Linda S.

Hello, I just received Steadify's version 2 (now includes a ball head) to help with my Canon 5D4 steadiness when in Iceland. It will take some getting used to...that is for sure. I also just rented for one week the above mirrorless camera gear from LensRentals. I chose it for it has 7.5 stops of image stabilization in the camera!

So my questions are: has anyone used this camera specifically or another Olympus brand? Is it well-made? Is there anything I should specifically focus on (no pun intended!)

I have read the reviews and it appears it is well-made, but I trust your responses more. I have read many reviews on micro four thirds vs full frame. I know it is a smaller sensor, but my Canon G3X is even smaller and my photos were fine for an avid amateur when in Tuscany. So, although, there is a hit in depth-of-field, and I love taking close-ups/macros of flowers, it appears that is isn't that much of an issue now as Olympus now offers a macro lens.

Very interested in hearing your comments. A fellow UHH member suggested an Olympus to help with my hands shaking...getting older and this body is just not cooperating with my mind's age! Thank you in advance.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

I have had a pair of Olympus's OM-D E-M5 II since 2015 (along with a couple of good Olymus lenses 12-40mm f2.8 and 40-150mm f2.8). They are good cameras.
A slight downside is that there is a learning curve for the menu system (the camera is very customable).

Just be carefull to shield the viewfinder from the direct sun if you have the dioptre adjusted to the maximum. You may get green splotches appearing on the screen (I don't know if it happens with newer models). It happened to one of my bodies, however I just live with it.

Even without a macro lens they are fine for taking close ups of flowers.

Linda S.

Thank you very much RichardTaylor.

Appreciate the Insight regarding the diopter. I have to say your photo of the green leaves with the light shining on them is really a stellar Stellar photograph! Both in composition and just how it looks. Thank you for the link!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I went to the launch of E-M1X and it is a phenomenal camera. But since you are traveling, pair it with 12-100 f4 Pro IS or add the 60 f2.8 macro and 40-150 f2.8 Pro lens to go with your rented 12-40 f2.8 Pro lens. I would not suggest using the 12-200 f3.5/6.3 unless you intend to do most of your shots at f5.6 to f11 and accept whatever ISO and shutter speed you get. I shoot in the rain and snow any and all the time with my E-M1mkII. And the E-M1X is even better sealed than my camera. With that camera, not very likely you will need a tripod. Learn to use the Super Control Panel before trying to master the scroll menu. You will be hold the world's most sophisticated camera when you hold the E-M1X (no Canon or Nikon or any other camera can compete with its Artificial Intelligence).

Linda S.

Thank you wdross. This information is very helpful. I only rented the one lens because I have the camera for only a week and I just want to use it as a walk around and see how it works. With that lens and body compared to the comprable Canon 24-70? The Olympus is about three-quarters of a pound lighter. That would not normally be enough to move to a new system but with a 7 and 1/2 stops of image stabilization in the camera I have to see if that really makes a difference. If after the week I decide to move forward, then I will revisit your lens selection. Thank you!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

The 12-40 f2.8 is totally comparable to the Canon 24-70. The 12-40 is a workhorse lens. Along with the companion lens 40-150 f2.8 and the 60 f2.8 macro lens, it is quite a setup for traveling. But that's three lenses in size and weight. I have traveled Germany with my 7-14 f2.8 and E-M1mkII along with a rented 12-100 f4 Pro IS for nearly two weeks, two rainstorm, the cold and snow of Zugspitze, and travel by train, boat, and bus. Except for three (3) shots, the 12-100 was capable of covering everything quite adequately. It is a very sharp and low light capable lens for this type of lens. My findings for the 12-100 it suffers slightly in the corners at 12 f4 and diffraction starts to really affect the image after f11. Other than that, it is sharp throughout the range and f-stops. Also, it is capable of close-up shooting of ~0.4 to ~0.6 (half lifesize). One should take a polarizer and 3 stop neutral density filter. Even though some scenes look dark, 2 and 4 second handheld shots amount to a lot of light. The neutral density filter will keep your exposure to more normal settings instead of pushing the exposure to the camera's limits for ISO and aperture. In my opinion, you will find that the IBIS will serve you well using the 12-40 f2.8 Pro lens. But if you can switch the rental lens to the 12-100 f4 Pro IS, the ILIS along with the IBIS is a tripod killer combination that you will really come to love.

bikerguy

About 5 months ago I switched from Canon to Olympus and purchased the EM1M2. It is so much better than the Canon system and a friend of mine just switched from Nikon and said the same thing. The menu is complex because the camera is so sophisticated and can do things that no DSLR can accomplish. Download and read the manual before the rental period starts and decide what is important to you for the tuse. Here is your one problem, after you use the Oly for a week you will be selling all of your Canon gear.

There are several very good Olympus user You Tubers to watch. If you want to see a direct comparison between the Canon 5D and the Oly EM1X check out Tim Boyer's channel. He switched and did a video comparison of the two systems.

papaluv4gd Loc: durham,ct

I aggree with wdross. I have the original version of the E-m1 series camera. Have handled the E-m1 ii, and the E-m1x. Both are marvels of photographic technology. Many people comment on the menu being somewhat complicated, Personaly,I picked up on it with very little frustration. I have used canon and nikons,and they all have their share of confusion. I'm in the olympus stone age compared to the newer offerings from olympus. Trust me. you Will buy one. The controls are (to me) layed out very intuitively. Have a fun trip,post some shots for us all,and enjoy that olympus.

gleneric Loc: Calgary, Alberta

I have been hooked on the Olympus brand since the mid 1970s and have nothing negative to say about them at all. Recently acquired the EM1 MkII and the 12-100 lens and have been floored by how much clearer and faster everything is compared to my "old" EM5 (which I was quite happy with for many years ... it now moves into "backup body" role). Also, build quality is fantastic in my opinion, particularly on the pro series lenses. The 12-100 lens is my first with the sliding ring for switching into and out of manual focus ... "best thing since sliced bread" IMO :)

As for the menu system, I have no complaints but then I have never delved into the menus of any other brand for comparison. Once you get everything set the way you want it (including deciding on functions for the generic "Fn" buttons available to you) there is not a lot of need to regularly go digging through menus anyways. I have found that the EM1 MkII has far more settings directly available from buttons on the back or top panels and the multiple adjustment dials/wheels at your index finger and thumb than I have on the older EM5.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I have the Olympus m5 II and the 12-40 Pro lens. The in-camera stabilization is remarkable and it’s two iterations behind the 1X. You’ll be amazed at how slow you can go hand held. As for the 12-40 Pro, you’ll adore it, at least I do! Tack sharp! I also really like the clutch that takes you from af to manual focus. Do give yourself a couple of days in advance of your trip to learn the camera. Have a great trip!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have not used the new camera by Olympus but I use often the OM-10 Mk II and my Pen EP-5 to entire satisfaction. Both are amateur cameras, not built to the specs of the professional OM-DE-M 1X but both are well built and offer outstanding performance in my opinion.
These little cameras have lots of technologies built in and image quality is excellent. The camera you have rented is slightly larger than the models I have and as I said it is a professional tool.
You will not have enough time to learn the camera in one week.

Thorburn Loc: Virginia

I own the Olympus the Pen F and 3 M-Zuiko lens, I love my system.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I have an Olympus PENF. It is an extremely useful and well made camera. It will take some time to understand the menus but they are not more difficult than moving to another unfamiliar brand of camera.
Have no fear Olympus cameras are super. There are features on these cameras that are difficult or impossible to do with my Nikon.

WillC2000 Loc: Georgetown, TX

I have the EM1X and it is a fantastic camera. I agree with all the positive comments others have made about Olympus products. If you are testing the camera’s image stabilization, my advice to you would be to test it with a longer lens than the 12-40mm. I would suggest the 40-150mm. I am 82 years old and mainly a bird photographer. For birds, I usually use the Olympus 300mm lens (hand held but sometimes with a monopod) and find the IS more than adequate.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Olympus makes excellent cameras and lenses... about half of the Micro 4/3 camera models available, and about 26 of the 111 or so lenses available for the platform.

http://wrotniak.net/photo/m43/lenses.html

When I switched to mirrorless, I tried both the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and the Panasonic Lumix GH4. I was coming from a mix of Canons and Nikons, a Canon 5D II, 7D, and 50D, and a Nikon D70 and D100.

While I absolutely loved what Oly had done with IBIS, the Oly E-M1 menus were indecipherable, by comparison. The body felt way too small and light in my hand.

The Panny GH4, on the other hand, had a very clean menu setup, with explanatory help on every page. And it fit my hands like it was made for me. All the controls I use all the time are immediately available as hardware dials and buttons, and my hands don't feel awkward, too big, or too small.

So... I think you are very wise to TRY before you buy! You may like the E-M1X just fine. But if not, try the Lumix G9 or GH5. They both use the same lenses as Olympus models.

Raw files from both brands are indistinguishable from one another because they both use the same Sony sensor. The processors ARE different, so you'll see some differences in JPEGs. You may like one or the other.

Panasonic has what they call Dual IS II stabilization. It combines in-body image stabilization with in-lens image stabilization. Most Lumix lenses with ILIS will work with Panasonic IBIS.

Autofocus is very different between these brands. The top Oly models use a combination of contrast detect AF and phase detect AF. The Panny models are all contrast detect only. Contrast detect AF is best for still life subjects. It snaps onto a subject far more accurately. Phase detect AF works best with action, since it works faster. In practice, I've never cared, but then I rarely record fast action.

Best of luck with the rental!