E-M5 sometimes annoys, maybe get an E-M10?

dv312 wrote:

The answer today would be to get the EM5 II if money is not an issue. It really surpasses the EM5 in almost if not all categories and the EM10 as well, except perhaps size and value

The E-M5 II hardly surpasses the E-M10 in "almost all if not all categories."

The E-M5 II might have been such a camera, but in the words of DPR "without access to a higher pixel-count sensor" and apparently unable to improve tracking ability to DSLR levels (even though the A6000 has), Olympus instead arguably offered up a styling exercise with a few nice functional improvements compared to the E-M10:

• an improved EVF (from a 1 1/2 year old camera, the E-M1)
• a 40MP feature of limited usefulness given the need for tripod mounting and inability to deal with any motion in its subject (even fluttering leaves)
• improved 5-axis IBIS (I'll await reviews to see how significant)
• 1/8000 second shutter
• improved video (although DPR notes "The output looks a lot like the less expensive E-M10")

They also added an articulated LCD while many will favor the original more compact and faster to use flip LCD, and improved cold weather performance as part of its weathersealing, something most will never need.

Otherwise, it simply includes the same upgrades over the E-M5 that the E-M10 incorporated a year ago:

• same 16 MP sensor
• same TruePic VII image processor
• same 81 focus points (against 35 in E-M5)
• same 1,037k dot touch LCD screen (against 614k OLED in E-M5)
• same 0 second shutter shock cure (no firmware update in sight for the E-M5)
• same ability to program Mysets to the mode dial
• same focus peaking
• same fast start-up vs. slow E-M5
• same time lapse recording
• same WiFi connectivity and remote shooting
• same firm buttons (E-M5's were squishy due to weathersealing)
• I assume the same 'Adaptive Brightness' viewfinder technology, Live Composite mode and Colour creator

The E-M10 additionally provides:

• a more affordable accessory grip
• a smaller and lighter body (the inexpensive add-on grip gives you the best of both worlds)
• a built-in flash with wireless flash control

So while the E-M5 II is certainly a fine camera, as it should be for $1,100 body-only, much of it is simply catching up to refinements already seen in the much less expensive E-M10. In terms of IQ, it is identical given it uses the same 3 year old sensor and the Truepic VII processor.

What the E-M10 provides is, as you stated, "value" (frequently offered as a 2 lens kit for $700), to which I'd add "with few functional compromises as compared to its new premium priced big brother." That it is as complete and competitive as it is remains Olympus' best kept secret.

Cheers!