PEN style camera v's DSLR

[Sam]

Right, for Christmas I have asked for money towards a camera, and cant decide between a pen and a dslr. I know the major differences lie within the depth of the functionality that the dslr has above the pen but have read on a few sites that pen is just a 'gimmick'. If im being honest I wouldn't mind a dslr and a point and shoot, but the pen seems the obv hybrid of the two. Any thoughts? Im not planning on doing any studio photography but do want to get back into it.  sorry if its all a bit confusing

[thatwillis]

Down the cheaper end of the scale i have a Nikon D3000 about 350/400 quid. And i love it haven't found anything it cant do. Stick it on auto, point shoot, and get a great picture 

[DubFan]

I don't see the point in the PEN style cameras. They are just as expensive as a (cheaper) DSLR and once you've got extra lenses and flash etc, they are no smaller for carrying around.
A DSLR in auto mode will most likely take a better photo and in manual modes will give you more/easier control.

[Ridg]

a PEN or four thirds camera will give you the best of both but they come with a price tag, the Lumix GF2 is probably the best you can get at the moment, you get a travel zoom body with the option to use four thirds lenses.

Main advantage crop factor (more zoom for your money), compact size

main disadvantage is size smaller sensor means poorer quality images more noise etc, crop factor you'll be through the nose from wide angle.

A four thirds would be great for getting back into photography as they are so company, but they don't have the same scope as a full DSLR

[Diamond Hell]

I have seen some phenomenal results from a PEN and would love to have a play with one to compare to my DSLR.

They are funky and cool, but that's part of the reason the prices are a bit tasty.

If you're looking at one of those vs say a Canon 550D then it's a tough choice, especially if you want to do video.  Not sure which way I'd swing right now.

[Ridg]

I have seen some phenomenal results from a PEN and would love to have a play with one to compare to my DSLR.

They are funky and cool, but that's part of the reason the prices are a bit tasty.

If you're looking at one of those vs say a Canon 550D then it's a tough choiceI'd swing right now.

I've seen cracking shots from these two, mainly suited to creative shots either indoors, or street photography.

Like you say a top end four thirds vs an enthusiast DSLR is a tough choice, I'd probably go for the Lumix and if I got on with it look at buying a serious armature level DSLR (D300s,D7000, 60D, 7D) otherwise your DSLR wont offer much over the compact.

[Sam]

See this is the problem I'm facing. The pen has a certain wow factor to it and still adheres to the generic dslr lenses but... for the price should I be heading towards the dslr over it? They do 1080p vid and has a stupidly high iso compared to slrs below 1k. The only reason I can think of not heading this way, along with the 'gimmick' reviews putting doubt in my mind is why haven't nikon entered the war of the csc?

[Ridg]

IMO video on a camera is irrelevant, they are the wrong shape for filming (have you seen the rigs) and only good for filming from a static location.

High ISOs these are are irrelevant if they aren't usable, the majority of DSLRs (APS-C) on the market aren't usable beyond 6400, this will be less on a higher density sensor,

Neither Nikon or Canon have a four thirds system camera, it's only Olympus and Panasonic with sony joining in on the action, all brands that cover the consumer market (obviously Olympus cover the pro market too).

[Sam]

Hmmm, interesting thoughts. The only reason that I ask about Nikon is because I have heavy brand loyalty with electronic goods. Always had Sony playstations, Nokia Phones and Nikons in the camera department. The sony CSC does look tasty though...

[DubFan]

Hmmm, interesting thoughts. The only reason that I ask about Nikon is because I have heavy brand loyalty with electronic goods. Always had Sony playstations, Nokia Phones and Nikons in the camera department. The sony CSC does look tasty though...

I think it looks good in a geeky kinda way. Otherwise it's a bit frankenstein. The lens, although smaller than a standard SLR lens still dwarfs the body of the camera, making it look like someones superglued a lens onto a compact.

I'm a Sony DSLR user, so I have looked at the Sony CSC with a little bit more interest than the others. Then lenses are basically the same as the Sony Alpha mount, but with optical stabilisation built into the lens rather than electronic "Super SteadyShot" built into the body (on the DSLRs). The lenses also have a new mount, so you can't just pick up a cheaper Sony Alpha/Minolta lens and stick it on (there are adaptors to do this, but it doesn't work with all Alpha mount lenses and has limited auto focus).
The APS-C sensors in the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 are the same one found in the new Sony Alpha SLT-A33, and is 50% bigger than a micro-four thirds sensor. The NEX-5 also does 1080p video.
The DPReview is here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/SonyNex5Nex3/
I especially like the bit in the DPReview where you can compare images off 4 different cameras: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/SonyNex5Nex3/page14.asp