POLL - Will the E-P1 be a success?

[Damien_Demolder]

I’m far from old, but even in my relatively short history I’ve discovered that love at first sight simply does not exist. Love is deep, and lasting, increases with time and needs time. The feeling so often confused with love at that first sighting, in my experience at least, owes more to lust or infatuation than to true love.

True love requires a greater knowledge, an in-depth understanding and a shared passage of life that encompasses the ups and downs of existence – good and bad times, and especially the mundane.

Nowadays people live together before they get married. Passed off for financial expedience and ‘being modern’, this type of arrangement is most often an extension of the dating process and provides added surety that true love exists – or may do in the future. Put crudely perhaps; try-before-you-buy.

I freely confess to having an eye for the cameras. It’s a roving eye too, as I’m a bit of a flirt. I enjoy the company of compacts (more fun) as much as I do DSLRs (more intense), the excitement of the new as well as the perception of the old. I’m no fool though. I’m fully aware that I’m not in love with the Olympus E-P1. Right now, it’s just an overwhelming, heart-racing desire – but with time…

To take part in our poll Do you think the E-P1 will be a success? head to the homepage.

Thanks all

Damien

[Ephemeral]

I think it will even at the current price point, I had no desire for one before I saw it, then my desire (as your own) was triggered and I'm thinking of pre-ordering one today

And I'm an old cynic, not usually an early adopter


PS get rid of one Will please

[Barney]

Will it be a success? Yes, I have no doubt of that. I've yet to see so many people getting excited on forums over a pre-lauch (okay, most of it was me, but hey, there were others, weren't there?) The only question that I have hovering over the EP-1 is the auto-focus, but reviews will soon clear that up.

I wandered into the local Jessies to see when they might get stock in and the answer was, at first it will be ordered from stock. The assitant then ask me to bring mine if I got one!

Whether the MFT system is a success is another question, but I suspect that Olympus have a given themselves an excellent foundation to build upon.

[alanS]

I doubt it'll be a success in Samsung compact type numbers.

I'll have to wait until I can see and handle one but at the moment I don't think that it'll appeal too much to me, in fact I think I'd rather have an LX3. If the Olympus had an integrated optical viewfinder, even a small one, I might be more interested.

[Damien_Demolder]

Will it be a success? Yes, I have no doubt of that.

I knew you'd say that!

[Barney]

I doubt it'll be a success in Samsung compact type numbers.

Not sure why that's relevent. Success doesn't always mean huge production numbers. The D3 won't challenge Samsung compact production rates but that's to say that it's not a resounding success.

[Barney]

Will it be a success? Yes, I have no doubt of that.

I knew you'd say that!

And you're going to say "Barney, would you like AP to provide you with an EP-1 on a long term trial?"

[Damien_Demolder]

Will it be a success? Yes, I have no doubt of that.

I knew you'd say that!

And you're going to say "Barney, would you like AP to provide you with an EP-1 on a long term trial?"

I would say that but I have a sore thoat at the moment.

Must have been from the weekend's activities. Did a lot of cycling

[alanS]

The D3 is produced by a market leader, Olympus aren't a market leader are they? Market leaders can have and sustain flagship and niche products that sell in smaller numbers.

I'm not knocking Olympus, I think they produce quality products with innovative features and I think that this latest offering will be a success amongst amateur photographers, but they're a tiny percentage of the buying public and a good many will still probably buy a 10G anyway.

I suppose it depends on how you define success, that was my point. I wish them luck.

[Still_Togging_Along]

As an E1 & E3 user, I see this as a further step in the acceptance in the 4/3rds format. However, I also see the E-P1 and Panasonics version as a stepping-stone to a more sophisticated DV camera for those seeking a DV with lens interchanagability at a more acceptable price-point. It will probably find favour with members of the press who seek to lug around less gear, and have greater compatability between their DSLRs and DV cameras.

Maybe this product has been the reason why a few years ago there were moves to change the EEC tax structure on DSLRs with DV capture? 'Jest a thort' as Bluebottle would have said ...

[Terrywoodenpic]

I think it will be a sufficient success to lead to further and better models.

Provided they remember to keep the size down and the quality up they are on to a long term winner.
They have already won the beauty stakes.

[Barney]

I suppose it depends on how you define success, that was my point. I wish them luck.

Of course it does depend on the definition but for a model to be a success certain criteria have to be true e.g it has to recoup the R&D and manufacturing set up costs i.e. it has to be profitable and the quicker it can do this the better.

Other ways to measure success may be whether it raises the profile of the brand as a whole, how it affects the market share of the company, whether it boosts the reputation of the company or not. For a company like Olympus, there's a lot riding on this model, but given the pre-launch and launch thus far, I'd say that they must be pretty confident of the success of the EP-1 themselves.

[Barney]

Will it be a success? Yes, I have no doubt of that.

I knew you'd say that!

And you're going to say "Barney, would you like AP to provide you with an EP-1 on a long term trial?"

I would say that but I have a sore thoat at the moment.

Must have been from the weekend's activities. Did a lot of cycling

That's okay, you can type it instead. In fact, I'd prefer it in writing!

[RogerMac]

I’ve discovered that love at first sight simply does not exist.

Don't agree with that point - it happened to me nearly 45 years ago and was the result of just one smile. Even now if she smiles at me across a crowded room I get the same feeling.

But back to the main point, yes it is going to be a runaway success. One personal point against buying it immediately is the raving early reviews of the sensor - when they put that sensor into the E620 successor I will want it immediately, and it does not seem right to buy two cameras in one year. Decisions, decisions

Roger

[Barney]

it does not seem right to buy two cameras in one year.

Err, yeah I knwo that feeling, and I'm not sure how I'm going to convince SWMBU even if I do fund it entirely from flogging other kit (mainly because I said that I would fund the D3 from selling anything! )

[Benchista]

Will it be a success? It already is. As long as the quality is right, it can't fail. They've delivered what looks like what so many of us have been asking for, and they've made it sexy. They've put themselves well and truly back on the map, and that's success in my book.

[Damien_Demolder]

I’ve discovered that love at first sight simply does not exist.

Don't agree with that point - it happened to me nearly 45 years ago and was the result of just one smile. Even now if she smiles at me across a crowded room I get the same feeling.

Have you asked her to dance yet?? Go on, summon up the courage.

[Benchista]

it does not seem right to buy two cameras in one year.

Err, yeah I knwo that feeling, and I'm not sure how I'm going to convince SWMBU even if I do fund it entirely from flogging other kit (mainly because I said that I would fund the D3 from selling anything! )

Yup, that's my problem, too. Especially as it's already one and a half...

[Ephemeral]

I'm lucky I've already told her I've got enough money for a G10 and she doesn't know what that looks like and she will forget that I said G10 when I tell her she must be mistaken as it was the E-P1 all along - why would I want a compact?

[RogerMac]

I’ve discovered that love at first sight simply does not exist.

Don't agree with that point - it happened to me nearly 45 years ago and was the result of just one smile. Even now if she smiles at me across a crowded room I get the same feeling.

Have you asked her to dance yet?? Go on, summon up the courage.

That would really spoil it - I am one of those with "two left feet" Mind you an acquaintane was taking photos at the party and he happened to catch the smile that entrapped me - so I have a permanent reminder
Roger