Hey all, I've been loosely following the list for some time now, and wanted
to make a few assertions in defense of Olympus.
There are some on this list who think that anything less than a "full
frame" (full of what?) sensor in a digital camera is inferior. Digital
imaging is still an evolving technology, and what we are starting to see is
that chip/sensor size is only one of many factors that produce a high
quality image. As sensor tech improves, sensor size becomes less important
for everything except for aspect ratio and depth of field, two things that
are a direct function of the size of the film/sensor/imaging chip. The
OM-D is bearing this out in testing and in real world use.
There are others who think Olympus should have made a "full frame" camera,
for various reasons, one of which is so we can use our legacy OM Zuikos at
their intended focal length. This is silly, and backwards. The best
4/3rds and micro 4/3rds lenses on a 4/3rds or m.4/3rds camera are vastly
superior to the best OM Zuikos on any digital camera (this is simple
physics, as the angle of incidence is important for a digital sensor for
vignetting and sharpness, but not as important for film).
There are still others who think that APS-C is significantly better than
4/3rds. It is not. The best 4/3rds sensors are now on par with all but
the very best APS-C sensors, and as sensor tech improves, the limiting
factor will be the optics, not the sensor. And we all know that digital
Zuiko optics are some of the best out there. For corner to corner
sharpness, both stopped down and shooting wide open, there is nothing
better on digital.
People also keep forgetting about the new IBIS tech that Olympus has put in
the OM-D. That right there negates any low light advantage that an APS-C
sensor might have. Even if it's only effective up to two stops, that means
shooting at ISO 400 in fairly low light with no camera shake.
Oh, and size does matter. I can fit either my EP-2 or EM-5 (yep, just got
one) with Panny 14/2.5 pancake in my tiny underseat saddle bag on my
bicycle, with a drivers license, keys, credit card, and flat repair kit in
a tiny top tube bag. Talk about traveling light!
People keep grousing about the new Olympus digital cameras as though they
are somehow deficient. They are not. The OM-D is exactly what Maitani had
envisioned when he first started working on both miniaturization and
automation to assist in creativity (not hinder it). It is a take-anywhere
camera that has blazingly fast autofocus, weather sealing, real time tone
curve control, real time bulb exposure!, a very nice electronic viewfinder
that is WYSIWYG, superb IBIS (shooting video is like using a steadicam), a
kick ass selection of lenses, and sex appeal that you wouldn't think
possible from the Japanese.
Olympus has arrived. And the lot of you naysayers (you know who you are)
only sound like curmudgeons.
I'm not saying everyone should sell all their gear and invest in
m.4/3rds--you may have very valid reasons for using the gear you use. But
to brand micro 4/3rds as somehow inferior because Oly didn't follow a
certain format, is silly. It fits a very real need in many amateur and pro
gear bags, and can give results worthy of publication, just as easily as
any other format or brand. And don't tell me that you're angry that Oly
abandoned OM, and now it would cost too much to switch over. The OM-D
costs as much brand new as the Canon 5D does used (even now!) and there are
some phenomenal m.4/3rds lenses that are really not that pricey (I bought
my Panny 14/2.5 for $175 brand new, the new Zuiko 45/1.8 is affordable, and
so is the Panny 20/1.7, all great lenses).
Lest anyone brand me a "fanboy", I do think there are two huge deficiencies
with Olympus as an imaging company right now: 1, no fast weather sealed
zoom for m.4/3rds like the 14-54mm, and 2. they still haven't solved the
PDAF to CDAF focusing problem, and this is a must.
Oh, and Bill B., you'll love your new Macbook Pro. Seriously, you'll
wonder how you ever got along without it.
-Nick
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