Is The Olympus OM-D E-M5 a Game Changer?

Phillip Swanson · #1 June 22nd, 2012, 01:32 PM

There is no denying the growing popularity of the micro four thirds format. The promise of high-end DSLR quality photos in a package the fraction of the size is extremely enticing for a great deal of photographers.

But, is the release of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 a game changer? Has the m43 system, in arguably its most important year ever, finally reached a point where it can overtake larger DSLR offering from Canon, Nikon, and others?

Andy Hendricksen's Op-Ed "Why I Sold Everything for the Olympus OM-D E-M5" makes a great argument that for a select group of photographers, the m43 system is arguably the best choice. Hendricksen isn't a professional sport photographer, a wildlife photographer for National Geographic, but he is a high skilled hobbyist, and he believes the m43 format has finally matured to fully match his needs.

Hednricksen's perspective is a great read, and may speak to many of you here on Mu-43. The future of m43 systems is bright. I've previously talked about the stealth factor these cameras give photographers in certain environments. What I want to know is, where does everyone see the m43 format, and mirrorless format in general, going in the next five years?

There will always be a need on the professional level for full-frame fast as lightning offerings. I've always been a proponent of using the right tool, but the tools are advancing so quickly, those traditionally at the top (Canon, Nikon) will have to take notice, less they miss out on a movement, and get left behind. I can honestly say there is little reason for professional photographers, especially newcomers, to invest in the APS-C and cropped sensor DSLR over high-end m43 systems.

Source: The Photo Blogger [via m43blog]

DeeJayK · #2 June 22nd, 2012, 01:42 PM

I agree that with the OM-D (and to some degree even the nearly two year old GH2)

seems to have all but bridged the gap with the cropped sensor DSLRs in all but a very few use cases (e.g. fast action sports). I'll be very interested in what Canikon come up with to keep their APC-S sensor offerings relevant to anyone who isn't "locked in" with a significant investment in lenses.

demiro · #3 June 22nd, 2012, 01:44 PM

It sure seems like a game changer. I shoot Canon DSLRs, and spend a lot of time on POTN. The majority of folks there (many hardcore Canon fans) mostly scoffed at m4/3s historically. The E-M5 has changed that reaction in a big way. Lots of people have grabbed one. Some even act like m4/3 is some brand new invention.

I don't think the majority of those E-M5 purchasers are dumping their DSLRs, but some are, and others are streamlining that kit a bit to allow for m4/3 expenditures. Some folks are predicting a more entry-level (cheaper) FF offering from Canon, based on the logic that the E-M5 has more or less "caught" their cropped sensor offerings in terms of performance and that Canon needs to push full frame to maintain the differentiation they've always enjoyed.

So maybe we can say the game has started to change. It will be interesting to see what Panasonic does with the GH3 (can they top the E-M5?) and what Canon and Nikon do in an attempt to bolster their consumer/prosumer lines against the rising m4/3s tide.

kevinparis · #4 June 22nd, 2012, 02:00 PM

while I will be getting one in my hands very shortly......it is still just a camera. For the vast majority of camera buyers/photographers 4/3 and then micro 4/3 has been more than adequate quality wise for large numbers of people.

Canon/Nikon have dominated the whole perception of what a 'good camera' is by marketing spending power and leveraging their heritage brand recognition.

at the end of the day its the photographer who makes the picture...not the camera

K

krugorg · #5 June 22nd, 2012, 02:05 PM

I think the m4/3 lens ecosystem is the real game changer - it's just that the E-M5 has brought much needed visibility to the m4/3 standard.

With_Eyes_Unclouded · #6 June 22nd, 2012, 02:33 PM

For my part, I also sold a collection of Canon APS-C gear to fund my OM-D. I have the OM-D for only a couple of days, and the only thing I can say is that it more than lives to its promise. I'm actually astonished of almost everything about this camera, in daily use, but this is of course an observation more about my needs and desires, thus being subjective.

What I can say more objectively is that, if one doesn't shoot sports or wildlife, the OM-D (as a representative of the latest iteration of high end cameras) is as good as any APS-C DSLR and better than most, in many ways. I'm sure future cameras by Olympus and Panasonic will solidify this argument.

For a variety of reasons, I strongly believe mirrorless in general is the way of the future, regardless of sensor size. As for

, I'm sure we'll see advancements such as advanced sensors, PD-AF in sensor, an even greatest collection of lenses, etc. I agree that, by design, the APS-C sized sensor doesn't seem to offer a significant level of practical superiority (if any) to a

sized one. The logical next step is FF, or even larger sensor (if we believe the rumors, Canon is already examining the option of a larger than FF sensor for future cameras).

Luckypenguin · #7 June 22nd, 2012, 02:34 PM

The term game-changer is so often used that it has lost the impact that it once had. It now really means something that is a bit better than what went before it. Is the E-M5 a game changer, then? The answer is no...and yes. To be true it is "just another camera", but it is also the only camera that has tempted me to spend that much money on a m4/3 body where none have tempted me to do so in the past. So far, just about everything the camera has done and has let me do has led me to believe that I was right to wait for this one.

demiro · #8 June 22nd, 2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinparis

while I will be getting one in my hands very shortly......it is still just a camera. For the vast majority of camera buyers/photographers 4/3 and then micro 4/3 has been more than adequate quality wise for large numbers of people.

Canon/Nikon have dominated the whole perception of what a 'good camera' is by marketing spending power and leveraging their heritage brand recognition.

at the end of the day its the photographer who makes the picture...not the camera

K

I don't think anyone is suggesting that the E-M5 is magical and can make good photographers out of bad ones. I think the "game changer" is more about creating an option to the traditional larger and more expensive DSLR/big glass combo without significant compromises.

kevinparis · #9 June 22nd, 2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demiro

I don't think anyone is suggesting that the E-M5 is magical and can make good photographers out of bad ones. I think the "game changer" is more about creating an option to the traditional larger and more expensive DSLR/big glass combo without significant compromises.

don't think price really comes into the equation... most of the camera manufacturers tend to price their models within similar band e.g. 500. 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, 2000 dollars etc

Olympus tend to place models into those bands as well....

Olympus suffers from not getting shelf space/visibility in big retail outlets as do every other manufacturer apart from Canon and Nikon.

Even Sony who has a strong retail presence have struggled to gain traction in the market

K

bongestrella · #10 June 22nd, 2012, 03:10 PM

It is for me. Coming from a 60d, my em-5 matches everything what my Canon does. It is unfair to canon though since I'm comparing it to a 3 year old sensor (pretty old by tech's standard).