Before to read the next E-M5 reviews you may help me with this: Egami (Click here) posted the info about a new Olympus patent describing a sensor technology. Egamis claims that this could be alreayd in use in the E-M5. But the google translation tool does a messy job and I really can’t get into the details of this. Do you understand it?
And now back to reviews! In these days you can read many comparisons between “our” Olympus E-M5 and the other two advanced mirrorless cameras, the Fuji X PRO 1 ($1600 at Amazon) and Sony NEX-7 ($1199 again at A.). After ThePhoBlographer (Click here) and Dslr-check.info (Click here) also Kai from Digitalrev made it. You can see it on the video I posted here on top. And Blog Paran (Click here) compared the E_M5 against the…Samsung NX200 which isn’t really known to be a good performer! And to finish, a hands-on report by one of our readers at Weisserth (Click here).
Today E-M5 Rankings:
USA: E-M5 on position 5/7 (Click here)
UK: E-M5 is on position 23 (Click here).
Germany: The E-M5 is on position 5/10 (Click here).
France: not available (Click here to see rankings anyway).
Japan: E-M5 on position 4/5/9 (Click here).
E-M5 (Pre)order links (Click on store name): Amazon, Adorama, B&H, Jessops, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, Amazon Japan and Digitalrev.
83 Responses
I like the review, simple and point out the strength + weakness of 3 of them.
If one of course can ignore the Kai’s RF fanboism. But at least he’s open about it.
I also find it ironic that the camera targeted at prime lens shooters has the best high ISO performance. Normally those should be the zoom camera systems (think 43) which need such sensor to compensate for a darker apertures.
I don’t see any irony there. Better ISP with fast primes = step
Forward for natural light shooters.
Not much RF Fanboyism being shown. He says the Auto Focus sucks and he doesn’t seem to be impressed with the low-res Hybrid Viewfinder.
Koi and the other DigitalRev fish just need to stop. Acting like a group of giggling teenagers — nothing learned from watching them — another waste of time.
Kids are cute. Adults acting like kids is sad. Stop posting links to that, please.
just dont click on links you dont like lol!
Exactly! To think someone is so important so the others should not be able to have the link or worse, that this important person can’t control itself and stay away from clicking the link and because of that everyone is not allowed to see that in a post! LOL
That seems to be a chronic disease at dpreview: the non ability to skip
Past posts someone is not interested in and even reply in them stating so :-/
I like Kai’s show. Keep it coming!
I agree, much better than the reviews (?) from Amateur Trusted Labs.
Please post anything to do with m43, if you listened to every Tom, Dick and Harry you’d never post a single thing. I personally love their reviews, although i’d already seen it.
I’m sure they’re very sad about being the most watched youtube channel about cameras. I like their light style, if I want to see graphs and numbers I’ll visit DPreview.
Generally don’t mind this format of review, but this has to be the first I personally dislike. Though I’m sure it’ll appeal to some 🙂
I don´t know but I´m getting sick of those nex7 vs fujixpro vs. em5 comparisons
+1
Hot cameras, targeted at gear-lusting spec-sheet-savvy geeks. No way media can /miss/ the opportunity. 🙁
+ 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
+ a lot
+1 me too.
the NX200 has been getting good reviews…both dpreview and IR like it…resolution wise, at low iso is simply excellent…IR says they made 30X45′ prints….AND, according to the pictures, the review is against the NX100, so you should correct the info…just a tip
…or stealth marketing.
I think this comparative is not fair, why not have the same focus lenght?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BRyQU6XCQt0#t=477s
not possible that diference
If DigitalRev sponsoring this site, I am fine with links to their videos here. I watch them anyway 😉
Kai gives live person experience, in contrast to marketing person read-full-spec-in-your-face-pseudo-reviews. It’s partly a show and I love the format, though I’m not buying everything, obviously.
No sponsoring!
I usually like the DigitalRev reviews, but this was hardly fair. Why didn’t they at least use a faster lens on the Oly, like the 17mm Lok was carrying?
That Fuji is one ugly chunk!
> I usually like the DigitalRev reviews, but this was hardly fair.
1. Kai can’t say anything bad about the Fuji because he is RF fanboi and the Fuji is made to appeal to his types.
2. Kai can’t say anything bad about Sony because fanbois would *again* flood comments with flames. (Hinted at at the beginning of the clip, when they were setting up Alamby to “win” the NEX-7.)
So that leaves the E-M5 as a punching bag.
Not true, firstly, he doesn’t seem to care so much about fanboys, the more they whine, the more fun he makes about them. Secondly, he had plenty of critics about the 3 cameras in theirs solo review.
Wel that sure makes tons of sense! Kai just hates Olympus doesn’t he?! Must ve why he gave such an enthusiastic positive reviews to the latest Olympus primes Olympus put out
The Oly 17 is one of the early lenses that focuses slowly. Had they used that people would have complained they didn’t use a modern lens fast focusing lens. It looked like the output of the cameras had about the same angle of view which would mean the Oly lens was shot at the wide end which is only slightly slower at f3.5. All that being said, the light the same for all of the cameras and they were comparing like to like ISO’s so I don’t really understand you issue with lens choice.
Sorry mr Reese, I disagree. 🙂 The Fuji is beutiful and has excellent ergonomy too. IQ on top. Still this is an unmature system though.
It’s immature because of problems with the Hybrid view finder.
Ergonomy of piece of wooden plank.
But then again once upon time people kept even iron wheels in vehicles as good.
I have actually used the camera – have you?
After 50 years of photography I know the difference between what’s good and what’s not. Used cameras from all the big brands.
Handled it over month ago in same event where I tried E-M5 and was actually surprised how bad it felt in hand for its size.
Guess I should have handled father’s old brick SLR before going to event to take out pointless expectations of ergonomy from design of photography’s horse wagon/iron wheel era.
Though as positive thing about Fuji it has right display size to body size relation instead of all space eating travel TV.
Such display size limitation would improve E-M5 and Panasonic GHs as cameras.
Personally, I thought that Emmy out-performed all three camera offerings.
sometimes she reminded of Bettie Page!
Kai is a camera review icon now. You simply cannot buy a camera according to those reviews, but they are just vivid and funny, most people love them. lol
They hit a few key points and are entertaining in the process, reminding us not to take all this review stuff too seriously. Love the choice of a dance studio which is one of the more difficult places I have shot. Like Top Gear, DigitalRev is fun to watch if I am in the mood. Is the OM-D just an EP-something with a viewfinder? We’ll see when Olympus comes out with the next EP.
At current UK prices, you can buy an EM-5 and a 25/f1.4 lens for the same amount of money as an X-Pro 1, body only, so they don’t really fit in the same price category. I would expect the prices of these cameras to fall in a few months time. As an example, UK prices for the Fujifilm X-100 have dropped by about 30% since first release, so if you aren’t sure which camera to buy, you will benefit from the waiting.
The X-Pro 1 has been receiving some fulsome praise from reviewers.
One recent publication (Advanced Photographer) noted that the NEX-7 has a “sparse lens range at present” while omitting to level the same criticism at the X-Pro 1.
DigitalRev is like Top Gear for cameras
They point out the strengths and weaknesses of a camera and act stupid while doing so
I would never buy a car based on a Top Gear review but it is fun to watch and most of the time they are right about strengths and weaknesses.
Though I don’t understand why they keep using that 12-50mm lens in comparisons tests. Noise performance/too aggressive noise reduction is often characterized by users as a lack of details in the image, why then use one of Olympus weakest lens against primes?
+1 I also think – contrary to most – that a better lens would be better (12/2 or 45/1.8) even for high ISO tests because Kai mentions details.
I am ambivalent with Kai’s video reviews, on the one hand I find his quirky fun style entertaining, but he hardly gives a balanced view for newbies trying to work out which camera to buy.
For most enthusiasts, they need ALL of the following in a camera:
1. fast, accurate AF and reasonable manual focus
2. acceptably good image quality at ISO’s they will shoot at 95% of the time (ie. up to ISO 1600 for most)
3. a good range of quality AF lenses they can afford with a good mix of focal length ranges, apertures and zoom vs prime lenses
4. image stabilisation either in the lenses or the body
5. reasonable HD video with image stabilisation
6. compact size of the camera and lenses
7. affordability
8. ability to take reasonable portraits with an adequate shallow depth of field and ability to blur the background
9. a camera with reasonable build quality that should last at least 5 years, even better if it is water and dust resistant
10. ergonomic handling and user friendly user interface.
11. hot-shoe with remote TTL flash and fast flash sync
12. effective sensor dust removal system
13. viewfinder
Most enthusiasts need ALL of the above in a camera, while some are happy to skip a few of those features if the strengths for their specific purpose over-rides a lack of otherwise mandatory features.
For the above reasons, I was never a fan of the Olympus PEN cameras lacking a built-in viewfinder and using an older sensor with inadequate image quality for my needs, hence I bought into Panasonic GH series whilst waiting for Olympus to produce a camera that would suit me.
Of the cameras Kai has compared in the video – there is only ONE that comes close to fulfilling ALL of those basic requirements, and that is the camera that I will be buying – the E-M5.
Yep, sure Kai, the Fuji has a lovely viewfinder, and the image quality is better at higher ISO, but I learnt a long time ago, if a camera does not AF well it better have great manual focus capability, and I am afraid from what I have seen, the Fuji loses out big time in that department. Not to mention no IS, and only 3 lenses. It is a pity the video does not provide a greater perspective. Who cares if it does much better at ISO 12,800 when it takes 4 attempts to AF on a night street scene?
And as for the Sony NEX7, great EVF, MF peaking, and the IQ seems comparable but why haven’t Sony incorporated their IS system from their dSLRs, and their limited range of lenses are just too big and poorly matched for the purpose – one may as well buy their full frame dSLR instead.
So Admin, please keep the links coming as I like the entertainment value even though they do frustrate the hell out of me sometimes 🙂
> but why haven’t Sony incorporated their IS system from their dSLRs…
Probably they designed flange back distance and body too small to fit stabilization in there.
That was admitted by Sony when NEX was introduced.
They can add depth behind the sensor at the expense of making the body thicker, I don’t think that would do any damage as far as the user is concerned, may improve the ergonomics of the whole thing, as well as the aesthetics.
Gary I agree with your 13 points. I would change point 4 to IBIS preferably. Reason, legacy tele lenses. All the mirrorless cameras have the ability to use legacy lenses, some more than others, but it is a feature that DSLRs cannot offer outside own brand, and then not all the time.
A great selling point over DSLRs, the ability use cheap legacy lenses and then encourage playing with the camera, trying things out. If you like it buy better lenses from the manufacturer or even a whole range of Leica M glass, it will all work.
Good thing there are no reviews covering the video performance on the EM-5.
I know right? Because we’d hate to see a review showing that it’s really good hey?
That does not worry me to much. I only take video occasionally and if it moves, in any manner, its ok for me and the Grand Children, none of us are into Ben Hur or Catch 22 productions. The Em5 fits my profile fine so far.
Same here, I want a good tool for the job (taking photographs). If I want to shoot video I’d look for a dedicated video cam.
As far as I can see the EM-5 is one hell of a good tool, only downer one can put is that it will be out of date in 6 months time but that applies to any modern electronic appliance, technology advances so quickly. However it will still be a great camera doing everything I want, with any glass I can throw at it.
NEX-7 in US and Germany on top of the sales list but in Japan place 33. UK even place 73.
Although Kai’s review considered no quite fair enough ( Prime lens VS Zoom lens ) but it did point out one thing . No cameras won alone in ISO performance , Image Quality & Focusing Speed & I agree with him . So have to leave it to incoming pana’s GH & GL series to fill the tasks . No purchase on all these toys , let me enjoy playing with my GX while waiting for my next dream device to be unveiled . The much anticipated GL if rumour is right .
I don’t really understand why people takes things so personally, you are missing the point. You don’t have to feel offended or even feel like offending someone just because you don’t agree.
I mean, they shouldn’t, at least when it comes to a show that is clearly not that serious about it, it’s like Top Gear! You are stupid if you take them totally serious to the point of getting mad, if you don’t agree, no problem, you don’t have to and the world won’t end just because people have different opinions.
I don’t agree with some points of DRTV’s reviews and I think that at times there are things that they miss and that could turn the comparisons more fair, but that’s not the point.
He’s made some funny films. This isn’t one of them. I don’t mind the fooling around if there’s info in there too. But the balance has drifted the wrong way here.
I want to see a real world ISO comparison using fast glass and taking IBIS into account. I.e., take a shot with Fuji 35 1.4 wide open at slowest hand-holdable shutter speed and then compare with Olympus using either 20mm 1.7 or 25mm 1.4 wide open at slowest hand-holdable shutter speed.
A straight ISO comparison is fair to test the sensor, but not to test the camera. In real world usage I would be able to shoot a much long exposure hand held with the Olympus than with the Fuji, which would allow me to save a couple of stops in ISO.
Yes, that is all true….until you have a subject that is moving. Then you have a nice test of subject motion blur. No one test captures all facets of the shooting experience.
Dear admin,
About the Google translation of Egami’s site, you must replace “valve” to “bulb”.
It is about the patent related to Live BULB.
He wrote “Live BULB is basically the synthesis of continuous shots.” and the patent is about readout with some decimation which is working as noise reduction.
He is not sure that this patent is actually used in E-M5, but believes the live BULB of E-M5 should be quite innovative.
I used to hate his reviews, but now I enjoy them and this one is no exception…
Bit like the absolutely, ghastly, horribly terrible commercial with the catchy tune.
Take it easy. This Kai chap is trying to be amusing, that’s all. He’s clearly not very fond of the E-M5, which I can understand: it makes you want to lay your fingers on an old OM. If you get offended by the inferiority of m4/3 at ISO12,000 or whatever you should seek a greener pasture.
The review is about three great cameras, each of them with some strengths and some weanesses. The Oly has the smallest sensor and the Fuji has the latest sensor development.
Any of the three cameras are both nice to work with and produce very good IQ.
Which is best? Depends on personal preferences and what type your photography is.
I evaluate using a bunch of criteria and a points system (“like to use” is one criteria, weight another) Current leader: Nikon D800. For Nikon there are 2nd hand lenses, brings down cost. If I want a NEX-7 with stellar lenses, it means a heavier investment than for a D800 equipment. Off to the gym……..
Okay review, though it dragged on. The actual details an criticisms seem fair and accurate, but his conclusion seems stupid on the OMD… “It’s just another EP whatever.” That Fuji does look pretty nice if you can handle the funky focusing.
” it’s a pretty good…’micro 43 camera’. “
The only problem with that review was the EVF on the Oly camera. It was being fed two stops less light.
I’m a big fan of Kai’s but the ISO 12800 comparison on this video is complete BS.
The E-M5 and NEX 7 images are tiny crops from a much wider angle picture that have been enlarged. Compared to a much closer shot from the Fuji X pro 1 that has had little cropping. This is extremely misleading and whoever made the video must have known fine well what they were doing.
There is no way that the X pro 1 is THAT much better at iso 12800.
But Kai would not handicap Sony?
I think Kai his loving Fuji and have a % on the sales!
Same thing with canon.
@ andy Thanks for the crop info, I’ve been misleaded…
If Fuji had made a DSLR camera (a continuation of their S series) I buy one. I’d even buy one of their butt ugly pseudo range finders if it didn’t have the effing Hybrid view finder.
Imagine a Fuji S6, this Fuji sensor in a Nikon D7000 or D300S body. Between the excellent Fuji sensor and Nikon’s superior Auto Focus and Matrix Metering you’d have a camera with unsurpassed IQ that focused quickly and accurately — what’s not to like ??? For those of you unfamiliar with with Fuji’s S line here a link to the Fuji S5 (Nikon D200 body) test at DPReview http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms5pro
The S5 was very popular among wedding photographers due to good DR, I seem to recall.
There are too much reviews with the em5 vs x pro1.
What I want to see a x100 vs em5 iso test. I think the older x100 is still better??
I’ve read in a few places that the X100’s ISO values are overrated by almost 1 stop. Still a good sensor though.
“Just another EP-whatever.”
Huh?
16mp versus 12
New IBIS system
Weather-sealing
Higher frame rate
Better high ISO performance
New kit lens that has power zoom and is 24mm on the wide end
Built in VF
That’s hardly just another “EP-whatever.”
Dude, I think Kai trolled you…
I’m sure he means that the improvement was there but not by much.
Take a gx1 for the iso perf, and the 16mp sensor,
the vf-2 on any pen for the EVF,
And he also said “That’s a machine!” when speaking about FPS.
Now you must admit that the Fuji really perform at 12800iso, while the nex and the em5 really sucks.
I’ll probably never do a shot at 12800 iso in my life, because I’ll buy myself the leica 25mm f1.4 but that’s good for pro photogs in a wedding party.
His conclusion is: there are a camera for any kind of photogs, neither is all bad, and none is perfect!
Are you sure a guy who would paint a Leica pink really has any credible basis on which to make a common sense statement?
Haha! Nope
Guess what. I bought a red G3 on Ebay and when I first saw it, I realised that it’s more pink than red!!! At least it was made by someone who knows how to paint 😉
That patent submit is about the technique archived for LiveView Bulb mode. More like software side. How they read out the data and produce final image.
It is basically multiple exposer merged into one in some special way.
Anyone seen this? Could it be real or just a joke?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQfVM5ETzV4
He has a stiff neck, just loosening it up.
I like DigitalRev’s video like anyone else, but to be fair, this video was seriously lacking…as many previous ones have. Many have argued (and rightly so) that people are being overly critic with them solely because of fanboyism…well, that’s only half true. We all enjoy Kai’s sarcasm and shenanigans but to be honest these past 5 or so videos have been mediocre at best. In the past D.rev limited themselves to what they had in hand and reviewed based solely on their honest first hand experience; Yes they were just as ridiculous to watch as they’re nowadays but at least they weren’t influenced by internet hearsay and thus weren’t trying to impress forum dwellers as much.
Their videos were enjoyable not just because of Kai’s shenanigans but because at the end of it you took something from it, they were informative for newbies and pros alike, they focused on the tiny details, the usability factor and feeling of a camera…nowadays it’s like watching someone read a spec sheet while gimmicky joking around hong kong…wait…it’s exactly that.
Does anyone know if the X-Pro 1 outputs a clean uncompressed 1080/24 stream out of the HDMI port? I know the NEX does not and the OM-D only supports 30fps.
Re the JP patent: it has been published in US as US2012075729 – http://worldwide.espacenet.com/searchResults?DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&ST=advanced&compact=false&PN=Us2012075729
Have fun
Thanks!
According Kai…OM-D is just another EP- something…..lol, I wish I could say my EPL…is just another OM- something….