E-M5 Mark II vs E-M1

You sound like a candidate for the grip, which can be had without the battery pack if desired (HLD8G). Having both E-M1 and E-M5 (the original) I can verify the M1 handles larger lenses much more easily. I'm perfectly comfortable using it with the 40-150/2.8. For larger 4/3 lenses (up to 3.6 pounds) I add the grip. The E-M5 can be shot with bigger, heavier lenses so long as I support the rig with the lens to keep thing balanced, but for one-handed shooting I prefer smaller, lighter lenses.

Good luck,

Rick

Yes, the add-on grip is worthwhile for the EM5 II when using larger lenses.  It's still not as comfy as the EM1, but perfectly usable.  I'd personally hang on for the EM1 Mark II though if you intend moving that way.

I use that lens on my E-PM2 a lot. My camera barely has a grip. I hold the lens with my left hand palm up cradling the lens. Just ignore the unbalance and save yourself a lot of money. You won't really notice it after a while.

Skeeterbytes wrote:

You sound like a candidate for the grip, which can be had without the battery pack if desired (HLD8G). Having both E-M1 and E-M5 (the original) I can verify the M1 handles larger lenses much more easily. I'm perfectly comfortable using it with the 40-150/2.8. For larger 4/3 lenses (up to 3.6 pounds) I add the grip. The E-M5 can be shot with bigger, heavier lenses so long as I support the rig with the lens to keep thing balanced, but for one-handed shooting I prefer smaller, lighter lenses.

Thanks for your input. Yes, it certainly looks like the grip is an option. There appear to be a few cheaper alternatives to the official Olympus grip so I might give one of them a try. If you were buying a camera now to work with the 12-40mm etc, would you consider the E-M1 as an option or just go straight to the E-M5 II plus grip?

mrboh wrote:

Skeeterbytes wrote:

You sound like a candidate for the grip, which can be had without the battery pack if desired (HLD8G). Having both E-M1 and E-M5 (the original) I can verify the M1 handles larger lenses much more easily. I'm perfectly comfortable using it with the 40-150/2.8. For larger 4/3 lenses (up to 3.6 pounds) I add the grip. The E-M5 can be shot with bigger, heavier lenses so long as I support the rig with the lens to keep thing balanced, but for one-handed shooting I prefer smaller, lighter lenses.

Thanks for your input. Yes, it certainly looks like the grip is an option. There appear to be a few cheaper alternatives to the official Olympus grip so I might give one of them a try. If you were buying a camera now to work with the 12-40mm etc, would you consider the E-M1 as an option or just go straight to the E-M5 II plus grip?

I own an E-M1 and an E-M5 II.  The ergonomics of the E-M1 cannot be topped.  It may be the most comfortable, grippable camera ever made.  Fits like a glove.

A gripped E-M5 II is no slouch and is quite comfortable, but it's no E-M1.  For pure ergonomics, go for the E-M1.

mrboh wrote:

Thanks for your input. Yes, it certainly looks like the grip is an option. There appear to be a few cheaper alternatives to the official Olympus grip so I might give one of them a try. If you were buying a camera now to work with the 12-40mm etc, would you consider the E-M1 as an option or just go straight to the E-M5 II plus grip?

Based on feature sets the E-M5II brings more to the table, with the exception of CAF response and focusing with four-thirds lenses. Since I've never handled the new model I can't compare with the E-M1, but have to say I really like the M1, which is the best digital camera I've used.

Unless you actively dislike the M5II or plan on getting even larger lenses and perhaps four-thirds lenses, I'd probably get the grip and stand pat. Luckily, both are very good cameras.

Cheers,

Rick

Yes the EM1 is fantastic to hold.  I recently purchased the EM5 II (plus the 12-40 pro lens) and added the grip later.

It was a split decision between the EM1 and EM5 II, but I reckon that the EM5 II should get some decent firmware updates in the next few months (e.g. focus stacking that the 10 II has now), which just swung the balance for me.

I will probably trade the 5 II in for the EM1 II when it becomes available as it (the current EM1) is soooooo good in terms of handling.

Bialykot wrote:

Yes the EM1 is fantastic to hold. I recently purchased the EM5 II (plus the 12-40 pro lens) and added the grip later.

It was a split decision between the EM1 and EM5 II, but I reckon that the EM5 II should get some decent firmware updates in the next few months (e.g. focus stacking that the 10 II has now), which just swung the balance for me.

I will probably trade the 5 II in for the EM1 II when it becomes available as it (the current EM1) is soooooo good in terms of handling.

Same here. About to get an em5 mark II but will probably trade it for the em1 mark II next year since i expect that to have 4k capability.

Bialykot wrote:

Yes, the add-on grip is worthwhile for the EM5 II when using larger lenses. It's still not as comfy as the EM1, but perfectly usable. I'd personally hang on for the EM1 Mark II though if you intend moving that way.

The question is though, and this is now a serious one, will they have fixed the design error with the rear knob, where it stops working?

Bialykot wrote:

Yes, the add-on grip is worthwhile for the EM5 II when using larger lenses. It's still not as comfy as the EM1, but perfectly usable. I'd personally hang on for the EM1 Mark II though if you intend moving that way.

The question is though, and this is now a serious one, will they have fixed the design error with the rear knob, where it stops working?

I would think needing to buy an add on grip is the biggest design flaw? But really, how important is holding a camera?

berni29 wrote:

Hi

Great as the EM1 is, the EM5 mkII has the ability to shoot low speed burst with 0sec antishock. For that reason alone it is a better option. As long as you buy the grip that is.

As a prospective buyer not yet in the system, I most likely would not pick an E-M1 today over the E-M5II, unless I was a prior four-thirds user with a set of the Zuiko DSLR glass.

As an E-M1 owner over the past almost two years, I would not replace it with an E-M5II as I fully expect within a year or so the new high-end model with have all new features, by then most likely even updated versions, probably with more resolution and still with features the E-M5 models never had, or will have. It makes sense they'd hash out any issues with new features on the lower-end models.

It also sounds like the E-M1 is about to get yet another update in October with new features. Who knows, that may even include low speed burst with 0 anti-shock.

I was thinking about the jb designs em5 mark II add on grip when i get mine. Seems very well made and allows access to the battery compartment.

I'd basically decided to go with this thread's advice and stick with the E-M5 II + purchase the Fotodiox grip. But now the v4.0 firmware news has broken and I'm wondering about the E-M1 again! It looks like, come November, most of the features will be similar. Major differences appear to be:

• E-M1 will have focus stacking (and still have the built-in grip!)
• E-M5 II will have somewhat better IBIS, high resolution mode and a few more options for movies

Is that a reasonable summary? Has this changed anybody's opinion about getting one over the other?

mrboh wrote:

I'd basically decided to go with this thread's advice and stick with the E-M5 II + purchase the Fotodiox grip. But now the v4.0 firmware news has broken and I'm wondering about the E-M1 again! It looks like, come November, most of the features will be similar. Major differences appear to be:

• E-M1 will have focus stacking (and still have the built-in grip!)
• E-M5 II will have somewhat better IBIS, high resolution mode and a few more options for movies

Is that a reasonable summary? Has this changed anybody's opinion about getting one over the other?

E-M1 has better CAF and the ability to use four-thirds lenses, if those are meaningful capabilities.

Cheers,

Rick