I may be getting ahead of Guy Parsons, but how far ahead?

Humansvillian wrote:

Guy Parsons is to blame for my Olympus MFT obsession, by writing up all the Olympus MFT cameras, and after he made them sound so good, I've had a PL1, PL3, P3, PL6, and not one, but a pair of OMD M10's.

But Mr. Parsons uses a pair of P5's, and those had five way stabilization, and gee gaws and foo fraws my OMD M10's do not have.

But yesterday, I was tempted by the offer of Robert's Camera to buy a $399 black OMD M5 II body, and my very own OMD M5 II is on the way.

Surely this camera body, excels even Parson's P5's.

I know the OMD series has a built in viewfinder. But Parsons has the excellent add on viewfinder. And the OMD M5 and up series is weather sealed, but doesn't have that Leica type styling that the P5 has, so let's call that styling. I don't plan on me or my camera getting very wet.

Aside from the viewfinders, and weather sealing, what theoretical advantages does the current OMD M5 II have over the P5?

I'll be able to take a 40mp picture, but that is a trifling advantage.

What are the practical advantages of the OMD M5 II over the P5, if there are any?

It's the Indian, not the bow, that hits the target, but is the OMD M5 II a better bow?

I really like the E-M5 Mark II's styling, personally - I still think it's the prettiest of the OM-D models (along, astonishingly enough, with the E-M10 Mark III, which despite its well-publicised change of direction with construction and features, does at least seem to use the E-M5 Mark II as the inspiration for its appearance) - these two seem to get the closest to the OM-1/2/3/4 family in their proportions and appearance (that maybe only works for people who think those were lovely-looking, but I happen to!).  I've always liked matte black speckle finish of the black version, too.

A couple or three things about the E-M5 II I'd like to add that haven't yet been mentioned by yourself or others:

The shutter, when used in full mechanical or EFCS mode, has a beautifully-damped,  quiet action which I really appreciate.

It's compatible with the cute little FL-LM3 weatherproof, camera-powered, tilt and swivel flash - in fact, it comes with it though that may not be the case the way you're purchasing it - but let's hope so, since it doesn't have a built-in flash (unlike the E-P5).

That built-in EVF is the same gorgeous, large unit as the VF-4 for the E-P5, but it adds the option of automatically-adjusting brightness and the two DSLR-style display modes, where you can have a slightly smaller image with all the shooting info displayed below it, on either a black background or a very OM-3/4-style mid-blue background.

Oh, and you have the option of an accessory grip or power grip.

Whether you view the fully-articulating screen as a plus or a minus depends on your personal preference!

Some E-M5ii plus points over E-P5

1. In camera focus stacking (since latest firmware update)
2. Tethering capability with Olympus Capture
3. Sync IS with 12-100 f/4 and 300 f/4 lenses
4. HiRes mode
5. Extra function button on front of body
6. Weather sealing
7. Fully articulating LCD (plus feature for me, may be a minus for others).

The above features matter to me but may not to you.

Humansvillian wrote:

I also like the looks the OMD M5 II, but the P5 looks more like this camera:

Hmm, controversial image...

The Pen F is the next in in the rangefinder styled Olympus MFT camera, after Guy Parson's P5.

Indeed styling is subjective, though note that I said that IMHO the E-M5 Mark II "is the prettiest of the OM-D models" - i.e. the (D)SLR styled ones - I wasn't comparing it to the more "rangefinder" styled ones.

Actually, I think the E-P5 still retains more of a nod to the half frame Pen F (which was an SLR despite its smooth, rangefinderlike profile) whilst ironically, the digital Pen-F definitely does have Leica III-inspired styling (though it also retains the asymmetrical front that drops down on the right as we look at the camera which was a feature of the Pen F half frame SLR series, and is also there on the E-P5), whilst its front dial variously resembles them AND the Leica III series.

And the Pen F and the OMD M5 II were close to the same price, not long ago.

Maybe when Olympus discounts the refurbed Pen F cameras down to $399 I can pick one of those up, and have Guy Parsons beat whichever way you look down the viewfinder.:)

Guy doesn't actually like using EVFs, y'know...

Beware - in certain circumstances, the Pen-F is surprisingly slower than other Olys, even earlier ones, with regard to AF (yes, I have one, so I'm not criticising something I haven't used).

The truth is, that in good light, my first PL-1 is more than good enough for me, Guy Parsons, or anybody else.

We all like to buy new toys, on occasion.

Absolutely - I heartily agree!!

-- hide signature --

Humansville is a town in the Missouri Ozarks

Peter 1745 wrote:

Some E-M5ii plus points over E-P5

1. In camera focus stacking (since latest firmware update)

...and the focus bracketing it already had, which wasn't present on the E-P5.

Come to think of it, there are also other newer-generation fun features like Live Composite too (the E-P5 has Live Time and Live Bulb but not this).

1. Tethering capability with Olympus Capture
2. Sync IS with 12-100 f/4 and 300 f/4 lenses
3. HiRes mode
4. Extra function button on front of body
5. Weather sealing
6. Fully articulating LCD (plus feature for me, may be a minus for others).

The above features matter to me but may not to you.

-- hide signature --

Regards,
Peter
'Keep taking the photos'

gteague wrote:

it's hard to get ahead of guy because he's guy v1. i'm v2 and although i'm likely closest because we haven't found a v1.x guy, i can't get ahead of him.

/guy (v2--but out of beta)

(that's an idea, i'm forthwith calling guy v1 'beta guy'. that'll tickle him!

No beta Guy here, fully tested and run in, and almost reached end of useful life!

Regards...... Guy (the original and best) Parsons ...... (beware of cheap copies)

Humansvillian wrote:

Guy Parsons is to blame for my Olympus MFT obsession, by writing up all the Olympus MFT cameras, and after he made them sound so good, I've had a PL1, PL3, P3, PL6, and not one, but a pair of OMD M10's.

OK, blame me yet again!

But Mr. Parsons uses a pair of P5's, and those had five way stabilization, and gee gaws and foo fraws my OMD M10's do not have.

I have stalled on the E-P5 as it does all that I need in my simple life.

But yesterday, I was tempted by the offer of Robert's Camera to buy a $399 black OMD M5 II body, and my very own OMD M5 II is on the way.

Surely this camera body, excels even Parson's P5's.

Yes, but then I don't like out sideways screens and I only use screens now, so despite its niceness the E-M5 Mk2 is just not for me.

I know the OMD series has a built in viewfinder. But Parsons has the excellent add on viewfinder.

Haven't used the VF-2 at all now for some years, not even sure where it is.

And the OMD M5 and up series is weather sealed, but doesn't have that Leica type styling that the P5 has, so let's call that styling. I don't plan on me or my camera getting very wet.

Yes, weather sealing would be nice, but all I do is keep out of most of the rain, or use an umbrella.

Aside from the viewfinders, and weather sealing, what theoretical advantages does the current OMD M5 II have over the P5?

Later imaging chip so has the Live Composite, an interesting and useful feature that the E-P5 misses out on.

I'll be able to take a 40mp picture, but that is a trifling advantage.

I could stitch up something even bigger, but why, 16MP does all I need.

What are the practical advantages of the OMD M5 II over the P5, if there are any?

Better camera, later imaging chip, silent (and shock free) electronic shutter option, can save/restore settings. can do Sync IS where the E-P5 can only do X-Y with Oly OIS and roll only with the sensor. But I have no Oly OIS lenses so no worries here.

It's the Indian, not the bow, that hits the target, but is the OMD M5 II a better bow?

I do admit defeat, you have trounced me in Pen/OM-D ownership.

If I were to be a viewfinder user then I guess the E-M5 Mk2 would make a lot of sense to upgrade from E-P5. Buy hey, the E-P5 is working fine and in fact I am going back the other way and indulging in Casio pocket cameras and getting a pair of the last models made to see how good/bad the 1/1.7" sensors are.

That way I have the option of a bag of M4/3 on the shoulder, and/or a Casio in a small belt pouch, and that Casio camera can deliver some quite good results in good light. Yet to try it in low light conditions.

All the best....... Guy

Humansvillian wrote:

I've un boxed, inspected, and tried out the OMD M5 II, and your P5 is blessed among the righteous, for it had years ago, what the OMD M5 II still has today, which is the quality, construction, and feel of the best grade of MFT camera Olympus can make. This was found on the original, short lived P1, P2 and P3, and continued with the OMD M5 and Pen E-P5.

The P5 is the same grade of camera, as the OMD M5 II.

Yes, but moved on a few years and of course the faux SLR style.

Both have essentially the same sensor and are essentially the same in how well they function to take photographs. Only gee gaws and foo fraws, not essential to the camera's righteousness, separate the two cameras. They are far more alike than they are different.

The things I might think that I might miss under some circumstances are the later imaging chip with Live Composite and the fully electronic shutter.

The things I avoid like viewfinder and sideways flippy screen cause me to make certain choices about what body suits me.

The creators of the cameras from Olympus, made sure that if it's their best grade of MFT camera, it takes the same battery as all the other best grade cameras, beginning with the OMD M5 and P5.

The E-P5 was launched with shutter shock so deadened sales somewhat, by the time I bought it was half price and the firmware had fixed it.

But in a more somber note, we should all admit defeat.

Once you have a P5, there are no more Olympus hills to climb.

I keep saying that, but nobody listens.

Regards...... Guy