OM-D too small?

I've owned a Panny GF1 and currently have the GF3 and G3. Was thinking about what I think would be a minor (vs. major) upgrade by purchasing an OM-D, in part because of IBIS, the nice LCD and EVF (both definitely an upgrade vs. the GF3/G3) and because of the nice experience I had with an Oly XZ-1 (which I've since upgraded...now have an RX100).

Finally had the opportunity to handle an OM-D in the store and was very surprised by how cramped the feel was....seemed a tad too tiny in my hands for good access to the controls (while in contrast, the NEX7 had a better layout IMHO). Anyone else finding the OM-D with it's layout  a tad too small for their tastes? Might just be my lack of familarity with the camera but my feeling about the cam when in the store was pretty strong.

Richard

I have a 5D iii as well as an OM-D and quite large hands. Yes, the OM-D is quite small but you quickly get used to it and it is by far my favourite camera of the two!

One thing I have found though is that it is awkward to handle with some lenses - for example the 45mm is quite small and I added the lens hood mainly to improve handling (somewhere to hold underneath the lens).

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Julian Kirkness
http://www.kirknessphotography.com

I expected the OM-D to be too small for my big hands, but I actually love the handling. The rubber thumb pad on the back makes a world of difference.  I do agree that the NEX-7 (and 6) has better overall ergonomics, though.  Sony's hand grip is sublime.

Hi Richard.

I switched from G3 to E-M5. I do not find either LCD or EVF to be an upgrade to G3. The EVF is different, but I would not say better. I can't see any difference in LCD use at all.

You get used to the buttons. Overall I think that the IQ and speed are the only two reasons to upgrade to E-M5. Everything else is give-and-take. Uncorrected chromatic aberration especially drives me nuts.

IBIS is advantageous if you use many unstabilized lenses, but otherwise the difference is not a big deal. I usually try to keep my cameras till they die, but I am certain I will be switching out E-M5 as soon as something that fits me better comes along.

Vlad

I quickly learned to live with the E-M5 size and layout without plunking down for the grip, even using it with "oversized" 4/3 lenses. Unless your hands are huge meathooks I suspect you'll get used to it pretty quickly, especially once you customize the controls to your needs and master the super control panel.

The camera itself is terrific, including the IBIS capability you're interested in.

Cheers,

Rick

Not to small, but it's a rectangle, and hands aren't. I never understood the love of this shape.

I know what you mean.  It is a bit cramped.  I have the grip on mine (without the battery compartment), and that really helped.  Feels GREAT with the grip actually.



I did handle an OM-D with the 45mm oly lens (a GREAT lens) but that was not the issue. I think it the form factor and it looks like the grip would help tremendously (now starts to look like my HX200V but not as brick-ish). Have to disagree with the OM-D vs. G3 LCD comparison....the OM-D is much better (reminds me of the Oly XZ-1 quality) though the bad news is the potential for leaving a cheek imprint on the LCD when looking through the EVF.  Really on the fence about whether I'm willing to part with my G3 for an OM-D..

In photgraphy, like most other walks of life, everything is a compromise...

The OM-D is wonderfully compact, but that comes with the price of some buttons being smaller than ideal. The Panasonic has GH-3 evidently adressed that issue, but has received a lot of criticism for being "too big".

It's down to what is more important for you. The good news is, you have a choice! 

LOL....the good news is that I have the $$$ to make any choice I want (the important thing is that my wife puts up with my expenditures for my hobby)

I have to agree. Too small. But the grip makes all the difference. At first, I was miffed that I had to pay $300.00 to make the camera handle alright, but since the only two lenses I have are the 20 mm f1.7, and 100-300mm, I think it's nifty that my camera can now do the Incredible Hulk/Bruce Banner transformation.

I had several years of satisfactory use with my GF1. I had the EVF as well even though it was barely useable, but I insist on eye level finders. I finally bit the bullet as soon as the OM-D hit the market and bought the first one in Southern California. I have large hands and I found the camera confining, so I bought the grip/battery case accessory even though I thought it was too expensive. It was the smartest purchase I ever made and using only the grip without the battery case hardly adds to the weight and makes the camera very comfortable to use. Since that time there are several third party accessory makers that sell a grip for less money than I paid for the OEM part(s). Get the OM-D and purchase one of the add on grips that are now available. You will never look back with regret.

See http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=BodyOlympusEM5&key=cat, among others.

Jim

I find the OMD cramped in stock form, although I am primarily a DSLR user and used to a roomy layout. I also find the G3 to be uncomfortable but less so than the OMD.

I find my shutter finger tends to fall closer to the EVF hump. Thus, I wish the lateral position of the front dial and rear dial were switched. At any rate, the camera is useable but much improved with the add on grip. This opens up the thumb to index finger distance making it more comfortable to spin the dials. Also, the grip bulge lets the remaining fingers and palm support the camera better. There is added height which works well with my pinky just grazing the grip and then wrapping around the bottom.

I really wish they designed it with a simple screw in grip piece instead of a 300 dollar accessory. Looking at the Epl5, it has that same angular goofiness to it, so maybe not. I'm thinking something more like my Canon A-1 although a bit deeper.

If you don't think you'll need the portrait portion, perhaps look into less expensive "dumb" grips. They don't have the second dial and shutter button in the forward position. However, they are a fraction the cost AND you can change the battery without having to unscrew the grip due to the open design.

EVF from G3 to OMD. I didn't notice one being better than the other.

IBIS, I find to be quite effective. Consistently, for me I seem to get away with 3 stops less in the shutter with 4 having a drop off. Considering most of my DSLR lenses are unstabilized, I'd be satisfied with 1-2 stops as below that, many focals the shutter is too slow to capture people.

I have always been a fan of "L" brackets, so I bought the RRS bracket and added the $60 grip.  It stays on the camera now.  With it attachedd, you use the regular shutter release and can also change the battery without removing it.  Very nice piece of work, though not cheap.

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Phil

I am impressed with the Oly grip (vs. aftermarket) but $300 is a bit of a joke IMHO, would consider it if the step up from a G3 was greater BUT....methinks I'd rather spend the $$$ towards additional glass (to date have the Panny 20mm, 14-42, 45-200 and an Oly 9-18mm and the 45mm 1.8).

Am thinkin either the manual focus fisheye or the new 12-35 or 35-100 Panny 1.8

Richard

Hi Phil.  Do you have a picture of your setup?  Which RSS part #'s are you referring to?  Thanks!

-wolfy

They (camera designers) seem to have gotten "curvy bar of soap" and "let's throw out the design book" out of their system rather early in the digicam age and returned to traditional camera designs. I assume it's in part because protographers prefered the familiar and in part because the familiar was the way it was from decades of hard-learned lessons.

Personally, since I wasn't an OM system shooter I'm not having a nostalgia fling with the O-MD. Since I do want a small counterpoint to my dslrs AND a built in EVF and IBIS, this is precisely the camera I've been awaiting since µ4/3 was announced. No other body to date offers this combination.

If for some reason I want more real estate, I can always spring for the grip. At present, I can do what I need with the bare body.

Cheers,

Rick

http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=BodyOlympusEM5&key=cat

If  you do not want the "L" it is $125.  The full set is $180.  I just like "L" brackets with tripods or monopods.  The grip is icing. and can be taken off or left on.  Mine stays on all the time.

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Phil

I was considering replacing my E-1 with one but read some reviews about it being too small so had a try in a shop.

I didn't have any problems with the size at all and only didn't proceed to buy one as there was an post on 4/3Rumours about Olympus shortly bring out a new camera that should be able to use my 4/3 lenses as well as m4/3 ones.

If you compare the size of the OM-D with past OM film SLRs you'd see the OM-D is quite similar in size.

Photographers have been ruined by oversized, big, bloated, heavy dSLRs.

For me the OM-D is like returning to familiar territory, normal sized cameras like I used to use 10 years ago, and had used for 20 years.

Now when using one of my older dSLRs it just reminds me how I despised buying my first dSLR over how big, bloated, and heavy it was compared to my film SLR.