EPL-2 as alternative to compact

[Dive_TimE]

I am looking at the Olympus EPL-2 and Olympus housing as an alternative to a high end compact set up like the Canon S95, rather than as an lighter/smaller alternative to a DSLR set up which most people seem to consider it for. As such I am only interested in the Olympus with its kit lens, and possibly the 9-18mm, with the Zen dome port, and won't be looking at buying other lenses for the forseeable future (especially given the prices of micro 4/3 lenses) - the Olympus will only just fit into my budget as it is. I am wondering whether this is a valid approach and if anyone else has already thought along the same lines - and if so their logic for choosing the Olympus (or not)? The main benefit would seem to be the higher quality images from the larger sensor versus a compact, against which I would lose the ability to switch wet lenses and the benefits of greater DOF and higher flash sync speeds with something like the S95.

There are also two questions I can't find any answer to - the first is whether the Olympus fisheye or wide angle adapters that fit onto the Mark 2 kit lens can fit into the Zen dome, and the second is whether there is any benefit to using Olympus own brand UFL strobes (eg. is the flash sync any higher than using a Sea & Sea or Inon strobe)? Can anyone help with these questions?

Thanks!

Tim

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

You will find several threads here and elsewhere that compare the ups and downs of the Olympus E-PL2 and the Olympus XZ1 with its Olympus housing and many of the issues are the same as with the S-95.

First the smaller the sensor the greater the DOF, the larger the sensor the better the image quality all things being equal. What you are not keeping in mind is that DOF also increses as the f-stop number gets larger. So an interchangable lens with a say F-22 will give greater DOF than a compact that only goes to F4.9 max. The image quality differences of the 4/3 sensor over the compact sensor to me outweigh the DOF issue and if you are shooting RAW they are even greater.

I am not sure the flash sync number on the S-95 is accurate if you are shooting S-TTL off of the cameras on-board strobe.

Regarding the add-on fisheye and wide adapters from Olympus, I think it is unlikely the W/A adapter would fit inside the ZEN 9-18/14-42 port or Olympus flat port. Behind the flat port image quality would be poor. No way would the fisheye work.

The main issue to me is do you want a system like the E-PL2 that you can build on or do you want a consumer compact.

Phil Rudin

 

[Puffer Fish]

The problem with "all things being equal" is they are almost never equal.

There is no question that the Epl-2 has better dynamic range, somewhat better high iso performance and a tiny bit better resolution (depending on the lens)...but underwater images tend to not require high iso, they don't generally have a high dynamic range and if you use F22, then the ZX-1 or S95 have almost twice the actual resolution...

What you give up is flexibility...which to some is unimportant, and everything to others.

But it depends on where one dives, and what sort of images they want to take.

Cost clearly goes to the high end point and shoot...so does flexability. You loose speed and the cleanliness of a single function camera.

If you like wide angle images.. can afford the equipment, by all means one should get a interchangable lens system. If you just like macro...I think the same is true.

However, if you don't want to spend a ton, like to take different kinds of images... well there are several good, raw shooting point and shoots that will serve one better.

Was using a macro lens this last weekend...lovely lens to to work with...and taking macro is faster and more accurate than a point and shoot...

Then came across of 6 ft wide southern stingray...darn....not going to get much of an image..

Had I had my Point and shoot, I would have attached a wide angle and taken the shot..

 

[deeper thoughts]

nice pix

 

[HenrikBP]

Nice! That Stingray picture makes me think of starry nights and galaxies

Henrik