Used PEN E-P5 or OM-D M10 II?

Would you miss an EVF? The E-P5 is better built and equipped but I'm one who won't get another camera without a finder and would get the E-M10 between the two.

Shots from either should be on par so IQ isn't at issue. Neither has PDAF.

Cheers,

Rick

Something I forgot before, don't M5iii and M10ii take the same battery? Big advantage if so.

Skeeterbytes wrote:

Something I forgot before, don't M5iii and M10ii take the same battery? Big advantage if so.

Yes, the batteries....

• E-M5 Mk3 = BLS-50
• E-M10 Mk2 = BLS-50
• E-P5 = BLN-1

As a long time user of E-P5 and later buyer of E-M10 Mk2 I see the differences as... (bearing in mind that I am 100% screen user, never use an EVF any more)

• E-P5 solid build, controls in right places, nice to use.
• E-M10 Mk2 nice build but I definitely don't like the controls, much more awkward to use, so it stays at home and only the E-P5 goes out with me on a trip.
• E-M10 Mk2 has fully electronic shutter so wear and tear and noise kept to a minimum when it is appropriate to use the electronic shutter. Makes it a nice silent camera.
• E-P5 has only the mechanical shutter operation but it is the higher quality 1/8000 sec shutter mechanism so should last longer.
• Both cameras pop-up flash yield big lens shadows if using a chunky or long lens so I always carry the little FL-300R to overcome that issue.
• Re E-P5 dial issues, yes, it can happen. My black E-P5 had dial death on a trip but solved by using button press operation just like my old E-PL1, dials fixed under warranty, still going OK. My silver E-P5 bought a few months after the black one never has had any dial problems at all. Cameras were bought in late 2014 and early 2015.

As for using the cameras, I am so used to the easy operation of the E-P5 that coming to the E-M10 Mk2 is a pain for me, so it sits mainly unused and unloved.

With the E-P5 as I slip if from my bag, the right hand slips through the wrist strap and holds the camera and at the same time turns on the power lever. As I raise it to shooting position (usually mid chest level with the screen) the left hand helps hold the camera and also kicks out the tilt screen a bit - and it's ready for the shot.

If I need a MySet shift then that's on the mode dial so an easy to turn mode dial with the thumb shifts the program as needed.

If I move to the E-M10 Mk2 I find the power on switch is that awkward lever on the left, bad positioning. Slower to activate. The screen seems "tighter" somehow so always needs more effort to get it to tilt for me, that slows me down. And then the mode dial is small and hard to turn so that again makes it slower for me to get the right MySet for the occasion.

So that's me and my whinging, but in reality the better choice for the OP is really the E-M10 Mk2 because of same battery and more similar operation. Plus of course if an EVF user then the E-P5 is a pain, the VF-2 works but does not lock on so people do lose them, The VF-4 works better and locks on but the trouble now would be to find one.

Some feature items and batteries used are noted on my Timeline page. http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~parsog/olyepl1/80-Oly-timeline.html

Hello Guy,

I found your comments to be very helpful.  Your point about not using the attachable viewfinder on the PEN E-P5 is interesting.  Do you find the tilt screen sufficiently bright enough to compose in sunny conditions?  The finders seem to be scarce and expensive when I do searches.  I would just as well do without it if I can.

dbuss wrote:

Hello Guy,

I found your comments to be very helpful. Your point about not using the attachable viewfinder on the PEN E-P5 is interesting. Do you find the tilt screen sufficiently bright enough to compose in sunny conditions?

No, there are plenty of times outdoors in the sun that I have problems, but tilt screen, a wide brim hat or peaked cap help somewhat. I was so used to compacts with fixed and tilt screens that using the tilt screen of the E-P5 was a natural update. Plus I hate having to fit cameras up to my face, that way I don't see what is around the scene and what may be about to intrude.

In one impossible to see situation I resorted to this...

Perfect screen view, but a bit hot under there.

The highly reflective lakeside gravel made the (E-PL5 then) screen impossible. But I've never had to do that again since that date.

The finders seem to be scarce and expensive when I do searches. I would just as well do without it if I can.

The age of the E-P5 plus the different battery may be the main issue, apart from the viewfinder. That is one reason why I have two E-P5, to even out the wear and change them over maybe every 6 months or so. So far nothing out there appeals to me to make me "update" from the E-P5.