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lisaly · 08-29-2010, 10:47 AM

The Olympus system doesn't have many lenses available if you want a prime lens or even a larger variation of other lenses. A prime lens is a single focal length like 50mm. I don't know if you ever used a camera that you exchanged lenses on with film, but the standard lens is 50mm on a film camera. That's considered a normal lens, because that's the focal length that our eye sees things at. In a DX digital system. like most of the Canons and Nikons, a 35mm lens is like the 50mm. In the 4/3rds system (the Olympus you are looking at has this system), the 25mm pancake lens is like a 50mm lens (that is a cool lens, though). The reason why you would want to have a prime lens is that they allow more light into the lens and you can do things like having the subject in focus and blurring out backgrounds. It can be used in low light without the flash. There aren't many prime lenses available for Olympus, and they are expensive. They also aren't able to bring in as much light as comparable ones by Canon or Nikon. I'm not seeing anything about the camera not having a focus motor, but I'm not sure. This is a really nice camera if you feel you really think the Canons or Nikons are too big, but you will limit yourself in the system, and you probably won't be buying much in the way of other lenses due to expense. There are probably other manufacturers such as Sigma that may make lenses for these cameras, but you might be better off with the Canon or Nikon. There are always rebates from Nikon and Canon. Nikon had one that ended yesterday, but I'm sure new ones will be out very shortly. I've used both Canons and Nikons, but I like the Nikon much more than Canon for many reasons, one being their consumer lenses are much better than Canons. Canon likes to save it's better technology and puts it into the high end models, whereas Nikon filters down the better technology into the starting cameras, as well. You need to pick a camera that feels good in your hands, and that is the most important thing. That may be why you are picking the Olympus. It's a very nice camera, and I think the only reason you'll be unhappy with it is if you want to start adding lenses and expanding your photography. That's when it will get very expensive and you will feel very limited. I know someone years ago who went from film Nikons to Olympus digital. Within a year, he sold the Olympus and bought the Nikon digital. I like Olympus, but I would feel too limited with the system. I would consider buying an Olympus PEN as a small back up camera, but I use a number of prime lenses in low light, and would really miss the ability to take photos without a flash and also the ability to really isolate the subject in a picture and blur the background. It can be done with the Olympus system, but it will cost you more to do it. Whatever you decide, if you need help once you get your camera, I'd be happy to help you try to learn how to use it no matter which manufacturer you choose.

08-29-2010, 10:47 AM	#9
lisaly Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 5,892	The Olympus system doesn't have many lenses available if you want a prime lens or even a larger variation of other lenses. A prime lens is a single focal length like 50mm. I don't know if you ever used a camera that you exchanged lenses on with film, but the standard lens is 50mm on a film camera. That's considered a normal lens, because that's the focal length that our eye sees things at. In a DX digital system. like most of the Canons and Nikons, a 35mm lens is like the 50mm. In the 4/3rds system (the Olympus you are looking at has this system), the 25mm pancake lens is like a 50mm lens (that is a cool lens, though). The reason why you would want to have a prime lens is that they allow more light into the lens and you can do things like having the subject in focus and blurring out backgrounds. It can be used in low light without the flash. There aren't many prime lenses available for Olympus, and they are expensive. They also aren't able to bring in as much light as comparable ones by Canon or Nikon. I'm not seeing anything about the camera not having a focus motor, but I'm not sure. This is a really nice camera if you feel you really think the Canons or Nikons are too big, but you will limit yourself in the system, and you probably won't be buying much in the way of other lenses due to expense. There are probably other manufacturers such as Sigma that may make lenses for these cameras, but you might be better off with the Canon or Nikon. There are always rebates from Nikon and Canon. Nikon had one that ended yesterday, but I'm sure new ones will be out very shortly. I've used both Canons and Nikons, but I like the Nikon much more than Canon for many reasons, one being their consumer lenses are much better than Canons. Canon likes to save it's better technology and puts it into the high end models, whereas Nikon filters down the better technology into the starting cameras, as well. You need to pick a camera that feels good in your hands, and that is the most important thing. That may be why you are picking the Olympus. It's a very nice camera, and I think the only reason you'll be unhappy with it is if you want to start adding lenses and expanding your photography. That's when it will get very expensive and you will feel very limited. I know someone years ago who went from film Nikons to Olympus digital. Within a year, he sold the Olympus and bought the Nikon digital. I like Olympus, but I would feel too limited with the system. I would consider buying an Olympus PEN as a small back up camera, but I use a number of prime lenses in low light, and would really miss the ability to take photos without a flash and also the ability to really isolate the subject in a picture and blur the background. It can be done with the Olympus system, but it will cost you more to do it. Whatever you decide, if you need help once you get your camera, I'd be happy to help you try to learn how to use it no matter which manufacturer you choose.