E-PL5 or M5

[James Emory]

If you already have a VF2 viewfinder, would you buy the E-PL5 or the M5?

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by James Emory

If you already have a VF2 viewfinder, would you buy the E-PL5 or the M5?

I'm having the exact same thoughts! I guess part of the equation is whether I can sell the VF2 for close to what I paid for it.

Another part is how the E-PL5 "feels." I really like the PL2 at this point, but I keep reading about how the 5 is smaller.

It's still a little ways down the road for me anyhow. I'm sure something newer and shinier will be around by then.

[shoturtle]

They are cameras with different requirement. It is like going with a dslr vs a m4/3. The pen's have the compact size going for them. The OM is bigger, and can do somethings better.

[zig-123]

I have the VF2 finder and still would prefer the E-M5 over the E-PL5

The Viewfinder is built in and will not fall off as the one I own now.
E-m 5 has 5 axis image stabilization
better build

I know that if I bought the E-pl5, I'd forever regret.

[shoturtle]

also you can use an external flash with the built in evf of the om. Or go off camera flash using the built in flash as the controller and still have an evf.

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by zig-123

I have the VF2 finder and still would prefer the E-M5 over the E-PL5

The Viewfinder is built in and will not fall off as the one I own now.
E-m 5 has 5 axis image stabilization
better build

I know that if I bought the E-pl5, I'd forever regret.

The real question might be if you want an Em5 Or EPL5+a lens.

[Greg Chappell]

Once you have used a camera with two control dials, going back to one and having to toggle controls is a real PITA. I have been considering having one of my Pens converted for infrared shooting and the one I would lean towards doing is the E-P3 just so I could keep two control dials.

I keep hearing there may yet be a successor model to the E-P3.

[KulaCube]

Would say that if new to the format, the E-PL5 would be attractive from a price point. But as one already has the more expensive viewfinder, I'd hazard a guess that one also has some native lenses. So that brings the E-M5 into range, both in dollars and features. So I'd be tempted to say go for the E-M5.

As to a successor for the E-P3 -- that's a difficult decision. What does Olympus do to differentiate from the E-PL5 and the E-M5. Price it in the middle with the E-PL5 mechanics/sensor inside the P3 body -- would that be worth an extra $300? Priced at the current list for the P3, $899 (CDN prices) would be more attractive.

Or, maybe release the E-Px as the rumored hybrid, mounting both 4/3 and M4/3 lenses. With a beefier hand grip as an option...

[shoturtle]

I would say, if you want a more advance body, the OM would be a good transitions from a Pen staying within the m4/3 system. If you want to maintain the reason people get a pen. For the more compact size with excellent photo quality that a pns can not match. The pen makes a better upgrade.

While I like the OM allot, for the price it still can not match mid level dslr in sport shooting ability with lenses or continuous AF accuracy. And the added size does not make for as nice a travel companion as a pen. For the same size a compact dslr like a rebel or nikon d5200 would give me similar ability as the OM with a much cheaper price tag.

There will be a place for a ep3 replacement. Not everyone wants a m4/3 that is almost the size of a compact dslr. Also olympus knows they need to keep a pen with a built in flash in the lineup. That was one of the big drawbacks of the ep1 and ep2. They fixed that issue with the ep3. So the high end pen will retain a flash. And the epl and epm will loose the flash for cost savings and price point.

1 control dial vs 2 control dials is more a personal thing. I flip back and forth all the time between my dslrs and pen. It really does not matter as long as there is one dial so I can change aperture.

[Steven R]

Buy the OMD-EM5 and keep your EPL2 with the VF2 as your back up camera.

(See how easy it is to give advice on spending other folks money ??)