A bit of back story: I had a E-M5.2 I bought refurbished several years ago. I used it a lot in Miami but It failed with a completely stuck shutter and wonky power-on state a couple months after I moved to NYC last year. I've been shooting with two separate E-M1.1 cams I bought from forum members since.
I sent in the E-M5.2 and Olympus repair tells me that the repair is just over $250 but they also offer me a trade-in option. I can buy a refurbished E-M5.3 for $600.60 USD or $750.00 USD for an E-M1.3! Plus applicable taxes. (YMMV based on what the camera is and it's age.)
I pondered long an hard about this. I actually wanted to return to the E-M5's smaller profile, lower weight, etc. but I have also encountered shooting birds and other things where better focus control would be helpful and the 1.3 has a focus joystick now which may help with that. A few other features set it apart. I figured the odds of me buying an 1.3 with low usage at that price anytime in the next 1-2 years are pretty low. So I departed with about $825 after NYC/NYS taxes. The transaction is done through the repairs department. They have to call HQ and ask for a price change to charge it correctly as a special order item. Separately, I went to the GetOlympus store and bought the $99 2-year warranty extension. I usually say that "If it still works in the first 90-days it will keep working for years" ,derived from my experiences in computer systems support since the 1990's and most consumer electronics. I figured in this case it was worth it, given any repair of that camera would be $170-$300 and with the amount of shooting I would do in 2 years it will have some reasons to quit.
Anyway, I'm excited for it to arrive. I figure mid-next week given the roundabout order process. Note: I asked about what is done with the old camera and got the answer I expected - it gets disposed of as e-waste. They don't fix "used" cameras for sale as refurbished, only customer returns get refurb treatment.
So, if you happen to have an Olympus OMD camera that needs repair, or it doesn't but you don't use it anymore it may be worth a shot if you are looking to upgrade. I can't say if they would give such a hefty discount if you send in an E-M5.1 or M1.1. I only had this one experience so not enough data points to make any reasonable assumptions.
Hopefully, this info helps someone else on the forum with seeing if this is a good upgrade path for them.
I sent in the E-M5.2 and Olympus repair tells me that the repair is just over $250 but they also offer me a trade-in option. I can buy a refurbished E-M5.3 for $600.60 USD or $750.00 USD for an E-M1.3! Plus applicable taxes. (YMMV based on what the camera is and it's age.)
I pondered long an hard about this. I actually wanted to return to the E-M5's smaller profile, lower weight, etc. but I have also encountered shooting birds and other things where better focus control would be helpful and the 1.3 has a focus joystick now which may help with that. A few other features set it apart. I figured the odds of me buying an 1.3 with low usage at that price anytime in the next 1-2 years are pretty low. So I departed with about $825 after NYC/NYS taxes. The transaction is done through the repairs department. They have to call HQ and ask for a price change to charge it correctly as a special order item. Separately, I went to the GetOlympus store and bought the $99 2-year warranty extension. I usually say that "If it still works in the first 90-days it will keep working for years" ,derived from my experiences in computer systems support since the 1990's and most consumer electronics. I figured in this case it was worth it, given any repair of that camera would be $170-$300 and with the amount of shooting I would do in 2 years it will have some reasons to quit.
Anyway, I'm excited for it to arrive. I figure mid-next week given the roundabout order process. Note: I asked about what is done with the old camera and got the answer I expected - it gets disposed of as e-waste. They don't fix "used" cameras for sale as refurbished, only customer returns get refurb treatment.
So, if you happen to have an Olympus OMD camera that needs repair, or it doesn't but you don't use it anymore it may be worth a shot if you are looking to upgrade. I can't say if they would give such a hefty discount if you send in an E-M5.1 or M1.1. I only had this one experience so not enough data points to make any reasonable assumptions.
Hopefully, this info helps someone else on the forum with seeing if this is a good upgrade path for them.
