseware pro,NIK Dfine, Nik Colour Effex, Nik Sharpener Pro

How is the shutter lag if the camera is pre-focused. I think I read in some review that it was close to 1 second?