Review Speed a Joke

[daleeight]

Come on DPR. Where the heck is the dang full bore E-5 review for crying out loud? Might you have it done a week before a possible E-7 ship date? You'd think DPR believes they can control the market with their timely reviews. I really think the new owners have killed off this awesome reign they had on other sites.

Anyway, Just needed a lot of reading material before making decisions. I have been very close to pulling the plug on something. Had Carts full of stuff with the mouse hovering on the Buy Now's. And yes, it was not on this sites parents "store".

This E-5 form what I have read is a great tool to replace the old E-3 sitting beside me. The E-1, over there, will never leave. But, the competition is fierce and some readings, reviews, stats, etc have this E-5 as a toy it seems.

No secret Dx0 doesn't like its sensor numbers, so that doesn't bode well. They seem to love the DR of the new Pentax K-5, but I think that is about it. The 5DMkII is a nice beast as is the Canon 7D. Strange they can both compete with the E-5. But they are different with one having great image quality and the other being better at focusing and build. The Nikon D700 is a nice competitor and might be the best to get instead of an E-5, but it is a ways behind the MP of the 5DmkII.

Too many choices and not are a lot better in all categories, it seems. Does it seem like the E-5 is just the best middle of the road camera? Being not the best at anything, but not the worst either (maybe on DR though?)?

Do any of you feel that the E-5 is just a really good competitor, but lacks some all over, but you're not switching because it is just too good?
--
Dale

 

[CharlesB58]

DPR already posted that they were holding off on finalizing the E5 review until after CES.
--

Some people operate cameras. Others use them to create images. There is a difference.

http://ikkens.zenfolio.com/

http://sarob-w.deviantart.com/

 

[boggis the cat]

This E-5 form what I have read is a great tool to replace the old E-3 sitting beside me. The E-1, over there, will never leave. But, the competition is fierce and some readings, reviews, stats, etc have this E-5 as a toy it seems.

What reviews "have the E-5 as a toy"? All of the reviews so far seem to range from moderately through to very favourable.

No secret Dx0 doesn't like its sensor numbers, so that doesn't bode well.

DxO's rankings are nonsense. You should look at actual images.

The 5DMkII is a nice beast as is the Canon 7D.

Yes, they are. Neither will do much for your ZD lenses, though.

Strange they can both compete with the E-5. But they are different with one having great image quality and the other being better at focusing and build. The Nikon D700 is a nice competitor and might be the best to get instead of an E-5, but it is a ways behind the MP of the 5DmkII.

The D300s is more of a direct competitor. It is expected to be replaced by the D400 soon, though, and that would likely be significantly better than the E-5 in more areas.

Too many choices and not are a lot better in all categories, it seems. Does it seem like the E-5 is just the best middle of the road camera? Being not the best at anything, but not the worst either (maybe on DR though?)?

The E-5 is the best body to use with HG and SHG lenses. If you have some and want to get more out of them then the E-5 is a good option. If you only have SG stuff, then you won't lose much by swapping systems but you will have to evaluate your needs.

If you like primes, then Pentax looks pretty good. Canon and Nikon are both good options in APS or 135 format. Sony has the SLT bodies that are quite interesting, as well as NEX and the old APS and 135 systems. Olympus and Panasonic are concentrating on Micro 4/3, so if the compromises seem worthwhile then that's another option (I find the more expensive and generally worse performing lenses a turn off, and don't think EVFs are good enough yet).

Do any of you feel that the E-5 is just a really good competitor, but lacks some all over, but you're not switching because it is just too good?

I want to keep using my HG lenses, and like the Olympus images (colour and best available OOC JPEGs), so I plan to upgrade to the E-5. If I can find additional lenses for decent prices later on I'll probably keep adding to my "dead"* system.

(* I predict standard 4/3 will have a fairly long reign as a zombie system until Olympus either quit consumer digital imaging or somehow merge the two systems.)

 

[rednefed]

Here's my take on the E-5, as an owner.

On the spec sheet, it disappoints (and pretty badly): old 12MP sensor, big and heavy, only 5 fps, the same old 11-pt AF, comparatively poor battery life (even smaller cameras like the D7000 have a more powerful battery), good but not great VF, etc.

And it's expensive... that's without doubt the #1 bugaboo with the camera. Noise and DR is behind the APS competition, but Olympus always has been, so that is no surprise.

Then I tried the E-5 when the Oly rep came in to the local photo store and demoed it. Compared to the E-3, the E-5 appears improved in almost all the right ways. Sure, it's not perfect, but no camera is: the esteemed 5DII has an ancient AF system, for instance, and the K-5 is having trouble with sensor spots. For better or worse, the E-5 was the camera I wish I had bought when I purchased the E-3 a year before. Sort of like if I bought the D200 for my first DSLR when Best Buy was clearing them out new for $600, the D300s would be the camera I really wanted and would settle down with for a few years.

Now, pick up the E-5 and start shooting with it - and somehow unlike the very similar E-3, the E-5 disappears and makes taking pictures more fluid and enjoyable. Perhaps it's the metering, which tends not to blow highlights as much, leaving you free to compose than fiddle with dials; maybe the shorter VF blackout; maybe just a feeling of overall refinement and faster response over the E-3. Whatever the reason, I am actually very happy to have and shoot with the E-5 whereas I was merely satisfied with the E-3 and 520.

In the end, what drove me to bite the bullet and lay down retail price for an E-5 was the jpg output/colors and the ability to use my 4/3 glass. Not 6.5 fps, not FullHD video - output that matched my wants and needs. But remember, I'm me, you're you: if you don't like the results you're seeing people post from the E-5, it's unlikely you'll be happy with the camera yourself, and it may be time to start looking elsewhere.

 

[jeff zwier]

I actually agree with this

Dpreview has been a complete joke with these reviews

Its obvious that they were paid off to review the d7000 first for christmas, and now we are delving into a part of the year when everyone has spent their money and "non essential cameras" like the E5 are swept to the back of the line to be ignored in the new year

absolutely disgusting considering the f* camera has been out since october

 

[Triumph Steve]

Yes I agree. It was dpreview's in-depth write-up of the E-3 that probably convinced me to buy the E-3 two years ago. And I turned to dpreview to research other cameras that I either bought or thought about getting, or reviewed in order to advise others who had asked me about their camera choices. So when the E-5 was released and I naturally decided I needed one, I waited for the "trusted" review that never came. When it does come out, it will serve prospective buyers, but for me and many others, it will be anecdotal at best. Even my obscure software provider, Phase One's Capture One, quickly updated their product to handle E-5 RAW files, and I thought that would have taken a year or more to occur.

--
Steve in Chapel Hill, NC
Hebrews 11:1

Personal photo web site: http://triumph.smugmug.com/

 

[dharma108]

After patiently waiting for DPR to do it's thing, to no avail, I went to B & H and read the user reviews. Here's a bunch of Oly users, who have been around the block a few times, pretty much raving about what an improvement the E5 is on every other Oly DSLR. Extremely favorable reviews.

Dang it--that did it for me--E5 arrives in two days!

Now, let's see if I can get some sleep tonight.

Dharma

 

[illy]

DPR has lots of priorities it seems these days, and if you're not high on them then you'll be left waiting.
--
Mandolin, haha, nope sorry! That, my friend, is a Banjo ?

 

[krh_57]

"Review Speed a Joke"... No, just irresponsible for them not to review the Olympus E-5 in a timely manner.

Not only should Olympus users be concerned with these types of actions, but every user and member at DPR from all camera makes should be wary of any information being presented at DPR, as being partial or impartial with respective DSLR camera makes.

No other respectable well rounded review site would delay a review based on on any type possible prejudices, or on what they believe any current major manufacturers DSLR camera system, (however large or small), to be worthy of their time.

I personally have to wonder how the now removed, infamous Phil A. opening remark with the E-3 preview, concerning how Olympus delayed giving DPR first crack at reviewing the E-3, is still having some effect with the overall reaction here concerning Four Thirds. Without quoting directly...
I guess Payback will be a *****!
--
Ken

 

[Jim Ford]

... finding fault with it!

It'll be the same mantra:

Slow start up time.
Poor high ISO.
Low FPS.

LV 'a solution waiting for a problem' (ermm - no, wait a minute scrub that. Now other makes have adopted it, it's now 'a major advance'!)
Too great DOF.
etc.

Jim

 

[illy]

"Review Speed a Joke"... No, just irresponsible for them not to review the Olympus E-5 in a timely manner.

Not only should Olympus users be concerned with these types of actions, but every user and member at DPR from all camera makes should be wary of any information being presented at DPR, as being partial or impartial with respective DSLR camera makes.

No other respectable well rounded review site would delay a review based on on any type possible prejudices, or on what they believe any current major manufacturers DSLR camera system, (however large or small), to be worthy of their time.

I personally have to wonder how the now removed, infamous Phil A. opening remark with the E-3 preview, concerning how Olympus delayed giving DPR first crack at reviewing the E-3, is still having some effect with the overall reaction here concerning Four Thirds. Without quoting directly...
I guess Payback will be a *****!
--
Ken

a first come first reviewed policy i guess would be fair, but once you figure in, people/revenue/advertising/trade events/PR's from companies e.t.c the world suddenly becomes a very unfair place. 30% of traffic from this site is from 1st time users whilst the forums generate between 0.5 and 1% of the traffic, and i assume DPR knows the searches bringing the people to the site and hence maybe DPR releases the reviews to the potential audience......so they are going to cater more to the silent majority.

Any information presented on this site is open to interpretation, whether you personally give it any credence is upto yourself.
--
Mandolin, haha, nope sorry! That, my friend, is a Banjo ?

 

[msusic]

I think E-PL2 and GH2 reviews might come quicker than E-5
--
Cheers,
Marin

 

[krh_57]

"Review Speed a Joke"... No, just irresponsible for them not to review the Olympus E-5 in a timely manner.

Not only should Olympus users be concerned with these types of actions, but every user and member at DPR from all camera makes should be wary of any information being presented at DPR, as being partial or impartial with respective DSLR camera makes.

No other respectable well rounded review site would delay a review based on on any type possible prejudices, or on what they believe any current major manufacturers DSLR camera system, (however large or small), to be worthy of their time.

I personally have to wonder how the now removed, infamous Phil A. opening remark with the E-3 preview, concerning how Olympus delayed giving DPR first crack at reviewing the E-3, is still having some effect with the overall reaction here concerning Four Thirds. Without quoting directly...
I guess Payback will be a *****!
--
Ken

a first come first reviewed policy i guess would be fair, but once you figure in, people/revenue/advertising/trade events/PR's from companies e.t.c the world suddenly becomes a very unfair place. 30% of traffic from this site is from 1st time users whilst the forums generate between 0.5 and 1% of the traffic, and i assume DPR knows the searches bringing the people to the site and hence maybe DPR releases the reviews to the potential audience......so they are going to cater more to the silent majority.

Any information presented on this site is open to interpretation, whether you personally give it any credence is upto yourself.
--
Mandolin, haha, nope sorry! That, my friend, is a Banjo ?

Statistical indexes can be influence by internal means. Such as purposely not being able to click on certain links to new camera models, (which recently happened for the Olympus Pen), or by clicking on advertisement links, or by having a disproportionate amount of links for internally flagged brands being included to that database.
--
Ken

 

[Pedal2Floor]

Their have been plenty of other reviews including pictures and feedback from actual owners, at this point, Dpreview is meaningless.

I am sure when the Nikon D400 is released we will have a full review on pre-production hardware and it will be claimed camera of the year before a single copy is sold at retail.

You can look forward to that.

 

[WalterRotter]

Their have been plenty of other reviews including pictures and feedback from actual owners, at this point, Dpreview is meaningless.

I am sure when the Nikon D400 is released we will have a full review on pre-production hardware and it will be claimed camera of the year before a single copy is sold at retail.

You can look forward to that.

I second that one!

Why are you all so addicted and focused on a DPR review of a camera that is out for four months now?

Most things worth reviewing and saying about this camera were already sad. Not by DPR but still were.

After four months, all other reviews (good and not so good), REAL PICTURES TAKEN WITH E-5 and shown to us on this forum, hands on experience reviews by actual owners, etc., will anyone form a decision on buying/not buying over a DPR review which by now has quite a reputation being partial and prejudice.

O.K. maybe that’s a bit harsh but one thing is for certain; DPR is focused on money as all other companies are. So, if someone is paying them to advertise their brand, they are doing it. If someone pays them to speed some review up because it’s Christmas time, they do it. If someone pays them to slow things down on some other things, they do it. Catch my drift?

So, you need a review? Go to a store that has one stocked, hold it, feel it, try it. If it’s a bigger shop that has a presentation model take some shots with it.

I went on an Oly E-5 presentation in local photo club, tried it and 3 weeks after I became a proud owner of one. I need to mention that before that day I was selling all my Oly stuff and was preparing to jump ship because of all that “dead system walking” crap we were fed at that time. Went on that presentation just out of curiosity. Yes, it’s really that good!

Best regards
--
Walter
Olympus E-30 + HLD-4, 14-54II, 50-200SWD, FL-50r
Photography Enthusiast

 

[Rennie Petersen]

(* I predict standard 4/3 will have a fairly long reign as a zombie system until Olympus either quit consumer digital imaging or somehow merge the two systems.)

They just can't be killed!

--
http://renniep.smugmug.com

 

[revio]

Haha...same here, almost.I have mostly been convinced by folks here at DPR and their shown images.Thus I ordered a E-5 the day before yesterday...though it will supposedly not arrive until the shift january-february...

Guess I´m waiting eagerly...

After patiently waiting for DPR to do it's thing, to no avail, I went to B & H and read the user reviews. Here's a bunch of Oly users, who have been around the block a few times, pretty much raving about what an improvement the E5 is on every other Oly DSLR. Extremely favorable reviews.

Dang it--that did it for me--E5 arrives in two days!

Now, let's see if I can get some sleep tonight.

Dharma

--
Aim & Frame ;-)

 

[linuxworks]

product reviews are like news. the value in them in timeliness. DPR don't have that anymore. more people working there but less happens. typical of growth of corporate entities.

given that its old news now (e5) and people can find all the samples they need, what value IS a late-to-the-game review? I ask you. dpr isn't any expert lab that will have magic answers others would have missed.

if you don't know what the e5 brings by now, no review on earth will help you.

--
Bryan
(pic stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/linux-works )

 

[cathal gantly]

Two serious points raised here...

Firstly, DPR is a business, and all businesses have limitations on time and resources. Looking at the release of new cameras over the last three or four months, and there are some far more significant releases of more interest to the majority than the E5. Yeah, so Olympus is very much a minority player in SLR cameras, and in their own market the E5 is a minority player. It gets pushed down the line. I like DPR assessments of cameras, and I'm happy to wait. But as others have said, there is a lot of info out there (and on here from owners) to be able to answer any questions you may have about the camera.

Secondly, is the E5 for you? I think few here would argue convincingly that the E5 will win owners from the bigger brands. There may be existing Olympus users for whom the (very highly priced) E5 body make a lot of sense, particularly if they have an investment in SHG glass. Equally, there will be lots of people out there in the very fortunate position of being able to decide without having to make reference to the retail price. The standard of the E5 has been established. The cost is known. It is only you and not DPR who can decide if the dollar cost for the return provided is one that makes sense for you.

My own personal take on the E5 is that it is a very nice camera in isolation, but deeply uncompetitive when compared against the competition, (especially when the cost is factored into the equation). But your mileage may vary.

 

[Octavio Gomez]

DPR already posted that they were holding off on finalizing the E5 review until after CES.
--

Some people operate cameras. Others use them to create images. There is a difference.

http://ikkens.zenfolio.com/

http://sarob-w.deviantart.com/

The reason DPR is holding the review is because the guy who is doing that job doesn't want give back and recently he was seen at CES happily shooting with the E5, expecting no one reclaims the review for a long time.... Well, that is my hypothesis