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Worth upgrading e-pm2 for low light

Started Apr 19, 2017 | Questions
Twong Contributing Member • Posts: 849
Worth upgrading e-pm2 for low light

I have an e-pm2 that I am quite satisfied with. This system is mainly used for travel where size is extremely important. Has recent progress in sensor and processing power made it worthwhile to upgrade?

I am primarily interested in landscape/architecture. AF speed is not that important to me. However, IQ under moderate high ISO (~ISO 1600) is important.

 Twong's gear list:Twong's gear list
Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K-3 II Pentax smc FA 50mm F1.4 Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM +18 more
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Olympus PEN E-PM2
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d3xmeister Veteran Member • Posts: 3,395
Re: Worth upgrading e-pm2 for low light
2

I used the E-PM2 a lot. I upgraded to newer and newer m43 cameras. I have to say I can't see any significat advantage for high ISO's. There are diferences, but too small to make a difference. I only shoot raw though, I don't know about jpeg.

However, the IBIS in the E-PM2 was worse than useless. After seeing it actually ruin lots of my photos, I ended up turning it off completely. When I upgraded to the E-PL7, that camera 3-axis IBIS was amazingly good, and that made a huge diference shooting in low light.

So yes, upgrading ca make a huge difference but not because of the sensor.

baxters Veteran Member • Posts: 5,319
Re: Worth upgrading e-pm2 for low light

The EPM2 has the same 16MP sensor technology as all current Olympus Pens, EM5, and EM10. You have to go to the PEN F and EM1-MKII to get a better sensor.

If you don't already have a fast prime, consider an Olympus 17mm f1.8 or the Panasonic 15mm.

The Panasonic 20mm f1.8 is a bit slow focus for low light in the city, but is sharp, and often found for under $200 used. I paid $160 for a used one. It is so small that I lost the first one, and just had to have a replacement.

I like my results for night time cityscapes using the even older 12MP sensor with a fast lens. I suggest a faster lens over a body upgrade,

 baxters's gear list:baxters's gear list
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm F1.8 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8
OP Twong Contributing Member • Posts: 849
Re: Worth upgrading e-pm2 for low light

baxters wrote:

The EPM2 has the same 16MP sensor technology as all current Olympus Pens, EM5, and EM10. You have to go to the PEN F and EM1-MKII to get a better sensor.

If you don't already have a fast prime, consider an Olympus 17mm f1.8 or the Panasonic 15mm.

The Panasonic 20mm f1.8 is a bit slow focus for low light in the city, but is sharp, and often found for under $200 used. I paid $160 for a used one. It is so small that I lost the first one, and just had to have a replacement.

I like my results for night time cityscapes using the even older 12MP sensor with a fast lens. I suggest a faster lens over a body upgrade,

Thank you both baxters and d3xmeister for your comments. The responses are consistent with my expectation on sensor development.

I mostly use wide angle zoom, so the 20mm is too narrow for me. The reason to use zoom is convenience because I prefer to minimize the need to change lenses especially when traveling.

The zooms I have are sharp enough for me. I often prefer to shoot under somewhat challenging light conditions without the help of a tripod. Fast aperture is also not useful because I need the DOF, so performance at moderately high ISO is important.

 Twong's gear list:Twong's gear list
Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K-3 II Pentax smc FA 50mm F1.4 Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM +18 more
d3xmeister Veteran Member • Posts: 3,395
Re: Worth upgrading e-pm2 for low light

It seems that in your case (mine too) a camera with good IBIS will make a huge difference.

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