[ OFFICIAL RELEASE 2010.09.14 ] - Olympus E-5

[diCam]

Honestly, I'm quite surprised by the the response towards the E5. Olympus don't release a camera, we get doom and gloom about the e-system. Olympus releases a camera, we still get doom and gloom about the e-system.

At the end of the day, is there another system that can offer as much value and quality at the cost of an E5 + 12-60 & 50-200? (under $5k)

As many here have already noted, the ZD lenses is the true value of the e-system. The E5 offers a upgrade in the already excellent image quality we get from the system. IMO, that is worth the upgrade.

Being one other user who had previewed the pre-peoduction set, this is a neutral and level-headed response.

Now, I only hope that 2 other experienced photographers who had previewed and hands-on the E-5 can provide their valuable views.

 

[headfonz]

Anyway, I'll let you guys judge for yourself. Hands-on session scheduled for 2 Oct. Will have a separate thread for that once I have fixed all the details.

 

[Evilmerlin]

Can provide early heads up? hahahaha I want to chop seat first!

 

[albertri]

Because the lenses are truly awesome. I can shoot anything and everything in the world with those two lenses. Plus, the quality is a guarantee.

yeah true i love my oly lenses including my OM lens

but as the saying goes (for lovers) "you can not live by just love alone" :bsmilie:

 

[albertri]

I think like others who have E1/E3 the upgrade to E5 is not really a huge one..... but for those using the smaller E-System that may want to go up the food chain I think would like the E5.

For me I am just a hobbyist so I won’t need such high end and expensive body. And for the price of it 2.4K (currently) w/o lens is bit too high. And there's similar camera out there that cost less like K7 etc and I heard D7000 is somewhat has some weather proofing and more advance features than E5 and it cost a bit less I think 1.2K for the body vs E5 1.7K body also.

If only I could use my Zuiko to other camera brand that would be great lols

 

[diCam]

I think like others who have E1/E3 the upgrade to E5 is not really a huge one..... but for those using the smaller E-System that may want to go up the food chain I think would like the E5.

I'm a E-3 user. The progression to E-5 is a huge upgrade for me in term of image quality.

 

[diCam]

That's more like it. Most likely bundling it with the battery grip and additional battery like the last time with the E-3, and the deal would be sweet. That sounds a lot more reasonable.

It seems like the E-5 is bundled together with HLD-4 and an additional BLM-5 in the Japanese market.

 

[drakon09]

Honestly, I'm quite surprised by the the response towards the E5. Olympus don't release a camera, we get doom and gloom about the e-system. Olympus releases a camera, we still get doom and gloom about the e-system.

At the end of the day, is there another system that can offer as much value and quality at the cost of an E5 + 12-60 & 50-200? (under $5k)

As many here have already noted, the ZD lenses is the true value of the e-system. The E5 offers a upgrade in the already excellent image quality we get from the system. IMO, that is worth the upgrade.

Bro, it's really not about the E-5, but what comes after.

The E-5 is just an indication of the direction Oly is heading with regards to 4/3 - and for those who cannot live without an optical viewfinder, it probably feels like doom and gloom.

What the 4/3 faithful needs is assurance, especially for those invested in SHG lenses - you cannot say oh you can still use them via adapter to m4/3. Terribly unwieldy.

The E-5 may prove to be an excellent piece of photographic equipment, but the apparent lack of effort, i.e. E-5 = E-3 exterior + EPL-1 interior, has psychological impact. The faithful expects cutting edge for the flagship product, not reverse-engineered from so-called consumer products. These are some of the reasons why some of the faithful believe that Olympus has no more interest in 4/3.

In defence of Olympus however, I think they have heard user feedback, and they have probably (I stress "probably" because i'm basing this on comments from people that actually had a go with the E-5) addressed most of the issues arising from the E-3:

1. Less aggressive AA filter;
2. VGA screen
3. Better ISO performance across the board.

perhaps the only "major" issue that was not addressed was the return to the E-1's form factor.

 

[diCam]

I can think of one possible expansion with E-5. Shooting tethered wireless.

E-5 come with a SD card slot. With TREK FLUCARD, I think pictures can be uploaded to any Wi-Fi capable desktop and laptop for immediate preview.

 

[MichaelLee]

I think like others who have E1/E3 the upgrade to E5 is not really a huge one..... but for those using the smaller E-System that may want to go up the food chain I think would like the E5.

Me, still an E1 user, has different view. From E1 to either E3/E5 is a big upgrade/change. E1 use Kodak sensor, produce very good color tone and has the noise closet to film noise, However it does not come with IBIS and live view, and it is 2003 tech with 1.8inch LCD. But from e3 to e5, I agree that it is not much incentive.

I am not tech chaser. And I know the body will depreciate much faster than the lens. I rather invest and willing to pay the price for HG/SHG zuiko lens, and not the body.
I am glad that E5 is launched, so to hope Olympus clear the remaining e3 at SGD999 !!!

 

[drakon09]

Me, still an E1 user, has different view. From E1 to either E3/E5 is a big upgrade/change. E1 use Kodak sensor, produce very good color tone and has the noise closet to film noise, However it does not come with IBIS and live view, and it is 2003 tech with 1.8inch LCD. But from e3 to e5, I agree that it is not much incentive.

I am not tech chaser. And I know the body will depreciate much faster than the lens. I rather invest and willing to pay the price for HG/SHG zuiko lens, and not the body.
I am glad that E5 is launched, so to hope Olympus clear the remaining e3 at SGD999 !!!

Err... the E-3 is already going at 999

 

[diCam]

In defence of Olympus however, I think they have heard user feedback, and they have probably (I stress "probably" because i'm basing this on comments from people that actually had a go with the E-5) addressed most of the issues arising from the E-3:

1. Less aggressive AA filter;
2. VGA screen
3. Better ISO performance across the board.

perhaps the only "major" issue that was not addressed was the return to the E-1's form factor.

One other major issue Olympus has addressed is the C-AF performance.

New Top of the Line Digital SLR From Olympus, the E-5

The world’s fastest AF*1 with 11 Point-Full-Twin Cross AF Sensors
The 11-point AF sensor incorporated in the E-5 features a fully crossed array of 11 points, each of which is composed of two horizontal and vertical lines to improve accuracy. Dual sensing arrays on both vertical and horizontal axes are arranged in a unique half-pitch shifted pattern that dramatically improves autofocusing precision, making it possible to detect contrast in both horizontal and vertical directions and prevent subject patterns from interfering with AF operation. Determination of the position of the 11 AF points was based on statistical analysis of the positions of the main objects in thousands of different photos as well as input from professional photographers.

In the C-AF mode, both the focusing rate and the number of successively recordable frames have been significantly increased compared to the E-3.*2

*1 Among digital SLR cameras available as of September 14, 2010. When the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD lens is used with the E-5 at a focal length of 60mm(120mm: 35mm equivalent).Based on Olympus's in-house measurement conditions.

*2 Firmware updating is required with some lenses. The release of the firmware is scheduled to coincide with the official launch of the E-5

 

[albertri]

I'm a E-3 user. The progression to E-5 is a huge upgrade for me in term of image quality.

I think not all E3 user are feeling the same

to me E3/E5 is a bit way to much for a hobbyst like me... my issue now is how E3 evolve to E5 might be a prelude to the rest of E-System... As a consumer I need assurance, if Oly users is already half happy with E5 what more for thier smaller E-System (if Oly will be releasing E-6XX or E-5XX) there's even some rumors that this is something like Oly final nail to the coffin for E-System...

Sorry to say but there's not much huge leap to technology on what Oly did for E5 look at other similar models out there, Pentax K7 has most of E5 feature and thats was last year's model and I heard Pentax will be replacing K7 soon... D7000 is another contender for E5 to surpass...

Also as a brand user we would want more 3rd party to come in to start creating products for Oly 4/3.... I dont see this happening...

 

[Anthony Lee]

I own a fleet of OM SLRs and OM lenses and when I decided to go DSLR, I tested the Oly E series against the others and selected Canon. Now that my EOS 5D is old and since I do not have any Canon lens, will the E-5 suit me against what I have been using, EOS5d + Om lenses, mostly primes from 24mm to 200mm. When I tested my OM lenses on the then E-3, I was quite disappointed with both the IQ as well as the adaptation as there was no difference against using them on the Canon system. Will the E-5 be different. How can a former Oly guy get back home?

 

[albertri]

One other major issue Olympus has addressed is the C-AF performance.

New Top of the Line Digital SLR From Olympus, the E-5

In the C-AF mode, both the focusing rate and the number of successively recordable frames have been significantly increased compared to the E-3.*2

*1 Among digital SLR cameras available as of September 14, 2010. When the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD lens is used with the E-5 at a focal length of 60mm(120mm: 35mm equivalent).Based on Olympus's in-house measurement conditions.

*2 Firmware updating is required with some lenses. The release of the firmware is scheduled to coincide with the official launch of the E-5

this is only achieved using SWD lenses and maybe those CDAF capable lenses... what's the really difference on Oly E-620 and PENs all using CDAF?? even with CDAF enable lenses the AF still par slower than other brands

 

[diCam]

Sorry to say but there's not much huge leap to technology on what Oly did for E5 look at other similar models out there, Pentax K7 has most of E5 feature and thats was last year's model and I heard Pentax will be replacing K7 soon... D7000 is another contender for E5 to surpass...

With such comment without even using it... sigh...

 

[elgkh]

I am now very interested to see the next PEN.

Olympus' strategy is clearly to go mirrorless for the entire range, which I suspect will happen once they can match the autofocus speed of the current PDAF systems, while using current 4/3rd lenses (with/without firmware upgrades).

In the meantime, the only new 4/3rd camera will be the E5. Whether there will be a followup will depend on how soon they can produce the magical AF system.

 

[albertri]

With such comment without even using it... sigh...

sorry to bro... I have not used K7 and D7000 also I am just looking at the white papers for these 3 cameras and some reviews and feedback.

I know the fact that Oly still one of the best interms of color and image details... but for how long we will hold on to this? Other manufacutre are leaping forward in terms of fetaures/usability and even IQ sooner or later they'll catch up... They maybe already have.

Now Oly user is saying we have great lens... once other brand start creating such low cost quality lenses what we will say then??? We have great comrades in Oly??

I am just expressing what a normal consumer might think and react I am new to Oly maybe thats why the poison is not yet that strong in my veins but I do like my Lens (see there it is again hehehe)

peace

 

[albertri]

I am now very interested to see the next PEN.

Olympus' strategy is clearly to go mirrorless for the entire range, which I suspect will happen once they can match the autofocus speed of the current PDAF systems, while using current 4/3rd lenses (with/without firmware upgrades).

In the meantime, the only new 4/3rd camera will be the E5. Whether there will be a followup will depend on how soon they can produce the magical AF system.

thats what I dont want to hear bro this will be the last DSLR or 4/3 :cry:

 

[MichaelLee]

Err... the E-3 is already going at 999

only on special sale with limited sets. dun think i walk in to anyshop today, all e3 is priced at SGD999. I check amazon last night, at USD999.

If i remember correctly, the last piece of e1 on amazon is at USD590 when e3 was announced.