From E-400 to Micro 4/3? EP5 or OM-D?

[David Rayden]

Hi,

I've been unimpressed, like many, with the lack of E-xxx cameras for my 4/3 lenses.

I'm deliberating a swith to micro 4/3 and like the look of the OM-D.

However, it's too expensive, especially given the cost of the lens adapter which really adds a premium to the cost for an already loyal Olympus customer. (A deal to get the adapter free for registered new purchasers would have been nice.)

I don't like the Pen as I like the idea of a built-in finder and, to be honest, they are a little small.

Is the EP5 likely to emerge with a built-in finder at a better price?
I could save and buy the OM-D, but it would be a stretch and I'd be buying a kit 12-50 as my sand-infested 14-42 is in need of a replacement. I'd also probably need the grips as it's a tad small on its own; though regular use may make this detail redundant.

Any converts care to give me some advice? Should I be looking at an alternative like Panasonic to use my 4/3 lenses on?

I'm a few months from buying, but I usually spend a lot of time and research before such a purchase, so I'll be collecting ideas from now and following up on links/advice.

The E-400 has served me well. I bought it because it was the world's smallest D-SLR at the time, and size/weight are important to me.

David.

[mike_j]

[David Rayden]

Re: From E-400 to Micro 4/3? EP5 or OM-D?

One thing to remember with Panasonic is that the stabilisation is in-lens, not in-body. This means that only certain Panasonic lenses are stabilised. I don't know how important this is for you but it's a bit of a deal breaker for me.

Thanks. Good start as it would be a beal breaker as well.

I'd need to be in the UK for that, but worth watching.

[Ian]

Re: From E-400 to Micro 4/3? EP5 or OM-D?

Hi David - you will get a lot of opinions on this in our dedicated forums at e-group.uk.net and fourthirds-user.com, but to answer your questions:

1. The expected Olympus E-P5 will be a Pen model and the Pen family do not have a built in viewfinder as standard. Of course you can add an optional EVF. It's the Olympus OM-D line that features an integrated viewfinder. There is only one OM-D model at present (the E-M5) but logic dictates that there will be more models in the pipeline and hopefully some more affordable ones too.

The OM-D E-M5 is expensive because it has a high specification (dust and splash sealed magnesium alloy body with optional grip and lots of controls plus a fast and quiet shutter).

Olympus is promising a camera aimed at satisfying the needs of people like you who have invested in Four Thirds DSLR lenses. There are no confirmed details apart from the fact that they are working on it now. I expect it will be a Micro Four Thirds body that will fit into the OM-D line up and it will somehow address the need of a larger body than the the E-M5 and no-compromise autofocus for Four Thirds lenses. You could of course wait for that.

You could of course look out for a second hand E-620 as an interim measure - this is much more advanced than your E-400 but not much larger in size.

Ian

[David Rayden]

Re: From E-400 to Micro 4/3? EP5 or OM-D?

Hi David - you will get a lot of opinions on this in our dedicated forums at e-group.uk.net and fourthirds-user.com, but to answer your questions:

I was hoping this forum would be a migration from the other forums. It seems to have the same friendly faces and good information. I'm looking for a "club", so to speak.

1. The expected Olympus E-P5 will be a Pen model and the Pen family do not have a built in viewfinder as standard. Of course you can add an optional EVF.

I want integrated. It's a must-have. EVF is fine, looking at the latest OM-D one.

The OM-D E-M5 is expensive because it has a high specification (dust and splash sealed magnesium alloy body with optional grip and lots of controls plus a fast and quiet shutter).

Yes, and I don't mind paying for that at all - in fact if my budget was higher, it would be my choice.

Olympus is promising a camera aimed at satisfying the needs of people like you who have invested in Four Thirds DSLR lenses. There are no confirmed details apart from the fact that they are working on it now. I expect it will be a Micro Four Thirds body that will fit into the OM-D line up and it will somehow address the need of a larger body than the the E-M5 and no-compromise autofocus for Four Thirds lenses. You could of course wait for that.

They are taking too long with no clear plans. I'd switch brands if I thought there was a better option. I can't see one.

You could of course look out for a second hand E-620 as an interim measure - this is much more advanced than your E-400 but not much larger in size.

Not an option, unless my E-400 dies.

[skids]

Re: From E-400 to Micro 4/3? EP5 or OM-D?

.....You could of course look out for a second hand E-620 as an interim measure - this is much more advanced than your E-400 but not much larger in size.

Ian

Just quoting part of Ian's reply. I upgraded from an E-410 (about the same as an E-400) to an E-620 and was really pleased I did so. That would be a good move.

[Silo]

Re: From E-400 to Micro 4/3? EP5 or OM-D?

I'm in a similar predicament David and tending to wait for the promised hybrid. I'm getting by with the E510 because of image stabilisation. Any E model above that would serve you well without breaking the bank.

btw. re E400, You do have the the last Kodak CCD used before cmos was adopted. some swear it's better original Oly colour. It's worth keeping for that if you like the colour as you won't get a whole lot for it

[David Rayden]

Re: From E-400 to Micro 4/3? EP5 or OM-D?

I'm in a similar predicament David and tending to wait for the promised hybrid. I'm getting by with the E510 because of image stabilisation. Any E model above that would serve you well without breaking the bank.

btw. re E400, You do have the the last Kodak CCD used before cmos was adopted. some swear it's better original Oly colour. It's worth keeping for that if you like the colour as you won't get a whole lot for it

I think a fair few are waiting.

The E-400 is going nowhere! I love it to death, and will use it until it dies.