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You know, this might not be so bad ...

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Jeff

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Initially I was disappointed in the top-line specs of the E-5. It seems like a warmed over E-3 with specs that are 2-3 years out of date wrt the competition.

But looking a little more carefully at the DPR's preview page, I'm wondering if this isn't what Olympus has needed to do for a long time. They have had a nice system, with great lenses, rock solid bodies, and great color. This time they've addressed concerns like AF, overly soft images, the missing sD slot, bigger LCD, etc. It's a rather long list.

Isn't this exactly what the faithful have been asking for? I remember a lot of folks saying they wanted precisely this sort of update. I'm wondering if Olympus has given them exactly what they wanted.

I'm going to hold off for the DPR review before making any more judgements.

Jeff

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jck_photos/sets/
http://jeffkantor.zenfolio.com/
 
Jeff said:
Isn't this exactly what the faithful have been asking for? I remember a lot of folks saying they wanted precisely this sort of update. I'm wondering if Olympus has given them exactly what they wanted.

Jeff
Click to expand...
I'm inclined to agree with you, I'm one of those, but the price is too high.

Ted

--

Ted
 
I think you are right. The Preview itself says almost the same thing: At first glance it's a warmed-over E-3, at second glance it's a perfectly sensible upgrade.

Now if they would only produce an E-510 sized body with the core features of the E-5. Due to the E-5's weight I probably won't be buying one, but it shapes up as a potentially great landscape camera. The specific references to the lighter AA filter and better rendering of detail are intriguing.
 
I agree

As an E510 use would I upgrade to E3 - possibly,
and now to what appears to be (on paper) a sensibly upgraded E5 - very likely,

once I've saved a bit more and the price drops a bit over the next few months.

Cheers

John
 
A 4/3 user with the say E520 looking to update and upgrade, had to judge if all the money asked really worth it ... Take my example. I use E300, then Panasonic L1, and then E420 .. the E5 sure would put me further but at this price. I might as well look at any other system. And let's be frank the others just move on further, faster and provide the wares.

The E5 is the E3 users criticism answered, yes, but as a product vintage late 2010 to stand on its own at that market niche and price bracket ... it's simply not looking good. Now what if Photokina bring us the Pentax K-5 as rumored , or even the Nikon D90 replacement or Sony A700 replacement ... Hmmm ... Announced the same date, even the Samsung NX100 seems more an advance ( innovative use of ergonomic and exposure control indeed with their new one )

And the way Oly present it, it looks like thats about it, no more Commitment / development on 4/3 ... why should any sane user support the system if the Mfr do not themselves see to commit to the system ??

--
  • Franka -
 
Jeff said:
they've addressed concerns like AF
Click to expand...
Did they do anything to the auto focus module? I thought it's the same as the E-3.
Jeff said:
Isn't this exactly what the faithful have been asking for? I remember a lot of folks saying they wanted precisely this sort of update.
Click to expand...
One of the issues many have with the E-5 is that while its name suggests a next-generation product it really is just an E-3s that could have been released at least 1.5 years ago. People have been waiting for the new flagship for 3 years and all they got is an E-3 with video, a bit more resolution, a nicer screen and an electronic level gauge. All this for substantially more money than a Nikon D300s and WAY more than a Pentax K-7.
 
i think the problem is those faithful asked for this 'upgrade' a year ago. and then throughout the year-long wait, there are many rumors on never-seen-before features or some amazing sensor will be featured on the new E5.. many are excited and thinking the extra year of waiting must worth it.. and when they finally release it, it's just an upgrade to E3.. which is a big disappointment.
Jeff said:
Isn't this exactly what the faithful have been asking for? I remember a lot of folks saying they wanted precisely this sort of update. I'm wondering if Olympus has given them exactly what they wanted.

Jeff

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jck_photos/sets/
http://jeffkantor.zenfolio.com/
Click to expand...
--
Glen
 
i agree with what gleung, Photog74 & Franka T.L. said. what they all say is basically similar: (nice update if it were 1 or 2 years ago), or that (the delay in release has generated high expectations that were not met by today's announcement).

even without looking at what other brands are doing, compared to other Oly m4/3 and 4/3 cameras, E5 doesn't have something special to it (especially IQ-wise = read sensor-wise). other brands introduce their flagship with new sensors or some other feature that doesn't exist in the lower end nor the predecessor (thus owners of these have a strong incentive to buy the new flagship), oly doesn't care about that obviously, it is only the combination of features that is new in the E5. and it is going to be very disappointing, if the GH2 w 16/18MP sensor rumor is true (we'll see on the 21st).

anyway i wish oly all the luck with the E5, and the fact that they are still updating 4/3 on the highest level is a good thing that will hopefully continue.
gleung said:
i think the problem is those faithful asked for this 'upgrade' a year ago. and then throughout the year-long wait, there are many rumors on never-seen-before features or some amazing sensor will be featured on the new E5.. many are excited and thinking the extra year of waiting must worth it.. and when they finally release it, it's just an upgrade to E3.. which is a big disappointment.
gleung said:
Isn't this exactly what the faithful have been asking for? I remember a lot of folks saying they wanted precisely this sort of update. I'm wondering if Olympus has given them exactly what they wanted.

Jeff

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jck_photos/sets/
http://jeffkantor.zenfolio.com/
Click to expand...
--
Glen
Click to expand...
--
hhimihilhuiv (AKA xavozin)

image is the only validation and most of their life isn't real.
modified from Sam Sparro - Black and Gold.
 
... when the E-30 came out it out did the E-3 in certain areas but wasn't weather & dust proof. People complained it didn't have the sealing. It would be perfect if it had the sealing they said.

Now we got an E-5 that is sealed plus it has a better processor, video, Art Filters and Scene Modes (a lot of people jumped ship because the E-3 didn't have those - OK that was a joke :) ) and some other tidbits.

Everyone should be happy.

--
'When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at
his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it.
Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two,
and I know it was not that blow that did it,
but all that had gone before.'
-- Jacob Riis (1849 - 1914)

Stay Well,
Pete K.
 
You would be right if this came out a year and a half earlier at maybe a better price
--
Raist3d (Photographer & Tools/Systems/Gui Games Developer)
Andreas Feininger (1906-1999) 'Photographers — idiots, of which there are
so many — say, “Oh, if only I had a Nikon or a Leica, I could make great
photographs.” That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. It’s
nothing but a matter of seeing, and thinking, and interest. That’s what
makes a good photograph.'
 
Yes it would be nice if it was cheaper but the high price tag of the m4/3rd models may have been a clue that it wouldn't be.

Look at it this way. Automobile manufacturers keep adding gadgets in their new models (internet access, GPS, MP3 players, etc.) and the price tag on the cars keeps rising.

The E-5 is the same price as the E-3 was on release in 2007 with several added bell and whistles plus alleged improvements to the existing ones.

--
'When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at
his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it.
Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two,
and I know it was not that blow that did it,
but all that had gone before.'
-- Jacob Riis (1849 - 1914)

Stay Well,
Pete K.
 
If putting a year old sensor, a decent 2 year old lcd back screen, art filters and mediocre video into their old body is the best effort Oly is willing to make for it's 'flagship' camera, then they really don't care.

That's the problem.

It's entrance has been 'underwelming' at best, it will probably sell poorly - since it doesn't even come in a kit form - and barring a change in Oly managment, will probably be the last 'flagship' 4/3 camera they make.

The worse option is that the 4/3 team realy do care but given a complete lack of resources, this is all they could come up with. If that's the, it would mean Oly has abandoned the DSLR market pretty much already.
 
Pete_CSCS said:
The E-5 is the same price as the E-3 was on release in 2007 with several added bell and whistles plus alleged improvements to the existing ones.
Click to expand...
Unlike cars, with electronics we always get better features at lower prices. You have to rationalize to justify paying the same price. Nobody expects to pay more, especially in light of the competition.
 
Jeff said:
But looking a little more carefully at the DPR's preview page, I'm wondering if this isn't what Olympus has needed to do for a long time. They have had a nice system, with great lenses, rock solid bodies, and great color. This time they've addressed concerns like AF, overly soft images, the missing sD slot, bigger LCD, etc. It's a rather long list.

Isn't this exactly what the faithful have been asking for?
Click to expand...
Almost. To not be considered a let down, the E-5 should have been competitive with its peers in a few other parameters. With 7 fps and the rumored 16 MP sensor of the GH2 (or even the existing sensor of the GH1) many of the naysayers in this forum would have lined up to buy one. With a 25 or more AF points and 1080P movie mode, many outside this forum would have. As it is, the E-5 is a very nice camera with no significant drawbacks, but it's not perceived as competitive in this number-driven market.

Personally, the only real issues I see with it are the price and the lack of AF assist lamp.

Prog.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oren_b
 
gleung said:
i think the problem is those faithful asked for this 'upgrade' a year ago. and then throughout the year-long wait, there are many rumors on never-seen-before features or some amazing sensor will be featured on the new E5.. many are excited and thinking the extra year of waiting must worth it.. and when they finally release it, it's just an upgrade to E3.. which is a big disappointment.
Click to expand...
Just an upgrade...!? Just? Please keep in mind that the E-3 is still a stunning good camera and will still be!! The E-5 is better in all aspects and what I like the most is the 12Mp, 3' screen with its 920k res and weaker AA filter...AND the new processor that promise even higher IQ... Olympus has never spitted out cameras and new models as Canikon which I am glad for. It must be terrible to purchase a new Canon model to see it die within a year or two... ;-)

Be glad, enjoy and ensure to purchase more 4/3! That is what makes Olympus continue to develop the system. If no one purchase, it will for sure die, that goes for all manufacturers! They are in it for the business! :-)
gleung said:
gleung said:
Isn't this exactly what the faithful have been asking for? I remember a lot of folks saying they wanted precisely this sort of update. I'm wondering if Olympus has given them exactly what they wanted.

Jeff

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jck_photos/sets/
http://jeffkantor.zenfolio.com/
Click to expand...
--
Glen
Click to expand...
 
at this price. So I'm supposed to plunk down 1700.00 for a camera that's almost as good as a three year old D-300. I'd be crazy if I did. Nope, not this time.
--
BJM
 
Prognathous said:
Jeff said:
But looking a little more carefully at the DPR's preview page, I'm wondering if this isn't what Olympus has needed to do for a long time. They have had a nice system, with great lenses, rock solid bodies, and great color. This time they've addressed concerns like AF, overly soft images, the missing sD slot, bigger LCD, etc. It's a rather long list.

Isn't this exactly what the faithful have been asking for?
Click to expand...
Almost. To not be considered a let down, the E-5 should have been competitive with its peers in a few other parameters. With 7 fps and the rumored 16 MP sensor of the GH2 (or even the existing sensor of the GH1) many of the naysayers in this forum would have lined up to buy one. With a 25 or more AF points and 1080P movie mode, many outside this forum would have. As it is, the E-5 is a very nice camera with no significant drawbacks, but it's not perceived as competitive in this number-driven market.

Personally, the only real issues I see with it are the price and the lack of AF assist lamp.
Click to expand...
  • The E-5 does have an af-assist lamp (from the DPR Preview).
  • It will be interesting to see how AF, DR, and higher iso performance of the GH2 will compare to the E-5.
Seems to me the E-5 may actually be a more substantial improvement over the E-3 than the numbers alone would suggest. Let's wait and see.
Prognathous said:
Prog.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oren_b
Click to expand...
--
Jeff

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jck_photos/sets/
http://jeffkantor.zenfolio.com/
 
It'll be just like any other Oly jump in model... slight improvements... pixel peeping to determine the extent, thousands of topics titled "what's the difference between Model A and Model B," and then everything will turn towards speculation about the next lower-grade model, if there ever is one, which will probably churn out better quality and more features. Then the cycle repeats.

--
Upstate NY Waterfalls and Photography
My Galleries: http://www.nyfalls.com
My Niagara Falls Gallery: http://www.nyfalls.com/niagara/niagara-main.html
 
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