Which Olympus Should I get?

You hear this question a lot. (especially around the holidays!) What camera should I get.  Some manufacturers make it really simple… ask Leica which camera to get and the answer is M.  Some manufacturers don’t have a clue what camera to sell you.  Just ask Nikon.  Good luck getting their lineup straight.  Good thing we aren’t asking the manufacturers though.  People ask me all the time which camera they should get.  More and more i have been replying, get an Olympus. On two separate occasions those people have gone out the next day and purchased an Olympus kit.  Especially after i’ve demoed my setup.  However, my setup was not right for them, but it was clear which setup was.  So in this article I want to help you out and break down Olympus’ offerings in a very straight forward manner from real world use.

First of all, if you need a super specialty camera for a specialty niche, you have very well defined needs, and understand your tools to a deep level…this article is NOT for you.  You probably will be the one explaining to others and not asking me.  Ask the best in that niche.  And by niche, I’m talking hardcore H-Alpha astrophotography, NFL and Worldcup matches, Aerial monochromatic UV, etc.. specialty-genres.  No one camera does everything.  If you do crazy niche photography…you probably have more than one tool anyways.

So back to reality and the need for a good, general purpose camera to meet your needs.  Even if you do specialize, most cameras available now a days can easily meet 90% of most peoples needs.  I find Olympus reminds me a lot of 80s / 90s era BMW cars.  3 identical looking cars, you pick your length.

Personally in Olympus’ current lineup I find the choices most worth considering are:

1. E-M1 – Pro level
2. E-M5 mkII – Mid-level
3. E-M10 mkII – Base level
4. E-PL7 – Fun level

Now if I left out your favorite camera…sorry…its still an awesome camera, but here is my general rationale for these cameras.  Also please note, when I reference the 5 or 10 models, I generally imply the latest version or mkII even if I don’t state that.  Unless I make it clear otherwise that I mean the older one.

E-M1

The E-M1 is the top tier camera.  This is the “pro spec.”  Don’t get caught up on marketing hype or terms, etc…  Olympus clearly aimed for a win and earned it with this camera.  The camera has a distinct feel that is well above their other cameras.  It is solid.  The buttons, dials, and placement are all great for using without looking.  The body has two perfectly place buttons next to the mount for quick access with your right hand fingers.  These are very handy in many situations.  The body is weather sealed, and I can verify it works very well.  The viewfinder is HUGE.  Very wonderful view.  The grip is excellent.  The vertical grip also makes a very nice handling camera.  The body is not too small for use.  The sum of the parts add up to a camera that responds and handles more intuitively in use than the other cameras offered.  Its not about features here, its about use.  And the E-M1 is my #1 recommendation hands down for someone looking for a top level photographic tool that gets the job done right.

E-M5 (mkII)

The mid level body is nice.  The buttons are a little smaller than the E-M1, the grip is a little smaller, the body is a little smaller, the camera is a little lighter, but the handling is still good.  The new rear screen is fully articulating.  I loved being able to reverse this and close it so no screen is present.  I especially love that when the camera is hanging on my side.  I love this feature.  When you preview an image it immediately appears in the viewfinder, as do the menu items.  I LOVE that.   It’s the only feature I would prefer on the E-M1.  However…I don’t prefer the articulating screen versus the tilt screen of the E-M1.  However, I can live with either if it came down to it.  I wish I could just flip the E-M1 screen over.  The included flash that swivels and tilts is so much better on the E-M5mkII as well.  For a little fill, or as an optical trigger, its perfect.  The E-M1 flash lives in the closet.  You honestly don’t lose that much coming down to an E-M5.  Especially if you don’t want the extra bulk.  (so relative is the term bulk when speaking about m43!!!)  I like the dials as well on this body.  I find the Fn buttons all crowded on the top (4 of them up there!) are a little small and hard to hit.  Also, there is no button on the back that can comfortably be used as the focus button.  If you are a thumb button focuser, this camera will annoy you a little.  You can use the button on the lever…but I’m a left eye shooter so that doesn’t work for me.  Its also a very small button.  I don’t consider the other direct access buttons a loss coming down from the E-M1 since they are immediately accessible from the SCP.  If you prefer the extra features over the 10, few more buttons, and don’t need to pay for the extra robustness of the 1, the 5 is your ticket.

E-M10 (mkII)

I really like the base level body.  I call this base level instead of consumer, because we are all consumers.  Its a silly term.  This is the base level.  It offers all the key features that Olympus has, but in a base line body.  Its a little smaller still, a couple less buttons, no weather sealing, and a slightly smaller viewfinder magnification.  Honestly, its still a very good feeling camera.  In fact, this is a great all around camera.  It makes an even better backup camera to your other Olympus cameras if you can’t afford two of the same bodies.  If you don’t have need for the few extra features of the 5, and don’t need the robustness and handling of the 1, the 10 is a wonderful camera.

E-PL7

So I personally felt the rest of the pen line became irrelevant once the E-M10 came into being.  The E-PL7 changed that for me.  Having a single pen model makes sense, and I think the E-pl7 should be it.  Why the E-p3 over the E-m10?  I don’t think ide even go there.  However, the E-PL7 is VERY small.  Its so much fun.  It is exactly what the pen line set out to be.  It has the same sensor and functions as the OMD line, but in a tiny little body that is perfect for more casual use.  It has the selfie flip screen and a comfortable body.  It can be used just as effectively in manual mode, has the same menu system and SCP, etc…  Obviously it doesn’t have all the direct buttons and controls, but it shouldn’t.  It’s perfect for leaving your 25mm price at F/1.8, setting aperture priority and auto ISO, and snapping away.  Pocket camera, pro results.  This is great if you can’t pack a bigger camera but don’t want to sacrifice quality.  This little camera fits into anything.  It’s a bit funny to use with pro lenses…but hey it delivers.  Set to RAW+JPG and transfer to your mobile phone or tablet while out.  You have the RAWs to edit later, and can upload to social media as you shoot.  Perfect for this, especially if you leave the touch screen on.  Then wifi transfer is a push button away!  (yes OMDs can do this too…but its so fun on small cameras!)  The E-pl7 i also recommend over the E-pl6 or 5 due to the wifi and upgraded feel.  Its a much nicer handling camera.  (Can you tell I prefer the feel of a camera when I shoot?)  Choose this as an affordable backup body, a fun every day camera, or a serious camera that is perfect when you don’t have space in your purse/bag/coat, etc… for a larger camera.  Its the kind of camera you just take with you to dinner and to the beach and not worry much about.  At the same time you don’t have to worry about the image quality, it delivers the same as the rest of them!

Key things to keep in mind

-All the OM-D models share the same battery.  E-pl7 uses a different one.  Keep in mind if selecting a backup. (Thank you Olympus!!!)

-All the OM-D cameras have pretty much the same features, especially in their latest incarnations.  Menus are basically the same, and camera use and function is the same.  You really get 80% functionally the same instrument with any of the Olympus you choose.  It honestly comes down to what size and feel to you want, and what extras are you willing to pay for.

-The sensors all produce roughly the same image.  You honestly can’t go wrong with any of them.  See previous point.

-E-M1 offers phase focus for use with classic 4/3 lenses, which also improves continuous focus accuracy as well with all lenses.  I have found E-M1 focus to be better than the others in non-continuous situations as well.  Not greatly, but noticeably.  (not to say the rest are no good, the others are still fast and accurate)  I’ve hunted with an E-M5mkII.  I’ve rarely ever hunted with an E-M1.

-E-M5mkII offers Hi-res mode and amazing video stabilization.  Neither are hard sells for me.  The E-M1 and E-M10mkII both have excellent 5 axis stabilization.  (e-m10 and e-pl7 are only 3 axis)

-E-M10…and sometimes the 5 are both virtually pocketable (large jacket or vest pocket) with a small lens.  The E-M1 usually won’t be.  The E-pl7 is the smallest.  And being shorter due to lacking an EVF makes it even more carry friendly.

-When the E-M1 and E-M5mkII are the same price…I hands down go with the E-M1.  If I needed two bodies, i’de get one of each just so I would have the hi-res option.  (until E-m1 mike comes out…but i won’t speculate)  For me, I prefer the handling.  Between an E-M10mkII and an older E-M5, or E-m10…ide go with the E-m10mkII.  The latest features are always nice, and the camera feel has been improved on the newer generations.

-Black or silver?  Oooh…hard choice…one of each.

-For a quick-grab carry around camera, go with the E-pl7.  Unless you NEED a viewfinder, then go with the E-m10.

-If you shoot video often, and are somewhat serious about it, go with a panasonic if video is your primary goal.  Otherwise, the Oly video is fine.  I shoot video with Oly all the time, even for clients.  Again, this to me falls into specialty.  If you really need serious video features, then you need to seriously consider what works.  If you could live with the video footage and video features from a 5DmkII then you can probably live with the video coming from any of these Olympus cameras.  (yeah I know all the video people are going to email me otherwise…but horses for courses as they say!)

-Can I print big?  Sure you can.  Ive printed 5000 ISO up to 24″ without resizing and it looked great.  I’ve printed 30″ without resizing and it was fine.  Alienskin Blow Up is excellent and can make large printing even better if you need to print larger than 24 inches form an 8 – 16mp file.  (assuming you cropped a little)  What did people do when 12mp was the most amazing sensor and highest megapixel count we had?  Did we not print big then?  Sure we did.  Lets get over this megapixel race.

So which one should I get?

E-M1 if you want the best there is, and want a rugged, ready-for-everything camera that won’t let you down.

E-M5 if you want the same as above…but won’t be torturing your camera, don’t feel the need to pay extra for the upgraded handling (a grip is offered too…), or prefer having the high res feature or slightly better video options.

E-M10 if you want an amazing camera and don’t need the weather sealing and ruggedness, but still want the quality and experience of shooting the best Olympus offers.  This will save you a bunch of money and you won’t be losing when it comes to image quality and shooting ability.

E-PL7 if you want a small carry around camera that still offers the Olympus experience and quality, but don’t need the viewfinder or the size.  Or if you love selfies!

Used E-M5 or E-m10 ver 1 if you want to save a ton of money and still have an awesome camera.  You lose out on some of the latest features and latest stabilization, but the quality is still up there.  Feel is not as refined as the second generation, but that might not be your #1 priority.

If you decide to buy, you can check them out further at amazon.

Olympus E-M1     | Amazon |

Olympus E-M5 mkII     | Amazon |

Olympus E-M10 mkII     | Amazon |

Olympus E-PL7     | Amazon |