Help: Another EM5 or EM1 Quandry

ask yourself:

1. do you want something a littlr more portable or a lot more comfy to use? the em5 is smaller and comboed with the 12-40, the em1 is miles ahead in terms of balance and comfort. that's only a choice you can make.

technically, the em1 focusses faster and more accurately. its af error rate is low single digits per 1000 shots, which is extraordinary. the em5 in contrast, while it has really good af, has an error rate of 10-15% per 1000 shots. * going by my event shoots, which admittedly likely pushes the af harder than most shooting situations.

the rm5 also has some small build quality issues like the dial caps dropping off. easy to superglue back unless it drops off and you lose it.

in terms of ergonomics and use, the em1 is clearly the superior camera.

IQ RAW is different but outright IQ is about the same.

IQ Jpeg, the EM1 just has the superior jpeg engine by far. WB is better and more accurate, exposure is better from my experience and the jpeg itself just looks better straight OOC.

both cameras are equally complex so dont base your decision on that.

it boils down to if you want a smaller camera (em5) or if you want better jpeg output, faster more accurate AF, better ergonomics/handling & overall better construction (em1).

i would recommend you going for em1 since you're going to specifically pair it with the 12-40. believe you me, you will NOT use the em5 without the extra grip attachment and even thrn, it's very cramped even for small/medium sized asian hand. once you do that, the size difference isnt big enough to say the em5 has that advantage.