Another day, another post about a box with a hole in it that takes photographs. This one has a few additional features over the pinhole camera I featured yesterday:
It’s the Olympus E-M1, previously substantially leaked, finally released today.
Cue outrage from various web pundits, complaining that it is too big (these are the same people who complained that the E-M5 was too small). But stick the optional grip on the E-M5 (as I do), and the E-M1 is slightly wider but a little bit lower.
So not big; but loaded with many more controls than the E-M5; will be fun configuring it….
The E-M1 is a better camera in every way than the E-M5, unless you value bulk above all, in which case the E-M5 without grip is smaller and lighter. But is it worth an extra $500? Only a potential purchaser can decide. Also sticking its hand in the arm and shouting “me!, me!” when the question is asked as to which is the best M43 camera is the newly announced Panasonic GX7, plus the EP-5 for those who like the PEN experience. And of course if video is your main interest then it has to be the Panasonic GH3. Here are the current prices for these cameras as listed at B&H:
E-M1 - $1399 GH3 - $1298 EP-5 - (without viewfinder) - $999 GX7 - $999 E-M5 - $899
None of these are cheap, but all give you access to the huge selection of yummy Micro Four Thirds lenses, and the E-M1 also lets you use the extremely tasty Four Thirds lenses. And to add to the selection, Olympus also announced a couple of new lenses today which they categorise as being “Pro”, which indicates they will be extra excellent and extra expensive. The 12-40mm F2.8 is available now-ish:
And the 40-150mm F2.8 will be available next year:
Full reviews of the E-M1 will be a while, but if you are interested, here are some “first looks” to get you started:
And if you would like to buy one and lend it to me for an extended review (approximately three years), I would be most grateful.
UPDATE: Thailand prices E-M1 (body only) 49,990 baht E-M1 with 12-50 56,990 baht E-M1 with 12-40 (new lens) 74,990 baht
Comments 🔗
2013-09-10| The Heavyweight saysAre there any tech specs known like sensor/pixel pitch/dynamic range/bit depth etc.?
2013-09-10| Spike saysYes. Or maybe no. Who cares? The E-M5 produces lovely images. This will too; only more so.
2013-09-10| Andrew saysWell not quite sure what is going on but if you download the test scene from DPR for 200 (base ) ISO (.jpg)- the em1 has the 45 mm lens ( quite a decent lens ) and the em5 has exif saying 50mm ( so I’m guessing the kit 12-50 which is considered somewhat lacklustre - since there is no 50mm m/43 prime that I know of ) the em5 image is noticeably sharper and with a bit more contrast so not sure what’s up with that….
2013-09-10| Clive saysAll the articles are reporting that it’s a brand new sensor with a brand new processor on the back. With a sensor size quoted as 4608x3456 you’re looking at exactly the same resolution as the EM-1. Given that both are M43 cameras, I’d say that’s a strong hint that the pixel dimensions are pretty close.
Raw files are reportedly 12-bit. No specific word yet on dynamic range, but then it does come with the “HDR” functionality, so I guess “yer pays yer money”.
I did find an entertaining review here:-
http://blog.mingthein.com/2013/09/10/olympus-om-d-e-m1-review-1/
which will tide us over until Spike gets his mits on one and does a proper review over on M43Info…
2013-09-10| Clive says“Cue outrage from various web pundits, complaining that it is too big (these are the same people who complained that the E-M5 was too small).”
Umm… There’s an easy way to do a comparison, here:-
http://camerasize.com/compare/#482,289
[link direct to the 2 cameras in question]. And yes, the OM-1 is undeniably bigger… But for perspective, try comparing it with, say, my Canon EOS 7D body…
http://camerasize.com/compare/#482,154
and it’s rather more diminutive profile becomes a bit more apparent. My experience with interchangeable lens cameras started with a Minolta D7000 way back in the 1980s, and the EM-1 is almost exactly the same size, but with oodles more capability. As I see it, the only issues are:
- The annoyance that I’ll have to wait until January and the hope of a performance bonus to afford the thing, and
- The annoyance that I’ll have to wait until January and the hope of a performance bonus to get some shiny M43 lenses to go with it…
2013-09-10| Andrew saysgood intro by Gordon Laing : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4VM1MTzGfE
2013-09-11| Spike saysMin Thein is a great photographer, so I found his shots of trees a little bland. I did include a link to his review in the post.
My point was that the E-M5 has stellar IQ, so the IQ of the E-M1 and the EP-5 before it is not really an issue any more. Perhaps some observations on any improvements on high ISO performance. Dynamic range was already ahead of all Canons and up there with Nikon; so nothing to worry about there.
Fact is, most modern cameras will provide IQ that is more than adequate for most people, it’s the features they offer to help you get the image that differentiate them.
2013-09-11| Spike saysDPR seem to have a reputation for cocking up their sample shots. If the E-M1 has the AA filter removed compared to the E-M5, then with the same lens the shots from the E-M1 will be sharper. Inconceivable that IQ will be an issue, just need to wait for some proper reviews with a RAW converter available.
2013-09-11| Spike saysCan’t you employ the AFAB (Advance Funding in Anticipation of Bonus) technique? It’s approved by the association of bullshit actuaries. I use it all the time, and I don’t even receive a bonus.
2013-09-11| Spike saysNot heard of him before, very good.
2013-09-11| David saysWhy not get the cheaper Fuji X-E1?
2013-09-11| Spike saysMing Thein has done another test, comparing the E-M1 against the E-M5 and the Nikon D600. http://blog.mingthein.com/2013/09/11/the-2013-olympus-om-d-e-m1-review-2/
2013-09-11| Spike saysMy wonderful M43 lenses won’t fit it.
2013-09-11| The Heavyweight saysThanks for the info Clive!
2013-09-11| Clive saysI just spotted the THB prices being quoted at the bottom of your article. THB:49,990 translates - via www.xe.com - into £989.57… Now, granted that xe.com quotes wholesale/commercial rates for currency exchange, but by comparison this camera is being listed in the region of £1300 in the UK for exactly the same specification. I’d say that you’re getting a good price in Thailand…
2013-09-12| Spike saysFor those readers who would like me to order them one in Thailand, happy to do so; provided you accept there might be a hundred or so shutter actuations on your “new” baby so I can do a test.
2013-09-12| Andrew says$1399 in Canada which equates to about 42,953 THB but the fly in the ointment is that Olympus in their wisdom ( probably from their Lens Hood Marketing Division ) will not offer a kit price with the new 12-40 Pro lens - so Asia may still break even in the price game if they do so there…
2013-09-13| Spike says75k for the kit, at least that is the list price.
2013-09-13| Andrew saysbody+ 12-40 at list (1399 + 999 ) = 73,725.82 THB ( on xe.com) so I guess nobody wins - at least we won’t pay Japanese prices which are much higher ( strange I know but when I lived in Japan every new camera there was at least 25% more expensive - but used were great as nobody wanted them - got a Mamiya C330 and 105 lens for $200 ) hopefully the price will drop a bit after the big rush although I don’t see Olympus hurrying out an EM-2 anytime soon so probably by not too much..
2013-09-19| The Heavyweight saysThe mingthein blog in part 2 of the comparison mentions that crops from pictures from cameras with a higher dymanic range always look flatter and less contrasty (at least when cropped in I assume?) than pictures of a smaller sensor.
Does anyone know the reason for this?
2013-09-19| The Heavyweight saysdynamic… sorry for the typo
2013-09-19| Spike saysMing Thein is a very approachable chap, perhaps put a comment against his post and ask him? I just read the last sentence “Bottom line: there is simply nothing quite like the E-M1 at the moment – a very compact professional system camera” and was overcome with lust.
2013-09-19| The Heavyweight says