Olympus OMD EM-1

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Geektastic

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#129382 13-Sep-2013 13:22

So who is thinking of adding this to their toolbag?

It looks like an excellent camera, especially for those whose preferences are more in the area of stills than video.

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#895214 13-Sep-2013 13:49

What is it that's you're liking about this camera?

timmmay

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#895412 13-Sep-2013 19:05

Might be nice for people stuck on Olympus, otherwise I see little reason to get it personally.

alasta

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#895431 13-Sep-2013 19:48

timmmay: Might be nice for people stuck on Olympus, otherwise I see little reason to get it personally.

As a professional I'm sure that's true for you, but compared with other high end consumer grade cameras it's a very compelling proposition. It's lighter than the Nikon D7100 without any compromises around weather sealing or build quality.

It would be high on my list if I didn't already have a bit of Nikon glass.

timmmay

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#895470 13-Sep-2013 21:19

I guess if you're invested in M4/3 or old Olympus gear it could be interesting. Still not sure why you'd go for it over Nikon or Canon. Price? Value?

alasta

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#895486 13-Sep-2013 23:09

As I said above, size and weight.

My D90 is at the upper limit of the bulk that I'm willing to carry, and the D7100 is bigger than that. Don't forget that the micro 4/3rds lenses are also smaller and lighter than Nikon DX lenses.

timmmay

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#895509 14-Sep-2013 06:42

I can see a place for it. Wedding and portrait photographers will probably stay mostly full frame for the narrow depth of field FF offers. Camera weight isn't really a huge deal for me in that context, but I'm reasonably fit and strong, though after a couple of hours with a 70-200 I feel it the next day.

For travel being a little smaller and lighter than a DSLR is handy, but they're still big enough they need a dedicated bag. So there's some gain, but not a huge gain.

Personally I'll stick with FF Nikon and the RX100 for travel, but I can see where a DSLR shaped M4/3 camera could be useful for some.

Geektastic

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#895520 14-Sep-2013 08:25

I'm considering purchasing 2 EM 1's and getting rid of 2 Nikon FX bodies and a GH3.

Why? Because there is now, I suspect, much further to climb up the Tree Of Diminishing Returns before I could honestly say that the advantages of the others outweighed the disadvantages of the EM1.

Obviously so far this is theoretical - there are no EM1's in NZ (although I have approached the Olympus agent to discuss this and am waiting to hear from him) so I cannot base this on more than all the initial reviews etc.

However the availability of both excellent M43 lenses AND the much better AF of the excellent Olympus 4/3 lenses make this body a definite possibility when combined with IBIS, weight and bulk savings, lower replacement costs and insurance premiums and easier transport internationally. To be able to properly use the 4/3 mount 7-14 f4 for example makes it a more useful professional option to me as it provides a possible alternative to the Nikkor 14-24 2.8 - although I wish the Olympus option was f2.8 as well.

Yes, IQ will be better in some ways on larger sensors and yes, high ISO would be MUCH better on a D4 or EOS 1 Dx. But just look at the cost of a system based on two of those: It would cost me NZ$16,000 to buy two D4 bodies weighing in at around 2.5 kg with no lenses on board. A couple of pro grade 2.8 zooms will easily double that. Adding the Holy Trinity of 2,8 pro zooms, batteries, flashes, chargers etc etc will get closer to 10Kg of kit and a $30,000 investment. A very comprehensive EM 1 kit would cost less half that or less and weigh a lot less, as well as having a lot less bulk.

The Lumix GH3 was my initial foray into M43 and whilst I liked most of it, including very useful IQ, it is too video oriented for my personal taste, the buttons are too easy to press accidentally, making it awkward in the fast paced shooting I like because I miss shots as the camera is suddenly in menu mode or AF selection mode or something, the card door closure is hopeless and needs gaffer tape to keep it shut, it lacks the mode dial lock of the EM1 which is more useful than many will give credit for - the GH3 was often in a different mode when pulled from the bag than it was left in when I put it away simply because the dial caught on something going into or coming out of the bag which, like the non-locking buttons, results in delay and lost shots as you realise you just videod something instead of shooting stills of it etc etc.

For a still shooter, the EM-1 looks to be a better designed body, with an IQ and design bias towards stills which suits me better.

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NZtechfreak

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#895528 14-Sep-2013 09:02

If I didn't already have a GH3 and need the video stuff then I would totally jump on this, no doubt.

FWIW, I have no problems here with accidentally pressing or activating stuff on my GH3.

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Geektastic

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#895534 14-Sep-2013 09:39

NZtechfreak: If I didn't already have a GH3 and need the video stuff then I would totally jump on this, no doubt.

FWIW, I have no problems here with accidentally pressing or activating stuff on my GH3.

Ah but I do! A lot of them.

And many 2 second videos shot accidentally to prove it! ;-)

NZtechfreak

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#895537 14-Sep-2013 10:23

Geektastic:
NZtechfreak: If I didn't already have a GH3 and need the video stuff then I would totally jump on this, no doubt.

FWIW, I have no problems here with accidentally pressing or activating stuff on my GH3.

Ah but I do! A lot of them.

And many 2 second videos shot accidentally to prove it! ;-)

I wasn't doubting the veracity of your experience, only putting mine across also.

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Geektastic

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#895558 14-Sep-2013 11:17

NZtechfreak:
Geektastic:
NZtechfreak: If I didn't already have a GH3 and need the video stuff then I would totally jump on this, no doubt.

FWIW, I have no problems here with accidentally pressing or activating stuff on my GH3.

Ah but I do! A lot of them.

And many 2 second videos shot accidentally to prove it! ;-)

I wasn't doubting the veracity of your experience, only putting mine across also.

It would be helped by (a) the lock button on the mode dial implemented on the EM-1 and (b) the ability to assign one of the function buttons to be a lock, requiring that button AND the button whose function you want to use to be pressed in order to get it.

If I was just getting the camera out to take normal snaps then it probably would not be a problem. However in my work I am often trampling around hot and dusty places, getting the camera out very quickly to get a shot when I see an expression, some light, an event or what have you taking place before me in some market or wherever I may be. Camera in and out many many times a day and dials moving, combined with buttons accidentally being pressed results in interference in the process that as a professional shooter I won't accept.

As you prove, the same issues do not affect all users!

Jaxson

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#896140 16-Sep-2013 07:37

How much is this camera going to cost?

Geektastic

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#896158 16-Sep-2013 08:27

Jaxson: How much is this camera going to cost?

Current estimates put the early shipments arriving mid to late October, with indicative pricing at around $1,899 RRP for body only, with the body + 12-40mm f2.8 coming in at around $2,899 RRP. Supplies are expected to be very limited early on.

testha

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#899064 20-Sep-2013 15:20

Geektastic:
Jaxson: How much is this camera going to cost?

Current estimates put the early shipments arriving mid to late October, with indicative pricing at around $1,899 RRP for body only, with the body + 12-40mm f2.8 coming in at around $2,899 RRP. Supplies are expected to be very limited early on.

The price of the 12-40mm in the package deal is awesome. I just recently payed $1500 for the Pana 12-35mm.

I am still happy with my OMD EM-5, just travelled Europe with it and its an awesome little travel camera, no tripod needed thanks to the 5 axis IBIS.

timmmay

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#903804 27-Sep-2013 15:12

Interesting review of the Fuji X100S here.

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