Cant decide E-M5 or "new" outdated 7D

SusanButan wrote in post #14725780
any clues, weight vs image quality vs longevity?

I recently bought a E-M5 and from my past experiences with the 7D, I'd say the image quality is similar, although I want to add that the dynamic range of the OM-D is quite incredible. I bought it as a companion to my 5D series cameras and I now take out the OM-D a good deal of the time over my bulky, conspicuous digital SLRs.

The OM-D obviously wins in terms of compactness and weight.

The Olympus's one-shot AF is also quite remarkable -- and from my own observations sometimes more reliable than the 5D Mark III's in low-light.

If you're not a professional or/and highly prize compactness, I'd say the OM-D route will serve you well. The 7D is still -- despite is "age" -- a highly competent and versatile camera and far from obselete.

Wilt wrote in post #14734799
With no images to directly compare, it is hard to jump to any conclusion one way or the other. The 7D has had praise in the past for its IQ, as has the 5DII. Yet both seem less impressive than OM-D in direct comparison. That is not to fault the 7D or 5DII, but simply to show just what the new OM-D can do! Same as comparing Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps olympic swim times; Spitz is no slouch, Phelps is merely faster.

If you run the raw comparison between the two, the gap isn't as wide (the 2nd image you posted). The JPG engine in the Canon lineup has been pretty deplorable in my opinion, and it appears they finally addressed it with the 5D3.

Looks like a great camera though, and I am kinda in the market for a more portable setup that gives great quality images. I had been looking at the PEN line, but this could fit the bill even better.

Gardengirl,

Great representation of what the EM-5 can do. The websize photos are equally as good as if we were showing full resolution photos.

Here's a simple photo using the tilt screen to capture this photo over the plexiglass. A 60D could have landed this photo with the lcd screen too but not so easy with a 7d.

Great timing on that shot!

SusanButan wrote in post #14725780
... longevity?

The last I remember reading, Olympus company was in seriously deep financial and legal doo-doo. That would be a more pertinent question regarding longevity than any particular camera model, IMO. I haven't read anything within the last 3 or 4 months, so maybe their troubled waters have smoothed out by now...

Have you considered ergonomics ?. What do you want to use the camera for ?.

RTPVid wrote in post #14735021
The last I remember reading, Olympus company was in seriously deep financial and legal doo-doo. That would be a more pertinent question regarding longevity than any particular camera model, IMO. ...

YES, a major consideration.

Please also note that the OM-D can work incredibly well in studio settings. I've use my Einstien studio light with this camera and i was floored how well it performed.

With the OM-D I find low light to be the least of your worries. I almost find it too easy to achieve incredible IQ. I just have to buy a TTL flash for it to start bouncing flash. At this moment I've only used this lens with no flash.

Excellent details coming from a small sensor!!

I was a skeptic toward the m43 system until I use the OM-D with PL25 lens. I am now a convert and I agree 100% with everything AlanU is saying. I am enjoying my photography more and I carry my kits in my day bag all the time for the simple reason that it's so compact and light even with a "big" lens like the PL25.

IQ is comparable. You could spend weeks comparing the two on that level and never come to a conclusion that one is better than the other.

What you really need to decide is how you plan to shoot. If you plan on sports, birding, or anything that uses long lenses you'll want the 7D. If rapid access to control changes or a viewfinder that you can look into and see everything you are shooting are important, then you want the 7D. If you want access to many different lenses with a wide variety of characteristics from fish-eye to extremely long, tilt-shift, and wide apertures, get the 7D. If you want to be able to control multiple strobes wirelessly from a single point on the camera get the 7D. If you plan to spend hours at times walking around shooting, get the 7D. If quick draw, focus, shoot is important, get the 7D.

If you don't want or need all of this, get the Olympus. If you plan to take occasional photos of family and friends, get the Olympus. If you want to pack a camera everywhere just in case the right moment for a photo comes around, get the Olympus.

For whatever it's worth, I ditched my 7D (and entire Canon kit) for a pair of OM-Ds and a m4:3 kit. I haven't looked back - love the little Oly and find its performance to be easily suitable for what I shoot. Although the caveat to that is, most of my work is pretty static - not a lot of moving objects. The OM-D's AF is great with static objects...not such with tracking.

For the qualities the OP asked about? In weight, the OM-D wins by a long shot - it's so much more portable and comfortable to carry and use. Image quality, it's probably a toss up, as both are excellent cameras. Longevity? Who knows, but I've never had a camera get "used up" yet

kfreels wrote in post #14736388
If rapid access to control changes or a viewfinder that you can look into and see everything you are shooting are important, then you want the 7D.

What viewfinder difference are you referring to? Both 7D and OM-D have 100% area of frame viewfinders.

If I was looking a m4/3, I'd wait a few months for the Panasonic GH3 to be announced

Wilt wrote in post #14736467
What viewfinder difference are you referring to? Both 7D and OM-D have 100% area of frame viewfinders.

You know....the difference that isn't there because I didn't know the OM-D had a 100% view area.

lannes wrote in post #14736749
If I was looking a m4/3, I'd wait a few months for the Panasonic GH3 to be announced

naaaa I'm gonna buy that too!!

I just want to see if they put image stabilization in the body (doubt it). The OMD's video control is "non existent" and you cannot adjust exposure once you start to video. I imagine new firmware will fix the OM-D's limitation.

OM-D has cool factor and has incredible IQ. I am hoping the GH3 matches the IQ as the OM-D.