The New Olympus E-P5

<p>They pretty much crammed everything into what I consider to be the perfect camera for me.</p>

<ul>

<li>Two control dials, in the perfect locations</li>

<li>Tilt screen</li>

<li>Built in flash</li>

<li>5-axis IS</li>

<li>GPS and WiFi built in</li>

</ul>

<p>I have currently an E-P2, which I love. Like most, I was hesitant about not having a viewfinder. The more I used this system, the less I needed a viewfinder. I do have one, the VF-3, which I use when there is bright light outdoors, but not even this all the time. The new VF-4 looks great, I may look into it after I get the E-P5, but then I may not. The control dials are FAR more important to me, as I hate menu diving. The E-P2 suits me just fine control dial wise, even with the second dial being a little harder to use. The improved location and dial types on the E-P5 will be just what the doctor ordered.<br />Well done, Olympus! Now to find one...</p>

<p><a href="http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/e-p5.html?utm_content=trad_banner&utm_campaign=ep5_launch&utm_source=em_ep5_launch&utm_medium=email">Olympus E-P5</a></p>

<p>Same IQ as an OMD EM5 but with a smaller body - great! But adding an EVF is an expensive way of making it as least as bulky as an EM5. Is it weatherproof?</p>

<p>A new camera introduction means it was time for me to order the 18 month old Panasonic GX1 ($249 at B&H). I will be taking another look at the E-P5 about 18 months from now.</p>

<p>To answer John's question, no, the E-P5 is not sealed like the E-M5.</p>

<p>Other than not having a viewfinder hump, it looks like it's pretty similar in size to the E-M5, and it's either 5 grams heavier or 5 grams lighter, depending on whose specs you believe... but either way that's probably not a noticeable weight difference for the vast majority of people. </p>

<p>Great looking camera, though! Definitely a nice combination of features.</p>

<p>Personally I'll just wait for them to add Wi-Fi and GPS to the "E-M6" or whatever comes after the E-M5. ;-)</p>

<p>No viewfinder = no purchase. The lack of one on the E-P2 is an acute embarassment when using the hotshoe for flash.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>No viewfinder = no purchase.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>The VF-4 looks interesting and it has the added capability of being tiltable, which will work better for macro work than a fixed integrated VF like the E-M5 has. It also makes sense if you plan to have a couple of camera bodies, as you can only invest once in a VF over a couple of generations of camera bodies.</p>

<p>That being said, I might also stick to integrated viewfinders, like the E-M5 has. But I think the idea of a line of compact cameras without a builtin VF, like the Pen is, makes a lot of sense.</p>

<blockquote>No viewfinder = no purchase. The lack of one on the E-P2 is an acute embarassment when using the hotshoe for flash.</blockquote>

<p>The E-P5 with a viewfinder was released last year. It is called the OMD EM-5.</p>

<p>Yes. I don't see the point of the E-P5.</p>

A lot of other people will.

<p>It is the perfect camera for me. I bought an E-PL5 last week and took it on a short trip and absolutely loved it. However, I really want the extra features found on the E-P5, so I returned it and preoredered the EP-5.<br>

I really just shoot vaction photos these days, but like the extra flexability of interchangable lenses and all of the other professional qualities of this camera combined with great portability.</p><div></div>

<p>just got turned on to the PL3 and it looks like a nice camera.<br /><br />Looking to scale down from a DSLR and this looks like it would be a suitable replacement for times when a "professional" camera is not allowed and the fourthirds sensor will not leave me lacking.<br /><br />it comes with a 14-42 MM lens and seems like it would be ideal....<br /><br />thoughts?</p>

<p>I think of it with a 14mm or 20mm Pany pancake lens as an enthusiast Point and Shoot, that<br>

can be switched into a full featured mode with the dials, knobs and buttons to match.<br>

What can't the thing do? And the look and construction reminds me of the old time rangefinders.</p>