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

I suggest you go for the far more cost effektive E-M5 and 12-40/2.8 PRO lens with HLD-6 grip, 25/1.8 and memory card.

The reason I went with two E-M5s instead of an E-M5 and an E-M1 is for the size, cost and exact same controls.

Swapping between two bodies is effortless and image quality is equal so you are not losing anything by not going with the E-M1 except better AF and 1/8000 shutter speed as opposed to 1/4000.

IMO the E-M1 is over priced when compared to the E-M5. Granted I bought my first E-M5 at more than the E-M1 is selling for but back then there wasn't a choice.