Olympus OM-D EM-5 (Mirrorless)

[Pea-n-Me]

Many have written off Olympus in the last few years. But although quiet, they are still very much in the game.

Many people also are still searching for a compact, yet capable, camera system.

Their newest offering is well worth a look:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusem5

It's received the DP Review Gold Award and is currently listed 5th on the Top Cameras list.

Image Quality

The E-M5 sets a new benchmark for Micro Four Thirds images, thanks to a modern sensor and Olympus' excellent JPEG engine. It continues to produce good results in lower light than was previously practical and produces attractive output in all but the most challenging of situations. The combination of its small body and the small lenses available for it (specifically the Panasonic 20mm F1.7 and Olympus 45mm F1.8) mean it's a camera we found ourselves taking everywhere, without any concerns that we were having to make undue compromises on image quality.

The E-M5 can't completely overcome the light capture disadvantage brought by its smaller sensor, compared to APS-C, but it reduces it to the point that it's irrelevant for almost all practical purposes. At which point we think its size advantage, in terms of both body and lenses, will outweigh that difference for most uses. If you're absolutely unwilling to compromise on image quality then spending twice the money and moving up to the bulk of full-frame is the only way of gaining a significant step up from the E-M5.

This capability, combined with an increasingly useful range of comparatively affordable fast lenses (the largest of any mirrorless system), makes it easy to get good results from a variety of shooting situations, even when the light gets challenging. The camera's default noise reduction and sharpening settings aren't entirely to our taste but they're not overly destructive and are easily changed for the better. That minor gripe aside, we've been impressed with the E-M5's output, whether in Raw or JPEG.

The Final Word

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.

 

[JoeDif]

That along with the optional grip are on my wish list.

 

[Pugrpooh]

Just got mine packed up for Hawaii. Can't wait to try it out there. DH gets the E-PL2, DD25 is taking the E-600 and DD10 has her Oly underwater camera so we're covered.

Our flight leaves at 6am Sunday.

 

[JoeDif]

Just got mine packed up for Hawaii. Can't wait to try it out there. DH gets the E-PL2, DD25 is taking the E-600 and DD10 has her Oly underwater camera so we're covered.

Our flight leaves at 6am Sunday.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'd love to try using it. I wonder if there's anywhere to rent one for a weekend?

 

[JoeDif]

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/four-thirds/cameras/olympus-om-d-e-m5

$80 for 7days. Somebody on here should be able to give you info on Lensrental or any other reputable rental sites.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/four-thirds/cameras/olympus-om-d-e-m5

$80 for 7days. Somebody on here should be able to give you info on Lensrental or any other reputable rental sites.

That is quite a review! Thank you for the information.

 

[kshark]

I want this camera! As much as I love my E-P3, this thing just seems perfect. It has everything that is great with the E-P3 (size, Oly color, great lenses), but even better image quality and dynamic range.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Agreed, kshark.

 

[Renysmom]

I think I have made my mind up and will be ordering this soon. I will get the kit lens with it, what second lens would you buy? Of course, I may have to wait a bit to buy that second lens. This baby is not cheap

 

[JoeDif]

I think I have made my mind up and will be ordering this soon. I will get the kit lens with it, what second lens would you buy? Of course, I may have to wait a bit to buy that second lens. This baby is not cheap

I've got the 45mm f/1.8 and that lens is incredible.

I hear the new 75mm f/1.8 may be the best Olympus m4/3 lens to date but it is $900

 

[Renysmom]

I've got the 45mm f/1.8 and that lens is incredible.

I hear the new 75mm f/1.8 may be the best Olympus m4/3 lens to date but it is $900

Yikes, there will be no $900 lens in my future anytime soon

Did I read that these lens are interchangeable between makes or did I miss understand?

 

[JoeDif]

Yikes, there will be no $900 lens in my future anytime soon

Did I read that these lens are interchangeable between makes or did I miss understand?

All m4/3 lenses can be used on any Olympus or Panasonic m4/3 bodies. 4/3 DSLR lenses can be used on m4/3 bodies with an adapter but m4/3 lenses can not be used on 4/3 DSLR bodies.

I also did see that Sigma will be releasing new lenses designed specifically for m4/3 around September.

 

[Renysmom]

All m4/3 lenses can be used on any Olympus or Panasonic m4/3 bodies. 4/3 DSLR lenses can be used on m4/3 bodies with an adapter but m4/3 lenses can not be used on 4/3 DSLR bodies.

I also did see that Sigma will be releasing new lenses designed specifically for m4/3 around September.

That's goof to know. Has anyone seen pictures of this camera with the adapter and 4/3rd lens attached? Since I have the 12-60 I just wonder if I should get the adapter and body only. I so wish there was a camera store here who sold the Olympus cameras...

Now tell me about the EP3, its a bit cheaper, would this make me happy? Decisions, decisions....

 

[JoeDif]

That's goof to know. Has anyone seen pictures of this camera with the adapter and 4/3rd lens attached? Since I have the 12-60 I just wonder if I should get the adapter and body only. I so wish there was a camera store here who sold the Olympus cameras...

Now tell me about the EP3, its a bit cheaper, would this make me happy? Decisions, decisions....

I'm in the same boat, no stores locally that stock the E-M5 right now.

If you go over to Micro Four Thirds Talk at DPreview there are normally several threads that show images with 4/3rd lenses on the E-M5. From what I've read, some of the 4/3rd lenses are slow to focus on m4/3 bodies but they do allow AF.

While the EP-3 is a really good camera, if cash wasn't an issue I'd go with the E-M5 hands down. It has probably a 2 year advantage in sensor technology, built in EVF, increased DR.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree with Joe about going with the E-M5 because it's superior technology to anything they've offered yet. I think it's in a different category than the PEN even though they're both Olympus m4/3 mirrorless.

When introduced, the Panasonic and PEN m4/3 cameras were originally primarily marketed to people coming from point and shoot; however many serious photographers saw the advantages and bought in to mirrorless, perhaps to a bit of the manufacturers' surprise. It's been several years and things have evolved. The EM-5 is geared toward the serious photographer and in fact may be the concept camera of the future. (This has happened many times in Olympus' history where they've developed something that others initially scoffed at, then replicated, so I think this speculation is plausible. Time will tell.)

I also believe that you can use almost any lens (not just 4/3 or m4/3) on a m4/3 camera with an adapter if an adapter exists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_Four_Thirds_system

The shallow but wide MFT lens mount also allows the use of existing lenses including Leica M, Leica R, and Olympus OM system lenses, via Panasonic and Olympus adapters. Aftermarket adapters include Leica Screw Mount, Contax G, Canon, Nikon, and Pentax, among others.[7] In fact, almost any still camera, movie or video camera interchangeable lens that has a flange focal distance greater than or marginally less than 20 mm can often be used on MFT bodies via an adapter. While these so called "legacy" lenses can only be used in a manual focus, manual aperture control mode on MFT cameras, hundreds of lenses are available for use, even those that survive for cameras no longer in production.

I also did see that Sigma will be releasing new lenses designed specifically for m4/3 around September.

On January 26th, 2012, Tokina and Tamron have indicated they would be designing lenses for the Micro 4/3 system.

Additionally,

As of Jun 2012, Olympus, Panasonic, Cosina/Voigtlander, Carl Zeiss AG, Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH, Komamura Corporation, Sigma Corporation, Tamron,[12] Astrodesign[12], and Yasuhara[13] have a commitment to the Micro Four Thirds system.

Since I have the 12-60 I just wonder if I should get the adapter and body only.

I was playing with that idea when I bought my DS the PEN. But I decided to get the (2) kit lenses in part because it was a great deal and in part because I thought it would be seamless operation and keep things small, etc. The kits have been great and I still have the Oly adaptor and all my other 4/3 lenses that we can use, although we haven't had to yet. I am going to have to try them out soon, though. I shoot a lot of sports and I've noticed the few times I've used the PEN at games a lot of others using their dSLRs are checking it out quizzically. And that's with the kit zoom. I'll be curious to see the looks when I throw the 50-200 on it.

 

[Renysmom]

I'm in the same boat, no stores locally that stock the E-M5 right now.

If you go over to Micro Four Thirds Talk at DPreview there are normally several threads that show images with 4/3rd lenses on the E-M5. From what I've read, some of the 4/3rd lenses are slow to focus on m4/3 bodies but they do allow AF.

While the EP-3 is a really good camera, if cash wasn't an issue I'd go with the E-M5 hands down. It has probably a 2 year advantage in sensor technology, built in EVF, increased DR.

Thanks again Joe for the info. I've been ready over at DPreview but didn't think to look for the images so I will check that out.

 

[Renysmom]

The kits have been great and I still have the Oly adaptor and all my other 4/3 lenses that we can use, although we haven't had to yet. I am going to have to try them out soon, though. I shoot a lot of sports and I've noticed the few times I've used the PEN at games a lot of others using their dSLRs are checking it out quizzically. And that's with the kit zoom. I'll be curious to see the looks when I throw the 50-200 on it.

Oohhhh, can you post a picture or two of the OMD with the 4/3 lens on it. I am dying to know what it looks like

 

[Renysmom]

YOU PEOPLE!! You are nothing but a bunch of ENABLERS I tell you!!!

I "happened" to be skimming the Amazon Olympic store this morning and what do I see? That the OMD is in stock and shipping.. Next think I know I am getting an email that my order has shipped and will arrive next Monday..

YOU PEOPLE!!! What am I gonna do with you?

 

[boBQuincy]

YOU PEOPLE!! You are nothing but a bunch of ENABLERS I tell you!!!

I "happened" to be skimming the Amazon Olympic store this morning and what do I see? That the OMD is in stock and shipping.. Next think I know I am getting an email that my order has shipped and will arrive next Monday..

YOU PEOPLE!!! What am I gonna do with you?

Don't forget to pre-order your Panasonic 12-35!