Keep E330 or L1?

[flowerpot99]

Have to make a decision to sell either one of these but cannot really decide. Wish I could keep both but don't need 2 bodies and need the funds too. Initially was just planning to get the L1 for the kit lens and sell the body but after a few shots on L1, it seems to grow on me (even the bricky look...)

Personal views of each camera both using Leica lens.

Pros of L1
1. Punchy colours
2. Better and more accurate metering (259 segment?)
3. Analog operation offers faster access
4. Built in bounce flash (FL36 not needed when in small rooms)
5. 3 mode OIS with kit lens (mode 2 saves batt and mode 3 for panning)
6. Live view B is better than E330 (half press pre focus and shoot, 4x and 8x zoom)
7. On the fly Exposure and WB compensation.

Cons of L1
1. Appear slightly noiser than E330 and the noise looks disturbing unlike Olympus. (too much sharpening?)
2. Menus needs to be more user friendly (some option must be access after few sub menus)
3. No articulated LCD
4. Difficulty viewing LCD when in portrait orientation. (Picture on LCD appears distorted, must close one eye. Think has something to do with the latest update)

Pros of E330
1. Live view mode A offer a more consumer camera approach (faster and less piak piak)
2. Better ergonomics (a bigger hand grip)
3. Can use built in flash with FL36 (use it to give frontal lighting while bouncing FL36, L1 flash gets blocked unless using FL50)
4. Menus is very user friendly and easy to access
5. Appears to give a more natural facial tone.
6. Articulated LCD
7. Noise appears film like and quite usable
8. 2nd CCD for focusing prolong life of the camera

Cons of E330
1. Inaccurate metering 1/10 times (tend to underexpose, gives very warm colors) << dun know why. Must do one touch WB. Has to do more PP to achieve result
2. Flash is not as good in auto mode. Tend to blow out the hightlights

Both cameras are really good and fun and each has it pull and push factors. Really not sure which to keep. E330 gives good picture but it is not easy to achieve while L1 give good picture easily but sometimes the noise bugs abit. Hmm any comments for L1 and E330 user?

[aryanto]

It is more like which one has stuff you cannot live without? Keep that.
If both are OK, then the next decision is which one annoys you more, then sell that.

Do you do lots of flash photography? If not then dont bother with the cons of the flash.
Do you do lots of night photo or indoor photo (low light?) If not, high ISO sucks dont matter that much.

[leongyb]

Do you use manual focus lens?

[flowerpot99]

Originally Posted by aryanto It is more like which one has stuff you cannot live without? Keep that. If both are OK, then the next decision is which one annoys you more, then sell that. Do you do lots of flash photography? If not then dont bother with the cons of the flash. Do you do lots of night photo or indoor photo (low light?) If not, high ISO sucks dont matter that much.

Hmm the unreliable WB and metering on olympus is as irritating as the noise on the panasonic. Which one is harder to correct?

Unreliable WB + metering = loss shots
Noise = loss details

Currently more towards keeping L1. Better Jpeg pictures though after PP Olympus gives comparable results. Not so much into PP, just want to shoot and get the effect rather than shot and PP later.

Originally Posted by leongyb Do you use manual focus lens?

Currently do not have any manaul focus lens. But when doing still object will use the live view and manual focus. L1 wins more here as it gives an option for 4x and 10x zoom.

Just a question, Do all olympus gives a very warm cast? I noticed most of my shots are underexposed and occasionally have yellow cast when in tricky lightings.

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by flowerpot99 Hmm the unreliable WB and metering on olympus is as irritating as the noise on the panasonic. Which one is harder to correct? Unreliable WB + metering = loss shots Noise = loss details Currently more towards keeping L1. Better Jpeg pictures though after PP Olympus gives comparable results. Not so much into PP, just want to shoot and get the effect rather than shot and PP later. Currently do not have any manaul focus lens. But when doing still object will use the live view and manual focus. L1 wins more here as it gives an option for 4x and 10x zoom. Just a question, Do all olympus gives a very warm cast? I noticed most of my shots are underexposed and occasionally have yellow cast when in tricky lightings.

The reason why the AWB of the L1 is better than that of the E-330 is because the L1 actually has an external WB sensor.

[flowerpot99]

Originally Posted by tomcat The reason why the AWB of the L1 is better than that of the E-330 is because the L1 actually has an external WB sensor.

Interesting. Guess L1 can be consider a better built camera(with auto viewfinder door too)? Hmm I think you have both camera right? May I know which one are you currently using and why?

[schon]

i guess you want the L1. so keep it.

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by flowerpot99 Interesting. Guess L1 can be consider a better built camera(with auto viewfinder door too)? Hmm I think you have both camera right? May I know which one are you currently using and why?

Whether or not the L1 is better built is subjective, but it is certainly more uniquely built what with the rangefinder-like design, analog control, lens aperture ring and bouncing pop-up flash.
I am now using the E-3 but still have the E-330 and L1. If I were to choose only between the E-330 and L1 for a shoot, unless I need the LiveView Mode A function, I would always pick up the L1. This is because the colours of its images are more attractive... more transparency-like and the AWB is better and needs less colour correction. I find the colours from the E-330 to be too warm most of the time.

[zuikoku]

whatever you choose... that is the best for you
since both of them is nice imo..

[flowerpot99]

Okies. Yup both have its merits and are both unique in its clase. E330 with 2 CCD and articulate LCD while L1 with its analoge control and Design. Will keep L1 and sell E330. Liked L1 image more than E330 straight out of camera. Any taker for E330 with warranty till Nov 2008?

[aryanto]

Put it into buy sell thread: http://forums.clubsnap.com/showthread.php?t=308794 (but remember to follow the format)