Thread: Olympus OM-D EM-5 vs. Panasonic GX1

Streetshooter, is the GX1 any smaller than the EM-5? Both of these cameras temp me to get back to m4/3 as well.

Dan, yes the GX1 is smaller and it doesn't have that growth on top.
It's about form....other then that...either is really amazing.
I had given up on m43 and being an admin at both sites, well that's a big statement.

One should not use the 20 and compare images against the Canon5D.
Scary. If Moses had one of these cameras, there would be another Commandment.

Originally Posted by Streetshooter

I don't like EVF's. So the decision was easy for me. The GX1 is a killer camera that after more than a year, has me back in m43 land.

I will not speak badly about either but will say that the GX1 is my preference for a street camera.

The 20 makes the camera.

These two cameras meet the needs of most and the real difference is mainly in the form factor. We all know what lenses to use. We just have to decide how we need a camera to compliment our vision.

I don't love full time EVF's so much either, but the one on the EM5 doesn't get in my way, like the ones on the GH2 and G3 did, with their rearward extension over the LCD screen. There's very little rearward extension with the EM5's evf and if you pop the eyepiece offf, there's essentially none. And I love the flip up rear screen way more than I dislike the EVF. Particularly with the touch function that, when used with the 12mm in manual mode, just needs to be touched ANYWHERE to trigger the shutter. This is my favorite street shooting setup ever, with the EPL3 and Nex next best - love that screen.

In a perfect world, there would be a 28mm EFL lens with a snap manual focus ring like the 12mm Oly. But there's not, so I shoot with that lens's 24mm EFL. Not my favorite, but I adapt pretty easily. I prefer it to anything longer than 28. And I really prefer shooting in zone focus a lot, which is a royal PIA with any other native m43 lens...

M43 sensors have really been at a pretty high level since the GH2 showed up about a year and a half ago. I haven't really liked any of them as much as the OMD, but that's all down to personal preference for a few of the things about Oly's implementation. The Panasonics are great cameras, just a bit less to my taste. The GX1 is the first of the new-sensor cameras in a traditional GF1/Pen form factor, the OMD is the first one with a lot of the little Olympus touches. The G3 is probably the best value of the bunch. I'm sure the GH3 will be great for those who like Pany to begin with. You really can't go wrong - just pick whichever trips your trigger.

I never left m43 - I've just augmented it with other gear. I still do, with the X-Pro 1. I like variety and the Fuji IQ is also pretty special. But m43 has been my primary system for better than 2 years now and I don't anticipate that changing anytime soon.

-Ray

I think that most of the side by side comparisons of the OMD & GX1 will be biased by the preference of that individual and their hand size, preference for style (DSLR/compact rangefinder) and historic loyalty to Panasonic/Olympus.

I have been a Panasonic users since owning the GF1 and recently upgraded to the GX1 and find it is a step up in build/IQ/performance and form and coupled with the PanaLeica 25mm makes for a great street/landscape combo.

To my mind, the GX1 should not be compared to the OMD as the only thing in common is the sensor (still disputed) - the OMD size, style, built in EVF / swivel LCD and viewfinder hump is more akin to the Panasonic G3/GH series and I suspect that later this year as promised, Panasonic will release a "very, very high quality"sic camera to replace the GH2 and in turn compete squarely with the OMD.

I would not be surprised to see a camera that size wise sits between the GX1 and GH2 so will be similar in size to the OMD.

I also think that these new launches will enhance the standing of Mu43 and help increase the flow of new customers to the format so all in all, regardless of make, we are the winners.

Hey Don, So you like the GX1? Did you get it because it is more compact than the GXR/28?

Andrew, nothing but nothing can replace the GXR28.
I got the GX1 because I'm a good grand pop.
My daughter took 1 of my M8's in Sept 11.
My grandson liked her camera so he took the other one. He gave me the GX1 with the PZ zoom.
It's ok as the Leica's were in the storage cases unused for over 7 years.

So maybe it was a fair trade. She has since bought the OMD.
I compared the 2 beast and my conclusion stands at, form factor.

And on that note, the GXR wins over almost any camera out there. I'm talking about for a user...get it.
Don

Ah Don, Keeping the cameras in the family. What a great grandpop you are indeed! Have you tried the GXR A16 - I think you were keen to at one point. I like it. A lot. It will make you long for A16 28 and 50mm units.

I have not tried the A16. If your talking IQ, I stopped worrying about that years ago.
The RD1s was 6mp and still blows most of the new cameras away.
So now I'm only interested in form/function.

I am delighted with the performance of my GX1+25mm combo, here are a few images from today using auto ISO between 400 - 1000ISO, I am delighted with the results.

Originally Posted by Streetshooter

I have not tried the A16. If your talking IQ, I stopped worrying about that years ago.

If we all followed suit we'd be a lot richer around here... Still, it's nice to have a GXR in various focal lengths. That is perhaps my favorite part of it.

Originally Posted by Streetshooter

So now I'm only interested in form/function.

I hear that.