Featured Forum Post: 'Dear Panasonic, what are you going to do?'

[AnttiV]

Originally Posted by bunguar

I am referring to the pocketable gf ones. They dont have a built in evf while they do have a built in flash, to level that field a detachable evf should come with them, the e-m5 comes with a built in evf and a detachable flash, so a cheap evf could help level the playing field if it came in the box as well

Neither does Oly's other cameras, the E-PMs and E-PLs. Only the E-M5 has a built-in EVF of all the cameras Oly builds (for m43). I haven't held a E-M5 physically, but I understand it's "pocketability" is debatable. While the Panny G3's EVF protrudes a bit more than E-M5's, the G3 is actually a tad smaller in other dimensions. So if you consider the OM-D to be pocketable, so is the Panny's G3.

[bunguar]

Originally Posted by AnttiV

Neither does Oly's other cameras, the E-PMs and E-PLs. Only the E-M5 has a built-in EVF of all the cameras Oly builds (for m43). I haven't held a E-M5 physically, but I understand it's "pocketability" is debatable. While the Panny G3's EVF protrudes a bit more than E-M5's, the G3 is actually a tad smaller in other dimensions. So if you consider the OM-D to be pocketable, so is the Panny's G3.

The e-m5 is like an ep-3 with an evf on top in size terms, the gx1 is meant to be a direct competition with the e-m5 hence i mentioned this. And the g3 is nowhere as close to pocketable as the e-m5

[AnttiV]

Originally Posted by bunguar

The e-m5 is like an ep-3 with an evf on top in size terms, the gx1 is meant to be a direct competition with the e-m5 hence i mentioned this. And the g3 is nowhere as close to pocketable as the e-m5

As I said, I haven't held the OM-D physically, so I'm not able to 100% tell. I'm just going by dimensions. Look at this: camerasize.com comparison. The OM-D is only very slightly thinner and if you compare the other angles, the G3 is actually a tad smaller in other dimensions, it's just that the G3's EVF protrudes that much more than OM-D's. I can't be sure, but I'm willing to bet that any pocket that holds an OM-D will perfectly finely hold a G3.

[meyerweb]

Originally Posted by bunguar

Panasonic, the e-m5 comes with a detachable flash and an evf built in + a hot shoe, your camera comes with a built in flash and no hot shoe... Take the hint: include a detachable evf in every box and include a hot-shoe and you got an even game

Oh, and add several hundred dollars to the price so that you're "even" with the OM-D. You can add the EVF to a GX1 and still get out for less money than an OM-D.

Originally Posted by bunguar

I am referring to the pocketable gf ones. They dont have a built in evf while they do have a built in flash, to level that field a detachable evf should come with them, the e-m5 comes with a built in evf and a detachable flash, so a cheap evf could help level the playing field if it came in the box as well

If someone wants an EVF, there's one available. Panasonic doesn't make you pay for it if you don't want it. Many people don't.

Aside from that, the G and GH bodies are the natural competitors to the OM-D. You're really stretching your comparison by matching it against the GF and GX line, which are more appropriately compared to the Pens. Which, by a strange coincidence, have a flash but no EVF included.

[meyerweb]

Originally Posted by GaryAyala

... and AF, AF Tracking, FPS, just to add a few more.

Originally Posted by dixeyk

Agreed...although the AF on the GH2 is still pretty darned fast. The OMD represents a lot of little enhancements and a few big ones (the 5 axis IS in particular). Of course the GH2 also came out 2 years ago so I would fully expect the newest camera on the block to be better and in that light the GH2 is still pretty impressive. Considering the time they have had to work on it I would think the GH3 might even have a few improvements over the OMD as Olympus and Panasonic play their game of leapfrog.

Based on what I've seen, the AF and AF tracking on the OM-D really isn't that much better than the GH2 or the EP-3. It's mostly Oly's claims that are better. the top FPS is better on the Oly, but at the expense of getting AF only on the first frame. The Oly is limited to 4 fps with AF on each shot, vs. 5 fps on the GH2. Not much of an improvement there.

The oly does surpass the GH2 in some respects, but not by a huge amount, and in other respects it's only caught up to what Panasonic had for a couple of years now. And after 2 years it should be better.

[bunguar]

Originally Posted by meyerweb

Based on what I've seen, the AF and AF tracking on the OM-D really isn't that much better than the GH2 or the EP-3. It's mostly Oly's claims that are better. the top FPS is better on the Oly, but at the expense of getting AF only on the first frame. The Oly is limited to 4 fps with AF on each shot, vs. 5 fps on the GH2. Not much of an improvement there.

The oly does surpass the GH2 in some respects, but not by a huge amount, and in other respects it's only caught up to what Panasonic had for a couple of years now. And after 2 years it should be better.

The af is quite a bit better but the thing is continuous af is still not good enough.

[Sanpaku]

If (as I suspect) there's more profit in a lens than in a body, Panasonic is probably benefiting a good deal from the OM-D's New Beetle-like halo.

As a newcomer to µ43 systems, I wonder if Panasonic has always had its current difficulty of stocking its higher end lenses. The 7-14, 8, 25 and 45 have been regularly, even mostly out of stock at the bigger retailers ever since I became interesting in the OM-D about a month ago, and I wouldn't be surprised if fellow newcomers to µ43 are driving that demand.

[Just Jim]

Originally Posted by Sanpaku

If (as I suspect) there's more profit in a lens than in a body, Panasonic is probably benefiting a good deal from the OM-D's New Beetle-like halo.

As a newcomer to µ43 systems, I wonder if Panasonic has always had its current difficulty of stocking its higher end lenses. The 7-14, 8, 25 and 45 have been regularly, even mostly out of stock at the bigger retailers ever since I became interesting in the OM-D about a month ago, and I wouldn't be surprised if fellow newcomers to µ43 are driving that demand.

In terms of US sales I'd have to imagine Panny bodies outsell Olympus. The pannies place higher in the overall camera sales on the amazon top lists, sorted by popularity. What that exact index is, is probably heavily leaning on actual sales. You can also regularly find panni bodies at the big box stores where oly is just mising. Oly has only just started anykind of marketing push with the OM-D.

[Art]

Originally Posted by Just Jim

In terms of US sales I'd have to imagine Panny bodies outsell Olympus. The pannies place higher in the overall camera sales on the amazon top lists, sorted by popularity. What that exact index is, is probably heavily leaning on actual sales. You can also regularly find panni bodies at the big box stores where oly is just mising. Oly has only just started anykind of marketing push with the OM-D.

I have not seen Panny cameras in any big stores (Best Buy, Target, Walmart, etc.). I saw Olympus E-PM1 at multiple Best Buy locations and I saw E-PL2 at Costco.

[Jonathan F/2]

Originally Posted by Art

I have not seen Panny cameras in any big stores (Best Buy, Target, Walmart, etc.). I saw Olympus E-PM1 at multiple Best Buy locations and I saw E-PL2 at Costco.

At one camera store I went to, they informed me they stopped carrying Panasonic equipment due to their extreme price drops. Panasonic basically has been undercutting their own distribution!