Replace Panasonic GX9 with Olympus EM5Mk3? Wait for EM1Mk3?

DLBlack wrote:

I now own the Pen F, E-M1 Mk2 and the E-M1X. So different set of cameras from you. Anyhow, I don't use my Pen F, that much. I still like it for the few times I go out on a family outing and family/social activities are more important than photography. Most of the time the E-M1 Mk2 serves as my general small camera. I love it but I do notice are much better the E-M1X is. I guess it came down to the dual processing power of the E-M1X. My E-M1X is currently my most use camera because I like its performance and handling more than the E-M1 Mk2. I don't like the extra bulk of the E-M1X, but do like its performance. So I have my name at my local camera store to get me on the pre-order list when the E-M1 Mkiii is announced. I kind of expect the E-M1 Mkiii to have the performance of the E-M1X in the body size of the E-M1 Mkii plus a much improved EVF and AF joystick. I do expect it to cost about what the E-M1 Mkii costed at released, which was $1,999 USD.

So if you like your E-M1X and want a slightly smaller camera that is not too small I would wait until the E-M1 Mk3 is announced to see if it is something you would like. If small size is more important than ergonomics and performance then look at the E-M5 Mk3.

Anyhow you should only have a few more weeks to know if the upcoming E-M1 Mk3 would be something you would be interested in.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not looking for the best in a small, easy to carry camera. I do wish the EM5Mk3 had a joystick, but then again, it is a whole lot less expensive than the EM1 and EM1X cameras.

I wish the PEN-F had phase AF. If it had, I would have gotten it over the Panasonix GX9. I guess the PEN line has run out..

DLBlack wrote:

The E-M5iii does not have the performance of the E-M1X. The E-M5iii has almost the same performance as the E-M1ii. The performance of the E-M1X is noticeably better than the E-M1ii.

Menu-wise the E-M1X has "My menu", while the E-M5iii does not.

Thanks. Your experience echos what I've read. Didn't realize there was no "my menu"; not sure if that's critical to me.

Ozonation wrote:

DLBlack wrote:

I now own the Pen F, E-M1 Mk2 and the E-M1X. So different set of cameras from you. Anyhow, I don't use my Pen F, that much. I still like it for the few times I go out on a family outing and family/social activities are more important than photography. Most of the time the E-M1 Mk2 serves as my general small camera. I love it but I do notice are much better the E-M1X is. I guess it came down to the dual processing power of the E-M1X. My E-M1X is currently my most use camera because I like its performance and handling more than the E-M1 Mk2. I don't like the extra bulk of the E-M1X, but do like its performance. So I have my name at my local camera store to get me on the pre-order list when the E-M1 Mkiii is announced. I kind of expect the E-M1 Mkiii to have the performance of the E-M1X in the body size of the E-M1 Mkii plus a much improved EVF and AF joystick. I do expect it to cost about what the E-M1 Mkii costed at released, which was $1,999 USD.

So if you like your E-M1X and want a slightly smaller camera that is not too small I would wait until the E-M1 Mk3 is announced to see if it is something you would like. If small size is more important than ergonomics and performance then look at the E-M5 Mk3.

Anyhow you should only have a few more weeks to know if the upcoming E-M1 Mk3 would be something you would be interested in.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not looking for the best in a small, easy to carry camera. I do wish the EM5Mk3 had a joystick, but then again, it is a whole lot less expensive than the EM1 and EM1X cameras.

I wish the PEN-F had phase AF. If it had, I would have gotten it over the Panasonix GX9. I guess the PEN line has run out..

The Pen F, while not having PDAF focusing, it does a pretty good job of catching action. The C-AF leaves a lot to be desired, but with S-AF if does pretty good.

This with the 14-150 on the Pen F (long shot with heavy crop)

gary0319 wrote:

Ozonation wrote:

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not looking for the best in a small, easy to carry camera. I do wish the EM5Mk3 had a joystick, but then again, it is a whole lot less expensive than the EM1 and EM1X cameras.

I wish the PEN-F had phase AF. If it had, I would have gotten it over the Panasonix GX9. I guess the PEN line has run out..

The Pen F, while not having PDAF focusing, it does a pretty good job of catching action. The C-AF leaves a lot to be desired, but with S-AF if does pretty good.

This with the 14-150 on the Pen F (long shot with heavy crop)

That's pretty impressive actually. I tried to do some sports and action with the EM5Mk2 when I had it. It wasn't very easy.

Henry Richardson wrote:

Seems like a no-brainer.

sorry but it is big and for street shooting is huge!

I also like the form factor of the GX cameras, more than the EM5 solely because of the tilt screen and waist shooting option. I would keep the GX9 and combine it with either 15/1.7 or 25/1.4 (my favorite FL for street)

Ozonation wrote:

DLBlack wrote:

The E-M5iii does not have the performance of the E-M1X. The E-M5iii has almost the same performance as the E-M1ii. The performance of the E-M1X is noticeably better than the E-M1ii.

Menu-wise the E-M1X has "My menu", while the E-M5iii does not.

Thanks. Your experience echos what I've read. Didn't realize there was no "my menu"; not sure if that's critical to me.

Specifically, the 5 III has three "C" modes: C, C2, and C3 that are analogous to three MySets. You can configure them however you want but only C can be assigned to a mode dial position, and that position is "C". PASMB can be assigned a C mode only via a small menu dive but that mode sticks.

I was a bit dismayed at first, coming from a E-M5 II (with 4 MySets) but with far better AF, another button, faster L sequence, finer control over Focus Home, and additional features in "multi-function", it isn't a problem. Most of the distinctions in my four E-M5 II MySets were to deal with focus and drive sequence shortcomings.

Be aware, though, I don't think the E-M5 III offers any functionality that is not already present in your E-M1X.

I have suspicions, however, that the E-M5 III borrows more from the E-M1X than the E-M1 II - more of a greatly stripped down E-M1X than a slightly stripped down E-M1 II. https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/?s=birds+in+flight

I have E-M1, E-M1.2 and GX9.  I think the E-M5.3 will replace both the GX9 (it’s actually lighter) and the E-M1 (better focusing, more MP, etc).  So the E-M1.2 and E-M5.3 will be a good pair when I’m shooting events and shows, the E-M1.2 will be the sports/big lens camera, and the E-M5.3 will be the small street shooter.

SGA wrote:

I have E-M1, E-M1.2 and GX9. I think the E-M5.3 will replace both the GX9 (it’s actually lighter) and the E-M1 (better focusing, more MP, etc). So the E-M1.2 and E-M5.3 will be a good pair when I’m shooting events and shows, the E-M1.2 will be the sports/big lens camera, and the E-M5.3 will be the small street shooter.

That is exactly my standard makeup for my E-M1 II and its E-M5 III sidekick, a great pairing, IMO.

SGA wrote:

I have E-M1, E-M1.2 and GX9. I think the E-M5.3 will replace both the GX9 (it’s actually lighter) and the E-M1 (better focusing, more MP, etc). So the E-M1.2 and E-M5.3 will be a good pair when I’m shooting events and shows, the E-M1.2 will be the sports/big lens camera, and the E-M5.3 will be the small street shooter.

Well... sort of like you, I have the EM1X and the GX9. I take it you're advocating replacing my GX9 based on your experience.

Ozonation wrote:

SGA wrote:

I have E-M1, E-M1.2 and GX9. I think the E-M5.3 will replace both the GX9 (it’s actually lighter) and the E-M1 (better focusing, more MP, etc). So the E-M1.2 and E-M5.3 will be a good pair when I’m shooting events and shows, the E-M1.2 will be the sports/big lens camera, and the E-M5.3 will be the small street shooter.

Well... sort of like you, I have the EM1X and the GX9. I take it you're advocating replacing my GX9 based on your experience.

I would never advocate what anyone else should do.  I have a hard enough time getting my own decisions made!   In my case, I found (over a number of years) that I really liked shooting with the OM-D bodies, and not so much with the GX bodies.  So when the M5.3 came out (and dropped to $999) it clarified my decision process.  The M5.3 is actually a bit lighter than the GX9, although taller due to the EVF hump.   It’s also better in wet weather.

Finally, shooting with two similar cameras is always easier for me.