DPReview has their OM-D review up. Looks awesome. Most interesting note? Better Dynamic Range than the NEX-7 (equal in highlights, better in shadows with the normal tone curves on both cameras). If you select the widest DR range tone curve for each camera, the E-M5 has MUCH wider DR than the NEX-7 or NEX-5N. With that wide DR curve, the E-M5 is even surpassing the D7000 in dynamic range (though a little worse at the standard tone curve). Surprising. Trusted DR numbers were about the only thing I was waiting for...now to figure out what to do about this camera....what can I sell, and how much do I want the GH2's better video? (I don't shoot much video, but I do love having the option for really high quality video when I want it).
Jman13 wrote:
DPReview has their OM-D review up. Looks awesome. Most interesting note? Better Dynamic Range than the NEX-7 (equal in highlights, better in shadows with the normal tone curves on both cameras). If you select the widest DR range tone curve for each camera, the E-M5 has MUCH wider DR than the NEX-7 or NEX-5N. With that wide DR curve, the E-M5 is even surpassing the D7000 in dynamic range (though a little worse at the standard tone curve). Surprising. Trusted DR numbers were about the only thing I was waiting for...now to figure out what to do about this camera....what can I sell, and how much do I want the GH2's better video? (I don't shoot much video, but I do love having the option for really high quality video when I want it).
Re Dynamic Range: Looks great for jpeg shooters and really not that surprising given how good Olympus cameras have historically performed with in-camera jpegs. Of course, none of this applies to Raws which is what most serious folks will be shooting.
The improvement should carry over to RAW as well, though... It's very promising. I'm excited to see what DxO shows. It may not beat the NEX-7 in RAW DR, but it looks like it might come close. The E-M5 is significantly better than the earlier Olympus bodies as well, with similar processing algorithms.
Jman13 wrote:
The improvement should carry over to RAW as well, though... It's very promising. I'm excited to see what DxO shows. It may not beat the NEX-7 in RAW DR, but it looks like it might come close. The E-M5 is significantly better than the earlier Olympus bodies as well, with similar processing algorithms.
It will be interesting to see the DxO results. I'm betting it shows the best m43 results but is still significantly behind larger Sony based sensors. The poor jpeg engines of the larger sensor based cameras vs the exceptional jpeg engine in the Olympus are most likely the reason.
tyrepeddler wrote:
Has anyone tried the Pany 100-300 on the OM-D EM-5
I know you will have to shoot with the IS on the lens turned off
Was wondering how it was compared to the Oly 75-300 which is almost twice the cost.
Why do you have to do that? You can easily turn off the IBIS and use a lens with OIS if it has an On/Off switch (which the 100-300 does, I'm pretty sure).
MagicNikon wrote:
Why do you have to do that? You can easily turn off the IBIS and use a lens with OIS if it has an On/Off switch (which the 100-300 does, I'm pretty sure).
Unfortunately it appears that the OIS/IBIS behavior of the E-M5 is screwed up. At least with the Panasonic 14-45 (I don't have the 100-300 to test). There appears to be no way to get the camera to use the OIS setting during exposure. During live-view OIS works if you have it switched on, but it appears to be disabled during exposure. I reported this as a bug to Olympus USA but they didn't have a Panasonic lens in hand to verify so they forwarded the report on (presumably to Japan).
kwalsh wrote:
Unfortunately it appears that the OIS/IBIS behavior of the E-M5 is screwed up. At least with the Panasonic 14-45 (I don't have the 100-300 to test). There appears to be no way to get the camera to use the OIS setting during exposure. During live-view OIS works if you have it switched on, but it appears to be disabled during exposure. I reported this as a bug to Olympus USA but they didn't have a Panasonic lens in hand to verify so they forwarded the report on (presumably to Japan).
Ken
Are you saying the IBIS does not work at all with the Panasonic lenses? I just got the 100-300mm for the E-M5 and took it to the zoo yesterday.
I'll have to look back at my shutter speeds and sharpness. I just browsed the pics quickly last night
This far it is only the Panasonic 14-45 which has been reported not to be supported by the IBIS.
I have one native micro Panasonic lens only, the 25/1.4, and IBIS works fine when using it.
Is there any information about availability for the EM-5? I know some started shipping a couple weeks ago to people who pre-ordered but I've yet to see any in stock anywhere. I'm really wanting to upgrade my old G1 in the next couple weeks and if I can't get my hands on this I might go with the NEX 7.
formula4speed wrote:
Is there any information about availability for the EM-5? I know some started shipping a couple weeks ago to people who pre-ordered but I've yet to see any in stock anywhere. I'm really wanting to upgrade my old G1 in the next couple weeks and if I can't get my hands on this I might go with the NEX 7.
I'm in the same boat. I've got some major travel plans coming up in a couple weeks and was set on an OM-D but if Olympus can't get these out in time I'm going to go for an X-Pro1.
Don't you find the X-Pro1 and the E-M5 to be very different animals?
If you are in a hurry getting an E-M5 it seems as B&H have it in black together with the 14-42mm kit zoom in stock, free shipping in the US as I understand it.
Wow...Thanks for the heads up on B&H. I checked this morning and they were out...now they have them (still). I bit the bullet and picked one up. Now I have to decide which of my other cameras to sell. It'll more than likely be the GH2, but I might keep that and sell my GX1, but I like having the small camera for super light travel.
Jman13 wrote:
Wow...Thanks for the heads up on B&H. I checked this morning and they were out...now they have them (still). I bit the bullet and picked one up. Now I have to decide which of my other cameras to sell. It'll more than likely be the GH2, but I might keep that and sell my GX1, but I like having the small camera for super light travel.
I would think the GX1 would be the one to go. It is basically the same size as the E-M5 minus the hump. and a whopping 2.8 ounces lighter than the EM5
I just changed my B&H order from Black body only, to one with 14-42! Also ordered the lens I wanted - 45mm 1.8. It doesn't really hurt to have a kit lens for an extra $100! It will all be here in a couple of days. Excited!
alemmo wrote:
I would think the GX1 would be the one to go. It is basically the same size as the E-M5 minus the hump. and a whopping 2.8 ounces lighter than the EM5
Yeah, but the hump is what prevents me putting the camera and lens into my little belt bag. With the GX1, I can carry that and two lenses in a VERY tiny package on my belt. I can't do that with my GH2, and I'm sure I won't be able to do it with the E-M5. Plus, the GX1 is pretty new, while my GH2 is a year and a half old. Still, I love the multi-aspect sensor, the video options and stuff on the GH2. Decisions, decisions.
Just get a new belt bag I actually had the same problem, I had a really nice Kata Marvel 40 belt bag that held my Nex 5N or E-PL2 just fine but the E-M5 hump made it a no go.
Good luck with your decision, i think you will really enjoy the E-M5
Jman13 wrote:
Yeah, but the hump is what prevents me putting the camera and lens into my little belt bag. With the GX1, I can carry that and two lenses in a VERY tiny package on my belt. I can't do that with my GH2, and I'm sure I won't be able to do it with the E-M5. Plus, the GX1 is pretty new, while my GH2 is a year and a half old. Still, I love the multi-aspect sensor, the video options and stuff on the GH2. Decisions, decisions.
Jman13 and RickPerry, you're welcome. I hope you get your cameras in a timely manner!
I'm still working on some of the settings but I'm also making friends with the camera as time goes by. I like how often I'm able to nail both the focus plane and the exposure (thanks to the blinkies and the LIVE technology) at the first try with the E-M5.
kwalsh wrote:
Unfortunately it appears that the OIS/IBIS behavior of the E-M5 is screwed up. At least with the Panasonic 14-45 (I don't have the 100-300 to test). There appears to be no way to get the camera to use the OIS setting during exposure. During live-view OIS works if you have it switched on, but it appears to be disabled during exposure. I reported this as a bug to Olympus USA but they didn't have a Panasonic lens in hand to verify so they forwarded the report on (presumably to Japan).
Ken
Wow, that really blows. I haven't even tried the 14-45 on my EM5 yet. This is one of those things that concerns me about owning both Panny and Oly lenses for either one of ther bodies.
Trusted DR numbers were about the only thing I was waiting for...now to figure out what to do about this camera....what can I sell, and how much do I want the GH2's better video? (I don't shoot much video, but I do love having the option for really high quality video when I want it). 
Still, I love the multi-aspect sensor, the video options and stuff on the GH2. Decisions, decisions.