Olympus E-5 hands-on preview

[diane margetts]

I'm hoping for good reviews too . . . four thirds works for me because of the smaller, lighter lenses, good glass, etc . . . I just don't want to invest heavily in something that can't compete over the long haul. Of course, on the other hand, as long as it meets my needs and Olympus continues to support it; I guess that's all that counts . . . I am taking my cue from the experts on this site. Right now I have the e-510 with the kit lenses and the 70-300. I am ready to upgrade and it's time to make a final decision about the direction I'm going to go and stay with . . .

[Life of Brian]

Originally Posted by daphoto

I agree with you pretty much on everything, but it's actually about 120kg of he, not she Do I have my gender stated wrong somewhere, please tell me if I do so that I can correct it?

The ISO comparisons can be found here.

Daphoto

LOL, apologies Daphoto, dont know where that came from , glad we are in agreement though. Thanks for link I'll have a look later.

B

[Life of Brian]

Originally Posted by Life of Brian

LOL, apologies Daphoto, dont know where that came from , glad we are in agreement though. Thanks for link I'll have a look later.

B

Daphoto, Nice though they are (god I love that 50mm Macro) Images shot at ISO 200 & 400 are not really telling us anything are they?

[daphoto]

Originally Posted by Life of Brian

Daphoto, Nice though they are (god I love that 50mm Macro) Images shot at ISO 200 & 400 are not really telling us anything are they?

Hey,

I just noticed that they have removed the large picture with E-5 and E-3 compared. The range was from ISO100 to ISO1600 on that. Should have downloaded that picture when i had the chance

There still are a few photos taken at ISO3200 and ISO6400 at Olddos Facebook wall if you follow the links on the bottom of that post.

Daphoto

[Life of Brian]

Originally Posted by daphoto

Hey,

I just noticed that they have removed the large picture with E-5 and E-3 compared. The range was from ISO100 to ISO1600 on that. Should have downloaded that picture when i had the chance

There still are a few photos taken at ISO3200 and ISO6400 at Olddos Facebook wall if you follow the links on the bottom of that post.

Daphoto

I did see those images and they looked quite good but its low light images I want to see. Anyway, I think I have made my mind up, 7D it is although the new Nikon D7000 had me thinking for a while but its not out quickly enough for me.

[Life of Brian]

Originally Posted by daphoto

Hey,

I just noticed that they have removed the large picture with E-5 and E-3 compared. The range was from ISO100 to ISO1600 on that. Should have downloaded that picture when i had the chance

There still are a few photos taken at ISO3200 and ISO6400 at Olddos Facebook wall if you follow the links on the bottom of that post.

Daphoto

I saw those images earlier Daphoto, they are shot in good light and its low light I want to see the performance, anyway I think I have made my mind up and that is to move on to elsewhere. Not because necessarily of the spec of this camera but because of the message it sends out about the longevity of the 4/3rds system. As someone else said this camera noise free at 3200 will be superb. £1500 is also incredibly steep for the spec level and I would not be prepared to fork that out. I am going to sell of of my E-system kit which has cost me a few pounds since my E-500 twin lens kit in 2006 and it breaks my heart to do so as I know I am throwing away a lot of cash and getting a lot less equipment in its place. So its starting all over again for me which will be exciting but equally annoying as it will take me long enough to get back to the kit level I have just now.

[John Perriment]

Originally Posted by Life of Brian

I saw those images earlier Daphoto, they are shot in good light and its low light I want to see the performance, anyway I think I have made my mind up and that is to move on to elsewhere. Not because necessarily of the spec of this camera but because of the message it sends out about the longevity of the 4/3rds system. As someone else said this camera noise free at 3200 will be superb. £1500 is also incredibly steep for the spec level and I would not be prepared to fork that out. I am going to sell of of my E-system kit which has cost me a few pounds since my E-500 twin lens kit in 2006 and it breaks my heart to do so as I know I am throwing away a lot of cash and getting a lot less equipment in its place. So its starting all over again for me which will be exciting but equally annoying as it will take me long enough to get back to the kit level I have just now.

So it's still going to cost you more in the long run than waiting a comparitively short while for the E-5 price to drop? I read in another post that you are considering the 7D. Have you thought about which lenses you will use with it? I suspect that with 17mp on a crop sensor you will need 'L' series glass to make the most of the resolution and I wouldn't be surprised if even some of the better lenses struggle a bit.

Regardless what the future holds, the E-5 would keep your existing system viable for at least three years and over that period (taking into account your existing lenses) would probably be more cost effective, considering that by then you would no doubt be thinking of changing the 7D anyway. Why not wait until we get some proper comparison shots and reviews over the next few weeks?

However, it's your call.

[daphoto]

If the D7000 isn't out soon enough for him, I doubt the price will drop for the E-5 in that time either.

Not because necessarily of the spec of this camera but because of the message it sends out about the longevity of the 4/3rds system.

This is a thing that's worrying me also, so I feel your pain there.

Congratulations for making the switch and I hope Canon will treat you well.

Daphoto

[John Perriment]

Originally Posted by Life of Brian

Not because necessarily of the spec of this camera but because of the message it sends out about the longevity of the 4/3rds system.

I'm afraid I don't understand this "message." What should Olympus have done that they haven't that wouldn't have sent out the wrong message?

Brand new sensor? 16mp instead of 12mp? ISO12800? 1080 HD video?

Or is it that they are so heavily involved in the development of Micro Four Thirds?

Canon are rumoured to be developing a 22mp mirrorless camera with a sensor size very similar to Four Thirds, but 3:2 aspect ratio. If the rumor is true it is due for release, with the first two of a whole new range of lenses, in the second quarter of next year.

http://www.eoshd.com/content/346-Exc...ion-technology


22mp? If Canon's small sensor technology is that advanced what does the long term future hold for their conventional DSLRs? Don't want to worry you, but.......

Like it or not new, truly innovative and revolutionary technology is coming. It will affect users of all formats and all brands over the coming years and at this stage there is no way of predicting who the eventual winners and losers will be. The Four Thirds format and the Olympus E-System is as safe or as "at risk" as any other! However, I do believe that Olympus innovation and the company's head start in the mirrorless market will hold them in good stead.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by yalcrab

I can't see the point in comparing the E5 against the E3 which is 3 years older, after all the important bit is the ISO, DR and IQ performance.

As the E5 has a tweaked EPL1 sensor/processing engine, how much better is it going to be than the EPL1, I would hope a lot but only the reviews will tell.

I am hopping that the ISO, DR and IQ are equal or better than the D60, D7 and D300s , that would be a winner.

Price wise I think that it is far to expensive unless it delivers, even then it is not cheap.

Will Oly ever get the pany sensor ??.

Although I am now only M4/3 I would love to see the E5 be a great camera.

Cheers ken

Of course the point is to inform E-3 owners about any improvement that they can expect if they would consider upgrading to an E-5. Surely that's obvious?

Olympus has only used Panasonic sensors since 2006.

Ian