Manual focus only NEX-F3/5N vs E-PM2

Tapper123 wrote:

Eid wrote:

I need a cheap camera for the moment, and mostly I am going to use my old Minolta MD lenses.

I am thinking about an NEX-F3 (Nex-5N if I find a good deal) or a Oly E-PM2. It seems the sensors are about the same, though I am on the bokeh side of people, so I am swinging towards the NEX. Also the E-PM2 does not have focus peaking, so I am worried if the zoom-focus is going to be any good, as I have not used it, and I only played around with an 5R for half an hour, and found the focus peaking in the bright sunlight to be somewhat tricky.

I understand the need of an EVF, and I the scenario that I would save up I would just opt out on a OMD-EM5/NEX-6 or a Fuji X-E1, but in this case please let's talk about the two(three) cameras without mentioning the EVF, as I would just get an LCD Hood VF as my cheap option.

Any ideas? Thanks a bunch.

I have a NEX F3, and had an OMD EM5 for a little while.

I will say the NEX F3 has noticeably better IQ IMO. Cleaner, more detailed images. At least in JPEG comparing kit lenses (18-55 vs. 12-50). The OMD's relatively poor IQ is why I ultimately returned it, altho as a piece of camera technology it was remarkable. Now, it may that I had a crappy copy of the lens, or a crappy copy of the camera... but my NEX smoked it for IQ. Which is a shame, because I wanted to love the OMD. In fact, I may still give M43 another try next year, because as a system it is amazing. The F3 can deliver really superb IQ, but you'll have to deal with the horrifically bad NEX interface (which thankfully Sony has reportedly thrown out, at last), and a minimum of controls. But it really does have a lot to offer otherwise. The OMD completely kills the NEX in those regards, altho its controls are small and fiddly (at least it has a good set of controls), and its menu system, while better than NEX, is not the best either.

Having said all that, if you do get the F3, spring for the EVF as well. I think it would be a big help for focus. Peaking gets you in the general focus area, but you really do still need to eyeball it from there. The F3 can be set to zoom way in when adjusting the focus ring, which helps once you've focused on the peaking area. I don't have the EVF, but I imagine it would make the process even better.

The EM5 definitely misses peaking in comparison. That is of many nice upgrades offered by the EM1.

Thank you for the great replies guys, posted this topic on both M43 and both Sony NEX forums and its great to have different people who use both systems reply back on the both forums, so helpful.

I am amazed to hear that the F3 killed the IQ of OMD for you, I was shocked, as in the tests it does not look so different.

Thank you for the link, will check it out, interesting to see how Focus Peaking works.

And for the EVF, yes, I will probably end up getting it (will probably get a F3 anyways, as 5Ns are very hard to come by) - but I am worried about the F3 ISO 200, As I am worried if Sony limited the sensor's DR by software on the F3. But it shouldn't be a very huge difference?

seachicken2000, which loupe did you use? was it really that horrible? By that I mean, will I last with it for at least a few months, or I will shoot myself? I know that it is bulky, and I am unable to find something like a Carry Speed LCD VF4 Viewfinder (and the price is too high for that) for a 16:9. Apart from the simple ones which do not fold up ( http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LCD-ViewFinder-x2-8-Extender-Magnifier-Loupe-View-Finder-V4-for-SONY-NEX-3-NEX-5-/00/s/NTg1WDU4NQ==/z/D3AAAMXQzopRzdof/$(KGrHqZ,!nYFG2,3hju)BRzdofou2w~~60_35.JPG )