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.

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!

I moved from a Nikon system because it was too heavy. a D600 body and a Tamron 24-80 zoom and a 70-210 Zoom where too much to drag around. I traded all my Nikon FX and DX cameras and lenses and bought an Olympus OMD EM! MkII. Yes the menu is challenging but after a month and one conversation with Olympus I have got it. I bought the 12-100mm f4.0 lens and the 60mm macro (very sharp) and the 45mm f1.8. It covers most of my needs. If I need a longer lens, which is not often I have a Panasonic DMC FZ1000 which goes from 25-400mm (35mm equiv) which is very light and reasonably sharp enough for my needs.I am happy with the Oly and recently shot a friends mothers 100 year birthday with available light. The 12-100mm f4.0 and the camera performed better then anticipated. I miss the FF resolution but the Oly system produces great images.

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.

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.

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.