82 Comments

  1. Decisions, decisions…..I had finally decided on purchasing the Pentax K5 -now I am considering the E M5. Weatherproofing is a plus as I shoot a good amount of outdoor sports. I shoot everything, everywhere….I want it all!!! πŸ˜‰

  2. The OM-D is what I expected Fuji X Pro 1 to be (albeit with an APS-C sensor and built-in flash). The X Pro 1 seems like a rushed product compared to the OM-D. Of course, this is all speculation at this point, since both the OM-D and X Pro 1 have yet to be released. Nonetheless, the image stabilization and fast auto-focus on the OM-D is very promising. The one overt concern I have with the OM-D is how well the micro 4/3’s sensor will fair in low light. I doubt it will be on par with the X-100 or X Pro 1. I am convinced the OM-D is going to be a great camera but its ISO capabilities will be it achilles heel.

  3. I bought a Sony NEX-5N and EVF to use with my Leica glass (mostly my 35 Cron ASPH, I also have a 50 Cron and a 90 Elmarit) that I had on my M6 back in the day. The combo is nice, but I find the lack of stabilization a real shortcoming (my 50-year-old hands are not quite as steady as my 35-year-old ones, or the M6 was more stable).

    I know the OM-D does not have focus peaking. While focus peaking is nice, I almost always find myself zooming in to get that final perfect focus.

    What do people think? Will the OM-D to justice to my Leica glass? Is manual focus on the OM-D going to be much harder than on the NEX-5N?

  4. I’ve got the OMD on preorder, and will hopefully get on April 10. Woohoo!! I didn’t think the AF tracking and 9 FPS videos were all that impressive though. The model was moving slowly on the tracking video. And on the 9 FPS video, the model was relatively on the same distance to the camera throughout all the frames. That being said, I still think the OMD will be the “best” m4/3 camera to date, if the IQ is at least as good as the GH2. The IBIS sure looks pretty awesome. It’ll allow me to use the PL25 in even lower light conditions without increasing the ISO very much!

    • The 9 fps is with AF locked. With continuous AF it is “only” around 4 fps. Pretty low performance compared to the 10 fps with AF-C on the Nikon J1 πŸ™‚ but then again who needs that?

  5. the question remains: how does it test in real time om-d vs. x-pro 1? i’ll stay tuned to steve huff.

  6. I assume the sample jpegs were taken at default settings, which I never use. I turn sharpening and contrast to the lowest levels and noise filtration to low for my jpegs and make my own decisions about how to work them in photoshop. I have yet to meet a camera whose default sharpening setting please me, and default sharpening is always ugly to my eye, though Olympus does better there than most. I’m still happy to have the camera ordered, since I develop raw files for any image I’m serious about or am going to print.

    As for noise: I don’t care. I grew up pushing 400 asa film to get high speeds and I almost always prefer graininess to loss of detail.

  7. I have this on pre-order along with an X Pro 1 and D800. I’ll probably cancel the Olympus. I kind tend to agree with Kirk Tuck on this one. $1K is just too much for a MFT camera. The IBIS and weather sealing doens’t justify the cost over a G3 for me. I don’t take my cameras out in the rain. It looks like a nice camera but aethestically I’ve never really liked SLR’s. I can justiy the form factor with the D800 because of the what you are getting and the Nikon G series lenses. That said I bet it’s a great camera but I think I’ll stick with the X Pro and the D800. I’m not a machine gun shooter and have never had an issue with the X100’s auto focus. 24-36 photos at most when I’m out. I’ll stick with the G3 because I have all the lenses 12mm, 45mm Olympus and 20, 24, and 45 Panasonic. I think Panasonic will release a camera with a better sensor later this year anyway. They always seem to be two years ahead of Olympus on the sensors. I guess that’s if you shoot RAW and not JPEG, because Olympus does have great JPEGS.

    • I agree, the price is crazy for what you get, at least where I live where the price is around $1.490 for the body.

      This is more expensive than the D7000 which goes for around $1300 and an X100 which goes for $1240.

      Also it is almost half the price of the D800 which I just ordered – that is a lot of money for a for a micro 4/3 camera with EVF – incredible if they get away with that.

      • I just cancelled it. Here is a good post about the G3 in relation to what it delivers. Admittedly it’s not the best looking camera, but it’s also only $599 US. Scoll down to the third post.

        http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/

        Now I just have to decide if I keep the D700 or not. It’s been a pretty great camera. This is my big camera upgrade year. The thing about something like the D800 or X Pro is they aren’t going to come out with a new better camera in 6 months. The D700 is still great four years after it was released. I’ve learned the hard way on this one. On MFT I think $600 is about the right price for a body. Maybe $800. $1000 or more no way. The D800 will still be an incredible camera 5 years from now. I think the X Pro is going to deliver on image quality too, as long as you realize you aren’t getting a DSLR.

      • In the US, the D7000 is $1300 for body only.
        The Olympus is $999 body only; it’s only $1300 of you include a lens that retails for $500 by itself.
        The X100 is $1200, but that includes a lens.
        The OMD is 1/3 the price of a D800 body, not “almost half”.
        The Panasonic GH-2 was, I think, a little more expensive than the Olympus. No one seemed to think it’s price was outrageous.

        4/3 sensors are slightly less expensive to make than APS sensors, but other than that there’s no inherent reason why 4/3 cameras should be much cheaper than APS cameras with similar features. Note that most m4/3 cameras have no viewfinder and fairly simple user interfaces.

        The Olympus IS a little high, but I don’t think it’s “crazy”, given its features. Olympus, like other companies, tries to make a little extra on popular new items; likely the price will drop after it has been on the market for a few months.

        • I just calculated the costs for the OM-D body with the Panasonic Leica 25mm, Olympus 12mm and Olympus 45mm lenses. Total: 2526 euros. Not really a bargain for a M4/3 set-up. I’ll have to think if that’s worth it. Of course, if you’re already a M4/3 photographer and own some lenses or buy some inferior zoom lens, then it’s o.k., but I think this is a lot of dough, guys.

          • I did it after all! I pre-ordered the camera and just bought the 12mm and 45mm Olympus and 25mm Panasonic/Leica lenses. OMG! I never would have thought of doing it actually, but after some thinking and realizing my Leica M9-P doesn’t have features this fast, fast, fast camera has, I thought: why not? Of course, Steve is to blame for this… after all his praise of the camera… (just joking, Steve). πŸ™‚

          • @Ron:
            Perhaps. But supposing you already have the Panasonic 20mm, and the Olympus 45? And don’t really have any use for the 12? (Which is the real budget killer.)
            There’s no rule that says you have to have the most expensive lens in every category.

          • @Paris
            It’s not about buying the most expensive lenses available. I wanted the best lenses and those are… especially, for low light. The lenses will be here tomorrow. I’ll be testing them this weekend on my old EP-1 and wait (im)patiently for the OM-D.

        • I do not think it is crazy either and when looking at all it offers, it is indeed going to be the best M4/3 solution. The new 5 AXIS IS looks incredible for photo and video, weather sealing is welcome, the EVF (yea!), the build, feel and design are just what we have been wanting (well, many of us) and the speed, the new sensor, the Oly color, the Oly filters. This camera with all it offers is indeed a “premium” micro 4/3 setup and I am looking forward to shooting it and taking it out on a road trip as soon as it arrives.

          • If it lives up to its advertising, it will be exactly the second “serious” m4/3 camera, after the GH-2.

          • What about your great love for the Nex7? I remember you saying that it was in your opinion a near perfect camera Body design. Are you leaning toward the E-M5?

          • If this is for me, I will own both – The NEX-7 is fantastic but it’s weak links are native lenses. The OM-D will be fantastic as well, with a much bigger lens selection. I loved the NEX-7 so much because when it arrived on the scene it offered everything I have been looking for in a smaller body. Controls, EVF, tilt screen, great video, etc. The OM-D now offers this as well and then some. Just a smaller sensor which will have DOF trade offs.

    • Given the apparent improvements in the design, especially the fact that the EVF is integral to the camera body now, the price is fair I think. Remember that the kit with the accessory viewfinder MSRP was $1100. The OM-D adds weather sealing, better sensor performance, and a better control layout, in my opinion – having been to a demo and had fondled said camera for a few minutes, I’m willing to say so. I’m excited about this camera; small, light, high performance, and just plain sexy.

  8. I had my preorder in the first day, i’m super pumped for this. I’ve been using my GF1 happily for the last two years but I really miss a view finder, and the accessory one for the panny sucks beyond words. If this lives up to the hype i can’t foresee needing a new body for quite some time. The only thing better would have been a well implemented hybrid viewfinder, but from all accounts the EVF is awesome.

  9. I read in a German newspaper that IΒ΄d need an adapter to use my normal MFT lenses (right now I am using one of the latest Olympus PEN models and bought some of the lenses which came out with the PEN).
    Is this really true? – I can hardly believe this, as it does not make much sense, but do you know whether this is true?

      • I think perhaps Steve mis-understood your question Sven.
        If you are using MFT lenses on your PEN then you will not need an adapter to use those same lenses on the OM-D.

    • As Steve said, the adapter is to use regular 4/3 lenses. The OM-D will work just fine with all MFT lenses, like those you have on your current PEN.

  10. Hello Steve and Users

    I like this camera and also like the price.

    I am not a guru in the camera business.

    Can you advise on the lenses that can be used with this camera (not so expensive)

    • Any Micro 4/3 lens. Olympus 12mm f/2, 45 1.8 are highly recommended (my fave two M 4/3 lenses from Olympus) – From Panasonic, the 25 1.4 is excellent.

    • Can I also add a quick addition to this question. I haven’t ordered yet and this is going to be my first and only camera. Is the 12-50mm kit lens worth going for if I only intend on using for family and pet shots? (No Video) I could save a bit by getting the 14-42mm and put the money towards buying another lens.

      I do plan on supporting my other hobby – I go to a lot of car shows and would like take car shots. I was think the Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 would work out nicely.

      • I would recommend passing on the kit zoom, unless you need something that is weather resistant. I say put the money towards the Oly 45mm /1.8 – it is fantastic for family and pet candids and portraits. The PL 25mm is great as well, but it is more expensive, larger diameter and heavier. I have and love both, but I think the 45/1.8 is a better way to start.

        • Thanks for the comment. The one factor for the Panasonic is that I get a great discount through my company. It not very much for cameras but the lens discount is great. The 45mm and the 25mm are nearly the same price.

          I think I am going to place my order for the camera!

      • The new kit lens together with the inexpensive Panasonic 20mm will give you a very capable system with WS, a good zoom range and a fast prime for low light. Of course the ultimate kit will be Olympus’ 12, 45 and the announced 75mm primes and the Panasonic 25mm.

    • Omar,
      If you go to the Adorama or B&H Photo websites, select “lenses”, then “Mirrorless system lenses”, then “micro 4/3”, (exact wording might be slightly different.) you’ll get a list of just about every lens that’s available for the Olympus OMD. You can sort the list by price.

      Make sure you’re looking at “micro 4/3”, and not just “4/3” which is different, and won’t fit.

      I don’t know what country you’re in, and I don’t work for either of those companies, so I’m not saying you need to buy your lenses there, but it’s an easy way to find out what’s available.

  11. I have a question for MFT owners.

    I pre-ordered Nex-7 as I plan it to be my main camera (I do not have a DSLR) and it’s supposedly shipping on March 1 based on B&H.

    I am very interested with this camera, and is considering buying the camera who ships first. Are MFT users here using this camera to complement their m9 or DSLR? or is there someone who uses it as their main camera?

    • I was using the PEN E-P3 as a compliment to my M9 but on many occasions used it as my main camera. I’d use this E-M5 as my main camera from what I have seen so far. What I mean by that is I would use it for my daily camera – family, landscape, street, etc.

    • I see. That is what I noticed, most people who are greatly satisfied with the MFT system has a second camera.. I think I’ll go with the NEX (I’m just hoping that b&h will ship it on the 1st) so that in the future, if I’ll crave for better IQ, there’s no other way to go but with a M9.. Thanks guys!

  12. Fantastic camera – had one on order from day one. I actually cancelled my NEX-7 pre-order when I heard about this camera! This will become my primary camera with the E-P2 as a backup. One with the 12mm and the other with the 45mm on.

    Hope it arrives in the UK on time – I’m giving this and the E-P2 to the person taking photos for my wedding to use as the main camera so it better arrive in time!!

  13. Steve, from all camera that you are currently ordering….

    Which one do you think you’re gonna love the most πŸ™‚ ?

    Nex-7? X-pro? Or this one?

  14. O.K. guys, I don’t mean to rain on anyone’s parade here but tell me something: Why doesn’t a camera this large have an APS-C sized sensor?

    • Because it’s a MFT camera. If it had a APS-C Sensor Oly would have to make all new lenses which wouldn’t make any sense. MFT is the place where you start to get really small lenses. Look at the sony NEX lenses vs the MFT lenses. That larger sensor makes those lenses much much bigger then the MFT lenses.

        • This is true, a great camera, but no one else has seemed able to replicate that form factor. Plus, once you start building fast lenses, I don’t think it works and the m4/3 smaller size becomes more apparent.

    • It’s actually not that large. It’s only marginally bigger than the Pens – fractions of an inch – and actually smaller, overall, than a Pen with an accessory viewfinder. The new 12-50mm looks large in the photos but it’s also quite compact. Of course, with the battery grip the camera starts to grow, but it’s still smaller than even the svelte Pentax K-5 (which is the system I’d go for if the OM-D falls flat, which seems unlikely).

    • Look at the Sony lenses for NEX and then compare them with the mft ones, and you’ll have the answer. Ohhh, pardon me, I forgot that there are no comparable NEX lenses πŸ™‚

          • I have it and it is perfectly balanced on nex 7, and it is physics anyway, much bigger sensor area requires bigger lens if you don’t want to make any compromises on the optical quality. I prefer to have slightly bigger lens with awesome quality than average pancake and for the quality it produces it is not big lens. In terms of IBIS, I agree up to the point, it is useful for the static objects, for moving it doesn’t help at all and then we come to the benefits of the bigger sensor in terms on high iso. It depends on what you need

          • Agree with you that it comes down to individual needs.

            But… my point would that it is possible to make a smaller lens with the same optical quality, if it is for a smaller sensor (it doesn’t have to be a pancake, for example, the Olympus 45/1.8). Again, there are trade offs given the small sensor size (and I actually think it is a larger trade off with DR at base ISO) and I understand that some people don’t want/need a smaller lens.

    • We seem to go round and round on this one… yes, the body is comparable in size to other APS-C bodies out there. But … they did manage to cram IBIS in there, and the lenses can be smaller for the same performance.

      All about trade offs… lose on the sensor a bit, gain on the smaller kit size a bit.

  15. Does anybody have an experience to compare Olympus 12 F2 against Lumix 7-14 F4 in the term of sharpness and color rendering,.. ? I have the 7-14 but hesitate to purchase Oly 12 f2 , its faster of course but also expensive,.considering they both have the same price

    I greatly apreciate if anybody have the image sample.

    • Check flickr for samples, there are lots of photos up using this lens. There are plenty of reviews floating around the web too. I read a couple reviews that were less-than-glowing, citing all-over softness wide open, and not so sharp edges even stopped down. But I figure for web and small prints that shouldn’t matter. And it’s a fast wide prime, who doesn’t love a fast wide prime? The price is a little hard to take, and that’s the main reason keeping my credit card in my wallet (for now), but someday, one will make its way into my bag.

  16. Looks like Oly got just about everything right. Kinda think I gotta order one for my Panny lenses and my Oly 45. Sorta killed my lust for the Fuji stuff at a lot more affordable price point. Somebody at Olympus is a design/marketing version of Steve Jobs. What a great time to be a camera nut!!

  17. This camera looks better and better. Since Sony has still failed in the modest task of getting Nex-7’s to the USA(yes, I know about Thailand, but I also see Nex-7’s all over the world), I might just can my pre-order and go with this. The styling is so much nicer, but the larger sensor pulls me over to the Sony… I waited this long, I mean what’s another month and a bit for the OM-D.

    • sony skin tones are alien Orange. If you are going to take pictures of people expect lots of Lightroom work and even then results are poor

        • I think most people refer to the AWB as being off, which it is. When you set it manually in studio then it is just as capable as any other digital camera. When you just shoot it in a day to day situation using AWB, it does produce skin tones that are off.

          • It is really not difficult to set up WB to your liking and there is also post-processing to correct anything that might be off. I read here over and over people saying that going back to basics, using manual focus etc makes you learn more about the photography, I am not going to go into that debate but knowing how to adjust WB is ABC of photographic knowledge

      • You might have your white balance set wrong. Still, many camera companies include a slight color shift toward red for average skin tones, and a slight color shift toward blue for cyan sky tones. If you actually want your colors to be more flat, you can undo that shift (in sony or Olympus).

        Most people choose to retain the color shift, because the average person finds the “improved” colors more attractive than natural colors. Cameras tend to over-saturate for the same reason.

        Although there have only been a few scientific studies, something like 95% of people found redder skin tones to be more attractive. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10764-009-9380-z) (This is because people who are more healthy tend to have redder skin tones.)

        In either case, there is not much distinction in this area between Sony and Olympus. The real advantage of Olympus is the autofocus speed and the IBIS. The real advantage of the Sony is the sensor size.

      • Not at all – I use the NEX7 every day – also for portraits.
        ItΒ΄s just superb – nothing less πŸ™‚

        Skintones are perfect if you know how to use it…

  18. I can’t believe I have to wait till the second week of April to get the m4/3 to end all m4/3 camera. Couple this camera with the oly12, panny 25 and the oly 45.. And you will have the best set up in this category!!!

      • I envy you. Stupid me sold all mft stuff a few months ago with EP3, 12mm and Oly 45mm. Now I’ll have to buy the same lenses again, together with a OM-5 and the new zoom, of course. Going in and out and back into systems is a money burner.

        • LoL, I did the same thing, Retow, well, at least on the lenses. I sold the 12mm and 25mm PL to fund another purchase, and just reordered both. Someone needs to sit me down and talk to me about depreciation.

  19. I’m so getting one… after using it the OM-D during the product launch, I can’t get enough of it, the build, AF, looks… Awesome piece of equipment…

  20. I was fortunate enough to have some hands-on time with the OM-D over the weekend: Nothing special mind you, just an hour or two at a club/shop sponsored demo and info session. And I was impressed. Low light focus, snappy. AF tracking, bang on. 9 fps, wow. The finder is bright and without lag. And it just feels solid. For myself, it will be the only system I need if it can keep up with my usual sports and events type shooting. With the Panilux 25/1.4 and the 45/1.8, it’s more than enough camera for most people, I’d hazard to guess. That new Oly 75mm looks really nice too.

    I’ll probably have one by the end of the summer…

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