Why is E1 pro?

[Cliffy]

why is the E1 pro, while E 500 not? Isn't the E500 better?

[u2nofear]

high ISO 3200 for E1 maybe sensor type are difference; while E-500 quite new camera with ISO 1600 only

[VR Man]

The e-1 is Olympus's first DSLR that is built to the specs that pro photographers demand. Back when it was first released, its specs were truly revolutionary.

If you compare it to the E-500 now, then obviously the E-500 is going to have some features that are better than the E-1, i.e. megapixel, etc.

Features that I like about the E-1:

1) Weatherproofing. You can shoot in a slight drizzle while everyone else takes cover.
2) Firewire and yes TRUE USB 2.
3) The ability to change the focusing screen to one with grid lines.

I will leave the other features for the rest

[b18]

Originally Posted by VR Man .... 1) Weatherproofing. You can shoot in a slight drizzle while everyone else takes cover.

Slight drizzle is an understatement ... I was practically shooting in a pouring rain with my E-1

[VR Man]

Originally Posted by b18 Slight drizzle is an understatement ... I was practically shooting in a pouring rain with my E-1

Wah! U berry brave siah!

Got pict to share?

[b18]

Originally Posted by VR Man Wah! U berry brave siah! Got pict to share?

One of the shot I took during my church cell group outing

pix

[VR Man]

Originally Posted by b18 One of the shot I took during my church cell group outing pix

Wah! Snowing effect! Cool

[OlyFlyer]

b18, I don't say you are not saying the truth, but that pic does not look like it is raining on the camera to me, so maybe it was raining but I think somebody was holding an umbrella over your camera. Getting water on the lens is not doing any good to the picture, even if it would not hurt the cam or the lense you use.

Yes, I know, I know, E-1 is weather proof, but not waterproof. E-1 was once the best Oly had and still has a few advantage compared to E-500, but as a camera, I also belive E-500 is better, which is only natural in this computerized digital world. However, I belive E-1 is still a good camera, but no longer the best.

If I may have a guess on its successor, it will be called E-5, it will look like E-500 (or E-1 whichever you prefer), traditional mirror swing mechanism where mirror swings upwards. It will have exchangable focusing screen, wire remote that reacts instantly, faster than E-500 graphic processor, external power and flash connector plus all the things E-500 has and a little more. I am not shore it will have the E-330 live preview, maybe if processing power will increase enough. It will be called E-5 because I think that is actually the way Oly thinks. E-500 is the one that supposed to replace E-1, but I think they were in a hurry to release it and missed, or left out a few points to save time. I belive E-330 is just a successor of E-300 and thats where it is going to stay. Sorry E-330 guys and dolls.

[plastic]

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer b18, I don't say you are not saying the truth, but that pic does not look like it is raining on the camera to me, so maybe it was raining but I think somebody was holding an umbrella over your camera. Getting water on the lens is not doing any good to the picture, even if it would not hurt the cam or the lense you use. Yes, I know, I know, E-1 is weather proof, but not waterproof. E-1 was once the best Oly had and still has a few advantage compared to E-500, but as a camera, I also belive E-500 is better, which is only natural in this computerized digital world. However, I belive E-1 is still a good camera, but no longer the best. If I may have a guess on its successor, it will be called E-5, it will look like E-500 (or E-1 whichever you prefer), traditional mirror swing mechanism where mirror swings upwards. It will have exchangable focusing screen, wire remote that reacts instantly, faster than E-500 graphic processor, external power and flash connector plus all the things E-500 has and a little more. I am not shore it will have the E-330 live preview, maybe if processing power will increase enough. It will be called E-5 because I think that is actually the way Oly thinks. E-500 is the one that supposed to replace E-1, but I think they were in a hurry to release it and missed, or left out a few points to save time. I belive E-330 is just a successor of E-300 and thats where it is going to stay. Sorry E-330 guys and dolls.

Just a note, the E-500 was never an E-1 replacement. The E-500 was a prosumer model from day one.

[mpenza]

Originally Posted by Cliffy why is the E1 pro, while E 500 not? Isn't the E500 better?

There're some things which differentiate between a pro camera and non, eg. shutter lag, AF speed, blackout period, more durable components (e.g. shutter), more stringent QC. Of course, non-pro cameras that are released later could be better in some aspects when compared to pro cameras released earlier.

[koolz]

External WB sensor and built-in AF assist light! Option for vertical grip too.

[drakon09]

Going a little OT here, but this I must say.

Cliffy old boy, you sure livened the oly forum up, and with all the expert posts coming in, I dare say oly's stock has certainly gone up a few.

[Cliffy]

Originally Posted by drakon09 Cliffy old boy, you sure livened the oly forum up, and with all the expert posts coming in, I dare say oly's stock has certainly gone up a few.

haha, then I should delay my purchase, lol j/k

anyways...@plastic - why is E-500 "prosumer"?

[plastic]

Originally Posted by Cliffy haha, then I should delay my purchase, lol j/k anyways...@plastic - why is E-500 "prosumer"?

That is how the Olympus people plan their product range from the beginning... entry level cameras and pro cameras. There are lots of write up on the internet about single digit and three digit models. Go check them out when you have time... Google them...

[Cliffy]

so single is only the E-1 right? I have seen the sample pics by E-1 taken by the pros, absolutely amazing. I'll check them up abit later.

[plastic]

Originally Posted by Cliffy so single is only the E-1 right? I have seen the sample pics by E-1 taken by the pros, absolutely amazing. I'll check them up abit later.

Yup. Do your homework from reading the Oly site first... that way when you ask questions about the Oly series, you already have a deeper understanding the design concepts behind the series of cameras. Though prices has dropped for the E-1, but the feel of the E-1 in your hands is something else altogether... the mirror slap vibrations is also much more muted... also the E-1 is one of the, if not the quietest bodies in the market. Its essential if you are shooting events and sports like golf... a loud mirror slap might get you evicted from the greens.

Things like that this that set the E-1 apart from the E-xxx series. That is why there is so much excitement and anticipation for the E-1 successor... the sensor behaves differently too...

Here are two samples of an untouched, jpg from a borrowed E-1. I was smiling when the shot came out...

Only resized and compensated the sharpness loss...





Note on the second pic, the colour cast from the environment (red neon) was faithfully reproduced... that is film like quality.

[OlyFlyer]

plastic, I agree on single digit, three digit point. Single digit always was Oly pro while dual or triple digit not. Still, my guess is that Oly wanted to replace E-1 earlier, but failed to keep project time schedule and had to compromise to keep the market share alive and growing. So they released it as a prosumer. As far as I remember, Oly almost always had the single/multiple digit pair combinations. There was once OM1 and OM10 pair, OM2 and OM20 pair and so on. That's why my guess is the E-1 successor will be called E-5 and will look like E-500. Possibly E-2 so as not to hurt our feelings for our prosumers (E-300, E-330 or E-500). Remember, I may be wrong, I am not working for Oly. You may be right that E-500 was never meant to be a pro camera, only Oly engineers and management can confirm that.

About E-1 being the quietest camera, that's a good point for some people, but I doubt Cliffys buildings mind the noise. Besides, for some people the mirror swing and shutter opening/closing sound sounds like music. Like some people wanting a quiet Japanese motorcycle other want noisy Americans. Anyway, maybe E-1 is better build than E-500, still E-500 really does not feel cheap in my hands.

E-500 is lighter than E-1. Weight is always also a factor to consider when you have to carry the bag for days. While doing sports, you often stand still and let the subject move but when doing architecture or nature, you move and let the buildings and landscapes stay. So you have to carry the bag all the time.

[Andy Ho]

One thing I do realised from all the E-1 pictures (including from Oly website) is that the exposure latitude tends to be very narrow. Noticed how most of the white tend to go washed-out? I hope the replacement model would be greatly improved. Don't flame me...I am a Nikon user but am looking at Oly as it is still smaller and lighter than the current D2X that I am using.

[nightpiper]

on the contrary, i find Oly E1 has the 2nd largest latitude after S3pro. again on the contrary, many users of D2x has commented the Nikon's flagship DSLR to easily blow highlights. can't really comment on that one, so i read them with a pinch of salt.

the E500 is today's tech & E1 is yesterday's tech, so not surprising the E500 has more advance features like continous write to CF card till full with jpgs. tech can only improve, there's really nothing to compare in terms of features.

what i like about the E sys is its flexibility to use diff makers of lenses via adaptors, great colour, build quality, components quality & good metering.

i m not adventurous enuf to shoot in heavy rain but mild shower still ok. have a look. shot with the 14-54mm kit lens at 1/8s hand held, can still see a person walking in the bkgnd blurred. not too bad...




(ps. i have another thread on the Nikkor 500mm mirror lens on the E1)

[ch5800]

According to dpreview, difference of E-1 and E-500 with battery included is 0.256kg. If you
are already carry with you things like tripod, 11-22, 50-200mm kind of things then the body weight different is ...

If you just carry E-500+14-45mm vs E-1+14-45mm, yes the different is a lot.

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer E-500 is lighter than E-1. Weight is always also a factor to consider when you have to carry the bag for days. While doing sports, you often stand still and let the subject move but when doing architecture or nature, you move and let the buildings and landscapes stay. So you have to carry the bag all the time.