Help: Another EM5 or EM1 Quandry

I'm a beginner looking to move up from EPL-3. I already have a Panasonic 14mm f2.5 (which allows me to put the camera in my pocket when I am walking around), and two Oly kit lens 14-42mm II R and 40-150mm II R. I want a  camera primarily to photograph my family, some of whom are ageing, and friends, and to take on my frequent family holidays.  I hope to blow up portrait photos taken with my new camera and print them on canvas, which I have done with photos taken on my daughter's Canon. I've never shot in RAW, or used Lightroom or Photoshop, but I intend to now do so. Having said that I know that most of my photos will start and end as JPEGs.

I was looking at the EM1 with 12-40mm Pro lens which retails for the equivalent of USD1680/- in Malaysia. However the store suggested that I should also consider the EM5, which is sold in a bundle with 12-40mm Pro lens, 25mm f1.8, 16GB Eyefi card, and HLD6 grip for the equivalent of USD1550/-. I've handled both, and while I like the comfort and grip of the EM1, I also like the portability of the EM5 especially when used with the Panasonic 14mm and Oly 25mm.  I'm also balancing my concern that the EM1 is too much camera for a beginner like me, against the fact that the EM5 has been discontinued and will therefore not get any support in terms of new firmware etc.

Could some kindly, and undoubtedly far more experienced, dpreview readers please share their thoughts with me about whether I am better off getting the EM5 or the EM1.  Thanks

Nivivin --

Ummm . . . do you want the 25mm prime or the grip?  I would see what he'd charge for just a EM5 & the 12-40 f2.8.  Heck, if you are satisfied with your current primes, how about just the EM5 body (which goes for $600 USD in the US right now, vs $1300USD for an EM1 body).

But, honestly, the 12-40 f2.8 is probably all the lens you will need for quite a while in your use, and it is incredible (i have one).  But you may be a prime kinda guy.

The EM1 has a number of features over the older EM5 -- better finder, faster, better AF, etc -- and that is why it costs more, but the basic image quality is the same.  And the EM5 is still very very good.

I have the E-M5 and the 12-40, and it's a great combination. It's great both in and outdoors, and has excellent image quality. Unless you need the additional features that the E-M1 offers, or plan to use some of the older four thirds lenses that benefit from phase detect auto-focus, I think you'd be wise to save your money on the E-M5 body and get the 12-40 with it.

The EM-5 is being remaindered now for $599 at the common US sources.  Rumor is that it will be replaced.  If you compare features with the EM-1, which you can do right here on this website, the EM-5 does more except for weather sealing.  However, I do not consider moving from an EP/L/M-x to an EM-x as an upgrade.   It amounts to a different philosophy of shooting.  I value small size, as if m43 was an upgraded, interchangeable-lens P&S replacement, and use an EPL-1.  When I need an EVF, I also own a Panasonic G3 body where it is built in but the body is still quite tiny.  I consider the EM-x line as a downsized DX or even FX system, encouraging and requiring a different style of shooting.  So I've stayed small with the small m43 bodies and go large with Nikon DX and FX when I want something larger and, perhaps, with additional capabilities beyond my EPL-1 and G3.  If I were going with an EM body, I'd get the cheaper EM-10.

Nivivin wrote:

I'm a beginner looking to move up from EPL-3. I already have a Panasonic 14mm f2.5 (which allows me to put the camera in my pocket when I am walking around), and two Oly kit lens 14-42mm II R and 40-150mm II R. I want a camera primarily to photograph my family, some of whom are ageing, and friends, and to take on my frequent family holidays. I hope to blow up portrait photos taken with my new camera and print them on canvas, which I have done with photos taken on my daughter's Canon. I've never shot in RAW, or used Lightroom or Photoshop, but I intend to now do so. Having said that I know that most of my photos will start and end as JPEGs.

I was looking at the EM1 with 12-40mm Pro lens which retails for the equivalent of USD1680/- in Malaysia. However the store suggested that I should also consider the EM5, which is sold in a bundle with 12-40mm Pro lens, 25mm f1.8, 16GB Eyefi card, and HLD6 grip for the equivalent of USD1550/-. I've handled both, and while I like the comfort and grip of the EM1, I also like the portability of the EM5 especially when used with the Panasonic 14mm and Oly 25mm. I'm also balancing my concern that the EM1 is too much camera for a beginner like me, against the fact that the EM5 has been discontinued and will therefore not get any support in terms of new firmware etc.

Did the nice people at the store tell you that the E-M5 is the oldest of the OM-D bodies and everyone is expecting Olympus to announce it's replacement in February. If you think the E-M1 is too much camera, consider the E-M10; feature wise, it is more advanced then the E-M5, slightly smaller, and has less buttons than the E-M1. It shares the E-M5's sensor, the E-M1s processor, has a better EVF and LCD than the E-M5, and has built in WiFi. However, with the E-M1, you are starting at the top of the line and you can use it as a big point & shoot if you want to; while you advance into more advanced usage.

The 12-40mm f/2.8 was designed to go with the E-M1 and with the 12-40mm, you won't need the 25mm or the 14mm. As for portraits, the Olympus 45mm is a good starter and is relatively inexpensive. Even better would be the Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN; also relatively inexpensive. Another consideration, if it's within your budget, is the Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8. it is excellent for portraits and you also get a good midrange telephoto. I use the 12-40mm f/2.8 and the 35-100mm f2.8 on my E-M10 and my primes have been sitting on the shelf.

Could some kindly, and undoubtedly far more experienced, dpreview readers please share their thoughts with me about whether I am better off getting the EM5 or the EM1. Thanks

Nivivin --

Here is another way to think of it: with the EM1 you've always got a maximum kit with a grip and very nice EVF . . . but there is no way to make it smaller.

With the EM5 (or, come to it, EM10 even more so) it is multiple personalities:  put that 12-40 f2.8 chunk of glass on it and the grip and you have a functional equiv of the EM1 in handling terms (that is really true if you add the VF4).  BUT, strip it down to just the body, add a pancake or collapseable lens and it is almost a (large) pocketable digicam.  You will never mistake an EM1 for one.

It is the same IQ either way. Yah pays yer money and takes yer choice.

Nivivin wrote:

I was looking at the EM1 with 12-40mm Pro lens which retails for the equivalent of USD1680/- in Malaysia. However the store suggested that I should also consider the EM5, which is sold in a bundle with 12-40mm Pro lens, 25mm f1.8, 16GB Eyefi card, and HLD6 grip for the equivalent of USD1550/-. I've handled both, and while I like the comfort and grip of the EM1, I also like the portability of the EM5 especially when used with the Panasonic 14mm and Oly 25mm. I'm also balancing my concern that the EM1 is too much camera for a beginner like me, against the fact that the EM5 has been discontinued and will therefore not get any support in terms of new firmware etc.

All the Olynpus cameras, except for the EPL1 and EP1, just got firmware releases to focus better with the new 40-150 Pro zoom. Expect the EM5 to stay on firmware list for lens compatibility for a few more years.

You said it yourself. You like the portability of the smaller EM5, and you can always make it monstrous and heavy with the HLD6. You also get the 25mm.

Actually, you should look into the EM10. Has onboard flash and WiFi. Not that much bigger than an EPL3.

One thing missing on the EM5 is chromatic aberration correction for JPEGs in camera.  It matters to me because I mostly use the Olympus 14-150 zoom and it has noticeable chromatic aberration.

I also found my EM5 very uncomfortable to use without the optional grip.  With it, the EM5 is very pleasant to use.

The E-M1 is worth it for the stunning EVF and position of the front and rear control dials alone IMHO.

Thanks everyone for taking the trouble to post and your helpful comments.  I guess I will have to go back to the store and see which one "feels" better.

I've had an EM5, EM10 and now EM1 and the EM1 is a totally different proposition. One problem I had with the EM5 and EM10 was rotating the rear command dial whilst looking through the viewfinder. I also accidentallly knocked the front dial quite a bit with both EM5 and EM10.

The E-M1 or E-M5 is not too much for a beginner.
Both cameras  can stay with you from the learning stage into the Enjoying Stage.
It will actually save from a lot of frustration also.
I would say if you get an E-M5 and get a 3 descent lenses you are better off.
Compared to Buying an E-M1 with one lens.
See my gallery for E-M1 samples. Please note that ll this shots are also possible on E-M5 excep the Love composites.

I have both an EM5 and an EM1.  I much prefer the way the EM1 handles out of the two.

There is one thing I really like about the em1 that the em5 does not do and not many people mention ... you can review your images in the evf.  When it's too bright to see the screen easily just look through the EVF instead and you can now see the image clearly.

I can't seem to configure the EM5 to do this.  Please someone tell me how this can be done if I am incorrect on this.