Olympus OM-D Micro Four Thirds

I've found the cameras too small for my Pat Jennings hands, but why not try one in a shop and take the images home to view on your own screen in your own time?

Tony

I made the switch from Olymous DSLR to a Pen EP 3 last year, I think the OMD if anything will be a better sensor. I am very impressed by the quality of the Olympus and Panasonic lenses I use with it and the overall feel and ease of use with the options for lots of control.

A definite ' would not go back' from me. I used OM SLR cameras for many years until digital arrived.

Also checkout the Panasonic G series cameras that use micro 4 thirds lens mount.

I have a G3 and find it very good,easy to use and gives great results.

Jono

Last year I moved from a bulky Nikon D7000 and four lenses to a Leica M9 and one 30-year-old 50mm lens. I have to say that getting the Leica - which is almost entirely manual - has made photography so much more fun - and the kit is so much smaller!

Having said that, a pro photographer mate was recently given the new Olympus OM-D eM5 for review, and he let me have a go on it. I must say it's a fantastic piece of kit - far less bulky than a DSLR, with great styling and lots of metal. In use, it feels a bit like the old OM1, one of the finest cameras ever made. It's delightfully old school, has superb high ISO performance and there is a wide selection of terrific lenses available.

If I were in the market for a new camera, it'd be at the top of the list. I think it blows the Fuji XPro1 out of the water.

Gets good reviews, looks great.

I think, like hi-fi, you should try before you buy. Not many dealers around these days but if you can get to one and try one out (and other cameras perhaps), you can check it out yourself. Most of the negatives do seem to be about it's small size and thereby small buttons and they're too easy to catch/move inadvertently.

Bet the price of the X-Pro 1 comes down soon...

That said, cameras can take a while to grow on you. I got a X100 to see what the fuss about and for a little while wasn't convinced, now I love it! Took a short while though. I suppose if you got one and didn't like it, you could sell it for close what you paid for it (which is the view I took on the fuji)

Thanks for the feedback everyone - much appreciated.  Yes, the answer is to try it.  The good reviews, build quality and range of small lenses all appeal.  Particularly the 9-18 Olympus zoom.  I hear on the grapevine that Canon is possibly planning a new product launch around 24th July so it might be worth waiting to hear what they have to offer.

Just don't fall into the trap of always waiting for 'the next thing' to be launched. Your signature is the same, no matter which pen you use.

Tony

Well if you use Canon, that makes sense. The mirrorless has it's own new lens fitting but there will be an adapter available, not known if it's just ef or ef-s lenses too...I'm keen already. Given the competition and it's own gestation period, I can't imagine they'll put out a lemon.

I've just seen the new Canon system - it seems the new camera is nothing like as sophisticated as the Olympus, there are two new lenses, otherwise you have to buy an expensive adaptor to use 35mm lenses.  It's more of a "point and shoot" camera, the only thing going for it, IMHO, is the sensor size.  The Olympus OM-D continues to look an attractive proposition.

it feels a bit like the old OM1, one of the finest cameras ever made. 

+1 I still have mine from 1979. It still takes great pictures. My daughter uses it mostly now.

The OM-D looks like a good smaller quality camera from the reviews I've read.

ATB

Steve