Hello All,
I have just joined the forum and have been trying to search for help threads on using the OM-D. I got the kit lens with my purchase and seem to not have crisp shots of moving objects like children and pets. I am not a professional nor am I a an amateur. I understand the concept of photography with aperture and shutter speed. Even on the auto I don't seem to get pictures that freeze fast moving objects. I am not sure if its my photography or my lens. I have had much better results with my NEX 5 with the pancake lens.

Can anyone recommend a good "allrounder" that I can use to photograph kids and fast moving objects like horses and pets. It doesn't have to by an Olympus lens but something that does the photography I need and also shoot in lower light situations.

Sorry if this has been asked before but couldn't find it in the threads.

Most likely the problem is your shutter speed. At what shutter speed were these unacceptable shots taken? The kit lenses have pretty slow apertures which means the shutter speed is going to be slower in order to let enough light in. Were they taken indoors?

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Olympus E-M5 with 14-42 kit
Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42 kit
Olympus 45/1.8
Panasonic 20/1.7
Panasonic 45-175
OM 50/1.8
OM 28/2.8
OM 80-200/4.5

My Flickr photostream
My Photo Blog

Did you raise the iso for faster shutter speeds? When I shoot surfing on an overcast day I often bump it up to 1600 to get a fast enough shutter speed. With the Om-D iso 1600 is not a problem for web photos.

Not sure what shutter speed probably 80, but on Auto they were very noisy. I am using the kit lens and even outdoor shot where noisy. Probably, need to get a good fast lens any advice?

shizlefonizle, my shots are on normal days when the sun has cooled down. My 1.8 pancake lens on the NEX never gave me these issues nor did the normal kit lens. You think the shutter speed @ 1600 wont be affect with the small aperture?

Any of the available mft primes will give you great results -- 12, 14, 17, 20, 25, 45 just decide which focal length meets your needs best. I have the 20/1.7 and love it. The 25/1.4 is also fantastic.

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Olympus E-M5 with 14-42 kit
Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42 kit
Olympus 45/1.8
Panasonic 20/1.7
Panasonic 45-175
OM 50/1.8
OM 28/2.8
OM 80-200/4.5

My Flickr photostream
My Photo Blog

If you are outside in sunlight, set your mode to Aperture, set ISO to 200 or 400, and set the aperture as open as possible (smallest f stop number) to get your shutter speed up. If you can't get a clear picture then your problem is focusing. What focusing mode are you using?

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Olympus OM-D E-M5, Olympus 12-50mm, Olympus 45mm, Olympus FL-300R

I use the spot focusing (if thats the correct term) where it puts a little square on the moving object. I have the same 12-50 lens you have.

What I really need is a lens that will give me some zoom like the 12-50 with a higher aperture like 2.8 or more, with good stabilization for fast objects. Any specific brand from the MFTs?

Sorry if I sound like a beginner but that probably what I am. My photography come from trial and error

Also any advice on books to read?

That 1.8 NEX lens is significantly brighter than the Kit lens. And shutter speed will definitely be affected by the aperture.

If you are on AUTO, then the camera's priority will be to get the proper exposure. So if it is indoors low light, the camera will probably set the shutter very slow to gather enough light for a proper exposure. Now this is fine if you are shooting still objects, but kids moving will appear blurred due to the slow shutter speed. The camera is not smart enough to know the difference. Take your camera off Auto.