Going on Safari, Sony NEX 5 Upgrade

Hi Everyone, first post, looking for some opinions.

I've travelled with and shot extensively with a Sony NEX-5 that has served us well. Focusing is a bit slow, continuous drive isn't quite what I want it to be, and ultimately lens selection seems to have faltered for e-mount since Sony introduced FE-Mount camera.

We're heading out on a Safari in April and initially I started looking for options for a longer lens than our SEL55210. They don't seem to exist other than a 300mm mirror lens that looks kind of... sketchy.

So this led me on a long odyssey attempting to identify possible replacements, eventually ending at the OM-D E-M5 Mark II (I just love the naming schemes camera companies come up with).

My requirements are that the camera be small and light (leading me to mirrorless), have a 300mm telephoto option, and have a body price <1100. With a reconditioned body, 75-300mm, and 25mm f/1.8 I can get a setup meeting these for about $1400. This is still a lot of money for us. So I'm left torn.

1. Is the 300mm really worth the switch from the NEX which I'm very comfortable with? Should I just try a teleconverter (I know nothing about these)? Is the 210mm fine for a safari and this is just a waste?

2. Am I going to see significant change in image qualify between the NEX-5 and Oly?

3. Is the shift from APS-C to 4/3 going to disappoint?

Finally, Oly and Panasonic seem to be focused on the 4/3 market so it seems like lens development will continue over time. I'm frustrated that development for my current system seems to have... slowed? Stopped?

Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

orofino wrote:

Hi Everyone, first post, looking for some opinions.

I've travelled with and shot extensively with a Sony NEX-5 that has served us well. Focusing is a bit slow, continuous drive isn't quite what I want it to be, and ultimately lens selection seems to have faltered for e-mount since Sony introduced FE-Mount camera.

We're heading out on a Safari in April and initially I started looking for options for a longer lens than our SEL55210. They don't seem to exist other than a 300mm mirror lens that looks kind of... sketchy.

So this led me on a long odyssey attempting to identify possible replacements, eventually ending at the OM-D E-M5 Mark II (I just love the naming schemes camera companies come up with).

My requirements are that the camera be small and light (leading me to mirrorless), have a 300mm telephoto option, and have a body price <1100. With a reconditioned body, 75-300mm, and 25mm f/1.8 I can get a setup meeting these for about $1400. This is still a lot of money for us. So I'm left torn.

1. Is the 300mm really worth the switch from the NEX which I'm very comfortable with? Should I just try a teleconverter (I know nothing about these)? Is the 210mm fine for a safari and this is just a waste?

Even though the 75-300 is supposed to be a little soft near 300mm the difference to 210 on APSc is clearly visible. 300mm on m43 is equivalent to 400mm on APSc.

2. Am I going to see significant change in image qualify between the NEX-5 and Oly?

No. The excellent 1,8/25 is about as good as the SEL 1,8/35 lens and vastly superior to the Sony kit zoom.

3. Is the shift from APS-C to 4/3 going to disappoint?

I don't think you will see much difference; Both the NEX5 and EM5 have a 16MP sensor.If you decide to buy an Olympus camera, make sure you have time left to learn your ways with the new camera and it's complex menue system.And take your old camera as well, there is nothing like a back up.Peter