Firstly welcome to my blog. This is my first entry and I have decided to draw upon my own recent experience.
The Background:
For nearly a year now I have been contemplating upgrading to a new camera. Until three days ago I had a nine year old Panasonic compact camera, which despite its impressive colour processing it still lacked on quality by modern standards with its five megapixels. This I used for everything I ever wanted in colour. For the creativity in my photography I had my fully manual 35mm SLR. A basic but reliable and very flexible piece of kit it came up trumps on many photos. However weighing in at only a smidging under the weight of a tank and costing nine pounds for every thirty-six images I wanted to see I just don’t get the use out of it that I’d want. I had been looking at full sized DSLR’s (digital SLR’s) though recently small versions of similar cameras have been seeping their way onto the market. Starting with the Olypmus PEN EP-1. Styled on the origional film taking PEN of the late 50’s the new one was a looker with superb quality.
For nearly a year now I have been contemplating upgrading to a new camera. Until three days ago I had a nine year old Panasonic compact camera, which despite its impressive colour processing it still lacked on quality by modern standards with its five megapixels. This I used for everything I ever wanted in colour. For the creativity in my photography I had my fully manual 35mm SLR. A basic but reliable and very flexible piece of kit it came up trumps on many photos. However weighing in at only a smidging under the weight of a tank and costing nine pounds for every thirty-six images I wanted to see I just don’t get the use out of it that I’d want. I had been looking at full sized DSLR’s (digital SLR’s) though recently small versions of similar cameras have been seeping their way onto the market. Starting with the Olypmus PEN EP-1. Styled on the origional film taking PEN of the late 50’s the new one was a looker with superb quality.
So what happened then. Well on a trip back home I got ‘dragged’ into visitng a specialist camera shop, lets just get this clear, we are not talking about Jessop’s or any high street chain. This is an all singing all dancing warehouse of a camera store where all staff and trained professional photographers in various fields who know exactly what they are talking about. So having had a play on all full sized and compact SLR’s I had made a rough decision, compact would be the way to go, and the Olympus in my opinion was a hands down winner. So after chatting to the guy on the stand I soon discovered he was actually one of the main Olympus reps in the country.
The Choice:
At this point I knew what the two cameras I was going to have to decide between. Both in the new Olympus PEN series there was the EP-2, an upgrade of the stylish original or the EPL-1, exactly the same on the inside just missing the finesse that the EP-2 had with its looks. This brings me nicely onto my question. Should I go for something with style and substance, or just the substance? An easy one you think. Not when the difference in price is just over three hundred pounds. Lets break it down but first here is the difference we are talking about:
At this point I knew what the two cameras I was going to have to decide between. Both in the new Olympus PEN series there was the EP-2, an upgrade of the stylish original or the EPL-1, exactly the same on the inside just missing the finesse that the EP-2 had with its looks. This brings me nicely onto my question. Should I go for something with style and substance, or just the substance? An easy one you think. Not when the difference in price is just over three hundred pounds. Lets break it down but first here is the difference we are talking about:
Here's option 1 - Olympus EP-2
Differences:
- Partial metal body
- Shorter but longer body
- Different button arrangement
- Different shape buttons
- Sunken mode dial
- Heavier
- Comes with leather strap
And option 2 - Olympus EPL-1
Differences:
- Full plastic body
- Taller but narrower body
- Different button arrangement
- Different shape buttons
- Mode dial not sunken
- Lighter
- Comes with nylon strap
Apart from the design differences these cameras have the exact same LCD viewing screen, optional extras, processor and sensors, and even the lenses are the same, nothing changes but the looks.
My Decision:
At heart I am still a student so I am now the proud owner of the EPL-1 which takes some superb photo's. I bought this camera as a camera and not a fashion accessory so it is only logical to sacrifice some style for cash, especially when it enables me to buy the top lens they sell for it at the moment rather then the smaller one. This is just me though. What have others done?
Well according to the Olympus rep, he has sold 159 of these combined since they have both been out (on the market at the same time). With a staggering 156 choosing the cheaper EPL-1 and a mere 3 purchasing the stylish EP-2 I think that says it all. Don't get me wrong though, if i had that sort of disposable money I would get it all and not compromise on style and I would more than happily make his total 4. But not everyone chose the cheaper option for the same reason as only a third of those buying the camera acquired the larger lens for it, others were just happy to keep the cash in their pockets.
So do we always sacrifice quality for money?
What is the real cost of style?
Any thoughts or experiences of your own? Please feel free to leave a comment.
