CAMERA

Compact System Cams - Hotshots (Part 2) : Nikon 1 V2, Olympus E-PL5

7/25/2013 9:22:01 AM

Nikon 1 V2

A smaller sensor and bigger body is a bad combination for Nikon Pitched at enthusiasts, Nikon’s second-gen V2 succeeds 2011’s V1 with a more serious, angular design. The new look is chiefly due to a new top plate housing an integral flash, plus an EVF. The aluminum and mag alloy body includes a handgrip, although this makes it a squeeze for most pockets.

Nikon 1 V2

Nikon 1 V2

Its 14.2-megapixel, CX-format CMOS chip is bigger than your standard compact cam but smaller than the ones gracing Canon, Fujifilm and Sony’s cams, and as a result image quality falls behind rivals.

At their worst the V2’s shots aren’t too dissimilar to the results you’d see from a point-and-shoot job, with familiar issues such as pixel fringing and softness to shots even when the built-in flash is deployed indoors. There’s also some sharpness lost toward the corner of the frame at maximum zoom. Full-HD video fares better, shooting at a cinematic 60fps with proper stereo sound.

Images are composed using either the eye-sensor-activated electronic viewfinder or the three-inch LCD. You can use the latter to frame shots and utilize Nikon’s Live Image control to display the effects of making ISO or filter adjustments in real time.

All of the controls are clearly laid out and unlikely to fox newcomers. You also get a decent 310-shot battery life.

The 10-30mm bundled kit lens is a bit basic. One could opt for the double kit lens, which adds a more respectable, 30-110mm telephoto. Like Canon, Nikon has few dedicated CSC lenses but a huge range of 60 DSLR lenses, which you can make use of with the Nikon FT1 adaptor. Though the V2 looks good and handles well, you’ll get much better photographic results elsewhere.

The 10-30mm bundled kit lens is a bit basic. One could opt for the double kit lens, which adds a more respectable, 30-110mm telephoto

The 10-30mm bundled kit lens is a bit basic. One could opt for the double kit lens, which adds a more respectable, 30-110mm telephoto

Details

1.    Screen: Live View on the LCD shows how settings changes affect your shots

2.    Controls: Mode dial on top, DSLR-like command wheel at rear

3.    Video: You get one-touch, full-HD video recording at 60fps with stereo sound

4.    Kit lens: Basic 10-30mm zoom, plus a 30-110mm if you opt for the dual kit lens

Nikon 1 V2 details

Nikon 1 V2 details

Accessorize: Nikon 1 lenses

Nikon has announced three new lenses for its ‘1’ system: an ultra-wide angle, a 32mm telephoto and 10x optical zoom, taking its total to five. Invest in the FT1 adaptor ($211) and you can also use all 60 of Nikon’s NIKKO R lenses.

The verdict

Love: Can be used with Nikon’s lenses, via FT1 adaptor. Built-in flash and viewfinder

Hate: Smaller sensor than other cams on test. Image quality not much better than a compact

T3 Says: Nikon’s V2 looks the part, but image quality falls well below expectations

T3: 3/5

Nikon 1 V2 Specifications

·         Sensor: 14.2-megapixel, 13.2x8.8mm CX CMOS

·         Video: 1920x1080 at 30fps or 60fps with stereo sound

·         Lens: 10-30mm (plus 30-110mm zoom with double lens kit)

·         Lens mount: Nikon 1 screen 3-inch, 921k-dot LCD

·         Formats: JPEG, RAW ISO range 160-6,400

·         Battery life: 310 shots

·         Dimensions: Height: 82mm; Width: 108mm; Depth: 46mm; Weight: 338g

Olympus E-PL5: $794

A good all-round compact system cam and a solid

Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL5

Olympus upgrade Pitched as an affordable alternative to Olympus’s flagship $1,183+ OM-D E-M5, the E-PL5 includes the same 16.3-megapixel, CMOS sensor, TruePic VI processor and Micro Four Thirds mount for a much lower price. The OM-D’s five-axis in-body ant shake is absent, but you get dual-axis stabilization – a novelty amongst compact system cams which usually rely upon image stabilized lenses.

Photos are impressive; with colors sporting attractive warmth that means little, if any, post production work is required. Eschew manual settings for point-and-shoot ease and you’ll still get great results which deliver more than enough detail.

The E-PL5 benefits from lightning-fast, 0.01-second autofocus. The bundled zoom is also quick to re-focus when shooting video, even if you rapidly swap between subjects mid-shooting. It’s also remarkably quiet, never making itself heard on film.

There’s no built-in flash, but a small clip-on variety is available for $62. It is powerful and delivers a reasonably clean output without washing out the subject.

The E-PL5 is a great alternative to a DSLR, with a price-tag that won’t put off newcomers.

The E-PL5 is a great alternative to a DSLR, with a price-tag that won’t put off newcomers.

What we did not appreciate were the small, fiddly rear plate controls. Instead, using the tilt able, three-inch LCD touchscreen is a much better option and, thankfully, doesn’t drain the battery too quickly either – you still get 360 shots from a full charge. Though, beware of the overly colorful touchscreen, which tends to make captures look very warm indeed.

Olympus was one of the first manufacturers to produce a compact system cam and its experience is certainly paying off. The E-PL5 is a great alternative to a DSLR, with a price-tag that won’t put off newcomers.

Details

1.    Screen: Three-inch touchscreen makes operation simple

2.    Controls: Backplate buttons are unnecessarily small, but touchscreen and top dials add to usability

3.    Video: Full-HD video at 30fps with quick autofocus

4.    Kit lens: A 14-42mm, F3.5-5.6 lens is standard

Olympus E-PL5 details

Olympus E-PL5 details

Accessorize: Olympus Micro Four Thirds and MFT lenses

There are 20+ directly compatible lenses in existence. The weather-sealed MMF-3 Four Thirds adaptor ($182) ups the count even more.

The verdict

Love: Anti-shake built into the camera body. Speedy autofocus for stills and video. Good battery life

Hate: Fiddly button controls. No built-in flash

T3 Says: A great entry-level compact system cam

Rating: 4/5

Olympus E-PL5 Specifications

·         Sensor: 16.3-megapixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor

·         Video: 1920x1080 at 30fps

·         Lens: 14-42mm zoom

·         Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds screen Three-inch, 460k-dot touchscreen

·         Format: JPEG, RAW, JPEG+RAW

·         ISO range: 200-25,600

·         Battery life: 360 shots

·         Dimensions: Height: 64mm; Width: 110mm; Depth: 38mm; Weight: 325g

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