OM-D - to sell or not to sell?

Hello all,

I'm writing to share a certain conundrum situation I found myself in and to ask for your advice and opinions.

I've started taking photography seriously in September 2011, after losing my old point-and-shoot and looking for a new camera. I've quickly stumbled upon the Canon G12 and realized I wanted it quite badly, though it was way out of my intended budget. I went with the hunch and think it was one of my best purchases - I enjoyed using the camera, enjoyed picking it up, loved the many dials and buttons and the swivel screen. And subconsciously, not realzing I loved it, I loved the focal range (28-140 + 1cm focusing distance for macro) and the way the Canon rendered color. There were certainly limitations, but I felt they were driving me to try creative solutions rather than driving me crazy...

After one year I wanted something more - Gear Acquisition Syndrome kicked in, there were so many shiny cameras around, and I *did* start feeling some of the limitations - autofocus speed, high noise levels above ISO400, and a natural detail-resolving limit due to the sensor size (though it is capable of really great photos under the right conditions. This, for example, is probably my best photo till now, and it was taken with the G12).

After reading countless reviews and fretting for several weeks (sadly, that's true) I went for the OM-D with the 20/1.7 - as great a combination of IQ and compactness as I could hope for. And now, three and a half months later, I'm seriously considering selling it. Why?

The most immediate answer is that I stopped having fun taking photos. I think it's a combination of things - the ergnomics: the G12 felt really good in my hand, the OM-D feels... dunno, awkward. I tried the grip at a store, and yes, it's much better, but it's just part of the problem. The bigger thing is that either a prime is not working for me (I dearly miss the flexibility), or this specific focal length doesn't work for me (I later checked my previous photos, and found that more than a third were taken at 28mm; the rest are spread between 60-140mm, while almost none are at the 35-50 part of the zoom; I should have checked earlier, I know), or the way the 20mm renders color doesn't work for me (I find myself converting almost everything to black and white, I didn't do this before), or, most probably, all things together.

Well, then, one would think I should buy the grip and change the lens, and problem is solved. Yes, but my big question than is - what lens do I change to? Compactness is key - I need something that fits into my coat pocket. It's a big pocket, but I'd say that my lens length limit would be around 5-6cms - so all the big zooms are out of the question. The newly announced 14-42 mkii might work, but it won't be here for some time, and we don't know what kind of image quality it'd have (one thing to say for the 20mm - the sharpness is addictive...). I looked very hard at the 14mm, but dunno, if the sample images are fair examples, then I can get the same type of detail resolving power from the G12 @28mm.

The other options are: keep the OM-D, get the grip, and wait for a suitable lens to appear at some point. Or, sell the OM-D and get something else (one interesting option would be one of the Nexes with the Sigma 19mm. Or Samsung NX with the 20mm pancake; I love the Samsung ergonomics, even better than the G12 for my hands). Or, sell the OM-D and buy nothing for the moment, go back to the G12 and concentrate on becoming a better photographer (and wait for the right camera to appear...).

Two cameras I did try and didn't like were the RX-100 (again, awkward ergonomics, the 3:2 sensor size doesn't work for me, and it has no viewfinder or swivel screen - I need one of them) and the G15 (again no [proper] viewfinder or swivel screen, and ergonomics are worse for me than those of the G12). One camera I tried and did like was the Fuji X-E1 with the kit zoom (I'm forgetting, is there a 28mm equivalent for the Fujis?), but I'm worried a bit about the lack of ACR support and it's certainly on the large-ish side of things for me. But it's an option too.

So, thanks for your patience if you've got this far, and any thoughts or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Boris.

--
http://bgiltphotos.wordpress.com/

Hi Boris, not knowing your budget makes things a little difficult, but here are my thoughts:

First, I'd suggest spending a little more time with m43 before leaving it altogether. With the current bodies that are available, and with your requirement for a swivel screen and/or viewfinder + a pocketable model, you might want to have a look at the E-PL5 or the previous-generation E-PL3. Otherwise, you may want to stick with the E-M5 for a bit, and see what Olympus and Panasonic announce as their next models - a Panasonic GX2 could be interesting for you, if they add a viewfinder or swivel screen. Perhaps an Olympus E-P5, as well, depending on its specs.

If you decide to stay with m43 a bit, I'd sell the 20mm and pick up a Panasonic 14mm pancake (small, cheap, decent quality, 28mm equivalent FOV) and either a 45mm or 60mm Olympus prime (both good quality, cover your longer FOVs, and the 60mm is a true macro lens, if that's important to you). Another option would be the Panasonic 45mm - a nice, sharp lens with dedicated macro functionality, but more expensive than the Olympus model.

If you decide to stay with the E-M5 for a while, I'd have a look at third-party grips, as well as the Olympus one. There are a few third party grips that get good reviews and are significantly cheaper than the one from Olympus - google J. Milich, J & B and Really Right Stuff for some examples.

As an aside, the Sony NEX and Samsung NX , models are all 3x2, AFAIK, so if 4x3 is your preference, you should keep that in mind. I doubt that making a switch to either of these formats will magically fix things for you, but I could be wrong.

In the end, the choice is yours - if you aren't having fun with the E-M5, and don't think you'll be able to, you should sell it and move on. It's an outstanding camera, and I have owned one since April, but I am well aware that it isn't for everyone. The most important thing is that you find a combination of camera and lens(es) that makes photography fun for you again. Anything else is a waste of money and time.

tex

Perhaps you're feeling the lack of versatility that a zoom provides.  The 14-42 pancake might be the lens that gives you the small size that you want.

Or maybe your initial enthusiasm has just waned a bit?

Dan

Sell the OMD.  Did you consider the Epl-5?

The E-M5 is kind of a complicated camera with lots of opportunities. This means that you have to spend a lot of effort getting the benefit of all of the goodies.

I just got my second E-M5 body used from a guy who claimed that he didnt like it and wanted to return to Canon DSLR.

He had owned this camera since october, and when I got home and made a shuttercount it showed that only 140 shots had been made since then.

He obviously never gave it the  chance it deserved.

His loss, my gain.

MG

I agree, pick up the Panasonic 14mm pancake. Compared to the 20mm it is not as bright and marginally not as sharp. But you get much faster focusing and smaller size. But most of all I noticed a difference in the rendering of the images. Shots from the 20mm while sharp are usually quite flat, both contrast and colour. The 14mm is more neutral in this regard. If you are willing to spend more, have a look at the 12-35mm 2.8.

I would also recommend the 25mm 1.4. Unlike the 45mm lenses or higher in FL it is much easier to get used to if you haven't had experience with a short tele prime. It also gives your omd crazy low light performance and a nice shallow depth of field to work with. While pancake lenses are convenient, they usually have some drawbacks.

I appreciate your dilemma.

For me the om-d has been a revelation. I came from using a Nikon v1 with multiple lenses to the om-d in October. I know it's the opposite from where you have come to the om-d, but as a novice I've really appreciated all that the em-5 is, & does.

I've purchased four lenses now, 2 zooms & 2 primes & I'm loving experimenting with all 4. I'm certainly not saying that any of my pics are worthy of posting on here but for me I really like the compositions that I'm getting & I'm getting better with my shots the more I take.

Yes the menu settings are bloody complicated but hey it's not perfect.

I'm glad I bought the em-5, & can't wait to take more pics with it.

I would advice that the first thing you need to figure out is if you can have all the fun with primes or if you are simply enjoying zooms more. Since size is a major concern to you ALL exchangable lens systems will have certain restrictions when it comes to zooms. If you decide that zooms are the way to go then the Panasonic powerzoom might be worth a try. If primes and size are most important to you it is pretty hard right now to beat the E-M5 and all the available pencakes.

Another idea just crept up: did you ever check out the Nikon N System? It is quick, not that big, has fast AF and operation, rather small lenses and the best is they are just selling some models rather cheap right now to make room for the next revision.

Your making excuses for a camera the OMD that you do not like. I have the Canon G12 and its a nice p&s camera. So you can sell the OMD get what you get before a replacement is announced making the re-sale even less.

The Panasonic GX-1 is small and has an improved grip. The Panasonic GH-3 is the first camera I am not using a permanent neck strap its that comfortable to hold. I have a Black Rapid strap that can quickly get attached and removed for the GH-3.

Either way if you need a vertical grip to make ANY camera easy to hold its not worth it. The grip for the GH-3 is fine, but right now a waste of money for me since I shoot video and will never need that grip. Even if I got the grip one major thing is it changes how my camera bags will work since you have to allow for the grip and if you have a vertical grip you want to leave it on all the time.

Its your money, your photography. If you take the same shot with the OMD or G12 unless you say something or its shows in EXIF no one will know.

I'd think more about what you really want from a camera.  How much was the G12 holding you back and how much of your decision was Gear Acquisition Syndrome?

How serious a problem are AF speed, noise above ISO 400 and detail resolving limit? Do you shoot a lot of rapidly moving subjects and can't prefocus or otherwise solve the problem with technique?  Regarding noise, read some of the equivalence arguments - at the same angle of view and DOF, sensors of the same generation should have about the same noise.  Detail resolving power is usually only a serious problem if you pixel peep.

Personally, I chose an E-M5 because I wanted an ultra-wide angle lens and high quality viewfinder in a small light package.  No compact goes wider than 24mm equiv and has a high quality VF and DSLRs are too heavy.

If I were a sports photographer, I'd get a DSLR, for the AF speed and DOF control. Compacts and mirrorless cameras won't be able to keep up.

Anyway, make a list of what you need and don't get with the G12, as well as what you like and use on the G12, and then see if there are existing cameras that fill the bill.

--
http://fruminousbandersnatch.blogspot.com/

Perhaps you like the Panasonic G5? This camera is ergonomic very good (better then OMD for me)!

The G5 has a very nice grip and is half the price of the OMD.

You can buy it with the Panasonic pancake zoom and keep the 20mm for low light stuff.

the 20mm that is.

Sounds like you prefer the wide end and regularly delve into the tele range.

Decide how much of your dilemma is due to the camera itself and how much is frustration w the single focal length.  If it's the camera, go ahead and sell it, but if it's more the lens, you'll want another lens or two.

Can you sink another $170 or so into the system for the 14mm?  (that's what they go for on eBay for new/dekitted lenses)

Live w that lens a while before adding a tele-zoom.  Just keep in mind if you want pocketability, the 14 stays on the camera and the zoom (40-150, 45-150) waits in another pocket until needed- you won't get the camera plus the longer lens on your pocket. You can pick up the 40-150 for under $200.  Or, pick up the 45mm or 60 macro for the long end for a bit more.

So, are you willing to sink another $400+ to get the range you need?

On the other hand, if full zoom range must fit in your pocket and be always ready, you're willing to give up some control for a simpler interface, then a compact zoom camera is probably a better choice for you.

--
Art P
"I am a creature of contrast,
of light and shadow.
I live where the two play together,
I thrive on the conflict"

I stopped there. What I'm hearing is that the camera just doesn't suit you. You can try to further bond with it, but. . .

I had a camera like that. Better than the other two cameras I had in hand, but I just never liked picking it up. I'd rather shoot with inferior IQ than use that camera. I couldn't make sense of it, but I didn't fight it for long (well, I gave it 6 months). In the end getting rid of it was the right decision.

--
...Bob, NYC
http://www.bobtullis.com
"Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't." - Little Big Man
.

I have the 20/1.7 lens and have never learned to love it.  I just find it too "clinical" in terms of its image quality, colors, etc.  Make no mistake, quantitatively it is an excellent lens with very good sharpness, etc.  But I found it lacking qualitatively.

I was going to suggest the PL25mm lens as a replacement.  It's a little less wide and it's bigger but I find the image it produces much better, not to mention it's a half stop faster.

But then I re-read your post and it strikes me that you really like the wider end of things as well as a little telephoto every now and then.  I think the lens that will give you the best bang for that buck is the 14-45mm, although you will struggle with it indoors as it's not that fast.  And it's big.  Real big, compared to your G12.

The OM-D's ergonomics are, frankly, not very good.  The Panasonic Gx series are much better, IMO.  But the OM-D looks much better and is better built than all but the GH3.  On the other hand, the OM-D was built to be worn hanging from a neck strap, something that the Gx cameras don't do very well at.

I'd venture that you can sell your 20mm/1.7 for not much less than a new 14-45mm will cost you.  Why not give that a try before giving up?

Like others here, I sympathise with your situation.

It's all down to personal preference; I compared the OMD with a Sony NEX in the shop and thought I missed the hand grip, but in practice the bit to push my thumb against seems to have made me completely comforatable with the camera. It feels perfect now.

But if you're not comfortable with holding it, I think you might be best cutting your losses and selling. I bought a Panny GH1 and never loved it; I intended to sell it but my son cadged it off me first (and he's very happy with it).

As for lenses, I have the 12-50 kit zoom, which is much maligned but while not razor sharp is still good, and has a decent range. And with this lens fitted, the camera fits in a Barbour pocket.

However, I recently compared it with the Panasonic 14-45 from my wife's Panny G1 (a few years old by now) which was appreciably sharper. I don't know if you can buy this lens new or have to buy used, but if it had gone to 12 mm instead of 14 mm, I'd have bought one immediately.

But as previously stated, if you don't love holding the OMD or using it, I wouldn't spend more money on it.

Good luck,

--
Rens
There are optimists and there are realists

If you feel like you need to get something else and want a step up that's similar to your Canon you might look at the new Fuji x20. It's got a bigger sensor, better image quality and very good ergonomics.

Did you try a Canon G1X? Seems like a logical next step if you loved your G12 but just wanted higher IQ.

That's the collapsing kit lens that Olympus sells with its new cameras. It's small and light. It weighs the same as the 20mm pancake. It won't be as sharp as the pancake, especially if used wide open. For outdoor photos, you don't need to shoot wide open. At the longest end, the kit lens is actually sharpest at f/9.0.

This lens will give you the same zoom range you are used to.

ALSO:

An E-PM2 with the 14mm pancake is the only m43 setup (or only one of a few) that will be pocketable. I think the E-M5 is too heavy to be pocketable, even with a pancake.

I think you've got that right.  2 zooms and 2 primes, or a 14-150mm zoom and 2 primes, that might really give you the flexibility.

The system might not be for you, but if you want to give it a little more chance there are some lens options that might satisfy you.

The first two suggestions sacrifice a little image quality for size and affordability. The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm can be purchased for less than $250 directly from Amazon's warehouse deals. It's a bit of an oddball with rocker switches to zoom and focus, also the quality isn't up to that of the 20mm pancake but it's small enough to pocket. The 14mm pancake is another great affordable option, it has some issues but it really is impressively small for a decent wide angle lens.

The more expensive route is the Olympus 12mm which is beautiful lens that is also quite small. This one might win you over. The build is amazing and the focus ring is innovative and fun. I've only had a chance to play with it, but its on my short list to own.  Pair that up with the amazingly affordable Olympus 45mm or the longer more expensive 75mm for a great trinity with your existing 20mm pancake. Personally I prefer the Panasonic 25mm but its much larger and I my preference leans toward a normal focal length lens.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.