Olympus E5 dSLR
introduction
-
whilst in many respects it does not compare as well on specs with the likes of a Canon 7D (in terms of HD video capability and burst rate), it has built-in IS and a flip out LCD, and most importantly, the enormous benefit of access to a superb range of lenses specifically designed for the cropped sensor which are just not available in Nikon or Canon systems with comparable pricing, optical quality and hand holdability such as:
-
the E5 provides the strength of its phase difference AF and telephoto reach capability for sports and nature photography whilst the compact size of the
Micro Four Thirds system makes a great companion for social and travel photography as well as higher quality HD video work.
this camera has now been superceded by the mirrorless Micro Four Thirds
Olympus OM-D E-M1
it is not clear if Olympus will make a new optical dSLR in the Four Thirds mount given the E-M1 will satisfy most Four Thirds users and provide a smaller camera with more versatility.
specs
-
rugged, weatherproofed body
11pt phase difference AF as well as Live View mode CD-AF
TruPic V+ processor for improved image quality
3“ 921K dot swivel, rotate vari-angle LCD screen
“FAST AF” CD-AF technology including Face Detection AF in Live View mode
-
10 Art filters (none on E3)
Scene modes (none on E3)
popup flash
ISO limit increased to 6400 plus customisable autoISO (but can only set upper limit ISO, no shutter speed limits)
-
new features including digital level gauge in the viewfinder, multi-exposure, i-Enhance, 7 frame AEB
xD memory card slot thankfully replaced by SD card slot at last, and includes SDXC support
still has CF card slot
new BLM-5 battery
720p 30fps HD video, mono mic but with external stereo mic port
150,000 shot rated shutter
can add copyright info to EXIF
optional IR remote as well as cabled remote
PC sync terminal
HDMI out but only for playback
813 g (1.8 lb.)
142 x 116 x 75 mm (5.6 x 4.6 x 2.9 in)
reviews
improvements over the Olympus E-3
new 12mp sensor with higher ISO to 6400 and improved image processing engine
improved shutter
LCD screen now 3” instead of 2.5“ and 920K instead of 230K
faster CDAF with Face detection in Live View
10 Art Filters (none on E3)
Scene modes (none on E3)
SD card slot instead of xD card slot
720p HD video with stereo mic input and HDMI playback
More customization options
improved menu
Level Gauge in the viewfinder
Multi-exposure
i-Enhance
7 frame AEB
can set legacy lens focal length for IS
new BLM-5 battery (although compatibility is retained with the older PS-BLM1)
comparison with the Canon 7D
lens comparisons
lens type | Olympus E5 | Canon 7D |
fisheye | ZD 8mm fisheye $799 | 3rd party only? |
24mm wide aperture | ZD 11-22mm f/2.8-3.5 $799 | EF 14mm f/2.8L II but no IS $2199 |
14-28mm pro | ZD 7-14mm f/4 $1799 | EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 $1179 but only 16-35mm FOV and not as sharp, no IS and not weatherproof |
40mm wide aperture | ZD 14-35mm f/2.0 $2299 | EF 24mm f/1.4L II but no IS $1749 |
50mm wide aperture | Leica-D 25mm f/1.4 $799 | EF 28mm f/1.8 $469 or EF 35mm f/1.4L $1479 but no IS |
50mm pancake | ZD 25mm f/2.8 $249 | none |
100mm portrait | ZD 50mm f/2.0 macro $499 | EF 50mm f/1.2L $1599 or f/1.4 $379 or f/1.8 $120 but no IS and only 80mm |
135mm tele | zoom only | EF 85mm f/1.2L $2199 or f/1.8 $398 |
28-70mm pro | ZD 14-35mm f/2.0 | EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS but not as sharp, not weatherproof |
28-105mm mid | ZD 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5II $599 with CD-AF | cheap kit lenses only |
24-120mm pro | ZD 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 $999 | none |
70-200mm pro | ZD 35-100mm f/2.0 $2499 | EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II but gives 112-320mm FOV thus not optimal for weddings, etc $2499 |
100-400mm pro | ZD 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD $1199 | EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II but much heavier, more expensive and only gives 112-320mm FOV and doesn't focus as close $2499 |
70mm macro | ZD 35mm f/2.8 1:1 $230 | none |
100mm macro | ZD 50mm f/2.0 but not 1:1 $499 | EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro but no IS and not as good optically $429 |
150mm macro | ZD 50mm with EC14 | EF 100mm f/2.8L hybrid IS macro $969 |
1.6-8x macro | legacy options | EF 1-5x macro lens |
200mm tele | ZD 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD $1199 | EF 135mm f/2.0L but no IS $1089 |
300mm tele | ZD 150mm f/2.0 $2499 | EF 200mm f/2.8L II but no IS $778 or EF 200mm f/2.0L IS $5600 |
400mm tele | ZD 150mm f/2.0 + EC14 | EF 200mm f/2.8L II with 1.4xTC but no IS |
500mm tele | ZD 90-250mm f/2.8 $5999 | EF 300mm f/4.0L IS $1349 or f/2.8L IS II $7299 |
600mm tele | ZD 300mm f/2.8 $6999 | EF 400mm f/4L IS or f/2.8L IS $11,499 but very big and heavy |
800mm tele | ZD 90-250mm f/2.8 + EC20 | EF 500mm f/4L IS II $10,499 |
1000mm tele | ZD 90-250mm f/2.8 + EC20 | EF 600mm f/4L IS $9199 |
1200mm tele | ZD 300mm f/2.8 + EC20 | EF 400mm f/4 + 2.0x TC or EF 800mm f/5.6 $13,999 but very big and heavy |
180-500mm zoom | ZD 90-250mm f/2.8 $5999 | none |
tilt shift | legacy options but 2x crop | Canon TSE lenses but 1.6x crop |
The Olympus E5 with Olympus ZD 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II zoom lens and Olympus ZD 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 lens could be supplemented with a Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera and the following lenses:
The Canon 7D with EF-S 10-22mm and EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS could be supplemented with a Canon 5D Mark III dSLR or Canon 1D X sports dSLR and the following lenses:
Canon 14mm f/2.8L for a nice wide aperture 14mm kit but no IS and not optimised for movie
Canon 24mm f/1.4L II for a nice wide aperture 24mm kit but no IS and not optimised for movie
Canon 50mm f/1.2L for a nice wide aperture 50mm kit but no IS and not optimised for movie
Canon 85mm f/1.2L for a nice wide aperture 85mm kit with the most shallow
depth of field (DOF) you can get on 35mm but slow AF, expensive, no IS and not optimised for movie
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II but no IS and not optimised for movie
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
Canon 135mm f/2.0L for a nice wide aperture 135mm kit but no IS and not optimised for movie
TSE and macro lenses
The Canon supplimentary kit will be much bigger, heavier and far more expensive and you will need much larger tripods, tripod heads, filters, backpacks, etc and these will create issues for travel, in particular, flights with their 7.5kg limit for cabin baggage.
If you are a Canon full frame user, you may find the Micro Four Thirds system compact kits are a better fit than a cropped sensor dSLR such as a bulkier Canon 7D with its poorly matched, or in the case of EF-S, sub-standard lenses.
The situation for Nikon users is similar to the issues confronting the Canon user above.