Olympus OM-D E-M5

[Desmond]

I recently bought a used Olympus OM-D E-M5 to do a bit of video with. I enjoyed the eoshd review of the camera and have
always been happy with '
last year's technology' and at US$390 for the camera plus a 14-150mm lens and FL-600R flash, Manfrotto table top tripod
and two batteries it was a pretty good deal.
One of the things that interests me is the 5 axis stabilization because doing video with the GH4 handheld is a disaster.
I've tried a steadicam and the modern gimbals are too pricey and fiddly to set up so I was interested in the idea of it all
being built into the camera.
This is a test simply walking normally next to the wife while taking our elderly dog for a walk/push. He walks as far as he can
then asks to get into his 'ride'. I'm impressed how smooth the movement is

Here are some snaps during the walk - a leaf on the road.

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Some general scenery

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Comparing 14mm to 150mm

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150mm

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Back home.

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[NCV]

I bought the EM5 when it first came out and only retired it last month, when I replaced it with a Z7.

It was a great camera and the IBIS was revolutionary. The others have now caught up.

M43 has steadily fallen behind and my old EM5 made images as good technically as the latest models. It is crazy just how low the prices of these older cameras are. They are still valid instuments.

I had lots of great times with this camera.

 

[Desmond]

I bought the EM5 when it first came out and only retired it last month, when I replaced it with a Z7.

It was a great camera and the IBIS was revolutionary. The others have now caught up.

M43 has steadily fallen behind and my old EM5 made images as good technically as the latest models. It is crazy just how low the prices of these older cameras are. They are still valid instuments.

I had lots of great times with this camera.

I played around with a Fujian 50mm 1.4 on it tonight - lots of fun

 

[GonzoBernelli]

Leftina's great great great great great granddaughter?

 

[Desmond]

Leftina's great great great great great granddaughter?

I wondered who would mention that first

 

[pdk42]

I switched from Canon FF to m43 in 2013 on the strength of the EM5. It was quite a revolutionary camera that punched well above its weight in terms of sensor size. In fact, it was right up there with the Canon 21Mp sensor in the 5Dii I was running before the switch. IBIS was a revelation, as was the whole mirrorless concept. And the size of the system compared to a big Canon FF DSLR was such a welcome change. I made a lot of very nice images with that camera - in fact, it gave my photography a definite boost of life.

However, the passing years haven’t been kind to m43. Truth be known, at the raw file level, the latest 20Mp m43 cameras are not significantly better. They have vastly better features and the JPEG output has improved, but if you value pure IQ, m43 hasn’t kept up with the rest. Also, the size of the cameras and lenses have slowly crept up so the system’s initial focus on compact has been lost to some degree.

Having said all that though, I’m still a big fan of Olympus. I reckon in good light and with some work on the behalf of the photographer, the output can be very, very close to FF cameras. And with features like LiveTime/View and best in class IBIS, plus an outstanding range of quality glass, it’s far from a dying system. If they could get a new sensor that gave a notable step up in IQ (I.e. improved noise and DR), then I think they’d continue to win converts. There are many people over on mu43.com who have left for Fuji, or Nikon, or Sony, but who have come back - accepting finally that pure IQ isn’t everything.

For my own part, I’m now taking my first steps into the Z world (and in fact, my first Nikon camera). I think I’ll like it here, but the jury’s out on whether m43 will be leaving my camera bag totally.

 

[Pa]

If they could get a new sensor that gave a notable step up in IQ (I.e. improved noise and DR), then I think they’d continue to win converts.

The limitation there is physics. Small sensors just can't gather as much light so they have about reached the edge of the envelope with the current designs.

 

[Desmond]

The IQ is more than enough for my everyday needs since I don't make a living from it - and even if other camera sensors keep moving forward the IQ of older cameras stays in the same place, it doesn't deteriorate Also regarding small sensors reaching their limits - that would apply to sensors of any size with the same technology - they just need to stop thinking they need more megapixels all the time.
Looking at modern micro 4/3 sensors the GH5 compared to a D7500 - close up you can see the difference but when looked at 'normally' it is more than good enough for my needs.

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[NCV]

I switched from Canon FF to m43 in 2013 on the strength of the EM5. It was quite a revolutionary camera that punched well above its weight in terms of sensor size. In fact, it was right up there with the Canon 21Mp sensor in the 5Dii I was running before the switch. IBIS was a revelation, as was the whole mirrorless concept. And the size of the system compared to a big Canon FF DSLR was such a welcome change. I made a lot of very nice images with that camera - in fact, it gave my photography a definite boost of life.

However, the passing years haven’t been kind to m43. Truth be known, at the raw file level, the latest 20Mp m43 cameras are not significantly better. They have vastly better features and the JPEG output has improved, but if you value pure IQ, m43 hasn’t kept up with the rest. Also, the size of the cameras and lenses have slowly crept up so the system’s initial focus on compact has been lost to some degree.

Having said all that though, I’m still a big fan of Olympus. I reckon in good light and with some work on the behalf of the photographer, the output can be very, very close to FF cameras. And with features like LiveTime/View and best in class IBIS, plus an outstanding range of quality glass, it’s far from a dying system. If they could get a new sensor that gave a notable step up in IQ (I.e. improved noise and DR), then I think they’d continue to win converts. There are many people over on mu43.com who have left for Fuji, or Nikon, or Sony, but who have come back - accepting finally that pure IQ isn’t everything.

For my own part, I’m now taking my first steps into the Z world (and in fact, my first Nikon camera). I think I’ll like it here, but the jury’s out on whether m43 will be leaving my camera bag totally.

In much the same way, I changed from a D300 to the revolutionary EM5 back in the beginning of 2014 and my thoughts are exactly the same as yours. IBIS was revolutionary and yes the sensor punched above its weight.

It also gave my photography a big boost. I could do things that I could not do with the D300, especially in low light monuments where hand held pictures at 1/15 let me explore a whole new area of photography.

I follow a weekly picture thread over on DPR in the M43 forum. Over the years I have got to know quite a few photographers, and we have a good exchange of ideas, or have just a chat with people I have got to know. But an increasing number have been leaving M43 recently for other pastures, even some of the main movers and shakers of the thread. (The thread allows pictures from any camera now, just to keep the vibe of this unique weekly thread alive. The guy who starts the thread every week shoots Sony now).

My lesson from this is that M43 has rather lost its way. The sensors seem to be very slow in progressing and an image from a EM5 is not much worse than one from a 20MP M43 sensor. The thrust in new body and lens products seem to be towards bigger heavier "Pro" products. The absurdly huge EM1x is a prime example. The three Olympus 2.8 zooms are heavy beasts, the 7-14 is heavier than my Z14-30.

Cost cutting seems to have crept in too, with disastrous results in the case of the new EM5iii. There have been reports of the tripod mount ripping out even in situations that do not really constitute misuse.

A year ago, I was shocked when I picked up the Z7 at my local dealers. I knew this is where I was going and from first impressions, now that I have it, I can do everything that made my EM5 special to me. The IBIS works well and I can do those low light monument shots that are an important part of my photography with better results with the Z7.

I decided in the end that the brilliant little LX100 was going to be my "small camera" option and M43 was now surplus to requirements. The only thing I will miss is the 100-300 which let me do long lens stuff with a very compact lens.

Back when the EM5 came out, it seemed that this revolutionary camera system was the future and that M43 would become a dominant force. Lots of influential commentators latched on to the system. It seed a real DSLR killer system. Now at less than 7% ILCS share, I fear thanks to lack of promotion in the beginning and lack of investment now, M43 is a slowly dying system. Panasonic have gone FF and have less interest in M43. Ominously Olympus have pulled out of selling in Korea, which does not bode well.

 

[Desmond]

A reasonable amount of my interest involves doing more video which is why I initially wanted to try out the 5 axis IBIS.
A review of the E-M10 mkiii got me interested in Olympus.
I like the idea of smaller and lighter and cheaper - though the lenses aren't proportionally cheaper.
I'm one of those people happy with old technology so I imagine micro 4/3 will serve me well for a while -
in any case it has me out taking pictures and video again after my D7200 has sat on the shelf for a month.

 

[Desmond]

Now that I'm having to wear glasses more and more I also find it easier composing on the lcd and reviewing images.
Also the zoom - I've programmed fn2 to "2X zoom" and the picture of the duck was taken at 150mm with 2X zoom.

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[pdk42]

One of my favourites with the old E-M5 I had:

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Autumn Morning in Tuscany by Paul Kaye, on Flickr

 

[NCV]

Here is one of my favourite Em5 pictures too. Taken in the Italian Tosco Emilian Apennines.

Taken on a day when I was about to turn back because I was walking in thick fog. In a few minutes the sky cleared.

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[pdk42]

In much the same way, I changed from a D300 to the revolutionary EM5 back in the beginning of 2014 and my thoughts are exactly the same as yours. IBIS was revolutionary and yes the sensor punched above its weight.

It also gave my photography a big boost. I could do things that I could not do with the D300, especially in low light monuments where hand held pictures at 1/15 let me explore a whole new area of photography.

I follow a weekly picture thread over on DPR in the M43 forum. Over the years I have got to know quite a few photographers, and we have a good exchange of ideas, or have just a chat with people I have got to know. But an increasing number have been leaving M43 recently for other pastures, even some of the main movers and shakers of the thread. (The thread allows pictures from any camera now, just to keep the vibe of this unique weekly thread alive. The guy who starts the thread every week shoots Sony now).

My lesson from this is that M43 has rather lost its way. The sensors seem to be very slow in progressing and an image from a EM5 is not much worse than one from a 20MP M43 sensor. The thrust in new body and lens products seem to be towards bigger heavier "Pro" products. The absurdly huge EM1x is a prime example. The three Olympus 2.8 zooms are heavy beasts, the 7-14 is heavier than my Z14-30.

Cost cutting seems to have crept in too, with disastrous results in the case of the new EM5iii. There have been reports of the tripod mount ripping out even in situations that do not really constitute misuse.

A year ago, I was shocked when I picked up the Z7 at my local dealers. I knew this is where I was going and from first impressions, now that I have it, I can do everything that made my EM5 special to me. The IBIS works well and I can do those low light monument shots that are an important part of my photography with better results with the Z7.

I decided in the end that the brilliant little LX100 was going to be my "small camera" option and M43 was now surplus to requirements. The only thing I will miss is the 100-300 which let me do long lens stuff with a very compact lens.

Back when the EM5 came out, it seemed that this revolutionary camera system was the future and that M43 would become a dominant force. Lots of influential commentators latched on to the system. It seed a real DSLR killer system. Now at less than 7% ILCS share, I fear thanks to lack of promotion in the beginning and lack of investment now, M43 is a slowly dying system. Panasonic have gone FF and have less interest in M43. Ominously Olympus have pulled out of selling in Korea, which does not bode well.

I agree with a lot of this. The lack of sensor development is the most damaging aspect. I know that in general sensor evolution has tailed off a lot, but it does seem clear to me that the latest BSI, ISO-less sensors used in the Fuji XT3 and Nikon APS-C cameras offer a technology improvement which would benefit m43 as well. I'm sure that Sony or Towerjazz would make a 24Mp BSI m43 sensor if Oly or Panasonic were prepared to stump up the cash. However, I think it's absolutely clear that Olympus don't have the cash (witness the limited real advance in the E-M5iii, E-M1x and E-M1iii), and Panasonic have lost interest in advancing m43 IQ now that they have the S1 (I don't see Panasonic quitting m43 BTW - but their focus will be video and compact).

Regarding the LX100 - I've had two! One had terrible focus issues - anything beyond a few metres was blurred no matter what I did (short of shooting at f11!). The other was much better in AF (but still not perfect), but I struggled with the fixed screen and tunnel-like viewfinder.

 

[Terri French]

I loved my EM5 but traded it in on my Z6. I got a lot of good videos on it over the years. You will enjoy it for that. If you can find a good copy of the 12-40 lens, I would go for it. I loved that lens, but sold it when I left the system.

 

[ac12]

You have to compare apple to apples.
Yes, the Olympus pro lenses are big and heavy, but so are the Nikon pro lenses.
Both Olympus and Nikon consumer grade lenses are smaller and lighter than their pro lenses.
When I travel I carry the smaller lighter Panasonic 12-60, not any of the Olympus pro lenses.

Interestingly it seem that Olympus views metal construction as a PRO feature. And that adds weight.
The Panasonic pro lenses are not as heavy. Probably more composite plastic and carbon fiber, to reduce weight. So even though I have the Olympus 40-150/2.8, I keep thinking about getting the smaller lighter Panasonic 35-100/2.8.

If you want small and light you go to the smaller cameras, the EM10 and EM5, not the EM1X.
The EM1X is a specialist camera, much as the D5 is.
When I want compact, I bring the small EM10, not the larger EM1.