lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

I looked at the A7 and the A7r, and the EVF on the r is too jiggly for my taste. Also, the Oly EM-1 spoiled me for a camera that's moderately priced and executed so very well. The EM-1's IBIS is truly a difference-maker, and somehow should find its way into the A7r. It needs it!

hb3 Loc: Texas

So true...two major components of capturing a quality photo are focus and IS...the OMD EM1 and EM5 lead the way...when taking almost any wildlife shot, I use the autofocus and then refine with the focus ring; a beautiful thing combined with the 5axis IS, I never need a tripod with these 68 year old hands...

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I have to respectfully disagree with stabilization... Photographers have gotten sharp images without any form of stabilization other than a tripod. None of the macro or bird images on my Flickr stream are stabilized in any way (lens/body/tripod) ... My Pen E-P3 has in body stabilization & I really haven't noticed any benefit. Sure, it can help with your movement, but not subject movement... I'm 65 & have no problems with holding the camera steady (thankfully)

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

How does the EM1 image quality compare to FF cameras? What is the lens availability like for the EM1?

hb3 Loc: Texas

You hold the subject movement "still" with shutter speed.

I respectfully disagree regarding IS, you make the case your self by saying one can stabilize with a tripod, which is certainly true...but how nice it is to never need a tripod and that is the beauty of the in-body IS stabilization of the OMD EM1 and EM5. BTW, your Pen E-P3 does not have the in-body 5 axis IS system found only in the EM5 and EM1...

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

While theoretically that is true, in practice it isn't always so easy to attain, especially with the longer focal length lenses. It all depends on the lighting of the situation at hand... Take a look at the images on my stream, no IS or tripod on any of them... I am aware that that the E-P3 only has 3 axis stabilization. I have just never seen the benefit from even that...... Could be the subjects I shoot though. Not saying it can't be advantageous, just that it isn't the panacea many make it out to be.

hb3 Loc: Texas

No theory here...just results...I use the OLY 75-300mm MFT lens daily and most shots are taken at 300mm(600mm equivalent), never need a tripod and get very sharp images using the OMD-EM5.

I've attached a shot from just yesterday of a Great Blue Heron from a distance of some 50-60 yards; hand held...both the original and a crop are shown. The bird was walking through the water at the lake's edge.

Total weight of camera and lens...2 pounds!

Details:

Olympus OMD-EM5
Oly 75-300mm lens
Focal Length 300mm (600 mm equivalent)
Exp Time 1/800 sec
ISO 320
Aperture F6.7
Exp Bias -3.0
Metering "Spot"

(Download)


(Download)

mel Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

Sony just came out with a palm size full frame. Only a couple of grand. :shock:

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

The EM1 images compare well. The reviews of all cameras on DPR website (under Buying Guide, choose camera side by side compare) allow you to do the comparison yourself by selecting the cameras you want to compare; you see the same studio shots done with those cameras and settings and magnifications so that you can see for yourself. It's an excellent tool. The various writings of Michael Reichman on Luminous Landscape, including his article about the EM1 as his choice of camera of the year, are also informative for those of us who enjoy travel and landscape photography. The website of Robin Wong has good examples if you like street photography.

Lens availability is excellent with m43 choices from Olympus, Panasonic and Sigma. Olympus has always made excellent glass and even the lower cost lenses perform well. But the m43 cameras can use ANY lens with an adapter so you can use your own older lenses if you choose or pick up bargains and exotics here and there as well as build a dedicated m43 collection. I use a mix of m43 and older Oly lenses.

Huge selling point to me was size/weight. I just returned from two weeks in Europe. My walk around kit included my EM1, 9-18, 12-50. 40-150, 20 prime and weighed a little over 2 lbs in a small bag that doubled as my purse. Could walk all day with it and barely notice it.

stephena Loc: Carmel, Indiana

I am interested in which bag you selected. Steve

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I am not sure this is meant for me but if so, my bag is a lower pro passport sling, meant for a DSLR+ 2 lenses. I can carry both m43 cameras (EM1 and EM5), the lenses I mentioned, plus the 75-300 zoom and 45 prime and still get my wallet and other personal stuff in there.

I've been a bag junkie for years but got this one 2+ years ago and don't look at bag ads any more.

stephena Loc: Carmel, Indiana

Thanks. I am looking for a bag for two Fuji bodies plus lens plus stuff. I'll look at the one you mentioned. Steve

anotherview Loc: California

Ditto what Dun1 says.

I recently bought the Fujifilm X-E2 mirrorless camera with the "kit" lens. Its operation takes some getting used for a Canon shooter. But it produces photographs of outstanding quality.

Fujifilm will soon release a replacement lens of this kit lens with apparently even better optics and an f/2.8 fixed aperture throughout the zoom focal lengths.

I have yet to explore all the camera settings. Fujifilm has a Web-site devoted to getting the most out of this camera. The Web-site supplements the camera manual.

The built-in Fujifilm film looks add to the attraction of this product. Further, Adobe Camera Raw offers these film looks as options -- very useful in deciding later which film look does justice to a given photograph.

Even the kit lens has high-quality optics that give impressive results. For example, these optics near eliminate blue fringing around tree leaves against a blue sky. The colors appear true while slightly contrasty.

I could go on. But let me say Fujifilm has take a leap forward in photographic technology with this X-E2 camera.

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

http://tysonrobichaudphotography.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/olympus-75mm-f1-8-vs-canon-135-...

This article compares two lenses, but one is on the em5 (almost exact image quality as em1), and the other is on a full frame canon. You can see for yourself.

You can, with the proper adapter, use almost every lens ever made for slr's and dslr's on the em1. And it's native lenses include the highly acclaimed 4/3 line of lenses plus a growing list of incredible m4/3 lenses, one of which is compared in the article.

randomeyes Loc: wilds of b.c. canada

I am seeing a lot of threads regarding the reasons for purchasing a MFT or mirrorless being the weight of a DSLR, upwards to 6lbs!!!!! Holy smokes you'd think you were carrying a boat anchor around.
There is nothing wrong with just saying "I'm going to buy a
MFT or mirrorless because I want one, period. I realize that sometimes excuses have to be made to significant others regarding camera purchases " You know dear if I pack this big Nikon all over Europe, I'm going to get a hernia"!
Are we becoming a nation of "wussies" that we cannot carry a bit of extra weight.
I and my buddies are well into their 60's and carry a full kit,
camera, lenses, tripod etc.
If you want to buy a mirrorless, extol the virtues of the camera, don't blame the staqggering weight of your DSLR.
Lets man up!!