[ Discuss ] EP5 vs GX7. Or EM5?


At S$2K body only, the A7 should not be affecting the prices of the EP5 / GX7. If anything it'll put the shivers in the Canikon camp.

ha.... maybe not the ep5/gx7 but the omd em1 most definitely. i'm one of those who sold my omd em5 and entire m4/3 set up awaiting the a7 :p
 

I am sure the price of em1 will drop in a few weeks to months time like always. I think most would agree that the big boys know that mirror less is the way to go and this is evident by the Nikon and Sony FF mirror less. It will be interesting how the M43 brand would react to these new alternatives.
 

I am sure the price of em1 will drop in a few weeks to months time like always. I think most would agree that the big boys know that mirror less is the way to go and this is evident by the Nikon and Sony FF mirror less. It will be interesting how the M43 brand would react to these new alternatives.

At the early stages lack of FE lens may temper the demand for the mirrorless ff...after that we'll see. M43 will still have more lenses thay are cheaper...
 

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Just got the GX7 and add a 14-50mm 2 days ago. Solid build Love them.
 

And what would you use to replace the Lumix 12-35/f2.8 or Oly 12-40/f2.8 lens for the Sony A7? Just curious .....as the Lumix 12-25/f2.8 happens to be my workhorse now ....

The Zeiss 24-70 f4 may be a good match up. I am guessing the loss of speed may be compensated by increasing iso
 

Have been busy and not using the EP5 as much as I would like but some comments on the OOC jpgs. The most defining change in the EP5 compare to the GX1 and especially the EP3 is Dynamic Range. Not just awesome DR at base ISO of 200 but retained DR up to ISO800 before there is perceptible reduction of DR. There is definitely less clipping of highlights and details in the shadows is very much improved, at Normal Graduation. DR at ISO1600 is still pretty impressive. I think it is more of this retained DR than the usual increased noise that contributes to the improved high ISO OOC output. Both details and colour is very well preserved at ISO1600. The usual Oly's handling of colours applies and the WB, though on the slightly vibrant side is probably more pleasing to most. Outdoors, there is absolutely no need for any adjustments and the colours are just superb. I am quite happy with the standard "Natural" setting output for good lighting for most of my shots without any adjustments. For higher ISO shots or low lighting or non-natural lighting, I default to either "Vivid" or "I-Enhance". One feature I am still exploring is the "Retain Warm colours" options for the EP5. The change is very perceptible and I still haven't figure where this option is best used.

I just got back to civilization ! Haha, used my EP5 in Nepal trekking to Annapurna base camp for the last 13 days n I've never been more glad I brought it along.

It basically took everything nature could throw at it , even when we were running like escaped convicts in a hail storm in the middle of the forest and even when it was dropped in snow and ended up dripping wet and mud dirtied.

The VF4 worked excellently too , and when things got too tough carrying all the equipment I simply detached it and had it in my pocket.
 

Wonder when will the E-M5 price drop ?
 

Even the GX7 or EP5 is priced at or slightly below 1K if "de-kitted". I would think Olympus would have stopped producing the EM5 in anticipation of the "EM6" so the available stocks should be "clearing"; once gone no more.
 

I just got back to civilization ! Haha, used my EP5 in Nepal trekking to Annapurna base camp for the last 13 days n I've never been more glad I brought it along.

It basically took everything nature could throw at it , even when we were running like escaped convicts in a hail storm in the middle of the forest and even when it was dropped in snow and ended up dripping wet and mud dirtied.

The VF4 worked excellently too , and when things got too tough carrying all the equipment I simply detached it and had it in my pocket.

Yupe ...the EP5 sounds rugged enough ...and does feels that way, too. Not too sure about the VF4 though.
 

Yupe ...the EP5 sounds rugged enough ...and does feels that way, too. Not too sure about the VF4 though.

Rugged enough to last through the whole torture.
:)
And I now wonder why people complain about it sticking out when one should be happy to have the option to remove or fix such a great EVF when needed. Rather have a good EVF then stuck with a not so good EVF ;)
 

...... 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

.....

DPreview's review of the GX7 is out :

" ... The Panasonic GX7 is a full-featured mirrorless camera that offers very good photo and video quality, a highly customizable interface, plenty of useful features, and robust performance. It's marred by a so-so viewfinder, lack of in-camera Raw conversion, and a disappointing in-body IS system."

Silver at 79%.

The EP5 review :

"... The E-P5 is the most substantial re-working of the original PEN model, and it's the most impressive yet. It produces the same excellent image quality as the E-M5 and has a proper two-dial control system. This, combined with a better touch screen and arguably the prettiest PEN body, make it a more attractive and more complete camera than the series has seen before."

Silver at 78%.

Both quite close ..... different strokes, I guess ....
 

DPreview's review of the GX7 is out :

" ... The Panasonic GX7 is a full-featured mirrorless camera that offers very good photo and video quality, a highly customizable interface, plenty of useful features, and robust performance. It's marred by a so-so viewfinder, lack of in-camera Raw conversion, and a disappointing in-body IS system."

Silver at 79%.


The EP5 review :

"... The E-P5 is the most substantial re-working of the original PEN model, and it's the most impressive yet. It produces the same excellent image quality as the E-M5 and has a proper two-dial control system. This, combined with a better touch screen and arguably the prettiest PEN body, make it a more attractive and more complete camera than the series has seen before."

Silver at 78%.

Strange that the review said the GX7 was marred by the 3 items (poor IBIS being a major item IMO) whilst there was no criticism levelled at EP5 yet they still gave GX7 higher rating than EP5.
 

Strange that the review said the GX7 was marred by the 3 items (poor IBIS being a major item IMO) whilst there was no criticism levelled at EP5 yet they still gave GX7 higher rating than EP5.

The EP5 doesn't even have a built in viewfinder so that didn't help the ratings. DPReview's complaint about the GX7 IBIS centers around the fact that it isn't on when composing the shot. They don't say anything about it's effectiveness vs EP5 although I find the 5 axis (on my EM5) better than when using Oly lenses on the GX7. Generally, however, if you use Panny lenses rather than Olympus lenses on the GX7, there is lens stabilisation called OIS, which is quite effective, especially on telephoto. So Panny IBIS is usually needed only when you have an Olympus lens or a manual focus lens.

Ultimately, DPReview downgraded the EP5 due to "shutter shake" on the 5 samples they tested. Some people don't see it on the EP5 so YMMV. Interestingly, DPReview didn't see "shutter shake" on the EM1 or GX7, but did complain that the GX7 on full auto mode tended to use small apertures e.g. F11-16, which can have an impact on image sharpness due to diffraction.
 

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Does the OIS works with adapter for Panny's m43 bodies?

If AF works, OIS should work as there is power to the lens. As OIS is independent of the body. On my E-M5, I can have both 5-axis and OIS on at the same time with my Panny 100-300 lens. Surprisingly, it gives me the best shots!
 

Strange that the review said the GX7 was marred by the 3 items (poor IBIS being a major item IMO) whilst there was no criticism levelled at EP5 yet they still gave GX7 higher rating than EP5.

i think DPReview were traumatized enough by the ensuing debacle with the EP5 they didn't want to do anything that might offend the GX7 fanboys haha. To put it in perspective, it hasn't been easy for them to ignore / answer the comments when you have other very or even much more experienced reviewers who found no such issues and Oly has issued no reply too which doesn't help.

End of the day, each camera has its strengths and weaknesses and its not about putting another model down or praising another model. For example, I'm sticking to my EP5 which has gone thru Annapurna with me while the GX7 was on my to sell list within a week cause the built-in viewfinder which some find indispensable just didn't work for me among other issues that it couldn't take long exposures which is very important to me.

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chill, sunset at a beach at Kathmandu
 

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