I'm fully with you here, the 2 experiments I did with Olympus after using the GX-1 was INDEED an exercice in frustration. UI is absolutely horrible for people used to Panny, and yes the IQ difference between GX1 and EM5 is mostly irrelevant unless DR is of the paramount importance.
Send it back, it's gonna start dropping in price within 2 or 3 months with the rumored higher end OM model, and you'll regret getting at full price a camera you feel you're struggling with.

michael... to a great degree I agree that the E-M5 isn't a 'must-have' body for most of us and that Pany cameras (G3, GH2, GX1, G5) offer superb capability. And I agree that the IQ provided by the GX1, G5, even the G3 are so close, with minor differences, to that of the E-M5 that they are in the same relative ballpark, for the most part. While the sensor in the E-M5 has an edge in DR, in practical use for most people I don't view this as a dramatic difference that is essential. The G3, GX1, G5 output is superb and I suspect the output from the soon to be available G5 will be even closer to that of the E-M5 - enough to generally call it roughly comparable.

The E-M5 was so over-hyped for a long time and while it does have some nice attributes that are new and beneficial to Oly-only users, its not a huge deal to people who already shoot with GH2, G3, GX1. The E-M5 (by virtue of a long overdue sensor upgrade and the built-in EVF) finally brought Oly cameras up to a level that was previously established with the GH2 and G3. And it upped the ante slightly, but not dramatically. The E-M5 is a great camera, but not golden.

The E-M5 doesn't obscure the value of the top Pany bodies, such as the GH2, G3, G5, GX1 which offer many excellent attributes as well.

The weather sealing means close-to-nothing to me personally, as I wouldn't be shooting in rain anyway and I'm not so sure I'd want to trust it fully anyway in that regard. And the look of JPGs means nothing to me as I shoot all RAW anyway and do my image processing with Lightroom4.

The most significant benefit of the camera to me is the combination of IBIS, EVF, tilting LCD, and the wheel controls. But I do prefer the Pany fully articulated LCD which offers more shooting options and great protection to the screen when not in use.

For me, the ONLY feature that really separates the E-M5 from the G3, G5, GH2 is IBIS. This can be a helpful feature to have, for sure, but not all that important for a great deal of photography applications, depending on your individual needs and what lenses you typically shoot with. I like to have at least one body with IBIS for times when I want that... but for the bulk of the time, I'm generally happier with the way Pany does things.

Aside from IBIS, the G3, especially the G5, offers compelling alternatives for much less money. I love the C1 and C2 capability on the function dial.

Personally, I find enough value in the E-M5 to keep it, but that's no reason for me to go all-Oly. I've ordered a G5 to replace my G3 and will likely trade my GH2 for the GH3 when it arrives. And I may trade my E-PL3 for the E-PL5 when it comes out.

I wouldn't be surprised if I find the G5 every bit as nice, if not nicer, to use than the E-M5. I like to do HDR capture as well and the ease of doing that with the Panys is fantastic. The E-M5 approach to this is irritating. Hopefully the E-M6 will rectify this issue.

None of the cameras we have at present or are soon to have are perfect in every way for all photographers. Pany cameras are every bit as fantastic as Oly cameras; they each have their unique benefits and suitability - we just need to try to match those particular offerings to our individual needs and desires. And this is an ever-changing field of gear... it never ends.

__________________
Don

I agree with what Don said...these are all tools to help you create images. If you find the OMD doesn't give you enough value then send it back or sell it (it's in demand at at premium right now so there isn't a better time). The GX1 is just as capable a tool as is the OMD and given all the hype surrounding the OMD I can easily see it not living up to expectations. It's a great camera but there are a lot of really great m43 bodies. If you prefer the GX1 go with it. Its the images that count not the gear used to make them.

If you always shoot HDR with roughly the same settings you can use MYSET custom sets (which is not specifically a shortcut to AEB). I rarely shoot AEB, it's usually after I've set up a shot which has too much DR, but it is silly the way AEB is not in the SCP.

I have the GX1 as well, but I rarely use it since I got the E-M5. Once you get past the initial setup & get used to the SCP it is super fast with two dials. Turn the back one to go between settings, then the front one to adjust the value.

E-M5's higher resolution screen is nice, but most importantly it has the IBIS which is useful on all the pancakes, the 25 & the 7-14. One aspect you may notice are some CAs with the 7-14 & 12-35 (at least in RAW). The tilt screen is useful when you're using the 7-14 and you want to lower the camera to align your shot for those tricky foreground objects that get distorted sometimes.

Every lens needs IBIS when the shutter speed decreases, IMO. Panasonic 20 & 7-14 included.

P.S.: You Canon Powershot G9 & G10 display was fixed! I had the G10, and I checked DPR.

__________________
GX1 - OM-D E-M5 - Lumix G 7-14 | 12-35 | 20 | 35-100 | 45-175 - m.ZD 12-50 | 45 - Samyang 7.5 - 500px

Just wondering- what's the purpose of this thread, exactly? Are you looking for someone to make up your mind for you? Reveal some special magic OM-D feature that you were not aware of and suddenly can't live without? A camera is a tool. Not every tool works for every person. Either take the time to learn how to make it work for you, or go back to what already works for you. Nothing anyone here says will make a difference.

__________________

-bitmatt-

There are three types of people when it comes to the Oly interface: 1) Those who've always used Oly cameras and feel natural with it; 2) Those who adapt to it after a while (I'm in this group); 3) Those who hate it no matter what.

I've never used the USB socket. What is it for?

Yep, there are some crazy menu settings. I also wonder why they default to having a non-stabilized EVF .

As the others have said, there is little reason to fight to make it work. On the other hand, once you get the menu settings the way you want them and learn how to change stuff, it sounds like most of your stated frustrations will have been addressed. I find that the OM-D and GX1 complement one another extremely well.

__________________
Amin
Mu-43.com Webmaster (Site FAQ | Help Forum | My Disclosures | My Flickriver | My G+ Profile)

Note: Links in this post may be to our affiliates. We get a small referral fee when you buy after clicking our link. Your price is unaffected.

How hype-worthy you find it depends on your personal preferences:

- SLR style vs RF style
- Retro style vs modern
- Oly brand pref vs Pan
- Flip LCD vs flip/twist
- Crisp shutter sound vs muted
- Crisp controls vs mushy
- Two control dials vs custom settings on control dial
- Oly color vs Panasonic
- Capacitive touch screen vs resistive


There are some advantages to the Panas:
- Better low light AF
- Option for multi-aspect sensor
- Color fringing correction with Pana lenses


And some for the Oly:
- IBIS (some may call this a wash, but I don't buy it)
- Weather sealing
- Faster burst rate


For me, the OM-D was easily worth the hype because all of the following are in line with my preferences:
- The specific styling of the camera
- Effective IBIS
- Subdued shutter release sound/feel
- Flip LCD
- Capacitive display
-Twin control dials


The fact that the OM-D offered slightly better sensor image quality was sort of icing on the cake.

I'm not out to say the E-M5 is objectively better than a GH2, GX1, or G3, but I don't think it's right to call it "overhyped" or only a big deal for only for "Olympus only users". It was a big deal to me, and I've owned twice as many Pana bodies (GH1, G1, GH2, GF3, GX1) as I have Oly bodies (E-P3, E-M5).

__________________
Amin
Mu-43.com Webmaster (Site FAQ | Help Forum | My Disclosures | My Flickriver | My G+ Profile)

Note: Links in this post may be to our affiliates. We get a small referral fee when you buy after clicking our link. Your price is unaffected.

__________________
Olympus E-PL5
M. Zuiko 17mm ƒ1.8 | M. Zuiko 17mm ƒ2.8 | M. Zuiko 14-42 II | M. Zuiko 14-150 ED | M. Zuiko 45mm ƒ1.8 ED | M. Zuiko 75mm ƒ1.8 ED | M. Zuiko 75-300 ED II | Leica DG Summilux 25mm ƒ1.4 ASPH | Lumix G Vario 45-200 |

It sounds like the E-M5 isn't a good fit for you. I do think that you can adapt to to the Oly menu system if IBIS, or other Oly-specific feature, are useful for you. Other than bracketing, you never need to go beyond SCP. I prefer other menu systems and bracketing implementations, no argument there, but it really isn't a huge deal once you are used to the routine (or use mysets).

These are the big features of the E-M5 that I would miss moving to something else. I love the twin control dials, but I would go back to the one dial and jog wheel, if it got me a built-in flash. Also, I find the tilt screen very useful for what I shoot, but I would be good with an articulating screen, provided it didn't increase bulk.

__________________
Kyle / E-M5 and E-PM2
Flickr Photostream

__________________
Kyle / E-M5 and E-PM2
Flickr Photostream