Fastest Autofocus camera and big zoom range zoom lens?

Dear All:

As i'm about to get my first mirrorless camera as my third camera (D700 and Canon S95 now, soon to be replaced by the new S100), which will serve as the camera i'd bring with me if i want faster response (faster focusing) and superior quality than my Canon S95/S100.

I'm torn between the Samsung NX200 (coming out soon) and the Sony NEX5N or NEX7. HOWEVER, i've been repeated told that there are some Olympus models that have amazingly fast autofocusing. Is that correct and which model(s) have THE fastest autofocus ?

I'm not interested in primes, but interested in longer ranged zooms. Mostly, i'm interested in zoom with the range (35mm equivalent) around 24 or 28mm to 135mm (or more. So a 5x roughly or a tad more.

My interests are street photography (nyc) and pet photography (my dog, he's a whippet).

Thanks in advance.

vincentnyc said:

Dear All:

As i'm about to get my first mirrorless camera as my third camera (D700 and Canon S95 now, soon to be replaced by the new S100), which will serve as the camera i'd bring with me if i want faster response (faster focusing) and superior quality than my Canon S95/S100.

I'm torn between the Samsung NX200 (coming out soon) and the Sony NEX5N or NEX7. HOWEVER, i've been repeated told that there are some Olympus models that have amazingly fast autofocusing. Is that correct and which model(s) have THE fastest autofocus ?

Click to expand...

The current Olympus (E-P3/E-PL3/E-PM1) are fast focusing. However the current Panasonic models GH2/G3/GF3) are just as fast. The primary factor at this point is the lens.

vincentnyc said:

I'm not interested in primes, but interested in longer ranged zooms. Mostly, i'm interested in zoom with the range (35mm equivalent) around 24 or 28mm to 135mm (or more. So a 5x roughly or a tad more.

Click to expand...

There are no 5x zooms for micro 4/3. This is something many of us have been complaining about since day 1. There are many 3x zooms. The Panasonic 14-45 and new Olympus 14-42II/R both focus quite quickly. There are also 2 10x zooms, of which the Panasonic 14-140 is pretty fast for focusing, and the Olympus 14-150 is somewhat slower. Those are pretty much it for the range you're talking about.

--
MFBernstein

'Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.' - Ed Abbey

The G3/GH2 with Panny 14-140 will apparently focus @ 0.01 seconds, the 14-140 is a 10X zoom, but its quite heavy but a superb lens.

Mark.

vincentnyc said:

Dear All:

As i'm about to get my first mirrorless camera as my third camera (D700 and Canon S95 now, soon to be replaced by the new S100), which will serve as the camera i'd bring with me if i want faster response (faster focusing) and superior quality than my Canon S95/S100.

I'm torn between the Samsung NX200 (coming out soon) and the Sony NEX5N or NEX7. HOWEVER, i've been repeated told that there are some Olympus models that have amazingly fast autofocusing. Is that correct and which model(s) have THE fastest autofocus ?

I'm not interested in primes, but interested in longer ranged zooms. Mostly, i'm interested in zoom with the range (35mm equivalent) around 24 or 28mm to 135mm (or more. So a 5x roughly or a tad more.

My interests are street photography (nyc) and pet photography (my dog, he's a whippet).

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

--
Mark.

mfbernstein said:

vincentnyc said:

Dear All:

As i'm about to get my first mirrorless camera as my third camera (D700 and Canon S95 now, soon to be replaced by the new S100), which will serve as the camera i'd bring with me if i want faster response (faster focusing) and superior quality than my Canon S95/S100.

I'm torn between the Samsung NX200 (coming out soon) and the Sony NEX5N or NEX7. HOWEVER, i've been repeated told that there are some Olympus models that have amazingly fast autofocusing. Is that correct and which model(s) have THE fastest autofocus ?

Click to expand...

The current Olympus (E-P3/E-PL3/E-PM1) are fast focusing. However the current Panasonic models GH2/G3/GF3) are just as fast. The primary factor at this point is the lens.

mfbernstein said:

I'm not interested in primes, but interested in longer ranged zooms. Mostly, i'm interested in zoom with the range (35mm equivalent) around 24 or 28mm to 135mm (or more. So a 5x roughly or a tad more.

Click to expand...

There are no 5x zooms for micro 4/3. This is something many of us have been complaining about since day 1. There are many 3x zooms. The Panasonic 14-45 and new Olympus 14-42II/R both focus quite quickly. There are also 2 10x zooms, of which the Panasonic 14-140 is pretty fast for focusing, and the Olympus 14-150 is somewhat slower. Those are pretty much it for the range you're talking about.

--
MFBernstein

Click to expand...

Thx MFBernstein for your rapid reply.

Of the 2 10x zooms you mentioned, how much faster is the Panasonic 14-140 than the Olympus 14-150? I ask because if it is A LOT faster, than I'd have to go Panasonic whether or not its bodies GH2/G3/GF3 and sensors are better or worse than the Oly bodies.

On that train of thought, which is considered THE finest body now or upcoming soon? I'm in nyc but need to go away for 1 1/2 months in Hong Kong starting December, so i can buy the set up here prior to December or wait until my return here in January. I typically prefer to buy costlier cameras and the like here in the US due to the indisputable warranties offered here, rather than buy even legit, non-grey market items in Hong Kong, there seems to be always the issue of whether or not the US subsidiaries would honor the "international warranties" of Hong Kong-purchased items.

vincentnyc said:

mfbernstein said:

vincentnyc said:

Dear All:

As i'm about to get my first mirrorless camera as my third camera (D700 and Canon S95 now, soon to be replaced by the new S100), which will serve as the camera i'd bring with me if i want faster response (faster focusing) and superior quality than my Canon S95/S100.

I'm torn between the Samsung NX200 (coming out soon) and the Sony NEX5N or NEX7. HOWEVER, i've been repeated told that there are some Olympus models that have amazingly fast autofocusing. Is that correct and which model(s) have THE fastest autofocus ?

Click to expand...

The current Olympus (E-P3/E-PL3/E-PM1) are fast focusing. However the current Panasonic models GH2/G3/GF3) are just as fast. The primary factor at this point is the lens.

vincentnyc said:

I'm not interested in primes, but interested in longer ranged zooms. Mostly, i'm interested in zoom with the range (35mm equivalent) around 24 or 28mm to 135mm (or more. So a 5x roughly or a tad more.

Click to expand...

There are no 5x zooms for micro 4/3. This is something many of us have been complaining about since day 1. There are many 3x zooms. The Panasonic 14-45 and new Olympus 14-42II/R both focus quite quickly. There are also 2 10x zooms, of which the Panasonic 14-140 is pretty fast for focusing, and the Olympus 14-150 is somewhat slower. Those are pretty much it for the range you're talking about.

--
MFBernstein

Click to expand...

Thx MFBernstein for your rapid reply.

Of the 2 10x zooms you mentioned, how much faster is the Panasonic 14-140 than the Olympus 14-150? I ask because if it is A LOT faster, than I'd have to go Panasonic whether or not its bodies GH2/G3/GF3 and sensors are better or worse than the Oly bodies.

Click to expand...

The GH2 is probably the best of the lot, very much a mini DSLR with the best sensor. The 14-140mm focuses lightning fast on this camera, as fast as any DSLR/lens combination I have ever used and faster than most. 0.1 seconds is not an idle boast, it really is that quick. I have the EP-3 and GH2 and the GH2 is still the king of fast AF in m4/3's from what I have seen.

The 14-140mm lens is also incredibly sharp at certain focal lengths, it gets softer after 100mm (200mm equiv) but it's an excellent lens, probably the best 10x zoom ever made IMHO.

vincentnyc said:

On that train of thought, which is considered THE finest body now or upcoming soon? I'm in nyc but need to go away for 1 1/2 months in Hong Kong starting December, so i can buy the set up here prior to December or wait until my return here in January. I typically prefer to buy costlier cameras and the like here in the US due to the indisputable warranties offered here, rather than buy even legit, non-grey market items in Hong Kong, there seems to be always the issue of whether or not the US subsidiaries would honor the "international warranties" of Hong Kong-purchased items.

Click to expand...

--
It's a known fact that where there's tea there's hope.
Tony
http://the-random-photographer.blogspot.com/

GH2 and 14-140mm for quality and speed.

However, it is not a tiny camera, esp with that lens. It's still much smaller than a DSLR with the equivalent lens, but it isn't uber-small. (Note, I have it, and it is still very portable, but the lens is hefty..excellent lens in all ways, but not tiny).

If you are looking for an S95 pocketable replacement, the Oly EPM1 or GF3 would be a better choice...with the Panny 14-42mm X lens (which is not yet out for sale, however). That would give you the size you want although with a bit shorter tele range than you would like.

Is there somewhere you can go to try these in person? They are very different in hand than in photos (they all look large in photos and in person they are not...)

Good luck!

-J

jalywol said:

If you are looking for an S95 pocketable replacement, the Oly EPM1 or GF3 would be a better choice...with the Panny 14-42mm X lens (which is not yet out for sale, however). That would give you the size you want although with a bit shorter tele range than you would like.

Click to expand...

One thing to note about the E-PM1 is that it comes with the new 14-42 IIR (28-84 FOV equivalent). While not as small as Panasonic's new X lens, it's fast focusing and "free" with your purchase of the body.

Amy
--



Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
Google+: http://gplus.to/DangRabbit
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DangRabbit
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DangRabbitPhotography
PAD Project: http://www.DangRabbit.com/photography/pad
Gallery: http://www.DangRabbit.com/photography

vincentnyc said:

Of the 2 10x zooms you mentioned, how much faster is the Panasonic 14-140 than the Olympus 14-150? I ask because if it is A LOT faster, than I'd have to go Panasonic whether or not its bodies GH2/G3/GF3 and sensors are better or worse than the Oly bodies.

Click to expand...

The others so far have said the GH2 or G3 with the Pany 14-140. There's absolutely nothing wrong with either of those cameras or that lens. Except that the lens is a TANK! Its optimized for video and has OIS in the lens, so its a LOT heavier and fatter than the Olympus 14-150. And I disagree that its faster or better, having owned both and used both with both types of cameras. I'd say the Olympus EP3 with the 14-150 is just as fast and just as good optically as the GH2 with the 14-140 and its a LOT smaller and lighter, particularly if this setup is for travel. At least check them both out. I was pretty shocked by the difference in size and weight between the two lenses - far more pronounced than the numbers would have you believe. I'm in NO WAY dissing the Pany cameras or that lens, but I think the Olympus alternative is just as good, slightly less expensive, and a lot easier to lug around all day.

vincentnyc said:

On that train of thought, which is considered THE finest body now or upcoming soon? I'm in nyc but need to go away for 1 1/2 months in Hong Kong starting December, so i can buy the set up here prior to December or wait until my return here in January. I typically prefer to buy costlier cameras and the like here in the US due to the indisputable warranties offered here, rather than buy even legit, non-grey market items in Hong Kong, there seems to be always the issue of whether or not the US subsidiaries would honor the "international warranties" of Hong Kong-purchased items.

Click to expand...

The GH2 and the EP3 are the Pany and Oly flagship models. The G3 and EPL3 each offer the same basic performance but with slightly different features in smaller packages for less money. Those two Panasonic bodies have slightly better sensors for low light, but the difference isn't that great in real world use. The primary difference is the look and feel of the cameras. The Panasonics both have a DSLR like hump where permanent EVF's are housed. The Olympus options don't have built in EVFs and are notably smaller and smaller LOOKING cameras - but there is an excellent plug-in EVF that can be added when you need it. The Panys, particularly the GH2, handle like small DSLRs. The Olympuses are smaller and handle very differently. I personally prefer the EP3 for handling, but if you like the feel of a DSLR in a smaller package, and PARTICULARLY if you prefer a permanent EVF, the Panasonics are probably better choices.

There a zillion rumors about "pro" level bodies being right around the corner, but there have been such rumors for a long time. I'd look at what's out there now because you just never know what's gonna happen in the next 4-6 months other than SOMETHING will.

-Ray
-------------------------
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20889767@N05/collections/72157626204295198/

Oly 14-150mm is very fast (on new Oly models) after firmware upgrade.

mfbernstein said:

vincentnyc said:

Dear All:

As i'm about to get my first mirrorless camera as my third camera (D700 and Canon S95 now, soon to be replaced by the new S100), which will serve as the camera i'd bring with me if i want faster response (faster focusing) and superior quality than my Canon S95/S100.

I'm torn between the Samsung NX200 (coming out soon) and the Sony NEX5N or NEX7. HOWEVER, i've been repeated told that there are some Olympus models that have amazingly fast autofocusing. Is that correct and which model(s) have THE fastest autofocus ?

Click to expand...

The current Olympus (E-P3/E-PL3/E-PM1) are fast focusing. However the current Panasonic models GH2/G3/GF3) are just as fast. The primary factor at this point is the lens.

mfbernstein said:

I'm not interested in primes, but interested in longer ranged zooms. Mostly, i'm interested in zoom with the range (35mm equivalent) around 24 or 28mm to 135mm (or more. So a 5x roughly or a tad more.

Click to expand...

There are no 5x zooms for micro 4/3. This is something many of us have been complaining about since day 1. There are many 3x zooms. The Panasonic 14-45 and new Olympus 14-42II/R both focus quite quickly. There are also 2 10x zooms, of which the Panasonic 14-140 is pretty fast for focusing, and the Olympus 14-150 is somewhat slower. Those are pretty much it for the range you're talking about.

--
MFBernstein

'Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.' - Ed Abbey

Click to expand...

--
E-PL2, E-PM1; 14-150mm f4-5.6, 14mm f2.5, 20mm f1.7, 45mm f1.8

Neither of the subjects you mentioned require it.

Maximus Decimus Tedolphus

Ray Sachs said:

vincentnyc said:

Of the 2 10x zooms you mentioned, how much faster is the Panasonic 14-140 than the Olympus 14-150? I ask because if it is A LOT faster, than I'd have to go Panasonic whether or not its bodies GH2/G3/GF3 and sensors are better or worse than the Oly bodies.

Click to expand...

The others so far have said the GH2 or G3 with the Pany 14-140. There's absolutely nothing wrong with either of those cameras or that lens. Except that the lens is a TANK! Its optimized for video and has OIS in the lens, so its a LOT heavier and fatter than the Olympus 14-150. And I disagree that its faster or better, having owned both and used both with both types of cameras. I'd say the Olympus EP3 with the 14-150 is just as fast and just as good optically as the GH2 with the 14-140 and its a LOT smaller and lighter, particularly if this setup is for travel. At least check them both out. I was pretty shocked by the difference in size and weight between the two lenses - far more pronounced than the numbers would have you believe. I'm in NO WAY dissing the Pany cameras or that lens, but I think the Olympus alternative is just as good, slightly less expensive, and a lot easier to lug around all day.

Ray Sachs said:

On that train of thought, which is considered THE finest body now or upcoming soon? I'm in nyc but need to go away for 1 1/2 months in Hong Kong starting December, so i can buy the set up here prior to December or wait until my return here in January. I typically prefer to buy costlier cameras and the like here in the US due to the indisputable warranties offered here, rather than buy even legit, non-grey market items in Hong Kong, there seems to be always the issue of whether or not the US subsidiaries would honor the "international warranties" of Hong Kong-purchased items.

Click to expand...

The GH2 and the EP3 are the Pany and Oly flagship models. The G3 and EPL3 each offer the same basic performance but with slightly different features in smaller packages for less money. Those two Panasonic bodies have slightly better sensors for low light, but the difference isn't that great in real world use. The primary difference is the look and feel of the cameras. The Panasonics both have a DSLR like hump where permanent EVF's are housed. The Olympus options don't have built in EVFs and are notably smaller and smaller LOOKING cameras - but there is an excellent plug-in EVF that can be added when you need it. The Panys, particularly the GH2, handle like small DSLRs. The Olympuses are smaller and handle very differently. I personally prefer the EP3 for handling, but if you like the feel of a DSLR in a smaller package, and PARTICULARLY if you prefer a permanent EVF, the Panasonics are probably better choices.

There a zillion rumors about "pro" level bodies being right around the corner, but there have been such rumors for a long time. I'd look at what's out there now because you just never know what's gonna happen in the next 4-6 months other than SOMETHING will.

-Ray
-------------------------
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20889767@N05/collections/72157626204295198/

Click to expand...

Ray et al:

"Olympus EP3 with the 14-150 is just as fast and just as good optically as the GH2 with the 14-140 and its a LOT smaller and lighter, particularly if this setup is for travel"

how good is the Oly EP3 w/14-150's image stabilization? for me, image stabilization is absolutely key as it allows me to use a slower shutter speed and thus, effectively, it is as important as a faster lens!

Lightweight, smaller size, highly effective image stabilization, an approx 5x zoom range, and SUPER FAST autofocus are all key features for me. Of course, current state of the art low light performance is key as well, but then again, most current crop of new cameras are better than decent at low light now, witness the Sony NEX-5C, the Canon S95/S100, and hopefully, the Samsung NX200.

the Oly EP3's review said: "...it's impossible to ignore that the E-P3 lags behind the current round of 16-18 MP sensors in terms to the detail it can capture. High ISO noise is also much the same as before ... Given that this has been a weak point for Micro Four Thirds cameras for the last couple of years, it means the E-P3's high ISO output now looks distinctly weak against the latest APS-C cameras or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3/GH2..."

That quote re: low light noise levels isn't encouraging at all though, sadly. It's like buying an aging sensor with a current autofocus system!

One person wrote that i "don't need this type of camera for my genre of photography", i.e. street photography and pet photography. I really don't understand how he/she would know what I might require or desire in my preferred genre of photography.

Look forward to all the knowledgeable folks' input here. Thx in advance.

tedolf said:

Neither of the subjects you mentioned require it.

Click to expand...

It will certainly help for whippets, and it can be useful for street.
--
Jeff

My cat, who likes to sprawl on my keyboard, gets the credit for anything I write that makes sense.

There is no need to speculate about AF speeds as there have been reviews published which show the latest Panys with 14-140 lens to be 0.1-0.2 sec in good light and 0.5 sec in poor light. Compare that to Oly's latest offerings at 0.2 sec in good light and 1.5 sec in poor light and most DSLRs at about 1 sec in poor light. Apparently this slowdown and hunting in low light has something to do with the new infrared AF system adopted by Oly but very few posters on this forum seem to be commenting on this aspect?

I wouldn't be so fast to put all the Pany m4/3 sensors in the same basket as all the Olys use the old 12 mp sensor while the newer GH2 and G3 16mp sensors are producing both resolution and detail figures equal to the best APS-C at lower ISOs and several hundred lines higher than any product with the 12 mp sensor. It is only at the high ISO figures above 3200 that the Sony APS-C sensors really outshine the others but consider how often do you really need to use higher ISO than 3200 and then aren't you taking a hit on DR?

snip

vincentnyc said:

Ray et al:

"Olympus EP3 with the 14-150 is just as fast and just as good optically as the GH2 with the 14-140 and its a LOT smaller and lighter, particularly if this setup is for travel"

how good is the Oly EP3 w/14-150's image stabilization? for me, image stabilization is absolutely key as it allows me to use a slower shutter speed and thus, effectively, it is as important as a faster lens!

Lightweight, smaller size, highly effective image stabilization, an approx 5x zoom range, and SUPER FAST autofocus are all key features for me. Of course, current state of the art low light performance is key as well, but then again, most current crop of new cameras are better than decent at low light now, witness the Sony NEX-5C, the Canon S95/S100, and hopefully, the Samsung NX200.

the Oly EP3's review said: "...it's impossible to ignore that the E-P3 lags behind the current round of 16-18 MP sensors in terms to the detail it can capture. High ISO noise is also much the same as before ... Given that this has been a weak point for Micro Four Thirds cameras for the last couple of years, it means the E-P3's high ISO output now looks distinctly weak against the latest APS-C cameras or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3/GH2..."

That quote re: low light noise levels isn't encouraging at all though, sadly. It's like buying an aging sensor with a current autofocus system!

One person wrote that i "don't need this type of camera for my genre of photography", i.e. street photography and pet photography. I really don't understand how he/she would know what I might require or desire in my preferred genre of photography.

Look forward to all the knowledgeable folks' input here. Thx in advance.

Click to expand...

I do like the EP-3 and it has it's place as my lightweight camera for use with m4/3's prime lenses. The output at low ISO's is excellent. However, if I want a camera that's fast, responsive and reliable I will reach for my GH2. I find the focusing system on the GH2 to be rock solid dependable. The IBIS on the EP-3 is also a bit flaky in my experience and I find the Panny OIS to be pretty predictable. The better resolution of the GH2 is also noticeable, especially if you go up the ISO range, which is better than the EP-3 as well.

For me it's a no brainer, if you want a fast, responsive and reliable camera then the GH2 has it, if you want a lightweight attractive camera to use with primes then get the Pen.
--
It's a known fact that where there's tea there's hope.
Tony
http://the-random-photographer.blogspot.com/

Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic 100-300 OIS if big zoom range with fast AF is important. My E-PL3 also focuses fast, but is a pretty small to use the long Panasonic zoom (and the GH2 will correct out chromatic aberration when used with a Panasonic lens. I tend to use the Oly PENs with shorter lenses like the primes available.
--
Phil

vincentnyc said:

how good is the Oly EP3 w/14-150's image stabilization? for me, image stabilization is absolutely key as it allows me to use a slower shutter speed and thus, effectively, it is as important as a faster lens!

Click to expand...

I don't find much difference between the IBIS in the Oly and the OIS in the Pany lens at this 10X superzoom level. The Olympus combo does fine for stills. For video, another matter - a non issue for me but maybe not for you? When I get out to the really long 100-300, I'm using a Pany lens and I use the OIS even with the Olympus cameras. But I travelled pretty extensively with the EP2 (much slower AF than the newer generation) and the 14-150 and took plenty of shots at the long end with no problems.

vincentnyc said:

Lightweight, smaller size, highly effective image stabilization, an approx 5x zoom range, and SUPER FAST autofocus are all key features for me. Of course, current state of the art low light performance is key as well, but then again, most current crop of new cameras are better than decent at low light now, witness the Sony NEX-5C, the Canon S95/S100, and hopefully, the Samsung NX200.

the Oly EP3's review said: "...it's impossible to ignore that the E-P3 lags behind the current round of 16-18 MP sensors in terms to the detail it can capture. High ISO noise is also much the same as before ... Given that this has been a weak point for Micro Four Thirds cameras for the last couple of years, it means the E-P3's high ISO output now looks distinctly weak against the latest APS-C cameras or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3/GH2..."

That quote re: low light noise levels isn't encouraging at all though, sadly. It's like buying an aging sensor with a current autofocus system!

Click to expand...

True, but having shot extensively with both, I just think the differences are exaggerated. The GH2 is slightly better in low light - to me its more a matter of noise than detail, but I don't look at most photographs at 100% crops looking for flaws. But the difference is not big. There's a much bigger difference between an APS sensor camera like a Nex (which I did own) or an X100 (which I do own) and a GH2 than there is between a GH2 and an EP3. I have to pixel peep to see the differences between the existing m43 sensors - the differences when you jump up to APS are readily apparent just when working with the files in an everyday manner.

vincentnyc said:

One person wrote that i "don't need this type of camera for my genre of photography", i.e. street photography and pet photography. I really don't understand how he/she would know what I might require or desire in my preferred genre of photography.

Click to expand...

I have no idea what you need, but you've already told us what you already HAVE. You already have a D700. None of the m43s are gonna come close to that for performance. You also have an S95 - ANY of the m43s will blow that out of the water (I used to have an S90 - nearly identical). The difference between a GH2 with a 14-140 and an EP3 with a 14-150 are totally insignificant compared to those larger jumps. If you already have a large system for the ultimate in IQ, I'd think you'd want to stress smaller and lighter with your m43 system. If so, the EP3 with the 14-150 is at least worth a serious look. If not, go for the GH2 and 14-140 - its kind of like a smaller version of the D700. The performance and IQ differences between them are relatively meaningless. I mean, anyone who's that concerned with the last tenth of a percent in image quality isn't shooting m43 in the first place. The m43 system is inherently full of compromises - for me its the sweet spot. For some, the IQ just isn't acceptable. For others, the IQ is overkill and its too big and an S95 is all they'd ever want. Since you already have a D700 and an S95, the EP3 / 14-150 seems to be more of a middle ground in terms of size, weight, and versatility - any of the m43 gear will be a middle ground in terms of IQ. You obviously need to check them out for yourself - I just wouldn't make a decision solely based on test sheet numbers or what ANY of us here are telling you without handling them and having a look for yourself.

-Ray
-------------------------
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20889767@N05/collections/72157626204295198/

safaridon said:

There is no need to speculate about AF speeds as there have been reviews published which show the latest Panys with 14-140 lens to be 0.1-0.2 sec in good light and 0.5 sec in poor light. Compare that to Oly's latest offerings at 0.2 sec in good light and 1.5 sec in poor light and most DSLRs at about 1 sec in poor light. Apparently this slowdown and hunting in low light has something to do with the new infrared AF system adopted by Oly but very few posters on this forum seem to be commenting on this aspect?

Click to expand...

There is no infrared AF system in any Olympus camera. The IR AF idea came from a patent. But it the patent has not been used in any product (and in all likelihood will not be in the future either).

The new AF system is simply the result of a faster readout and processor on the sensor, similar to the improvements Panasonic made between the GH1 and GH2.

--
MFBernstein

'Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.' - Ed Abbey

I'm surprised to be saying this, but you may want to wait for the Nikon system. Its hybrid CDAF/PDAF autofocus system should be better than anything µ4/3 has presently, and its smaller sensor should lend itself even better to compact superzooms.

Jeremy_T said:

I'm surprised to be saying this, but you may want to wait for the Nikon system. Its hybrid CDAF/PDAF autofocus system should be better than anything µ4/3 has presently, and its smaller sensor should lend itself even better to compact superzooms.

Click to expand...

The Nikon appears to be very fast, but if I'm not mistaken, the superzoom they introduced with it has the same focal range as the Oly 14-150 and the Nex 18-200 but is about the size of the Nex and heavier to boot. Surprising, but that's what the specs indicated. Might be worth a double check, but that's what I recall someone pointing out when that camera was announced.

-Ray
-------------------------
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20889767@N05/collections/72157626204295198/

Ray Sachs said:

I don't find much difference between the IBIS in the Oly and the OIS in the Pany lens at this 10X superzoom level. The Olympus combo does fine for stills. For video, another matter - a non issue for me but maybe not for you? When I get out to the really long 100-300, I'm using a Pany lens and I use the OIS even with the Olympus cameras. But I travelled pretty extensively with the EP2 (much slower AF than the newer generation) and the 14-150 and took plenty of shots at the long end with no problems.

Click to expand...

I have a bit more of problem with the IBIS and the 40-150 than I do with the OIS and the 14-140, in terms of blur. I think at the shorter end they both do ok, but in general I do think the OIS in the Panasonic lenses works better....HOWEVER, with the Panasonic bodies, this also means that I do not have a chance to stabilze my legacy lenses. In other words, six of one, half dozen of another....

Ray Sachs said:

Ray Sachs said:

the Oly EP3's review said: "...it's impossible to ignore that the E-P3 lags behind the current round of 16-18 MP sensors in terms to the detail it can capture. High ISO noise is also much the same as before ... Given that this has been a weak point for Micro Four Thirds cameras for the last couple of years, it means the E-P3's high ISO output now looks distinctly weak against the latest APS-C cameras or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3/GH2..."

That quote re: low light noise levels isn't encouraging at all though, sadly. It's like buying an aging sensor with a current autofocus system!

Click to expand...

True, but having shot extensively with both, I just think the differences are exaggerated. The GH2 is slightly better in low light - to me its more a matter of noise than detail, but I don't look at most photographs at 100% crops looking for flaws. But the difference is not big. There's a much bigger difference between an APS sensor camera like a Nex (which I did own) or an X100 (which I do own) and a GH2 than there is between a GH2 and an EP3. I have to pixel peep to see the differences between the existing m43 sensors - the differences when you jump up to APS are readily apparent just when working with the files in an everyday manner.

Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree. I have had the EPL1, G2 and GH2 now. While I prefer the color balances of the EPL1 and G2, the differences in shadow detail, higher ISO performance, and the appearance of the "grain" of the sensor noise, are all visibly superior in the GH2, and not just at pixel peeping levels. There just seems to be more color information in the GH2 images, and subtle gradations of color and shadow do not get lost in the same way they do on the older sensor.

I also find that I regularly go to ISO 800 and even 1600 on the GH2 and get results with excellent shadow detail and acceptable noise; when I tried this on the EPL1, I had to do a lot of PP tweaking to extract the maximum image information while keeping the noise level in an area I could accept.

I guess what I am saying is that I found it a lot more work to wrestle the image I wanted out of the 12mp sensor than that in the GH2. The differences, to me, are not subtle at all.

Ray Sachs said:

Ray Sachs said:

One person wrote that i "don't need this type of camera for my genre of photography", i.e. street photography and pet photography. I really don't understand how he/she would know what I might require or desire in my preferred genre of photography.

Click to expand...

I have no idea what you need, but you've already told us what you already HAVE. You already have a D700. None of the m43s are gonna come close to that for performance. You also have an S95 - ANY of the m43s will blow that out of the water (I used to have an S90 - nearly identical). The difference between a GH2 with a 14-140 and an EP3 with a 14-150 are totally insignificant compared to those larger jumps. If you already have a large system for the ultimate in IQ, I'd think you'd want to stress smaller and lighter with your m43 system. If so, the EP3 with the 14-150 is at least worth a serious look. If not, go for the GH2 and 14-140 - its kind of like a smaller version of the D700. The performance and IQ differences between them are relatively meaningless. I mean, anyone who's that concerned with the last tenth of a percent in image quality isn't shooting m43 in the first place. The m43 system is inherently full of compromises - for me its the sweet spot. For some, the IQ just isn't acceptable. For others, the IQ is overkill and its too big and an S95 is all they'd ever want. Since you already have a D700 and an S95, the EP3 / 14-150 seems to be more of a middle ground in terms of size, weight, and versatility - any of the m43 gear will be a middle ground in terms of IQ. You obviously need to check them out for yourself - I just wouldn't make a decision solely based on test sheet numbers or what ANY of us here are telling you without handling them and having a look for yourself.

-Ray
-------------------------
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20889767@N05/collections/72157626204295198/

Click to expand...