Rock steady: Olympus OM-D E-M5 II reviewed

Definitely agree with you, but scrolling through the comments, you cant help but realise that most critics of this camera just target a specific weakness, for e.g.

1. No 4k video, therefore buy Gh4 instead of this.
2. Its m43, therefore it cant take as clear photos with good bokeh as FF.

Hence I was just trying to address the criticisms of this camera having decent video/photo taking capabilities but not the best, or decent weather sealing but not the best, or decent functionality (in terms of customisability) but not the best (in terms of user-friendliness) etc.

I'm definitely happy with having all of the "not the best" factors with this camera :)

Does Amazon know what GOLD is ?

@lightandday
Free shipping on GOLD if you purchsed at least $50 worth or have Amazon Prime.

I think of the awards as a frequent flyer program. By the time they call all the metals and precious stones, everybody gets an elite award of some kind.

yes true. this equivalence is only true in terms of light gathering ability, not for DOF, and the advantage is only if subject movement is either not present, or if present presents an artistic advantage (like subject blur of people moving in a crowd during night-time can be artistic as well).

Wait!
There is even more: think about it 6 stop image stabilization! Shouldnt it be implemented to all cammeras?
A lens with f5.6 would behave like f0.75

I take 16 stops of image stabilization !!! Its called a tripod ! :)

yeah nice try! but a tripod is not always convenient like when hiking and when you dont want to carry the extra weight around or bother your friends who may be waiting for you to finish the shot before moving ahead.

For image stabilization you also need a stable image!

I like it. But I'm more of a prime user. The 55/1.8 and 135/1.8 (LA-EA4) are the lenses we use right now. Our main system is Nikon, for outdoor portraits and events, we bought the Sony to use the 135/1.8 which is amazing and gives decent AF for portraits, but expensive. Via adapter I use the Sigma Art primes and macro lenses, additionally we aquired the 20/1.8g form Nikon and will use this with Samyang 14mm/2.8 on the Sony for landscapes. If you don't mind manual focus the Samyang/Rokinson primes are very good value for the money (14,24,35,85,135mm). If I would buy zooms it would be 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 for my wife. She uses mainly the Tamron 70-200/2.8 VC on the D810 (very sharp) and sometimes the 24-70/2.8. Both great lenses. If Sony continues to grow, I would hope Tamron to produce equivalent EF-mount lenses.

Ctd... From a handling point of view, I liked the EM1 better (faster, more accurate peaking etc.). But we favour the FF look, so for our type of shooting the Nikon and Sony models suit better. I would even prefer larger bodies with more and larger buttons to control e.th. with one hand and a deeper grip (more comfortable for me for long shooting session) and to balance larger lenses.

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Would it have any bearing on how the camera operates, what it does or does not do, if it received a different award?

I dont like the ergonomics. Strap lug is in the very same place where the right indexfinger sits. So i whant a downgrade to bronze!

IQ will always rule the day over here, i dont care what the vendor has to do to achieve it. And yes, that means Pixel Peeping™ :P

PP allows me to see if i achieved critical focus (if that was the gaols, usually so)...for every image select. i wonder what your method is

@showmeyourpics
You haven't research enough then. I have seen plenty of good photos and heard many praises from Fujifilm and SONY shooters using native or adapted lenses.

The extra 0.5 in width and height must tear into your hand terribly. However people hold on you that huge E-M1 is beyond me.

Hey mike.

Reading your post I couldn't help but think about that flaky electronics conglomerate but the name escapes me at the moment. I think they did minidiscs, betamax and memory stick pro. Who could it be?

Sometimes, people argue about gear but neglect to mention which company makes what. It would be nice if once in a while someone wasn't too lazy to include that detail.

I like to looking forward.

RX1, RX10, RX100-3 are very much set the benchmark for P&S of different sectors while a6000 is the benchmark for sub-frame in terms of performance-features/price.

As far as FF goes, SONY are not too bad too, and has being building lenses' line slowly.

@bluevellet
SONY is also the company that introduced the CDs, Walkman and Trinitron TV.

SONY is also still supporting the Minolta A-mount from 1985 unlike Olympus which long abandoned the OM and 4/3 systems.

... Years ago, SONY also injected money into Olympus for keeping Olympus alive.

In return, SONY owns part of the OLYMPUS of course.

Exaggerating much? A magnitude is 10 so greater than 3EV. The E-M5 II's IBIS is 3 EV better than anything else? The DR is also exactly the same as every other m4/3 using the SONY sensor.

DP is generous in giving it a silver award. For just being excellent but no breakthrough or outstanding feature, I would have give it a bronze.

We've been processing with Photoshop CC and Adobe Camera Raw, so haven't been going through a DNG step. I'll try to look into it early next week.

No problem with Photoshop (Adobe Camera Raw 8.8). Handles normal files and HighRes ones perfectly, also without the Olympus plugin. But not the additional .ORI files.

Mike FL - the LX100 is indeed smaller but, although it does indeed have a Four Thirds sized sensor, it doesn't use all of it. It's a 2.2x crop camera, so don't forget to figure that in too.

I have had my MkII for a week. So far, I find it to be an amazing camera. I tried focus stacking with the Hi-Res mode...just incredible detail/resolution! And yes , the image stabilization on the video really is fantastic!

I'd rather have the 40MP. The sensor they replace the current one with will be an incremental upgrade at best. You watch. Just like they have with other Olympus innovations, this one will be found in Nikons and Canons at some point.

Hi Banker, You won't be disapointed with the MkII. I use the 12 - 40 f2.8 most of the time and the Panasonic 20mm f1.7.

I also see you have a D200, I like the images out of this camera too, (I have one as well) I also have a bunch of Nikkor lenses with the m43 adapter to suite.
80 - 400mm and the 60 macro f2.8 are very good on the MkII as the IS allows me to shoot the 400mm hand held in good light!
I also have the Sigma 10 - 20mm this is great on the MkII as well.

You will enjoy this camera, ..... It also just seems to make us lift our game, ... It's so capable.

Cheers, ... Baz

Didn't read the review because comments are funnier and sometimes points out the questionable review parts.

Like this, when you are given a camera that you can customize almost by any means your small inner voice wants and screams, it is suddenly a bad thing...

When you have something as default, it is a bad thing even when you could just change it to your preferred.

What next, the camera color drops it in rankings? At least the brand already does that...

@Jakub Kubica: you may note that "Extensive and customizable external controls" is listed as a Pro. The full quote from the Cons is actually: "Complex menu system and extensive customization options can be overwhelming."

For some people it'll be a Pro, but I felt that benefit is unusually difficult to gain full advantage of (something that was confirmed every time I handed the camera to anyone else).

Obviously there's not as much room for nuance in a list of bullet points as there is in the full conclusion and complete review. But if you do read the review, you should see I've tried to balance the benefits that the camera's customization brings against how hard that would be for a first-time user (while also making clear than anyone with experience of the Olympus menus will appreciate it).

The camera didn't miss out on Gold because of this (it's more a Pro than a Con, overall). It didn't get a Gold because, while it's one of the best in its class, it's only one of the best.

And what photo in your galleries needed more than mediocre IQ? Please show us.

@Eugene232
I totally agree. The sensor was ground-breaking on the original E-M5, but that was 3 years ago. Sure it's a good camera, and therefore deserving of a silver award - but $1100 for the body will buy you a lot of other very good cameras too.

As the reviewer said in an earlier comment, it's a very good camera - just not the stand out the original E-M5 was.

So that means that a camera is much more than it's sensor. A lesson to learn for people like Eugene232. But according to his gear list he only has a camera and no lenses. The nice thing is that you can see the nice big sensor all the time without a lens in front of it.. Maybe in a year or so he will understand photography.

The sensor is not outdated. It's a Sony Exmor sensor, and they basically used the same technology three years ago as they do today. The reason why APS-C and FF sensors offer better IQ is simply because they are larger.

G'day Thermatic ,
Yea the FUJIFILM X10 only got a SILVER and it had the unique ORB feature ! LOL
Regards , All the Best !

@Valiant Thor - I'm pretty sure I didn't suggest it was a minor or incremental upgrade. After all, the first line of the conclusion is: 'The Olympus E-M5 II is a more significant reworking of its predecessor than its looks or choice of sensor seem to suggest.'

Or phases such as: 'Yet under the skin it seems every aspect has been reassessed and, where necessary, modified...'

I agree that it's a fantastic camera (and I hope the review conveys that sentiment). It's improved in almost every respect, over one of my favourite cameras.

However, for similar money or less there are several other fantastic cameras you can choose. At which point, the E-M5 II is one of the best cameras in its class, rather than the stand-out best. It was a very tough decision (I think it will be a stand-out camera if you own any good mFT lenses), but it's one I'm comfortable defending.

It really is intended as high praise.

Dude, I believe silver award is good as well.

GOLD ,GOLD, GOLD, GOLD , nothing BUT !

Industry leading 5 stop IBIS
40 MP still life
Improved superfast AF
Excellent viewfinder from EM-1
Upgraded tilt/swivel rear LCD screen
10 fps
Weather sealed
Less expensive
2x2 controls from EM-1
New bounce-able flash
Improved near pro build quality
Unique Live Time and Live Composite
Improved video capabilities
Improved high ISO performance

Of course this is just a list of new, unique, upgraded or industry leading features. The real test is how this camera works in actual use and every reviewer I've read has actually raved about this EM-5II as a camera that is both fun to use and gives excellent results. There have been many favorable reviews, but I found this one to be quite interesting: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2015/02/18/the-olympus-om-d-e-m5-mark-ii-review-olympus-continues-to-innovate/

? I have no idea what you are typing.

^^ Even pros choose full frame sensors over smaller sensors !!! :)

Honestly this is a fine camera but meant for people who prefer compactness over IQ. There are plenty of people out there who wish to shoot with a small and light camera and frankly I feel like an idiot when I go travelling with a heavy bag.

However I care a lot about IQ and I have found the 'look' of full frame much better than any smaller sensor. Medium format is even better but costs 10 times as much so I am most happy with my A7 which incidently costs about $200 more than this camera or even at the same cost if you know where to look.

Now I have taken plenty of good photos with my old Sony cameras that are obsolete and could barely shoot decent images at even ISO 800 but I am enjoying my photography much better now with a full frame sensor.

You seem to have a problem that some people prefer FF sensors over Four Thirds ones.

Why the need to call them "cowboys"? Do you feel reassured in your options with that?

Let me make you even more uncomfortable. Some of us don't like sensors with the same native aspect ratio we used to see TV in, when we were children.

@brendon1000..
Well actually you are wrong many professionals already are on the m43 bandwagon. Do they only have m43, well some might and some might not.
In my case I switched years ago and m43 is my main system. I don't have a gear shop like some professionals which means I have to buy my gear opposed to use rentals not taken. But occasionally I need other gear than m43 due to specific tasks. but 35mm gear is no longer in the picture. Yeah, pre 40-150mm F2.8 I rented Nikon 35mm with lenses to do specific sports but that's covered by E-M1 and 40-150mm F2.8 now. The 300mm F4 might be the next station. In other niche area's I use 645D a lot.

No, we still do not have 16:9 sensors.

Still, for those of us who often like to shoot in that format, a 3:2 sensor will still use about 84.1% of the whole sensor whereas a 4:3 one will only use about 74.8%

Human vision is over 180 degrees, but is only acute in the very centre, about 15 degrees at most. Losses from internal cropping vary with each camera, less with some, more with others. There is a kind of wide angle "fetish" present at the moment, because of the way the distortion of some wide angle shots lend dramatics to images that otherwise might be dull, but it will pass.

It only applies if you drive a tuner Lada.

Strictly speaking, he only wrote about being stuck in a sport car (driving is only implied).

Equally I felt that there was an implication that I'd done 22 pages of driving before concluding that I like (some) sports cars.

I'm going to park this metaphor now before I crash it.

The first time I picked up the older E-M5, I thought, "Yuck! This thing is all sharp angles and small dimensions, nothing like the feel of rounded DSLRs. But that wore off with time. When I went back to the 2x as heavy and bulky DSLR, I really felt the burden of it that I hadn't before. People's perceptions change with continued experience.

OM-D E-M5 II is ePhotozine editor's choice.

@RichRMA
Exactly right. I have printed very large and it doesn't make much of a difference. Most pictures print at 4x6 and it doesn't make sense to keep going larger and larger only to have more space used, processing power and time just end up back at the same place. At 16MP I can already crop to a tiny portion of the image and it comes out great.

To be fair, if DPR had given the EM5II 91% with a gold award, half of you guys wouldn't complain as much and be so eager to read the opinion of other reviewers.

Human nature is a funny thing. :)

Which is probably due to it's being replaced by a very popular mirrorless with a great new feature.

5 axis Ibis on a fullframe mirrorless allows some great things with legacy lenses. Especially with all the nice aids mirrorless camera's give us in the viewfinder.

The old stock of A7 bodies has to go. And to be honest if your looking for something like that you'd be dump to skip the chance.

This sensor is better then anything Canon has to offer at the moment. And at 1 grand it's just a steal.

Buy out of Canada (as an American) the E-M5II is only $875. Sony is $1250 so there is still a difference, plus, you are stuck getting those expensive, but nice Zeiss Sony lenses, otherwise you never see what the Sony can really do.

I don't know what prices you see, but B&H and Amazon are selling the Sony A7 MK 1 for $1,300 and the Olympus E-M5 MK 2 for $1,100. The prices are close but the old Sony is still more expensive. IBIS is one of the best features of the E-M5 MK 2 and the A7 MK 1 has no IBIS. The Sony A7 MK 2 might be a good alternative since it has 5 axis IBIS, but it goes for $1,700.

Still comparing sensors only...

I'm not sure why everybody complains about the "plastic" - and doesn't complain about the actual handling of the Sony and Fuji cameras.

To me personally, the handling of Olys is simply magnificent: you rarely have to wait for the camera, and you can change almost anything to work the way you want.

For example A6000 ticks lots of boxes, but it is still just a mediocre camera. XE2 is a good camera overall - but very few are really happy with its retro-styled handling.

P.S. And I personally do not mind the plastic gear. In fact, I prefer it. It's lighter, it doesn't get cold to touch in cold weather and generally sits better in the hand. The only advantage of the metal camera body is... oh wait, there is none. Except the ephemeral "feels better in the hand".

Quote:
"For example A6000 ticks lots of boxes, but it is still just a mediocre camera."
Just exactly where do you get this mediocre camera opinion from? Not from the reviews that seem to think for the money the A6000 is a great camera.
I.E> DPR:
Quote
"we'd struggle to think of another camera in this price bracket that offers so much in the way of stills and video capability in such a coherent package."