[ Discuss ] EP5 vs GX7. Or EM5?


I agree with you. All the classic rangefinders have the VF on the left.

Not that I don't understand the 'classic' position if the VF. Do go try the GX7 yourself :)

It's a subjective feeling though , doesn't work for me but maybe u will like it. I prefer the VF4.
 

the VF center or on the left is pretty much a personal preference..
no best position i guess..

i have the XE1 now where the EVF is also on the left..
i like it this way as i can use my right eye to look into the EVF to compose..
at the same time i can use my left eye to look at what is coming into the frame clearly (if its coming from the left) and looking at the surrounding..
 

Not that I don't understand the 'classic' position if the VF. Do go try the GX7 yourself :)

It's a subjective feeling though , doesn't work for me but maybe u will like it. I prefer the VF4.

VF4 is great for what it does, just don't like the protruding height :)
 

In the days of film RF and SLRs, the SLRs were superior for action photography. One reason I attribute this to was the "focused" concentration of the photographer on the scene. With RF, it was more "distracting" because of the squinting and not complete obliteration or the entire scene. With SLRs, you can only peek through the VF and the other eye sees nothing else - total concentration. And of course the focusing methods used was superior for SLRs; split/microprisms/ground glass sceens versus RF with its inherent parallax errors. And of course the near 100% framing ....versus 88+% for the best RF .....

So .....I still use my E3 for the speedier shots that I think I might need :) But on saying this, digital photography with the fast AF these days have mitigated the advantages of the SLR somewhat.

Have not tried the GX7 yet but ..... I foresee the "distractability" of the side VF compare to the middle VF of the EP5 ..... BTW where do you guys get your hands on the GX7 in SG?
 

The EP5 is priced lower than the GX7 at this website:

http://snapsort.com/compare/Olympus-Pen-E-P5-vs-Panasonic-GX7

And pretty decent point-to-point comparisons :)

Thanks . Though i was sure the GX7 felt larger in the hands than the EP5, i'm still surprised that EP5 is actually 40% smaller in volume in comparison yet heavier by 18 grams. Really solid build haha.
 

Thanks . Though i was sure the GX7 felt larger in the hands than the EP5, i'm still surprised that EP5 is actually 40% smaller in volume in comparison yet heavier by 18 grams. Really solid build haha.

Because Panasonic went for straight up front usability, than stylishness...
 

Thanks . Though i was sure the GX7 felt larger in the hands than the EP5, i'm still surprised that EP5 is actually 40% smaller in volume in comparison yet heavier by 18 grams. Really solid build haha.

GX7 feels larger coz of the grip and I think that's a good thing. One issue I had with EP5 (compared to EPL5) was no optional grip (due to wifi) which does strain the hands with heavy lenses.
 

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/panasonic_gx7_review.shtml

The Review above mentioned something about "On the GX7 Auto ISO is disabled when in manual mode. That's simply unacceptable."

Anyone care to verify? How could they not have Auto ISO in Manual?
At least should have for for Aperture Priority?

That's a general statement for all panny bodies (think for some oly ones too).

Auto iso and intelligent iso. Avail In P, A ,S, modes
 

That's a general statement for all panny bodies (think for some oly ones too).

Auto iso and intelligent iso. Avail In P, A ,S, modes

Awesome, thanks for the confirmation. Actually after thinking about it, I guess thats the whole point having Manual Mode in the first place, so the reviewer is complaining about a non-issue :D

Good to know P,A,S has auto iso !
 

Awesome, thanks for the confirmation. Actually after thinking about it, I guess thats the whole point having Manual Mode in the first place, so the reviewer is complaining about a non-issue :D

Good to know P,A,S has auto iso !

It's a big issue for me because I use M mode all the time with Auto ISO on the EM-5. In low light with high DOF requirement and high shutter speed required, I care less about noise from high ISO. Can clean up later. Sony has this problem also.
 

Much have been mentioned of "good" IQ for both cameras. Any comments for OOC jpgs in terms of color? Is the EP5 still typical Oly and the GX7 typical Panny (whatever typical means....) ?

The newer pannys have better jpg engine since the gh3/g6/gf6/gx7. Less "cool" and more warm but not as saturated as the oly's! I shoot in vivid mode to get more of that saturation.
 

VF4 is great for what it does, just don't like the protruding height :)

These protruding viewfinders are a PITA when trying to put it in a bag. OMD is ok however because of the shape.
 

The newer pannys have better jpg engine since the gh3/g6/gf6/gx7. Less "cool" and more warm but not as saturated as the oly's! I shoot in vivid mode to get more of that saturation.

Agreed, the skintone looks better now.

These protruding viewfinders are a PITA when trying to put it in a bag. OMD is ok however because of the shape.

ya right. have to take out VF4 if my bag is small, so troublesome.
 

The newer pannys have better jpg engine since the gh3/g6/gf6/gx7. Less "cool" and more warm but not as saturated as the oly's! I shoot in vivid mode to get more of that saturation.

I am using the GX1. Took me quite a bit of "tweaking" to accept the OOC jpgs, whereas it was easier for me to accept OOC jpgs from the EP3 at default. From all acounts, the GX7 is a massive improvement over the GX1. From amateur photographer, they rated the EP5 very marginally higher than the GX7, 86 vs 85% with the difference coming from AWB colour and handling.

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.u...meras/129424/1/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gx7-review
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/compactsystemcameras/129405/1/olympus-pen-e-p5-review

I still haven't gotten my hands on a GX7 yet ..... but from the accounts here on clubsnap, pricing seems to favor the GX7 .....
 

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I am using the GX1. Took me quite a bit of "tweaking" to accept the OOC jpgs, whereas it was easier for me to accept OOC jpgs from the EP3 at default. From all acounts, the GX7 is a massive improvement over the GX1. From amateur photographer, they rated the EP5 very marginally higher than the EP5, 86 vs 85% with the difference coming from AWB colour and handling.

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.u...meras/129424/1/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gx7-review
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/compactsystemcameras/129405/1/olympus-pen-e-p5-review

I still haven't gotten my hands on a GX7 yet ..... but from the accounts here on clubsnap, pricing seems to favor the GX7 .....

Coming from the E-M5 and preferring the rangefinder style of cameras, I was hoping that the EP5 would have a built in EVF but Olympus failed me. There is the VF4, but having shot the NEX 5N with top mounted EVF for years, I always found it a pain trying to stick it into my Hadley Small without removing the EVF as it always snags. Furthermore, buying the VF-4 will make the whole Olympus package much more expensive than the GX7.

The AWB in tungsten lighting is definitely worse than my EM-5. Many faces are reddish depending on the lens. But White Balance and Color are the easiest things to change in post processing, even for JPEGs.
 

Coming from the E-M5 and preferring the rangefinder style of cameras, I was hoping that the EP5 would have a built in EVF but Olympus failed me. There is the VF4, but having shot the NEX 5N with top mounted EVF for years, I always found it a pain trying to stick it into my Hadley Small without removing the EVF as it always snags. Furthermore, buying the VF-4 will make the whole Olympus package much more expensive than the GX7.

The AWB in tungsten lighting is definitely worse than my EM-5. Many faces are reddish depending on the lens. But White Balance and Color are the easiest things to change in post processing, even for JPEGs.

I guess you are referring to the GX7 with regards the AWB .... I have always like Oly's OOC colors. I try very hard NOT to do any PP coz am not a pro - waste too much of my time doing it, and not getting paid :)

And I agree on your EP5's VF PITA point. To be frank, I don't really care for an EVF ......if they can sell an EP5 bundle without the VF at significantly lower price than the GX7, I would not hesitate to get that. The biggest reason to me now in favor of the GX7 is the overall pricing.
 

hmm. True.

Mkt wise i see many people selling off the VF4 straight after getting the EP5 kit. I always bring out the VF4 but yes, I'm irritated abt having to remove it for another pocket when i wana keep the camera. But remember that the VF4 is one superb viewfinder.

GX7's pricing point is really below what I expected. Sell off the 20/1.8 II and the body is only $1000. As a comparison VF4+EP5 was about $1400 (if i minus off $600 from the EP5+VF4+17/1.8 package at RRP$1998)

Maybe EP6 will have the built in VF at the side like a rangefinder! haha. (i wish)

But usage wise, after trying the EP5, GX7 and EM1 , my heart is with the EP5. The controls, layout works for me.
 

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Wonder if Olympus will do something to make the E-P5 more competitive in terms of pricing. :D
 

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