What do you get for a $1,500 digital camera today? A lot, if you like quality, smart design and drop-dead gorgeous looks.
Most folks rarely go past $1,000 for cameras that easily outshoot any cellphone camera. There’s nothing wrong with that. Many new quality cameras using the same size key digital picture sensor come in different models features and price range.
Take the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 four thirds 16 megapixel flagship camera launched on the docked Intrepid aircraft carrier in Manhattan a few weeks ago. I came back with an eval unit along with the also pricey 12mm-40mm f 2.8 Pro weather resistant zoom lens, for $999.
Needless to say, the camera delivers. The solid body metal quality construction, detailed with well thought-out dials, 23 multifunction buttons strategically placed of the tightly designed body do an excellent job of connecting your picture taking needs in any environment.
Afterall, Olympus has had several iterations of this camera line to get it right. What is special about the EM-1?
It has a large grip, you appreciate when using the camera especially large, heavy lenses. It also places the shutter button further upfront making holding and shooting the E-M1 much more comfortable. That same grip becomes the launching platform for key controls accessible with your thumb and index.
The high rez pullout main screen tilts up and down (not as far down as I would have liked) and the LCD full view (even for glass wearers) is bright and irreplaceable for outdoor photos.
The EM-1 has improved focusing speed and accuracy over the OM-D 5 and impressive write speed, especially after several seconds of 10 fps shooting. What impressed me the most was the notably short lag time when shooting, imperceptible compared to shooting with traditional pro DSLRs.
The camera’s solid feel combined with the responsive shutter gives you that Mercedes feel every time you shoot a frame. Nice.
The EM-1 has lots of customizing with two special function buttons and the ability to change important settings on the fly through different button and dial changes of your choosing, makes getting the correctly exposed picture without taking your eye off the viewfinder a breeze.
And did I say the EM-1 is weatherproofed with gaskets in every body opening? Yes, you can shoot in the rain. The optionally matched 12mm-40mm Pro at a constant f2.8 and equally weatherproofed, is a perfect match for capturing images and HD video in any weather of seasonal conditions including sub-zero temperatures. Speaking of video, auto focusing kept up with my purposely fast moving video (see my recent YouTube vids on the recent HP devices launch in San Francisco.)
One little detail on manual zoom lenses for interchangeable cameras like the 12-40 Pro: The zooming ring is exceptionally smooth for professional-like zooms when shooting video.
The battery seems ample enough for a days good shoot and more.
Who should buy it? Now for some deeper thinking new quality camera buyers from my hands-on experience over many years of picture taking.
The EM-1 is probably the most advanced four thirds camera including competitor Panasonic’s equally well designed four thirds line with also impressive optics. But in cameras today you can choose the same quality size picture sensor, what really defines a camera’s picture quality, in models costing a third the price of the EM-1. In average shooting, one would be hard pressed to notice the difference in picture quality between the EM-1 and its sibling PEN E-PM2 costing only $499 with zoom lens kit. What are you giving up? Ruggedness, faster response, a little better quality pictures without flash, settling with noticeably cheaper material and less sharp viewfinders. You are getting better quality images with pricier lenses but that is not inherent in the camera itself. But there is more when deciding between the variously priced models of one brand compared to other brands with larger or smaller sensors in this popular interchangeable lens camera category.
Here is what camera stores counters won’t tell you when you are looking around for a new camera.
Remember this: The cheapest model of one given brand with the larger APS-C type sensor (found in the Canon Rebel DSLR family) like the Olympus NX, Sony NEX and FujuFilm X will naturally take better quality photos than the noticeably smaller Four Thirds size sensor of Olympus and Panasonic brands…no matter what the marketing buzz. Likewise for even smaller sensors found in the Nikon 1 series. The most expensive models of smaller size picture sensor brands will never overlap the picture quality of cheaper models of larger image sensor brands. Most simply put more emphasis on more buttons, faster processors, meaningless higher megapixel numbers and features like swing-out viewfinders.
The EM-1 will attract current Olympus fans wanting the best shooting experience with professional-like results. Current NX, NEX and Fuji X owners will stay put or upgrade to the ultimate quality digital cameras using full-frame sensors, the size of the original 35 mm film and slide format.
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