To feel: Olympus has improved with this model again the already excellent insular against environmental influences OMD. Fortunately, there are the men and women managed this time to integrate the buttons without jello basis in the case. The Ur-OMD had to take criticism precisely because of its spongy keys often. The new E-M5 Mark II has finally arrived at the processing level of the E-M1. The buttons can be precisely press the D-pad is noticeably better to feel and also the key arrangement like it better in this model. New additions include a total of 4 freely configurable Fn buttons which allow a gigantic adjustment variation of the camera. Really easy reach they are not, however, only the HDR button sat for a week regular use, always palpate straightforward when leaving the camera on the eye. The two knurled wheels have increased in volume and are easy to operate. However, the front wheel has a little more resistance than the rear wheel and also has a little game. I'll be able überpüfen in the coming days whether that represents a manufacturing defect or the seal is owed. The camera is in spite of the minimal strongly shaped handle perfectly in my hand. However, should for Camera friends with big hands and this time the battery grip compulsory (Which, incidentally, does not fit to this beautiful in my eyes camera).
An ergonomic blunder is to my mind the on-off switch on the left side. It is not possible for me to turn the camera as Fuji with one hand. I would have welcomed it if Olympus had shown a little more courage here, and would have placed the power button a little cheaper. The mode dial can also be found in the second generation of the E-M5 on the left and this time Lockout: A new feature that I expressly welcome. In my e-M5 Mark I the wheel has too much play and can be quickly adjusted by accidentally being pulled out of the camera bag.
The Viewfinder: The viewfinder is also an improvement over the first generation. The frame rate affects just with pivoting movements felt in the viewfinder image from, working with the E-M5 Mark II is in this point more pleasant than the Mark I. Further advantages I have a direct comparison can not account for. Overall, I must state that the viewfinder is not a revolution but mainly represents an evolution. A sole reason for an upgrade of the E-M5 Mark I to the Mark II, he would not be for me.
Display: Here divorced a little spirits. I'm actually a big fan of the "old" folding displays, it was predestined for unnoticed shooting from the hip. The new display speaks more to the new Olympus target group of videographers. For me as a photographer it has rather less pure value, I use it mostly in the fold and less in the rotational position. Is it so bad? I see advantages and disadvantages in both variants of the display, which is why the Mark I will continue to find a place in the camera bag. The folding screen can turn easily when traveling and makes an ugly display film unnecessary. In addition, the Mark II works with inverted display almost like an old, non-digital camera and thus acts still insignificant.
The 40 megapixel madness: I've made only three shots in this high resolution mode, but was quite amazed at how fine individual details are displayed in the 100% view. Too bad that the mode of pure still life is withheld and can not be used for portraits or landscapes. Perhaps Olympus can provide a little help here with a firmware update. Nevertheless: great idea and for detail shots from the tripod (mandatory!) Excellent!
Autofocus: Everything is the same. The OMD bites reliably and rapidly on the targeted subject is determined and focused reliable. I'll be able to test the autofocus to a concert next week under very difficult light conditions and then complement this review. In short, I would but here also see no compelling reason to upgrade, the Mark I also makes a good job here.
The Silent Mode: The shutter sound of the Mark II is a gentle and barely audible "Ritsch", against which the "ratchet" the Mark I even almost seems loud. I like it totally. The ability to run the triggering process purely electronically is a nice gimmick, I had to find for me but that I provide audible feedback to pressing the shutter button appreciate very much for me and even miss. Still, for weddings or other occasions where discretion is required, a mad thing. On Shuttershock I have the camera has not been investigated, that's told me honestly too boring. I have to shoot better than before diverse line star, I'm shooting outside and stay here meticulously that I noticed no strange blurring. So far, such problems were not discernible.
Image Stabilization: Here the record of Mark I was 1/4 second. I can keep shooting with a whole second off his hand and could not detect any camera shake. Incredible! The old stabilizer was already a stunner, but Olympus seems actually to have again put up a gear. Bright Lights!
As far as my first impressions, I'll 6 complete with appearance of Lightroom this review to the chapter image quality / dynamic range and pass on further observations in the field. For questions regarding the review as always, please use the comment function.
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24/04/2016 Update: after the release of Lightroom 6 I have now had an opportunity to edit the Raws on conventional ways in Lightroom. For Alt-OMD I can hardly tell the difference, the dynamic range is as good as the original OMD where I have the impression that the photos of the Mark II have a somewhat milder noise.
Has done a lot consequently in terms of image quality may not reflect: Hardly surprising, considering that the cameras use the same sensors. However, the auto-focus seems to work a lot more specific, the yield of sharp photos has again increased noticeably. A brief comparison with the E-M1 I could also make recently. Here, the E-M5II suggests considerable good, but loses out in precision or C-AF. Nevertheless, I am very satisfied with the camera as an allrounder. The operation is a dream compared to the previous model!
