E-M1 vs. A7II Thoughts

deednets wrote:

Marty4650 wrote:

And I mean this very sincerely.

I am shocked that ANY M4/3 camera could compare so favorably against a full frame camera with a much higher resolution sensor.

I honestly would have expected a slam dunk in favor of the A7II, but your review seems to give a much more balanced view.

As you said in an earlier post, all cameras are compromises. If anyone wants the "absolute best" then they probably should head straight for a Nikon D5, Canon 1DX II or Sony A7RII.

The Olympus EM1 wasn't designed to be the best camera available.

It was designed to be the best M4/3 camera available for people who are already committed to the system. It is NOT an entry level camera, it is a big upgrade for M4/3 users who are willing to spend more, and have a larger camera.

Thanks again for your first impressions. I think you did a very credible job of comparing the two cameras.

Hehe ... I added a thumbs up to your collection on this occasion! However: (you know what might come your way, when people mention "however"??) I use an RX1r alongside my other bodies/cameras and often - but not always - the RX1r is leagues ahead of the other cameras I use. Reasonably large photosites, 24Mpx but a full frame sensor.

But as I print often at 12" - or up to A3 - the difference on print is there, but not enough to make a huge difference. Viewed at 100% on screen it it more apparent, but at 100% the resolution and the dynamic range are good (not just good enough!!) compared to the FF.

I used the RX1r alongside the GX8 on my recent trip to central China and on those prints you often have to read the EXIF to make a clear distinction between the 2.

But for borderline lighting conditions with harsh contrast and deep shadows the FF beats the sub-FF sensors I have tested, including the Fuji APS-C. There is a gentleness in that FF rendering that seems to be a more effortless affair that the MFT. But for most shoots, including night shots, the MFT have matured quite nicely.

Here is a shot taken with the RX1 at night where I could not see the turret on the left, I only noticed this when I looked at the LCD after the shot. I used the Fuji X-T1 as well that night but those shots were truly sub-standard compared to the RX1. I didn't have an MFT camera with me at the time, the GX8 would have performed better than the T1 as comparisons of the GX8 and the T1 I found the GX8 much better is high dynamic light.

At 1800px not much in it ...

This here is a far more complicated shot:

The Fuji would struggle here imo, the outside sun and the lace curtains would have been blown out completely, unless there would have been substantial "fill".

But there wasn't.

Still these days I would not hesitate to travel with the Pen-F only. But I won't ...

Good fun isn't it??

Deed

For higher DR from MFT with static subjects, I just shoot a handheld exposure bracket and merge to HDR in Lightroom. Takes 5 seconds to shoot and a minute in post. Gives me more DR than any single capture. The larger sensor's DR advantage applies only with moving subjects.

Nice shots, BTW.