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Soon, at 2 am London time Olympus will officially announce the E-M5. The price will be the following:
Olympus OM-D E-M5 body only: $1000 or 1.100 Euro
Olympus OM-D E-M5 with 14-42mm lens: $1100 (don’t know the price in Euro yet)
Olympus OM-D E-M5 with 12-50mm lens: $1300 or 1300 Euro
Now in order to kill some of the waiting time I ask you: Within one month we had three new “WOW” cameras. The Fuji X PRO 1 (Click here to check price and specs), the Nikon D800 (Click here to check price and specs) and now the Olympus E-M5 (Click here to read the specs). So…..
[poll id=”115″]
Don’t be fanboys 😉
P.S.: I will not sleep the hole night. Will drink tons of coffee and chat with you all the time!
354 Responses
D800 is clearly the most advanced camera of the three, but it’s the Olympus I want.
Ditto. The D800 has a cool sensor. The EM5 is a cool camera.
Not camera out E also Nikon. 😀
D800 huh???
1. lack of aspect ratios especially 16:9 or 4:3
2. poorly implemented live view
3. autofocus too central – micro four thirds is almost anywhere on the frame
4. video not as good as GH2
5. massive file sizes
6. no tilt and/or swivel LCD
7. mono microphone!!!!!!!!!!!! Olympus audio will walk all over nikon’s
8. has moire & aliasing!!! so no good for broadcast quality
Are you kidding?
@Ben Y
nope Nikon are kidding. I AM serious.
🙂
Nikon D800 is the worst camera ever 🙂
I love the EM-5, but you’re totally being a fanboy. The D800 has just become the new price/performance king.
@GenoGibson
wake up!
As a work camera I’ll take the D800. As a personal camera, I’d easily opt for the EM-5.
As admin said: don’t be a fanboy 🙂
He might as well have told the wind not to blow 😉
You forgot…
– no IBIS
– no touchscreen
– only 4 fps
– no art filters!
On a serious note, if I was looking for a FF cam (and can spend the money on one), this would be it.
Although I don’t need the D800 and I will eventually buy a E-M5, I must say that if we are talking about amazing camera, it has to be the D800. Unmatched and unseen IQ in a body like that at that price point.
How many hard drives do you have? How’s the RAM on your computer doing? The D800 shoots 75MB RAW files–Can your computer handle that?
Will you be making 33×50 inch prints? Anything smaller and there’s no point in having 36MP.
My point: Every camera on the market RIGHT NOW has amazing IQ for prints 12×18 and smaller, so what’s the point of the D800? It’s not IQ, it’s not speed, it’s bragging rights.
I’d say the E-M5 will be a much better choice for 99.99% of photographers.
Sorry to pick on you, but yours was just the D800 comment that broke my back 🙂
Okay, I can think of one legitimate reason why somebody might need a D800. I was chatting online the other day with a commercial photographer with a lot of industry connections, and he said that a lot of major ad agencies now are requiring 30-megapixel files as a minimum.
He said it’s not that they usually need files that large — it’s just that there are so many good photographers looking for work that they need some way of screening the applicants. It’s kind of like all the entry-level openings now that that demand a college degree, just to cut down the number of resumes.
Until now you needed to pony up for a medium-format system to generate those 30-mp files, but now Nikon has cut the cost of entry (and of course Canon will follow within a month or two.)
That is a sad story, Range 9.
Expect that “30” screening number to increase to “40” within the next few months. Once the art directors receive 500 applications with MP counts over 30 instead of their usual 20 applications, they’ll raise the bar until the number of applicants comes down.
Exactly, and that’s a game I will never play.
30mp files as a minimum is rediculous, even to screen people out. It’s not the quality of the images taken, just the quantity of pixels that can be produced? That is silly.
@Ranger 9
“a lot of major ad agencies now are requiring 30-megapixel files as a minimum”
I can do that with my micro four thirds cameras, just increase the canvas size in photoshop 😉 I would use the extra space around the original image for something creative
That’s stupid, because the 5D MK II is still perfectly usable from a commercial standpoint, as is the 12MP D700, D3s and 1Ds.
None of these have 30MP.
I can see requiring 12MP for magazine and 14 bit RAW, but requiring 30MP is just insanity.
I am sure you can shoot downsized RAW files with the D800E. What is intriguing there is the fact that there is no AA filter. The files should be screamingly sharp at 21MP…I am really looking forward to seeing images from that camera.
“Unmatched and unseen IQ in a body like that at that price point.”
Until next month, or whenever Canon brings out their 5D Mk-Whatever, with one more megapixel and one more “unique” feature that none of us knew we needed until they started advertising it. I’m getting tired of being stuck on this escalator.
D800 is a big step forward for Nikon and clearly the ‘IT’ DSLR but gotta agree with spam, the Olympus is a game changer – not a silver bullet by any means – but a camera that changes the enthusiast segment. It brought sexy back.
I like the Fuji conceptually. Just hard to foresee how it will fair at the price point without some movement toward the platform as a standard. As a consumer, I’d wait to adopt given its proprietary nature. Time will tell. For now, I’m all for the OM because I already have m4/3 lenses.
I agree, and those are a few of the reason I said the D800 is not for me. But that does not mean it’s not a fantastic camera for those who need and can handle breaktrough IQ in DSLR’s
nikon has most advanced sensor …but the oly camera itself is much more advanced.
the nikon d800e uses an AA filter.
“D800E – ‘cancellation’ of anti-aliasing filter
Nikon uses slightly curious wording about the D800E – that the anti-aliasing effect of the optical filter stack in front of the sensor is ‘cancelled’ – and the diagram below shows what this means (courtesy of Nikon). Anti-aliasing filters work by using a birefringent material to split light rays into two based upon the polarization of the light; a first layer splits it horizontally, the second vertically. The practical result is a slight blurring of the image, to avoid moiré and aliasing artefacts. In the case of the D800E, the first filter is instead directly counteracted by the second, resulting in no overall blurring.
”
from dpreview
I pick the D800 ’cause it looks like a Modern camera — not a Retro POS 🙂
The three are different tools for different jobs, i.e. the Fuji X-Pro1 doesn’t look like it would be good for birding 🙂 🙂
The D800 doesn’t really look modern man. Its design screams ’90s. Where is the 2010+ design? 😉
Of course the Fuji is most avantgarde, with the amazing viewfinder. Nikon with huge sensor has best performance, but far too big. Olympus is the one I’d buy because mFT is a developed system with a wide range of lenses. The system matters the most, but the question being “most amazing camera”, I had to pick Fuji.
I agree, fuji x1pro is the most revolutionary. Once again, olympus is handicapped by the sensor, although the G3 sensor should be ok. I will choose omD because I already bought into the system. They got me by the nuts. Plus i am interested in the superfast autofocus!
The Nikon F-mount isn’t a developed system ???
The D800 is probably the most reliable and best technically, the X PRO 1 is the most interesting and exciting but the E-M5 is the one I’m thinking of getting because it has almost all I need in a compact and durable body at a reasonable price. I mostly do portraits and it’s the best suited for my needs out of all the cameras out there (if nothing goes wrong with the production models).
d800 does not have built in steeerrreeooo mic? Thats ridiculous.
Any built in mic is a ridiculous mic, stereo or not. The mic always has to be on or above the subject according to the laws of physics.
That’s just how your ears work.
I’ll give you a dollar if you can find ONE video professional that uses the audio from the built-in mic on a DSLR for production work. The D800 has provisions for the audio input and output for professional video work
@Rob
stupid argument, so why even bother have mono then?
On-board audio is typically used to synchronize the off-board audio (think: tv/movie set “clapper”). Audio syncing is just one of the complications of multi-camera, multi-mic video. So even though the mic quality may be non-stereo, and too poor to use (even if it were stereo), it is still valuable for, e.g., sync video by audio.
@occam
still doesn’t explained why nikon decided to cripple it with mono, the nikon d800 and d4 are not good enough for production even if just using the moving image, the Panasonic GH2 resolves more detail in video….
@YouDidntDidYou
Could be… IDKnow.
+1
But I have to say the GH2 onboard mic and recorder is very good (much, much better than my D7000 – not even close) for a lot of what I do. I use a Rode Stereo videomic about 50% of the time. If I were a pro, I’d use an external recorder, etc, etc.
I’d guess that Nikon knows that serious videographers are not going to be using ANY onboard sound for anything but synchronizing.
I don’t really know. You think people shooting tv and films with the 5DmkII are using the sound from the built in mic?!
@Rob
very occasionally for on the street interview and live fast happening news reports.
Can’t see many video people purchasing the d800 or the d4 over the Lumix GH2 or it’s successor or Canon’s future offerings…
I wish Olympus would use their digital audio experience to make a system to match to their cameras.
@Rob
D4 and D800 BOTH have moire & aliasing!!!! so no good for professional broadcast quality lol
Ridiculous would be using a built in microphone on any DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Even a professional might use a built-in mic in an emergency — like being the only PJ around when Milt and Newt get in a fistfight — and for that a mono mic would be good enough.
I voted for the X Pro 1, but will be saving up for the E-M5!!!
Yep, has to be the X Pro 1.
The D800 is derivative, and too many “recycled” parts plus the HUMP in the OM-D E-M5. (and the name is too long)
Yeah, while I like the E-M5 more for my needs, you can’t deny that Fuji had some real innovation with that sensor. For all intents and purposes, the E-M5 is catching up, and the D800 is just another step up in the line. So I voted for the Fuji…
If you could give me a price in british pounds it would be helpful. If it is £1300 quid they can go and fcuk themselves.
You guys need to swing over to the Euro, and get with it with the rest of the EU. Or come and join us in the colonies and switch to the dollar, Mate!
Yes, the included flash can tilt and price is only $200 less than previously rumored.
I wonder what the angle of the included tilt flash is.
That Nikon will rock. As long as it comes with a free 5 terabyte hard drive. But I’ll have an E-M5 in silver and black please. Thanks very much.
WTF are you complaining about storage??? I have a 21.1 MP Canon 1Ds Mark III and work with files in PS at least the size of 100 MB up to several GB so fucking storage is no problem. When I go out I always have memory cards with several 100 GB as well as three hard discs with a total of about 10 TB with me. So who cares about storage???? Not me!!!
“Don’t be fanboys”
LOL! Oh please!
Talk for yourself!
And where do you go then..?
Along the roads and power lines obviously, in a car, totally dependent upon urban facilities, and not even being able to carry your own gear, I bet. Wanna bring all this into some hostile, cold and remote environments for a couple of weeks for instance? Or anywhere off road/off shore with no power available?
Well, there are a LOT of circumstances where storage and power actually is an issue, so yes, having to bring terrabytes into the field is not my cup of tea! And I know I’m not the only one…
Hmm… the price is much better than I thought. Well… if you’re using USD.
@Admin Body only price more in Euro than in USD? 1100 EUR vs 1000$ ? Or is it the other way round?
Even if it’s the same – it’s a rip off for everyone in Europe 🙁 But of course we have to see what the real price is….
Europe vs. US (where I live) —
— Europeans: Get government-provided health care. Americans: if we lose our jobs and then get sick, we die. Advantage: Europe.
— Europeans: Live in Europe, with great restaurants, theaters, music and art. Americans: Live in America, with reality TV and fast food. Advantage: Europe.
— Europeans: Pay slightly more for camera gear (unless they order from B&H.) Americans: Pay slightly less for camera gear. Advantage: America.
Come on, Europeans, which would you really rather pick?
Yes, but Americans have better beer.
Better beer in the states?
U have to be kidding, atleast if you are refering to “budwiser” and similar crap… Sure there are quite a lot of new decent micro breveries in USA. Europe does have a lot of superior beer…
@Mr_Pyro
he probably doesn’t know any different ol
+1, and then some! 😉
Very true 🙂
I guess you have not been to the Czech Republic. There is beer, good beer, great beer, then there is Czech beer. I do not or ever have live there, just liked what I drank when I was there.
I like the US, for a lot of reasons. To bad Czech beer spoils and can’t be imported.
Wow, y’all haven’t experienced the microbrew revolution. American beers (mostly ales, to get pedantic) are as good as any in the world these days.
you haven’t been to franconia (Oberfranken) !!!!!
Looooool man you do not know Bavarian Beer, are you????
I am still laughing… !
😀
“– Europeans: Get government-provided health care. Americans: if we lose our jobs and then get sick, we die. Advantage: Europe.”
Apparently you live in dreamland. It is not government-provided, it is government-forced (though I think that is right that you are obliged to get health insurance). You still have to pay for yourself.
Cheers
+1
Thanks for stopping by, Congressman Santorum! As long as you’re here… which E-M5 do you like better, chrome or black?
The grass is always greener on the other side of the river!
While I prefer Europe, at least parts of it, I live in the US, I have healthcare, which I pay for, and I live in a city with great restaurants, great theatre, concerts, outdoor spaces and great sports. If you live in Nebraska you have yourself to blame.
You should move to Europe then.
Been there, done that and happy to be back in the USA
Regarding healthcare, being from Italy, we had to bribe doctors to make sure my grandmother and grandfather recieved the proper care – free healthcare does not mean much and if you have the money you rather get private vs public care — ask the Canadians why so many come to the US for care
great restaurants, theaters, music and art can be found here too if you just look for it and support your local art groups. Even in the mid-west you can find plenty if you look and are not a snob. I will take some Napa and Washington state wines over some of the European ones and they are happy to import our Maytag Blue Cheese BTW
The Europeans pay more because of their stupid VAT system — while it may pay for things like healthcare, it makes such that everything is very expensive.
I look at Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Greece and the mess their govts have made by over promissing and putting their countries in debt and I am happy to be in the USA dispite our own problems.
“Europeans: Get government-provided health care”
Just some reality check, speaking as a German: Health care insurence is mandatory, but it’s paid by me and my employer, not by the government.
Ordering from B+H wouldn’t serve me much because I would have to pay V.A.T. and customs duty anyway. And I feel that’s alright, the government doesn’t have any other money than my taxes, and for example the education system has to be paid somehow.
The “WOW” factor should go to the camera that took the biggest leap. So based on that it should be X-PRO1 followed by E-M5 and then D800.
Looks like some people voted for D800 because it has the best features/IQ.
Agree, even if its not a “perfect” product, i think the x-pro 1 is the one that takes most risks. It is a bold design, with no excuses: hybrid viewfinder, new sensor array, plenty of manual controls, big sensor, and a set of 3 fast primes to boot. It dares to go into “leica” territory, and it seems they are doing well. Fuji caters to a specific audience, and they know it. I like that.
m43 seems to be undecided between being targeted towards p&s upgraders, or being targeted to dslr “downgraders”, or rangefinder nostalgics, or high tech junkies…i mean, who really can say whats the target audience of m43? its all over the place. Thats why we have a ridiculous amount of plastic slow zooms and redundant bodies.
The E-M5 is cool and all, but i don’t see anything revolutionary on it. The D800E is an unexpected surprise i must say, but again, no big jump or revolution.
Since I only really use M4/3 these days, I voted Olympus – and that’s what I’ll be ordering tomorrow!
As much as I love m43 and what it stands for, new products like the Nikon D800 makes you realize how advanced actual “serious” photo cameras are. While the E-M5 may be a nice camera and all, I doubt it will hold a candle to the D800…granted it is 3x the price 😉 The E-M5 feels a little like a re-worked E-P3 in a faux DSLR body with little actual technological prowess behind it other than a faster autofocus.
Even though I’ve been very happy with my GF1 for the past 2-3 years, if I were to do any serious shooting (architecture and landscapes), I’d really consider the D800 despite it’s bulk. Thankfully though, I can save myself the $4k since I don’t shoot very seriously 😉
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s NOT the camera, it’s the PHOTOGRAPHER that matters – so fuck this pixel counting bollocks.
A half decent camera, decent glass decent photographer – rather than some wank stain with multi thousand dollar equipment who takes pictures of his cat.
I mean where has photographer reached these last 10 or 12 years of the digital era? Nowhere!!
Are you kidding? Why, we can over-light our subjects and turn the contrast and sharpness way up until it looks almost artificial! Everyone’s doing it! Just jack up your unsharp mask to eleventy and light with six speedlights with no modifiers!
Source:
strobist.com
“It’s NOT the camera, it’s the PHOTOGRAPHER that matters”
You are right. Lately, I saw an exhibition of an American photographer (I forgot his name) who shot New York street photos in the the 50s and 60s, using expired films, and I think he developed them using old chemicals (but I might be wrong on this point), because he could not afford to buy new stuff. He managed wonderful photos in spite of unnatural colours. I do not mean that everybody should go out with crapy old equipment but one can express a lot in a picture without necessarily achieve technical perfection.
Check this out (Kai and Chase Jarvis) from DigitalRev TV: http://www.digitalrev.com/article/4016272/NDAxNjI3Mg_A_A .
The Nikon seems to be a great camera… but quite expensive if you don’t have Nikon lenses (and very good ones)
The X Pro 1 also seems to be very promising in term of image quality… but not as good as the two others in term of overall performance. Also, lenses are very limited.
So, I would say the Olympus is the most interesting because of the ratio $$ vs. performance anticipated vs. lenses available.
i voted x pro cause cause its “out there” D800 is too heavy for old guy who likes to travel, I gettin the E-M5 cause i have the lenses and the silver reminds me of my first cramra OM-10
no votes for X-Pro? 🙁
As much as i want to like the OM-D, its identical to my 2009 GH1, just add weather sealing 🙂
+ better sensor + faster AF etc.
Fan,
GH1 sensor is already 50% better then PEN’s,
AF speed is very nice, but GH1 was fine as well
I’d love to be able to totally switch to m43 but the system is still lacking especially the dynamic range of the old 12 mp sensor. I’ve got an E-P1 and E-PM1 but my 4 year old D300 still produces better images and Nikon’s CLS seems to work better than Olympus’ offering. Still, I love the OOC jpet’s I get with my pens.
Would someone care to explain the “amazing” of the Fuji X PRO 1? (Thx.)
It’s the viewfinder. Leica style, only better and with AF.
i have object to that. x pro viewfinder is nowhere near the leica. x pro offers no decent focus option. i would take a great rangefinder over any slow as death af any day. not to mention the magnification rate is smaller.
no street photographer would ever use this. not even close. maybe its ok for landscape.
What is CLS?
CLS refers to the Nikon flash system (“Creative Lighting System”) which handles multiple flashes, etc..
Nikon’s Creative Lighting System
Ahh, yes, and the new Fuji AA filter free sensor. That could be genuinely innovative.
occam, I agree, I look at the X-pro and it does nothing, I look at the specs and it does nothing. It might take nice pictures but all these cameras do.
I like the X Pro 1 for its hybrid VF… But I don’t like it for the lack of versatility, I want to use long lenses as well….
36 MP? Don’t make me larf…..Where the hell
Would I put them all?
The E-M5 has really got me thinking (and drinking right now). I would like to have faster AF than my E-PL1. I’ve found a sucker….sorry, buyer for my kit lens, and am
trying out a 14/2.5…I want to go a bit wider. I reckon that 12-50 would do me fine. Add in the 60/2.8 macro and the Panny 100-300, I’ll have everything covered. If I’m shooting in the rain, it’s in daylight, and the 12-50 will be fast enough.
This might be the upgrade for me, and about the two year cycle I wanted as well.
I think the Fuji has the most “wow” factor, but it and the D800 are too expensive. If these prices are accurate, the OM-5 has the most bang for the buck. I think I’ll be updating my E-P2!
“I like the X Pro 1 for its hybrid VF… But I don’t like it for the lack of versatility, I want to use long lenses as well….”
You do know that you can also use the EVF right?
“36 MP? Don’t make me larf…..Where the hell Would I put them all?”
The D800 captures 75MB raw-files!
Imagine that converted to lossless TIFF, sharpened for 300dpi print…
Yes, where the hell should you put that ONE?! 😀
It’s hilarious that you’re staying up all night for this momentous event. I hope you don’t have to be at work at 9.
OK, I voted for the OM-D E-M5 because it will be the _most_ amazing camera if it ships with all the pro fixings, including hand grips, batteries, and a new weather-sealed FT adapter, but does NOT support pro weather sealed FT lenses at full PDAF speed.
That’s amazing.
(Ducking.)
How about none?
Sure D800 moves FF DSLRs forward and offers proper controls and ergonomy but I don’t do anything with bigger sensor’s anorectic DOF and neither prism viewfinder has any advantages for me. (and optically equal lenses for same range as for 4/3 sensor would weight lot)
Fuji is for wannabe retroists and with very limited optics about as usefull for me as sticking empty toilet paper cardboard cylinder to lens mount.
Olympus is another one with too much retroism in controls which are any way at entry level along with ergonomy.
Yeah, the three bodies are radically different from each other.
Nikon: pure polish and pixels. But old school size, weight (but for all the right reasons).
Fuji: pure retro with viewfinder varnish, but naked sensor (no glass). Appealing to manual focus glass owners (read: Leica) who want a “budget” oversized body to show off (read: size and look of M9).
Olympus: the mini me of powerful lens systems with all the pro fixings. But the bodies (sensors) are perennially playing catch-up, and the system has a split personality Olympus can not or cares not to fix.
None is truly amazing (since the Nikon is an evolution of D700). Nikon has the most complete package and hits its target dead-center, so it’s probably the best. Fuji and Olympus are still finding their way (assuming we’ve heard all the best rumors from Olympus, that is).
Is the D800 an evolutionary D700? I rather consider it an evolutionary D3x. To upgrade my D300, I would probably rather buy a second hand D700 than the D800 because it would be cheaper and I would rather have good high ISO performance than huge resolution.
But to me, the D300 is already so big/heavy that I don’t use it as much as I should. I have also realized that for an amateur like myself, it is I who limit the picture quality — not the gear — by and large. So I think I’m better served by the E-M5 and my m43 lenses — I don’t need a third system.
New and nice and wet photo 😉
at http://photorumors.com/2012/02/07/olympus-om-d-e-m5-camera-pricing-us/
wow! How reminiscent of the E-1 and E-3/5 coolness factor!
Hi! Great forum! I just own an e-p3, 2 months ago, and I’m really planning to buy it along with the evf2 and the 14-45-II to buy the e-m5, 12-50mm instead. The new e-m5 looks soooo beautiful!!
Admin, can you disable the camera database widget? It takes very long to load and its removal should speed up the website and save you some traffic.
@admin Or cache the database widget for speed-up. It seems fairly static, so caching would work?
@Admin
maybe also disable the YARP plugin (yet another related posts) it’s quite a pull on the database….
@Narretz and @Admin
yes better to disable camera database widget as I can’t see many people being interested in using for the next 2 days, also de-activate any non-essential plugins (re-activate them again in calmer times)
I have a perfect good Nikon camera at home and I still want to have an affair with the E-M5….
EM-5 would be a great complement to the D800. One for “pro” (i.e. studio work) and one for travel.
I must admit that is what I am thinking too 🙂
1300 Euros?? Mother of God… That’s not very affordable :))
Neither is it realistic in todays’s market, considering the competition.
… well, I find the price very much o.k. though I’d obviously have liked it to be cheaper. Don’t forget that the 1300 is for a 500-Euro-lens + the body. And the body is – with its new IBIS & wheathersealing – pretty unique at the moment.
Weather sealing is nice but IQ comes first in my book and there are much better image taking machines out there for the price. Assuming this camera has the same sensor as the G3 (which I own and like) this is downright insane!
One other thing, we are used to paying the same price in Euros as US customers pay in USD… this is the first time I see a camera selling for more in Euros (1100 Euros vs 1000 USD). This is unjustified and will certainly not help bolster camera sales in the European markets.
1000$=753€. So 1100 € is +48% the price in US. Seem someone is not interested in euro-market. I hope this price is a typo.
Probably, US has some taxes to be added?
Sure, but for me one of the main advantages is the size and this camera is not so compact anymore. I mean, I do not like GF3 tiny dimensions, but GF1 is perfect. This one does not seem to fit into my GF1 bag because of the EVF etc.
So, 1100 EUR (body) for a new camera, which is almost like Sony A series in terms of the size – big HM-M-M..
Probably, IQ will be stunning and no dilemma appears then 🙂
I vote for the Fuji X-pro 1. It has the newest sensor design (a new array of pixels without the need of a low pass filter), they have pushed the optics development to take advance of the flange distance and the characteristics of the sensor (and the size factor), it has the best viewfinder, and the most beautiful camera design. The cons is that we need to buy all lenses new if we want to get the maximum Image Quality that it can delivers… there is not report about how work the Zeiss ZM lenses or other non-FujiXlenses until. Thank you “43 Rumors” for all the info that you have shared with us.
Ahh, the new Fuji sensor. Thank you. That is innovative.
I don’t understand the hype about the viewfinder. It seems very inflexible to me as it only offers two levels of magnification. What if you want to shoot with the rumored 70-200 zoom lens? Maybe I don’t have enough technical fantasy, but at the moment I see the Fuji viewfinder as a biiig caveat (for the x-pro 1 with changable lenses, that is – for the x100 it must work splendidly).
Bingo. I think the marketing of the viewfinder may be the true innovation there. (But the new Fuji AA-free sensor sounds genuinely innovative.)
You will use the EVF with the longer lenses. The OFV performs best with wide-angle and standard focal lengths.
The OVF today has two levels of magnification, will increase for new lenses I believe.
The EVF works like any other EVF -for any lens you put on the camera.
We do not know how Fuji will do with zoom lenses: Maybe only tyhe EVF can be used – maybe they have somethong up their sleeve that makes it work in the OVF as well
Does anyone know whether it might be pre-orderable tonight and what websites to get it from?
They are all good cameras. Nonetheless, I voted for E-M5. I am just a little disappointed about the price tag for its body in Europe… 🙁
I love the E-M5 an want to have it for different reasons than D800.
D800 is the best camera you can buy and keep for the next 3 years for IQ and you wont loose much on resale.
I am afraid of longevity and resale of E-M5 though… There are lots of improvements in sensor department that will happen for m43 in the next 3 yrs.
And those just might be to sweet to pass up.
Once you get over the price only thing you can cry about for D800 is its size.
But that’s also part of its appeal.
Just look at his sample images, perfection.
Question is do I want to pay for that quality 3x the price of my D7000 or 3 times the price of OMD to carry around 3x the weight and gain some ergonomics and ruggedness.
I think you have hit the nail right on the head here. I don’t think that there is any question that the D800 (actually the D800e with no AA filter) will produce the best photos by a significant margin, and the only real drawback to it is its considerable bulk.
I think the Fuji X-Pro1 is a super effort as a Leica M9 killer. It is aimed squarely at their market and I think that it will succeed as it adds autofocus and supports excellent Leica glass right out of the gate (via adapter) for MF purists. The hybrid viewfinder is brilliant and allows the use of long / macro lenses which are problematic with a true rangefinder.
What is brilliant about the EM-5 is not so much the technology or styling which aren’t anything too unique, but that for the first time, Olympus has tuned its marketing to emphasize the fact that the camera is part of a real “system”. That fact has always been hanging out there invisibly, but Oly’s marketing has always been solidly aimed at P&S upgraders. The real excitement for the EM-5 started when they released the photo that showed 3 EM-5 bodies in various configurations with the entire family of lenses clustered about them. That is the type of photo that sells “systems” and I am so happy to see Olympus get that fact at last.
Nice analyze RW! Agrees.
@RW
the PEN was marketed mainly to the female market who aren’t interested in a system and are more impulsive, but perhas now the camera joshi’s boyfriends/partners/husbands will buy int the O-MD system
Woman make it, good point. LOL
I know quite a few male owners of pen cameras and have seen a lot more, I have never seen one being used by a female.
Maybe. I know a lot of very tech savvy women who completely understand what “systems” are all about. The pink point and shoots are targeted at them either so either way, I am happy to see the system aspects of m43 finally getting some marketing.
Did you look at the full res sample images?
I don’t know what is amazing about them – except download time – because most of the lenses clearly cannot deliver the necessary resolution. Even without AA Filter zhis is not what i’d call sharp.
Scaled down the images are looking good though.
Improvements, perceived or real, will continue. There won’t be quantum leaps, because those are not in the best interest of marketing. Hype and baby steps sell new products.
Price in Euro is higher than price in $. What a rip off.
I’m pretty sure that I will buy this in one year used.
Buying new, expensive products is stupid in these days with the high turnover
of new models.
Why is that surprising? What did you expect – $1000 and 700€…? At a minimum, it’s $1 = 1€, and usually there’s an extra fee added, until the product in Europe is 50% higher than the price in the US. Someone has to subsidize US sales.
No, it has to do with the VAT in Europe. That inflates the price.
Boooo!
You might be right with USA getting subsidies. Even the Hong Kong and China mainland web sites (and others like Singapore and Malaysia) are priced above some US sellers. Yet many companies have for the past few years seen Europe and their main market (not just cameras but electronics as well) I do know that some subsidiaries set their own prices and they are very much inflated and here in Australia we have companies and middle men (agents/managing dealers) who want a new BMW with each item they sell, they are not prepared to work for anything.
While I love the Nikon, and have been using Nikons for ages, when used with a decent lens, which are usually huge, and with the massive “Perv-Alert” clack, a “full size” DSLR scares people away when shooting street.
The X-Pro 1, good idea, but if Fuji where going to go for a new lens system, why not go the whole hog with a lens based aperture ring AND a real helical manual focusing system. The Fuji only looks like a rangefinder but is still a contrast detect system with fly by wire focusing.
The E-M5, this M43 system is, I feel, the best compromise so far between the quality and discreetness of a Leica M9 and the full on “Perv-Alert” of a DSLR. For street the “bare bones” E-M5 body and a prime is the way forward for me whilst the camera can be “systemised” by adding the grip(s), zoom lenses and the big flash.
Is the E-M5 “all the camera you will ever need”? Well, any camera with a 10MP sensor the images can be blown up to large sizes and what good is a camera that’s in your bag? Lets be honest, the first DSLR’s from Nikon, D1 2.74MP, and Canon, 1D 4.43MP and the images they produced were used around the world in a variety instances.
For me, I will have look at the reports in the morning, unfortunately work tomorrow so I can’t be here “live”, and have a play with all of the systems, D800, X-PRO 1 and the E-M5 at the Camera show at the NEC in early March in the UK.
If I do go for the E-M5, I’ll have a Silver one for street and a Black one for studio…..
And the number of a good divorce solicitor!!
The Nikon is really the best, most capable camera of the three, though it is a tool of satan. My sense of aesthetics draws me to the Fuji, but my commitment to the m43 format pulls me toward the Olympus. I’m not wild about the “pentaprism” hump- it’s much more pronounced than it needs to be to accommodate the evf, but it does look pretty nice with the flash mounted.
Have you compared the hump size to the VF-2? Guess which one is larger.
Also, the VF-2 doesn’t have a hot shoe on top or an accessory port.
tell me pls what it so special on this Oly camera ?????
Lots of features in a compact body. IMHO micro four thirds strikes a great compromise/balance of size and image quality.
alexander, go back over the posts for the past week.
We’ve got pricing, specs, pictures and couple sample images. I wonder if the launch will introduce something new.
the D800E is the top of the top..for landscape and nature shots..just need the best lenses to get the most out of it,which also cost…but I will get the E-M5 as have so much Oly glass and cameras..waterproof & rugged so I don’t need to worry about being careful..just to take pics whenever I want to..and 16M pixels is more than enough as I hate to crop if possible..just hope it likes 4/3 glass….4 hours to go……yeah…
Where are these sample images?
I think he means sample pictures of the camera.
Actually I meant to post this in the previous comment but pressed the wrong header! DOH!!
There must be some reason/correlation for posting in the wrong place and nikon.
In my view the std. D800 is the best choice (of the two Nikons, that is). The D800E will inevitably produce moiré in lots and lots of occasions. Any textile/fabric is prone for that, as is tiles, grids or any other repetitive pattern. And artifacts will also appear in abundance in subjects like dense(er) foliage/twigs/straws/grass/hair, and also on sharp small highlights (like i.e. reflecting/glittering snow crystals), where artifact “halos” of red and blue might be disturbing. And all this is very hard to eliminate in post. SW can only do so much, and that too is still a lot of work. Having 36MB is plenty enough for downsizing or printing anyway, w/o losing any IQ at all, and w/o the hassle and ugliness of moiré.
The best of the nominees here?
The D800 i just evolutionary, w/ an inflated MP count.
The rangefinder Fuji is innovative, mostly due to it’s Bayerless sensor matrix, but (like NEX) having a very limited lens lineup.
The Oly is a totally new concept; a compact, advanced, mirrorless EVIL, but nonetheless already part of a whole system.
All in all my vote goes to the E-M5.
The D800 and E-M5 are 2 totally different cameras. I am more interested in the e-m5 right now
The lack of any articulation on the screen and the continued reliance on in-lens stabilisation count heavily against the otherwise impressive D800 imho and the X PRO for that matter.
I was a tilt-swivel skeptic until I got my E-620, and I have to say now that having enjoyed a fully articulated screen I cannot imagine a camera without one. The flexibility this gives in composing shots in physically awkward positions, or reaching a p.o.v that would otherwise be unattainable whilst looking either thru a viewfinder or at a fixed screen, whilst retaining the convenience of a flush to the body screen AND a viewfinder AND the ability to fold the whole thing away if you don’t need the screen and wish to protect it is impossible to over-state.
Similarly with 5-axis IBIS the OM-D takes another giant leap forward which OIS simply cannot follow.
The “hybrid” viewfinder on the X-PRO is laughable imho. As an optical viewfinder it is as useful as any rangefinder on an interchangeable lens body – i.e. none what-so-ever except when fitted with the lenses for which it is intended. As such, it’s hybrid nature may be innovative but in an utterly useless way.
I was initially disappointed to learn that the OM-D was going to be another M43 body, but I am increasingly interested in it. More than that however, is that I am hoping to hear soon that the innovations in this body may soon make an appearance – perhaps with further tweaks and refinements – in an E7 body.
We can but dream …
An E-7 sounds nice but I cannot afford both. I want my 43 lenses, but if I replace my ep2 and E30 with the e-m5 I will not get an E7.
So MR Olympus. What are the plans?
2012 it will drain my pocket rapidly,. I already Pre- ordered Fuji XPro,. Also I wanted E-M5 to upgrade from my newly GX1,.. And now here come D800 ,. Is really tempting but damn 36MP ,. I Just don”t like it..so HUGE same as the Leica S2 will probably suck 72-76Mb in RAW file.
E-M5 it “s a Good choice
Even if you add 20% for VAT, $1000 = 900 euros, where do they get off? Bet the UK pricing is closer to the European too 🙁
The poll asked for which is the most “amazing,” and the Fuji X-Pro clearly has the highest amazement factor:
— I’m amazed that Fuji would have the courage to make it. (Although I suppose selling 100,000 X-100s helped.)
— I’m amazed that people are so excited about it. Digital cameras with non-reflex optical viewfinders used to be considered oddballs, of interest only to fringey cultists (like me, the guy who still uses an Epson R-D 1.)
— I’m amazed at how huge it is. (A camera that packs an APS-C sensor, yet is bigger than a Leica M9? Seriously, the thing looks as big and clunky as a size-14 wingtip.)
— I will be amazed if it’s actually usable as an optical-viewfinder camera. (The finder magnification with standard lenses is only 0.37x, which is incredibly dinky… my ’50s-era Kodak Signet 35 has a bigger finder image! Putting on the 60mm “tele” lens switches it to 0.6x, which is still dinky.)
So of the three, that’s the most “amazing” camera. Is it the one I’d buy? Uh, no… I buy cameras to take pictures, not to be amazed.
The Nikon undoubtedly will be a good picture-taker, but I need mobility more than I need that many megapixels. So while I voted for the Fuji in your poll, I’ll be voting for the E-M5 with my wallet.
Submitted for your consideration: If the E-M 5 had been the first Micro 4/3 camera in the marketplace, Micro 4/3 would own about 50% of the system-camera market.
NEX-7
No ,.. Not the NEX 7 ,.. Despite of good Sony CMOS sensor , the NEX7 its just like computer with a lens , btw SONY is A GIANT. Electronic company but those 3 – Nikon , FUJI , & Olympus is a Camera maker,. They have the Expertise,. From years to years to make photography tools
as you mentioned before, these are all three of them “WOW” cameras.
The Nikon specswise
The Fuji regarding to the whole system
and Olympus for being different again.
I’ll go for fuji because it has best interface of any camera. Meaning:
aperture ring
shutter dial
and iso from the lcd.( I’m wondering how it can be set without using any menus but nothing seems perfect enough)
No PSAM bullshit get aperture to A and you’re in shutter priority and so on.
But it’s damn expensive and that focus-by-wire gimmick bugs me. I wonder how it feels when you actually use it.
Well, it goes without saying that I voted for the Oly.
The nikon is far from being amazing, it’s just a new generation and the next step in the MP race and so, exactly what everyone expected.
The Fuji had the potential to amaze but with its looks resembling to a 1975 DM30 catalogue company camera I just couldn’t bnuy it. and in addition – from the pictures I’ve seen so far – they seem to have sacrificed resolution for low noise and high DR. Thank you very much.
Olympus, however, succeeded in transforming an old concept into a modern , sexy shape and amazed – me at least – with the great modular grip concept and the weather sealing in such a compact body. And should they really have succeeded in implementing the five-step five-axis IBIS and a truly working C-AF this would mean a stunning breakthrough for the MILC area.
So, there’s no doubt – from my point of view, that is – that the E-M5 is the only amazing camera of these three.
And even if the C-AF won’t live up to my hopes – what I fear will be the case – it still represents an amazing step forward and might be the game changer for Olympus – he said hopefully.
Hey, Admin, you should put a ‘Donate’ button on your site so we can all buy you cups of coffee! I would do it… who else?
keep in mind that he might save the donations for buying the E-M5
I will!
I don’t understand why people are complaining about the 3k price tag on the D800. It’s a full frame sensor! Do you know how hard it is to make one? (which is why it’s so expensive). If I had to pick one and only one, I’d go for the D800 simply for the light guzzling capability… Sorry EM5 🙁 But I’ll probably get the EM5 cause I’m a broke student! So yay Olympus for making it affordable. PS Love the hump. It looks just like my OM1
Why does the E-M5 (body only) cost more EUR than US-Dollars?
I’m definitely getting one. I was going to get the GX1 or the GH2 but decided to wait a little more…and saved up a little more in the process…good thing I did.
Now I’m just waiting for the pre-order flood gates to open. 🙂
“$1000 or 1.100 Euro”
Wrong way around ? Or are we Europeans getting f*ked ?
Das soll der Preis sein?
The D800 is too perfect. It’s the ultimate shooting machine and leaves little room for soul. The X pro 1 is quite the opposite, almost organic in nature. The E-M5 is somewhere in between, efficient yet unique. I prefer the Fuji, but will go for the Oly. Makes more sense and I have the lenses to mount on it.
+1
The OM-D is expensive compared to G3, but cheap compared to Fuji
The Fuji is expensive compared to OM-D, but cheap compared to Leica M9 and Nikon D800
The Nikon D800 is expensive compared to Fuji, but cheap compared to Leica M9 and Pentax 645D.
They are all (most likely) excellent cameras in their own way.
I voted for the Nikon – but will buy Fuji/NEX-7/OM-D: Light to carry withou lightening my wallet too much. The problem with the Oly is the not-at-all stat of the art sensor, the heart of a camera. If I stay in m43 the best is to wait until better sensors arrive.
(5 axis IS sounds nice, but does it really add?? A nice sounding feature – or real improvement? (In virtual reality we say that there are 6 degress of freedom…..)
IMO the only problem with that sensor is Panasonic’s processing, the RAWs are more than fine.
Is it true the hump holds outdated sensors as spares and that the sensor is user upgradable and the hump can hold up to three sensors with different characteristics? I have head hints about this and that the hump is also the key to the system uniqueness.
I would have voted for the OM if they had put a decent sensor in it instead of the cast-off from Panasonic.
What were they thinking?
Other than that, nice system camera.
I don’t need a system camera with a dud sensor at twice the price of the same sensor in Panasonic cameras, and I certainly don’t need a monster camera with 36mb files, so I voted Fuji. 🙂
They were thinking, “This is the only sensor Panasonic will sell to us.”
As usual.
None of them is exciting – yet. Not until we’ve read the first real tests, saw the first real photos taken with them, and played around with each of those in stores. Only after all of this, we could start thinking about which one (if any) could be the right one for what we plan to do. Right? Everything else would be fanboy-talk.
ya know what…the only one there I would trust that there is very little hype is the Nikon. They have to deliver…with a camera of this magnitude.
What’s the most exiting point of the launch of the new Nikon D800?
… That Nikon-guy Thom Hogan has no time to put down the Olympus E-M5.
Now…The D800E is worth the price of admission..there is a camera body that you can hold onto for many years, (36MP & no AA filter…WOOOOWIE!)…the tech is there. (hope Canon makes a similar body I am married to the Canon system, whah!!!!). I just do not see that with the new OM. It is a great little camera, built on old tech.
Really? The D700’s value will take a dive now that the D800 is available, and the same will happen to the D800 as soon as Nikon releases the D900 or whatever.
The “E” version will drop even sooner — as soon as forum posturers who bought it because it has no AA filtering, without understanding what that means, discover what they’ve gotten themselves into. (“Hey, how come there are colored pixels in my specular highlights? My camera is obviously defective!”)
The Leica M9 is a little camera built on old tech, but it seems to hold its value rather well — despite mediocre-at-best high ISO performance, inconvenient design, firmware quality control issues, etc., etc. Why? Because it fits certain photographers, and certain styles of photography, better than anything else.
There’s no way to be sure, but it seems possible that the E-M 5 could turn out to be another example of that kind of camera — one that may not be for everyone, but for some users is a perfect fit.
Yeah…everybody has different needs. If the OM had 2 more EV’s of DR…I would buy it in spite of it’s retro look (yeah..that doesn’t move me). I would buy a plastic modern looking MFT camera if it had better dynamic range. Once that happens MFT will be there, there.
I don’t want to get involved in the discussion about which is best because they are horses for courses. Even if money was no object for me I’d still likely go with a m4/3 camera. Although if I won the lottery I’d be greedy and have my finger in a few pies.
However, whilst I will likely get an E-M5 I will have to get a GH2 first because of the apparent lame video implementation. There is lots of other attention to detail Olympus appears to have missed out on like peaking, crop video modes etc. Whilst we can’t be certain of all the final details until the official release it looks like some of this may be missing. The only apparent reason for this is that so these “features” can be offered at a later date in newer models. Being that a lot of this is software, or should have involved the hardware that allowed these software implementations it is tiresome to say the least. At least with film cameras like the original OMs they didn’t deliberately leave out features just so they could offer you them with another camera that might come out a year or so later i.e. built in obsolesence.
Maybe there should be a razzie type award for cameras that leave out software features for future marketing purposes. It might shame the manufacturers into cleaning up their act and not treating their customers like mugs.
+1
You are if course correct, but planned obsolence is the name of the game at Olympus. Even more disappointing is they have yet to give us fast SHG m4/3 zooms because they want to keep one foot in the 4/3 waters as well.
I don’t know who is worse, them, or us for going along with this scheme LOL!
In a way, this is how they will justify each company’s existance, Panny will excel at Video and Olympus in stills — so you may need two going forward and be happy you can share lenses
Lets hope the GH3 ups the video ante
OMG we are not fanboys haha we just love the innovation of the product lol… ADIM its now burning my seats and when its arrvied it will burn my pockets hahaha
first review
CNETTV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydznRIa7fbw
Fuji needs more time to cook in the oven but it shows future promiss if they fix a few of the bits like focus speed and give us some nice fast zooms.
The D800/800E is marvel because for its price, you challenge the MF guys. If you are primarly a landscape/achitecture guy or have a need for prints larger than 24″, really there is nothing better. The video is just a me too feature, Canon still rules video
The E-M5, I am not sure. It collects a lot of available parts in the current parts bin, shakes them up, makes some better and put weather sealing on and calls it a day. They do not really move m4/3 forward versus move one step forward to give them a reason to kill the E-X line in a year or two. Just like the EP-1/2/3 was just evolution, this too is just evolution not really bold — it will make the existing fan base happy for sure, but not sure it will really bring “new” users to the format. And, the noise has already started, what is Panny gonna bring so this will be a nice sugar high for a few weeks, but we will see. I am sure they will sell a few, but I bet the Fuji will still get more sales in the end
First preview from CNET on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydznRIa7fbw
I think the M-5 is the most impressive. You can put the two pieces of Voigtländer glass on it so it is best “because the lens is so good” :). For 4,000 you can get some serious shooting capability. Now where did I put the rent money. If you put all the mFT lens (including Panasonic, Voigtländer, etc) it is quite impressive in primes and the zooms are not that bad, the Olympus also has a nice flash system. It brings the whole mFT system forward.
The Fuji is nice but only has 3 lens, and its finder may not be for me if like the x100 is not for me, due to eyeglasses (no dipole correction). If they add 3 more primes, and a zoom or two I might change my mind. It does suite how I learned to shoot when I was young.
The 800 is nice and fits in with the current best camera system (sorry Canon), but it is what was expected last year, and the D4 is so much better.
All three are winners in my mind and will sell well at their price points, but I voted for the “Hump”.
D800: DSLR, that is, technology w/o future, huge lenses and huge body. No, thanks.
Fuji X Pro 1: Ergonomic nightmare, tawdry design to the effect of retro feeling but merely resulting in fake leather-like surfaces, unreasonable big body for an APS/C sensor, no weather sealing an not even flipping LCD. No, tanks.
Am I an MFT fanboy?
“Am I an MFT fanboy?”
Yes.
I’d get the D800 and immediately sell it and get the E-M5 and a nice assortment of lenses with the extra money.
Assuming that amazing is not neccessarily positive: where is the new Pentax in the vote?
Imo it has the most amazingly ugly design, especially in black and yellow 😉
The D800 has a huge sensor … which amazingly shows us the limit of most Nikon glass
The Fuji is a piece of art with a new sensor… and an amazingly limited choice of lenses
The M5 is a typical Oly product with probably amazing innovations (new IBIS?) not properly announced and explained, which is why nobody cares about them. As a consequence we are only discussing unamazing features like video codecs, dr and noise … and wtf are the weatherproof lenses to go with the new body???
Best “breakthrough” sensor design of the three (approaching Foveon in elegance): Fuji X PRO 1.
Best ergonomics and system-ness: Olympus OM-D
(though I do not like the size increase due to the pentaprism mimic).
PS Best in the lack of innovation – D800.
Best future-proofed system OM-D.
Olympus E-M7 with Fuji Foveon sensor.
Fuji’s X-Trans CFA approaching Foveon? I applaud their innovation, ditching the AA is THE best move regards increasing resolving power but… I don’t see them coming out the other side minus aliasing – way too much interpolation required and on a greater scale than bayer!
Perhaps the old school approach of reducing moire and aliasing in software would’ve made more sense? Hello D800E.
Then again, I love Foveon sensors. Hoping that a 10MP, 12mm equiv. DP3 will be announced this year (long shot I know)! Do wish Sigma had the funds to bring Foveon into the video world – a “full aperture 4K” sensor with an intra-codec could do more than carve a niche!
Hello!
First vídeo review OM-D E-M5
CNETTV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydznRIa7fbw
1. “Fuji’s X-Trans CFA approaching Foveon? I applaud their innovation, ditching the AA is THE best move regards increasing resolving power but…”
The Fuji trick is not removing the AA filter – it will increase moire, the trick is the RANDOM pixels alignment.
2. “Then again, I love Foveon sensors. Hoping that a 10MP, 12mm equiv. DP3 will be announced this year (long shot I know)!”
Despite obvious advantage (correct color reproduction), Foveon’s vertical pixels alignment (vs. the planar one of Bayer, Fuji) has a clear disadvantage: higher ISO noise due to the mutual current induction of the layers plus related chromatic noise.
If one was able to conceptually remove moire from the planarly alligned pixel sensors it would be a conceptual compensation for better color reproduction of Foveon. And Fuji have done it.
3. “Do wish Sigma had the funds to bring Foveon into the video world – a “full aperture 4K” sensor with an intra-codec could do more than carve a niche!”
Forget about 4K video on Foveon: Sigma does not have image processing tech even for good 1080p. Sigma killed Foveon.
God, the camera looks so gorgeous!
Love the “industrial” look of the body with the roundness of the lenses and accessories. I’m one of those people who doesn’t care about how many cameras a system sells, how popular a camera is or how long a system is produced as long as I’m happy with it BUT I see Olympus selling a SHIT load of these.
And it looks even better on the video review fom CNet in youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydznRIa7fbw
Enjoy!
I missed it. 🙁
EDIT: That was supposed to go under P’s post with the youtube link.
Good design.
@Admin Where are you? You said, you will chat with us all the time! 🙂
His coffee machine is broken 🙂
Did anyone see this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydznRIa7fbw
cool!
Bring the picture comparison, this might be my new camera in a couple of years.
Wow, looks amazing, much better then on the pics 🙂 And what about this big … so many people complained about? 😉
That’s cool!!
Just now!
Cool! It is a small as it appeared in the hands of the polish guy!
I need to have it.
Oh wow, that video really shows the size of the camera! Its petite! Love the size and the black metal look of it.
Pulled as of 35 min after original post. Anyone know of a cached version?
Sorry I just have it open in my browser.
Video removed… But I’m glad that I could see it before removing 🙂
Dang it, missed the video!! My own fault by not checking here often enough : )
he is searching for any more leaks i guess
…or taking one, if he has been drinking coffee all night…
imagine , naming a new camera without an x somewhere in the name…..
olympus ….brave brave ….olympus.
been sitting on the fence between a g3 and ep3
getting off the fence…..
This is the bravest thing they did apart from the design…
That official should have said Epoch naming, not Epoch VF… VF turned out to be a mere 0.58x magnification at best. Thats a long way off from OM 0,92x 🙁 🙁
1.33x extender DIY project here I come…
…or D.
No built in flash ? the D800 pro camera even has a built in flash for some daylight fill in.
Yah Olympus gives us the option to keep it on our packet. Lets see if I can still pop up the flash on my E-1.
> Don’t be fanboys
You said it, so I have picked the D800/D800E.
It seems that medium format cameras would have raise the ante, because the 36MP isn’t off by that much from Hasselblad and Pentax. And the Nikon is cheaper by a factor.
E-M5 isn’t really that exciting – without lenses to put on it. Enthusiast or not, the system isn’t there yet. I’d wait for the GH3 and the rumored 12-35 and 35-100 before calling anything a “m43 of the year.”
Fuji… those guys live in another universe for sure. No way I would ever pay more than two grands for a street camera. Especially when we have plenty of “good enough” options at much lower price, the price at which I’m much more comfortable taking the camera with me on the streets.
How many lenses do you want?
Can’t believe that comment.
You can’t take advantage of the Nikon’s 36MP because of the available glass.
Wow that video is great! Thanks!
So I guess there is no magic in the hump. 🙁
On a more brighter note the hump doesn’t look that pointy as it did on the pictures so far. Looks cool.
Now show us the silver version!!
Yeah looks smaller in that pic. All in all, this is shaping up to be a nice cam. For $1000, you get quite an upgrade over most m43 cams in terms of features.
Silver or black? That would be a good poll here. Silver is more original OM isn’t it?
cameras and women lingerie should be (mostly) black 🙂
hahaha..starting to know you better by the minute Nico
🙂 we become like geeky friends here on 43rumors lol
I like it red for non camera.
Pentax! 🙂 /Sorry, couldn’t help some sarcasm…/
Seriously though, Fuji is a clear big step forward, and not just for Fuji it seems, even though we have yet to go through the sacred pixel peeping ritual to worship the Gods of IQ and present them with gifts from Mount Fuji 🙂
The other two are pretty evolutionary. For m43, the usual suspects (G3, GX1, GH2 and E-P3) are not going to lose any slice of appeal once the Oh-My-Humpy is officially announced 🙂
Admin – remember this is supposed to be a m4/3 forum and not an all camera forum. Comparing with Nex7 or FujiXpro1 is fair enough as both MILS but comparing with FF D800 makes no sense at all. Net result a furry of posts about the D800 being better etc rather than about the topic of this rumor the price of the new E-D5.
I’m so OM-D ready (screw the PEN!). 🙂
Grip, flash, bracket, E-M5 body… I’m looking forward to this! I can use my E-P3 as a backup body. 🙂
Admin, there’s a new leak:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydznRIa7fbw
Already sent it too him. I think he is busy.
YouTube says the video has been removed by the user. Maybe the hump contains tiny ninjas who emerge to punish those who violate the NDA? But it seems odd that Olympus would care so soon before the official release.
Vs D800? only a joke right?
In the 60s in England they had auto racing on TV and one category included the Ford Galaxy (the 60s style that could land 2 jumbo jets at once 1 on the bonnet and 1 on the boot) and it also included the mini coopers, the original ones not the pseudo German ones. The Minis always won on wide tracks and the Fords on the narrow tracks (if a ford got pole) because the minis had no room to pass.
The mini drivers used to say they had more fun driving.
The m43 v D800 is a bit like that.
+1
d800 is a game changer
Omd is just another m43 with good design and built
Oly looks like my good old OM10, but it’s not a FF, only a µ4/3. Not a bad sensor after all, but there is always the same problem with smaller sensor, it’s more difficult to control bokeh, and the slow 12-50zoom make it bad. Why on earth there is not entry level FF ??? I don’t want zillion pixels in an armored body with more button than on a teenager faces, but simply something like a real digital OM. Canon and Nikon race for the more mpx camera with tons of button, knobs and lever. Pentax make a tiny Q and and a K01 which is the son birth from the union of a K5, a Kr and a brick 😉 Fuji drop DSLR and try to mimics Leica. Sony try to manage two system, one with small boby and big lenses and other for ex Minolta fan boys with some high tech innovative features for techies. µ4/3 Oly and Pana make more or less the same camera and lenses, silver lenses for Oly and black for Pana 🙂
It’s simple as to why there is no entry level FF camera. A FF sensor costs about 4x more than a 4/3 sensor. APS-C sensors probably cost as much as 4/3 due to economy of scale. And a better body will obviously add to the cost. Don’t expect any FF cameras soon below 2k. Maybe in a few more years?
Sony A850?
Gabriel,
Look at the images taken with the 12-50 and the Voitlander 25mm, the bokeh and control is available. If you want to print on a wall FF is fine but if you want to print A2 some times and A3 occasionally and A4 often then why bother with the weight and cost of FF.
My goodness. Great video! Didn’t expect it to be so compact. The close-up pictures are quite misleading. I’ll definitely be getting one.
By the way, are these pics really worth to pay so much for that cam? http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d800/sample02.htm I don’t know…
maybe not for us, but others yes certainly. Is there something you dont like in this sample 1? I had the impression that this shot looked very sharp in fitted view but 1:1 its lesser. the Geisha portrait however is impressive regarding the resolving in detail
I think I’ve seen better pics with older cams from Nikon and other companies. For me sharpness and details are not the way that I would say “wow…”. But maybe it’s about the photographer that made these pics and we have to wait for more pics. I don’t want to say that the pics are bad, but I expected more.
Ulli, Yes. It shows up the dust specks on the kimono very well.
Only shows how shitty is performance of Nikon FX lenses in corners.. 😉
You can’t read too much into a few early sample photos. M43 can’t compete with full frame in any real contest of IQ, and photos from the D800 will walk all over the EM-5 IQ wise. To assume any other outcome is not realistic.
I don’t think that is really what the EM-5 is about, however. The m43 target market justifies the compromise in IQ (read sensor size)in exchange for significantly smaller camera bodies/lenses. However, if compactness is not a priority to a particular photographer, then he/she can easily make the point that the EM-5 is not “worth” what it will cost. Different strokes and all, yes?
If you’re making money, 3k is a decent investment. This isn’t a cam for the casual photographer.
@Jim Ramsey Khoury
I wold rather spend the difference on my kids or a holiday or even better a holiday with my kids and let my photos do the talking…
Well I meant if you’re using this as a studio cam. If you’re going on a vacation, the D5100 or D7000 should be more than enough. Who the hell would need such a large number of pixels on holiday?
I hope they made the shutter a bit quieter…
Check out interview with Terada-san (Olympus chief developer) in ClubSnap Singapore — on Peak focus, new lens talk, etc. And improvement in DR (“1/3 improvement over current sensors” — whatever that means…).
Or whatever his position is… 🙂
direct link? can’t find it
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/four-thirds-standard-4-3-m43/1042672-interview-toshiyuki-terada-group-hd-product-marketing-planning-olympus-imaging.html
The interviewer didn’t ask about 4/3 lenses’ AF performance on the E-M5…
Faster than 1/4000 seconds is a future consideration, along with focus peaking.
The camera department had nothing to do with the scandal. “We didn’t do it.”
thanks!
1/3 stop improvement! Whatever they were talking about doesnt sound too impressive, does it?
The source “ClubSnap” doesn’t say 1/3 *stop* improvement, but 1/3 improvement. We’ll see what it means.
I wonder why the interviewer didn’t ask, “1/3 better based on and compared to what?”
The quote:
“boasts Dynamic Range that is a 1/3 improvement over current sensors”
That sounds to me like 1/3 stop more of DR?
I wouldn’t interpret it as 1/3 stop. DR is a range (9, 10, 11, 12 etc EV). Is the whole range improved by 1/3? For example 12 EV versus 9 EV? Or is he talking about highlight DR being improved by 1/3? Let’s say highlight DR was 3 EV, now it’s 4 EV.
The 1/3 claim is meaningless without knowing what’s being compared and measured.
To me, it sounds like 1/3 = 33% more. I think he would have said stops if he meant stops. But, 33% seems too large, so who knows.
Technical people traditionally measure DR in logarithmic density units, of which 0.3 = 1 stop/EV. Wonder if that’s what he meant…?
Or 33% improvement?
Nice interview. When asked about a 10mm He said, “Yes, we can consider the possibility of faster and wider prime lenses.” He also mention about a long telephoto.
“consider” means “not wasting even a thought on it.” I interpret his reply as, “Hump off.”
No, it just means that he can’t talk about it. Its just a form of “we cannot comment on future products.”
Like this very much: “It can withstand heavy rains and is built to the standards of our E-series of cameras and lenses.”
Few manufacturers dare to say that! They just say “weather resistant”, “moisture resistant”, etc. But “Withstand heavy rain” definitely sounds confident.
it an underestimated feature of the E-series. I remember an article about an expidition to antartica where they took a dozen cameras with them ..mostly highend nikon and canon, plus a few olympus e-1 r e-3…the olympus bodies where the only ones without malfuntion during that time
I’ve got to hand it to the admin… Nothing stirs up the Internet “experts” like starting a debate about cameras that hardly anyone has even seen in person! battle of the spec sheets!!
E-M5 doesn’t have focus peaking yeah!:D unfortunately Olympus are considering it for future models 🙁
His argument is that peak focus doesn’t work well in practice compared to magnification. Here, we should also notice that the design probably was fixed about a year ago, and that peak focus may come in a next generation — if it is found useful.
I hope they do it with a software upgrade, it is good for video. People want it. I have not found it that good in use, but like I stated people want it.
Its a poor argument. magnification takes you completely out of your composition – focus peaking doesn’t.
@RW
huh! I’ve been using magnified manual focus for 4 years on my Panasonic L10 cameras even for moving and low light subjects, I never bothered using focus peaking on my Sony video cameras and have never seen anyone use it either in the real world.
If you actually spoke to Nex or Ricoh owners you will notice they stop using focus peaking after 6-8 weeks once the novelty has worn off and they realise how impractical it is for fine focus and other situations…
Focus peaking is great. I use it regularly.
You use magnification for “moving targets”?? Well different strokes for different folks.
I also have been using magnified focus assist on my GF-1 for years – so I am not just shooting from the lip here… It takes me completely out of my composition whenever I use it, and so doesn’t suit my photo style at all. Having said that, I haven’t actually used peak focusing, so it may also be a “workaround” technology.
In the old days, I had split screen focusing on my OM-1. Now that was a manual focus technique that actually worked well. Of course, that assumed a real viewfinder and not just point-and-shoot LCD composing. Meh – I don’t want to argue about it.
Lack of support for manual focus system is so sad. I have no choice and have to stay with NEX until Oly or Pana improves the manual focus system.
One of the strengthes of M4/3 is that M4/3 has short lens registration, thus allowing you to mount a wide range of mount type (i.e. Leica M mount, Nikon F-mount, C-mount). Many of these manual focus are superior to today auto-focus lens in terms of optical quality and attractive color-rendering. For example, those great lens are Leica M lens, Carl Zeiss (Leica M mount) lens, Carl Zeiss (Contax G-mount) lens, Voigtlander (Leica M-mount) lens, Nikkor f1.2 & f1.4 AIS (F-mount), Tamron f1.2 (C-mount). Using these great manual-focus lens on M4/3 is absolutely a joy
Today, Sony, Nikon, Canon offer the efficient manual focus system in their camera bodies. For instance, Nikon’s manual focus system is able to precisely and accurately confirm once a subject is in focus at a selected focus point. If not, it even tells you how to turn the lens (i.e. clockwise, counterclockwise).
Sony understands their weakness of creating smaller lens for NEX, therefore implementing a feature called “focus peaking” which greatly supports the use of manual lens on NEX bodies. It is true that Sony’s focus peaking is not 100% accurate but at least it’s much better than having nothing.
I have pana GF2 and I know that how manual focus on both Oly and Pana work and are different from each other. Zooming at 100% and then checking the sharpness of the focus area is generally a good idea. However, the manual focus solution from Sony, Nikon, and Canon are much better.
Oly & Pana should improve the manual focus system if they want to attract users from NEX. I really love the design of EM-5, but my concern about the manual focus sytem is an issue.
yeh magnifacation he finds better – lol – no they just don’t have it and he can’t say yeh we missed that, in our rush to market!
Just like 1/4000 shutter, and the 10mm F2.8 they will conseiider- they won’t/can’t say no to anything because it might alienate some possible customers… chances of a 10mm F2.8 being seriously considdered are slim – they have the 12… too many other lenses to do first… and by his reaction to pancakes I guess these are more likely on the cards!
Wonder what the chances of an SDK for this camera are?!… 0 I should imagine… pitty!
Remember 12 Mpix is all you need! – when they only have a 12 Mpix sensor avalible to them….
Looking at the straight angular shape of the EVF prism hump in this picture looks quite different from the more rounded dome tent shown in previous pictures? One or the other must be fake and I hope this more straight angular lined hump is the real thing and not the rounded dome?
Or is this simply because of the distorted view from a wide angle lens on prior pictures? It almost looks that these are two separate models one a more pro one with a different spec EVF?
The dome (hump non-grata) is curved. Notice the shading. The lower edge looks straight simply due to the angle from which the picture was taken.
If anything this picture in this rumor shows the profile better than head on would hence should be a better reflection of the real thing. I think that in reality it is designed so they can remove the whole top prism and replace with a different configuration and EVF in a future model without having to build an all new model. That is my guess.
Also possible Oly could produce a model without any EVF using this camera body ie the EP5 with lower hotshoe
A removable finder, uh we better all it hump now, in a $1,000 body weather-sealed would be quite a feat. I don’t expect this to come true.
I’m pretty sure you are on target with your last suggestion, which should be the E-P4.
I’m going to get some snacks and more drinks now. Anybody need diapers?
Haven’t worn one in several decades, so I’ll pass, but thanks all the same.
My offer was meant for weak-bladdered camera joshi. 🙂
lol..no diapers but thanks
Admin, are you 100% about the US price?
I’m still trying to figure out what is so “Wow” about any of these cameras.
Except maybe the price of the Fuji. And not in a good way.
While I try so hard not to be fanboys….as a 4/3 and m4/3 user on 4/3 rumors site it’s a tough choice….I vote for EM-5….
D800 have very amazing sensor with high count of 36 MP and almost no “AA filter” in D800E…but it’s not that amazing in term of new camera breakthrough….it’s quite easy for someone as big as Nikon to create new big count sensor…..and I bet it’s very little we can gather in term of IQ from that new sensor….
Although in the past I used to be Fuji analog user….X Pro 1 is a little bit let down….not in the term of breakthrough technology it have plenty of it but in term of price point and that they insist introduce yet another new system. Just because your a strong contender in niche market with X100 it doesn’t warrant you enough fan base to create yet another new system. If there’s a lesson that we can learn from domination and dividing of SLR and DSLR user is the stubbornness of two major player that insist they should hold on with their propiertary legacy system. Mirrorless should not follow the same problem by introducing system war (unless your name is Sony …:-))…….
So which system offer quite healthy environment and discrete look camera that I can carry around without worrying too much….? Well my vote goes to m4/3 system….even when I’m not always have the best bang for the bucks…..
I have been enjoying Oly’s wheather sealed body and lenses since E-3 and E-5, and I think it is one advantage that many people forget. I got many great photos that it would be difficult for me to take if I didnt use a wheathersealed camera. One of the cheapest and smallest wheathersealed interchangable lens camera.
That advantage is one of my need.
Image quality? I didn’t have any complain with my old E-300 and I was even happier since E-3.
Lets have a comparison. Take 100 shots with E-3 and Nikon D800 in everyday condition. Print those photos 40×60 cm. I dont’t think many people can guess more than 60-70% right, which photo is using which camera.
For anyone who wanted proof that it’s weather sealed:
http://e-p1.net/olympus-om-digital-cameras/fully-weather-sealed/
I’d rather carry less than a 900g body of a Nikon D800.
That said, I must admit the sample images are gorgeous.
Look at sample 3.
Simply amazing for a camera in the sub 5000$ price range..
I don’t think any of them are amazing…yet. Need to see what kinds of pictures come out of them when they all become available.
Hmm … stay up or go to bed? Decisions, decisions.
Is 2 AM London time the time when the event starts, or will it be instant – announcment?
I hear the admin fell asleep.
Exhaustion, I bet. Someone poke him with a stick, please.
LOL..
lucky i’m in this part of the world, its 7.30 am here 🙂
Screenshots from the removed Cnet video: http://e-p1.net/olympus-om-digital-cameras/first-e-m5-hands-on-video-from-cnet/
Wow.
The thumbrest is just a little plastic piece. Thought it was metal/integrated.
Looks like synthetic rubber to me.
@Charlie – It is magnesium alloy dipshit.
lol
It’s funny how so many people automatically assume magnesium alloy is superior to plastic. Low quality mag alloy will dent easily while high quality plastic is virtually indestructible.
OMG this baby is beautiful and price is ok, let’s hope the final results are just as good as the design.I’m debating if i should get that with 12-50mm lens for $1300 or GX1 with X lens kit for $850,is it worth paying that extra $450 for EM-5 , can some pleas convince me to buy it or not????
Do you need/want a VF? If so, factor that in to the cost. How much is IS worth (supposedly improved IS)? 3 inch tilting OLED. You already know about the magnesium body and weather sealing… Im not sure what that adds to the value. Even consider the differences in lenses. The oly lens would be wider and longer, is weather sealed, internal zooming, and a modest macro ability. Is that worth an upgrade cost? Only you can answer that but I think that this new cam represents good value.
Here you go guys:
http://blog.bergencountycamera.com/
First sample images
Wow, those sample images : over-sharpened much?
Lol, already removed. However, pictures are still online – if you have the url you can access them directly. Got only the first one though:
http://blog.bergencountycamera.com/wp-content/gallery/olympus-e-m5/b1112749.jpg
http://e-p1.net/olympus-om-digital-cameras/olympus-releases-the-om-digital-e-m5-%28samples!%29/
A bit small, isn’t it? lol
cool
press release about the new lenses
http://www.olympus.com.au/getmedia/8c0abfaa-a516-43db-aac6-d082c00d13ce/PR1202002.pdf.aspx
end of 2012 :-((
sweet. looks like the macro is 1:1
nice. looks like the macro is 1:1. I wonder how it will compare to the 50mm f2 IQ?
Sweet. Looks like the macro is 1:1! I wonder how the IQ will compare to the 50mm f2?
2 hours to go! Admin, how’s the coffee holding out?
Fuck. I fell asleep for one hour. Couldn’t resist 🙁
Tststs, don’t use such bad words 😉
Get yourself together, man! 😛
LOL first time I have seen admin cuss.
EPIC.
The press release has been leaked with sample photos!
http://bit.ly/zBcR6G
Thanks, now I go sleeping an looking forward for more pics 🙂
To paraphrase what a Texas boot maker told me years ago, “it’s the hand” or the feel of the instrument (camera) that affects us individually and personally. I still think Nikon D series bodies have the edge. While I truly hate the feel of the new G lenses. I just sold a ton of new Nikons literally yesterday. Sticking with Canon and Hasselblad going forward.
The toy NEX-7 and the coming Fuji X PRO 1 are a walkabout hoot but just not good enough or appropriate for daily work. But fun.
The 36 MP Sony/Nikon sensor holds no real fascination or interest compared to MF which has topped out at 80MP for a year or more. And video is now professionally owned by Canon. Totally. Nikon video RIP.
And, remember, no client cares whatsoever for megapixel counts. Zero.
http://www.olympus.com.au/Learn—Explore/Blog/Olympus-Blog/February-2012/The-Beginning-of-the-New–OM-D-Create-Your-Own-Wor.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yutTntpDhE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yutTntpDhE
I am buying this. No question!
http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/07/olympus-om-d-e-m5-micro-four-thirds-camera-preview-video/#continued
Placed my pre order for the silver one!
I just pre-ordered my EM-5, but I voted for D800. When this sensor works with Nano lens, the result is amazing. I’m not biased and have to admit it. Here is the Cliff Mautner blog. (http://cliffmautner.typepad.com/) He is some samples of D800 pics. Look at the second image which was 100% cropped from the first one.
Ok so this new camera is pretty snazzy. What about the E dslr line? When will they release the next dslr and how will they incorporate some of this new technology into it? I’m not sure whether to get the OM5 or wait for the next E camera…..