SteveG wrote:
I have really gotten used to Sony's menu especially since the Nex 6, but I had an Olympus OM-D EM10 Mark II from my daughter and that is a big reason I'm not anxious about it. I'd have to get all new lenses and I have pretty much what I want with the A7II. My main reason on switching is going from the 28-70mm kit, which is poorly rated but is really not as bad as it's reviewed, to going to the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 as my everyday. I compared images from my daughter's camera, albeit a kit lens to the Sony a7II with its kit and there's definitely a dynamic range difference and just an added "punch" to the full frame. Is that 12-40 really going to give me image quality that I won't miss that A7II? Not to mention that menu system?
I have really gotten used to Sony's menu especiall... (
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The 12-40 is Olympus' Pro glass. It is very sharp and well-corrected. It's probably as good as anything near its Micro 4/3 zoom range, with the possible exception of the new Panasonic Leica 10-50mm f/1.7 (which fits Olympus, too, but costs $1800!).
As both lenses and bodies contribute to image quality, it is really hard to say whether YOU will be satisfied or not. I worried like crazy when I switched from a Canon 50D and 5D II and Canon GL2 video cameras to my Lumix GH4. Yes, the dynamic range is a little less. Yes, the low light performance only reaches to two stops slower than full frame sensors, and about 2/3 stop slower than APS-C Canon.
That said, what contributed most to my switch was the hybrid nature of what I do. The GH4 was a HUGE step up for video performance. It was a minor step down in absolute still image performance, but there is no perceivable change in quality FOR WHAT I DO (training content development — writing, photography, narration, and videography, all of which is delivered on the Internet or Intranets as linked video and PDF downloads. In my case, portability, ease of use, and speed of use are key.
I print very little. But I have made a few 40x30" prints that look fantastic from their normal 50 to 75 inch viewing range of 1 to 1.5 times the print diagonal. I would buy the new Sony A7 Mark IV in a minute if I were a landscape photographer, though.
Here are two lists of Micro 4/3 lenses you should be aware of:
http://hazeghi.org/mft-lenses.htmlhttp://wrotniak.net/photo/m43/lenses.htmlMicro 4/3 is a godsend for travel... I have a complete audio, video, and stills kit that slides under an airline seat. I used to travel with two big Pelican cases in checked baggage!
Since you're looking at the Micro 4/3 platform, you really owe it to yourself to look at the same-class offerings from Panasonic. The G85 I mentioned above is similar to the EM5 II. The Lumix G95 is a major update of that, just announced.
Check these reviews:
Olympus:
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympus-om-d-e-m5-iiLumix G85:
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-g85-g80Lumix G95:
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dc-g95-g90-review-in-progress