[ closed ] Olympus Announces its latest Micro4/3 camera and lenses - OM-D

[Oly5050]

You're really cooled off when you become indifferent about the launch date. You are irritated by it because you care about it a lot. Is my analysis correct?

I am not totally cooled off, but I have stopped scouring the Internet for anything and everything I can find about the E-M5. Notwithstanding, this is really one camera that got my attention. Much more than either the GX-1 or the X-Pro1.

As long as I get to bring it (instead of my heavier 60D) to my 3-week Europe trip in May, I'm satisfied. Of course it'll be nice to have it earlier so that I can familiarize with it and buy whatever lenses (UWA? Fast standard prime?) and accessories necessary.

Compared to the beginning, I am cooled off now. Haha! Its irritating because I have missed or will miss a couple of trips with the camera because of this launch date. It also means I still have to lug my DSLR rig around on my trips. I am looking to this as my DSLR replacement. I guess I should plan to live without it and plan my trips with my current setups. By then, I can envision that my desire to purchase to camera will drop to a low. Its a bear market now for me.

 

[rhema83]

Compared to the beginning, I am cooled off now. Haha! Its irritating because I have missed or will miss a couple of trips with the camera because of this launch date. It also means I still have to lug my DSLR rig around on my trips. I am looking to this as my DSLR replacement. I guess I should plan to live without it and plan my trips with my current setups. By then, I can envision that my desire to purchase to camera will drop to a low. Its a bear market now for me.

That may be a good thing because the initial stock won't be snapped up like a newly-launched iPhone!

I better plan my Europe trip assuming that I have to bring my 60D and full-sized tripod. My wife will be sure to complain that I cannot help her carry her shopping bags!

 

[esoeij]

I should be buying it as soon as it hits the shelves. All this waiting hasn't dampened my enthusiasm, but it sure is annoying that the gap between launch and availability is so long.

 

[zapp!]

Still waiting for oly sg to organize demo

 

[zenotic]

I've got a Pan 20mm 1.7 and 14-45mm 3.5-5.6 on hand. Which of these to keep should I get the 12-50 kit ?

 

[esoeij]

I've got a Pan 20mm 1.7 and 14-45mm 3.5-5.6 on hand. Which of these to keep should I get the 12-50 kit ?

I would sell the 14-45 n get the 12-50kit. It's weather sealed. I think IQ is better n the AF speed will be much faster. The zoom range is also wider n longer. Can do macro. This lens has got pretty good reviews so far. Only 'flaw' is that it's a slow lens but then so is the panny zoom.

 

[ijnek]

the 20 f1.7 is a keeper, 14-45 u can get it off ur hands.
the 12-50 ps weather sealed, so goes nicely with the om-d

 

[rhema83]

I should be buying it as soon as it hits the shelves. All this waiting hasn't dampened my enthusiasm, but it sure is annoying that the gap between launch and availability is so long.

Olympus might be trying to pull off an Apple-style product launch here. It first lets the rumour mills spin with bits and pieces of leaked information. With the anticipation built up, it follows up with a global launch event where pre-production samples wow the press. Finally, delivery comes about a month or two later and the fresh-out-of-the-oven products get snapped up by eager buyers. Due to pent-up demand, the product remains hard to find for months. Sounds familiar? (Waited till end-2010 for a iPhone 4! I have to say, so far Olympus has been very successful at marketing the E-M5!

 

[CrimsonS]

Don't have to wait long. Next week IT show can molest EM-5 (source: Oly Sg facebook page)

 

[blurboiboi]

Don't have to wait long. Next week IT show can molest EM-5 (source: Oly Sg facebook page)

not on sale yet ma?

 

[CrimsonS]

not on sale yet ma?

I think IT show hands on preview only. Sales should be mid april conservatively.

 

[esoeij]

B&H website states availability as 10 April. That's for USA though. Hope Oly can at least announce SG prices at the IT show n confirm when the EM-5 will be available locally.

 

[dereth]

And with grip bundled in FOC.

... but then, wishful thinking.

 

[rhema83]

And with grip bundled in FOC.

... but then, wishful thinking.

I rather have Olympus run a purchase-with-purchase promotion for the grip (and other E-M5 specific accessories). Those who don't need the grip (e.g. yours truly) can then pay a lower price. (You don't seriously think they won't price the grip into the "bundle price", right?)

I am just wondering if the kit lens is worth US$300 RRP difference. Is it in the same league as a Canon 18-135 (consumer-grade), 15-85 (enthusiast-grade) or 24-105L (pro-grade)? For the kit to be US$300 more than the body alone, the lens itself should cost US$350-US$400. That puts it significant above the current 14-4x kit lenses.

 

[MichaelLee]

Is it in the same league as a Canon 18-135 (consumer-grade), 15-85 (enthusiast-grade) or 24-105L (pro-grade)?

It is of course different league. it is no horse run, the 12-50mm is much better weather sealed compared to Canon 18-135mm/15-85mm.

 

[rhema83]

It is of course different league. it is no horse run, the 12-50mm is much better weather sealed compared to Canon 18-135mm/15-85mm.

There is much more to a lens than weather sealing, though. Are you implying that the 12-50 is optically comparable to Canon L / Nikkor gold-ring / Zuiko SHG glass?

Call me a skeptic but I think most m4/3 lenses rely too much on firmware-level correction to make up for their optical deficiencies. For example, the "premium" M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 ED exhibits 5.6% barrel distortion when uncorrected, an abysmal figure compared to EF 24mm f/2.8L II (1.4%) and Nikkor AF-S 24mm f/2.8 G ED (1.5%). Even the 4/3 Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ED SWD, with all its compromises to achieve a 5x zoom range, exhibits only 2.3% at its widest end.

Of course, whether this reliance on firmware-level correction is problematic is another matter altogether. After all, the 12mm f/2 manages to achieve a very impressive 0.7% barrel distortion after correction. The corner softness caused by the correction is not show-stopping. I guess this trade-off between optical quality and size / price is a reasonable one given the target audience of the m4/3 system.

Then again, there are nice exceptions to this: the Summilux, the Macro-Elmarit, the Nokton and the M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8. They are the "real deals" that are designed well enough not to require firmware-level correction.

Sorry for being OT, this has nothing to do with the E-M5. Just another sidetrack while we wait for the availability! (And to molest it at the IT show. 4th floor near the left of the hall!)

 

[MichaelLee]

There is much more to a lens than weather sealing, though. Are you implying that the 12-50 is optically comparable to Canon L / Nikkor gold-ring / Zuiko SHG glass?

Precisely, there is much more to compare than just weather sealed. How do we compare 12-50mm whether it is the same league as a Canon 18-135 (consumer-grade), 15-85 (enthusiast-grade) or 24-105L (pro-grade)? Especially 12-50mm is around USD300 vs Canon 24-105L USD1,000 ?

 

[rhema83]

Precisely, there is much more to compare than just weather sealed. How do we compare 12-50mm whether it is the same league as a Canon 18-135 (consumer-grade), 15-85 (enthusiast-grade) or 24-105L (pro-grade)? Especially 12-50mm is around USD300 vs Canon 24-105L USD1,000 ?

You are right. But what I was asking for is a not-so-scientific "general feel", "real world usage" comparison. Akin to saying "the 12mm f/2 feels as good as a 24mm f/2.8L II in use, for a fraction of the price and weight".

Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing the 12-50. Despite its shortcomings, I think it is still a good general-purpose zoom lens (the best m4/3 one by far) and a keeper at least until the 12-35mm f/2.8X hits the market.

 

[esoeij]

Despite its shortcomings, I think it is still a good general-purpose zoom lens (the best m4/3 one by far) and a keeper at least until the 12-35mm f/2.8X hits the market.

While m4/3 lenses are interchangeable on Panasonic and Olympus, my understanding is that Oly bodies will not have proper firmware correction for Panny lenses (e.g. the original CA, distortion etc due to the physical lens characteristics will be more obvious) and vice versa. Is this correct?

 

[MichaelLee]

You are right. But what I was asking for is a not-so-scientific "general feel", "real world usage" comparison. Akin to saying "the 12mm f/2 feels as good as a 24mm f/2.8L II in use, for a fraction of the price and weight".

Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing the 12-50. Despite its shortcomings, I think it is still a good general-purpose zoom lens (the best m4/3 one by far) and a keeper at least until the 12-35mm f/2.8X hits the market.

here is my opinion ;

What I like
- effective range 24-100mm very versatile
- weather sealed
- Bundle with camera, the lens is US$300 (amazon US pricing). the lens is around SGD400.

What I dun like
- it is long
- it is f3.5 to f6.3 but i have to admit it is hard to further squeeze in f2.8-f4. otherwise the lens would become even bigger