[ Review ] - E5 - First Impressions

[jjtml]

Hi Oly5050, thanks for your excellent review and experience. I'm sure it's much appreciated by many members here. Keep up the good work!

On the dramatic art filter, it looks pretty decent enough especially for underexposed shots and for time when you don't feel like doing PP and want to use the out of camera JPEGS.

My personal take is that I'd prefer shooting my images underexposed and using the HDR feature in CS5 to fine tune the effect that I want to get. Gives me more creative freedom over what parts I need to bring out

 

[puny]

More of the dramatic tone

I dun know about you guys, but I am sure there will be some nay sayers, but all I can say is, this Dramatic Tone is a sweet baby.

Awesome!! Time to trade in my E300. Can get the $200 trade in for such an old model?

 

[spidey89]

Awesome!! Time to trade in my E300. Can get the $200 trade in for such an old model?

Its not a trade in, its a rebate for existing users, just need to attach a photocopy of the warranty card or something, never state model so should be fine I guess

 

[jonathann]

Consider this...the e5 is now cheaper than the e3 when it was launched. E3 was abt 2.6k 3 yrs ago. The e5 now is 2.5k. U want to pay less than 2k, u wait for a used e5 or maybe wait 1 year for price to fall. This alrdy a very good price for a top line dslr. Wats the equivalent for canon or nikon in terms of price?

I cannot find an exact equivalent coz of the crop factor.

Following prices are not newly launch price. However the 7D street price is only around $2250. While adding another $500+ to the current E-5 price will get you a 5D Mark2. Aint got much idea for Nikon though.

No offence but I think comparing it with a E-3 price might not be feasible as the launch price for E-3 was quite a while ago and nowadays all newly launch cameras have cheaper pricing compared to previously.

However these are just my opinion. Price is not an issue for someone who sees value in that item. Cheers

 

[sunfish]

Some high ISO photos. There first two were ISO 640 actually. The one of the blue bar and the glass beads in my post above. Here are a few @ ISO 1600.

Thanks. Looks like a significant improvement from E3:lovegrin: Now..what should I do with my E3:sweatsm: , should I break my piggybank?

 

[egnaro]

HI Oly5050,

Congrat on your purchase. Great review anyway.

I was hoping to move back to 4/3 if something amazing release. Guess I have to stick with what I have now.

Hey Spidey no need to Shout in red really. I dun read manual even I use a totally brand new Canon 7D from Olympus E3 user.

BTW I still prefer E3 interface over 7D, I am yet to try E5, maybe Vincent, U can let me play with it for a while. :devil:

 

[jjtml]

If only the E5 turned out more like the 7D... eg 1080p recording with the ZD lenses... drool.. 8fps

I think for now my E3 will still service me for the next 1-2 years.. unless the E5 drops prices below $2k anytime soon

 

[selamatlzh]

Just want to spread poison again. Has not been posting for a while.

Lensbaby2 + Grainy Art filter

12-60 + Grainy Art filter

12-60 + Grainy Art filter + wireless flash

12-60 + pop art filter

If you like to shoot with flash, TTL + ISO400. Amazing result......

 

[jjtml]

Just got my E5 this evening from MS Color. Last box for today.. phew

Some quick notes, the LCD screen is magnificent compared to the E3. Layout of the buttons need a bit more getting used to.

The up/down/left/right buttons are slightly more sunk in compared to the E3, so it's marginally harder to press.

The delete key on the E5 is near where the IS button on the E3 used to be so reviewing and deleting photos on the cam will need some adjustment. Same goes for the info / menu / live view buttons (all shifted to the top of the LCD screen.)

Like the E3, the E5 should be stopped down between -1/3 to -1 for best results. As mentioned, ISO 200 is the recommended setting on the camera and works fantastic so far. No discernable noise at ISO 400.

As for AF, I haven't really felt a lot of difference in AF speed using the 14-54 Mk1 as yet but will be testing out more in the coming days.. however, what i'm most excited about is using the LV for reverse lens macros *drools*

 

[jjtml]

Thanks Selamatlzh for the photos

My personal take is that I don't really enjoy using the filters in the cam. Would rather much use PP to achieve the effect that I want (i'm a bit nitpicky and quite finicky about the level of detail and grain I want in my shots)

However, I must say that the colours out of the box of the E5 are fantastic and marginally better than the E3.

In addition, images are a tad sharper as well

Just want to spread poison again. Has not been posting for a while.

Lensbaby2 + Grainy Art filter

12-60 + Grainy Art filter

12-60 + Grainy Art filter + wireless flash

12-60 + pop art filter

If you like to shoot with flash, TTL + ISO400. Amazing result......

 

[kuanwk]

Just got my E5 this evening from MS Color. Last box for today.. phew

did it drop below $2k like u mentioned in #27? :think: :bsmilie:

 

[jjtml]

did it drop below $2k like u mentioned in #27? :think: :bsmilie:

Haha I wish! Nah, got it at $2.2k, pretty reasonable price I must say cause I figured no point waiting 6months for a 200 dollar decrease.. but got to sell off my very underused E-3 to get some money back (shutter count only 9.7k! anyone interested? check out the marketplace)

 

[jjtml]

Was trying to use the E-5 with my OM lenses with an OM adapter with dandelion chip

The first time I put on my lens, I managed to get the E-5 to give focus confirmation however, subseqent times it didn't give me focus confirmation so I'm wondering what's wrong.

 

[Oly5050]

I cannot find an exact equivalent coz of the crop factor.

Following prices are not newly launch price. However the 7D street price is only around $2250. While adding another $500+ to the current E-5 price will get you a 5D Mark2. Aint got much idea for Nikon though.

No offence but I think comparing it with a E-3 price might not be feasible as the launch price for E-3 was quite a while ago and nowadays all newly launch cameras have cheaper pricing compared to previously.

However these are just my opinion. Price is not an issue for someone who sees value in that item. Cheers

Are you discriminating against the E5 because of its sensor size? By the way, its not crop factor. It is actually a multiplication factor. The 4/3 system is actually a digital full-frame system. We only do a 2x so that people who are so used to the 35 mm FOV can appreciate what FOV the equivalent 4/3 lenses will be.

But well, $2250 for 7D and $2800 for the 5D mark II are actually fairly good comparisons. Well then, people have to weigh the pros and cons and decide which way they want to go. After using the 5D Mark II myself for a few days, I have no strong desire to own that unit. And I have played with the 7D. It is 8fps, but it has got a ton of stuff which I have gotten used to that is missing....so.....

HI Oly5050,

Congrat on your purchase. Great review anyway.

I was hoping to move back to 4/3 if something amazing release. Guess I have to stick with what I have now.

Hey Spidey no need to Shout in red really. I dun read manual even I use a totally brand new Canon 7D from Olympus E3 user.

BTW I still prefer E3 interface over 7D, I am yet to try E5, maybe Vincent, U can let me play with it for a while. :devil:

Thanks egnaro. Good to see you drop by. I would agree with you that the E5 is not revolutionary enough to entice you back. But I am sure Oly will keep working on that.

And yes, I wonder why there was a need to SHOUT SO LOUD in RED. Maybe he should learn to moderate his enthusiasm if that was what it was.....

Next kopi session we see how lar. But to be honest, it feels just like the E3. The only difference perhaps is that the images may look a little cleaner at high ISO.

Just got my E5 this evening from MS Color. Last box for today.. phew

Some quick notes, the LCD screen is magnificent compared to the E3. Layout of the buttons need a bit more getting used to.

The up/down/left/right buttons are slightly more sunk in compared to the E3, so it's marginally harder to press.

The delete key on the E5 is near where the IS button on the E3 used to be so reviewing and deleting photos on the cam will need some adjustment. Same goes for the info / menu / live view buttons (all shifted to the top of the LCD screen.)

Like the E3, the E5 should be stopped down between -1/3 to -1 for best results. As mentioned, ISO 200 is the recommended setting on the camera and works fantastic so far. No discernable noise at ISO 400.

As for AF, I haven't really felt a lot of difference in AF speed using the 14-54 Mk1 as yet but will be testing out more in the coming days.. however, what i'm most excited about is using the LV for reverse lens macros *drools*

Ditto on the buttons. Less easy to press. As for stopping down? I wonder...I always thought it tends to underexpose by 1/3 stop instead. If I adjust exposure, it is usually always up rather than down.

 

[jonathann]

Are you discriminating against the E5 because of its sensor size? By the way, its not crop factor. It is actually a multiplication factor. The 4/3 system is actually a digital full-frame system. We only do a 2x so that people who are so used to the 35 mm FOV can appreciate what FOV the equivalent 4/3 lenses will be.

But well, $2250 for 7D and $2800 for the 5D mark II are actually fairly good comparisons. Well then, people have to weigh the pros and cons and decide which way they want to go. After using the 5D Mark II myself for a few days, I have no strong desire to own that unit. And I have played with the 7D. It is 8fps, but it has got a ton of stuff which I have gotten used to that is missing....so.....

Not discriminating. Just saying its difficult to compare a 2x crop and a FF price since the sensor is so much different. However a price difference of $500 may not justify someone to buy a sensor half the size of a FF.

I started with the EP1 and move on to the 5DMk2. Never looked back since. The super clean and noiseless image a FF can produce is priceless. In my point of view that is, cant say the same for what others think.

To me the only pro a 2x crop factor i can think of is in its telezoom area. And of course the nicer colours a Oly can produce OOC.

But of course different crop factor suits different individuals.

 

[shengliang1981]

Not discriminating. Just saying its difficult to compare a 2x crop and a FF price since the sensor is so much different. However a price difference of $500 may not justify someone to buy a sensor half the size of a FF.

I started with the EP1 and move on to the 5DMk2. Never looked back since. The super clean and noiseless image a FF can produce is priceless. In my point of view that is, cant say the same for what others think.

To me the only pro a 2x crop factor i can think of is in its telezoom area. And of course the nicer colours a Oly can produce OOC.

But of course different crop factor suits different individuals.

Think you're still misusing the term "crop factor". ;p

 

[bousozoku]

Not discriminating. Just saying its difficult to compare a 2x crop and a FF price since the sensor is so much different. However a price difference of $500 may not justify someone to buy a sensor half the size of a FF.

I started with the EP1 and move on to the 5DMk2. Never looked back since. The super clean and noiseless image a FF can produce is priceless. In my point of view that is, cant say the same for what others think.

To me the only pro a 2x crop factor i can think of is in its telezoom area. And of course the nicer colours a Oly can produce OOC.

But of course different crop factor suits different individuals.

You're using FF meaning 135 format frame. (micro) Four-Thirds is a full frame format since we use lenses and sensors that are designed for the format. A crop factor is applied to lenses not designed for the format.

 

[Oly5050]

The super clean and noiseless image a FF can produce is priceless. In my point of view that is, cant say the same for what others think.

To me the only pro a 2x crop factor i can think of is in its telezoom area. And of course the nicer colours a Oly can produce OOC.

Hah...since u have both the EP and the 5D, u obviously have made comparisons....

Well, I also have tested and to me, I do not think that the 5D in high ISO is that noiseless or clean. Even if it were slightly cleaner, it is less sharp because of lack of in-body IS. There is also a bunch of stuff which I think may contribute to that including a larger mirror causing more vibration from the mirror slap. Of course, potentially, if u can be bothered to perform mirror lock up, use a tripod etc, you can get sharper photos. But for people like me, I think that is too much of a hassle which I prefer to leave to the professionals. I get very good images out of camera from the PENS.

Also, the other advantage of the 4/3 systems is that you spend more time shooting and less time behind the computer. And, I think I will have less upper limb, shoulder and neck aches from carrying that monster around. LOL!

 

[jonathann]

You're using FF meaning 135 format frame. (micro) Four-Thirds is a full frame format since we use lenses and sensors that are designed for the format. A crop factor is applied to lenses not designed for the format.

mmm help me understand. i got a 17mm m4/3. but it is still 34mm equivalent. If the 2x crop can be considered FF format in its own league, then can the 1.6x crop also be considered FF format in its own 1.6x crop league?

 

[jonathann]

Hah...since u have both the EP and the 5D, u obviously have made comparisons....

Well, I also have tested and to me, I do not think that the 5D in high ISO is that noiseless or clean. Even if it were slightly cleaner, it is less sharp because of lack of in-body IS. There is also a bunch of stuff which I think may contribute to that including a larger mirror causing more vibration from the mirror slap. Of course, potentially, if u can be bothered to perform mirror lock up, use a tripod etc, you can get sharper photos. But for people like me, I think that is too much of a hassle which I prefer to leave to the professionals. I get very good images out of camera from the PENS.

Also, the other advantage of the 4/3 systems is that you spend more time shooting and less time behind the computer. And, I think I will have less upper limb, shoulder and neck aches from carrying that monster around. LOL!

I am not sure you are referring to 5D or the 5Dmk2. I am able to get very clean images until ISO 3200 in very poor lighting. I can never achieve a clean image at ISO800 with my EP-1 under poor lighting.

That said, i found new life for my EP-1 coz i just got a FD-m4/3 adapter to complement a 35m f2 and the 50mm f1.4.