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Olympus OM-D E-M5 16MP Live MOS Mirrorless Digital Camera with 3.0-Inch Tilting OLED Touchscreen [Body Only] Silver (Discontinued by Manufacturer)
Brand | Olympus |
Model Name | OM-D E-M5 |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 16 MP |
Photo Sensor Size | Micro Four Thirds |
Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 60 seconds |
Metering Description | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
Exposure Control Type | Program AE, Aperture priority AE, Bulb, Shutter priority AE, Scene select, Manual, Art Filter, Time, Automatic See more |
Form Factor | SLR-style mirrorless |
About this item
- 16.1MP CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensor
- 9 frames per second continuous shooting
- 35-area contrast detect AF
- ISO 200-25,600
- 1080 HD video
- Articulated 3.0 inch touchscreen LCD with 610,000 dots
- Electronic viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots
- Raw and Raw + JPEG shooting
- Flash hot shoe and Olympus Wireless RC Flash system compatible
- Weather-sealed body
- SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
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This Item Olympus OM-D E-M5 16MP Live MOS Mirrorless Digital Camera with 3.0-Inch Tilting OLED Touchscreen [Body Only] Silver (Discontinued by Manufacturer) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $348.00$348.00 | -15% $579.00$579.00 List: $679.99 | -29% $497.99$497.99 List: $697.99 | $1,799.00$1,799.00 | $699.99$699.99 | $799.99$799.99 |
Delivery | Get it Mar 25 - 28 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Auto focus | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
Image stabilization | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.4 |
Picture quality | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.5 |
Battery life | — | — | 4.4 | — | 4.2 | 4.0 |
Sold By | Premier Camera =Japan= Our Japanese staff will send you with care. | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Green Mountain Camera | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
display type | — | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches |
lens type | — | Telephoto | mirror-lens | Telephoto | Zoom | Zoom |
zoom type | — | — | digital | Optical Zoom | Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom |
shooting modes | — | Automatic | 10 | Automatic | 16 | 16 |
connectivity tech | HDMI, USB | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Micro HDMI, USB | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Micro HDMI, USB | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
video resolution | FHD 1080p | 4320p | 4K UHD 2160p | 2160p, 2K DCI 1080p | 4K DCI 2160p | 4K DCI 2160p |
Videos
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Olympus OM-D EM-5 Testimonial
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Olympus OM-D EM-5 Overview
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Olympus OMD 5 AXIS
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Olympus OMD EVF
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Olympus EM-5 Overview
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Product information
Auto Focus Technology | Selective single-point, Face Detection, Tracking, Multi-area, Single, Continuous, Contrast Detection, Live View |
---|---|
Display Resolution Maximum | 610000 |
Photo Sensor Size | Micro Four Thirds |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Effective Still Resolution | 16.1 MP |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 16 MP |
Self Timer Duration | 10 seconds |
Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 sec |
Video Capture Format | h.264;motion_jpeg |
Video Capture Resolution | FHD 1080p |
Video Standard | MPEG 4 |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.15x |
---|---|
Viewfinder Type | LCD |
Screen Size | 3 Inches |
Display Fixture Type | Tilting |
Touch Screen Type | Yes |
Diopter Range Description | 9 |
Dots per screen area | 60 |
Model Name | OM-D E-M5 |
---|---|
Brand | Olympus |
Model Number | V204040SU000 |
Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #292,848 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #707 in Mirrorless Cameras |
ASIN | B0074WDDN8 |
Color | Silver |
Included Components | SD Card |
Specification Met | No |
Processor Description | TruePic VI |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.8 x 1.69 x 3.5 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 15.04 ounces |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Optical Zoom | 1 x |
---|---|
Maximum Aperture | 3.5 Millimeters |
Autofocus Points | 35 |
Compatible Mountings | Micro Four Thirds |
Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Expanded ISO Maximum | 25600 |
---|---|
Expanded ISO Minimum | 200 |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 60 seconds |
Exposure Control Type | Program AE, Aperture priority AE, Bulb, Shutter priority AE, Scene select, Manual, Art Filter, Time, Automatic |
Metering Description | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
Batteries Required? | Yes |
---|---|
Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Are Batteries Included | Yes |
Rechargeable Battery Included | No |
Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
Battery Description | Lithium-Ion BLN-1 rechargeable battery & charger |
Battery Weight | 50 Grams |
Target Gender | Unisex |
Digital Scene Transition | True |
Connectivity Technology | USB, HDMI |
Continuous Shooting Speed | 9 |
Wireless Communication Technology | EyeFi |
Flash Memory Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Special Feature | Lightweight |
Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
Skill Level | Professional |
Specific Uses For Product | Micro Four Thirds |
Form Factor | SLR-style mirrorless |
Hardware Interface | SDXC, SDHC |
Audio Recording | Yes |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
GPS | None |
Product Description
Product description
The "world" will be transformed from something you see to something you "take part" in.The OM-D is a groundbreaking, new digital interchangeable lens camera perfect for people who want to "take part", "create", and "share". ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDERThe OM-D's new high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) features a 100% field-of-view coverage and 1.15x maximum magnification that let you totally immerse yourself in your subject, and actively control image creation. The EVF also enables you to enlarge the focus point for precision focusing in virtually any shooting situation, and can show you the effect of Highlight & Shadow Control, White Balance, Exposure Compensation, Aspect Ratio, and a host of other settings and advanced digital image processing functions right in the viewfinder. With improved precision and responsiveness that make it as easy to use as an optical viewfinder, the OM-D's advanced EVF gives you virtually unlimited creative control. HIGH
From the Manufacturer
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THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW
A new era in digital SLR technology is about to begin. Up to now, digital SLRs simply replaced film with an electronic imaging device, which did not significantly change the products in terms of size, weight and user interface. The new, revolutionary mirrorless camera, the OM-D E-M5, has an exceptionally light and compact body. Its Electronic View Finder enables photographers to check exposure levels, white balance and preview Art Filter effects in real-time. When shooting, the photographer can instantly "create" a truly unique world and preserve it in exceptional quality. The "world" will be transformed from something you see to something you "take part" in.
The OM-D is a groundbreaking, new digital interchangeable lens camera perfect for people who want to "take part", "create", and "share".
ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER
The OM-D's new high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) features a 100% field-of-view coverage and 1.15x maximum magnification that let you totally immerse yourself in your subject, and actively control image creation. The EVF also enables you to enlarge the focus point for precision focusing in virtually any shooting situation, and can show you the effect of Highlight & Shadow Control, White Balance, Exposure Compensation, Aspect Ratio, and a host of other settings and advanced digital image processing functions right in the viewfinder. With improved precision and responsiveness that make it as easy to use as an optical viewfinder, the OM-D's advanced EVF gives you virtually unlimited creative control.
HIGH IMAGE QUALITY
Three key factors contribute to the OM-D's unprecedented image quality: a wide lineup of M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses for sharp, clear subject capture, a new 16-megapixel Live MOS image sensor for rich tonal expression, and an advanced TruePic VI image processor for superb color fidelity. The optimal balance of these factors ensures the high resolution, sensitivity, and color accuracy you need to brilliantly capture the world around you.
FAST AF
The world's fastest* AF system, FAST AF, has been made even faster and more accurate on the OM-D. Improved new 3D Tracking AF assures you won't miss the moment even when subjects move toward or away from you, and the new high-sensitivity image sensor ensures superior AF performance even in dim light. *Among digital cameras with interchangeable lenses available as of February 8, 2012, when using the OLYMPUS M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ lens with the E-M5, based on Olympus in-house measurement conditions.
9 FPS HIGH-SPEED SEQUENTIAL SHOOTING
Thanks to the new 16-megapixel Live MOS image sensor's high-speed read-out performance, the OM-D offers maximum sequential shooting at 9 fps, making it easy to capture sports action or fast-moving subjects such as pets and wildlife. In addition, a compact new high-speed shutter mechanism enables the OM-D to offer this performance without compromising the handling advantages of a light and compact body.
5-AXIS IMAGE STABILIZATION
The OM-D is equipped with the world's first 5-axis image stabilization system, and can compensate for vertical, horizontal, and rotational camera shake that conventional 2-axis systems of the past have been unable to handle. Built into the camera body to ensure effective stabilization with all lenses, its unique 5-axis design makes it particularly effective when taking high-magnification telephoto shots, macro close-ups, and long exposures. In addition, it can be activated by pressing the shutter button halfway, so you can also use it to stabilize the viewfinder image and obtain a crisp, clear view of your subject that makes it easy to frame and compose your shots.
DUST-PROOF & SPLASH-PROOF CONSTRUCTION
Trouble-free shooting in all environments is assured by our proven dust-proof and splash-proof technology. Numerous specially constructed seals throughout the body protect the camera from sand, dust, rain, and water spray, making it ideal for all kinds of outdoor shooting. What's more, this protection extends to the M.ZUIKO ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ lens, the bundled detachable flash unit, and the optional HLD-6 grip and power battery holder.
TILTING 3-INCH OLED TOUCHSCREEN
In addition to offering dial and button controls, the OM-D is the first Olympus camera to feature a tilting touchscreen monitor for intuitive fingertip operation. The 3-inch OLED touchscreen delivers high-resolution images of your subject with rich color reproduction. It also responds instantly to your touch with fast operation that makes it easy to focus on subjects, play back images, and adjust settings such as exposure and white balance.
LENSES AND ACCESSORIES
In addition to its new electronic motorized M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ lens with quiet, linear drive AF, the OM-D is supported by an ever-expanding range of wide-angle, macro, portrait, and telephoto Micro Four Thirds M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses. System accessories include cases, straps, filters, external flash units, and mount adapters for Four Thirds System lenses and OM System lenses.
Read about our customers' top-rated cameras and lenses on our review pages: Compact System Cameras, Lenses
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the image quality, quality, and size of the digital camera. For example, they mention that it's outstanding, unbeatable, and a world-class camera. They appreciate the compact and lightweight design, and the autofocus is super fast. Customers are also impresseded with the portability, saying that it never feels like a heavy camera.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the image quality of the camera. They say the resulting pictures are unbelievably sharp, clear, and full of detail. They also say the OMD video is gorgeous and the settings are intuitive. The camera is able to take very nice shots, and the colors and saturation are spot on.
"...Like the Sigma 19mm MUCH better.Oly 40-150mm - very nice IQ, excellent value for the price, but not flexible enough for me compared to..." Read more
"...IMAGE QUALITY can be outstanding. I have taken some stunning photos with this thing. Punchy colors, Creamy bokehs...." Read more
"...I liked the MF and I liked that it was 1.4. It has good image quality, though it has noticeable glow wide open...." Read more
"...It's brighter, it has more contrast, is basically more clear. Yes, I do have the VF-2 and the difference is subtle but at the same time noticable...." Read more
Customers like the quality of the camera. They say it's a world class camera for a pro and advanced amateur. They also appreciate the large high quality LCD on the back, and the built in IS. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...Best Micro Four Thirds camera for stills*Build quality and feel*Great manual controls combined with touch screen*Battery life*..." Read more
"...I enjoyed the size, the quality of the prime lenses, the built in auto-bracketing etc...." Read more
"...It's all a matter of reference. The bottomline is that it's a nice lens, nice feel, but it is no where in the same league as the 12-60mm...." Read more
"...+ Good AF. AF is fast, provided you have a fast lens. My 45mm lens focuses quickly, although my 20mm Panasonic is notably slower...." Read more
Customers like the autofocus of the camera. They say it's super fast, with the right lens. The combo makes a fast, lightweight camera that you can carry around all day. The camera speeds up the focus on their Panasonic 20mm as well as their Olympus 50mm f2.0. The quiet, low-pitched shutter and pretty good frame rate make the camera easy to carry around. The 9-frames per second burst rate is impressive. The static AF is quick enough that you often just press the shutter. The EVF performance is good and the settings are effortless and take only seconds to accomplish.
"...I especially like the Sigma's, they are sharp, very fast to AF on the OMD, high quality and generally underrated, at least by some folks...." Read more
"...Changing settings is effortless and takes only seconds to accomplish...." Read more
"...I like the slightly telephoto length, the sharpness, the speed, everything...." Read more
"...I must say that it is nice to have the markedly improved burst rate and the buffer; big improvements compared to the E-P cameras...." Read more
Customers find the size of the camera to be relatively small and light. They say the size and handling are perfect, and the camera is a perfect fit in their hand. Customers also appreciate the right balance of size and quality in one camera. They mention that the stock 14-42 lens is tiny, yet amazingly sharp.
"...I enjoyed the size, the quality of the prime lenses, the built in auto-bracketing etc...." Read more
"...Some Pros:+ Compact size. This may go without saying, but is definitely a plus especially after lugging around much larger DSLRs...." Read more
"...-Who should buy the OM-D?-The OM-D is an excellent compact body with a plenty of great lenses available for it...." Read more
"...(manual controls, relatively fast lens, good sensor, pocketability), but I wanted a more capable camera when hiking and traveling...." Read more
Customers like the portability of the camera. They mention that it is very light, yet sturdy. They also appreciate the easy-to-carry lenses and the professional-grade image quality. Overall, customers are happy with the portable design and functionality of the OM-D.
"...comparable to a DSLR in many circumstances, with a much easier to carry and use kit that also wins you style points...." Read more
"...It is very light (which is one of the great things about it) but that means that it is a bit more prone to camera shake if you don't have it on a..." Read more
"...The OM-D is light yet sturdy, it's Image quality is professional-grade without being too intimidating to your subjects...." Read more
"...the E-M5 is just as functional as the D7000 but much smaller and lighter...." Read more
Customers find the digital camera very user friendly and easy to operate. They say the settings are intuitive and the menu system is one of the best and most intuitive they've ever used on a camera. They also say the right dial is easier to use and a huge help in setting up the menus.
"...build quality, sharp as a tack across the zoom range, elegant to operate, extends the UI of your camera with another Fn button. [..." Read more
"...The super control panel is, hands down, one of the best and most intuitive menu systems I've ever used on a camera...." Read more
"...I feel they could be a bit more intuitive. The controls are great if you use the numerous physical controls, but sometimes requires a bit of hunting..." Read more
"...on the top of the camera, and the D-Pad and surrounding controls are easy enough to operate..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the focus of the camera. Some mention that it's near instantaneous and accurate even in very low light situations, while others say that it has a hard time focusing and has slowed autofocus.
"...the grid system they use in this camera it is absolutely effortless to switch focus points. The touch screen is amazing...." Read more
"...a lot of people are stating out there on the internet, the autofocus is terrible when using standard 4/3 lens...." Read more
"...It has excellent image quality, and fast focus, but I don't use it as much as the manual prime I have above...." Read more
"...a touchscreen that can be used to adjust some of the controls, change the focus point, or trigger the shutter. You don't need to use it however...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the buttons on the digital camera. They mention that the buttons are small, mushy, and hard to press. Some customers also say that the camera is small and has too many buttons and nobs and wheels. They also mention that common controls are buried in menus.
"...- great, fairly fast short zoom lens, again, just too slow to AF, and too big and heavy on m4/3 body...." Read more
"...2. Brief note re: 12-50mm. It's small... compared to the standard 4/3 12-60mm, yea it's small...." Read more
"...When you press any of the buttons on the back of the camera, it feels soft and has no satisfying click...." Read more
"...a good choice for people who want a combination of small site, lots of controls, and not have to sacrifice on quality...." Read more
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The Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 zoom is a fabulous complement to the OMD EM5! Outstanding build quality, sharp as a tack across the zoom range, elegant to operate, extends the UI of your camera with another Fn button. Olympus M Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro Interchangeable Lens
Adding 1-2 stops of speed across this zoom range vs. options like the 12-50 kit lens makes a night and day difference for my everyday shooting, while the convenience to frame via zoom vs. primes has always been a strong preference of mine going back to film days, and now I can do so without compromise as function of focal length. Cool! Indoors, I get way more flexibility in shutter speed (isolate action, avoid blur) and/or ISO (reduce noise). Outdoors, I can play with DOF more without resorting to primes, and can shoot at really low ISO for lowest possible noise. While I knew intellectually that this would be the case, the *degree* to which this lens opens the operating window of my OMD under a wide range of shooting conditions is just remarkable. It's like I was sitting on the head of a pin with some of the other lenses I own, without much room to move before making a big compromise in image quality (e.g., too slow shutter, too high ISO). I'm using my OMD more a result, and having more fun to boot!
Regarding lenses I'll now sell as a result of this purchase, here is the low down: Selling my Sigma 19mm f2.8, Sigma 30mm f2.8 (both very nice primes), the Oly 12-50 kit lens, and my Oly 9-18mm wide angle zoom. Will keep my long zooms, the Oly 14-150 and 75-300 for those occasions when long zoom is needed, and my Pany 14mm f2.5 as my most compact option for those times when total size of camera+lens matters. The one other purchase I am still considering is Oly's new compact zoom, for street shooting and vacation photos in bright light.
But if I could only have one lens to use with the OMD, this would be it for me!
*********************** Original Review ******************************
First, I'm old enough to remember the original film OMD's and I truly love the retro styling and look of the Silver OMD EM5. A huge bonus for me in the coolness department was that all my son's 16 year old friends raved about how it looked as well. As I say, bonus points!
So, what makes this a legit replacement for a (much larger) DSLR?
The biggest one is this: for a similar learning investment in the OMD, you can get image quality quite comparable to a DSLR in many circumstances, with a much easier to carry and use kit that also wins you style points.
Specifically:
*Image Quality - incredibly close to APS-C sensors in DSLRs in resolution and low light performance. The bigger difference now is what lenses you use, and how well do you know how to shoot photos vs. sensor size for IQ.
*AF Speed - equal in good light, and once you learn the tricks to a contrast detection AF system, you can make it work well just about anywhere.
*Size - a big win! The best camera is the one you have with you, as the saying goes, and for most folks, the OMD is going to go more places, and be more socially acceptable to use, than a DSLR.
*Lens Selection - Fast primes, fast zooms, super zooms, wide zooms, just about every niche is now filled, AND the rapid growth of micro four thirds camera sales is attracting even more lens development, meaning selection will grow even more rapidly.
Additional OMD delighters
*Best Micro Four Thirds camera for stills
*Build quality and feel
*Great manual controls combined with touch screen
*Battery life
*Micro Four Thirds ecosystem of lenses, backup bodies and accessories
Limitations
*Learning to shoot really fast moving subjects with CD AF. Can be done, but you have to learn a few tricks.
*Menu complexity - you have to master the menus a bit to get the most out of the OMD, as it is not really a P&S replacement unless you are really ready to step up and learn the basics of photography including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and Depth of Field relationships plus some translations of these into the digital world and the Olympus menus. Worth the effort, but there is a learning curve.
*Very good video, but NOT the top m43 choice if video is your TOP priority, that would go to Panasonic GH2/GX1 and their lens ecosystem.
Recommended lenses
*The kit lens is only so so. OK for the price difference in kit vs. body only, but in general if you want this camera, you'll also want one or more additional lenses to get the most out of it depending on what kinds of shooting you do:
Some lens perspective from another post of mine, below, so you can see what I've chosen and why...
I'd like to present an alternative trinity of prime lenses below, with costs new on Amazon US as point of reference and a bit about why I chose them. I own two of these three.
Pany 14mm f2.5 ($280 vs. $799 for 12mm f2) - own it - my fast wide prime for indoor groups
Panasonic Lumix 14mm f/2.5 G Aspherical Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras
Sigma 19mm f2.8 ($199 vs. $799 for 25mm f1.4) - own it - my street/night/candid prime and most used lens overall
Sigma 19mm F2.8 EX DN -Micro 4/3 400963
Sigma 30 mm f2.8 ($199 vs. $399 for 45mm f1.8) - my choice for a candid portrait/more tightly framed street shots
Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN- Micro 4/3 330963
Total cost $678 vs. $1997.
I especially like the Sigma's, they are sharp, very fast to AF on the OMD, high quality and generally underrated, at least by some folks.
Not to say that Jim's original trinity might not be better for your needs, rather, just sharing another option for your consideration, one with high IQ, bit different focal lengths, perhaps less panache' but much lower costs.
Zooms:
My keepers:
Oly 9-18mm - wide landscape/day/crowded street shooting
Olympus M ED 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 micro Four Thirds Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Third Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
Oly 14-150mm - my casual/travel/daylight walk around zoom, my copy just a bit soft wide open, good from about 20mm on, mounted on my OMD most often other than the Sigma 19mm. Got this as part of an EPL1 kit for less than the cost of the lens alone, which provided me with both the lens I wanted, and a "free" backup camera emoticon - grin.
Olympus ED 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 micro Four Thirds Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Third Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
Oly 75-300mm - long/super zoom. What a great FUN lens to have in my kit. 600mm equivalent in good light rocks!
Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8 Lens for Olympus Pen Cameras, Micro Four-Thirds Mount Cameras
Kit Zooms:
Oly 12-50mm - first shots with this were unimpressive, but plan to use it more now that I'm more fluent with the OMD and see what the actual quality is. Potential replacement: Pany X 12-35mm f2.8
Oly 14-42mm compact zoom - everyday lens for the EPL1. Potential replacement (to create an even more compact backup kit): Pany X 14-42 pancake zoom, but ONLY when blurriness issues are fully resolved!
Bought and Sold
Pany 20mm f1.7 - great on my original m4/3 kit (Pany GF1 and GH1), but AF speed and reliability in low light were too frustrating on the OMD. Like the Sigma 19mm MUCH better.
Oly 40-150mm - very nice IQ, excellent value for the price, but not flexible enough for me compared to the 14-150.
Oly 14-54 FT + Adapter - great, fairly fast short zoom lens, again, just too slow to AF, and too big and heavy on m4/3 body.
If you get an OMD, have fun selecting your glass, you can create a very high quality, flexible, and portable digital camera kit that is customized to your needs and shooting style.
Let me start by saying that I absolutely love this little camera. I clicked the "buy it now" button the moment it first appeared on amazon. I waited several months for the backorders to clear and I've now owned it close to a year. I have absolutely no regrets. As odd as this may sound, this camera makes me happy. Whenever I use it I imagine I have a dopey grin on my face.
Initially I fought with this olympus to get sharp shots. If, like me, you are coming from a DSLR camera, you might have some difficulty adjusting to the balance of the camera. It is very light (which is one of the great things about it) but that means that it is a bit more prone to camera shake if you don't have it on a tripod and if, like me, you don't have rock steady hands. I stuck with the camera through my initial frustration and I'm so glad I did. I learned my own best way of holding it in order to keep it steady.
If you are thinking of buying this camera I think its important to hear some thoughts on what it can and cannot do. There are already so many good solid reviews here on amazon that I am only going to hit the high and low points as I see them. These might not be the same highs and lows that everyone else has so just keep in mind that these points are my OPINIONS.
THE GOOD....
- WEIGHT/SIZE Light as a feather and beautifully constructed. I can carry this camera in a small bag with 2 or 3 or 4 lenses all day and not feel any strain. I used to carry a camera with one lens with me EVERYWHERE, but after several years the dslr around my neck or on my shoulder started to take a heavy physical toll. Now I can go back to having a camera with me at all times.
- IMAGE QUALITY can be outstanding. I have taken some stunning photos with this thing. Punchy colors, Creamy bokehs. Good photos taken with this thing rival good photos taken with any DSLR. The olympus 45mm f1.8 lens is a relatively inexpensive thing of beauty.
- MENU SYSTEM. The super control panel is, hands down, one of the best and most intuitive menu systems I've ever used on a camera. Changing settings is effortless and takes only seconds to accomplish. You might not think this is all that important, but when you need to get your shot, you will be endlessly grateful for this brilliant super control panel. I've gotten shots with this camera that I wouldn't have gotten with my higher end DSLRs because I would have been fidgiting with the settings and the moment would have passed.
- FOCUSING Super quick focusing and enough focus points to keep anyone happy. With the grid system they use in this camera it is absolutely effortless to switch focus points. The touch screen is amazing. Touch any place on the LCD and the camera can instantly focus on that spot and take the shot before you can blink. I know the iphone can do this but it is my first experience with that touch focus. Focusing is accurate. Gone are the days of shutter lag. Reviewers more scientific than I am can tell you relative to other cameras whether the focusing is faster or slower, but for my purposes it is fast enough and tremendously accurate.
- UNOBTRUSIVE This might not be an issue for some people but for me it is. When I pull out a DSLR to take a shot it can draw a lot of unwanted attention particularly if I have a large lens attached. If I am photographing an outdoor event with a long white canon L lens, inevitably several people will come up to me to discuss just how big my lens is. So, this camera really doesn't attract attention to itself. I can get the photos I need to get without making folks self conscious and without ending up in long discussions about the length of my equipment. Seriously, unobtrusive is a good thing.
BUILD QUALITY
- this is a matter of personal taste, but I find this camera to be a thing of beauty
FUN FACTOR
- this little camera just puts the fun back into photography. I can't say that enough. Fun Fun Fun. I love taking pictures.
THE NOT SO GOOD
- HIGHER ISOs - I have several friends who are very good or excellent photographers who also own this camera and we debate this point heavily. I have not found this camera to be reliably noise free at ISO 800 or higher. My feeling is that you need to shoot wide open in darker settings and if your lens doesn't open up wider than f4, I think you will struggle with noisy shadow detail. That said, I have gotten some beautifully low noise images at ISO 800 or even 1600 when I use f2 and even with f8. I should say for the record that I do like some noise in my images at times particularly if I am going to convert them to black and white. But not all noise is created equal and I just don't like some of the noise visible in the backgrounds or shadow detail with this camera at higher ISO. Many of my friends disagree with me completely so this is up for grabs
TRACKING OF MOVING OBJECTS - I photograph active dogs a great deal and so far I have not been successful in using the focus tracking of this camera to get good shots. In fact, I am terrible with it. But I have seen shots from other photographers which are very good at this. I don't know what their secret is. I am guessing the majority of people will have problems with this the way I do and there are probably a handful of folks who can nail the focus tracking. So many reviews site it as a weak point of the camera so if sports is your thing and tracking moving subjects is your thing, this is not the camera for you. But lets put it in perspective... if you want to capture your baby's first steps or your childrens' antics, this camera would be quite capable.
CONCLUSION:
Did I mention this camera put the fun back in photography for me? I can't stress that enough. If you are an experienced photographer coming from a dslr you may be frustrated at first and you may not relinquish all of your photo chores to this puppy. I still do not trust it quite enough to bring it as my only camera for very important photo shoots. Or maybe the camera is trustworthy but I don't trust myself quite enough to coax the best out of it every time. If you are coming from a point and shoot you will be in camera heaven. Make sure you get yourself a couple of really good lenses to cover a range of situations. I can't stress enough how gorgeous that 45 mm f1.8 is. The 12-50 kit lens isn't half bad either. I also own the panasonic 45-200 lens. For the money, you can't beat it and I use it often, but there are better longer range lenses out there.
So why not 5 stars? I was tempted to give it 5 stars but I try to save those 5 star reviews for near perfect items. The grainier high ISO shots and the so so focus tracking keep me from pushing in that fifth star.
I get asked about this camera all the time and I lend it out often to prospective buyers. I am thinking of putting up an OMD-EM5 gallery on my website so people can see shots at different ISOs taken with different lenses. If it turns out that there is enough interest, I'll probably put the gallery up and I will edit this review if I do.
If you do get this camera, ENJOY and HAVE FUN!