I have a GX1 and a bunch of Panasonic Lumix lenses (7-14, 14-45, 45-200 and 20mm).

I just bought a new OM-D with the 14-42 lens, received it yesterday. Yep, it's nice, and I like the fast burst rate. But beyond that, I am not finding a whole lot that makes me want to keep it.

The user interface is super clumsy. Stuff that is easy to do on my GX1 is an exercise in frustration on the OM-D. Even getting the door open for the USB socket is more difficult than it has to be. You have to swing the display out to get to the edge of the door before you can open it. Only Olympus could have a setting called "+ IS Off" that defaults to "On" (which actually means IS won't work with high speed bursts) and if you want IS to work during high speed bursts, you have to turn it "Off". What kind of twisted logic is that?

If the image quality of the OM-D is better, I sure can't see a significant enough difference to justify 2X the price. (Actually, I can't see *any* difference, but I haven't done exhaustive testing).

I want to like it, and even considered keeping it and selling my GX1, but the more I use the OM-D, the more likely I think it will be going back for a refund. I'll give it some time (I have 30 days to send it back to Amazon), but so far?

Not sure it's a keeper.

Send it back then.

I'm an Oly shooter, though I've tried the GF1, G3 and now ordered a GX1 on sale.

I'm currently renting for the weekend the OMD to try it out.

Here's my one day old impression so far:

Super fast shot to shot. Super quiet. I love the dials. LCD is very nice, and the EVF is very responsive. The proximity sensor is perfect. EVF when you need it, LCD when you don't.

I have shot comparison photos at low and high ISO between the OMD and the EPM1. There is a difference, but (for me) it might not justify the cost.

If you've not used an Oly before, there is most assuredly a learning curve on the menus. If you stick with it, it is VERY rewarding. Once your brain thinks like an Oly, you can actually access what you need faster than the Panny's, and you can customize a lot more. But it took 6 months with my EP1 in 2009 to learn their thinking. I do still, however, desire the C1 C2 modes on the GX1 dial (and one reason I ordered one).

My EPM1 cost $200. This is $1,000. I don't think I can justify that. Especially since I'm not sure I'll use weather sealing or the tilt screen. I've got a GX1 on the way. Next week, I'll compare the GX1 to see if it unseats my EPM1.

In short, I agree with you. I see the upside, but for me, I'd rather put my money in lenses.

edit: based on this thread http://www.mu-43.com/f42/om-d-billed...-repair-30697/ I think weatherproofing is even less important to me, lol.

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EM5; 9-18, PL25, 100-300 and some others.
(also, 6D + RX100)

Anything in particular bugging you? I'm sure the interface isn't for everyone, but I don't think it's that terrible (aside from bracketing, which is, yes, terrible). And there are a lot of things one can customize in terms of the controls.

I wouldn't disagree If image quality is the only thing you want, and you already have the GX1, I don't think the E-M5 really makes sense. It's really the combination of features that either do or don't do it for you, i.e. weather-sealing, tilt LCD, built-in EVF, IBIS, Olympus JPEGs, etc.

DH

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E-M5 | E-PM2 | mZD 12-50 | ZD 12-60 | P 14-42 X | mZD 40-150 R | PL 25 | mZD 45

Just return it and get it over with.

Yep, I shoot a lot of HDR and the Olympus AE bracketing scheme is lame. On my GX1 I have all of my HDR settings saved in the C1 mode. I rotate the dial to C1 and everything I want is set (5 shot 1EV bracketing, manual focus, ISO 160, burst mode, etc.). It couldn't be easier unless they came up with a Spock Mind Meld Interface where I only have to THINK about shooting HDR.

It has a tilt OLED screen, but it is a lame design... you can't flip it out to the side, it doesn't work in portrait mode, and you can't turn it in toward the body to protect the screen. My Canon 60D and G9/10/11/12 all had much better display designs.

I now have a weather sealed camera but no weather sealed lenses, and I don't think I need weather sealing anyway for the photography I do. I have a great external EVF on my GX1. The only lens I have that needs IBIS with its hissing noises is the the 14-42 that came with the camera. I don't shoot JPEGs ever.

I'd return it if you're not finding value with it. For me personally, I shoot mainly MF lenses now and lots of low light, and the E-M5 5-axis IBIS is awesome! If you're shooting mainly with native glass, I think the GX1 is a better priced option.

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Jonathan
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www.jonathanfriolo.com

Then I think you have your answer there. Different strokes and all that...

FWIW, I think the GX1 is fantastic value now that the body is down to $400 and the EVF only $160.

DH

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E-M5 | E-PM2 | mZD 12-50 | ZD 12-60 | P 14-42 X | mZD 40-150 R | PL 25 | mZD 45

Well, like I said, I'll give it some time. I don't have to decide about returning it right now.

You seem to be the type of person who has a difficult problem in making decisions, and personally if I were you, I would send it back. If you decide to keep it, you will be constantly thinking that you should have sent it back and later on the down the line you will get rid of it because you will still not be able to make up your mind if you really like it or not.

Yes, the menu does have a learning curve to it and it did take me some time to learn it, but when I purchased my OMD, I purchased it with the knowledge that I wanted the camera and that I was going to do what it takes to learn how to use it. I have sense purchased my second OMD and both with grips, five lenses and two Fl-600 flashes and I am more than happy that I made those purchases.

When I see something that I am not sure that I am going to like and I feel that I need the help of someone else in order to make a decision, I pass on the purchase because I feel that it would not really be for me. I got rid of a really great Nikon D3s system for this camera and I will have to say that I am glad that I made the change. The biggest reason for me in making the change was because of the weight that the Nikon system had and the fact that I just did not wish to lug it around on my back any more. I am able to get a great quality of images from my OMD system, and my back is not hurting, so I have no regrets for my purchases.

My personal feeling are that you really do not seem to want the camera for yourself, you seem more like someone who wants it because others have it and you feel that you want to see what it is like as well, and that really is not a reason to purchase this system, you will probably end up not liking it later on. Unless you decide that you truly like it for yourself and really need it, you will most likely never keep it. So to be honest, the decision has to be yours, you will have to be the one who decides on why you feel that you want it and if it will fill those need that you seem to have for thinking that you want it.