Help Me Select: E-PM2 vs E-PL5 vs E-P3

sigala1 wrote:

NZ Scott wrote:

sigala1 wrote:

The E-P3 has an ancient sensor that's no better than a modern small sensor camera like a Panasonic LX7.

E-PM2 and E-PL5 are identical cameras except the latter has a tilting LCD, a mode dial (not really needed at all unless you switch modes all the time) is slightly bigger and heavier to account for the tilting LCD.

Like the other guy, I also disagree with this idea about the E-P3 being ancient.

The sensor issue only arises at high ISO. In normal light the E-P3 is fine.

On the other hand, the E-P3 has very good ergonomics - probably the best ergonomics of any Olympus m43 camera. I chose an E-P3 over an E-PL3 for precisely that reason.

Even in good light, the noisy shadows of the E-P3 will be obviously evident, especially if you want to lift the shadows any at all.

It's stupid buying an E-P3 when there's so much better you can buy for the same price.

I disagree and I have owned all 3.

The E-PM2 is very plasticky and the E-PL5 isn't much better. The E-P3 is solid and actually feels better than the E-M5 in that respect. With the slightly larger accessory grip it handles really well even with bigger lenses.

If you want to under expose and then recover the shadows then you will see it's shortfalls but for those that expose correctly the image quality is great, I actually like the look of the images from the old sensor. They have a nice contrast OOC where the 16mp Oly's look a little cooked.

Obviously, if you process your RAW files the 16mp sensor allows more freedom but if you want a camera to last a long time then the E-P3 is great. The much larger image on the screen is a big advantage too especially if your eyes aren't what they were!