Good news for USA folks! Finally the Black E-M5 body will ship by May 16th at Amazon (Click here). I hope there are plenty of cameras coming because it’s alreayd the most ordered mirrorless camera at Amazon (here is the ranking).
Meantime Kirk Tuck (Click here) wrote “Why I think the Olympus OM-D, EM-5 is making so many waves“. But at the end he writes: “The reality is that while I like the camera just fine and would love to own one I’m intrigued by rumors of a new Panasonic GH3.“. Then dear Kirk you will have to wait until September 😉
E-M5 (Pre)order links (Click on store name): Amazon, Adorama, B&H, Jessops, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, Amazon Japan and Digitalrev.
Bestseller list. Check the list (changes hourly!):
USA: E-M5 on position 1/6/12 (Click here)
UK: E-M5 is on position 21 (Click here).
Germany: The E-M5 is on position 2/4/16 (Click here).
France: not available (Click here to see rankings anyway).
Japan: E-M5 on position 4/10/16 (Click here).
59 Responses
10 are actually IN STOCK right now! Get it while it’s hot! I want the silver body. So, I’m waiting.
I am waiting for the silver too. ….but it is killing me!!! LOL!
What is it, Bob …
Is there a shortage of silver paint somewhere? Geez. 😐
I could get a black one and send it to Kai, so that he could paint it for me.
the longer panasonic waits to release the specs of the camera, the more people they will lose to the em5
Now it s time to Olympus trawler to bring fish… they work in shifts
That is a interesting allegory…Because they work together to produce sensors, lenses, and whatnot…so in the first-quarter its olympus and in the last quarter its panasonic…hmmm…
If you look at the focal lengths of the primes they’ve both released its pretty easy to see the extent to which they try to coordinate rather than directly compete. I think the IS type choice is also a function of this.
“Then dear Kirk you will have to wait until September ;)”
Cool, so the price drop on the E-M5 should be in early fall to steal Panny’s thunder. No rush here.
OK…so the black bodies are going to hit the shores (fish reference) of the US on 5/16. Is there any word on when the silver bodies will be available????
I second the above question, Admin???
Maybe the spec’s on the GH3, is not as good as the E-M5.
I think the GH3 is what you want if video is your thing. I am not expecting that camera to trump the OM significantly for still photography, so for me there is nothing really to wait for until September. I could be surprised though…ya never know.
I couldn’t wait any longer. Cancelled my Feb. 7 preorder for the silver and went for the black body about 4 days ago. Arriving next week. Still very pleased.
Finally got a Silver body! I had left my name with Showcase Camera here in ATL about a month ago and they called me yesterday to come pick up. I cancelled my Amazon order on Feb 9th since there was not even an estimated ship to date.
So folks, call your local brick and mortar stores.
So far, loving it. The 14mm black Panny lens is so cool on it!
+1 for the all- black Panny 14mm on silver body. Focus is instant as well, and very sharp. Liking this lens more and more!
OT: People think the new Leica is expensive? A 1923 Series-0 Leica was auctioned off for 2.16M EUR 🙂
http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/rekordpreis-alte-leica-bringt-2-16-millionen-bei-kamera-auktion-a-832857.html
I wonder what precisely GH2 misses compared to OM-D.
Why this sudden love with the E-M5? What feature/combination of features makes it so special?
IBIS + better sensor + Oly colours + wireless flash + classic looks
+ weather resistance + magnesium body + twin dials and tons of customization + it does not look like a Canon Rebel offspring…
+100
+ you get to pay $300 more for a grip that should have been included in the first place + it doesn’t have a built in flash so you have to carry around one with you that you will lose/drop + it has inferior overall video quality + a non multi aspect sensor + banding problems + it keeps you awake with its hiss/humming + it looks like something you might find in a pawn shop/yard sale
I LOVE how defensive GH2 owners are since the E-M5 was released.
I LOVE: $80 lens hoods that are manufactured in china for 15 cents, which are not included with overpriced “pro” prime lenses, that do not come with lens bags.
Cant wait to support the Japanese mob by buying Olympus 🙂
My two cents: Olympus = pictures Panasonic = video
MK, if you are referring to the lens hood for the Oly 12mm f/2 you are incorrect. It is made in Japan. Still over priced…but get your facts straight.
That’s funny because mine has “made in China” stamped on it.
Mine has made in Japan stamped on it. My plastic hood fot the Oly 45mm has made in China stamped on it tho.
I want a refund 😛
Just the facts E-1, just the facts. Never said the EM-5 was a bad cam, but lets be honest that no camera is without flaws lest we live life viewing it through rose colored glasses.
MikeH:
-I’m really happy that I get to save $300 on a grip I don’t want yet, but can add later if I get a big tele lens for it.
-Agreed on the flash, but I rarely use flash, except for fill.
-Video quality is a negative compared to the GH2, IS for video seems a positive though. If I was desperate about video quality, I’d get a GH2 and hack it…
-You didn’t mention the extended tele-zoom thingy in video, one of the big draws of the GH cameras, to me
-Multi aspect sensor, would be a big bonus.
-I really like pawn shops and yard sales!
Not getting it yet anyway, I’ll wait 6-12 months. Probably get a used GH2 as well, for the same money….I bought my E-PL1 straight after introduction for full price, they’re not catching me like that again.
+1 “I bought my E-PL1 straight after introduction for full price, they’re not catching me like that again.”, same happened with me and E-P1, purchased at launch party in London.
However it is not as bad as Nikon who put prices up after launch, A.P. 7th April 2012, Headline “Nikon admits ‘Mistake’ over D800 and D4 prices”. Nikon UK confirmed the D800 will cost £2,599.99, £200 more than announced; while “The D4 will cost £5,289.99, rather than £4,799.99”.
As for myself, I need to justify the cost of E-M5 as much as I’d like one, I guess just like many others have said “I’ll wait a few months”, then if I have one check out the grips on Ebay at a later date.
Facts? Might be, but way overblown.
Actually, it’s the snotty attitude of some Oly fanbois toward Panasonic M4/3 cameras in general that pisses off otherwise calm and accepting people, so give the guy a break.
I own a GH2 and am pretty satisfied with it, but the EM5 looks pretty interesting in some respects. It lacks certain features I’ve come to rely on, but like the GH2, it’s a camera with some pros and some cons. It’s not the second coming of ________ (insert name of favorite deity here).
I’ll be curious to see which direction Panasonic pushes the GH3 and how the EM5 stacks up against it.
Now go out and see what you can do with your shiny new EM5!
I own both, and use both, and will keep both for the time being. I couldn’t give a donkeys pizzle for what the fanboys on either side of the fence have to say. Most of their arguments are a parroting of what others have said, and the sad truth is that the most vocal critics of either camera haven’t owned, let alone held, the camera they are slagging.
Each has it’s strengths and weaknesses. Each does certain things much better than the other.
“Actually, it’s the snotty attitude of some Oly fanbois toward Panasonic M4/3 cameras”
You pull that one out of thin air. I’ve searched and reread 5 GH2 threads from 2010/2011 and can’t find “Oly fanbois” with a “snotty attitude”.
on that list the only thing that I really would have liked on the em5 is the multi aspect sensor. A real advantage for the gh2. That said I haven’t heard the ibis-hum so I can’t say if it is an issue for me or not.
As it stand I will buy my first m43-camera in a year or so when the em5 get a more reasonable pricetag but if panasonic or anyone else come out with something even more interesting before then, who knows?
Hey Mike take the pink pills not the blue ones. The blue causes hallucinatory and depressive leanings. The doctors solution is to take an E-M5 for a period of therapeutic shooting.
Is that a fact, Mr right foot? 😉
Are foot fetishes healthy and do you know where that foot has been?! 🙂
I take 400 shots a day, but they all come out the same! I must carry the camera on the other side see if I have a left foot.
Got black one 3 weeks ago, replaced it with the silver one today! 😀
Did something turn you off on the black one, like the finish/texture of the wrap? Or did you simply like the retro look of the silver?
I like that the black body is similar in appearance to my OM-2S and less noticeable for street shooting. Both look nice, though.
the silvery one gets less hotter from the sun and fits better with the silver lens
What ? You don’t have it yet ? I’m allready taking pictures ! :p
Amazon sent me an email on thursday saying my black body only will be coming in on the 14 to 15th so they must already had some in stock before the 16th
For once I appreciate being Aussie. Got my black body on the 19th of April and you guys are still waiting….
My friend got the silver one last week, both colour is good it just comes down to what lens you use and if you want to use the grip or not.
The grip looks much better on the black body. I have the panny 25mm (black) with grip on my black body and my friend has the 12 and 45mm (without grip) on the his silver body. Both setup looks excellent but if you you swap the lens on them they look pretty crappy.
Chad, I’m feeling a little nervous having given digiDirect the full amount through paypal (online) for the silver 12-50 kit (end of April) & I’m still waiting. They have now told me (after I asked), they expect stock at the end of the Month. This is it: http://www.digidirect.com.au/slr_cameras/olympus/olympus_om-d_e-m5_micro_four_thirds_camera_including_12-50mm_lens_-_silver Do you know if I’m safe or better to cancel? (They do say I can without penalty)
JimD, I wouldn’t mind a comment from you too.
I’ve just had a nice chat with Olympus Australia today & I can take comfort in placing my order with the above supplier with nice recommendations from Oly & it looks like I’ll just have to be patient & wait like everybody else as Oly Australia have more than 300 orders (might just be the silver model too & black is in short supply as well) to fill for the E-M5 with it climbing daily. That’s not bad for the sale of a new camera model. That’s pretty bl**dy good. Olympus Aust. are getting stock in each week, apparently.
I am waiting until I can go in and pick one up. Either DigiDirect or Digital Camera Warehouse (they also have a battery deal). Digi is cheapest by $60 thats not a small difference, and are far better than RRP from both of them. Digital camera warehouse has the silver with 14-42 in Sydney store, but I want body only. They expect a few bodies soon but they are already accounted for.
Just got mine delivered right now! The notice said expected delivery of May 16, but Fedex got it to me today! Nice surprise!
Battery charging as I write this. I have to say, it’s much smaller than I imagined, and the hump doesn’t look at all as big as it did in the pics. The buttons feel nice, and it fits well in my hands. The camera is a beauty. I only hope it performs as well as it looks and feels!!!
Don’t worry, it does ;)!
So far so good! The shutter lag that frustrated me with the GF2 is virtually gone. I can finally capture the pictures of my fast moving kids I want!!!!
I go to Hong Kong about twice a month… every time I would go into at least 10-20 stores and ask if they had a Silver OMD Kit, of course with no luck….
Last week on my 8th store they had also said no, but as I was standing there they got a delivery from Olympus with one single silver kit. The retail price in Hong Kong is 10,690 HKD (1,376USD) but they slightly inflated it at 11000HKD (1,416USD) due to demand. Fine by me! My Amazon pre-order is now cancelled and I’m loving my new OMD. I also picked up the Voigtlander 17.5 f/0.95 lens from the same store for just 8900HKD (1146 USD).
As to the above posted comment about IS for video being a plus, the consensus from what I’ve seen is it does NOT provide 5 axis IS for anything other than native m4/3 lenses. Don’t think for a second you’re getting 5 axis IS on your OM lenses with the MMF-3 adapter. Oly should have clarified this, weiners.
Well, Klank, I have no idea where you get your information, but the MMF-3 adapter is not for mounting OM lenses. It is a weather-sealed adapter for mounting fourthirds lenses.
Additionally, you can configure the camera for lenses that do not communicate with the body to make IS work well with those.
I suggest you provide some references for your claim, because maybe you are right, but it certainly looks like you are basing yourself on incorrect information.
The 5 axis IS is very effective, especially at longer focal length.
I shot a couple of shots with the Zuiko 70-300mm (4/3 lens), with IS1 turned out, hand-held at 1/25s. No problem. 4 out of 5 test pictures came out sharp. First one was a little blur, but not by much, when I was a little careless with my breathing. So the claim of up to 5 stops is believable.
However, when you are shooting at shorter focal length, then it is different matter altogether.
If say, we are shooting at 10mm, ie 20mm for 35mm equivalent, then a 5 stop IS benefit will mean 1.6s shutter speed. Then it is not reasonable to expect sharp images at this shutter speed. Which is why the claim by Olymopus is “up to 5 stops”.
my silver body is waiting for me…….
correction, i canceled that order and got the kit with the HLD-6 for 1250 euros shipping included.Will prob sell that 12-50 though.
Try a premium Olympus seller, these have a priority for delivery for a couple of months after initial release.
Here in Holland the shipments are coming in tuesdays and fridays, at least with Foto Konijnenberg 🙂
I reserved one silver body examplar but I told them the black one is ok too if they are present. Still got time until vacation starting 25th of may!
I tested my brand new telezoom m.zd 40-150mm (200 euro’s) and its quite the performer! Don’t miss the gap from 12/14 to 42 mm, its acceptable.