Review of the Olympus E-PL3 and E-PM1

[BluewaterPhoto]

I got to spend some time comparing the E-PL2, E-PL3 and E-PM1 in the shop the other day.



The auto-focus speed on the E-PL3 and E-PM1 was improved nicely. The shot to shot speed in single-shot mode also seemed to be better. In general they both seemed to be great cameras, very similar to the E-PL2 - which I've been using a lot underwater lately. We will definitely be carrying both cameras and housings. I've put up a brief review with more details and photos.

Looking forward to seeing what other people thing. Let me know if anyone has any questions.

Scott

 

[TheTrickster]

Thanks Scott.

I have the E-PL3 - in preparation for a housing for it. What a great camera!

I'm not too keen on the Olympus housing for it (in stock yet???) due to the no removable port and limit on only using the kit 14-45mm lens.

I know / I hear 10Bar will be producing a housing for it - they have an E-PL3 and are currently tooling one up - have you heard of any others? See&Sea etc?

A question for you...(say there is already a housing out there with a dome port...) what would be better?

1. Olympus Housing with 14-45mm and external Wet Lens 0.67x Wide Angle Adaptor (INON or Olympus or other..)
2. A-Another Housing with Dome Port and 14-45mm.

If that makes sense!?

Also does using a dome port effect the ability to use the 'Video' function as you have to focus at a virtual focal point in front of the dome lens.

Hope you can help - and let me know when housings are available!

Thanks

Richard

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

I think Richard is beng premature in regard to the interchangeable port issue on the Olympus E-PL3 and E-PM1 housings. I don't know of anyone who has who has the housing in stock that has actually attempted to remove the port and install a ZEN port in its place. So far it is only speculation on the part of those who have forwarded the notion that this can not be done. The port mount and port design appears to be the same as in past PEN housings so the only issue will be how the lighting system is wired to the housing body.

Phil Rudin

 

[TheTrickster]

For UK users, potential buyers of the PT-EP05L Housing

Olympus have confirm today, the housings (PT-EP05L's) will be arriving mid October and at the moment the ONLY distributor in the UK to have already place an order for them from Olympus is Amazon.co.uk. Surprised!! :shocked2:

You can preorder them (which I have done - if you're right Phil ) at no cost and only charged on dispatch.

At least, if you can change the ports and I'm wrong, I'll get one of the first ones!

Rich

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

Olympus US reps have the ZEN domes in their booth at events like DEMA and I would hope they had imput into the port design. Olympus can make more money selling lenses like the 9-18 and gear than they can selling the add-on 67mm threaded attachment lenses. Hope they were not short sighted.

Phil

 

[luca.scampini]

Some weeks ago, a Netherlands shop that usually is the one of the firsts to have new Olympus gear ( both cameras an housings) wrote me that they had tested a prototype of new PT-EP05L housing for E-PL3. They told me that their test confirmed full compatibility with existing Zen domes and ports.

Luca

 

[mjh]

We had the Oly prototype housing in the shop a couple of weeks ago and will confirm as others have said that the Zen dome port will work with housing. Not sure how functional the led lights on the standard port will be but looks like they are there to stay.

 

[TheTrickster]

Oh man, I take back all what I've said about the Olympus housing if this is true!!!

Just today I got an email from Amazon.co.uk re the housing though...

[TABLE="class: Bs nH iY, width: 1125"]
[TR]
[TD="class: Bu"]Hello,

Please be advised that we have a revised delivery date for the items you ordered on September 29 2011 (Order #202-7576754-xxxxxxxx).

"Olympus PT-EP05L Underwater Housing for PEN E-PL3"
Estimated arrival date: November 08 2011 - December 29 2011

For more details, please visit the Your Account section of our web site :












[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Damn...

Well I'm sure there will be 'retail' units out and about before that then, so looking forward to the reviews.

I better start looking at Zen port now then!

 

[derway]

What ever happened to the oly housings for the epl3? Have they got lost with the bad management?

Why no early reviews? Phil? Scott? What news?

 

[TheTrickster]

Hi Derway,

What would you like to know about the Olympus housing for the EPL-3? I've now got one with the Zen port.

They are in stock, but I don't think there is a lot of them around. I know the price jumped after the initial batch.

Its been horrible vis here recently, so there is nothing worth publishing I've taken. The first set of photos I've taken,
I just left it on full auto, and obviously all the photos are very green. Went out yesterday and came back up within 10mins, as
there was nothing worth taking pictures of. Due to the vis, this makes the photos even worse!

In terms of build quality:
* Appears the same as previous housings, strong plastic and firm/precise fitting
* Good design - well laid out and easy to hold and use
* Clear button markings, and good response from them also, so not hard to use with gloves
* Removable port as the same as the previous Pen housing, allowing the use of Zen ports
* Sea&Sea type optical ports
* Easy to see screen, with removable rubber surround.

I have not used the focus lights, as I put the zen port on straight away, so lost that functionality.

I really need to sit down with the camera and actually learn the 'modes' as it seems there is a macro and wa 'fish' modes if you customise the FN Button.

If you want anymore info, let me know.