Your opinion matters. Ricoh GXR vs. Olympus EP-3 vs. Fujifilm X100

[watzzup]

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting one of the above mentioned title.

Reason: Street Photography.

Only can afford one, so need some opinions among these cameras.

Below are my reasons to use them, but haven't prioritize which ones yet.

1. Ricoh GXR - Sleek , discreet , interchangeble mount.

2. Olympus ep-3 - Fast focus.

3. Fujifilm x100 - viewfinder experience.

Shooting style: Street candid portrait, subject is walking or moving or in dazed moments . :bsmilie::bsmilie:

Did some homework, mostly recommend Olympus ep-3 cause of fast focus.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[rhino123]

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting one of the above mentioned title.

Reason: Street Photography.

Only can afford one, so need some opinions among these cameras.

Below are my reasons to use them, but haven't prioritize which ones yet.

1. Ricoh GXR - Sleek , discreet , interchangeble mount.

2. Olympus ep-3 - Fast focus.

3. Fujifilm x100 - viewfinder experience.

Shooting style: Street candid portrait, subject is walking or moving or in dazed moments . :bsmilie::bsmilie:

Did some homework, mostly recommend Olympus ep-3 cause of fast focus.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

Since you have done some homework... the next step would be for you to go down to the shops and test out these product. They are good in their own sense and you wouldn't go wrong with any of them... you must however pay special attention to the following,

1) Ergonomic - right down to grip design
2) Menu experience (User Interface)
3) Accessories available (might be useful - things like external flash, remote control, etc).

For me though... I will take the EP3 anytime of the day. I have been using both my 7D and E-PL1 for some time now. I loved the E-PL1 alot. It is a nifty little machine and is light enough that I don't feel a thing even after a day of shooting.

EP3 only make it better...

I would never take up X100 though, just my personal experience... it cannot change lens and sometime I would like a telezoom to the range of about 200mm and above... but that is just my shooting style.

 

[chillicutter]

How about considering the new Nikon 1 series?

 

[watzzup]

How about considering the new Nikon 1 series?

Haha, the design didn't catch my attention enough to consider it.

Seems like the ep-3. but i will go and try them out or even rent to have a feel of the camera.

 

[pinholecam]

Pentax Q? large DOF for easy zone focus


IMHO, you don't need a new camera just for streets. DSLR + lens of choice is fine as well.


If I were to choose from your list :

X100 - last choice. Just too expensive for what it is, a fix lens APS-C camera (said plainly an APS-C pns). Not that its no good, but too pricey considering the options avaliable. Unless you are the type that can use any digital camera for 3yrs or more, few years down the road, good lens+camera are all 'outdated'. With a ILC system, you more or less keep the price of the lens. Real beautiful camera that looks like a RF camera if that is what you are looking for. Nice Fuji colors though. Put it this way, if you want to have a camera with 'passion'. This is the one. Nice camera and concept, just not the most practical (value wise) of the 3. If I had extra cash, I sure wouldn't mind having one.

GXR (with M module) - only if you already have M lenses or don't mind venturing into M lenses. MF only, but not that big a deal if you get used to it or use zone focus.

m4/3 - EP3 fastest focus is not always so in low light and/or with some lens combinations (eg. Panny 20/1.7). Not that its slow, but don't believe all that marketing talk that its the fastest 'PEN'. Look closely at the fine print how they came up with the claim for fastest AF. Like all cameras, it will still hunt if contrast is low or light is low. That saying, its still the best of the 3. Small system (not just camera); Good, not too expensive, small and fast aperture prime selection. Definitely better AF than the other 3 and no slouch vs DSLRs in most situations. Stylish looking too.
BTW, look at Panasonic as well (they always had fast AF).

 

[watzzup]

Hi ,

One of the reason is for changing from a DSLR is that i can't or won't have it with me all the time. Therefore it becomes under used.
I want a camera to bring with me all the time 24/7 . Don't say handphone ah ;p that one also have.

DSLR people stare at me like i want to eat them. Muahaha.
And they do this

 

[theelectricyouth]

Agreed that the X100 is a bit of a dead end 35mm lens camera, the m4/3 sensors to me aren't up to scratch compared to the APS-c, so I'd recommend the GXR with any of the APS-c sensors and expandability is synonymous with the GXR.

 

[watzzup]

Agreed that the X100 is a bit of a dead end 35mm lens camera, the m4/3 sensors to me aren't up to scratch compared to the APS-c, so I'd recommend the GXR with any of the APS-c sensors and expandability is synonymous with the GXR.

Thanks for the opinion, don't know whether i can rent the GXR to try out first.
I saw the ep-3 and x100 is available for rental.

 

[An drew]

Agreed that the X100 is a bit of a dead end 35mm lens camera, the m4/3 sensors to me aren't up to scratch compared to the APS-c

It is a shame that Olympus did not bother to put in a better sensor in the EP-3 vis-a-vis the earlier models, perhaps they are too busy buying up other companies.

Nevertheless I am thrilled that I am able to use all my Panny 4/3 lenses on the EP-3. The focus is surprisingly snappy and the touch screen is fun to use. The body is a beauty too. While the sensor is not great, the pictures are quite adequate and the colours are very nice.

I would say that the many lens choices (zooms and primes) would steer me towards the EP-3.

 

[watzzup]

It is a shame that Olympus did not bother to put in a better sensor in the EP-3 vis-a-vis the earlier models, perhaps they are too busy buying up other companies.

Nevertheless I am thrilled that I am able to use all my Panny 4/3 lenses on the EP-3. The focus is surprisingly snappy and the touch screen is fun to use. The body is a beauty too. While the sensor is not great, the pictures are quite adequate and the colours are very nice.

I would say that the many lens choices (zooms and primes) would steer me towards the EP-3.

Thanks for view..

 

[pinholecam]

Hi ,

One of the reason is for changing from a DSLR is that i can't or won't have it with me all the time. Therefore it becomes under used.
I want a camera to bring with me all the time 24/7 . Don't say handphone ah ;p that one also have.

DSLR people stare at me like i want to eat them. Muahaha.
And they do this

G3 or GH2 may be suitable for you if you can look past the 'tech geek' styling over the more sexy 'fashionista' styling of the EP3.
Fast focus (they also claim G3 fastest ?? )
Nice resolution and low light ability.

Here are some street shots done with a G3.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/pent...g-please-share-your-photos-2.html#post7519536

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/pent...g-please-share-your-photos-2.html#post7519538


I also have a review here :
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/reviews/988259-panasonic-g3-real-world-user-review.html

another one from Cactus Jack
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/reviews/901076-review-panasonic-lumix-dmc-g3.html

 

[watzzup]

G3 or GH2 may be suitable for you if you can look past the 'tech geek' styling over the more sexy 'fashionista' styling of the EP3.
Fast focus (they also claim G3 fastest ?? )
Nice resolution and low light ability.

Don't add to the list of an indecisive person who hasn't made up his mind yet. hahaha. :bsmilie:
I'll be even more confused.

 

[pinholecam]

Don't add to the list of an indecisive person who hasn't made up his mind yet. hahaha. :bsmilie:
I'll be even more confused.

Ha..ha..

Just nice, EP3, G3, X100, GXR.
4 choices.
I can lend you my 4-sided die from my old DnD days
"Roll a die and choose your own adventure"

 

[watzzup]

Ha..ha..

Just nice, EP3, G3, X100, GXR.
4 choices.
I can lend you my 4-sided die from my old DnD days
"Roll a die and choose your own adventure"

Wah.. cannot cannot. :bsmilie:
If i earn alot i buy 1 by 1 try don't like sell back.
:bsmilie:

But i don't .. must go touch and feel for it first i guess.

 

[wedoodle]

Olympus ep-3 is surely the way to go. Currently im holding 600D, but holding a EVIL in hands will be another new experience. Esp u r doing street photography (=

 

[watzzup]

Is there really a major major difference with the m4/3 sensor and the APS-C sensor?

I haven't been reading up on this yet.

If i'm just a hobbyist, photos for your own collection/use/practice . it doesn't really matter does it?

 

[Shahlan]

You may want to consider the Sony NEX cameras...they are one of the better contenders in my opinion..

 

[rhino123]

Is there really a major major difference with the m4/3 sensor and the APS-C sensor?

I haven't been reading up on this yet.

If i'm just a hobbyist, photos for your own collection/use/practice . it doesn't really matter does it?

APS-C sensor is bigger than m4/3 and we should be expecting better noise control in high ISO setting. However with my E-PL1, I am sometime shooting at ISO1600 to 3200... sure there is noise, but to me, it is quite alright. If you are planning to shoot in good lighting or bright sunlight, there really is no issue with noise.

 

[pinholecam]

Is there really a major major difference with the m4/3 sensor and the APS-C sensor?

I haven't been reading up on this yet.

If i'm just a hobbyist, photos for your own collection/use/practice . it doesn't really matter does it?

I think quite a bit can be answered if you look at my review (linked above) that has sample photos of real use situations.

Personally, for m4/3 (esp. G3), base ISO to 800 is no issue at all.
ISO1600 is also highly usable (I'd use it w/o any doubts)
ISO3200-6400, usable as well as NR is pretty well implemented on most cameras nowadays.
Very often in B/W though as I find DR and color fidelity drops.
I don't pixel peep at such ISO of course, no camera can really be satisfactory at such ISO at pixel peeping levels.
What is important is that cameras nowadays all can be used to get shots at such ISO, when just 2-3years back, the cameras then would only give large blotches of color

If you need a rough comparison for m4/3 vs APS-C (K5 in my case); At least 1 stop difference at ISO 1600 and above.

 

[sanfong]

Hi. I have high confident in Ricoh product. Ok this will be my bias opinion and not going to comment on other cameras which I have little knowledge with it. Haha.. But like every camera have their Pros and Cons. Some module are slow in focus and noisy. Do dig in some more on this and only unique feature of this camera system.

Sometimes we try not to look at how appealing the design is or how advance it is cos after all it is for the same purpose which is to make photo. We should also look at how the maker handle their own product. Just spend some time think why this low profile company such as Ricoh could survive with seldom appear on IT magazines or photography magazines... (Sorry maybe I too long winded but just share how the company works, strategy and philosophy do bothers me a lot haha...)

Anyway, Ricoh has been constantly updating their firmware for their cameras. And the pace for their replacement are not as fast as other maker. I think they must have stick to some philosophy in designing their product. So far no rumours on GXR 2, but agree that their module are limited and abit slow to expand their line up. Most of their accessories are usable on their predecessor models so far I can think of one good example is their GR series. GRD 1 & 2 shared the same accessories and GRD 3 & 4 shared the same. So it is less destructive to your piggy bank. Needless to say their IQ n colour production are excellent. Therefore I feel Ricoh camera (GR and GXR model) are worth photographer's money.