To those with both EM5-II and EM1

To those with both EM5-II and EM1 - if you had no old 4/3 lenses which would you keep ? ..

I ask because I use the EM1 as a secondary work system and an old friend (retired from the job) who`s had an EM5-II for a few months has come into some SHG 4/3 glass and is suggesting an exchange because I don`t have and am not likely to get any 4/3 lenses .

Reasons which benefit me would be

1:- Quieter shutter, 2:- true EFCS, 3:- total Electronic shutter 4:- borderline OK video (as opposed to awful) 5:- Hopefully more stable AF system 6:- better IBIS 7:- HR mode for Stock photography 8:- superb twisty screen which folds inwards 9:- Hopefully none of the EM1 maladies such as burned EVF, dials failing and lugs falling off

Reasons I can think why not and keep the EM1 would be

1:- that deep EM1 Grip 2:- losing function buttons 3:- having to buy Capture one 8 because 7 doesn't support the 5-II 4:- it has an AA filter whereas the EM1 does not

Any input from owners of both regarding handling, AF, detail in files and IBIS would be gratefully received - I use mainly the 12-40 F2.8 and the Panasonic 14-140-II

I no longer have my EM-1 but my thoughts may be of interest, for my use (primarily macro + studio with a bit of walkabout / landscape ) I prefer the EM-5 mk2

One big downside for me to get out of the way is the grip, if I were judging purely on the ergonomics of that, I would keep the EM-1, which suited my hands much better and just seemed a better bit of design and construction

- battery life is not so good either but not sufficiently degraded as to be a problem for me

So, why the EM-5 mk2?

- the IBIS does seem to work better, particularly when shooting close macro work hand-held (my usual mode of working)

- although it is supposed to be "the same" sensor as that in the EM-5, I believe that something has been improved (maybe in the in-camera processing?) as I get less noise as the ISO increases to 1600 and the images have a cleaner more open look (subjective assessment + comments from club member who have seen images from all three of my EM's 5, 1 and now 5 mk2) Its certainly less noisy than my copy of the EM-1

- I think that focus is faster than the 5 and on a par / maybe a tad faster than the 1

- for my studio / still life work the Hi Res 40mp mode is a real benefit

- although I make only limited use of it the on-board flash is a real improvement with swivel and bounce potential and, I get the impression, a wider focal width (not made enough use for objective comment here)

That's it really, two superb tools and I regret selling all my original kit (a poor call brought on by muscle and joint weakness problems resulting from side-effects from a prescription drug I was taking, now resolved as I have stopped the drug and strength is returning - a magic feeling! ) but it did result in me getting the mk2 which I am finding does everything I need so far

One big downside for me to get out of the way is the grip, if I were judging purely on the ergonomics of that, I would keep the EM-1, which suited my hands much better and just seemed a better bit of design and construction

Yeah - in that it IS a grip - I felt liberated by it after the EM5 Mk1 and 10 with the 14-140 on - does the RH lug still stick into the hand when using the MkII like the Mk1 and EM10 ? ..

- battery life is not so good either but not sufficiently degraded as to be a problem for me

Well, the EM1 is crap on that score .. LOL . I liked the way the EM10 recycled old EPL and EP batteries , kinda hoped the Em5-II would have carried that on .

- the IBIS does seem to work better, particularly when shooting close macro work hand-held (my usual mode of working)

Does it - I wondered if the reports on this were merely the Traditional DP-Review Forums Hyperbole coming into play .

- although it is supposed to be "the same" sensor as that in the EM-5, I believe that something has been improved (maybe in the in-camera processing?) as I get less noise as the ISO increases to 1600 and the images have a cleaner more open look (subjective assessment + comments from club member who have seen images from all three of my EM's 5, 1 and now 5 mk2) Its certainly less noisy than my copy of the EM-1

What about RAW ? . to be honest my EM1 isn`t much diff to the EM5 Mk1 and EM10 at high ISOs - I only use JPG for Product work

- I think that focus is faster than the 5 and on a par / maybe a tad faster than the 1

It`s the tendency for Olys to sometimes miss on bright sunny scenes by a bit and rear focus that I`m hoping they`ve cured in the 5-II - though they`ve done it since the EP1 so hoping a bit much I guess .. Panasonics simply do not do this (though they simply do not have EFCS either bar the compromised GM cams hence why I moved to an Oly)

- for my studio / still life work the Hi Res 40mp mode is a real benefit

I do hate Tripods with a passion so doubt I`d use it much but I can imagine with the 12-40 set to F4 the results are out of this world.

- although I make only limited use of it the on-board flash is a real improvement with swivel and bounce potential and, I get the impression, a wider focal width (not made enough use for objective comment here)

I can`t imagine me using it for anything other than as a commander on an OMD BUT it WILL work on my GM5 after a small mod so that`s another big bonus for me - thanks

Thanks for your input Brian .......

AdamT wrote:

To those with both EM5-II and EM1 - if you had no old 4/3 lenses which would you keep ? ..

I ask because I use the EM1 as a secondary work system and an old friend (retired from the job) who`s had an EM5-II for a few months has come into some SHG 4/3 glass and is suggesting an exchange because I don`t have and am not likely to get any 4/3 lenses .

Reasons which benefit me would be

1:- Quieter shutter, 2:- true EFCS, 3:- total Electronic shutter 4:- borderline OK video (as opposed to awful) 5:- Hopefully more stable AF system 6:- better IBIS 7:- HR mode for Stock photography 8:- superb twisty screen which folds inwards 9:- Hopefully none of the EM1 maladies such as burned EVF, dials failing and lugs falling off

Reasons I can think why not and keep the EM1 would be

1:- that deep EM1 Grip 2:- losing function buttons 3:- having to buy Capture one 8 because 7 doesn't support the 5-II 4:- it has an AA filter whereas the EM1 does not

To my knowledge, neither the E-M1 nor the E-M5.2 has an AA filter. According to the horse's own mouth (see here), the TruePic VII of the E-M5.2

"performs high-precision demosaicing optimised for the low-pass filter less sensor".

Other than that, I think you got the pros and cons largely right except that I don't know what you mean by "hopefully more stable AF system" on the E-M5.2 (I am not aware of any stability problems with my E-M1 AF) and that you will lose some C-AF functionality with the E-M5.2, not just with FT but also MFT lenses, due to the lack of on-sensor PDAF.

Then it's all up to you how much this or that matters. Personally, for my shooting, I think I'd be inclined to swap if I got an offer to exchange my E-M1 for an E-M5.2. But I can certainly understand if some people see it differently.

Any input from owners of both regarding handling, AF, detail in files and IBIS would be gratefully received - I use mainly the 12-40 F2.8 and the Panasonic 14-140-II

I forgot to add this Adam, primary lens is the 60mm macro (of course), the others, in order of use: 12-50 kit lens, 17mm f1.8, old style mk2 40-150 and a manual focus canon fd 400mm f4

As to RAW, I can't say that I have seen much difference so won't make a judgement call on that. For most of my present work I have been shooting RAW + LSF jpg but mainly processing jpg for speed.

What I have produced using RAW has been for my gallery sales and a few studio images printed off for competition work and the quality is at least as good as anything I got with the EM-1

I think the lugs are a little further forward than on the EM-1 but as I modified my holding technique to avoid them on the EM-1 I don't find either body giving me a problem that some have described

As you will have gathered - I'm very happy with this new body

Then it's all up to you how much this or that matters. Personally, for my shooting, I think I'd be inclined to swap if I got an offer to exchange my E-M1 for an E-M5.2. But I can certainly understand if some people see it differently.

Thanks Anders and I`ve now fixed the need to upgrade my RAW conveter too - I`ve written a Batch file for GSAR to "Turn" Em5-II RAWs "into EM1" ones - it alters the identification text in a folder full of ORFs in one go - I checked it on some downloaded from P-Blog and it worked

As to RAW, I can't say that I have seen much difference so won't make a judgement call on that. For most of my present work I have been shooting RAW + LSF jpg but mainly processing jpg for speed.

As long as it`s no worse then Fine for me ............ thanks

as I said to Anders ----- I`ve now fixed the need to upgrade my RAW conveter too - I`ve written a Batch file for GSAR to "Turn" Em5-II RAWs "into EM1" ones - it alters the identification text in a folder full of ORFs in one go - I checked it on some downloaded from P-Blog and it worked

Twist screen has been useful for awkward angle shots.

this was one of the plusses, it can be folded in to make the cam "Visibly Silent" easily as well as acoustically and protect in storage

AdamT wrote:

Twist screen has been useful for awkward angle shots.

this was one of the plusses, it can be folded in to make the cam "Visibly Silent" easily as well as acoustically and protect in storage

I forgot a big plus of the folding screen - no more nose prints on the LCD (sound stupid but it really used to brass me off having to constantly wipe the screen clean )

just in case you are interested

studio

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75445098@N04/sets/72157652230013050

macro

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75445098@N04/sets/72157651925548450

a variable set, street, landscape etc

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75445098@N04/

Thanks Brian , lovely examples .. I`m not expecting much of a difference at any ISO to be honest, if its an updated version of the Sony sensor in the EM10, it ought to be better at Chroma noise at high ISOs and long exposures but I doubt even that is night and day  ..

Two features I never use on the EM1 are Continous focus (tracking or otherwise) and it`s ability to use 4/3 glass

thanks Adam, likewise - I have never used continuous focus (except as a test), with either my canon pro kit or any of the EM's

The EM-1 with 50-200 SWD was a remarkably good combo for my action sports and nature work, I'm now waiting for the 300mm f4 to arrive, that + the 1.4Xtc is going to be a dream system on the EM-5 mk2

AdamT--I got a 5ii a few weeks ago and use it with a 12-40Pro.  I also have an E-M1 but, since getting the 5ii, I only use the E-M1 with the 4/3 lenses, usually the 50-200 SWD and 1.4.  If I could only have one body, it would be the 5ii, and I would just get the 40-150 Pro.  The video is good on the 5ii, the IS is excellent, and I love the flip out screen.  I really like the fit and feel of the 5ii as well.

I'm sending in the E-M1 for a replacement left side eyelet lug and replacement of the top plate and rear dial.  I will defer my long zoom shooting for a few weeks and enjoy the E-M5ii while the E-M1 is gone.   I can lug around an E-5 with the 50-200 SWD for a few weeks.

If I didn't have 6 E-series lenses I would have chosen the E-M5ii over the E-M1, I think.

Joe

AdamT--I got a 5ii a few weeks ago and use it with a 12-40Pro. I also have an E-M1 but, since getting the 5ii, I only use the E-M1 with the 4/3 lenses, usually the 50-200 SWD and 1.4. If I could only have one body, it would be the 5ii, and I would just get the 40-150 Pro.

Well that says it all !! ......... Really warming to the idea, the cams will meet on Saturday to given the guy a chance to see the 14-35 and 50-200SWD on the EM1 and for me to see the 5-II . He`s set on the EM1 and even if I don`t do the deal (which is unlikely after the way this thread has developed) he`ll part-ex it for one anyway .

The laugh is that the easiest way to reset the EM1 is to load the new firmware - LOL

Thanks Joe

actually the em5 mark 2 video is better than ok. Its quite good compared to most options from nikon or canon. Just when compared to sony and panasonics fantastic video it is lackluster.

I`m amazed its even usable from Oly as I carry an LF1 for vid snippets if the GM isn`t handy or the lens on it isn`t long enough - I`ve not had a main M43 camera which shoots half passable video since changing the GX7 for the EM1 ....

I have heard several videographers say that the video is equal to that out of a 5dmark2 but benefits from crazy good stabilization. You should watch some videos shot with it.

I find that hard to believe but then the 5D-2 is very long in the tooth - the "old" 550D almost matched it also apart from DOF, I guess the EM5-II`s grip having a headphone socket ought to have been a clue - maybe I ought to watch some vids from the EM5-II,

I`ve been so used to Olys dire Video performance from EP1 to EM1 it seems almost like a fantasy so have one that`s capable - Like Fuji in fact who have the record for the worst video imaginable - the last time they lead the field in Digicam video was the Finepix-S602 of about 13 years ago which managed 640X480 until the card ran out (everyone else was lower rez and shorter times) - Fuji have sucked big time since then .

thanks

em5 Mk 2 is too small it not well matched to 12 40 every other consideration is misleading