Cant decide E-M5 or "new" outdated 7D

I have a 60D and an OM-D. I rarely pick up my 60d now that I have the OM-D. The OM-D is light, fun to shoot with, and responsive. The images are beautiful, and you can shoot JPEG because the Olympus renders JPEGs pretty nicely so you can save some time not post processing. It is a nice casual camera that takes stunning pictures. There is a nice selection of lenses, and I think you would be happy with the OM-D. And I think it is a couple hundred bucks cheaper than a 7D.

I have an E-M5 and used to have a T3i. Jpegs from the T3i had a slight softness to them that was a big turn off. Also wierd jpeg colors from time to time that no amount of white balance tweaking could fix.

From carefully studying camera review site sample photos, I bought an Oly E-PL1 as an experiment (a mere $280 with kit lens on Amazon). I was blown away by how superior the E-PL1's jpegs were compared to the T3i's in image detail resolution, sharpness and vivid, yet realistic colors (in bright light conditions). E-PL1 is poor for shooting fast action, however, and T3i better. T3i was also better at video.

Then along came the E-M5. E-M5 can shoot 9 frames per second - faster than T3i and it focuses instantly. So E-M5 is good for fast action. Video is as good as T3i. Jpegs are better than T3i, though ironically, not quite as good as the E-PL1.

Bottom line is I'm pretty sold on compact system cameras like the micro four thirds offerings from Olympus and Panasonic. Only reason I came here today was to read owner experiences about the video performance of the T4i. The E-M5 video is pretty good, but I'm always open to something better if it should come along. The next big thing in video quality is likely going to be from the upcoming Panasonic GH3 micro four thirds camera.

It's hard to consider going back to the big Canikon cameras like the 7D, etc., once you've tried the compact system cameras and witnessed how you really don't give up much of anything important and in some respects they are better; e.g. the superb jpegs of the $280 Oly E-PL1. But again, if, and that's a big IF, a bulky, heavy Canikon came along with truly superior jpeg and video quality, I might consider it.

I was once a happy Canon DSLR user, with multiple bodies, L-series, lenses, Speedlites, etc. Even my Dad was a happy Canon SLR user. As it stands now, my Canon gear is in the process of being sold and is being replaced with Micro 4/3 equipment as well as my G1X. Please don't assume that this is because I was tired of "lugging around" a DSLR. I chose these cameras because of capability and usability; with size and weight being only one component of that. I don't particularly care to argue the toss about where one system may be better than the other. I know what I want and which system gives me what I want, and everyone can make up their own mind about what they want. I was already happy with what the earlier models could do, and with the E-M5, Olympus has just about nailed the perfect camera for me. It's as simple as that. So of course I'd choose the E-M5 over the 7D. Not because the 7D is a bad camera, but because it doesn't work the way I want it to.

Wow couldn't have ever imagined such a thread to demonstrate a shift in camera formats.

To me I cannot sell my current dslr gear. My 5dmk2's at the moment give me more IQ compared to the OM-D. However the OM-D still satisfies my hunger for IQ. However if I was comparing the Oly to a 60d/7d or any rebel series this creates a difficult choice BUT the fact my intent is to search for a small ultra light system for a casual camera the OM-D wins by a huge margin.

The AF focus isn't there yet for the M43. I dont think it ever will because its contrast focus.

An interesting combo can happen too with the OM-D. For example I wanted to photograph my youngest daughter's first swimming lesson. I did NOT want to swap lens during this time. I put my OM-D around my neck with a 14mm f/2.5 lens (28mm equiv). Oddly enough a nikon D7000 user gave me this "superiority weird attitude look" (i dont think he realizes the OM-D has equal IQ with no doubt in my mind LOL). I also pulled out my 5dmk2 w/ 70-200 out of my flipside 400 back pack. I'll have to say the images turned out absolutely fantastic in the wierd swimming pool lighting with severe glare. The combo was incredible!! I chose not to lug my other 5d2 or 5dc. I was extremely pleased in the IQ and performance of the OM-D. If I simply used a 24-70L with one body I would have not gotten the IQ nor imagery I wanted so I chose the two camera setup instead.