MarcG19 Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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MarcG19 wrote:
I'm also trying to choose between them. I have borrowed one of each for about a week, having a previously used an EM-5 (which my brother wants me to give him, thus my quest for a new camera. And no, I don't need any more brothers!).
I will let everybody know what I think in about a week.
Few weeks late, but I think I've digested my ideas. I've certainly taken action on my decision!
I'll echo a few of the other posts: these are really different cameras. One has D300/7D pretensions, the other's body style is a point and shoot upgraded with things an enthusiast wants. (people say "rangefinder style" but since I've never used a rangefinder I can't use that).
IMO the GX7 is comparable to, and has a few advantages over, but does not beat any $1200 price range camera of its generation (D7000/7100, 70D, EM-5).
In contrast, from what I've seen so far I'd say the EM-1 is better than the D7000 (which is the only recent generation Canikon I've used) in every aspect save for continuous AF, especially for sports or birds in flight, and I'd project the same to the D7100 and 70D (even though the latter I believe has better video).
The EM-1 has some things on par with the $1800 APS-C Canikons (back when Canikon made such things. : D ) - fast shutter speed, high quality, fairly tough weather sealed build. Not as tough as my old D2x, but I think as good as my 7D (or from what I've seen the D700/D800/5D) . It also has some useful features I don't believe even the D4 and 1D MkIV don't have, like in body IS, an ability to rapidly magnify the image in both the screen and the OVF, the ability to adjust the buttons to do anything you want. (at the same time of course, even the 7D is a far better sports, bird, and fast action cam, to say nothing of the full frame bodies)
Note: I've owned/used/put at least 5000 shots each through a D70, D90, D7000, D2x, EM-5, GX1. Favorite was the D2x, followed by the EM-5, though they are completely different cameras. I like my full spectrum GX1 (courtesy of FM member DSLR hyper cams - check him our for IR/full spectrum conversions), ergonomically - it's better than the EM-5 - and I never really grew too attached to the EM-5's EVF. For the last nearly two years I've used the EM-5, brining out the 7D only for BIF.
Things I liked about the GX7
Size/form factor - smaller and more packable than EM-5
Video is pretty good
quick to operate - almost as fast for me, ergonomically than the EM-5
excellent image quality - seems to be on par with the EM-5 and D7000
Notable things about the GX7:
I would have liked the opportunity to use the electronic shutter, but never had the chance to
IBIS is not at all like the EM-5's or lens based IS - it only engages when you press the shutter. Thus, it doesn't work in video. Not a problem IMO, unless you like video IS and don't want to use Panasonic's stabilized lenses.
Body quality I think is fine. I'm sure if it's naked out in heavy rain, things won't go well, but beyond abuse like that I think it will fit most people just fine
Things I disliked about the GX7:
Focus peaking is odd - green wavy lights in high contrast areas, but not very clear. Sometimes they would not appear, and even if they did it was easy to miss. Not really useful for fast paced MF. Why couldn't they do it like Sony?
I found the dials of the Panasonic a bit small and required attention to use, but not a big deal (I have skinny Asian fingers on a large spidery hand. The EM-5 was never a big problem for me, though some of the buttons were a bit too small)
EVF is way too physically small. Serious chance of poking your eye, and also hard to stabilize the camera or get a good clear view.
For some reason I think Panny's UI has gone down since the GX1. It's just a more complicated camera with more features packed in. There are some oddities with the menu that took a while to iron out, even for a GX1 user. IMO, it could stand a few more buttons.
The manual is awful
Things I will miss from the GX7:
Extra Teleconverter. This is a crop mode for video (not a digital zoom, but a crop down to the pixel level). This feature is useful in my 1000+ yd bird videography with a 400mm lens. But I can get this from other cheaper Panny cameras.
My judgement on the GX7 : Good camera but was a bit overpriced at launch (now with discounts it's a much better value) Unless you really like this body size and factor, or really need the IS, I think other Panny's same gen bodies are better -e.g. the G6 at discount or GM1. I also don't think it's a faster camera to operate or a better than the GX1 or EM-5.
Things I like about the EM-1:
Build quality - allegedly well weather sealed and environmentally durable. Quality of components and buttons feels high (unlike the EM-5, which I felt gipped on body quality-wise. but what great pictures and lenses on such a small camera!) Feels tough in hands, though I think for most buyers this will be just window dressing.
Customizability - can make most buttons what you want, and even switch them around to your needs.
Ergonomics are pretty good. They mimicked Nikon (or perhaps their old OM cameras - never used one). I like this body's ergonomics and handling better than my 7D's. FYI, I like Nikon ergonomics and handling).
Very very fast in highest frame rate. Buffer is good with fast SD cards, feels like its as good as 7D, but I haven't measured it. Not as good as the D4, of course (and admittedly I've only tried the D4 in the Nikon dog and pony show stand. But that speed and buffer is really impressive!!!)
Single AF with m4/3 lenses is fast fast fast - better than EM-5, which was pretty good in the first place. The 50-200 also seems to work well in S-AF, though notably slower (a little bit slower than the 40-150 mZuiko on the EM-5)
Audio in!!!!
EVF is stellar. Large, clear, larger in perceived size than APS-C OVF, and for the first time I'm using it more than the LCD. (may have noticeable lag). Seems to adjust to lighting conditions, I'm trying figure out exactly how it works and how to control it.
Olympus didn't decide to use a different battery
Notable things of the EM-1:
Interface is mostly like EM-5, though there were some new things to get used to, but once I'd gotten used to those and set it up there's been little transition pain.
AF point size is adjustable. I don't know if I like or not, still trying to get a grip on this
There are a lot of custom settings, some oddly arranged. It will take me some time to figure out how I want to set up this camera
Video is adequate for consumer use, I'm not so sure about for those looking for broadcast quality. Still, 60Hz would be nice.
Things I don't like about the EM-1
Price (even though its introductory MSRP is only $300 more than the EM-5's, and $200 more than the Canikon D7100/7000/90 or 70/60D.
AF point size with 4/3 lenses notably larger than m4/3
Focus peaking: Not as odd as Panasonics, just kind of ham-fisted, ugly, and allegedly not so accurate. Why couldn't they do it like Sony?
Continuous AF - Maybe it's good for moving kids, parties and the like. But it's no good for BIF, several steps down from the D90, D7000 or 7D (tested with 50-200, which is otherwise an awesome lens). It might work decently for running mammals or sports, assuming you the subject wholly within the largish AF sensor. I think it's partially a lens issue, but mostly a software and AF hardware issue.
Have to use/carry around that ridiculous snap on "pop up" flash to get wireless remote flash with Oly speed lights. If I need speed lights I'm going to look into third party alternatives.
PC-sync cap is easily lost - I'm told this was rampant on film cameras which had these sync ports.
The 1/2 lever around the AE-AFL button is an interesting but odd idea. I'm not sure whether it's "too limited" or "too limited, but fortunately I found something that's useful for me"
Needs more buttons.
Menu system is a mess. I got a handle around it for the EM-5, but the EM-1 adds more potentially useful, and more just unknown settings. Most of which can only be accessed by menu diving. See "needs more buttons". The Canikon 7D/5D or D300/700/800 bodies are instructive in this regard.
My judgment on the EM-1: very complicated camera. It will take a while to get used to it, even for someone who's gotten 10K so shots in his EM-5. But once set up it will be the cat's meow for rapid photography - mostly on par with, in some way exceeding the best cameras of the last generation in terms of handling and manipulability (either that or "it could have been the cat's meow, but Olympus's implementation limited the usefulness of the features they added"). Sensor, IBIS are as good as EM-5. Not suitable for BIF, which is disappointing but really not surprising. May be suitable for other people's C-AF needs.
Awesome camera, IMO beating the $1200 Canikon bodies in usability/body quality/speed of use and a reasonable alternative to the 7/5D or D300/700/800 level body for usability/body quality/speed of use. Probably a stellar choice, perhaps best out there, for for the person who wants quick still photo action in a small high quality package, as long as you can live with the sensor size and don't mind using S-AF.
Edited on Jan 14, 2014 at 11:56 PM · View previous versions
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