[ Discuss ] EP5 vs GX7. Or EM5?

[seafood]

I finally got my hands on the GX7. These are just my impressions.

1. It looks better on the web. Esp with the 20/1.7 II mounted.

2. Coming from the GX1, I was also disappointed with the feel. Somehow the GX1 felt more "solid". I wouldn't exactly characterise the feel of the GX7 as premium. The size and grip is good but not much better than the GX1, which was good enough for me.

3. As for the EVF, nope, I don't like it. The position on the left is OK but the protrusion is not the most comfortable. Coming from SLRs (classical as well as digital), the eye position is kinda odd - it "stabs" into the eye. And I guess you can't put a rubber cup over it to get a more comfortable fit as well as to block off the extraneous light. I don't fancy myself using it at all even if I were perfectly happy with the view through it. And though it is much improved over the EM5 I still find it laggy and the colours not as natural as I would like. There is also a perceptible background flicker. This may be due to the scene I am looking at, which is the artificial lighting in a shopping complex but still ....... not there yet.

The price of the GX7 was $14XX (didn't pursue it coz had already decided against it) and the EP5 $1600.

OK ..... I didn't like the "feel" of the GX7. I am not exactly in love with the 20/1.7 II. I don't see myself using the GX7's EVF. For the $100+ difference, I settled my itch

 

[Oly5050]

I've had a NEX 5N for a few years. I find it's best use with adapted lenses, especially manual focus rangefinder lenses, which are very compact. My best portrait shots have been with the Zeiss Biogon 35mm F2.0. I love my Oly 45mm F1.8 too as a portrait lens and it autofocuses instantly with the OMD and GX7, but there is just something about the Zeiss glow that it can't reproduce. I also have some full frame SLR lenses like the Pentax FA77 F1.8. The rendering of these full frame lenses seem to be better with the APS-C crop factor than M43, which doubles the focal length.

Oh ok. I guess that makes sense. But man I dun like MF. Sigh...
But I just realized something, Sony does not really have a good sensor clean technology. That would discourage too much lens changes.

 

[keithwee]

I finally got my hands on the GX7. These are just my impressions.

1. It looks better on the web. Esp with the 20/1.7 II mounted.

to me, it still looks handsome. Though i prefer the lines of the Pen series

2. Coming from the GX1, I was also disappointed with the feel. Somehow the GX1 felt more "solid". I wouldn't exactly characterise the feel of the GX7 as premium. The size and grip is good but not much better than the GX1, which was good enough for me.

grip wise , its better than the EP5 but both loses out to the EM5. But u r right, GX1 felt more 'substantial'

3. As for the EVF, nope, I don't like it. The position on the left is OK but the protrusion is not the most comfortable. Coming from SLRs (classical as well as digital), the eye position is kinda odd - it "stabs" into the eye. And I guess you can't put a rubber cup over it to get a more comfortable fit as well as to block off the extraneous light. I don't fancy myself using it at all even if I were perfectly happy with the view through it. And though it is much improved over the EM5 I still find it laggy and the colours not as natural as I would like. There is also a perceptible background flicker. This may be due to the scene I am looking at, which is the artificial lighting in a shopping complex but still ....... not there yet.

i concur, at first i had though i'm the weirdo feeling this way but now i feel more ... comforted that i'm not the only one to think this way.

The price of the GX7 was $14XX (didn't pursue it coz had already decided against it) and the EP5 $1600.

OK ..... I didn't like the "feel" of the GX7. I am not exactly in love with the 20/1.7 II. I don't see myself using the GX7's EVF. For the $100+ difference, I settled my itch

$1600 to settle an itch, hardcore sia

enjoy the new buy.

 

[seafood]

....... I won't get the EM5 for now. I have already owned and sold 3 previous EM5 and know that camera well.

That leaves me with the GX7 which I have not seen or handled. Just waiting to look at it and will decide. But this is right on top of my list now.

.....

enjoy the new buy.

No-lah ..... hardcore .... there are others who buy and sell THREE EM5 bodies .....and those who just buy NEX bodies for MF lens these are the real hard core. Me, I am just trying to take better pics .....

Anyway ..... the EP5 is not perfect ..... I'll drop a note here and there when I use it more ......

 

[wonglp]

I finally got my hands on the GX7. These are just my impressions.

1. It looks better on the web. Esp with the 20/1.7 II mounted.

2. Coming from the GX1, I was also disappointed with the feel. Somehow the GX1 felt more "solid". I wouldn't exactly characterise the feel of the GX7 as premium. The size and grip is good but not much better than the GX1, which was good enough for me.

3. As for the EVF, nope, I don't like it. The position on the left is OK but the protrusion is not the most comfortable. Coming from SLRs (classical as well as digital), the eye position is kinda odd - it "stabs" into the eye. And I guess you can't put a rubber cup over it to get a more comfortable fit as well as to block off the extraneous light. I don't fancy myself using it at all even if I were perfectly happy with the view through it. And though it is much improved over the EM5 I still find it laggy and the colours not as natural as I would like. There is also a perceptible background flicker. This may be due to the scene I am looking at, which is the artificial lighting in a shopping complex but still ....... not there yet.

The price of the GX7 was $14XX (didn't pursue it coz had already decided against it) and the EP5 $1600.

OK ..... I didn't like the "feel" of the GX7. I am not exactly in love with the 20/1.7 II. I don't see myself using the GX7's EVF. For the $100+ difference, I settled my itch

Vs EP5, the built of EP5 feels more solid than GX7 however, the grip of GX7 beats EP5 and pretty much all Pens (unless optional grip is added say to EP3/EPL5), then pretty much on par, but looks wise on Pen would "suffer" with the added grip (personal view). It's unfortunate that EP5 can't have that option due to placement of wifi. The EVF on GX7 is alright for me, just the eye sensor could be placed differently. glad that you had decided on the model. have fun!

 

[RyanKhoo]

Basic question here, what is the difference between a the OMD, EM1 series and the Olympus Pen series ?

Thanks

 

[kel77]

I finally got my hands on the GX7. These are just my impressions.

1. It looks better on the web. Esp with the 20/1.7 II mounted.

2. Coming from the GX1, I was also disappointed with the feel. Somehow the GX1 felt more "solid". I wouldn't exactly characterise the feel of the GX7 as premium. The size and grip is good but not much better than the GX1, which was good enough for me.

3. As for the EVF, nope, I don't like it. The position on the left is OK but the protrusion is not the most comfortable. Coming from SLRs (classical as well as digital), the eye position is kinda odd - it "stabs" into the eye. And I guess you can't put a rubber cup over it to get a more comfortable fit as well as to block off the extraneous light. I don't fancy myself using it at all even if I were perfectly happy with the view through it. And though it is much improved over the EM5 I still find it laggy and the colours not as natural as I would like. There is also a perceptible background flicker. This may be due to the scene I am looking at, which is the artificial lighting in a shopping complex but still ....... not there yet.

The price of the GX7 was $14XX (didn't pursue it coz had already decided against it) and the EP5 $1600.

OK ..... I didn't like the "feel" of the GX7. I am not exactly in love with the 20/1.7 II. I don't see myself using the GX7's EVF. For the $100+ difference, I settled my itch

There will be an added eyecup accessory for the gx7.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/998484-REG/panasonic_dmw_ec1_eyecup.html

 

[keithwee]

EM1 costs 2K body only. It has inbuilt VF, and is weatherproof. Optimized for FT lenses (the best selling point of the 43 service)

The highest Pen, EP5, costs $1.6K with 17/f1.8. Not weatherproof.

OMD, my guess is you meant the EM5. Lousy VF, weatherproof, lousy bundled kit lens. Same sensor.

i feel we pampered too much haha The 12-50 ain't too bad a lens; versatile and weather proof. Only drawback with that it was slow at telephoto. The EVF in EM5 was 'king' just around this time last year too when it came out after the EP3 / VF2 combo. ( i don't see VF3 as acceptable)

 

[Optoms]

Once u get used to the bigger magnification view from VF4.. wow u will feel that it is a luxury item and my opinion is that all evf should build it this way.
Haiz.. still trying to get used to the evf from GX7.
The feeling from using the evf from GX7 is difference from the one i tried on x100s even though both are on the left side. The eyecap is not comfortable at all especially if you wear spec.
I am pampered...
but i like the electronic shutter. no sound. very stealth. like the one i had on x100s. Too bad olympus dont input it on their camera.

 

[keithwee]

Once u get used to the bigger magnification view from VF4.. wow u will feel that it is a luxury item and my opinion is that all evf should build it this way.
Haiz.. still trying to get used to the evf from GX7.
The feeling from using the evf from GX7 is difference from the one i tried on x100s even though both are on the left side. The eyecap is not comfortable at all especially if you wear spec.
I am pampered...
but i like the electronic shutter. no sound. very stealth. like the one i had on x100s. Too bad olympus dont input it on their camera.

soon.. u will see pple buying the LVF2 to use on their GX7s haha. (joking here k) but i agree, the x100s has one of the best made VF around. Even the info overlay on the x20 OVF is better with virtaully no lag (OVF as a base ma) and I prefer using that over GX7's EVF. I agree with u that how good VF4 is has spoilt me.

 

[iluvs90]

but i like the electronic shutter. no sound. very stealth. like the one i had on x100s. Too bad olympus dont input it on their camera.

i more old fashion, i really like the sounds of shutter release, "ke-cik" :bsmilie:

 

[wonglp]

i more old fashion, i really like the sounds of shutter release, "ke-cik" :bsmilie:

Gx7 "ke-chik" is quite "KE-CHIK" leh , unless long exposure which electronic is limited to 1sec, I'm mostly on electronic

 

[seafood]

There will be an added eyecup accessory for the gx7.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/998484-REG/panasonic_dmw_ec1_eyecup.html

I can truly understand and appreciate the rationale of this accessory!

 

[seafood]

i feel we pampered too much haha The 12-50 ain't too bad a lens; versatile and weather proof. Only drawback with that it was slow at telephoto. The EVF in EM5 was 'king' just around this time last year too when it came out after the EP3 / VF2 combo. ( i don't see VF3 as acceptable)

I still haven't use the VF4 yet Since the G1 until my last experience with GX7 ......there aren't no kings in EVFs; just aspirants to the throne! Give me a good optical VF any day.

 

[seafood]

On the subject of shutter sound ......I really like the EP5's. Reminds me of a well made Continental car door closing sound. Solid, slightly muted yet absolutely authoritative!

With electronic shutters ......can someone say "ringtones" ;p ? Soon there'll be downloadable shutter sounds ......

 

[seafood]

Some first impressions.

The feel is great. Especially with regards responsiveness. And touch. But handling could be better. It is not the most ergonomic of camera. There are many gripes on the grip. Yes, it could have been bigger. And more contoured. But the twin dials got it right. The selection 4+1 dial is a definite improvement over the EP3. Better than the squishiness of the EM5 but still lack the robustness and tactile feel of the GX1. It is NOt rotating. Why can't give it discrete buttons instead of a big tilting pad?

I don't like the way I keep accidentally popping the flash because the flash pop out button seems so accessible. I don't like the bottom panel; the battery/SD card compartment door seems ....flimsy in comparison to the GX1.

It is weighty but nicely so. Sizewise I prefer it to the GX7.

But the pics OOC jpgs so far .......I love it!

 

[tsammyc]

DP Reviews review on the EP-5 just came out. The don't recommend it because there is a problem with the IBIS.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympus-pen-e-p5

 

[Hong Jia]

2. Coming from the GX1, I was also disappointed with the feel. Somehow the GX1 felt more "solid". I wouldn't exactly characterise the feel of the GX7 as premium. The size and grip is good but not much better than the GX1, which was good enough for me.

I find the GX7 grip much better when you use with the slightly heavier lens like 12-35 or 35-100. When using my gx1 with 35-100, I find the grip a bit odd to hold it steady for long time. The GX7 rounded more full grip feels much better.

And the electronic shutter is so much better than the noisy one on GX1. Hahahaaa.

 

[jackwolf]

I find the GX7 grip much better when you use with the slightly heavier lens like 12-35 or 35-100. When using my gx1 with 35-100, I find the grip a bit odd to hold it steady for long time. The GX7 rounded more full grip feels much better.

And the electronic shutter is so much better than the noisy one on GX1. Hahahaaa.

Actually i found that if use the supplied leather half case, the gripping is even more comfortable... can't wait for a Gariz version..

 

[keithwee]

DP Reviews review on the EP-5 just came out. The don't recommend it because there is a problem with the IBIS.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympus-pen-e-p5

had decided to ignore this as it never was an issue for me at all (i think I have hit around 4000+ shutter counts so far) but have gotten an query PM regarding it.

Erm, simply go read the comments in the article. 269 of them in the last 2 days and in short, no one knows what is happening. Sad to say, i gonna be ignoring this as i have no idea who is right. Now they are saying all mirror-less cameras are affected by shutter shock, 0_0 hahah with people hitting >10,000 hits seeing no issue and people pointing out Sony has managed to fix this issue and that GH3, GX7, EM5 are also effected.

some comments (lifted from the site) to show how ..mixed everyone is.

'I've had the EM-5 for over a year now and it's a fantastic balance between size and performance. Shutter shock was also a widely discussed topic when the EM-5 came out.
The 'fix' on the EM-5 is to engage Anti-Shock from custom menu 'E'. I use the fastest setting of 1/8s (shame there isn't a faster setting of say 1/32s) which essentially introduces a 1/8s delay to the shutter.I was concerned about this delay but after a year of shooting, it's truly a non issue for me.'

the reason why you're not experiencing any issues is because you are probably using the camera correctly. I bet it's a very slight issue in very few cases that has been blown out of all proportions by people on these boards and rattled 'Canikon' users. I have an E-P3 and OM-D and have never experienced any issues with blurred pictures at the fore mentioned shutter speeds.

DPR: "In a way, this isn't entirely the camera's fault ..."
What an odd statement. Does this mean it's the user's fault? Or that perhaps it's an "act of God"?
DPR: "... it's not some kind of mechanical malfunction that actively causes blurring"

'Camera labs' also gave the E-P5 a score rating of 86% and again with out any mention of blurred images at the fore mentioned speeds.
'Techradar.com' Gave the E-P5 a 5 out of 5 star rating and guess what? No mention again of blurred images at the stated shutter speeds?!!

There's a few odd bits in here really. I've looked back at the shots I've taken with this - for review - and I'm not seeing unaccountable blur at mid speeds. A lot of that was hand held macro and it just isn't manifesting as a persistent problem. VS Since 2010 I've taken a guestimated 50,000+ shots on various E-P1, E-PM2, EM-5 and EP-5 and never noticed shutter shock, though I only use primes and never pixel peep. I find the IBIS excellent for handheld slow exposures. I have gripes about the e-p5 but shutter shock isn't one of them...

Shutter shock is a reality for every light camera with a mechanical focal plane shutter.

Worth noting that Panasonic cameras also suffer from the shutter shock.

I can easily reproduce it on my GX7 at 100-150mm FLs (that's 200-300mm eq).
Sony NEX uses first curtain electronic shutter, which largely negates the shutter shock effect.

"shutter shock" is a problem with all mirrorless cameras. Smaller body is part of the problem but also due to the shutter requiring a close/open to start the exposure and then another close/open to end it. This quick double shutter action is different than DSLRs which just need to open to start the exposure and then close to end it.
I have found with my GH3 that shooting at hi-speed continuous shooting does help as liveview is disabled so you don't have the double shutter action except to start the first image and end the last image in the sequence. The electronic shutter on Panasonic bodies also helps but is limited.

i'm tired... go read the rest la.. haha.

let's wait a few weeks and see how the posting goes as the folks at DPreviews do actively reply to the comments.