E-PL5 a worthy camera all this time later?

fbx wrote:

bluevellet wrote:

I don't own the camera, but I am way overdue for an upgrade and I would never consider the EPL5 (and EPL6 for that matter) for this simple reason: it uses the old 2-axis IBIS system.

I could be wrong but both Amazon and B&H advertise the PL6 with 3-axis stabilization--

"3-Axis In-Body VCM Image Stabilization" (B&H)

"3 axis image stabilization

Wrong, wrong wrong.

The E-PL6 is a slightly updated E-PL5 and there's no way it could have or would have the 3 axis IBIS. That did not arrive in the E-PLx line until the E-PL7.

Say goodbye to blurry images. Olympus’ in-body image stabilization technology makes it possible to use any Micro Four Thirds lenses (or Four Thirds lens), from wide-angle to telephoto, for perfectly clear, crisp photos no matter what the shooting situation, even in low light!" (Amazon)

Also on the Olympus E-PL6 page here:

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/pen/e-pl6.html

They have made a serious blunder and have confused many people.

Regards....... Guy

fbx wrote:

Also on the Olympus E-PL6 page here:

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/pen/e-pl6.html

Check the Specs part there, in the Stabilisation section is says "yaw/pitch" as the corrections available, that makes it the 2 axis version. The 3/5 axis has "yaw/pitch/roll" as corrections.

Check the specs of the E-PL7 to see that at http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/pen/e-pl7.html where that ones does say "yaw/pitch/roll".

Regards.... Guy

Thank you for your reply, John. Unfortunately you have some arguing left before you have me convinced. Many astonishing advances have been made in camera tech since 2003, but I will argue that improvements since E-PL5 are very minor. Since 2003, we have had huge advances in:

* resolution; now most cameras have enough of it
* ISO sensitivity
* time between shots (frame rate)
* color sensitivity
* display size and quality
* software processing
* sensor stabilization

See e.g. http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Olympus-PEN-E-PL5-versus-Canon-EOS-10D___839_437

E-PL5 is still top-of-the-line in all of those categories:
* resolution is still 16MP on new Oly cameras; it is good enough for me, personally I think it's a plus because the RAW files are smaller and more manageable to backup.
* the sensor is still essentially the same
* I have the VF-4 viewfinder, so I'm OK with my "old" display.
* for my best shots I process RAWs on my computer anyways, so the minor firmware improvements that had been made don't matter to me.
* the improvements in sensor stabilization from E-M5 are still minor
* also, E-PL5 comes with a WIFI-enabled SD card; this is not as convenient as having wifi integrated into the cam, but it really works just fine.

I have thus no compelling reason to upgrade to Olympus's newest and greatest. If it is possible for someone to save some money by buying E-PL5 (or E-PL6), I'd recommend it.

Cheers

John King wrote:

Lovely shot with the fog, Nezhin.

However, I have to agree with others - digital camera bodies are obsolete by the time they are first produced! Like computers ...

Buying the latest 'outdated' technology is better than buying really 'outdated' technology .

That having been said, 2003 dSLRs from all makers will still produce beautiful images, and cost next to nothing! e.g. E-1 plus 14-54 MkI sell for around $100 each, often in vg/mint condition. I make A2 fine art prints from my E-1 on my R3880 ...

nopix wrote:

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/pen/e-pl6.html

If you are referring to the fact they say "3 axis" then read the specs on the same page and see that it is only "pitch/yaw" and no roll mentioned, so the E-PL6 has the same 2 axis as the E-PL5.

Some marketing twirp has seen the "3" there and thought it meant the IBIS when the "3" is only a side note number.

The E-PL6 is only a slightly fancier E-PL5 and obviously being dumped at a low price in USA. To get 3 axis IBIS you need the E-PL7.

Regards..... Guy

Just now saw that Helen has an E-PL6 http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55751541 and what she says is the truth, as she is the goddess of camera information, always thorough and always correct.

Regards...... Guy