Olympus E-P3 vs E-P5

Alex Ethridge wrote:

bluevellet wrote:

Alex Ethridge wrote:

I'm about to attend a wedding as a guest where the photographer has specified in his contract "no professional grade equipment is allowed" for guests.

I'm looking at maybe getting a used Olympus E-P3 or E-P5 and mounting my 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake Lens and hoping I don't suffer the embarrassment of getting called down for it.

Questions:

Aside from the extra four megapixel in the E-P5 , how do the cameras compare in low light situations?

Any differences in sharpness?

Dynamic range?

Image stabilization?

Any caveats?

Anything else anyone might want to add?

The jump between the old 12mp sensor to 16mp is pretty big. Almost like a completely new camera system. Improvements across the board. My only slight is I think I prefered the old colors/contrast from theold sensor.

IBIS is a pretty big upgrade too. From the old 2-axis system to the newer 5-axis.

I recommend shooting with a small unconspicuous prime instead/on top of the zoom. Something like the zuiko 17mm or one of the fast 25mm by either Oly or Panny.

Thanks and I would take your advice on the lens; but, I don't own one of those. The only fixed focal length I have is the 75mm, not very good for this work.

I hate to buy a lens which will have such limited use. As far as inconspicuous, the pancake lens is probably smaller than either the 17 or the 25.

If I take the leap, it will be the E-P5. I'm trying to find out now who the photographer is so I can send an e-mail asking if he considers it "professional grade". My guess is not; but, I'll be buying this specifically for this event and it is better to know for sure.

The E-P5 with the 14-42 EZ is not a "pro" setup by any stretch. Lacking a viewfinder relegates the camera to the point-and-shoot-hold-the-camera-away-from-your-face stance, sometimes called the dirty baby diaper stance. You will not be called out for having a pro camera.

On the other hand, that camera is capable of excellent pro quality results; I owned one for two years. In good light, many point-and-shoot cameras are capable also.

Do no contact the photographer. You risk being told that all cameras larger than a pack of gum are "pro" level. Ask yourself: What will you do if you are told not to bring the E-P5? Will what you do be any different than if you bring it and are asked to put it away? Just bring it.

I used to shoot weddings. Digital cameras/phones among the guests changed everything in the wedding photo business. If the photographer is depending upon print sales to make money at the wedding and is worried about "pro" cameras, he/she will not be doing this activity much longer. A photographer must sell his/her time, expertise, and service (up front!) as a complete package nowadays, relegating print sales to a "plus" rather than a "must." Once print sales are out of the picture (pun), the biggest annoyance for the photographer is other people with cameras trying to co-opt a staged shot. That's just a matter of firmly putting a stop to it. I often would employ a groomsman or bridesmaid to keep the guests in line and not bother the photographer (me). That was quite effective as they had a stake in making the wedding be the best it could be.

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA
Life is good in the woods. All paths lead forward.