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Re: [OM] Pardon me while I think out loud....

Subject: Re: [OM] Pardon me while I think out loud....
From: Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:27:47 -0800
On 11/15/2012 7:32 AM, Paul Braun wrote:
> Was pretty well sold on the E-M5.  Then we went to Costco last night and I
> played with a 60D.  Then, I was all confused again...

Wow, they are such physically different cameras. Have you played with an E-M5?

> The 60D feels a lot like the E-1 in the hand.  That optical viewfinder
> looks like a panoramic picture window.  One of the concert photographers I
> respect the most swears by Canon.  I had pretty much changed my mind and
> was about ready to sell off ALL of the Olympus stuff and make the leap.

I've got a 60D for sale ...
And a 10-22 ...

> And then I did some time online last night looking at direct comparisons
> between the two, and actually found a thread on a Canon owners' forum where
> a guy was considering selling off his 60D and getting an E-M5.

I thought about that too - then did it. E-PL1 (5¢ back-up for the E-M5) took 
its first shots 7-25. E-M5 took its first 
shots 7-31.

The 60D took its last shots in regular service on 7-17. It's taken only three 
exposures since, of interesting clouds at 
home where I wanted super WA, on 8-09. (I now have the M.Z 9-18, so that 
needn't happen again.)

> I was
> floored by the overwhelming amount of guys who said that if they weren't so
> heavily-invested in Canon glass, they'd do the same thing. Most of them
> talk about the E-M5's low-light sensitivity outstripping the 60D's, and
> considering that's one of the main reasons for me upgrading from my E-1....
> and they mentioned that in really low light, the EVF is a big plus.

All true, in my personal experience with both. The Oly has nicer output files 
in general, with better highlight 
retention, lower noise in shadows and at high ISOs, and somehow just requiring 
less work in post.

The E-M5 doesn't blow the 60D away at high ISOs, but it is noticeably better. 
Check this link, select RAW and 6400 then 
Canon 60D in the 100% box next to the E-M5. 
<http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusem5/20>

Not too much difference in the default selection, although the Oly is slightly 
better. Then click on the overall image 
to select samples in the shadows. I found the Bailey's label, "BAILEYS" on the 
lower part of the label, particularly 
useful in showing how they handle the gentle transition from dark gray to black 
in the background, along with less 
objectionable noise in the white letters.

You've already seen this gallery, but I point out again that the last images in 
it are at ISO 6400, simply re-sized, 
with no other post processing.

You should also know that Live view shooting on a mirrorless camera is wildly 
different - MUCH better than on a camera 
with mirror, such as virtually all DSLRs. With the 60D, it's either frustrating 
or a contemplative experience, depending 
on how you approach it. Cameras like the E-M5 work off the back screen like 
compacts, but with less focus/shutter lag - 
instant.

> The E-M5 is a bit small (however, so are the OM bodies, and the lightness
> is not a bad thing), and I'd definitely have to get an auxiliary grip.

It certainly is smaller and lighter, a great deal so. Here it is next to the 
60D's little brother. 
<http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusEM5/images/comparedtoRebel.jpg>

My hand likes it - my neck LOVES it.

> Although, probably that 3rd-party one since the $225 for the Olympus
> battery grip is out of reach for now.  And I've found several galleries
> with gorgeous photos taken by guys using the E-M5 (I know, a lot of it is
> the guy behind the camera.  But still....)

Perhaps it does say something that those who know how to make such images 
choose to use a particular new camera?

> So, I'm leaning back the OMD direction again.  And my head hurts.
> Arrrrggghhhh.  A hobby shouldn't require this much thinking!

I can see reasons to choose a FF camera over E-M5 (or the new E-PL5 with the 
same sensor), but not an APS-C camera over 
them. DPReview came to the same conclusion:

"If you're /absolutely unwilling/ to compromise on image quality then spending 
twice the money and moving up to the bulk 
of full-frame is the only way of gaining a significant step up from the E-M5."

O. M. D. Moose

-- 
What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
-- 
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