I want value, not salesmanship Is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 possibly the best value for my dollar?

As others have suggested, you really won't get the best value for your money if you need to pay full list price for any camera today. And even though the OM-D is not a new camera by any means, it is still selling for full MSRP or very close to it.

Normally, cameras will be discounted up to 40% seven or eight months into the product cycle, and the improvements in the new models is really very slight. These improvements are mostly evolutionary, and involve features rather than big leaps in image quality.

The OM-D might be the exception to this, which could explain why it is still selling for full list price. It really did represent a big leap improvement over the E-P3 which was the previous top model for Olympus.

If you are looking for the best value for your dollar, then look to models that have been recently replaced by newer models. Live slightly behind the curve, rather than on the bleeding edge.

Here are some examples, along with the extra cost and features you get with the newer model:

• Canon 3Ti ($599) vs Canon 4Ti ($920): You get a touch screen, a faster continuous drive rate, a stereo microphone and the ability to add GPS for the extra $320. Hardly worth the extra expense.
• Nikon D5100 ($547) vs. Nikon D5200 (~$1000): You get a a 24MP sensor vs. a 16MP sensor, more AF points (39 vs 11), a newer processing engine and a stereo microphone for the extra $450. Not really a vast improvement.
• Pentax K-5 ($800) vs. Pentax K-5 II ($1230): The only difference here is that the new model is said to have a better AF sensor, which was one of the few weaknesses of the K-5. There is also a K-5 IIs model for $100 more that has no anti aliasing filter. Certainly not worth an additional $500 or $600 for the IIs model.
• Olympus EPL3 ($500) vs. Olympus EPL5 ($700): This is a case where the new model might be worth the extra $200 more. The improvements include a much better sensor, a removable hand grip, anarticulating LCD screen that has a wider range of movement, and an orientation sensor.
• Panasonic GH2 ($650) vs. Panasonic GH3 ($1300): This might be a poor example, since the GH3 is essentially a very different camera than the GH2. It is improved in every way imaginable, and has been upgraded to a serious semi-pro model with the larger weather sealed body, better sensor, OLED display, and wireless flash control. Whether the new model is worth twice the price of the old one is something only you can decide for yourself, based on your own needs.
  
• Sony NEX 5N ($600) vs. Sony NEX 5R ($750): In this case the changes are very minor and mostly cosmetic. The newer camera has a better hybrid AF system and the LCD screen flips up 180 degrees for self portraits. Is it worth $150 more? Probably not, but if you wait three months it will probably cost $150 less anyway.
  

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Marty
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Olympus E-30
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