Olympus has announced the PEN E-P5 rangefinder-style Micro Four Thirds camera. The E-P5 is packed with the latest innovations Olympus technology has to offer including 1/8000s Shutter Speed, 5-Axis Image Stabilization, "F.A.S.T" AF Speed, Built-In Wi-Fi capability*, 2x2 dial control and more.
For photographers who prefer composing their shots using an eye-level viewfinder, the new high-definition VF-4 viewfinder features a 2.36 million dot resolution, an impressive 1.48x magnification, eye sensor for automatic switching between the EVF and monitor and intuitive functionality that enables real-time viewing of any shooting situation.
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm, 45mm and 75mm F1.8 prime lenses were also announced.
The Olympus PEN E-P5 will be available in May 2013 for $999.99 (body only)
Holy cow, $999 for a body without a viewfinder!! So glad I made the move to the Fuji X-E1, that's a body worth its price.
That viewfinder in the pictures above on top of the E-P5 has to be one of the ugliest accessories I have ever seen, totally destroys the nice look of the body.
Qwerty64 wrote:
Holy cow, $999 for a body without a viewfinder!! So glad I made the move to the Fuji X-E1, that's a body worth its price.
That viewfinder in the pictures above on top of the E-P5 has to be one of the ugliest accessories I have ever seen, totally destroys the nice look of the body.
How's the IBIS system in that Fuji working out for you though ?
sflxn wrote:
This is getting ridiculous. Cameras at $1k without a VF. Fuji definitely understands the high end customer.
I preordered one. I found with my EM-5 (and Fuji X100) I was only using the EVF maybe 10% of the time. For casual shooting I actually am pretty happy with using the LCD like a waist level finder, paired with the touch screen.
For shooting long glass I hands down prefer a good VF (and a DSLR body style) but that isn't the type of photography I'd do with a camera like the EP-5. Its more of a slap a 12mm f2.0 on there, wide angle snapshooter
Horses for courses I suppose. Hopefully its not a big seller so I won't be stuck waiting
Looks like a significant upgrade over the older E-P3 (which was arguably inferior to the cheaper E-PLx models)
1. 1/8000 max shutter
2. 1/320 or 1/250 flash sync (1/250 with shoe-mount flashes, 1/320 with the popup, hopefully that includes with the popup as a commander)
3. ISO 100
As well as the little incidentals.
Focus Peaking
Same battery as E-M5
VF-4 finder, which is much larger and higher-resolution than the already good VF-2/E-M5 finder
5-axis stabilization
Better control layout
Essentially the E-P5 is an E-M5 with a detachable finder (and the pricing reflects that, it basically straddles the E-M5 in cost with or without the finder).
The only downsides I see are no weather sealing and it's incompatible with the E-M5's grip.
As to the lineup, it is:
OM-D E-M5 - Sealed, SLR-alike, most flexible (available Grip, etc). The most enthusiast-oriented camera and the one oriented towards 4/3rds users (it actually handles alright with larger lenses due to the grip)
Pen E-P5 - Premium RF-style model, semi-compact with OM-D performance.
Pen E-PL5/6 - Sweet Spot consumer model - Flip screen, mid-range everywhere else
Pen E-PM2 - ultra-compact, gives up features for small size. Also the cheapest.
Kingfishphoto wrote:
Iam looking at the hot shoe location, and wondering if my Metz 50 flash would even mount with that view finder attached. I think not.
Harry Palmer
Betacamman wrote:
Oly VFs take the hot shoe slot
So does my GF2 . I thought i saw another hot shoe on the top right hand side, but iam wrong.
Harry Palmer
This allows you do a lot more with the EM-5 under more conditions: Shoot in inclement weather. Add a horizontal and vertical grip that positions additional controls. Use long lenses capably vis-à-vis the grip. Use EVF and shoe mount flash at once.
