Is this typical EM10-II AF speed?

Max Iso · Jan 10, 2017

I have been eyeballing the GX85 for a while as my upgrade but am open to other options in the price range. The EM10-II is an obvious alternative and while it has some things that are better than the GX85, im worried about AF speed. THIS video is some guy who owns it and while it's hard to tell how dark it really is in there, if the video exposure is accurate, it's not all that dark. Far brighter than i keep my living room.

Even compared to my GX7 that AF is slow in S-AF. Is that normal for the Olympus? One thing i like about Panasonic is until light gets really dim, it's blazing fast. Both cameras have great feature sets but if there's that much gap in AF speed, no way im buying that camera.

Feel free to link other videos comparing AF speeds as sometimes typed words are very subjective. Real use that i can see with my own eyes is also nice.

shinndigg · Jan 10, 2017

I immediately noticed he isn't using a m4/3rds lens, he's using a 4/3rds lens. Soooo.... I was very surprised as to how fast it focused. Bottom line, it'll focus even faster, with little to no hunting with native m4/3rds lenses.

Kostaseg · Jan 10, 2017

Auto focus is extremely fast on EM2 mk2. I don't know about GX85 but EM10 is a perfect camera. I love it. Except C-AF that works correct only at EM1.

I think is all around camera and keeper. Stabilization IBIS system let me to shoot sharp photos easy with 100% success using 1/4 shooter speed!!!!

I can use small and light prime lenses as a compact camera and the same time I can use my heavy Pro lenses adding an extra aluminum grip.

--
Olympus EM5, EM10 mk2, 12-40 f2.8 Pro, Sigma 30mm f1.4, Sigma 60mm f2.8, Oly 40-150 f4-5.6

Max Iso · Jan 10, 2017

Good to hear, thank you both for the replies. TBH i have always been partial to Panasonic but i was hoping the Olympus AF wasn't going to be an issue. The Panny has features like 4k and pinpoint AF but the Olympus side has macro bracketing, better EVF and better IBIS. I also read that Oly eye AF is one of the best out there?

TBH i don't really shoot that much video and Panasonic is very video feature based but that's not all that important to me. What is very important is auto ISO and while the EM10-II isn't technically offering SS settings, you can do that flash trick and get it. That's a huge deal for my style of shooting.

So unless somebody chimes in with proof that the Oly is just too slow compared to the Panny, looks like the EM10-II won me over from the GX85. Now to just convince the wife i need this camera :-D

Kostaseg · Jan 10, 2017

Max Iso said:
Good to hear, thank you both for the replies. TBH i have always been partial to Panasonic but i was hoping the Olympus AF wasn't going to be an issue. The Panny has features like 4k and pinpoint AF but the Olympus side has macro bracketing, better EVF and better IBIS. I also read that Oly eye AF is one of the best out there?

TBH i don't really shoot that much video and Panasonic is very video feature based but that's not all that important to me. What is very important is auto ISO and while the EM10-II isn't technically offering SS settings, you can do that flash trick and get it. That's a huge deal for my style of shooting.

So unless somebody chimes in with proof that the Oly is just too slow compared to the Panny, looks like the EM10-II won me over from the GX85. Now to just convince the wife i need this camera :-D

Max Iso · Jan 10, 2017

This wqs from the DPR review article.

--
"It's strange, whenever I see a gun
I think about just how petty you are
And it blows my [insert] mind!
Yeah, it blows my [insert] mind!
These days, I never seem to get enough
I’m tired of this [beep], I want to go home
Don't waste my [insert] time!
Don't waste my [insert] time!
Because anything exceptional
Gets crushed by common people
With jealousy and ignorance
And all their common evils
This planet isn't special
Collections made of clay
I'm waiting for the punishment
I know it’s on the way"
-Custer

blokeyknockers · Jan 10, 2017

shinndigg said:
I immediately noticed he isn't usijng a m4/3rds lens, he's using a 4/3rds lens. Soooo.... I was very surprised as to how fast it focused. Bottom line, it'll focus even faster, with little to no hunting with native m4/3rds lenses.

--
shinndigg
www.pbase.com/shinn

Exactly.what I was thinking about the lens. I recently compared af speed on my em10 mk2, with that of a Canon 7d and a Canon 5d mk3. Honestly couldn't tell them apart, and that was in a North facing room, on a cloudy day the winter just gone. The af speed is almost instantaneous in decent light, and still faster than you can think about it in low light.

JunzInc · Jan 10, 2017

Hi Max,

I own an EM1 and I thought its AF-S was pretty fast in low light, better and more accurate in low light than the A6000 which I also own.

Last week, My friend bought a Panasonix G80 and I used it for a while along with my EM1. In dim Indoor lighting the Panasonix G80 was better than my EM1. I am not sure about the accuracy though since he has the pictures and I haven't seen it.

I know it doesn't answer your question, but thought of sharing this.

Kostaseg · Jan 10, 2017

Max Iso said:
This wqs from the DPR review article.

--
"It's strange, whenever I see a gun
I think about just how petty you are
And it blows my [insert] mind!
Yeah, it blows my [insert] mind!
These days, I never seem to get enough
I’m tired of this [beep], I want to go home
Don't waste my [insert] time!
Don't waste my [insert] time!
Because anything exceptional
Gets crushed by common people
With jealousy and ignorance
And all their common evils
This planet isn't special
Collections made of clay
I'm waiting for the punishment
I know it’s on the way"
-Custer

Thanks. It works and it does more useful A and S priority.

--
Olympus EM5, EM10 mk2, 12-40 f2.8 Pro, Sigma 30mm f1.4, Sigma 60mm f2.8, Oly 40-150 f4-5.6

Tommi K1 · Jan 10, 2017

Kostaseg said:
Auto focus is extremely fast on EM2 mk2. I don't know about GX85 but EM10 is a perfect camera. I love it. Except C-AF that works correct only at EM1.

GH4 has amazing autofocus speed for both directions at first times. But E-M1 line wins when you focus from far to close, what is the optimization direction as you rarely shoot targets that goes away from you but instead ones that comes toward you.

And with E-M1 Mk1 when you focus through narrow pathways it works, while GH4 starts hitting to the surrounding parts, even when there is clear opening. And when E-M1 Mk1 gets focus range couple times done (close-far-close-far) then it is faster.

Mk2 is still totally own league compared with GH4 or G80.

Today spent an hour side by side testing Mk2 with 40-150mm and D5 and D500 with Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 and Mk2 was faster focuser, it was as well far nicer to look at L-speed (the blackout) compared to Nikon.

But must really be said that Mk2 feels with 40-150mm as a toy compared to Nikon. The size and weight (okay, 40-150mm f/2.8 vs 200-500mm f/5.6) just is marvelous on the Nikons as you really feel the "professionalism" in the cameras. After few minutes you just start going on the tripod with the Nikons to get things go nicely, while you just keep going with Olympus like there is nothing at your hands.

This is again one thing where Olympus 75-300mm or Panasonic 100-400mm is just amazing lenses as you have very fast focusing speeds and so nice handling.

Kostaseg said:
I think is all around camera and keeper. Stabilization IBIS system let me to shoot sharp photos easy with 100% success using 1/4 shooter speed!!!!

That is the thing I now really wait from the new Panasonic 100-300mm as the Dual-IS puts it totally own league by weight size. While 100-400mm is great as well.

But monopod really is a must on those light weight champions or otherwise you just easily ruin shots by not remembering to handle so narrow field of view.

Kostaseg said:
I can use small and light prime lenses as a compact camera and the same time I can use my heavy Pro lenses adding an extra aluminum grip.

That is the thing. Just build the camera you need/want and it is there.

Like I compared the Oly 12-100mm f/4 on Mk2 to D500 with Nikon 70-200mm VR Mk2 and the handling is just so nice on olympus. Then I swapped 12-100mm to Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 and it was just laughable experience after long time having so tiny prime. It almost screams "photojournalism" and the Mk2 body is tiny feeling.

And E-M10 is just so joyful camera to handle. The dials hitting just right under fingers and the grip etc. If E-M10 would get PDAF to be on level of E-M1 Mk1 in future, it would be amazing to use. Same PDAF as in E-m1 Mk2 (otherwise same specs as E-M10 Mk2) it would be crazy model for sports.

Tommi K1 · Jan 10, 2017

Max Iso said:
Good to hear, thank you both for the replies. TBH i have always been partial to Panasonic but i was hoping the Olympus AF wasn't going to be an issue.

The Olympus AF ain't issue. Even the CDAF versions works very well on usual targets.

Max Iso said:
The Panny has features like 4k and pinpoint AF but the Olympus side has macro bracketing, better EVF and better IBIS. I also read that Oly eye AF is one of the best out there?

Olympus has 800 AF points if you want that pin-point focusing. You just need to use the 3-14x magnification to make AF point even smaller than normal or tiny.

Panasonic has as well focus bracketing with third party mobile app.

The Eye AF is yes one of the bests, but Sony latest models allow C-AF with Eye AF, that only E-M1 Mk2 supports now (IIRC, didn't test to confirm it).

Max Iso said:
TBH i don't really shoot that much video and Panasonic is very video feature based but that's not all that important to me.

Panasonic is very capable still shooter, you just need to prefer the "rangefinder" style more than "SLR style" in most of the Panasonic designs. And then like the panasonic grips and way to put buttons flush on the body. So overall handling is different between these two.

Max Iso said:
So unless somebody chimes in with proof that the Oly is just too slow compared to the Panny, looks like the EM10-II won me over from the GX85. Now to just convince the wife i need this camera :-D

The proof really isn't there, as it depends very much how to test and in what conditions. Just going slowly from close to distance or so doesn't reveal anything like target coming closer and closer on each step. But Panasonic benefit is the reliable AF in low light, and I mean low light like 1", f/2.8 with ISO 1600. That is where Olympus needs even a tiny contrast like stars for 60-70% accuracy, but Panasonic hits with 80-90% accuracy.

I tested E-P5 with 75-300mm at 300mm f/6.7, recording video so it meant it was 1/30 and ISO 3200 and I barely saw anything on the viewfinder, yet the E-P5 managed to reliable focus on everything I pointed it as long there was some kind contrast that you could see yourself. So example big black truck side in shadows was that was impossible to be focused as there simply was nothing where to focus.

E-M1 in same situation with 1/25 and ISO 6400 was of course better again, but once you got either one hunting and lens started to focus close by, it was goner. Happened once or twice in half hour testing.

But such video is useless anyways because you basically have very dim highlights and just silhouettes everywhere else that passes that.

mg_k · Jan 10, 2017

I have the em10.2 now and used to have the G85 (not GX85).

AFS they are both pretty quick, but AFC the Panny wins hands down.

em10.2 on AFC just keeps pulsing and the subject keeps going in and out of focus it's useless.

imho the Panasonic G85 (similar with GX85) is miles aheads with tracking.

Kostaseg · Jan 11, 2017

EM10 mk2 is a midrange mft BUT has all the important specs of the more expensive Olympus. It is something Nikon D5500.

As it is normal can't have at this price the same CAF with EM1. EM10 Intended for users who want a good little camera general use. I purchased it because I wasn't sure if I continue in mft or I will go to Nokia FF system. It is a test camera to me before I spend 4-5k in one system.

Until now 2 thinks don't let me to take decision. first and most important the subject of ISO at low light when I shoot people they are moving. For still shots IBIS gives the solution. But at moving shots I have problem. Ok if there aren't a lot shadows at the frame I can shoot with 3200 easy and with LR Noise Reduction, I have a photo looks perfect at 1:1 just little softer. With ISO on 6400 the maximum is 1:2. Thinks change dramatically if it is a dark shot. Noise reduction removes a lot of detail.

i know that EM1 mk2 improves one stop but I think continue to be back instead a FF camera. So I wait to see what is the percentage of the shots I am not happy from mft cameras before I decide. For moment still shots vs moving shots in low light I have shoot in 6 months are 80/20 . I don't shoot indoor action. If I must shoot an event I should have a flash as all the professional they do using FF. At a museum no problem, they are still shots. Ok if one time I must shoot a concert, let me to have noisy photos. I will don't sell them anyway

.

So I feel more near to stick at mft system.

Secont subject is the CAF+T. EM1 mk2 has improve also that and I think it's ok now even isn't yet similar as Nikon or Canon. But already I don't use it. I shoot action using single point AF or 9 points. I hope EM1, 2 will make me to use it.

My EM10 mk2 will continue to be with me as second camera any decision I take.

mg_k · Jan 11, 2017

Seriously afc on em10.2 is broken.

And no I ain't trying to track bifs or fast running erratic kid.

I'm simply talking about acquing, locking on (and stay locked on) to an almost stationary/slow moving subject.

As I said the focus just keeps pulsing in and out of focus on the subject for no reason...I mean what?!?!?!

The G85 is 100x better in this regard.

--
My Flickr
My Getty Images

Kostaseg · Jan 11, 2017

mg_k said:
Seriously afc on em10.2 is broken.

And no I ain't trying to track bifs or fast running erratic kid.

I'm simply talking about acquing, locking on (and stay locked on) to an almost stationary/slow moving subject.

As I said the focus just keeps pulsing in and out of focus on the subject for no reason...I mean what?!?!?!

The G85 is 100x better in this regard.

Donald B · Jan 11, 2017

I have looked at both the g80 and the gx85 over the last 2 weeks. in the shop both were no faster than my em5mk1 so I have just ordered a em5 mk2 .

cheers don

Max Iso · Jan 11, 2017

Donald B said:
I have looked at both the g80 and the gx85 over the last 2 weeks. in the shop both were no faster than my em5mk1 so I have just ordered a em5 mk2 .

cheers don

Jorginho · Jan 11, 2017

So this is not your typical AF for that cam. Would be nice if the guy told what he was doing, I don't know if he wrote anything about it? If not: disinformation.

Kostaseg · Jan 12, 2017

Yesterday night I was at a cafe with some other amateur photographers. Except me, all they had Nikon and Canon.

Place was dark. Nobody from them can shoot without flash. One beside me has Nikon D7200 with Nikon 50mm f1.8. Except that he couldn't shoot with less speed than 1/100, his photos wasn't detailed like mine (EM10,2 Sigma 30mm f1.4) even when I used the same shooter speed with him. My gears made much better job even at 1/100 ISO 4000.

i took also some shots with silence mode at 1/6 ISO 160. Of course most of them were blured because people moved, but at a burst of 5-6 frames I can find 1 at list no blured.

So at real conditions (which every one use at his camera the best setting for it) all these about better ISO management from aps-c are mythology.

iamneallyons · Mar 17, 2018

Kostaseg said:
Yesterday night I was at a cafe with some other amateur photographers. Except me, all they had Nikon and Canon.

Place was dark. Nobody from them can shoot without flash. One beside me has Nikon D7200 with Nikon 50mm f1.8. Except that he couldn't shoot with less speed than 1/100, his photos wasn't detailed like mine (EM10,2 Sigma 30mm f1.4) even when I used the same shooter speed with him. My gears made much better job even at 1/100 ISO 4000.

i took also some shots with silence mode at 1/6 ISO 160. Of course most of them were blured because people moved, but at a burst of 5-6 frames I can find 1 at list no blured.

So at real conditions (which every one use at his camera the best setting for it) all these about better ISO management from aps-c are mythology.

Is this typical EM10-II AF speed?

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