lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

Could we please, please, PLEASE limit responses to those who can answer based upon actual experience with the camera?
Costco has a good sale on this camera right now and there are several advantages over either of my Pentax cameras that I am thinking of buying one. That and I'm still pretty steamed at the K50 going TU with less than 2000 exposures clocked AND Ricoh not even bothering to reply to my request for info about fixing the camera FOC since it is virtually like new. (for the purposes of this discussion I have the new part and I think I can repair it myself)
So, my questions;
I have large hands and the shooting situation will require I shoot one handed. Is the camera easy to use like this?
Since it has no mirror to slap about I'm assuming the camera is quiet. Does it make any noise that could be heard at 20 feet or so?
Have you taken stills out of the 4K video. The comparison site listed the video frame at 3840 X 2160, twice as big as the video of the K50. Can I expect excellent quality individual frames when shooting at 4K?
Maximum frame rate is roughly 30% better than the K50. If I can't get quality frames from video, can I just shoot continuously for 5 to 10 seconds at a time?
The size comparison shows the Oly at 13mm shorter (Base to top of EVF) than the K50. Have you ever used the camera while wearing a full face helmet? Can you get the viewfinder up to your eye?
Are the controls easy enough that I can switch back and forth between photo and video?
Are the camera settings visible in the EVF? If so, are they easy to see?
I will not be able to change batteries during the shooting session. How do you rate battery life? Will I have problems if I have the camera on for say two hours?
Thanks in advance for any and all answers.

Rick

Beenthere

Hi Isaguy. I've not used my MkIII with a full face helmet, nor would I even try. I'm not sure how easy it is to switch between still photo and video modes, but it's on my list of things to try. The camera settings are visible in the EVF and very easy to see, I do it all the time. As for battery life the battery that comes with the camera, from Olympus, is fairly robust, as opposed to aftermarket, but leaving it on for 2 hours is questionable. I tend to turn the camera off between shot locations so it doesn't stay on for more than a few minutes at a time. Aside from that, there are a lot of things being powered by the battery so anything you don't need like the LCD viewer can be shut down. Lenses meant more for video, that have electronic zooming function, should also be avoided as the motors in them drain power. Also in an effort to keep the package small battery size has to be considered. Everything else is up to your personal needs, but the camera is a damned good one and once its particulars are understood will serve you well. I have 3 other Olympus cams including a MkII and they all perform in similar ways with only slight differences.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I have an OM-D EM-5 Mii. It is very similar in form fit and function. I will try to answer all your questions.

This is a small camera. That is one of the reasons I purchased it. I can shoot one handed, the shutter, function buttons and control wheels are all on the right side but I have small hands. I fear that large fingers would make pressing the function buttons much harder. I find that the on/off switch is difficult to flip with one hand. I have to use two hands for that.

The camera has an electronic AND a mechanical shutter. Default configuration it makes the usual shutter noise and a beep when focused. However it can be programmed for silent mode, electronic shutter only, and no beeps. There are some limits on the shutter speed using only the E-shutter.

I have not taken much video with it.

I have two Suomi full face helmets, with one of them it is possible to almost get the viewfinder to my eye by tilting the camera inward a little. With the other, it is not possible go get the viewfinder to my eye. I usually take my helmet off If I am working a shot but for a snapshot I might leave my helmet on. And then that’s what the LCD is made for right? OH that is one nit. I usually leave the LCD positioned with the screen inside and cover outside. It is difficult to flip the LCD open, even with my small hands.

The video button is in the corner is a bit difficult to access, but I like that as I don’t accidentally turn it on. That function can be programmed to another button if desired. Again large hands/big fingers, might make it more difficult to operate the controls.

Olympus OM-Ds have a super mode that shows ALL the camera settings, visible in the EVF, with the press of a button. When shooting you have a choice of several different image overlays or none. They are easily visible in the EVF.

Battery life sucks (compared to my DSLR). Not using the LCD, turning off image replay, managing the battery, I can usually get a day of shooting out of a fully charged battery. But I ALWAYS carry an extra fully charged battery. It is possible to degrade a DSLR battery life to almost as bad, by using the LCD viewfinder continuously, 3-d tracking, burst mode shooting, etc. However managing both DSLR and Mirrorless in the same way, the DSLR will have a better battery life. I think 2 hrs even shooting heavy, should not be a problem with a fully charged battery and managing as I said.

I hope that helps.

One note, the camera provides a lot of options for configuration, programming function buttons, etc. But that is a double edged sword. The menu system is complex, not real intuitive, and it takes some time to learn. But the super menu is your friend here! Oddly that is turned off by default!! Turn it on right away and life gets better. It will take some time to go through the menus and set it up. But that only needs to happen once. I read several on-line articles and then sat with the camera and went through all the setup options. After that I was good to go.

Is it possible you can rent a camera an try it out? Compare it to your current camera. That would provide real world experience answers to your questions.

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

Thanks for taking so much time to give such detailed answers. I've not received many replies and I deliberately did not describe the shooting situation in detail. I've had many flights in my hang glider when eagles have come right up to my wingtip but, of course, I never had a camera with me. I'm planning on going back out to the pacific northwest for an extended stay either this summer or next and visiting all my old sites. Maybe I'll get lucky. I can hope, anyway. Thanks again

Rick

JD750 Loc: SoCal

You are most welcome. That explains why you do not want to take the helmet off. ;) And your avatar.

You might want to give the Pen-F a look. It might be a better format for what you need, and Kai W gave it pretty good real world review. However I do not think it is weather sealed like the OM-D. Personally I need the weather sealing because I carry my camera with me and sometimes it is raining or foggy or windy and dusty.

I am looking forward to seeing some "Eagle in flight" pics!

PS - regarding battery life, I don't turn it off between shot locations when I am shooting. I leave it turned on, the camera goes to sleep when not shooting, and then after a longer period of time it shuts down completely. When that happens, the power lever has to be cycled to turn it back on. Naturally both of those functions can be set or disabled. I have mine set for auto-off after 4 hrs.

Beenthere

Just a note to inform you that only two of the OM-D series cams are weather sealed and the EM10 MkIII is not one of them. However you can get half way there if you use a weather sealed lens. This points out the great thing about the OM-D series.., they can all use the same lenses. Like one other reply, I too would love to see some of your high flying photos.., and I now understand the helmet thing as I was thinking Motorcycle.