I think the pricing on the OM-D is fair at the moment in relation to both other m43 options and the market in general (Nex 7 is the most comparable competitor: $1200 body-only, not weather-sealed, lacking stabilization, mediocre selection of native lenses -- the extra $200 seems to be for the sensor). Both the Oly and the Sony are too rich for my blood.
I have been deterred by both the price and widespread reports of Olympus cameras in general, and this one in particular, having a significantly steeper learning curve (or crappier interface/firmware design) than most.
There is supposedly a higher-end model to be announced in September, not as a replacement but to extend the line-up. I'd guess the E-M5 would then drop to around $800 or so.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iMatt
I think the pricing on the OM-D is fair at the moment in relation to both other m43 options and the market in general (Nex 7 is the most comparable competitor: $1200 body-only, not weather-sealed, lacking stabilization, mediocre selection of native lenses -- the extra $200 seems to be for the sensor). Both the Oly and the Sony are too rich for my blood.
I have been deterred by both the price and widespread reports of Olympus cameras in general, and this one in particular, having a significantly steeper learning curve (or crappier interface/firmware design) than most.
There is supposedly a higher-end model to be announced in September, not as a replacement but to extend the line-up. I'd guess the E-M5 would then drop to around $800 or so.
Not sure what you mean by this? All the reviews I have read have been glowing on the Olympus OM-D E-M5...
You seemed to indicate earlier that such concerns are just a matter of what you are used to/ getting use to it re: the LX series interface/firmware.
Based on the review at dpreview.com I can see that the menus are indeed deep (as they are with my D300) but so long as they provide you with the ability to customize until it suits you to a "T" I am not sure that is a problem. It make take some time to customize due to the plethora of customization options but they indicate that once you have done so the camera can fit you like a glove and totally get out of your way.
Quote:
The menus are about as logically laid-out as they can be, given how many options and settings they contain. To get the most out of the E-M5, it's well-worth scanning through the options in the Settings menu, on the next page of this review. There you'll find options to customize almost every aspect of the camera's behavior, including changing button functions, control interfaces and display options...
The E-M5's high-end status isn't simply a function of its build quality and degree of external control. As has become common with Olympus cameras, it also features a quite astounding level of customization. A lot of these settings are set-and-forget - you'll want to set them to suit the way you want to work, then leave them alone. If this is the case, you can use an option in the Setup menu tab to hide the Custom tab. However, to get the best out of the E-M5, we'd recommend looking through the options available to you, because the E-M5's behavior can be very precisely tailored to your needs....
The E-M5 is, without question, the most accomplished Micro Four Thirds camera we've yet seen and, given how well established the system has become, it vies for the title of most capable mirrorless option yet. It's not entirely without flaws and, predictably, most of those relate to continuous autofocus. But, for the most part, the E-M5 is simply an awful lot of camera in a compact and attractive body. It's a nice camera to use and the images it takes are just as enjoyable. Without any reservations whatsoever, it deserves our Gold Award.
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Last edited by screature; Jul 19th, 2012 at 01:48 PM.
Largely a matter of familiarity, but not entirely. It is definitely possible for one interface to be inherently harder to learn and use than another.
I don't know first-hand that that's the case with the OM-D, but I've read enough griping about it from smart people that I'm wary. However, it would still be high on my list if I had that kind of money to spare.
Location: Aylmer (Gatineau) across the river from Ottawa
Posts: 16,068
Quote:
Originally Posted by iMatt
Largely a matter of familiarity, but not entirely. It is definitely possible for one interface to be inherently harder to learn and use than another.
I don't know first-hand that that's the case with the OM-D, but I've read enough griping about it from smart people that I'm wary. However, it would still be high on my list if I had that kind of money to spare.
I guess for me when dealing with any camera of this calibre (not a compact point and shoot) like my D300 I just expect that setup and customization is going to take some time... so long as the menus are logical that is the main thing for me... but then again one person's logic could be another persons source of confusion and frustration.
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Sure, I expect any new camera to have a learning curve and take some time to customize. Still, whether in computers or cameras I don't really like to switch operating systems unless necessary. Call me lazy -- because I am.
So, right now I am using that as a roadblock against dropping the grand I can't really spare, but might otherwise rationalize somehow.
I am assuming the GH3 will have comparable IQ and one of the OM-D's two killer features (weather sealing yes, in-body stabilization no) *plus* the silent shutter option from the G5, which is a biggie for me. If it's around the same price as the OM-D, I'll probably go for it. If the OM-D drops to $800 or so, it will stay in the running.
Max, have you considered one of the small m43 bodies, like the Oly E-PM1 (drawback being that it uses the old 12MP sensor in slightly tweaked form) or GF5 (main drawback being minimal physical controls)? Or the GX1? The latter can be quite compact paired with a pancake lens, or a full-featured beast with a larger lens. And accessory EVF, if you decide you need one. With the GF1, I find it necessary with longer lenses as well as manual-focus lenses.
In a nutshell, these can all be great if you want something compact but not necessarily pocketable, along with the flexibility of interchangeable lenses.
Unfortunately there's no really small ultra-wide m43 lens; the Panasonic 14mm is minuscule but of course 28mm equiv. I'm still hoping somebody will come up with a pancake at 9 or 10mm. Doesn't matter if it's f2.8 or even f4... or even f5.6 if push comes to shove. In the meantime the Oly 9-18 zoom is very compact for a zoom, and a respectable performer.
For portrait work, Oly gives you two great options: the relatively affordable 45/1.8 and the not-so-affordable 75/1.8. Or you can do what I do and mount an old manual lens. Even a lens like the dirt-cheap ($10-20) Industar 55/2.8 makes a decent portrait lens on m43. For a little more money any ancient SLR 50/1.8 or 1.4 will do the trick. I'm partial to old Nikkors (AI/AIS, even E series if it's the better-built version), but it doesn't matter greatly -- Pentax, Canon, Olympus, etc. should all be fine, though if you're a stickler for bokeh of a particular character (or any other property) you should of course check out all the samples you can find.
This pic was taken with the GF1 + the $10 Industar. Manual focus without the benefit of EVF. (The guy is essentially a stranger... host of a recurring garage sale where I've bought a few things.)
I have indeed looked at some of the Panny and Oly compact M43 bodies, but ever since using a couple of bridge cams from NIkon and Canon I've been turned on to fully articulated LCD panels. I find they come in really handy at times.
As for wide lenses, Panny makes one, I forget the make, but it's hella expensive, or it was, last time I checked.. so I'll do some research based on your recommendations, thanks. I was also considering waiting for the GH3 but who knows when that will happen. I've also been looking at Sony's A77 but I just don't need 24 Mp and I can't justify the price at this time. The fact is, whatever I pick will be my first system camera and it's all new territory for me. As for lenses, yeah - good portrait, wide and tele lenses would be great - not the cheapest consumer grade glass but something in the middle to high end. I can see spending the two or three grand to get it all happening.
I own a GF1 so personally if I was going for a new M4/3 system I'd be picking up the GX1, solid camera. Great lens set and not too big. Image quality is perfectly fine for making 30x40 inch prints with any issues.
Max, you must be thinking about the Panasonic 7-14. The Olympus 9-18 is definitely the poor cousin (and not really for the same audience, despite overlapping for a big part of the range). Bad news is that's usually a $1200 lens, whereas the Olympus is currently $750 (which is at the high end of its pricing... I think I've seen it as low as $600 or so). Good news is that the Panasonic has occasionally dipped to the ~$900 range and hopefully will again.
I'm right with you on the articulating screen. It's one of the two or three top reasons I have my eye on a G5, OM-D or GH3 to become my primary camera and relegate the GF1 to secondary status.
Starting from scratch with a $3000 budget, you could do very well.
- OM-D or G5
- Oly 9-18 or Pana 7-14
- Oly 45/1.8
- Pana 100-300
... which comes to anywhere from roughly $2500 (G5 + 9-18 option) to around $3200 (OM-D + 7-14 option), depending on what sort of deals you can score.
I would expect the 100-300 to be replaced by a more compact long zoom at some point, but who knows when. There is also an Olympus 75-300, but that's a $950 lens and not stabilized so only really suited to Olympus bodies.
iMatt, nice response... OK! Yeah, it's the Panny 7-14. Everything I've read about it screams quality, but hella pricey. Where have you seen it dip down to as little as $900, may I ask?
Your other lens recommendations are great, thanks very much. Now I guess I have to seriously compare the OM-D with the G5. I like the G series very much and I'm not so keen on the retro angular appearance of the OM-D, but as long as it kicks butt in the image and handling department... off to do some comparative shopping! If I go with the G5 I would probably bite the bullet and try to find a good price on the Panny 7-14. I've been salivating over that lens for years and I don't even have a camera for it!
It was probably B&H. I've long watched the prices of certain lenses I'm interested in and noticed that unlike any other type of modern gadget, the price curve does not trend relentlessly downward. In this case, there was a big dip around 18 months ago IIRC, but then it shot back up to its present level. I don't remember exactly how low it dipped, but it came awfully close to the price of the 9-18.
A ray of faint hope here is that a stabilized version of the 7-14 has been long rumoured. If it ever materializes, we should see some nice deals on the original 7-14.
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