OMD versus G5, IQ

bowportes wrote:

I don't own the OMD, but from everything I've read the OMD has:

1. Less noise at higher ISOs... meaning cleaner, more detailed low-light shots (at ISO 1600 and above).

2. Better dynamic range -- easier to pull details from shadows and to avoid blown highlights in contrasty situations, like at the beach in full sun.

3. Image stabilization with all lenses, making it possible to get sharp shots at slower shutter speeds while hand-holding the camera.

But this does NOT necessarily mean:

1. Your pictures will be better from an OMD than a G5. (You are the one making the picture, not the camera. No camera is a guarantee of good pictures.)

2. Olympus image stabilization is preferable if you already own (or plan to purchase) Panny stabilized lenses.

3. JPEGS from the OMD are better. (This is a matter of personal preference; colors with the G5 are quite good.)

Finally, chromatic aberration is corrected in camera for Panny lenses on the G5, while you have to do this in post-processing for the OMD. You will always have your flash available for fill on the G5 (because it's built in, unlike on the OMD). And video is probably better from the G5 than the OMD. (At least the video specs are better.) Many comment that the G5 has better ergonomics (handles better) than the OMD. Some disagree. And others point out that if you buy the optional OMD grip, then it handles as well as the G5. (Of course the nice grip is standard on the G5.)

Although the G5 does a nice job with low light photography, if you plan to do a lot of VERY low light work without flash, then the OMD is the better camera. It will stabilize the images from low light prime lenses (such as the Panny 20 and 25 and the Oly 45, 60, and 75), giving you sharper pictures at very slow shutter speeds.

That's my synopsis of what I've read.