This thread is to share the current options I've considered as potential upgrades from my E-M10, based on the picture I have of my shooting needs. I have
not decided whether I want to upgrade my camera body at all, I've just done this assessment based on my current knowledge and reading of what's available, to see if the idea of a body upgrade would make sense.
I'm hoping that sharing this would be of help to someone, and stimulating discussion wouldn't be bad, either, considering what came up in the last thread I started
For my hobby-shooting, I mainly like doing street photography. When on holiday, my love for photography (and practice) comes in for holiday/street/culture/landscape image making. Video is very much a secondary feature for me.
In terms of glass, I mostly use primes in my street shooting (and also travel): 12/2, 14/2.5, 20/1.7, 45/1.8. I recently picked up a 14-140 II for travelling, thanks to much help from this forum.
What I would like as an upgrade for the E-M10:
- Better image quality/resolution
- Improved IBIS over E-M10 3-axis IBIS (2-3 stops)
- Improved EVF over E-M10
- Better and less fiddly on/off switch positioning
- Weather proofing
- Easier to grip with large(r) lenses
- Bluetooth pairing with phone for real-time geotagging
Without regressing on these features:
- Smaller/lighter than a DSLR
- High ISO performance (I'm happy with E-M10 up to 3200)
- No shutter shock
- Reasonably good wireless remote function through phone
How some current models have stacked up:
EM1.1
For:
- Improved IBIS (4.5 stops)
- Improved EVF
Yes, much larger and with higher resolution. The S-OVF function added in a firmware update is occasionally useful, too.
- Weather proofing
- Easier to grip with large(r) lenses
- Affordable for a top-end body (can get 12-40 kit around £1000)
Against:
- Older model than E-M10
- Same sensor as E-M10
It's actually NOT the same sensor as the E-M10, but a Panasonic-produced one (for this model only). It's something I don't like quite as much in the E-M1, actually - it seems a tad noisier to me, and it handles the (very useful and additional over your E-M10 original) silent shutter mode less well than the Sony-sensor models - a slow speed limit of 1/8 sec for silent shutter, an ISO 3200 ceiling for it, and a horrible magenta shift at the top of the frame if used at ISO 3200 in low light.
- Not sure about having that on/off switch on the other side
I like that position personally, but appreciate that not everyone else does.
The E-M1 comes with the FL-LM2 camera-powered flash, a black unit which folds flat to turn off; you raise it to turn it on. Aside from its separateness (not really a word, I know!) it is pretty much like a built-in flash. It's weatherproof and uses the Accessory Port to make its connections, whilst mounting in the hot shoe for purely physical location.
EM5.2
For:
- Improved IBIS (5 stops)
- Improved EVF
Same model/design as the E-M1 EVF, but strangely it is subtly clearer.
- Weather proofing
- Almost as small/light as E-M10
It is close in size, but somewhat heavier. I have a very soft spot for this model - I think it is beautifully designed (a purely subjective opinion of course) and has a really nice, quality feel to it.
- High Res mode sounds useful for tripod based landscape shooting
I find it particularly useful for incredibly detailed close up or product shots - haven't tried it for landscape.
The E-M5 II comes with the lovely little FL-LM3 camera-powered flash in the box - weatherproof, but unlike the earlier FL-LM2 of the E-M1, it is conventionally-shaped (but tiny) and with a power switch - but best of all, with full tilt and swivel. It is a lovely little thing. It uses an additional contact in the hot shoe to power it - only some Olympus bodies (and Panasonics, which require the FL-LM3's foot to be filed a bit to fit their unusually short hot shoe) can use it.
Against:
- Grip is thin, buying modular grips costs more
- Expensive (£700) compared to direct rival Panasonic G80 (£600)
- Same sensor as E-M10 (as far as I can tell)
This one does use a Sony sensor, so the limitations on silent shooting that the E-M1 has are absent with it. I find the jpg output (and even the image fed to the EVF) seem to be subtly improved compared with earlier models, having a satisfying clarity to them.
- No Bluetooth
- On/Off switch position
Again, I don't mind this at all, but maybe you would.
It is a very good EVF - no distortion or anything, which is sadly not always the case with Panasonics I've used. This is down to a good design for the EVF optics, which Olympus always seem to use, thankfully.
- Weather proofing
- Auto panorama
- Easier to grip with large(r) lenses
- Can have dual IS with my 14-140 II
- More affordable of the mid-range m43 bodies
- New shutter design mitigates/eliminates shutter shock without requiring EFCS
Though it does have EFCS mode available optionally too (a first for Panasonic). The sound level of the shutter is very similar to the E-M5 II, which was the first Olympus to use TRUE EFCS rather than the simulated variety of the earlier models with 0-sec Anti Shock feature (i.e. the first curtain doesn't physically run at all in 0-sec AS on the E-M5 II, though the Olympus still doesn't use it above 1/320; the G80 uses it up to 1/2000 and that's the top speed in EFCS mode, rather than the usual mechanical 1/4000).
You might count the built-in flash of the G80 as a plus - it's always nice to have. However, it cannot use a camera-powered flash, unlike some Panasonics. This rules out obtaining a £69 Olympus FL-LM3 and filing the foot to use it with the Panny.
Against:
- Reviews mixed on whether sensor is better than E-M10's sensor (DxOMark says E-M10 has better high ISO performance)
- Feedback I've read on Panasonic's iOS app is not encouraging
- Can't find much info on how good IBIS is on its own
For me, the E-M5 II handles my particular "shake" frequencies a little better than the G80 - I can hand hold to lower speeds. However, individual examples of any camera can actually vary (I once tested that out, side by side).
The G80's typical (till now and the G9) G-series power switch position (like on Canon's EOS lower end DSLRs, sprouting from the base of the mode dial) is arguably OK or awkward, depending on your taste.
EM1.2 -
not tried in hand
For:
- Improved EVF, but still LCD
It's really pretty much the same unit as the original E-M1 and the E-M5 II, so the same size and resolution (which are pretty much the same as in the G80, but less contrasty).
- Improved IBIS (5 stops)
- Weather proofing
- Easier to grip with large(r) lenses
- 20MP sensor
It's not often noted, but the G80 and E-M1 Mark II are actually pretty much an identical size, though the Olympus is a bit heavier (more metal in the construction). They are also surprisingly close in outline (size of grip etc.).
At least it's come down in price just lately to £1499 or less, to compete directly with the G9!
Again, the same as the other recent Olympuses, so either awkward for some or fine for others (like me).
G9 -
not tried in hand
For:
It's big and very high res (and adjustable to two smaller sizes) but I do find that the corners can smear and distort (I wear glasses, which may play a part, but some of it is the design) - and there is the slight pincushion distortion many have mentioned. Individual cameras may even vary, at least with respect to the corner smearing. I have learned to ignore it, most of the time, but the eyepiece quality is annoyingly not quite as good as the G80, whilst the EVF panel itself is even better. Strange...
- Weather proofing
- Improved IBIS (4-5 stops from what I've read)
It is the best Panasonic IBIS I've used, and is quieter than the G80 (similarly, the E-M1 II is quieter than earlier Olympuses too - for comparison, the G80 sounds like an earlier Olympus when the latter has ramped up on half-press of the shutter button, if the camera is so set, but all the time).
- Can have dual IS with the 14-140 II
- Easier to grip with large(r) lenses
- Nice on/off switch position
Yes, probably the most natural position of all. Annoyingly, I find I prefer the around-the-shutter-button front dial design of the Olympuses and the G80 to the Canon-style vertical front dial of the G9, but you cannot have their dial design with its power switch, since they occupy the same position!
- 20MP sensor
- New shutter design mitigates/eliminates shutter shock without requiring EFCS
As with the G80, it does have an EFCS setting too (top speed on that is 1/2000 again) so they must think it has a purpose. The shutter's a bit sharper/louder than the G80, but not much.
Yes, as with the E-M1 II.
- As bulky/heavy as a DSLR body (bigger than Pentax K-30, last DSLR I owned)
Yes, it is bigger than all the others. Nice grip and grippy cover material, you can sort of forget the size/weight when holding it.
Note that no flash is supplied with this model, and it cannot use an FL-LM3, so you may need to budget for a decent flash if you don't have one - or any dedicated flash, if you have only relied on built-in before (and only needed a flash to that level).
Hope those thoughts help - they're really subjective of course so they may not apply to you.
