Why I Want a Olympus OM-D E-M5!

The most talk about, most anticipated new camera; this instance. is the Nikon D800? Nikon D4? or the Canon 5D Mk3?  Wrong!  It is the Olympus OM-D E-M5! A camera that I called "retro out of control", you know what? After reading dozens of review and watched as many You Tube hypes on the new camera, I can't wait to get my hand on one too!

According to Amazon UK, the Olympus OM-D EM-5 Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Camera - Black (16.1MP, Live MOS, M.Zuiko 12-50mm Lens) 3.0 inch OLED, will be released on 1 April 2012.


You can preorder one now at £1,149.99 (NZ $2,184.00), that is too much considering a new OLYMPUS PEN E-P3 12.3mp 14-42mm + 40-150mm cost NZ $1,398.00!

I had enquired at our Photo Warehouse where I bought my E-P2 in April 2010, they promised to let me know as soon as the OM-D reach our shore :)

Why am I upgrading to the E-M5?  Is the E-P2 not good enough?  Did I not once told you, a camera is only a tool?  ;)

My E-P2 is a perfectly good camera except for the following:

When I need to shoot continuous, I can only shoot ONE frame per second; if I am lucky!  Yes, the camera CAN shoot THREE per second provided you TURN OFF the auto focus!

This was brought home to me when I was shooting our "Late Dragon Year Parade"!

This was the first shot I took of the dragon running towards me at the CNY parade in Wellington.

With a "faster" camera, I should be able to get another 2 to 3 shots when the dragon head is nearer to me; since I had an ultra-wide lens, that will be the shot I wanted... the E-P2 was too slow and by the time it get it's act together; I got this (see below)!! Duh!!

Coming from a life time of working as a photojournalist with FAST SLR, able to shoot 5 to 6 frames per second; the slow E-P2 bug me a lot!!

Then there is the S-L-O-W auto focus!  At the same dragon function, I locked in the shot I wanted and as I press the button I heard Le General (who can see the LCD" said " Why you are not taking the shot?"  How embarrassing! The E-P2 was STRUGGLING to focus! I cannot live with that S-L-O-W-N-E-S-S any more! Ha ha ha...



Unlike the E-P2, the new OM-D can shoot off a blistering NINE frames per second, when I got a manual focus lens on; or a still pretty rapid 4.5 frames with the kit lens, in auto focus!

Talk about FAST auto focus, this will make E-P2 user; like me, CRY!!!

The new camera even have 3D focus tracking!!

The E-P2 with Leica M lenses, left; with Nikon lenses on the right.

One feature I really enjoy with the E-P2 was to fit my Leica M prime lenses to! I will be able to do the same with the new OM-D!  Not only the Leica lenses but also the Nikon F mount lenses too!!

With the new OM-D I am still able to use my favorite ultra-wide zoom, the Panasonic Lumix-G-Vario-7-14-mm-f4 and with improve in-camera, world's first 5 Axis Image Stabilisation (IS) system!

This sophisticated new AF system compensating not only for movement along the X and Y axis as do traditional AF systems but also yaw, pitch and rolling movement; perfect for all still and video shoot scenarios.

Olympus Japan has just released some sample photos taken by their new OM-D mirrorless wonder.

 This portrait was shot with their M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm F1.8

 prime lens at ISO 200 f8.

This is a 100% crop from the above photo, I think my old 50mm f2 Summicron might do better :)

 A close-up taken with the kit lens M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ that came with the new OM-D. 

Not bad for a kit lens!

And this landscape, taken with their super expensive ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm f4.  This lens cost as much as the OM-D camera with kit lens!!  I bet you my Panasonic 7-14 can deliver same :)

So there you are, now you know why I am waiting for the arrival of the OM-D!

BRING IT ON, OLYMPUS!!

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