I am looking to upgrade from my old EM-5... my M/43 use is limited to mostly landscape, macro and portraiture work. IMHO, I still think that for wildlife - M43 camera are still not there yet and better option are available
So, do you think it is worth upgrading from EM-5 here? - I love to have a little bit more resolution from (Olympus Pen-F vs EM-1 Mark II). Seem like they have 20Mpx sensors but performance is different per the tests I checked online.
Do you think one is better than the other interms of image quality? better files with ability to raise shadows specially for landscape work. Other features for landscape, macro work like stacking, bracketing, intervalometers etc. that are good in one camera over the other?
There is difference of roughly $500 between these cameras in used market right now and I am also wondering if the EM1.2 is worth that price difference for my use.
I have the pen F, and tested the EM-1 mk2 during a hands-on seminar
According to rep, sensor-wise the differences are pretty small, but the EM-1 has indeed superior AF, and a few other features - plenty of reviews/comparisons about it in the web.
So in terms of handling, the Pen F is geared towards street photography, and can be a very light and compact rig for hiking; however, battery life and waterprofing are better on the EM-1mk2 ( pen is at best splash resistant, but can handle a light shower), and larger lenses are better balanced being a larger body with a grip.
$500 would buy you the panasonic 14mm f2.5 and the olympus 30mm macro (used market) plus a couple extra batteries...just saying
They’re completely different cameras. The EM is built for speed and has tons of features. It’s also weather sealed. It feels like you’re using a DSLR, other than the EVF and all the mirrorless tricks.
The Pen F is retro, lots of fun, but doesn’t feel like the machine the EM does.
I see the EM as a camera I can throw almost anything at, while the Pen is much more limited, but a joy to behold.
I’m not even sure if all my impressions are backed up by the official specs, since for me the camera have such different use cases I never take them out together.
I have both the Pen F and the E-M1 II. As johnvanr noted, they are two different cameras. When I need something for action and sports shooting the E-M1 II gets the assignment. For general street shooting, museums and garden parties the Pen F gets the nod. Although both are 20mpx Sony sensors, the one in the E-M1 II is a bit more advanced. Only a person who shoots both would be able to tell the difference, but it is there. To get the best out of either camera, be sure to match it up with an Olympus or Panasonic Pro lens. Today I went with friends to a Studio Glass Museum and I took the Pen F with the Olympus 12-100. Since the Synch Stabilization works between the 12-100 OIS and the Pen F IBIS, shooting in low light was no problem. Even so I did a couple of images at ISO 12,800 and the noise cleaned up easily.
So, of you foresee needing something for action or sports, go for the E-M1 II (the Pen F continuous autofocus is not very good). For all else the Pen F is great.
First, I agree completely with what Gary said. As to an upgrade, most definitely it is worth it. I had the EM5 MK II and sold it shortly after getting the Pen-F because there was enough of a difference in JPEG output alone that I knew the 5 would be sitting on the shelf. The difference between the EM1 MK II and the Pen-F is more subtle. With what you shoot, the Pen-F would be a good choice but the EM1 MK II has Pro Capture which I really like and in camera defishing of the 8mm Pro. It is nice to have both bodies but choosing between the two is more difficult. I use the Pen-F more but if I was forced to have only one, then it would have to be the EM1 MK II....I think. I say that because of the extra features of the EM1 and because is not that much bigger than the Pen-F. But the Pen-F is the perfect size for me and it takes care of the majority of what I want. With the 14-42EZ or a small prime, it is a P&S. Put the 12-100 Pro on and it is a fantastic around town travel camera particularly with the combined image stabilization. It would be best if you could hold them and compare them side by side to see what you like best. You can’t go wrong with either choice, good luck!
Thanks everyone for reply. I decided to give PEN-F (BlacK) a try. Price was great and it comes with an ECG grip and extra batteries. Let' see how it goes
ox0312 wrote:
Thanks everyone for reply. I decided to give PEN-F (BlacK) a try. Price was great and it comes with an ECG grip and extra batteries. Let' see how it goes
Thanks,
Faizan
So did you get it yet? How do you like it so far? Just curious.
I have both camera bodies and enjoy using both. I generally use the PenF for walk around town or scenery photography. If there is any real action I prefer the the EM1 Mkii. The EM1 Mkii is stellar for wildlife photography because in single focus usage it acquires focus quicker than almost any other camera. Depending on your usage it's hard to go wrong with either camera. BTW the Olympus lenses offer way more bang for the buck than comparable Canon/Nikon lenses. I was never unhappy with any of the Canon lenses I had, but I'm more impressed with the Olympus offerings. I switched last year after using Canon gear for about 25 years. I wish I had switched sooner.
Mike Eckstein wrote:
I have both camera bodies and enjoy using both. I generally use the PenF for walk around town or scenery photography. If there is any real action I prefer the the EM1 Mkii.
ox0312 wrote:
I am looking to upgrade from my old EM-5... my M/43 use is limited to mostly landscape, macro and portraiture work. IMHO, I still think that for wildlife - M43 camera are still not there yet and better option are available
ox0312,
If you want to use M43 for wildlife, the EM-1 II would be a vastly better option than the PEN. The EM-1 has superior AF performance and ergonomically just works better with larger lenses compared to the little PEN. Plus the weather sealing and bigger battery. For long reach the Olympus 300mm f/4 is amazing both in terms of speed and IQ.
In absolute terms you are not getting the same FOV and DOF at the same subject distance if you're comparing to something like a Canon EF 600mm f/4. But that guy is also 4X the price, 4X the size and 4X the weight. I've hauled big glass through the backcountry and I can tell you that I'm a whole lot happier at the end of the day with smaller gear.
