Help: Another EM5 or EM1 Quandry

Nivivin wrote:

I'm a beginner looking to move up from EPL-3. I already have a Panasonic 14mm f2.5 (which allows me to put the camera in my pocket when I am walking around), and two Oly kit lens 14-42mm II R and 40-150mm II R. I want a camera primarily to photograph my family, some of whom are ageing, and friends, and to take on my frequent family holidays. I hope to blow up portrait photos taken with my new camera and print them on canvas, which I have done with photos taken on my daughter's Canon. I've never shot in RAW, or used Lightroom or Photoshop, but I intend to now do so. Having said that I know that most of my photos will start and end as JPEGs.

I was looking at the EM1 with 12-40mm Pro lens which retails for the equivalent of USD1680/- in Malaysia. However the store suggested that I should also consider the EM5, which is sold in a bundle with 12-40mm Pro lens, 25mm f1.8, 16GB Eyefi card, and HLD6 grip for the equivalent of USD1550/-. I've handled both, and while I like the comfort and grip of the EM1, I also like the portability of the EM5 especially when used with the Panasonic 14mm and Oly 25mm. I'm also balancing my concern that the EM1 is too much camera for a beginner like me, against the fact that the EM5 has been discontinued and will therefore not get any support in terms of new firmware etc.

Could some kindly, and undoubtedly far more experienced, dpreview readers please share their thoughts with me about whether I am better off getting the EM5 or the EM1. Thanks

From what I have seen with Olympus, they will continue to offer firmware updates as needed, even when a camera body is no longer in original production.  For example, should they discover an issue with a particular new lens.

The OM-D E-M1 is definitely their top of the line camera at the moment, but the E-M5 is still an excellent camera, particularly with the current discounts.  The replacement for the E-M5 may well be quite desirable, but it is a few months away from availability, and it is likely to be rather more expensive than the current version.  You may also wish to consider the E-M10, as it has received quite a few favorable comments from users.