New OMD E-M1 first impression!

[photofan1986]

WOW!

More to come

 

[Mike_PEAT]

nt=No text

 

[Leo]

WOW!

More to come

That is good enough unless you would add something new

Leo

 

[Michael M Fliegel]

I agree with the OP. WOW!

 

[photofan1986]

Ok, so first impressions were overwhelming, but unfortunately, it got somewhat colder when testing more.

Just a little background. I have been using an E-M5 for more than 18 months now, with good level of satisfaction. Recently, I acquired a little GM1, and I was surprised that the tiny little beast was better at many things compared to my "big" gripped OMD. Better focusing, usable CAF, nice controls over focus methods, much better video... So I waited for a good deal on the GX7 to try it out. It's no doubt a very nice camera, but I don't like the viewfinder (small, smeary), and many of my lenses suffer shutter shock with the mechanical shutter, the IBIS is not very effective... So quite mitigated feelings...
So my train of thought was that I needed the E-M1! It would solve all my issues : no more shutter shock thanks to 0-sec anti-shock setting, superb viewfinder, better CAF etc.

I got a good deal on the E-M1, and I still have the E-M5 and GX7 (need to sell some stuff, I am getting poorer and poorer )

The camera is a beauty: it seems built like a tank, and I understand the claims about professional built standards (even though perceived build quality is not the same as real life durability...).

It's not too big, as I was used to the E-M5 with the grip. To me , the size is about perfect for a serious camera.

The viewfinder is gorgeous. Nothing else to say here.

All the good has already been said before and in the reviews. Now my gripes with the camera.

- This thing is a shutter shock monster! It's the worst behaving camera that I have tried (E-PM2, E-PL3, E-M5, GX7, GM1...) With basically all my lenses, I cannot get pin sharp images at anything between 1/50 and 1/250. WOW! Of course, there is the 0-sec shutter shock option, and it DOES solve the issue. But I see it as a workaround. Whenever I will shoot a burst, I'll have to make sure the camera is at least using a 1/500 shutter speed. Also, and I asked the question on this board before the purchase, when shooting with a long lens (40-150), I get perfectly sharp images at 1/100, 1/200, 1/320 and then glups, 1/400 and the images are very soft. I nedd to get to 1/640-/800 to get similar sharpness to my 1/100 shots. Why don't they include to EFCS to 1/1000 for instance??

So I have always been a shutter shock hunter, from day 1. I cannot get around the fact that you pay premium price for a camera and lenses and you can't even get a sharp picture in MANY instances. My conclusion to this issue is: as of today, in the micro 43 world, there is no definitive answer to the problem. Panasonic electronic shutter is nice, but it's not a viable solution for many uses. The new Oly's 0-sec anti-shock does work, but it's also limited and seems like a smart workaround. And finally, the only camera that makes me happy on that front is the tiny GM1. Yes, its mechanical shutter is limited, but I know it and know what to expect. But I did not get a SINGLE blurred image due to camera (user error is another matter).

We'll have to wait for the next (or next next?) breed of m43 cameras to get the issue solved at last. But that won't be before manufacturers introduce the global shutter sensors.

- I have some problems with focusing. I am talking S-AF. Didn't try C-AF yet. I expected the camera to focus at least as well as the E-M5 and was hoping that it would get close to the GM1/GX7. Not the case unfortunately. In good light, the camera is very responsive. But in low light, the camera tends to hunt much more than even the E-M5! I loaded the FW v2.0 but did not have time to notice if it behaved the same before. Here is a video showing the issue with the 45 1.8.

This is VERY disappointing! The camera feels much less secure to lock focus than even the E-M5! Anyone noticed the same ?? Is this normal ?

So I really hope that these issues will be sorted out, as I counted on the E-M1 to be my solution. But at present time, I might reconsider keeping the GX7 and sending the E-M1 back (as I have a 14 days refund period). Any opinions?

 

[LaMesa]

Dear Photofan1986,

it took you less than 16 hours from "WOW" to "This is VERY disappointing!". Did you put your camera to regular use or was all your picture taking for the purpose of problem hunting?

I do not own an E-M1, but my suggestion would be to enjoy the camera and return to "WOW". It is your decision.

Good Luck, Herbert

http://www.pbase.com/herbRD

 

[rovingtim]

The camera is a beauty: it seems built like a tank, and I understand the claims about professional built standards (even though perceived build quality is not the same as real life durability...).

It's not too big, as I was used to the E-M5 with the grip. To me , the size is about perfect for a serious camera.

The viewfinder is gorgeous. Nothing else to say here.

Totally agree.

- This thing is a shutter shock monster! WOW! Of course, there is the 0-sec shutter shock option, and it DOES solve the issue. But I see it as a workaround.

So I have always been a shutter shock hunter, from day 1. I cannot get around the fact that you pay premium price for a camera and lenses and you can't even get a sharp picture in MANY instances. My conclusion to this issue is: as of today, in the micro 43 world, there is no definitive answer to the problem. Panasonic electronic shutter is nice, but it's not a viable solution for many uses. The new Oly's 0-sec anti-shock does work, but it's also limited and seems like a smart workaround. And finally, the only camera that makes me happy on that front is the tiny GM1. Yes, its mechanical shutter is limited, but I know it and know what to expect. But I did not get a SINGLE blurred image due to camera (user error is another matter).

Yep. This is a serious problem that is keeping me from diving in. Got a G5 cheap to hold me over until things mature a little more.

We'll have to wait for the next (or next next?) breed of m43 cameras to get the issue solved at last.

m4/3rds won't be ready for prime time until this happens.

- I have some problems with focusing.

Had a friend who owned and sold his EM1 partly for this reason. He found the AF to not be as reliable as he hoped.

So I really hope that these issues will be sorted out, as I counted on the E-M1 to be my solution. But at present time, I might reconsider keeping the GX7 and sending the E-M1 back (as I have a 14 days refund period). Any opinions?

It's up to you. Right now, IMO, all the m4/3rds cameras have 'gotchas'. The new GH4 sounds like the best available at the moment. Haven't heard anything about shutter shock yet, but I'm not sure most people are looking. But it's a big camera so that might damp things a bit.

The premium m4/3rds are really close, but they are not quite ready for the big leagues. Yet. IMO.

Shutter shock, CAF, and well managed multiple storage holds them back for enthusiasts or pros who are pushing their systems.

 

[photofan1986]

Thanks for your answer.

Well, I am not exactly a newbie, and I know what I want and what I don't in a camera. First things I look for when I purchase a camera are the fundamentals: focusing, exposure and now shutter shock. The things that basically MUST works for me to consider keeping a camera.

A good example is the GM1: yes, it is fiddly, it is tiny, it has little controls...and I got used to that, but the fundamentals work perfectly: AF is super fast and spot on, same for exposure, no sign of shutter shock. So there is nothing to get in the way of making technically good pictures.

With the E-M1, I get a very nice beast, but that can't seem to focus even as good as my old E-PM2 in low light. That is not normal.

 

[digifan]

You should set the E-M5 also to the smaller AF area and redo the test. Or set the E-M1 to a larger AF box. Don't know if the GX7 can be set to smaller area, but that difference can be the cause of a little less responsivenes.

This due to focussing on the white part of the cat with E-M1 in your video it won't find any contrast ofcourse and will hunt.

Ok, so first impressions were overwhelming, but unfortunately, it got somewhat colder when testing more.

Just a little background. I have been using an E-M5 for more than 18 months now, with good level of satisfaction. Recently, I acquired a little GM1, and I was surprised that the tiny little beast was better at many things compared to my "big" gripped OMD. Better focusing, usable CAF, nice controls over focus methods, much better video... So I waited for a good deal on the GX7 to try it out. It's no doubt a very nice camera, but I don't like the viewfinder (small, smeary), and many of my lenses suffer shutter shock with the mechanical shutter, the IBIS is not very effective... So quite mitigated feelings...
So my train of thought was that I needed the E-M1! It would solve all my issues : no more shutter shock thanks to 0-sec anti-shock setting, superb viewfinder, better CAF etc.

I got a good deal on the E-M1, and I still have the E-M5 and GX7 (need to sell some stuff, I am getting poorer and poorer )

The camera is a beauty: it seems built like a tank, and I understand the claims about professional built standards (even though perceived build quality is not the same as real life durability...).

It's not too big, as I was used to the E-M5 with the grip. To me , the size is about perfect for a serious camera.

The viewfinder is gorgeous. Nothing else to say here.

All the good has already been said before and in the reviews. Now my gripes with the camera.

- This thing is a shutter shock monster! It's the worst behaving camera that I have tried (E-PM2, E-PL3, E-M5, GX7, GM1...) With basically all my lenses, I cannot get pin sharp images at anything between 1/50 and 1/250. WOW! Of course, there is the 0-sec shutter shock option, and it DOES solve the issue. But I see it as a workaround. Whenever I will shoot a burst, I'll have to make sure the camera is at least using a 1/500 shutter speed. Also, and I asked the question on this board before the purchase, when shooting with a long lens (40-150), I get perfectly sharp images at 1/100, 1/200, 1/320 and then glups, 1/400 and the images are very soft. I nedd to get to 1/640-/800 to get similar sharpness to my 1/100 shots. Why don't they include to EFCS to 1/1000 for instance??

So I have always been a shutter shock hunter, from day 1. I cannot get around the fact that you pay premium price for a camera and lenses and you can't even get a sharp picture in MANY instances. My conclusion to this issue is: as of today, in the micro 43 world, there is no definitive answer to the problem. Panasonic electronic shutter is nice, but it's not a viable solution for many uses. The new Oly's 0-sec anti-shock does work, but it's also limited and seems like a smart workaround. And finally, the only camera that makes me happy on that front is the tiny GM1. Yes, its mechanical shutter is limited, but I know it and know what to expect. But I did not get a SINGLE blurred image due to camera (user error is another matter).

We'll have to wait for the next (or next next?) breed of m43 cameras to get the issue solved at last. But that won't be before manufacturers introduce the global shutter sensors.

- I have some problems with focusing. I am talking S-AF. Didn't try C-AF yet. I expected the camera to focus at least as well as the E-M5 and was hoping that it would get close to the GM1/GX7. Not the case unfortunately. In good light, the camera is very responsive. But in low light, the camera tends to hunt much more than even the E-M5! I loaded the FW v2.0 but did not have time to notice if it behaved the same before. Here is a video showing the issue with the 45 1.8.

This is VERY disappointing! The camera feels much less secure to lock focus than even the E-M5! Anyone noticed the same ?? Is this normal ?

So I really hope that these issues will be sorted out, as I counted on the E-M1 to be my solution. But at present time, I might reconsider keeping the GX7 and sending the E-M1 back (as I have a 14 days refund period). Any opinions?

--
-- Digifan

 

[photofan1986]

Digifan,

You put the finger on something VERY interesting! It is not the size of the AF area, but when I set the focus point in the magnified view (the green box), focusing is as quick as it should be in low light, even when the box is tiny. But in the "normal" setting, AF is hesitant in low light.

I have a theory, but will have to do some testings. Don't have much time right now.

I think that in "normal" mode, the AF is a combination of contrast AF and phase detection AF.
In the magnified view, it is contrast detect only. I will test more to find out.

I know that what is generally acknowledged is that phase detection is only used in C-AF. But I'm under the impression that it's not the case

More to come.

Thanks much for helping me out!

 

[Moti]

Maybe for you. Coming from FF dslr, I find it small and extremely comfortable. About the grip, Most serious camera have a fixed grip that cannot be removed. I wouldn't want to see it otherwise. YMMV,

Moti

 

[Walt_A]

First off, I only own lower end M4/3 such as E-PM2 and a few Panasonics (GF-2, G2, G5) and shoot mainly with legacy pentax lenses. When I upgraded from the GF-2 to the E-pm2 I was amazed at how bad the shutter shock of the E-Pm2 was, so I went back to the shop and ended up swapping for a 2nd E-pm2 body. This 2nd one hardly suffers shutter shock at all. So based on that limited experience I'd say it would always be worth trying more than one body. Have/can you?

BTW, I tend to use the E-pm2 without IBIS unless I really need it, even though this body is far better (I guess once trust is lost it's hard to regain!).

 

[Paulmorgan]

Ok, so first impressions were overwhelming, but unfortunately, it got somewhat colder when testing more.

Just a little background. I have been using an E-M5 for more than 18 months now, with good level of satisfaction. Recently, I acquired a little GM1, and I was surprised that the tiny little beast was better at many things compared to my "big" gripped OMD. Better focusing, usable CAF, nice controls over focus methods, much better video... So I waited for a good deal on the GX7 to try it out. It's no doubt a very nice camera, but I don't like the viewfinder (small, smeary), and many of my lenses suffer shutter shock with the mechanical shutter, the IBIS is not very effective... So quite mitigated feelings...
So my train of thought was that I needed the E-M1! It would solve all my issues : no more shutter shock thanks to 0-sec anti-shock setting, superb viewfinder, better CAF etc.

I got a good deal on the E-M1, and I still have the E-M5 and GX7 (need to sell some stuff, I am getting poorer and poorer )

The camera is a beauty: it seems built like a tank, and I understand the claims about professional built standards (even though perceived build quality is not the same as real life durability...).

It's not too big, as I was used to the E-M5 with the grip. To me , the size is about perfect for a serious camera.

The viewfinder is gorgeous. Nothing else to say here.

All the good has already been said before and in the reviews. Now my gripes with the camera.

- This thing is a shutter shock monster! It's the worst behaving camera that I have tried (E-PM2, E-PL3, E-M5, GX7, GM1...) With basically all my lenses, I cannot get pin sharp images at anything between 1/50 and 1/250. WOW! Of course, there is the 0-sec shutter shock option, and it DOES solve the issue. But I see it as a workaround. Whenever I will shoot a burst, I'll have to make sure the camera is at least using a 1/500 shutter speed. Also, and I asked the question on this board before the purchase, when shooting with a long lens (40-150), I get perfectly sharp images at 1/100, 1/200, 1/320 and then glups, 1/400 and the images are very soft. I nedd to get to 1/640-/800 to get similar sharpness to my 1/100 shots. Why don't they include to EFCS to 1/1000 for instance??

So I have always been a shutter shock hunter, from day 1. I cannot get around the fact that you pay premium price for a camera and lenses and you can't even get a sharp picture in MANY instances. My conclusion to this issue is: as of today, in the micro 43 world, there is no definitive answer to the problem. Panasonic electronic shutter is nice, but it's not a viable solution for many uses. The new Oly's 0-sec anti-shock does work, but it's also limited and seems like a smart workaround. And finally, the only camera that makes me happy on that front is the tiny GM1. Yes, its mechanical shutter is limited, but I know it and know what to expect. But I did not get a SINGLE blurred image due to camera (user error is another matter).

We'll have to wait for the next (or next next?) breed of m43 cameras to get the issue solved at last. But that won't be before manufacturers introduce the global shutter sensors.

- I have some problems with focusing. I am talking S-AF. Didn't try C-AF yet. I expected the camera to focus at least as well as the E-M5 and was hoping that it would get close to the GM1/GX7. Not the case unfortunately. In good light, the camera is very responsive. But in low light, the camera tends to hunt much more than even the E-M5! I loaded the FW v2.0 but did not have time to notice if it behaved the same before. Here is a video showing the issue with the 45 1.8.

This is VERY disappointing! The camera feels much less secure to lock focus than even the E-M5! Anyone noticed the same ?? Is this normal ?

So I really hope that these issues will be sorted out, as I counted on the E-M1 to be my solution. But at present time, I might reconsider keeping the GX7 and sending the E-M1 back (as I have a 14 days refund period). Any opinions?

This thing is a shutter shock monster! It's the worst behaving camera that I have tried

Have you seen a doctor yet, you have accused all your camera`s including the EM5 and GX7 of this, and now the EM1.

 

[assaft]

Ok, so first impressions were overwhelming, but unfortunately, it got somewhat colder when testing more.

Just a little background. I have been using an E-M5 for more than 18 months now, with good level of satisfaction. Recently, I acquired a little GM1, and I was surprised that the tiny little beast was better at many things compared to my "big" gripped OMD. Better focusing, usable CAF, nice controls over focus methods, much better video... So I waited for a good deal on the GX7 to try it out. It's no doubt a very nice camera, but I don't like the viewfinder (small, smeary), and many of my lenses suffer shutter shock with the mechanical shutter, the IBIS is not very effective... So quite mitigated feelings...
So my train of thought was that I needed the E-M1! It would solve all my issues : no more shutter shock thanks to 0-sec anti-shock setting, superb viewfinder, better CAF etc.

I got a good deal on the E-M1, and I still have the E-M5 and GX7 (need to sell some stuff, I am getting poorer and poorer )

The camera is a beauty: it seems built like a tank, and I understand the claims about professional built standards (even though perceived build quality is not the same as real life durability...).

It's not too big, as I was used to the E-M5 with the grip. To me , the size is about perfect for a serious camera.

The viewfinder is gorgeous. Nothing else to say here.

All the good has already been said before and in the reviews. Now my gripes with the camera.

- This thing is a shutter shock monster! It's the worst behaving camera that I have tried (E-PM2, E-PL3, E-M5, GX7, GM1...) With basically all my lenses, I cannot get pin sharp images at anything between 1/50 and 1/250. WOW! Of course, there is the 0-sec shutter shock option, and it DOES solve the issue. But I see it as a workaround. Whenever I will shoot a burst, I'll have to make sure the camera is at least using a 1/500 shutter speed. Also, and I asked the question on this board before the purchase, when shooting with a long lens (40-150), I get perfectly sharp images at 1/100, 1/200, 1/320 and then glups, 1/400 and the images are very soft. I nedd to get to 1/640-/800 to get similar sharpness to my 1/100 shots. Why don't they include to EFCS to 1/1000 for instance??

The consensus used to be that SS territory is 1/60-1/320 (also supported by CrisPhoto's tests). There were rare reports on SS above 1/320 so far, and in its implementation of EFCS Oly fixed the max speed at 1/320. I guess that this shows that normally 1/320 is fast enough for making the shutter vibrations unharmful. Maybe you suffer from some unlikely sample variation? I would try another body. Regarding the fact that the EFCS is disabled in burst mode - that's beyond me.

So I have always been a shutter shock hunter, from day 1. I cannot get around the fact that you pay premium price for a camera and lenses and you can't even get a sharp picture in MANY instances. My conclusion to this issue is: as of today, in the micro 43 world, there is no definitive answer to the problem. Panasonic electronic shutter is nice, but it's not a viable solution for many uses. The new Oly's 0-sec anti-shock does work, but it's also limited and seems like a smart workaround. And finally, the only camera that makes me happy on that front is the tiny GM1. Yes, its mechanical shutter is limited, but I know it and know what to expect. But I did not get a SINGLE blurred image due to camera (user error is another matter).

We'll have to wait for the next (or next next?) breed of m43 cameras to get the issue solved at last. But that won't be before manufacturers introduce the global shutter sensors.

- I have some problems with focusing. I am talking S-AF. Didn't try C-AF yet. I expected the camera to focus at least as well as the E-M5 and was hoping that it would get close to the GM1/GX7. Not the case unfortunately. In good light, the camera is very responsive. But in low light, the camera tends to hunt much more than even the E-M5! I loaded the FW v2.0 but did not have time to notice if it behaved the same before. Here is a video showing the issue with the 45 1.8.

This is VERY disappointing! The camera feels much less secure to lock focus than even the E-M5! Anyone noticed the same ?? Is this normal ?

So I really hope that these issues will be sorted out, as I counted on the E-M1 to be my solution. But at present time, I might reconsider keeping the GX7 and sending the E-M1 back (as I have a 14 days refund period). Any opinions?

 

[pede59]

- I have some problems with focusing. I am talking S-AF. Didn't try C-AF yet. I expected the camera to focus at least as well as the E-M5 and was hoping that it would get close to the GM1/GX7. Not the case unfortunately. In good light, the camera is very responsive. But in low light, the camera tends to hunt much more than even the E-M5! I loaded the FW v2.0 but did not have time to notice if it behaved the same before. Here is a video showing the issue with the 45 1.8.

What you show there is not at all what i see with the EM1 and the GX7 side to side. AF speed is pretty much the same. There either something wrong with your experimental setup or you have a defective camera.

Keep hunting

 

[Denjw]

I use the E-M1 with the 50-200mm SWD + EC2.0 and consistently achieve good results.

Here are a few examples, all handheld. Also note some of these were shot at shutter speeds less than the desired for the focal length.

The water dragon was shot at 1/30 sec.





























Which lens are you using? Would like to see some of your examples of shutter shock on the E-M1.



--

http://dwehner.zenfolio.com/

 

[Mike_PEAT]

Maybe for you. Coming from FF dslr, I find it small and extremely comfortable. About the grip, Most serious camera have a fixed grip that cannot be removed. I wouldn't want to see it otherwise. YMMV,

The ONLY reason cameras became so big and bulky was to make room for the electronics...something necessary today!!!

 

[Leo]

I use the E-M1 with the 50-200mm SWD + EC2.0 and consistently achieve good results.

Here are a few examples, all handheld. Also note some of these were shot at shutter speeds less than the desired for the focal length.

The water dragon was shot at 1/30 sec.













Which lens are you using? Would like to see some of your examples of shutter shock on the E-M1.

--
http://dwehner.zenfolio.com/

Very beautiful photos!

Leo

 

[d3xmeister]

With my GH4, only the 14-140mm MKII has SS at some settings, worse being 1/160. No other lenses I own have SS on the GH4. On my E-M5, the kit lenses have SS, the 45mm has SS and the 14-140mm. I became very good on how to avoid it.

The E-M5 focus is not as fast as the GH4, but it's still plenty fast, never had any problems, hunting or missfocus. The E-M5 cannot do C-AF while the GH4 does it better than many DSLR's.

And my big problem with m4/3 since we're here, the most useful lenses I own (25mm f/1.4 and the 100-300mm) have VERY slow aperture mechanism, so everything sloooooooows down when shooting anything other than w open. I mean not even my old plastic cheap Nikon 18-55mm isn't that slow.

 

[Moti]

Maybe for you. Coming from FF dslr, I find it small and extremely comfortable. About the grip, Most serious camera have a fixed grip that cannot be removed. I wouldn't want to see it otherwise. YMMV,

The ONLY reason cameras became so big and bulky was to make room for the electronics...something necessary today!!!

If you would have read my post, you could see that I clearly mentioned "Coming from FF dslr". And I repeat again - a grip is added for comfort reasons mainly and not for making room for electronics. The EM5 doesn't have less electronics than the EM1 and yet, it doesn't have a grip.

Moti