OMD EM1 vs EM5 MKII vs EM10 MKIII?

[Michael Meissner]

I forgot to look up the minimum focus distance of the 30mm macro lens: 0.14m or 5.5".

 

[Donald B]

I forgot to look up the minimum focus distance of the 30mm macro lens: 0.14m or 5.5".

from the face of the sensor

Don

 

[gary0319]

I forgot to look up the minimum focus distance of the 30mm macro lens: 0.14m or 5.5".

from the face of the sensor

Don

 

[Michael Meissner]

I forgot to look up the minimum focus distance of the 30mm macro lens: 0.14m or 5.5".

from the face of the sensor

Yeah, I always forget that part. Thanks.

 

[Helen]

The EM10 Mark 2 has a huge number of features for the price, with full twin-dial control and deeply customisable menus. I think most people would say there's no need to go to Mark 3.

--

Dostoy, from Oz
(Oz = Australia)

Having both, I would completely agree with that. The Mark 3 is an intentional step backwards in customisability (I hope that's a word!). Whilst it still has twin-dial control, they cannot be reconfigured as fully as the Mark II and a LOT of the features are gone - wireless flash control, settings for how you want the IBIS to work on a deeper level (such as whether to kick in on half-press of the shutter button or not - on the Mark III you have to let it do this where you could leave it until the exposure if desired on the other OM-D models), no ability to use the silent shutter in PASM modes, no option for the EVF to be set to display with DSLR-style info UNDER the live view image and also to show the horizontal level gauge there on half-press, no option for a permanent display of the SCP on the LCD without live view behind it, far fewer customisable buttons and far fewer functions to assign to any of them, an (overly?) simplified version of focus bracketing and many other things too numerous to mention (as ever, I point people to Mathieu Gasquet's excellent list of differences on mirrorlesscomparison.com ).

On the other hand, the Mark III offers a larger number of AF points (though it loses the tiny square sizing options), clustering (showing the multiple points together) - though weirdly, not in AF-C which is where it's actually useful, 4K movies, attractively graphic, easy-access menus for scene modes and the simplified advanced features (collected together under the AP mode position on the dial, which unfortunately enforces Program mode, often with certain options removed and always set at initial defaults when you turn the dial onto it - in some modes within AP they can be reset to your preferences, but only until you have left AP mode, as they will go to default again when you re-enter AP mode).

On the positive side, the Mark III is slightly more ergonomic than the Mark II (its dials and grip are larger, though it cannot take an accessory grip like the Mark II can) and slightly prettier (IMHO), though it is plastic topped/based versus metal (nevertheless, one of the best-finished and convincingly metal-looking plastics I've seen, and which material you prefer is largely a personal choice). And for some, the much shorter, simplified menus may actually be a plus point (though I don't mind the longer menus at all).

 

[gary0319]

I would like to see if the Olympus camera system is right for me and I would like to buy one camera and a couple of lenses to use for 6 month - year before upgrading if necessary.

I am tempted to buy the original E1 because it has depreciated nicely and has all the features I am used to with my Nikon DSLRs.

The OMD E5 MKII is too old to buy new but the used prices aren't very good either and the OMD E10 MKIII I would buy new. The downside with the MKIII is that it has a watered down IBIS system and a lesser finder.

How is the autofocus, IBIS, JPEG quality, and general ease of use of the E1 compared with the others?

Of the three camera bodies I would recommend the E-M1 as a good “trial” body and mate it to the Olympus 12-40 2.8 Pro lens. This gives you Pro quality for both the camera and lens. With some judicias shopping, you could get a refurbished/used setup for about $1,100. While the E-M1 is actually the oldest technology of the three, the latest firmware has kept it up to speed with the later models, so it will give you a good feel for the m4/3 format.

Then, if you decide to invest further in the m4/3 system, you can always go for the latest and greatest, either larger or smaller bodies or lenses, Olympus or Panasonic, travel or wildlife....well, you get the idea.

Or, if you find m4/3 doesn’t work for you, sell it and lose nothing but some time.

 

[RSSrsvp]

I would like to see if the Olympus camera system is right for me and I would like to buy one camera and a couple of lenses to use for 6 month - year before upgrading if necessary.

I am tempted to buy the original E1 because it has depreciated nicely and has all the features I am used to with my Nikon DSLRs.

The OMD E5 MKII is too old to buy new but the used prices aren't very good either and the OMD E10 MKIII I would buy new. The downside with the MKIII is that it has a watered down IBIS system and a lesser finder.

How is the autofocus, IBIS, JPEG quality, and general ease of use of the E1 compared with the others?

For your needs I would look for a deal on a refurbished or used E-M1 from a retailer that offers a limited warranty.

Also which lenses would you recommend. I want something that can do close focus under a foot. I don't need 1:1 macro. I was thinking of the 12-40mm f2.8. Or would I be better off with prime lenses?

The 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens is a fabulous lens, do a Google search and read the reviews. Many have opted for this zoom in lieu of owning multiple primes. It pairs beautifully with the E-M1 and will also give you a weatherproof kit. While it isn't a dedicated macro lens it does a really decent job (read the reviews). ;-)

 

[Skeeterbytes]

From everything you've said the best launch point would probably the E-M1+12-40 (or 12-100 for a few hundred more). Still a relevant camera, tough as nails and dazzling drive rates if you do any sequence work. Dual IS with the 12-100.

 

[Nakaya]

From everything you've said the best launch point would probably the E-M1+12-40 (or 12-100 for a few hundred more). Still a relevant camera, tough as nails and dazzling drive rates if you do any sequence work. Dual IS with the 12-100.

 

[greg 123]

From everything you've said the best launch point would probably the E-M1+12-40 (or 12-100 for a few hundred more). Still a relevant camera, tough as nails and dazzling drive rates if you do any sequence work. Dual IS with the 12-100.

 

[Marty4650]

You really have selected three cameras by current price, and not by category or intended user. All three have 16 MP sensors. All three have 5-axis IS. All three use the same menu system and produce very similar looking jpegs.

So lets look at each one:

EM1 ( 2013 Flagship) - $500 used. Buy this if you want:

• PDAF on sensor chip
• Weather sealing
• Highest build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Tilt up or down LCD
• A real hand grip
• Excellent ergonomics and controls
• Fastest flash synch
• Best battery life of the three, but not by much

EM5 II (2015 Mid Level) - $560 used. Buy this if you want:

• Weather sealing
• High build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Electronic Shutter
• High Resolution Mode
• Fully Articulated LCD
• Very good ergonomics and controls
• Clip on Flash that tilts/rotates/bounces

EM10 III (2017 Entry Level) - $600 new. Hard to find used. Buy this if you want:

• A brand new camera with full warranty
• Electronic Shutter
• 4K video, but only at 30p not 60p
• Built in Flash
• Newest jpeg engine
• Smallest and lightest body of the three

At around the same price, it just depends on what matters most for you. If you use any legacy Four Thirds lenses, then the EM1 becomes the obvious choice due to having on sensor PDAF. If you want the high resolution mode and a fully articulated LCD, then the EM5 II is the obvious choice. If you want a brand new camera, 4K video, the newest jpeg engine, and don't care about weather sealing , ergonomics or build quality, then you might prefer the EM10 III.

All three will cost around the same, and all three will get very similar image quality.

I own an EM1 and think it is one of the finest cameras I have ever owned. But I am someone who would rather drive a used BMW rather than a brand new Buick if I could get either one for the same price.

 

[Michael Meissner]

From everything you've said the best launch point would probably the E-M1+12-40 (or 12-100 for a few hundred more). Still a relevant camera, tough as nails and dazzling drive rates if you do any sequence work. Dual IS with the 12-100.

 

[Nakaya]

You really have selected three cameras by current price, and not by category or intended user. All three have 16 MP sensors. All three have 5-axis IS. All three use the same menu system and produce very similar looking jpegs.

So lets look at each one:

EM1 ( 2013 Flagship) - $500 used. Buy this if you want:

• PDAF on sensor chip
• Weather sealing
• Highest build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Tilt up or down LCD
• A real hand grip
• Excellent ergonomics and controls
• Fastest flash synch
• Best battery life of the three, but not by much

EM5 II (2015 Mid Level) - $560 used. Buy this if you want:

• Weather sealing
• High build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Electronic Shutter
• High Resolution Mode
• Fully Articulated LCD
• Very good ergonomics and controls
• Clip on Flash that tilts/rotates/bounces

EM10 III (2017 Entry Level) - $600 new. Hard to find used. Buy this if you want:

• A brand new camera with full warranty
• Electronic Shutter
• 4K video, but only at 30p not 60p
• Built in Flash
• Newest jpeg engine
• Smallest and lightest body of the three

At around the same price, it just depends on what matters most for you. If you use any legacy Four Thirds lenses, then the EM1 becomes the obvious choice due to having on sensor PDAF. If you want the high resolution mode and a fully articulated LCD, then the EM5 II is the obvious choice. If you want a brand new camera, 4K video, the newest jpeg engine, and don't care about weather sealing , ergonomics or build quality, then you might prefer the EM10 III.

All three will cost around the same, and all three will get very similar image quality.

I own an EM1 and think it is one of the finest cameras I have ever owned. But I am someone who would rather drive a used BMW rather than a brand new Buick if I could get either one for the same price.

 

[Skeeterbytes]

From everything you've said the best launch point would probably the E-M1+12-40 (or 12-100 for a few hundred more). Still a relevant camera, tough as nails and dazzling drive rates if you do any sequence work. Dual IS with the 12-100.

 

[gary0319]

From everything you've said the best launch point would probably the E-M1+12-40 (or 12-100 for a few hundred more). Still a relevant camera, tough as nails and dazzling drive rates if you do any sequence work. Dual IS with the 12-100.

 

[gary0319]

You really have selected three cameras by current price, and not by category or intended user. All three have 16 MP sensors. All three have 5-axis IS. All three use the same menu system and produce very similar looking jpegs.

So lets look at each one:

EM1 ( 2013 Flagship) - $500 used. Buy this if you want:

• PDAF on sensor chip
• Weather sealing
• Highest build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Tilt up or down LCD
• A real hand grip
• Excellent ergonomics and controls
• Fastest flash synch
• Best battery life of the three, but not by much

EM5 II (2015 Mid Level) - $560 used. Buy this if you want:

• Weather sealing
• High build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Electronic Shutter
• High Resolution Mode
• Fully Articulated LCD
• Very good ergonomics and controls
• Clip on Flash that tilts/rotates/bounces

EM10 III (2017 Entry Level) - $600 new. Hard to find used. Buy this if you want:

• A brand new camera with full warranty
• Electronic Shutter
• 4K video, but only at 30p not 60p
• Built in Flash
• Newest jpeg engine
• Smallest and lightest body of the three

At around the same price, it just depends on what matters most for you. If you use any legacy Four Thirds lenses, then the EM1 becomes the obvious choice due to having on sensor PDAF. If you want the high resolution mode and a fully articulated LCD, then the EM5 II is the obvious choice. If you want a brand new camera, 4K video, the newest jpeg engine, and don't care about weather sealing , ergonomics or build quality, then you might prefer the EM10 III.

All three will cost around the same, and all three will get very similar image quality.

I own an EM1 and think it is one of the finest cameras I have ever owned. But I am someone who would rather drive a used BMW rather than a brand new Buick if I could get either one for the same price.

--
Marty
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/marty4650/sets/72157606210120132
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marty4650/sets/72157606210120132/show/
my blog: http://marty4650.blogspot.com/

Thank you that is helpful. I like nice things and a camera that feels nice in hand will get used more than one that feels like plastic. I still shoot film with Nikon and Contax cameras because they are fun and feel nice.

Are there small pancake lenses that people would recommend? I don't want a $500 prime right now unless all of the Panasonic and Olympus cheaper pancakes are bad. I am headed to New York next week and wouldn't mind a small prime for walking around.

The Panasonic 12-32 is oft given the highest marks. I have it...I agree. And, it's cheap.

 

[greg 123]

You really have selected three cameras by current price, and not by category or intended user. All three have 16 MP sensors. All three have 5-axis IS. All three use the same menu system and produce very similar looking jpegs.

So lets look at each one:

EM1 ( 2013 Flagship) - $500 used. Buy this if you want:

• PDAF on sensor chip
• Weather sealing
• Highest build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Tilt up or down LCD
• A real hand grip
• Excellent ergonomics and controls
• Fastest flash synch
• Best battery life of the three, but not by much

EM5 II (2015 Mid Level) - $560 used. Buy this if you want:

• Weather sealing
• High build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Electronic Shutter
• High Resolution Mode
• Fully Articulated LCD
• Very good ergonomics and controls
• Clip on Flash that tilts/rotates/bounces

EM10 III (2017 Entry Level) - $600 new. Hard to find used. Buy this if you want:

• A brand new camera with full warranty
• Electronic Shutter
• 4K video, but only at 30p not 60p
• Built in Flash
• Newest jpeg engine
• Smallest and lightest body of the three

At around the same price, it just depends on what matters most for you. If you use any legacy Four Thirds lenses, then the EM1 becomes the obvious choice due to having on sensor PDAF. If you want the high resolution mode and a fully articulated LCD, then the EM5 II is the obvious choice. If you want a brand new camera, 4K video, the newest jpeg engine, and don't care about weather sealing , ergonomics or build quality, then you might prefer the EM10 III.

All three will cost around the same, and all three will get very similar image quality.

I own an EM1 and think it is one of the finest cameras I have ever owned. But I am someone who would rather drive a used BMW rather than a brand new Buick if I could get either one for the same price.

 

[Nakaya]

You really have selected three cameras by current price, and not by category or intended user. All three have 16 MP sensors. All three have 5-axis IS. All three use the same menu system and produce very similar looking jpegs.

So lets look at each one:

EM1 ( 2013 Flagship) - $500 used. Buy this if you want:

• PDAF on sensor chip
• Weather sealing
• Highest build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Tilt up or down LCD
• A real hand grip
• Excellent ergonomics and controls
• Fastest flash synch
• Best battery life of the three, but not by much

EM5 II (2015 Mid Level) - $560 used. Buy this if you want:

• Weather sealing
• High build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Electronic Shutter
• High Resolution Mode
• Fully Articulated LCD
• Very good ergonomics and controls
• Clip on Flash that tilts/rotates/bounces

EM10 III (2017 Entry Level) - $600 new. Hard to find used. Buy this if you want:

• A brand new camera with full warranty
• Electronic Shutter
• 4K video, but only at 30p not 60p
• Built in Flash
• Newest jpeg engine
• Smallest and lightest body of the three

At around the same price, it just depends on what matters most for you. If you use any legacy Four Thirds lenses, then the EM1 becomes the obvious choice due to having on sensor PDAF. If you want the high resolution mode and a fully articulated LCD, then the EM5 II is the obvious choice. If you want a brand new camera, 4K video, the newest jpeg engine, and don't care about weather sealing , ergonomics or build quality, then you might prefer the EM10 III.

All three will cost around the same, and all three will get very similar image quality.

I own an EM1 and think it is one of the finest cameras I have ever owned. But I am someone who would rather drive a used BMW rather than a brand new Buick if I could get either one for the same price.

 

[Marty4650]

Are there small pancake lenses that people would recommend? I don't want a $500 prime right now unless all of the Panasonic and Olympus cheaper pancakes are bad. I am headed to New York next week and wouldn't mind a small prime for walking around.

There are three pancake prime lenses for M4/3, and all three are considered pretty good. I have used the first two myself.

• Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 - a tiny but excellent lens
• Olympus 17mm f/2.8 - not the sharpest lens, but renders really nicely. This is a good lens that is often underestimated.
• Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 - the best of the bunch and razor sharp, but can be slow to AF, especially on Olympus bodies.

There are also three pancake type zoom lenses, and again all three are pretty good lenses:

• Panasonic 12-32mm - a very nice lens, surprisingly good
• Olympus 14-42mm EZ - a very capable lens
• Panasonic 12-42mm PZ - a very capable lens

In addition, there are also two bodycap lenses. These are pure garbage, but they are cheap and they are fun to use:

• Olympus 9mm fisheye f/8 bodycap
• Olympus 15mm f/8 bodycap

 

[greg 123]

You really have selected three cameras by current price, and not by category or intended user. All three have 16 MP sensors. All three have 5-axis IS. All three use the same menu system and produce very similar looking jpegs.

So lets look at each one:

EM1 ( 2013 Flagship) - $500 used. Buy this if you want:

• PDAF on sensor chip
• Weather sealing
• Highest build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Tilt up or down LCD
• A real hand grip
• Excellent ergonomics and controls
• Fastest flash synch
• Best battery life of the three, but not by much

EM5 II (2015 Mid Level) - $560 used. Buy this if you want:

• Weather sealing
• High build quality
• Magnesium Alloy body
• Electronic Shutter
• High Resolution Mode
• Fully Articulated LCD
• Very good ergonomics and controls
• Clip on Flash that tilts/rotates/bounces

EM10 III (2017 Entry Level) - $600 new. Hard to find used. Buy this if you want:

• A brand new camera with full warranty
• Electronic Shutter
• 4K video, but only at 30p not 60p
• Built in Flash
• Newest jpeg engine
• Smallest and lightest body of the three

At around the same price, it just depends on what matters most for you. If you use any legacy Four Thirds lenses, then the EM1 becomes the obvious choice due to having on sensor PDAF. If you want the high resolution mode and a fully articulated LCD, then the EM5 II is the obvious choice. If you want a brand new camera, 4K video, the newest jpeg engine, and don't care about weather sealing , ergonomics or build quality, then you might prefer the EM10 III.

All three will cost around the same, and all three will get very similar image quality.

I own an EM1 and think it is one of the finest cameras I have ever owned. But I am someone who would rather drive a used BMW rather than a brand new Buick if I could get either one for the same price.

--
Marty
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/marty4650/sets/72157606210120132
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marty4650/sets/72157606210120132/show/
my blog: http://marty4650.blogspot.com/

Thank you that is helpful. I like nice things and a camera that feels nice in hand will get used more than one that feels like plastic. I still shoot film with Nikon and Contax cameras because they are fun and feel nice.

Are there small pancake lenses that people would recommend? I don't want a $500 prime right now unless all of the Panasonic and Olympus cheaper pancakes are bad. I am headed to New York next week and wouldn't mind a small prime for walking around.

For walking around the Panasonic 20 1.7 is one of my favorites. There are two versions of the lens, both very good. It also is among the least expensive ($267.99 new at B&H, used around $200) and is a small pancake lens. I also use the Panasonic 12-32 for small kit, more flexible but not quite as sharp as the PL 20.

How does it compare to the Sigma 19mm F2.8? Obviously the Sigma is slower but are the images going to be good wide open?

I own the PL 20, but not the Sigma 19 2.8. To get some idea here's what dxomark measurements show. While dxomark isn't always on the mark, the difference is so great I wouldn't consider it over the PL 20 unless focusing speed is a major concern, especially given the size difference. If focusing speed is a concern then I would choose the PL 15 (I own this also), at significantly more cost.


PL 20 sharpness at 1.7, Sigma 19 at 2.8