Olympus makes great JPEG cameras and while they are not as crisp, detailed, or 3D as my Leica M8 files, shooting JPEG on the E-P1 is acceptable. As of this writing, there is no real RAW support for the E-P1 files, but I have been shooting in JPEG Superfine & RAW so I can process any keepers later on when there is more support.

How about AF speed? Well, I have seen quite a few complaints about this in online forums and the one review I read on this camera mentioned slow AF speed. What we have to remember here is that the E-P1 is a $799 camera and it will not have Nikon D3 AF speed. The AF is LEAPS AND BOUNDS better than the Sigma DP1 or DP2. The Leica D-lux 4 AF speed is a bit faster, but if you want faster AF on the E-P1, choose single-point focus.

With every camera I have ever owned or shot with, I use the CENTER point for AF. I do not use the latest technology with the bazillion focus points because I find it adds more problems and usually doesn't focus on what I want it to focus on! I hate that!

Using the center point on the E-P1 will reward you with faster AF speed that is accurate as well. I can lock focus in some pretty dark areas, even with the slow kit lens, BUT again, do not expect supersonic speed here.

If you want to use manual focus, just set the camera to MF and when you focus, the LCD will blow up so you can see the smallest details. This makes a great manual focus aid and is automatic. As soon as you turn the focus on the lens, the LCD screen will give you the expanded view. This is terrific and works great.

So while many complain about the AF speed, I am fine with it, as I never missed a shot due to slow AF. It seems about as fast as some of the mid- range Olympus cameras, but its not nearly as fast as an E-3 or Nikon DSLR. But, keep in mind the price point of this camera folks! The E-P1 is not made to be a professional DSLR, but rather a camera that is an everyday shooter. Family, friends, vacations, and whatever you feel like shooting. If you need blazing AF, look to a Nikon D300, or E-3/E-30 and up.

Speaking of manual focus, I ordered a Voigtlander M4/3 to Leica M adapter so I could use my M lenses. How would the top quality lenses in the world perform on this E-P1? I was about to find out.

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THE OLYMPUS E-P1 REVIEW - PAGE  1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7

PAGE 4 - the kit lens, AF speed and the E-P1 photo quality

If you buy the E-P1 kit with the 14-42 zoom, then you will have a capable lightweight camera. I am a fan of fast prime lenses, so for me this zoom is a bit on the slow side with a minimum aperture of 3.5. Zoomed out to 42 mm, you are looking at 5.6 and of course with the 4/3 sensor, this lens becomes a 28-84 mm lens, so keep that in mind. I would have preferred the kit with the 17 mm 2.8, but could not find it anywhere in stock, due to its popularity.

The zoom lens may be slow, but for such a lightweight and cheap kit lens, the quality is rather good. When I first picked up the lens, I was disappointed in its build and weight. It felt hollow and made of plastic, but after shooting with it, I realized this was a pretty decent lens as far as IQ was concerned. No way it can compete with a $1500 zoom lens, but it holds its own against other $300 lenses. Would I be happy with it as my only lens? No, I would not, but many would.

When I shot with the old E1 and E3, I had quite a few 4/3 Zuiko lenses and Olympus makes some killer glass up there with the best of them. The only problem with using that Zuiko 4/3 glass on the E-P1 is the size. The great lenses like the 7-14, 14-35, 50 macro and the superb 150 F2 is the size. Attach these to the E-P1 with the 4/3 to m4/3 adapter and then the camera gets huge. I do not really get along with big, heavy cameras.

I am hoping that Olympus will release a couple of fast primes, like a 25 F2 or 2.8, along with something for the wider end, like a 10-20. Only time will tell, but with the success of the E-P1, I expect Olympus to pump out some cool lenses. The 17 2.8 is on my wish list. As soon as I get one, I will post a review.

As for the kit zoom, it is a decent, but slow lens. Its build is on the cheap side (I know I already mentioned that), but if you do not mind a slow lens, the image quality is great. Very little barrel distortion and sharp throughout its range. At the price of this camera and lens, you cant go wrong. $799 for the kit is a deal.

All of the images below were shot with the 14-42 kit lens in JPEG mode. Click any image for a larger version.