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Olympus EM-5 II VS EM-1 at same price - Which one is a better match for M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO?

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artyuan

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I already have the lens, M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO on EPL-5 camera body. I use this set-up for travel only.

I want to replace the EPL-5 with either EM-5 II or EM-1, because they are selling at the same price now. Also, they all have viewfinders, which I missed a lot with my current EPL-5. So which one is better fit for the lenses?

Your opinion will be appreciated.

Thanks
 
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They share the vastly improved in-camera 5 axis optical stabilization and the same sensor the big difference for me, as I own both cameras, is that the E-M5 Mark II has a single shutter and can be used without problems in cold weather. Shooting with the E-M1 with temperatures in the 30's with the E-M1 I would periodically have to remove the lens and tap with my finger on the shutter so it would release and I could take another picture. No such problems with the E-M5 Mark II.
artyuan said:
I already have the lens, M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO on EPL-5 camera body. I use this set-up for travel only.

I want to replace the EPL-5 with either EM-5 II or EM-1, because they are selling at the same price now. Also, they all have viewfinders, which I missed a lot with my current EPL-5. So which one is better fit for the lenses?

Your opinion will be appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...
having owned both I would go for the EM-5mk2 - for the use you describe

For me, I kept the EM-1 since my primary interest is action sport, BIF and wildlife
 
artyuan said:
I already have the lens, M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO on EPL-5 camera body. I use this set-up for travel only.

I want to replace the EPL-5 with either EM-5 II or EM-1, because they are selling at the same price now. Also, they all have viewfinders, which I missed a lot with my current EPL-5. So which one is better fit for the lenses?
Click to expand...
The E-M1 has a deeper hand hold and balances the lens better IMHO if you aren't going to get the HLD-8 for the E-M5 mark II (or a third party grip that adds some depth to the E-M5).

In terms of travel, while the deeper handgrip is better (IMHO) to hold heavier lenses, it does mean the camera takes a little bit more room in a crowded carry on bag due to the depth of the hand grip.

If you wear polarized sunglasses, both cameras have problems when you look at the viewfinder in landscape orientation with sunglasses on. I find the E-M1's EVF mostly usable to frame the shot (but there are spots on the EVF that I can't see due to polarization effects). My older E-M5 mark I and Stylus-1 have the same viewfinder and same problem. When I bought my E-M1, I did try out the E-M5 mark II in the store, I found it nearly impossible to use the EVF with polarized sunglasses. The E-M10 mark II and Pen F both have OLED viewfinders, which does not have this problem.

One thing to watch out for on the E-M1 is you do not want to set the diopter to a high value, since there are users that have reported that green blobs get etched on the EVF when it is exposed to sunlight with a high diopter set. If you normally don't set the diopter, there shouldn't be a problem. I don't recall if I've seen any reports of the E-M5 mark II failing in the same way.

If you are going to shoot video, the E-M5 mark II has better video support than the E-M1.

One thing that some people like/hate is the E-M1 only has a tilting LCD, while the E-M5 mark II has a fully articulated LCD. The fully articulated LCD works better if you are shooting in portrait orientation, and is perhaps better for video. On the other hand, the tilting LCD is better in tight conditions when you are shooting in landscape orientation (to use the E-M5 mark II LCD you have to fold it out to the left in order to to tilt it up/down.

The E-M5 mark II can do live view to a portable HDMI display, while on the E-M1 if you plug in a HDMI display, it goes immediately to review mode, and it won't let you take pictures. Both cameras can do live view to analog displays if you get the appropriate cable.
 
artyuan said:
I already have the lens, M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO on EPL-5 camera body. I use this set-up for travel only.

I want to replace the EPL-5 with either EM-5 II or EM-1, because they are selling at the same price now. Also, they all have viewfinders, which I missed a lot with my current EPL-5. So which one is better fit for the lenses?

Your opinion will be appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I have the E-M5 with 12-40, and it works very well - I don't miss having a grip, and the ability make the body smaller with a smaller lens is important to me - I can use the 12-32 and it will fit in a large pocket. Since you're coming from an E-PL5, you're probably used to not having a grip with the 12-40. In my case, I've never used a DSLR grip style body for any length of time, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing... ;)

I'd also choose the E-M5ii for the better video and HR mode, but of which could be nice to have for travel.
 
artyuan said:
I already have the lens, M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO on EPL-5 camera body. I use this set-up for travel only.

I want to replace the EPL-5 with either EM-5 II or EM-1, because they are selling at the same price now. Also, they all have viewfinders, which I missed a lot with my current EPL-5. So which one is better fit for the lenses?
Click to expand...
The E-M5 II will basically have the same ergonomics as the EPL-5. If that works for you, the E-M5 II should be fine.

I prefer the E-M1 with the battery grip for use with the 12-40mm. The grip feels better, it's easy to use vertically, and it balances better.

While this does not result in the tiniest of M43 packages, it still packs down small for travel purposes. Plus, when I want to go small and light, I'll use a smaller M43 body with a prime lens.
 
I would recommend the 5 MK II. I like the size without a grip if I have a prime attached, but if I want the size of the EM-1, I can add either the HLD-8 or my preferable grip, a Quick Release L Plate Grip that I purchased on eBay. The L plate grip is the perfect size for the majority of the time in that it adds very little bulk, I can mount it on a ball head quickly, and it allows access to the battery compartment. The 12-40 works fine with or without a grip on the EM5. Finally, I really like the articulating screen even though many prefer the tilt screen.
 
The ability to use in-camera Focus Stacking with the E-M1/12-40mm combo is pretty compelling for me personally. If you don't care about close up/macro shooting, it would not be a big deal for you -- or if you prefer Focus Bracketing and stacking in software.

I find the 12-40mm with my E-M1 to be really excellent with Focus Stacking. Here are just a couple examples:



bc7eeb6f7f824c6f897ac7528af587dd.jpg



4bb33cffc9e14acc8504558763f71ca1.jpg



--
God Bless,
Greg
www.imagismphotos.com
www.mccroskery.zenfolio.com
www.pbase.com/daddyo
 
zuikowesty said:
artyuan said:
I already have the lens, M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO on EPL-5 camera body. I use this set-up for travel only.

I want to replace the EPL-5 with either EM-5 II or EM-1, because they are selling at the same price now. Also, they all have viewfinders, which I missed a lot with my current EPL-5. So which one is better fit for the lenses?

Your opinion will be appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I have the E-M5 with 12-40, and it works very well - I don't miss having a grip, and the ability make the body smaller with a smaller lens is important to me - I can use the 12-32 and it will fit in a large pocket. Since you're coming from an E-PL5, you're probably used to not having a grip with the 12-40. In my case, I've never used a DSLR grip style body for any length of time, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing... ;)

I'd also choose the E-M5ii for the better video and HR mode, but of which could be nice to have for travel.
Click to expand...
 
dv312 said:
Of the 3 I actually prefer the Pen F whose EVF is better than the other 2 in real life, not on paper, not to mention the design
Click to expand...
Hi,

I am interested in both the PEN-F and the E-M5II. How is the PEN-F EVF better? I am not doubting your opinion, but I genuinly want to know, as the specs of the E-M5II EVF seem to be better and I have not read this before.

--

Kind regards,

Alex
 
It's slightly smaller than the EM5 II (EM1) but due to the nature of OLED, it's crisper, more contrasty, and more true to life; could be that the refresh rate is better?

A more satisfying experience

You can't tell until you have seen both side by side

The EM5 II will have a duller look and colors are not as vibrant

I also happen to like the small discrete round cup of the PEN F vs the huge one from the EM5 II

It's much easier for me to view through the EVF wearing glasses

The Pen F lags only in the weatherproof department

Other than that I feel it's the best camera Olympus put out to date (asides from the upcoming EM1 II) , speaking from personal experience, not specs on paper

I may end up selling the EM5 II for another black Pen F body, who knows?

Cheers,
 
dv312 said:
It's slightly smaller than the EM5 II (EM1) but due to the nature of OLED, it's crisper, more contrasty, and more true to life; could be that the refresh rate is better?

A more satisfying experience

You can't tell until you have seen both side by side

The EM5 II will have a duller look and colors are not as vibrant

I also happen to like the small discrete round cup of the PEN F vs the huge one from the EM5 II

It's much easier for me to view through the EVF wearing glasses

The Pen F lags only in the weatherproof department

Other than that I feel it's the best camera Olympus put out to date (asides from the upcoming EM1 II) , speaking from personal experience, not specs on paper

I may end up selling the EM5 II for another black Pen F body, who knows?

Cheers,
Click to expand...
Interesting about the EVF. I've only spent 5 minutes with one in a store, and didn't find the EVF anything special, it seemed smaller was about it. But the price and lack of w/s take the Pen-F off the table for me, so I certainly didn't spend much time with it. Definitely felt and looked nice, but for the price it should be, and my E-M5 still feels and looks good, and cost me half as much almost 3 years ago (net cost about $500CDN after selling 12-50)

For me, the E-M5iii will likely be my next upgrade. I've just never found the need for a grip, perhaps because I went from OMs to E-410 to E-M5, so the E-M5 feels like coming home. I can add the grip and other bits if I want to, but most of the time, the bare OM-D feels right. I loved that about the original OMs - I could add a winder, bounce grip, etc, and shoot a wedding one day, and then go hiking the next day with a pair of bodies and 3 primes that would take up the space of one AF SLR, and the same is true of the OM-D today, although not quite to the same extent with Oly accessories, and m43 seems to have fallen behind in the flash department. You couldn't pay me enough to do a wedding these days, so I don't worry about it... :)
 
alex2b said:
dv312 said:
Of the 3 I actually prefer the Pen F whose EVF is better than the other 2 in real life, not on paper, not to mention the design
Click to expand...
Hi,

I am interested in both the PEN-F and the E-M5II. How is the PEN-F EVF better? I am not doubting your opinion, but I genuinly want to know, as the specs of the E-M5II EVF seem to be better and I have not read this before.
Click to expand...
If you wear polarized sunglasses, the EVF of both the E-M10 mark II and the Pen F will be crystal clear due to the EVF being an OLED.

As I detailed in a previous post, the E-M1's EVF is usable to frame the shot with polarized sunglasses as long as you can tolerate bits of the screen not being viewable due to polarization. When I tested it in the store with polarized sunglasses, the E-M5 mark II's EVF was much worse.

Note, if you shoot the E-M1 and E-M5 mark II in portrait orientation, you will be able to see the EVF screen without problems.
 
Thanks for taking the time to answer me! Interesting read.

--

Kind regards,

Alex
 
Thanks. I wear polarized sunglasses, so this is very useful information.

--

Kind regards,

Alex
 
Michael Meissner said:
If you wear polarized sunglasses, the EVF of both the E-M10 mark II and the Pen F will be crystal clear due to the EVF being an OLED.

As I detailed in a previous post, the E-M1's EVF is usable to frame the shot with polarized sunglasses as long as you can tolerate bits of the screen not being viewable due to polarization. When I tested it in the store with polarized sunglasses, the E-M5 mark II's EVF was much worse.

Note, if you shoot the E-M1 and E-M5 mark II in portrait orientation, you will be able to see the EVF screen without problems.
Click to expand...
Michael, this summer I discovered a solution to the polarized-sunglasses problem: cataract surgery!😀 In May and June I had cataract surgery on both eyes, and now I only really need glasses for shorter viewing distances such as reading . I do still wear glasses with progressive lenses most of the time because the constant on-and-off of using readers was really tedious. But for photography, I take the glasses off, put them in a case in my shirt pocket, and use the viewfinders on my cameras (Oly OM-D E-M5 Mark 2, Pana GX85) with a one-click adjustment of the diopter. After the surgery, I was amazed by how much clearer and sharper things appeared, which created a greater ability to see the three-dimensional relationship of objects, especially outdoors. Night vision improved, too, because the glare of tail lights disappeared and that of headlights was reduced greatly. The surgery truly gave me new eyes.

Al
 
In my case, the problem is my migraines increase in frequency if I'm not wearing wrap around polarized sunglasses when I'm outdoors in sunlight. While surgery would help me from needing to switch between distance glasses and computer/book bi-focals, I would still need to wear the shades.

And wearing the sunglasses doesn't solve the problem completely. I did a 8 hour driving tour of Vermont and New Hampshire to capture colorful leaves (not really successful in terms of pictures captured), and I had a mild migraine at the end of the day. But if I didn't have the sunglasses on, it probably would have been much worse.
 
Michael Meissner said:
In my case, the problem is my migraines increase in frequency if I'm not wearing wrap around polarized sunglasses when I'm outdoors in sunlight. While surgery would help me from needing to switch between distance glasses and computer/book bi-focals, I would still need to wear the shades.

And wearing the sunglasses doesn't solve the problem completely. I did a 8 hour driving tour of Vermont and New Hampshire to capture colorful leaves (not really successful in terms of pictures captured), and I had a mild migraine at the end of the day. But if I didn't have the sunglasses on, it probably would have been much worse.
Click to expand...
I haven't had one of those for over a decade, but I used to have one every 3-4 years or so, two of which put me in the ER. They are terrible, and I'm really sorry to hear that you get them, bright light often being a trigger. Keep wearing those sunglasses.

Al
 
I think the 12-40 runs better on a bigger body and grip.

Unless you have small mits, E-M1 or larger with the Pro lenses.
 
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