Worth selling my Canon DSLR to move to Olympus OM-D EM-1?

So I was originally going to pick between a Sony NEX 6 and an Olympus OM-D EM-1 as a secondary camera to my Canon 70D. However, I've been on a trip this weekend with my Canon, and have been really wishing I had a smaller camera to carry around with me for my shots I want to take. So with that being said, if I were to sell my Canon 70D, would the Olympus EM1 be an excellent substitute? I tend to go for landscape shots and some portraits. However the lack of a real flash for the Olympus concerns me a little, as does the lenses I could use for wide-angle landscapes. Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I make the right decision here. Would you guys recommend I replace my Canon 70D with the EM-1 for my shooting needs, smaller
Size, and weather sealing?

Think real hard...but I carry my 7D and 100-400mm all day and have no problem.

First, think about what lens you want to buy with your EM-1, include EM-1 price. Second, think about what your willing to lose when you sell your Canon. Now.... add number 1, then subtract number 2 = will give you your answer.

only if you are having problems carrying and using your DSLR kit, otherwise - don't bother

I was, so I did (to the EM-5 and I have the EM-1 coming) and it transformed my enjoyment of photography, but I'm over 70, arthritic and couldn't cope with the problems I was experiencing with the weight of my pro canon kit

I can now shoot all day and not be crippled the next day

But - I have had to make compromises, particularly shooting my favourite Birds in Flight

I'm shifting from Nikon FX to EM-1.

There are compromises but I am confident enough in my own ability that I can work around them and the weight savings for me are enough to make it a worthwhile move.

When one camera body with no lens on it weighs 1,440 g and an EM-1 will save you 1000g on that, the difference it makes is seminal in your approach to your work (in my case) or your hobby.

I had a Sony Alpha DSLT kit and there are no real compromises. People just like to feel they get something for the extra weight they lug around, and some are fanatically brand loyal to their CaNikons, but there no longer any IQ compromises with m43 over APS-C DLSRS like the Canon 70D, and if reports are true, AF is fine even for birds or children in flight with the EM-1.

There are many real flashes for the whole m43 system. The pop up is just replaced by a clip on. I am a landscape photographer and the greater DoF with m43 and the excellent primes are a plus. The 12mm f2 is great as is the 7-14 f4 UWA. Of course the new 12-40 f2.8 weatherproof zoom (equivalent to a 16-60mm zoom for Canon 70D) looks nice too.

The one area where your Canon 70D would be better is for CAF tracking of fast-moving objects. Whether it is worth it to replace is up to you and your needs.

Smiller4128 said:

Smiller4128 wrote:

So I was originally going to pick between a Sony NEX 6 and an Olympus OM-D EM-1 as a secondary camera to my Canon 70D. However, I've been on a trip this weekend with my Canon, and have been really wishing I had a smaller camera to carry around with me for my shots I want to take. So with that being said, if I were to sell my Canon 70D, would the Olympus EM1 be an excellent substitute? I tend to go for landscape shots and some portraits. However the lack of a real flash for the Olympus concerns me a little, as does the lenses I could use for wide-angle landscapes. Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I make the right decision here. Would you guys recommend I replace my Canon 70D with the EM-1 for my shooting needs, smaller
Size, and weather sealing?

Click to expand...

I'm of the opinion there are lots of great cameras. Some are better tools for certain uses and we all have our idiosyncratic preferences. I have an E-M5 and really like. There are things I don't like, but overall I really like it. I can throw it and a couple of lenses into a day back when hiking. I can fit it and 2-3 lenses in a small waist pack. You have a great camera. My suggestion is to try an E-Pl5 as a small camera. Maybe get a 9-18 and maybe a prime and give it a try for a while. The E-M1 will have better IBIS and probably a little better IQ, but the E-PL5 will give you a small. high IQ option. I've seen refurbs for around $449 with the 12-42 (basically just a kit lens). The primes are really nice. If you like the IQ you can then think about jumping systems.

Can you rent a copy of the Olympus for a few days to see if you like it??

IMO, the only reason for switching is lower m43 size and weight. The SLR like GH3, EM-1, and EM-5 really don't save you much over the smallest Canons, esp, the new SL1. Like a previous poster, I have a PEN EPL-1, took it to Paris with 3 zooms and 3 primes, all in a 10-inch Olympus "mini-backpack" (which did not need to actually be on one's back, just shoulder-slung) and traipsed around with no discomfort for 9 days. 10 years previously I lugged Nikon DSLR, extra body, 2 zooms, one prime, and I'm lucky I'm here to tell about it

While the Canon SL-1 is definitely a small body, you are still dealing with full size Canon lenses for that camera. It is the 'system' size and weight that give m4/3's its advantage over DSLR's.

Have you actually held an E-M1 yet? It is a very small camera -- the SL-1 and E-M1 are very comparable in size and weight (the slight weight advantage of the SL-1 is due to being made of aluminum and polycarbonate, as opposed to the magnesium body of the E-M1).

The comparable size and weight ends when you start putting lenses on the bodies

God Bless,

Greg

www.imagsimphotos.com

www.mccroskery.zenfolio.com

www.pbase.com/daddyo

Landscapephoto99 said:

Landscapephoto99 wrote:

I had a Sony Alpha DSLT kit and there are no real compromises. People just like to feel they get something for the extra weight they lug around, and some are fanatically brand loyal to their CaNikons, but there no longer any IQ compromises with m43 over APS-C DLSRS like the Canon 70D, and if reports are true, AF is fine even for birds or children in flight with the EM-1.

Click to expand...

Wow...some children in deep trance hovering is one thing, but in flight is taking it to the next level I guess..

Landscapephoto99 said:

There are many real flashes for the whole m43 system. The pop up is just replaced by a clip on. I am a landscape photographer and the greater DoF with m43 and the excellent primes are a plus. The 12mm f2 is great as is the 7-14 f4 UWA. Of course the new 12-40 f2.8 weatherproof zoom (equivalent to a 16-60mm zoom for Canon 70D) looks nice too.

The one area where your Canon 70D would be better is for CAF tracking of fast-moving objects. Whether it is worth it to replace is up to you and your needs.

Landscapephoto99 said:

Smiller4128 wrote:

So I was originally going to pick between a Sony NEX 6 and an Olympus OM-D EM-1 as a secondary camera to my Canon 70D. However, I've been on a trip this weekend with my Canon, and have been really wishing I had a smaller camera to carry around with me for my shots I want to take. So with that being said, if I were to sell my Canon 70D, would the Olympus EM1 be an excellent substitute? I tend to go for landscape shots and some portraits. However the lack of a real flash for the Olympus concerns me a little, as does the lenses I could use for wide-angle landscapes. Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I make the right decision here. Would you guys recommend I replace my Canon 70D with the EM-1 for my shooting needs, smaller
Size, and weather sealing?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

And I haven't looked back. The four lenses I carry are the 12-35, 35-100, 7-14, and 8mm fisheye. All can be used on the E-M1. All are excellent, and the kit is nice and light. However, if you need to shoot action sports, this isn't the kit. Continous AF is nowhere near the capability of the 70D. Image quality is very, very close, and in some aspects, like DR, it's actually a little better.

Overall, the GH3 (can't comment on the E-M1) is an excellent camera. Nice videos, too, although I shoot very few videos.

Jorginho said:

Jorginho wrote:

Jorginho said:

Landscapephoto99 wrote:

I had a Sony Alpha DSLT kit and there are no real compromises. People just like to feel they get something for the extra weight they lug around, and some are fanatically brand loyal to their CaNikons, but there no longer any IQ compromises with m43 over APS-C DLSRS like the Canon 70D, and if reports are true, AF is fine even for birds or children in flight with the EM-1.

Click to expand...

Wow...some children in deep trance hovering is one thing, but in flight is taking it to the next level I guess..

Click to expand...

:-D

Smiller4128 said:

Smiller4128 wrote:

So I was originally going to pick between a Sony NEX 6 and an Olympus OM-D EM-1 as a secondary camera to my Canon 70D. However, I've been on a trip this weekend with my Canon, and have been really wishing I had a smaller camera to carry around with me for my shots I want to take. So with that being said, if I were to sell my Canon 70D, would the Olympus EM1 be an excellent substitute? I tend to go for landscape shots and some portraits. However the lack of a real flash for the Olympus concerns me a little, as does the lenses I could use for wide-angle landscapes. Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I make the right decision here. Would you guys recommend I replace my Canon 70D with the EM-1 for my shooting needs, smaller
Size, and weather sealing?

Click to expand...

...but an EM1 + 12-40 / 2.8 + 40-150 / 2.8 is a compelling system, to be sure.

Smiller4128 said:

Smiller4128 wrote:

So I was originally going to pick between a Sony NEX 6 and an Olympus OM-D EM-1 as a secondary camera to my Canon 70D. However, I've been on a trip this weekend with my Canon, and have been really wishing I had a smaller camera to carry around with me for my shots I want to take. So with that being said, if I were to sell my Canon 70D, would the Olympus EM1 be an excellent substitute? I tend to go for landscape shots and some portraits. However the lack of a real flash for the Olympus concerns me a little, as does the lenses I could use for wide-angle landscapes. Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I make the right decision here. Would you guys recommend I replace my Canon 70D with the EM-1 for my shooting needs, smaller
Size, and weather sealing?

Click to expand...

Not sure exactly what you mean by "lack of a real flash". I recently got an Olympus FL-600R that seems fairly real to me.

With regard to landscapes there are a couple of wide angle choices out there like the 9-18 and the 7-14. But they're not cheap of course. The 12-xx mm zooms and the 12mm prime can work to an extent depending on how wide you really need to go. The lens line up is a real strength of the system, but some of them are quite pricey.

If you're tried of lugging the full sized gear around then the system is certainly a good way to go. As noted about you can get smaller sized entry level DSLRs but the lenses are still big. And you give up a bit in terms of functionality with those smaller, cheaper cameras which may or may not be an issue for you.

I've switched to an E-M5 for my travels because I was tired of dragging my Nikon gear around.

The thing that I like about my EM-5s is that the quality of my images are great, and I did not miss giving up my Nikon D800 in order to get it. I have a Sling shot 300 aw bag and in it I carry all but three of the Olympus Micro 4/3 lenses that are available at this time along with two EM-5 bodies with HLD-6 grips and three FL-600 wireless flashes and my back is not killing me when I am done carrying it for the day. I get good lighting from the FL-600 flash, so that is not a problem. I am waiting on my local store to get in a EM-1 with grip as well as the 12-40 lens that I have on pre-order. As far as I am concerned and if I was in your shoes having to make that decision, I would jump for it. I have no regrets for the decision that I have made in purchasing my equipment.

Great Bustard said:

Great Bustard wrote:

Great Bustard said:

Jorginho wrote:

Great Bustard said:

Landscapephoto99 wrote:

I had a Sony Alpha DSLT kit and there are no real compromises. People just like to feel they get something for the extra weight they lug around, and some are fanatically brand loyal to their CaNikons, but there no longer any IQ compromises with m43 over APS-C DLSRS like the Canon 70D, and if reports are true, AF is fine even for birds or children in flight with the EM-1.

Click to expand...

Wow...some children in deep trance hovering is one thing, but in flight is taking it to the next level I guess..

Click to expand...

:-D

Click to expand...

Ha, he's obviously never seen my kids after a sugar-filled snack. Taking photos of them in play is almost as hard as capturing a hummingbird in flight.

GlennAA11 said:

GlennAA11 wrote:

GlennAA11 said:

Smiller4128 wrote:

So I was originally going to pick between a Sony NEX 6 and an Olympus OM-D EM-1 as a secondary camera to my Canon 70D. However, I've been on a trip this weekend with my Canon, and have been really wishing I had a smaller camera to carry around with me for my shots I want to take. So with that being said, if I were to sell my Canon 70D, would the Olympus EM1 be an excellent substitute? I tend to go for landscape shots and some portraits. However the lack of a real flash for the Olympus concerns me a little, as does the lenses I could use for wide-angle landscapes. Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I make the right decision here. Would you guys recommend I replace my Canon 70D with the EM-1 for my shooting needs, smaller
Size, and weather sealing?

Click to expand...

Not sure exactly what you mean by "lack of a real flash". I recently got an Olympus FL-600R that seems fairly real to me.

Click to expand...

I missed that one, but all the Metz flashes will work with any m4/3 body with a hot shoe. I use a Metz 52AF and it works great.

GlennAA11 said:

With regard to landscapes there are a couple of wide angle choices out there like the 9-18 and the 7-14. But they're not cheap of course. The 12-xx mm zooms and the 12mm prime can work to an extent depending on how wide you really need to go. The lens line up is a real strength of the system, but some of them are quite pricey.

If you're tried of lugging the full sized gear around then the system is certainly a good way to go. As noted about you can get smaller sized entry level DSLRs but the lenses are still big. And you give up a bit in terms of functionality with those smaller, cheaper cameras which may or may not be an issue for you.

I've switched to an E-M5 for my travels because I was tired of dragging my Nikon gear around.

Click to expand...

I've been a Canon owner since 2005 and three bodies since. From what I've read in Canon Forum, everyone that's leaves Canon, most come back.

The grass may appear greener with every passing technological breakthrough, but it still boils down to the shooter and his needs. If the change fits your needs, go for it!

Well, I just this weekend done exactly what your thinking,

I was shooting sports team photos and a few action shots for pay( not full time, weekend stuff)

and travel,family,fun,landscapes other times.

in both cases I found "customer" arround the sports soccer fields seemed to like the way you looked with a dslr,grip and big white lense, as with weddings,etc, the " look" seems important to look pro. But carrying the very heavy bag,camera,and lensemay look good,but its so cumbersome and heavy, I went skiing in nz four weeks ago, took lo pro bag full. Pain in ass on airport,plane,and certainly up slopes, when to be honest, it came out once,and I missed an arvo skiing,lugging it arround

so it all got sold, this weekend on eBay, all gone, now I got $3500 au, to get my next rig,

im now researching a lightweight system, still can take a team photo in raw.with full manual, and, with a decent lense, still take a action shot, but can also easily slip into a pocket,with a small prime on it.

My choices :

olympus E-M 1.........coming any day a true pro cam, but small,good previews

E-P5..... Tested and reviewed, but a bit " pretty boy" ( or a girls camera) trouble coming from that comment

Panasonic GX7... Great reviews, slower shutter, retro look, feels good in hand, but is it " pro" enough?

or a canon G16 ( easiest to carry,but might not give me a reasonable pro look if I decide to do some team shots .

anyway , the store i was in ,teds, all had the opinion the 4/3 mirror less was a growing trend, and predicted it would be the norm very soon ( unless you work pro full time)

Just my research and thoughts, I'm not decided which yet, I wait with interest on opinions

char.

Charcurt said:

Charcurt wrote:

Well, I just this weekend done exactly what your thinking,

im now researching a lightweight system, still can take a team photo in raw.with full manual, and, with a decent lense, still take a action shot, but can also easily slip into a pocket,with a small prime on it.

My choices :

olympus E-M 1.........coming any day a true pro cam, but small,good previews

E-P5..... Tested and reviewed, but a bit " pretty boy" ( or a girls camera) trouble coming from that comment

Panasonic GX7... Great reviews, slower shutter, retro look, feels good in hand, but is it " pro" enough?

Click to expand...

1/8000th is slower? "Pro look" might require a black body and a big, fat lens. ;-)

Charcurt said:

or a canon G16 ( easiest to carry,but might not give me a reasonable pro look if I decide to do some team shots .

Click to expand...

Scratch that. Not in the same league.

Charcurt said:

Just my research and thoughts, I'm not decided which yet, I wait with interest on opinions

Click to expand...

At this point it looks like either the EM1 or GX7, but don't forget the GH3.

If you're looking for pocketability none will give you that… with a lens mounted, at least.