Olympus OM Micro Four Thirds camera!

Wow Nic, your points there may even convince me to give EM-5 (or OM-D) a try.

I actually handled one at a local Digital Camera Warehouse shop earlier this afternoon. It is a very well made camera, very compact (which has its disadvantage in that there is no space for my little pinky finger to hold onto). The lack of fast zoom is a problem too, maybe Olympus will produce one in the future. In the mean time the kit 12-50mm lens + a 45mm f/1.8 lens combo look tempting.

mpix345 wrote in post #14382666
FWIW, here is Olympus 45/1.8 on an E-PM1 compared to Sigma 50/1.4 on a 40D. Both wide open.

Oly 45mm:

http://i989.photobucke​t.com …f17/mpix345/60D​/oly45.jpg


Sig50mm:

efoo wrote in post #14382707
Sigma 50/1.4 on 40D definitely has shallower DOF as the focus is only on part of the doll's hair.

It looks to me the 60D/Sig50mm actually missed the focus (front-focused)?
???

The doll's face was definitely not in focus, and even the hair that's in front (closer to the camera) was not in perfect focus either.

:p

efoo wrote in post #14383228
The lack of fast zoom is a problem too, maybe Olympus will produce one in the future.

More likely Panasonic will get there first:
http://www.dpreview.co​m …11/PanasonicCon​ceptLenses

RetroBlader wrote in post #14383283
More likely Panasonic will get there first:
http://www.dpreview.co​m …11/PanasonicCon​ceptLenses

But will they have the nifty features of Olympus 12-50mm zoom lens?
- weather-proof.
- selectable manual zoom / electronic zoom / macro mode.

efoo wrote in post #14383387
But will they have the nifty features of Olympus 12-50mm zoom lens?
- weather-proof.
- selectable manual zoom / electronic zoom / macro mode.

I do like the versatility of the 12-50. Not too crazy about what I would term a "coarse" feeling manual zoom, but certainly not a show-stopper.

efoo wrote in post #14383228
Wow Nic, your points there may even convince me to give EM-5 (or OM-D) a try.

I actually handled one at a local Digital Camera Warehouse shop earlier this afternoon. It is a very well made camera, very compact (which has its disadvantage in that there is no space for my little pinky finger to hold onto). The lack of fast zoom is a problem too, maybe Olympus will produce one in the future. In the mean time the kit 12-50mm lens + a 45mm f/1.8 lens combo look tempting.

There is a big adjustment to be made in handling; my main camera was a 50D when I started using Micro 4/3 cameras. I know it won't suit everyone but I adapted by mostly using a "thumb trigger" grip and shooting at chest or waist level.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/nicprins/713185​6873/

Luckypenguin wrote in post #14383205
Hey!

The live view mirrorless cameras just suit me better. Smaller, lighter, ability to compose easily without using an eye-level viewfinder, exposure preview and various information overlays on a live-view screen, AF as fast or faster than DSLRs, no inaccuracies (back focus, front focus) due to phase detect AF, great lens selection from both Olympus, Panasonic and now Sigma (still lacking any fast zooms, though), touchscreen activated focus point selection and shutter release. The 16MP sensor in the E-M5 also seems to be very close to the best Sony APS-C sensors for noise and dynamic range and still retains the characteristically light AA filter of other Micro 4/3 cameras.

There are still areas where DSLRs are superior (continuous and tracking AF, for instance), but that is not something that I ever use. Based on how I use a camera the decision to start selling my EOS gear was very easy to make, but I still feel a bit sad all the same. I'm keeping my G1X though, so I'll still have at least one Canon!

I think that sums it up perfectly. There are a lot of benefits to mirrorless systems in general, and m4/3 in particular with its extensive and still quickly growing lens selection is the best right now. Great lenses, fastest AF, wide range of body types, and a new sensor that goes toe to toe with the best APS-C sensors (close enough that image quality will not be a factor unless you absolutely need that very small noise difference or 2/3 stop shallower DOF).

Luckypenguin wrote in post #14383494
There is a big adjustment to be made in handling; my main camera was a 50D when I started using Micro 4/3 cameras. I know it won't suit everyone but I adapted by mostly using a "thumb trigger" grip and shooting at chest or waist level.

When I hold my E-P3 my hand position looks more like Ben's here, and that's probably how I'll hold the E-M5. The main contact points are the sides of your knuckles instead of your fingertips. That way you free up your thumb to hold onto the rubber grippy protrusion on the back of the camera, which should give you more traction:

jacobsen1 wrote in post #14376000

If held correctly the camera can still be kept very stable using this method. The image below was shot handheld at 1/3 second using a 25mm lens (50mm equivalent). This is also a good example of the new "Five Axis" IBIS in operation as well. The E-M5 is great is so many areas but the effectiveness of the image stabilisation is a real standout feature

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/nicprins/713185​6873/

I'm looking forward to using the new IBIS. IBIS is a great feature period, but from early user reports it sounds like they've made it even better.

I love this shot you made. It makes me think of photos from the 19th century when tripods and long exposures were used out of necessity even during the daytime. Really nice feel to this one.

I'm putting an EM5 kit together in my wish list. 20mm 1.7 or 25mm 1.4?

Decisions...

I've officially got a problem...
got the OMD and 45 early in the week. Then the 20 was in stock so I ordered it and the 14mm, but the 14mm w/GF3 was $90 more than just the $14 so I grabbed it too thinking the wife or maybe even my son could use it....

mpix345 wrote in post #14382666
FWIW, here is Olympus 45/1.8 on an E-PM1 compared to Sigma 50/1.4 on a 40D. Both wide open.

Oly 45mm:

Sig50mm:

see, the lesser DOF is both a blessing and a curse. It means you get the whole head in focus and it means the camera doesn't have to work as hard to get it. For shooting in super low light it means the faster apertures don't make things as hard in terms of nailing AF, but it also means it's much harder to get good separation at farther distances....

reprazent wrote in post #14382728
Tried the EM5 earlier, performance wise there's not much I would complain about. BUT, even though I don't have large hands, the camera doesn't feel comfortable in my hand. While the ep3 fits like glove. Without the "thumbgrip" on the EM5 would be downright awkward to hold. Did Olympus design it this way to 'force' people to buy the grip? I really wish the camerabody was 1cm wider on the right hand side.

I'm also torn on this, especially as a NEX5 owner. The NEX grip, while ugly as hell is perfect. There's no reason for the right side grip of these cameras to be any thinner than the left side with the smallest MFT lens on the camera. It doesn't effect the packing dimensions but makes it easier to grab. Part of the OMD's issue is it's also heavy. Not in a bad way, but it means you have to grip it better... I do wonder if they're herding us towards the grip though... I also hope RRS makes a hand grip for it like they did the X100 as I'd like an L-bracket anyway, and their options allow you to change the battery w/o removing it... So fingers crossed there, or for some other non oly add on. I want the lump from the oly grip, but I don't want to pay $300, nor do I want to have to remove it to charge the battery. Someone is bound to come up with a better option.

RetroBlader wrote in post #14383264
It looks to me the 60D/Sig50mm actually missed the focus (front-focused)?
???

The doll's face was definitely not in focus, and even the hair that's in front (closer to the camera) was not in perfect focus either.

:p

yep, like I said, super thin DOF isn't always a good thing. At close range it makes focus very critical and in low light you don't have the choice of stopping down all the time.

Luckypenguin wrote in post #14383494
There is a big adjustment to be made in handling; my main camera was a 50D when I started using Micro 4/3 cameras. I know it won't suit everyone but I adapted by mostly using a "thumb trigger" grip and shooting at chest or waist level.

If held correctly the camera can still be kept very stable using this method. The image below was shot handheld at 1/3 second using a 25mm lens (50mm equivalent). This is also a good example of the new "Five Axis" IBIS in operation as well. The E-M5 is great is so many areas but the effectiveness of the image stabilisation is a real standout feature

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/nicprins/713185​6873/

Do you think you can post a couple pictures of the EM5 with the 25mm Summilux on it w/hood from a couple different angles?

pxchoi wrote in post #14384320
Do you think you can post a couple pictures of the EM5 with the 25mm Summilux on it w/hood from a couple different angles?

Google is your friend:
http://www.flickr.com/​photos/afnaidel/695192​9742/

Yohan Pamudji wrote in post #14383681
I think that sums it up perfectly. There are a lot of benefits to mirrorless systems in general, and m4/3 in particular with its extensive and still quickly growing lens selection is the best right now. Great lenses, fastest AF, wide range of body types, and a new sensor that goes toe to toe with the best APS-C sensors (close enough that image quality will not be a factor unless you absolutely need that very small noise difference or 2/3 stop shallower DOF).

Good point about depth-of-field, although on the other hand having slightly greater DOF available can also be an advantage. One thing that I have found with the m4/3 primes like the 20/1.7, 25/1.4, and 45/1.8 is that they are still very sharp when shot wide-open. In comparison, I find equivalent lenses like the Sigma 30/1.4 and the Canon 50/1.4 to be too soft unless stopped down, and both can suffer from front or back focus which is more noticeable with a shallow DOF. For me those points actually nullify any theoretical advantage a larger APS-C sensor might offer in obtaining a shallow DOF.

Yohan Pamudji wrote in post #14383681
When I hold my E-P3 my hand position looks more like Ben's here, and that's probably how I'll hold the E-M5. The main contact points are the sides of your knuckles instead of your fingertips. That way you free up your thumb to hold onto the rubber grippy protrusion on the back of the camera, which should give you more traction:

Yep, absolutely. My thumb trigger grip is only used for chest or waist level shooting. If I am using the eye-level viewfinder or shooting with the camera held above me I revert to a more conventional grip.

Yohan Pamudji wrote in post #14383681
I'm looking forward to using the new IBIS. IBIS is a great feature period, but from early user reports it sounds like they've made it even better.

I love this shot you made. It makes me think of photos from the 19th century when tripods and long exposures were used out of necessity even during the daytime. Really nice feel to this one.

Thank you. The first time I used the camera was at night, with that being one of the shots I took. If I was shooting a static scene or didn't mind adding motion blur to the shot I was only needing to ISO 400 or less with the new IBIS.

For example, using the 25mm lens:

ISO 400,1/4 second

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/nicprins/699250​2314/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/nicprins/699248​3254/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/nicprins/698983​5420/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/nicprins/698904​5696/

pxchoi wrote in post #14383962
I'm putting an EM5 kit together in my wish list. 20mm 1.7 or 25mm 1.4?

Decisions...

This is very common comparison between these two lenses. I see the 20mm as being virtually a wide-angle lens, whereas the PL 25mm is very much a standard focal length lens and will allow you to start playing with a shallower depth-of-field. The PL25 is also more useful for portraits whereas the 20mm is just a bit too wide.

PL 25mm f1.4

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/nicprins/707890​0691/

pxchoi wrote in post #14384320
Do you think you can post a couple pictures of the EM5 with the 25mm Summilux on it w/hood from a couple different angles?

I'll see what I can do

Luckypenguin wrote in post #14385811
Good point about depth-of-field, although on the other hand having slightly greater DOF available can also be an advantage. One thing that I have found with the m4/3 primes like the 20/1.7, 25/1.4, and 45/1.8 is that they are still very sharp when shot wide-open. In comparison, I find equivalent lenses like the Sigma 30/1.4 and the Canon 50/1.4 to be too soft unless stopped down, and both can suffer from front or back focus which is more noticeable with a shallow DOF. For me those points actually nullify any theoretical advantage a larger APS-C sensor might offer in obtaining a shallow DOF.

Just to expand on this and show that it is not all sweetness and light for Micro 4/3 when talking about shallow DOF...

There are still no native fast aperture zoom lenses (~f/2.8), unless you count adapting Four Thirds zoom lenses which, while being extremely good optically, don't balance well on a Micro 4/3 camera, have very slow autofocus, and aren't C-AF compatible. There are also limitations on using larger apertures in bright light because of the higher minimum ISO (200) and the fastest shutter speed of 1/4000 second being less than that of a Canon EOS x0D (1/8000 second). Comparing an E-M5 to a 50D for example, the 50D has two stops greater headroom for overexposure. 50D: (ISO 100, 1/8000 sec) vs E-M5 (ISO 200, 1/4000 sec)

Nic, you are convincing me more and more with each of your posted photos, and I may blame you when my wallet is $1400 lighter (for E-M5 with 12-50mm kit lens).

From your photos it seems like Brisbane's weather still warmer than here in Sydney, as expected.

Had this camera a week now, here are some shots with the 12-50.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/tdp_photos/6999​221172/

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