E-P1 vs Sigma DP1... close focus distance.

Hello  everyone,

here's a very quick example of the flexibility and quality of the two E-P1 kit lenses, compared with the excellent prime lens on the Sigma DP1.

I wanted to see the closest focusing distance for the DP1 vs the 14-42mm and 17mm kit lenses on the E-P1

Click on each image to go to the full size version, including full EXIF info.

Sigma DP1 at closest focus distance. 28mm EFL

1/8s f/5.6 at 16.6mm iso100

Olympus E-P + 14-42 Kit Lens. 28mm EFL... same Effective Focal Length... much closer focusing distance.

1/15s f/5.6 at 14.0mm iso100

Olympus E-P + 14-42 Kit Lens. 84mm EFL

1/13s f/5.6 at 16682.0mm iso100

Olympus E-P + 17mm f2.8 Pancake Lens. 35mm EFL

1/20s f/5.6 at 17.0mm iso100

Spot the bug? at full zoom, the 14-42mm kit lens shows a focal length of 16682.0mm ;)

Kind Regards

Brian

Comments

[Vaughan Williams]

Hi Brian,

You must be one of very few people to have a G1, DP1 and EP1 avaiable to use and compare!

That's a pretty impressive close focussing for the 14-42 zoom. If you have time I would like to see a close up of a flower taken at 5.6, and stopped down, compared with the same shot with the ZD50 at same apertures.

Can you also confirm whether the ZD50 and 1.4 or 2x converter will work on the EP1 (as you know that combination will not even manually focus on the G1). Documentation seems to indicate it won't work but it would be good to know definitely).

Regards

Vaughan

[Brian Mosley]

Hi Vaughan,

the ZD50 and 1.4x converter work - just quite slowly... remember, this camera is a replacement for a compact if you can compromise on size (it's a proper camera size... feels larger in the hands than the Panasonic LX1) and a replacement for a DSLR if you can compromise in focusing speed (think fast compact camera in this regard).

What you get for your size compromise is better than any compact IQ, fast serious user interface (highly configurable), big fast RAW buffer, and of course the most comprehensive support for legacy lenses available (including accurate AF for *all* 4/3rds lenses)

What you get for your focusing speed compromise is a camera you can comfortably wear around your neck all day, use in public without getting arrested and have the best IQ currently available for 4/3rds.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Brian

[Vaughan Williams]

Hi Brian

That's good news about the 1.4 converter. Again it shows that Panasonic don't see compatibility with 4/3s as a priority. They are really stupid as the G1 is real competitor to the E450 and E620, at least for me, but by crippling it they make it less attractive to existing 4/3 users.

I was waiting for the EP1 launch to see if Oly gave better compatibility with 4/3s and they seem to be delivering the goods, so if I do buy a m4/3 it will be an Oly not a Pansonic.

Regards

Vaughan

[Brian Mosley]

Hi Vaughan, another big advantage in favour of the E-P1 is Image Stabilisation for all lenses...

Build quality also goes in favour of the Oly.

Cheers

Brian

[David Bateman]

Hi Brian,

Sorry for the redundant post, but I wanted to be clear. The EP1 can mount a 43rds lens on an adapter to the Micro adapter? This will be the first time two Olympus adapters can be used together. On my E3 you can't mount the Ex25 with EC14 and I assumed you can't mount the EC20 with the EC14. The result is no electrical communication to the lens on E3, so you can use full manual lens with multiple adapters. This is very interesting.

If on hand can you test if the Ex25 and EC20 will work with a lens on EP1?
And if on hand, test if three adapters can be used (I know this would be a big addon) but I am interested. Example Micro Adapter +Ex25+EC14 with 50mm?

Thank you for all these tests!