Maybe I haven't been looking hard enough, but I don't think that I have read too much commentary so far about the E-M5's new IBIS system. This thing is epic! Half-press the shutter and jiggle camera around and the image in the viewfinder sticks like glue. I thought that this used to be fun trick with some of my Canon IS lenses but the E-M5 is on another level. Reliably hand-holding the PL25 at 1/3 second, shooting in the city at night using ISO 200/400...I'm impressed! E-M5 + PL 25mm f1.4: 1/8 sec {} 1/3 sec {} 1/3 sec {}
I know, mind-blowing isn't it? To me, its the one truly ground breaking advance on the camera - a lot of very nice improvements, but the IBIS is just insane. I know you've seen these, but a thread on use of this great feature seems in order, so I'll post 'em again here. I love how wheels appear at long exposures - very cool in both your first shot and my last one... -Ray <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6968695936/" title="NYC 4/18/12 by ramboorider1, on Flickr"> {} "1024" height="683" alt="NYC 4/18/12"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6970549764/" title="NYC 4/26/12 by ramboorider1, on Flickr"> View attachment 202669 "800" height="800" alt="NYC 4/26/12"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/7116626451/" title="NYC 4/26/12 by ramboorider1, on Flickr"> View attachment 202670 "1024" height="683" alt="NYC 4/26/12"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/7116627787/" title="NYC 4/26/12 by ramboorider1, on Flickr"> View attachment 202671 "800" height="800" alt="NYC 4/26/12"></a>
Thanks Ray, for your examples. I only just made a trip into the city tonight to pick up my E-M5 and there was enough juice in the new battery to play with the camera for half an hour or so. There's lots to be impressed with, but in dark conditions the IBIS stood out. The speed of the autofocus in those same conditions came a close second!
I shot a video the other day and literally SHOOK the camera up/down and left/right and the video was smooth. I couldn't believe it.
It's a sour grapes matter - the non-Oly fans either can't fathom how good the OM-D IBIS is compared to their cameras or they put it down via saying things like "it makes me sea sick", "any camera can do that with a steadycam"
Just playing with my black em-5 tonight sorry no cool pictures...yet But Em-5 just breaking my handheld shooting record, used to be able to shoot as low as 1/5 S with my 20mm lens ISO 200 + EPL-1, now it's easily reach 1/3 S with any lens, 20 mm could go as low as 1/2 S I think, zoom such as 14-54 mk I, could reach as low as 1/4 S, 12-50 kit as low as 1/3 S, my Fujinon 55mm (manual) as low as 1/5 S. All with no flash, indoor under low light. It's a bit cramped with big zoom from ZD. I bet HLD-6 grip will give even more low speed ability. With this 5-Axis IBIS, oly really nailed it.
Handheld Canon FD 300 @ 1/200th with E-M5 IS1 {} Handheld Canon FD 300 @ 1/80th with E-M5 IS1 Handheld Canon FD 300 @ 1/200th with E-M5 IS1 {}
I think categorizing it as a fanboy issue is unfair. The IBIS on the EM-5 is truly spectacular and works like a charm. It's a great bit of innovation and really allows some truly incredible hand held shots but just because someone doesn't happen to agree with that (or see it as ESSENTIAL) does not make it sour grapes. Folks have preferences. For instance, I am not someone that thinks Olympus colors are THE reason to buy Olympus cameras. I like them, I find them very pleasing but I can replicate them to my satisfaction by tweaking the settings on my Panasonic bodies and things like comfort and handling are more important to me. Ray and Luckypenguin love their EM-5's and Streetshooter loves his GX1. We all have our personal tastes. As far as why the 5 axis IS hasn't gotten more folks talking...I suspect it is because not everyone will be shooting in situations where it is readily apparent that IS is making a difference...yet. FWIW I happen to think the 5 axis IS is more important (at least in my case) to still imaging than video. When I shoot video I use a tripod or other device to steady the camera. If I had an EM-5 I am not sure that the IS (for video) would really change the way I work. I might take advantage of it and I might not. There are a lot of reasons to love the EM-5 but it's IS for video would not be the reason I would single out for buying the camera. The fact that it doesn't work with legacy glass (when shooting video) renders the point moot for me as it is not any better than what I have now in that regard. That doesn't make me a fanboy just a realist. The expense of upgrading to an EM-5 (if video were my main focus) simply would not be worth it.
I thought before I got the camera "that's neat," after using it- it's more than just neat, I'm blown away by what I can get away with. It also makes a calming seashell noise too.
I'm not calling anything sour grapes, and most of the features of the camera are just nice improvements, but this really is a BIG leap above any sort of image stabilization I've used before (I've had both Oly and Pany bodies and stabilized Pany lenses). The first shot I posted above, in Grand Central Station, was handheld at one HALF second. If you look at the large version on Flickr, the lettering on the walls on the other side of the station are tack sharp! I've never come close to this kind of performance from a stabilizer before. And also great for the couple of short handheld video clips I've shot. It might just be the "be all and end all", at least for now - I'm sure a lot of makers will match it soon enough. But its a remarkable jump in my experience... -Ray
I'm with you Ray, the IBIS is nothing short of spectacular and is the main reason I bought the camera, as I already have a GH2.
I agree it is a HUGE advancement is IS and I was very impressed by those images. I suspect you're also right that we'll see something similar showing up in new models. It will be interesting to see if Olympus puts it in their entire line.
But it's very disappointing that it only works in the slowest burst modes. At least OIS works at any burst rate.
Actually I wasn't putting down the camera, just the video. And yes, it actually made me feel sick, but I've had multi-million dollar IMax films do that too - typically ocean-type movies. Standing in one spot shoot a non-moving (no pans or tilts or rolling shots) with any sort of IS engaged will often cause drift. That's why many of us won't do it. If you want to do something impressive, do it from a moving vehicle or while walking. You'll still have to minimize vertical and lateral movements, but that's a very good test. BTW, it also takes skill to run a steadycam well, so don't expect miracles.
You sure about that? The manual doesn't mention anything that I found about IS being disabled during sequential shooting at either High vs. Low rates. Isn't IS on unless you specifically select the option to turn it off during sequential shots in the menu? edit: EM5 IS is confirmed to WORK during sequential shooting. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&thread=41390275 . Tip of the hat to Rik Keller for the text message with the aforementioned dplink. I wish the EXIF data indicated IS state. That'd sure be useful to reference in this series to see if IS was indeed utilized: {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {}
