GF1 vs E-P2: Value, Verdict & Scores

Panasonic GF1 vs Olympus E-P2 review – Value

The E-P2 is the newer model of the two and carries a slightly more ‘premium’ price as a result. Plus, happy as we are at the presence of an accessory port, all kit options come shipped with the VF-2 viewfinder. This is no bad thing given it’s hands-down the best one on the market at the moment, but does add some extra sting to the pricing if you weren’t intending to buy an eyepiece of any sort. The GF1, at around £670 for the body plus 17mm pancake lens, will need a further £175 added to the price if you should want to purchase the equivalent DMW-LVF1E viewfinder. All things considered, pricing is fairly similar.

However, in the bigger picture of things, the expected introduction of similarly-minded ‘Micro System Cameras’ (but not ‘Micro Four Thirds’) – such as the Samsung NX system – may assist in driving down the prices across the market place. There are rumours of the expectation of every major manufacturer entering the market at some point this year. Though, as the ‘Micro System Camera’ titling suggests, this is unlikely to see further brands tagging allegiance to the cross-compatibility Micro Four Thirds base.

Panasonic GF1 vs Olympus E-P2 review – Verdict

It’s a close call between these two. On a style-tip, the Olympus E-P system does marginally hold the elegance over the Panasonic, but otherwise lags in some other areas. The Auto Focus system is the prime candidate – the Panasonic’s is much quicker, more accurate and overall better. Of course, while this may be the clincher for some, the Olympus is the only model of the two to provide in-camera image stabilisation. The Panasonic does match this in some lenses, though not all, such as the 20mm f/1.7 pancake, provide this feature. For those looking for an electronic viewfinder too, the recent Olympus VF2 is the best EVF available to market and, although Panasonic also provides an excellent equivalent, it’s not quite to the same standard. All things accounted for, the Panasonic is easier to use, quicker, snappier and the favourite by a whisker.

Panasonic GF1 vs Olympus E-P2 review – Final Scores:


GF1 Scores:


Design: 

19

Image Quality:

17

Performance:

18

Value:

18

Features: 

17

TOTAL: 

89

 

E-P2 Scores:

 


Design

19

Image Quality

18

Performance

17

Value

18

Features

16

TOTAL

88

  1. 1. Panasonic GF1 vs Olympus E-P2 review - Features
  2. 2. GF1 vs E-P2: Value, Verdict & Scores
  3. 3. GF1 vs E-P2: Performance
  4. 4. GF1 vs E-P2: Image Quality & Key Features
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