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>>>>>>>>>> PROCESSING / HOUSING
The OM-D processing is beyond any doubt. Everything fills up very strong and robust, but also what one notices on weight. Because compared to the compact dimensions, the camera is quite hard, but also contributes to the quality impression.
Especially great and one of my reasons for the purchase is the dust and splash protection. Finally no longer need to store the camera when it starts to rain and even take pictures even in winter with snow.
The retro look is sure Geschmackssachem, but I find it really very well done. In the black variant of the handle has a grain, more reminiscent of modern synthetic fabrics and thus looks more elegant and more modern. Who likes it right Retro takes the silver variant whose grip comes with typical grain leather.
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>>>>>>>>>> HANDLING / Ergonomics
A molded handle such a large DSLR the OM-D does not provide. The gripping surface on the front is fairly smooth. At the back there for a very well-placed thumb rest, the grip is greatly improved and you can also take pictures with one hand without any problems. Overall, the camera fits comfortably in your hand, but not very good.
The buttons feel unusual spongy. Particularly the arrow keys on the four-way cross like me not so. Otherwise, these are all very easy to reach and respond promptly. However, the keys, due to the compact size of the camera, something small. Who does not want large DSLR with rumschleppen, has just able to enter into compromises. Do not interfere with something small buttons, but could people with big hands have trouble handling the camera.
The two control wheels at the top are very high quality, offering just the right resistance and can be moved so pleasant. The wheel lying slightly above and to the left can be theoretically operated with the thumbs up from behind, but it's up for a little too far left. It is better than access with the forefinger from the front. Sounds complicated, but it's not. The two control wheels, the trigger and two freely programmable buttons are located on the top together while close, but can be distinguished by different levels of good arrangement and contribute to an outstanding workflow.
The playback and Fn1 button at the top right of the back are very small and with the thumb a little hard to use, but can be operated using the index finger even by reaching over. With the OK button you have quick access to all the other settings that you have not yet placed a button on any.
The statements about an unclear or unreasonable menu I can not understand at all. There are certainly Clearer, but I got used to it after a few minutes. There is just simply a whole lot to adjust. Not so nice are the many abbreviations that are really unnecessary because there is enough space. Generally one understands but what is meant. Much more serious is the poor translation. Is translated dye the color space with room you can certainly get over, but the info boxes are partially incomprehensible. Since I wanted to know if it really is due to the translation, I have asked the language in English and behold suddenly all this was quite understandable.
Overall, this is everything but not so bad as it might affects 5-6 menu items, and indeed by no means sufficiently serious such as a missing feature. A look at the manual, however, is urgently needed in any case.
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>>>>>>>>>> EQUIPMENT / configurability
Before I enumerate what there is everything to functions I prefer to say that does not exist compared to the competition. A panoramic function, HDR function where the photos are the same together and missing wifi function.
Otherwise, there is almost everything a photographer's heart and a genuine world first live Bulb. But the most important thing for me and also purchasing decision compared to the Sony NEX 6 is the high configurability.
A total of 5 buttons and two control wheels can be individually assign functions. Even the otherwise useless for me Video button gets so a useful function. The lens has furthermore still an assignable button, I usefully occupied by the switch from MF / AF. Who but eh snaps only with autofocus can here but also something else put on it. All is not distributed to key functions are easily accessible via the OK button. In addition, you can set many many other little things that enumerate now is beyond the scope.
The display has 610,000 pixels with on rather moderate for the price range. Although this is perfectly adequate, but a little more would have been quite nice. With pixels but Olympus seems generally not to be so generous. For the display with OLED technology offers a very bright and high-contrast image. That's just not folding and swiveling could interfere with one or the other, but not me. The touch function is a nice touch, especially focus and trigger the targeted.
The viewfinder resolves just fine as my Sony SLT-A57 with 1.44 million pixels. However, it is much richer in contrast as the SLT-A57. The pull-in effect during pivoting is low and can be improved for sports in the menu even further, but with very slight Einbusen in the resolution. Spirit level and live histogram can be also Show.
The image stabilizer works very well and is a good optical stabilizer of an objective in every way. With resting elbow, a steady hand and a little practice s blur-free images are possible even with a release time of 1/2. The fact that the image stabilizer is true only loud if you set it so that it is already working with the focus (Halfway down). Otherwise, the barely audible and otherwise he is not as loud as some other stabilizer.
EDIT: With M.Zuiko 40-150mm recently tested: blur-free images at 150mm focal length, 1 / 10s shutter speed and from the (quiet) hand, are possible - Super!
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>>>>>>>>> Autofocus / SPEED
One should be clear from the outset that you are dealing with a contrast autofocus. This means that the object with the highest contrast is focused in the picture and need not necessarily be the object of which is a closest. The complete focus field to focus on use makes sense only in the rarest cases. I mostly used the middle 9 AF points. But even then it is possible that the background is focused. This rarely happens, however. In general, the camera focuses very safe and precise. The advantage of the contrast autofocus is, which is always focused exactly, front or back focus there is not. For more information to just look under "Related Links" at the end of the review.
The AF speed is phenomenal quickly. So just makes fun to photograph.
The continuous autofocus (AF-C) I have not tested, but should not come close to the C-AF of a phase AF.
When you turn the OM-D, however, is not the fastest. Until the camera is ready to shoot can it ever almost 2 sec. Take. Sounds a lot, but you can tell rather rare in practice.
In summary, you will find here a really good autofocus, which contributes also to a large extent, that it's fun to take pictures with the OM-D.
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>>>>>>>>>> IMAGE QUALITY / LENS
The kit lens is my personal surprise at the camera. It is relatively faint, despite an overall length of 8 cm. There goes neither during focusing, even when zooming. Zoom ring, focus ring and bayonet are made of metal, the remainder being very well manufactured plastic. The fact that are united in the objective of mechanical zoom, electronic zoom and a macro function, it is very flexible.
When electric push the zoom ring is fixed and can be easily turn against resistance to the right and the left, which can be very precisely control the speed of the zoom. The mechanical zoom is not quite as smooth, but still head and shoulders above example of the new kit zoom lens of the Sony NEX 6. In macro mode, the focal length is fixed at 43mm and can be especially up close to the object.
Even at full aperture, the images are perfectly sharp and also dim brings hardly any gain in resolution. This is in view of the weak light intensity a good thing. So you can grab the maximum aperture without hesitation at any time.
Overall, it is the good races kit lens that I had previously.
The noise behavior is my Sony SLT-A57, according despite the smaller sensor, in nothing. Especially the shadow noise is significantly less represented in the OM-D, making them ideal for low-light applications. The noise reduction works effectively, but of course lost details. Nevertheless, very few details are swallowed even at the highest smoke suppression to ISO 3200 yet. Since the textures often looked quite muddy from on my SLT-A57. By and large, the noise is very fine and pleasant and should be barely visible on prints even at high ISO speeds.
Overall, the imaging performance of the OM-D is the kit lens already extremely well. But as is true with any camera that you can get the full power from the camera only with corresponding fixed focal length lenses. With the two lenses from Sigma (19mm f / 2.8 and 30mm f / 2.8) you get here even a very good and inexpensive entry.
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>>>>>>>>>>> Lowlight PERFORMANCE
Here one must distinguish you know if you photograph a static or moving subjects. For static subjects, I would argue, the Lowlight properties of the E-M5 is even better than that of many full-format cameras, which is due to the outstanding 5-axis stabilizer. Because of the loose can compensate exposure levels 3-4 and, above all, with fixed focal lengths, which are otherwise hardly stabilized at a camera -. Ie instead of ISO 3200 can I access to ISO 400 or with a steady hand and to ISO 200
With moving subjects, the course looks different. Since I need high shutter speeds and must turn up the ISO setting accordingly, cameras with lower pixel density of course have advantages. Remember you have to but also that I can rely on MFT cameras without problems to open aperture (eg f / 1.8) without the negative impact on the image sharpness. If cameras with larger sensors sharpness with an open aperture is usually not optimal.
It is indeed constantly complained that the MFT sensors rushing stronger and are therefore suitable for worse lowlight situations. Overall, one can say that they rustle more, but are therefore not suitable for the same poor lowlight situations. For static motives especially the OM-D E-M5 is even better than many other camera with a larger sensor.
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>>>>>>>>>>>> CONCLUSION
From a real DSLR, a hybrid with semi-transparent mirror to a mirror-less I have now tried every system once extensively. And finally I can say that I am on target. For me, coming in future no other camera as a mirror lots in question. If Olympus keeps this up, it will again be a Olympus.
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 combines outstanding manner excellent image quality, perfect workmanship, great design and garnish the whole thing with a rapid autofocus and high configurability and customizability. Now. For lovers of hard numbers, my final vote
Processing / Case >> 5 stars (12.5%)
Handling / ergonomics >> 4.5 stars (12.5%)
Features / Configurability >> 4.8 stars (12.5%)
Autofocus / Speed >> 4.7 stars (12.5%)
Picture Quality / Lens >> 4.8 stars (50%)
TOTAL >> 4.8 stars
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+++++ +++++ THE ALTERNATIVES
Panasonic GX7:
Technically, the equipment offers a lot more and also the picture quality is almost the same height. For this purpose it also costs about the same. However, the processing of the OM-D is a bit better and we have to do without the dust and splash protection and 5-axis stabilization. Also the viewfinder is not as well suited for eyeglass wearers.
Panasonic G6:
Similar features as the Panasonic GX7, however, the image quality is poor and minimal processing is not nearly as high. But it is more than 400 EUR cheaper.
Sony NEX 6:
Over 300 EUR cheaper and also excellent Bildqulität. In Dust and splash protection and 5-axis stability you have to give here. In addition, the menu is catastrophic and functionality, ergonomics and AF are significantly worse. Also the viewfinder for eyeglass wearers is again not so good.
Sony NEX 7:
About 200 EUR cheaper and by its 24MP sensor in the low ISO range slightly better image quality. Otherwise, the same applies to as the Sony NEX. 6
Olympus E-P5:
The same price and the same picture quality. Has a few more features and the handling of the dual-programmable setting wheels I think it's great. However, one must do without the dust and splash protection. In addition, no viewfinder is integrated. The you have to buy a separate viewfinder.
Olympus OM-D E-M1:
In all respects, an advancement. The picture quality is only marginally better. Otherwise, the e-M1 is a true professional model with a corresponding price. 700 EUR More needs to be put in relation to the E-M5 on the table.
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+++++ +++++ FURTHER READING
Most will have certainly already looked at all sorts of tests. Who is the English language but should definitely lead the on dpreview.com to heart. This is very detailed and contains a list of all functions and menu items of the OM-D. To me he was a great help, because I wanted to know exactly what I can adjust everything and what functions the camera has.
Here is the link:
>>> The link is not displayed, I'll deposit it in a comment!
Anyone have anything skeptical about the contrast AF and swears by the phase AF who should try out the report on colorfoto.de. Here contrast and phase AF are compared in detail.
Here is the link:
>>> The link is not displayed, I'll deposit it in a comment!
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+++++ ADDENDUM (after 2 months use) +++++
So my review is not the only Lobhymne on the OM-D I would like to make a few criticisms, which I noticed as:
- Unfortunately, you can not focus when filming with the touch screen and has to rely on the autofocus. Manual focusing is a bit difficult for movie beginners because there is no focus peaking. Autofocus could sometimes make a bit faster sharp, broadly I am but coped well with it. For professional films of AF but simply too unreliable.
- The change in the size of the AF field could be directly accessible. For to this end must press 2 buttons you only. It would be better if we could change the size of the AF field immediately after pressing the "Arrow left" key, but it has yet to press the Info button, which is unnecessary and cumbersome would.
- The MySets should have an extra spot on the mode dial. After selecting from the menu is a bit cumbersome. As early as the E-PL5 you could do that. Too bad that his higher Olympus settled models do not conform to the functional range of entry-level models with firmware that will make other manufacturers significantly better. See Panasonic or Fujifilm that their have even donated the Fokuspeaking the favorable X-M1 X-E1.
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+++++++++++ UPDATE 04/2014: no longer the best, but still on the amount of time +++++++++++++++++++++ +
After one year of use, I'm still totally happy with the OM-D E-M5. Despite the two years, it is already on the market, it has not lost any of their topicality. Mostly there are several reasons, such as Wifi and focus Peeking that have evolved. The important things, such as image quality, but are still absolutely at the level of time. Furthermore, it is still somewhat unique - the 5-axis stabilizer and dust-and splash protection coupled with the compactness previously offered by any other camera model.
