E-M5 Owner - Comments, Critique, Reviews, and what-nots :-)

[NiVleK]

My initial impressions:

1) WOW. This baby is small as compared to the Canon 60D. I have not seen it in real life and last night was the first time I laid my eyes (and hands) on it. It looks way bigger in the photos posted all over but if you have been handling a DSLR most of the time. This is like a toy.

2) EVF. This is the main issue I have with mirrorless camera. I still cannot really get used to the EVF now. It does seem like what you see in the EVF is not what you see in the LCD screen. The images that is shown on the monitor if you use it to compose is nearer to the final output of the image as compared to the EVF.

3) Handling. I have average sized hands and the EM5 fits quite ok in my hands. I do miss the grip on the canon 60D but that can be resolved with an additional grip available soon. I would say that the grip is only useful if you are fitting long heavy lens on the camera. Else, I prefer to keep the camera as compact as possible since that was the main reason why I get a mirrorless system.

 

[g75yu]

3. 9 fps is fast.....it is too fast. In my E5 and other cameras, I usually set my shutter release to High Speed multiple exposure, if you all know what I mean. Most Olympus cameras give you the option to set at single shot, multiple shot (Low speed), and multiple shot (High speed). For cameras with 5 fps, I can very easily squeeze off one shot even at multiple high speed. But with the E-M5, I found out that I have inadvertently making double shots when I thought I only squeezed out a single shot. As such, I have now set it to multiple shot (Low speed).

Hi. I believe there is an option under "Menu / Release" which actually allows you to set the fps for both high speed and low speed multiple shot. For high speed, it allows you to choose between 5 and 9fps.

Hopefully that helps out a bit.

 

[tsammyc]

Here's a comparison of the OMD & 45 1.8 with the NEX 5N & 50 1.8 This would be the native portrait setup for both cameras.

 

[Oly5050]

Hi. I believe there is an option under "Menu / Release" which actually allows you to set the fps for both high speed and low speed multiple shot. For high speed, it allows you to choose between 5 and 9fps.

Hopefully that helps out a bit.

Thanks, I did not know can even change the high speed fps rate. So many options. But I do not think I would do that. Just use the super control panel to set to low speed at 5 fps and leave high speed at 9 fps. If I want to go high speed, I do not need to dive into the menu to change the fps. I like to have the maximum potential of the camera available within 1-2 button presses.

 

[rasdeep]

I am not sure why Oly did not implement user customizable knob like C1/C2-x, where C2-1/C2-2/C2-3 can be changed via menu like the panny but at least have two for fast switching. Using the menu to switch is at least 4-7 clicks away. Hopefully they will change this in their new cams.

 

[Oly5050]

Anyone can recommend a place to make a screen protector that would fit the screen exactly? Thanks!

 

[Oly5050]

Thanks for posting the pics tsammyc.

Photos speak a thousand words

 

[iise7en]

Anyone can recommend a place to make a screen protector that would fit the screen exactly? Thanks!

Go to SLRR at Funan Centre.$3 for film type clear screen protector and they would paste it on your EM5 for you. Same for me last night.

 

[Oly5050]

Thanks! Does it fit exactly?

 

[iise7en]

Thanks! Does it fit exactly?

Yes fits exactly prefectly!

 

[tsammyc]

There is a pretty annoying, but not fatal ergonomic problem with the EM-5 for some people like me who are nearsighted. I use the viewfinder to confirm sharpness of the shots I take because I don't wear my reading glasses when shooting since viewfinders have diopter adjustment. I just playback in the viewfinder and zoom in to see if shots are perfectly sharp.

On the EM-5, you have to turn off the eye sensor of the viewfinder before you can display taken shots in the viewfinder. If the autoswitching sensor is on (and I like to use it because I still use the LCD screen to set shooting info like F-Stop, Shutter speed, ISO etc) then I have to hold down the liveview button for 2 secs and then use the arrow keys to turn it off. Then hit play and liveview again. It's like 5-6 button presses before I can review a photo in the viewfinder.

If I am shooting and reviewing often, then I am literally forced to turn off the autoswitching sensor permanently, so there are just 2 button presses to go to playback in the viewfinder. Hence I give up the LCD completely and its quite tiring always holding the camera to your eye to change everything, even control the menu.

This should be a simple fix in firmware i.e., when the playback button is pushed in autoswitching mode, it should to the display that is being used (LCD or viewfinder) rather than the LCD all the time. I hope Olympus fixes this soon.

 

[rhema83]

The following is my "first impression" review after playing with the E-M5 for a few hours:

Ergonomics
As the ex-owner of a Canon 60D, I find the Olympus E-M5 very compact. It is not as tiny as a Canon S95 but is still substantially smaller than any DSLR. Despite its small size, the E-M5 feels very dense and solid. It reminds me of the iPhone 4 and the unibody Macbook Pro. The textured grip and rear thumb rest make the E-M5 quite comfortable to hold, even one-handed. However, my fingers are long and so I find the rear buttons somewhat cramped. The thin body aggravates the problem and the results are painful right thumb joints after spending an hour or so pressing the rear directional buttons to explore the menus. Fortunately, the camera's buttons are very customisable and so I can map the most commonly used functions to the easily accessible top buttons (Fn2, REC, Fn1). Another gripe I have is the location of the right strap lug. It is annoying as I have to slot it between my index and middle fingers in order for me to access the top buttons comfortably. The included strap is hard and so it chaffs the softer skin between my fingers. The EVF takes time to get used to. In order to see the biggest image I selected Mode 3, but that also means overlaying all the info and icons on the image itself. This is very different from a 60D where the information is separate from the image. I also noticed the "hum" from the IBIS system, which sounds more like the spinning of a laptop exhaust fan. It is not loud and I soon forgot about it.

Performance
The sensor performance is as I expected from a flagship micro-4/3 camera. At ISO6400 the files are at least as good, if not better than my 60D. This makes using slower zoom lenses (e.g. the 12-50mm kit lens) more viable in dim lighting. However, I had trouble with the AWB under fluorescent lighting and the photos looked very yellowish. Turning off the "keep warm lighting" setting didn't help significantly and so I had to select the WB manually to achieve correct colours. The ESP metering is quite reliable under good lighting but can get iffy for high contrast scenes or under dim light. The 5-axis IBIS is positively awesome. With a half-press the shutter button, the image in the EVF immediately stops shaking. It compensates for at least 2 stops, maybe even more (1/10s exposure at 50mm is no issue). One thing I noticed is that the shutter feels "heavy". Each shutter actuation resonates in the entire camera, and feels even stronger than the mirror slap of my 60D. This is quite surprising considering that there is no mirror to flip.

Customisation
This is where the E-M5 really shines. Since it is uncomfortable to use the rear buttons, I mapped the most commonly used functions to the top buttons. For example, I assigned ISO to REC since I rarely take videos. I also assigned AF/MF selection to Fn1 and switched on Auto MF Assist. This way, accidentally touching the MF ring will not set off the 10x magnification while I am in S-AF mode, but that manual fine-tuning capability is easily accessible with one press of a button. I also customised many other things, from how the two control dials behave under each shooting mode to what menus to show. One can really tailor this camera to his needs and preferences. Sweet!

Overall
The E-M5 has given me a good first impression and I am satisfied with it so far. The real test will be my 3-week stint to Europe next month. In the meantime, I will add more stuff to this review as I discover more about the E-M5. Stay tuned!

By rhema83 at 2012-04-12

 

[vengels]

Here's a comparison of the OMD & 45 1.8 with the NEX 5N & 50 1.8 This would be the native portrait setup for both cameras.

Wow.. Nex looks like a giant.. Haha..
This is deep poison..

Tempting to change nex7..

 

[wallet]

Hard to advice you on lenses really depends on what focal lengths you like. And the crop factor is x2, so every lens you have need to multiply by 2 for the 35mm equivalent focal length. A thread here maybe helps...

Have a set here on 12mm with EP3, all lhandheld no PP.

Good reply. Very helpful

 

[fengwei]

A lot has been said about this camera and there are many good things mentioned. So, I do not think I am going to harp on what everyone knows. I will just focus on what I feel about the camera so far.

1. The camera is indeed quite small. Not as small as a PnS, but it is quite pocketable, if you got big pockets. Like some people have mentioned, the D ring on the right side of the camera indeed does sorta get in the way when you are holding the camera. All I can say is, I think I will buy the HLD6 grip and battery combo set and will just use the grip on its own quite often.

2. The EVF. I know a lot of people were berating Olympus for producing the EP-3 without an in-built EVF. Some people were also complaining that with the VF2/3, the costs of the camera WITH an EVF is way too high. Having used the E-M5 for about 1 day, and having used my EP-3 with the VF2 for some time, all I can say is, I wished that the E-M5 did not have an in-built EVF. Why? The reason is, I much prefer the VF2 over the E-M5 EVF. The first is because the VF2 is tiltable. This allows me to shoot with the camera below eye level. Secondly, the E-M5 EVF does not allow me to preview my photos whereas the VF2 allows me to do that. Why is this important? Well, in bright sunlight, the ability to preview your photos and see the exposures and colours accurately thru the VF2 is very helpful to me. As such, I have a feeling that I will use the VF2 ONTOP of the E-M5 in order to get the above two functionalities which thus would make the E-M5 EVF a bit redundant. So, I sorta wished that the E-M5 did not have an inbuilt EVF or at least gave us an EVF that could tilt up. Well...that is a thought, and maybe possible, but would require some engineering because the IBIS sensors are in the cone of the camera. And one more thing, I guess some might ask why dun I just use the EP3 since it does not have inbuilt EVF, and allows me to use the VF2? Well, the answer is functionality. The E-M5 has the hardiness and ruggedness which I need sometimes which the EP-3 does not. In fact, I have a silver E-P3, and it is a scratch magnet, to say the least. I just have to baby that camera that E-P3 like crazy. The E-M5, is going to be my E5 replacement but in a smaller package...sans a fast zoom lens.

3. 9 fps is fast.....it is too fast. In my E5 and other cameras, I usually set my shutter release to High Speed multiple exposure, if you all know what I mean. Most Olympus cameras give you the option to set at single shot, multiple shot (Low speed), and multiple shot (High speed). For cameras with 5 fps, I can very easily squeeze off one shot even at multiple high speed. But with the E-M5, I found out that I have inadvertently making double shots when I thought I only squeezed out a single shot. As such, I have now set it to multiple shot (Low speed).

More to come....thanks for reading

Nice write-up. Didn't know you can't review photos w the viewfinder, which is one of the best things I love for the G3 under bright day light or using manual lenses.

 

[Daniel Wee]

Take this with a grain of salt since I've only had my hands on this thing for a couple of days.

Coming from a Nikon and GF1 background, I was immediately struck by a few things:-

1. This thing looks really nice - black works for me. No paint flaking off anywhere, even with rubbing.

2. I miss the ISO and WB buttons. This is something I use quite a bit and I've had to map this to some buttons to get faster access to it and even then, it seems to take a step more for most things.

3. The thumb dial requires a little reaching compared to the GF1. Also, the GF1 thumb dial is clickable to make your selection. This allowed function switching with the dial (eg. changing from aperture adjustment to EV adjustment.)

4. I'm not sure if this is correct but the GF1 seems to have a start up time that's just a tad faster than the EM5. This is especially noticeable if the lens is not mounted. Even with the lens mounted, I found myself waiting a bit more. This may not seem like much but I was able to whip out the GF1 on a moment's notice to snap a shot.

5. The shutter release is further towards the middle of the body and also needs a bit more reach compared to the GF1 or Nikons. Having said that, the button does feel well built and rugged.

6. The FN2 button could be more responsive. I have had to press it all the way down and hold it to get the function. This could be a software design issue but it makes it feel less responsive the way it works now.

7. The four-way selector is a tad sensitive. I've overshot my selection several times, thus slowing down the usage.

8. This may be my coming from the GF1 but the menu system feels like it's not as intuitive. I've had to hunt for settings for a long time (for example to find the video focusing mode.) The GF1 menu system was more to the point it feels. Having said that, it does look nice on the screen.

9. It's nice that it has dedicated support for Eye-Fi.

10. It's really nice to be able to change the focus ring direction in the settings.

11. I'm still trying to get around some of the INFO screen system. With the GF1, I got everything on one screen. With the EM5, I had to cycle the screen with INFO button. Some stuff, such as battery level, shows up for a while and then disappears.

12. Speaking of the battery display, it's not very linear - it shows full for a long time and then tapers off real quick. Again, the GF1 seems to have found the right mix of information and simplicity so that I don't have to keep fiddling with the screen and get on with shooting.

13. I'm not sure about this one but there was an instance when I rotated the dial to open up the aperture and the camera didn't seem to want to open it up until several tries later. I'll need to verify this with more testing though.

14. Shooting at ISO1600 is no problem at all. If you're not careful, you may leave it in there without noticing.

15. 12MP to 16MP isn't that noticeable. Those of you with earlier generation M43s should not feel that you've been left behind.

These are some of my first impressions, FWIW. The video quality was better than that from the GF1 but seems to be still short of a good videocam such as the HFS-100. You gain lenses though, and DOF. Recorded audio is tinny but is fine for this type of device. I'll leave image comments to others as I've not had time to run it through all tests yet.

Daniel

 

[Oly5050]

One thing I noticed is that the shutter feels "heavy". Each shutter actuation resonates in the entire camera, and feels even stronger than the mirror slap of my 60D. This is quite surprising considering that there is no mirror to flip.

Actually, the E-M5 shutter release is already quite muted. The PENs are actually much louder with a more pronounced "clack". And as you know, these are just the shutter without the mirror slap. The E-M5, is more muted. But can you check, maybe the reason why you feel the shutter is "resonating", maybe because you are unknowingly taking double exposures. It happened to me this evening again. I had changed my multiple exposure to 9 fps (high) from 5 fps (low) because I wanted to show it to some people. Later on, when I was taking photos, I kept thinking, wah the shutter got quite some vibration. Then I realized I was shooting double exposures and the shutter was going twice...but its so fast, you think its just a very "heavy" shutter. Once I turned it down to 5ps, it was back to normal.

 

[tsammyc]

Nice write-up. Didn't know you can't review photos w the viewfinder, which is one of the best things I love for the G3 under bright day light or using manual lenses.

As I wrote earlier, you can as long as you turn off the eye sensor. Looks like the eye sensor is an afterthought and the designer didn't think through what the buttons should do when the eye sensor is on.

 

[hyperFocal]

I have the same problem, too. What makes it even more trickier is that the buttons are quite small and they are inclined inwards. Have to use my nail to operate those buttons, esp. the up button. For those who play guitars and keep their thumbnails long, it is a little difficult to use.

7. The four-way selector is a tad sensitive. I've overshot my selection several times, thus slowing down the usage.

With regards to the buttons not responding, had a similar experience today. After a quick burst at high FPS, the playback button stopped working. Had to turn the cam off and on again.

 

[hyperFocal]

Tried the FL-36R flash with the Canon OC-E3 off-camera flash cord. TTL! =) Works like a charm, would be handy for closeup/macro shots. That combo didn't work on my LX3, tho, even with the resistor removed (but had TTL with the FL-36R directly on camera).