Ming Thein has written a very nice “full review” about the newest Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera; it’s one of the best and most useful reviews I’ve read so far.
One word of caution: whenever he mentions that “small sensor” – well yes, compared to a “full frame” DSLR like his Nikon D700 or D800E, the (Micro) Four Thirds sensor is one quarter of their size. But compared to the mainstream APS-C DSLRs (at least these are still mainstream where I live), the difference isn’t that big, and this is one point most people get wrong. An APS-C sensor is larger than a Four Thirds one, yes, but mostly because these are wider, with their 2:3 against 4:3 format. When you compare height alone, the difference is about 14-20% or so – and Andrzej Wrotniak wrote about this years ago already. An APS-C camera has a “crop factor” (compared to “full frame”) of about 1.5 to 1.6 (depends on maker), while the Four Thirds one has a crop factor of 2 – and that’s it about the size differences. Tiny? Not at all!
But I digress. Ming’s article is worth reading even if you’re not that much interested in this newest (and somewhat expensive, tho this is relative of course) camera. The photos alone – most of them taken with the wonderful 45mm lens – are reason enough for a visit and a look. While Ming rates the camera more or less on par with a D7000 (which is a wonderful camera), the lenses could make all the difference. Plus the size and weight: 600g for a complete set with three prime lenses, and that even with a splash proof body made from metal – what’s not to like?
I have three cameras by now, in the order of purchase: an E-520, an E-PL1, and an OM-2N (“full frame” with film). And I think at least for traveling, one of these E-M5 cameras would be better than my three cameras combined. Plus it does have some things that none of my cameras have, like that neat tilting display – would love to have that, and to make photos Rolleiflex-style (from the hip).
Recommended reading, and because of the photos not only for photographers.
Great, honest review. I want to know how Ming Thein achieves the blacks in his black and whites. That’s how I want mine to look.
Yes, I’ve asked Ming about those blacks already – and his answer was that he does a white balance onto those blacks. Don’t know if that actually could make all the difference, or if those newer sensors just have more dynamic range than what I have. But then again, no, he gets the same results with his E-PM1, so it must be his post-processing.
Maybe for you it would be easier than for me – you are using the same tools (LR 4.1) like him, while I restrict myself to the OV2 (in a virtualized Win7), and to RawTherapee (on Linux).
I think he offers workshops on the topic, but these are quite expensive…
Just saw that I asked him on this image of his, where he replied. But I also loved this one, and, as you said, all of his blacks & whites… I find that I come close when increasing both contrast and saturation a bit, and then the blacks. But not each of my photos is good for that.
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