Reading mode: Light Dark

Would you Recommend a Olympus Camera to Friends or Family.

Would you Recommend a Olympus Camera to Friends or Family.

  • Total voters
    0
Go to last post
wet in washington said:
wet in washington wrote:
Only time will tell.
Click to expand...
Indeed. I concur with that! :)
Sometimes we come across paradigm shifts.
Like from film to digital.
And now possibly from SLRs to mirrorless?
And one day maybe a revolutionary sensor tech will break through, making all your cameras obsolete in single stroke... Protecting investments in gear is not easy, as technology rushes forward. Goes for just about anything. Not all can be made backwards-compatible. Facts of life, and in this case, I choose to follow the flow. Thankfully the E-M1 seems very capable to handle my SHGs, and its ergonomics seems to follow suit. And the EVF, which will be the biggest change in my view (pun intended ;), I think I can learn to live with. Actually even enjoy... :)
 
CollBaxter said:
CollBaxter wrote:

Silly ? Fud ? probably depends on what side of the fence you are sitting and if you intend to drink the new Kool-Aid or are drinking it. It also depends in which forum you are in remembering the this is still the SLR forum where we have had to deal with the discontinuation of a mount and a system.
Click to expand...
Yes, I know, I would not recommend a 4/3 DSLR any longer either, as that is end of line now. But that still does not disqualify Oly in any way, as they seem to have mended the OBS together now. Hence the path is now there, provided it goes to a place where you wanna be...

I don't think the conversion to mirrorless is all that bad, Colin. The E-M1 seems very capable, and its eronomics is also way better than any other m4/3 body to date. Its contruction is allegedly very solid indeed, and iis specifically designed for holding the bigger 3kg+ lenses. The EVF is the biggest change, but I'm confident I will even learn to enjoy its advantages rather quickly. The biggest downside I see as of now is battery life. Spending hours looking through the EVF iduring wildlife photography, or at least constantly keeping the cam ready whilst waiting for the decisive moment, is not the best scenario for a small BLN-1. Same goes for the juice needed for focusing the bigger PDAF-based lenses, as it seems only one battery at a time is used even w/ the HLD-7 attached. So far the AF tests seems good though, for both speed and accuracy. But that's from a fully charged batteriy I presume. Could change for the worse w/ say a 40% level battery...
CollBaxter said:
Remember this is coming from one of the original Olympus fan boys.
Click to expand...
Same here! :)
You know that. Always have been, for 40 years snow. And always will be (I believe).
CollBaxter said:
For those who are moving on to the E-M1 this poll is probably silly because it questions their intentions and though processes and asks for them to be brought out into the open. Then there are those that have not got caught up in the razzamatazz , GAS and spin doctoring and do feel a bit ( or very) peeved and question their future and their relationship long term to Olympus and the brand.
Click to expand...
Well, I would not call it "razzamatazz , GAS and spin doctoring", as this is a long awaited replacement of the E-series DSLRs (even the flagship E-5), primarily for a better sensor performance. Besides that, the E-5 still holds its ground for me. So finally having the OBS in your hands, is neither GAS nor hype. It is the real thing, and it is the next step.
CollBaxter said:
For those heavily invested in glass the choice is obvious.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is.
CollBaxter said:
Then there are the owners of the 3 digit cameras that have a few lenses. These people don't want to spend money on a new system but also don't want to spend $1600 plus on a flagship model. They are also informed about the usage of the 4/3 lenses on other m4/3 bodies. Silent does not mean uninformed. The advice I gave was either move to m4/3 or buy a E-30 and wait for a cheaper version of m4/3 that handles 4/3 lenses.
Click to expand...
I guess most people in that situation, having such small investments, are not in an urgent need to begin with. Therir investments normally also reflects ther needs and usage. Hence I believe they will find their bases covered within the current m4/3 lineup. Going there will not be a waste anyhow, as they gain many favorable traits compared to the bigger and bulkier 4/3 system they already (barely) have. And then there's the upcoming E-M6, which supposedly will also take their 4/3 lenses full force when it arrives...
CollBaxter said:
Then the situation where the person needs are specific live OVF , CAF etc . Here with all honesty I can't suggest any thing other than look at a new system , or wait and see what transpires. These are the forgotten people the ones that have really got nailed with Olympus's decision .So what most would " say dump you few minor items and move on."
Click to expand...
I agree to that.
If they explicitly wants an OVF, state of the art CAF (D4/1Dx territory) and high ISO (>3200), m4/3 is not the best choice. ISO 3200 is mostly enough for anything. And CAF in the E-M1 is reportedly very good too, on par w/ any enthusiast DSLR out there. For DOF you have all the 0.95 or 1.2 lenses to choose from, which in combination w/ creative use of the two Diorama art-filters (horisontal and verical), will cover almost any need for thin DOF. So, from all the above, it's mostly down to OVF or not. Given the rapid evolution of EVFs, and all they bring to the table, that is almost a moot point alredy too...
CollBaxter said:
For myself I liked what i have and wanted more and now have to wait and see. Some are dumping all most of there 4/3 kit and going m4/3.
Click to expand...
I hope you do too!
Keep your 4/3 lenses, and stay aboard.
Myself, I'm looking forward to the E-M1, and I will report my experiences here.
There will be cons and pros, as w/ any camera. But for the most I hope, and faithfully believe, that the pros will prevail - again :)
 
I didn't vote but answer in writing.

Yes I would and no I would not.

Yes

I would tell them that I am happy with what I have and explain why. I would also explain the issues I have discovered and how to deal with those. I would explain how I use my camera and what my preferences are. I would explain all the known disadvantages as well. Support, service, price, difficulties to buy, insecure future and stuff like that. I would make my best in suppressing all prejudice or towards or against any brand or model but would try to explain factually, based on my own experience, and if experience is missing I would make no secret about my source of reference.

No

I would not recommend anyone any camera. I would advise them to try all the alternatives and explain only my own experience with a certain brand or model. I would NEVER advice against a camera unless I have deep experience with the model and even so I'd be very careful.

It's not easy, especially not in a family. When my children wanted a camera I shot Oly and I advised against Oly mainly because I wanted them to get something else to be able to play with something other than Oly and also I am against superzooms. I guess they have seen that my motives against were weak, so they both ended up with an Oly, which they still use but one admitted that I was right about being against the superzoom and that he consider it was a mistake to buy it and should have bought the Canon I wanted to give him the first place. When I sold my E-500 in 2007 I sold it to a friend/work mate and he is still happy with it. So it is not easy, but in general I would try to be very factual and neutral in terms of advise about brand and model.

When it comes to your son, if he is seriously considering Oly or any other mirrorless, please convince him to try and test properly and don't save time on testing how it works. Try to convince him not to "fall in love" with any camera. Not easy I know, once they made up their mind they tend to become blind and not listening, but try.

Good luck.
 
olyflyer said:
olyflyer wrote:

I didn't vote but answer in writing.

Yes I would and no I would not.

Yes

I would tell them that I am happy with what I have and explain why. I would also explain the issues I have discovered and how to deal with those. I would explain how I use my camera and what my preferences are. I would explain all the known disadvantages as well. Support, service, price, difficulties to buy, insecure future and stuff like that. I would make my best in suppressing all prejudice or towards or against any brand or model but would try to explain factually, based on my own experience, and if experience is missing I would make no secret about my source of reference.

Click to expand...
Interesting poll!!.

I agree with olyflyer. I'm an amateur mainly doing nature photography. I have explained the merits and demerits of the Oly fourthirds system to my friend(area of interest same as mine) who was planning to shift from bridge to DSLR.( All our fellow members in the local club are CANIKONS as usual :-))

Last week we together went to a re-seller in our town( South India) .Re-seller was having an E 620 body+70-300 mm+35 mm macro+14-54 mark II + extra battery+ shoulder bag big enough to accomodate all the lenses( all the items were in excellent condition- optically). He quoted USD 475( equiv.INR) for the entire kit and offered USD 125. for my friend's heavily used sony HX50+tele convertor) =Final USD 350!.

I recommended my friend to readily accept it and this system telling that it will serve the purpose for at least three more years.

He is very happy with the decision at the moment and enjoying DSLR photography.

I'm sure that I have not done any wrong to him- such a configuration in CANIKON will be more than double the cost

Gopal
 
If they're serious about photographs, they don't need my input, though the Canon 5DIII owner I know well is beginning to show an inordinate amount of interest in an EM1. He may well get one before I do.

Got a friend with a casual interest in photography an EPL5 not too long ago. It's small enough that it's not a problem to carry around, so she actually uses it and doesn't lose interest. Darn nice little setup there - pivoting LCD, popup flash, very compact when using the collapsing µ43 lenses, which are pretty good as long as you're in decent light.

This gal is developing a nice compositional eye and appreciation for subtle detail. Soon, I'll take her out and let her try my PL25 and 50-200, so she can see what a serious lens can do. My evil plan is unfolding...

It's refreshing to see someone starting out, without all the preconceived notions that one can build up. Makes me wonder if all this gear angst serves any useful purpose.
 
As my own collection grew, so did my daughters as I passed down first an Uzi (which she still uses especially night shots) and the SP570UZ which is her "handbag camera". She is now saving for an Oly DSLR, and I recommended the E620 for her.

I recommended to my brother recently another E620 with kit and he was tempted but decided he wanted a New Camera so bought a Rebel for $50 more than an E620 listed with less than 4000 clicks. He's now regretting it.

Would I recommend Oly. Heck of course I would, I'm Oly till I die (even if it's using a dead system, if the glass and body last another ten years I'll be happy).

Of course by then I will have an E5, 12-60 and 50-200 cheap as folks offload for other systems or the EM-1 and successors.

Thane

p.s was I supposed to vote??
 
OlyChamp said:
OlyChamp wrote:

As my own collection grew, so did my daughters as I passed down first an Uzi (which she still uses especially night shots) and the SP570UZ which is her "handbag camera". She is now saving for an Oly DSLR, and I recommended the E620 for her.

I recommended to my brother recently another E620 with kit and he was tempted but decided he wanted a New Camera so bought a Rebel for $50 more than an E620 listed with less than 4000 clicks. He's now regretting it.

Would I recommend Oly. Heck of course I would, I'm Oly till I die (even if it's using a dead system, if the glass and body last another ten years I'll be happy).

Of course by then I will have an E5, 12-60 and 50-200 cheap as folks offload for other systems or the EM-1 and successors.

Thane

p.s was I supposed to vote??
Click to expand...
Yep if you want to. :)
 
Only have 2 Olympus camera so far E620 and xz1. When friends and family asked me what to buy, I will ask them about;

1. Budget

2. What they want to shoot

3. How big/small size they can tolerate.

4. ILC or fixed lens.

This leads to multiple kind of recommendations;

1. Sony NEX 5N for my boss

2. Nikon D5100 for my colleague

3. Canon G15 for my colleague

4. Nikon P310 for my brother

5. Canon 550D for another brother

6. Fujifilm S200 EXR for my department

Personally I never recommend E620 to anyone but I did recommend xz1 to few people including Canikon DSLR user asking about small portable camera. And definitely I will recommend EM5 and EM1 for those who can afford it:)
 
I'd recommend anyone to get a Nikon or Canon, purely on the basis that 'everyone' else has one!

For myself I use an Olympus and endeavour to make the results speak for themselves. Unfortunately because of my own limitations it doesn't always work out that way!

Jim
 
AccidntlTourist said:
AccidntlTourist wrote:
Click to expand...
You know I thought about it but EM-1 would only give me better IQ in higher ISO and better video. I really need neither. E-5 video is perfectly adequate and I never use it anyway. Going above 800 ISO happens seldom and frankly if it does and I don't blow the picture up 10 times regular size it looks fine to me. The disadvantages of using an adapter, focusing anomalies , EVF ,TC compatibility and the ergonomics would just make it seem like a crippled setup to me. Paying two grand for that just wouldn't make sense for me. If you are committed to adopting a whole new system and replacing all your equipment well then maybe. I just don't think I would buy into 4/3 again in that case however. I'm happy with what I have and disappointed I will not have an opportunity to upgrade my outfit. I just don't see m4/3 as an upgrade right now or even a lateral move.
 
I recently bought a Canon T3i because of the reason that oly went with the mirror-less system... can we say MAD!!! so i bought the canon with a tamron 18-270mm lens and I am very happy with it... however I still use my oly gear and will until it dies, but will not buy anymore!!!!!
 
Very few need or even want or need a DSLR. Photography of the average person is just going to suffer from carrying around some great big thing. And they will get tired of carrying around a great big thing.

Not every one, and actually very few, shoot the kind of subject as you or I or people on this forum do.

For the hiker, kayaking outdoors members of the family nothing out there beats the Tough Guy II. Shock proof, freeze roof, dust proof, crush proof, close focusing, F.2-4.9; fits in a pocket with a couple of conversion lenses.

for those who want an interchangeable lens camera, but not a giant neck breaker (like my E-5s), the OMDs are great cameras. Great IQ and very versatile. The sensor is large enough to be able to have good defocusing with good lenses, and small enough to keep things compact.

So, Absolutely.
 
. . . based on

- how I interpreted their needs,
- how I assessed their capabilities
- what they are prepared to spend

all things equal, then NO I won't recommend Olympus over Canon|Nikon|Panasonic.

Most recent recommendation to Brother in law's wife who was just starting out in photography was a Panasonic FZ200.

Peter
 
eaa said:
eaa wrote:
eaa said:
Glen Barrington wrote:

Too much chaos, too much drama. And frankly, I don't fully trust Olympus. They seem to be floundering, looking for some sort of vision for the future. I might consider an Oly, but I could not recommend one to others.
Click to expand...
Plain FUD!
Click to expand...
Consider the case of the hobbiest who bought an e520 with the two lens kit for around 700. Gradually he ends up with an 11-22, 14-54, and 50-200. Imagine the hobbiest's chagrin when he discovers there is no upgrade path for him anymore...We're not all money bags, ya know?
 
I said no. My primary reason is that Oly is good (but expensive) at the top end, and good, but lacking viewfinders at the lower end where my friends/family would be looking. And while not everyone wants/needs a viewfinder, most of my friends/family are 40+ years in age, many need reading glasses, and complaints about shooting a p&s without a viewfinder are pretty common.

I think Sony has the right idea with the A3000 - a $400 camera with a VF. Personally, I'd rather it were a $500 with a *decent* vf. I'd have to see it before I could recommend it.

I'd be more likely to recommend the Panny G6, an entry level DSLR, or the RX100.

With the exception of the Panny G series, all the mirrorless systems are lacking models with VFs that compete with entry level DSLRs.

The other reason I'd have a hard time recommending Olympus is I'd want anyone asking for a recommendation to try it before buying. And it's hard to find Olympus camera (or Panasonic) where I live. So it would be a conditional recommendation. But aside from the VF issue (which plagues all mirrorless) and availability, I'd have no reason not to recommend Oly if it seemed like a good option for someone.

- Dennis
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top