Great camera, and a bargain at used prices. I love mine, but it's still not great for anything moving tbh.
I've never worried too much with my Olympus bodies E-PL5, E-M10 and E-M10 Mkii - they've all got reasonable shots of stuff moving around but I suspect my expectations aren't as high.My daughter is now 14 so the only thing fast moving is her finger on her phone screen so it's less important to me.
My understanding was the E-M1 has faster autofocus than anything bar the Mkii because it has Phase Detect and Contrast Detect auto focus - thought that might make it a better bet than the E-M5 Mkii - certainly a lot cheaper data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
It is better for sure, but it's still a mystery as to when phase detect is actually used. Olympus have been very closed off with this and will not give a definitive answer. Some people think it's only used with the old 4/3 legacy glass, some people hint that it's used during tracking. I personally don't have a clue data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I’ve had another look around and am considering the Pen F from Oly, due to its price and size. I know it’s not going to be anything like my old D750 but I just want to be able to take nice portraits again lol anything with a prime lens is going to beat my iPhone! data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Does anyone know if there are any advantages over the E-M5ii (other than increase to 20mp)? And how do these Oly cameras compare to the similarly-priced offerings from Fuji? Mainly AF speed and image quality from primes is what I’m interested in. I’ve never had a Fuji before but really want to try one. Decisions, decisions..
if you dont need video autofocus, go with a panasonic G85.
if you dont need 4k, go with a canon 80d.
if you want to go full frame, get a a7iii.
imo
The Pen F is arguably the nicest looking camera on the market, however for me it's more form over function. Two of it's biggest problems for me is that it is not as comfortable to hold as the OMD's, especially as it has no grip whatsoever. Also the EVF is smaller than the EM5-II and EM1's which means that it's not as nice to use imo. Plus the Pen F doesn't have weather sealing, which was a deal breaker for me.
Regarding the Fuji, generally speaking their lenses are all really nice. Prices are generally higher than Olympus, but it will depend on what lenses you're looking at. That being said, I'm yet to see a truly sharp shot wide open from the much praised 56mm f1.2. The 35mm f1.4 is another highly regarded lens an overall I thought it was really nice, however if you're detail critical at the pixel level then you might still be disappointed.
Here's an example of a pic of my niece with the 35mm f1.4 taken at ISO 500 with bounced flash. At full view it looks very nice, renders well etc. However at 1:1 notice the lack of fine detail in the hair it's a bit smudgy (don't zoom into the image as you're going beyond 1:1 then)Also to say people rave about the noise handling of Fuji look how much noise there is at ISO 500. Now maybe I've been spoilt with the D750 (and now D850) but that looks a lot of noise at ISO 500 to me.
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/screen-shot-2018-05-01-at-08-34-36-png.1011421/
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/screen-shot-2018-05-01-at-08-34-28-png.1011422/
Now whilst this may come across as Fuji bashing it isn't meant to be. I really like Fuji images on the whole, rendering at normal viewing size is extremely nice 99% of the time and sometimes I like it over and above other systems. I just think it's important to realise the potential 'flaws' as Fuji fans would have you believe it's perfect data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
If you want some really nice examples of portraits and landscapes using the Fuji then check out @CFC1 's photostream. Calvin will be the first to admit that fine detail is still lacking at the pixel level, but if you can get away from being anal pixel peepers like myself, Calvin and thedude then I'm sure you'd be more than happy with Fuji. As I say, rendering on the whole is very nice indeed.
In terms of AF the XT1 isn't noticeably better then the EM5-II IMO.
I have a soft spot for the PEN-F - it looks beautiful - but it is way beyond my price range and I'm not sure it really gives many practical advantages over the OM-D line.
The PEN-F with 17mm f1.8 is very compact and high quality based on what I've seen over at the e group forums Olympus UK E-System User Group.
If you're serious you can get a free extended demo if you're close enough to one of the Olympus dealers.
Olympus TEST & WOW
Can't comment much on Fuji I was disappointed with an expensive compact that failed shortly out of warranty - that took all the shine of their lovely film simulation modes which I did enjoy.
FWIW Olympus cashback has just been announced £175 off the E-M5 Mkii or £65 off the E-M10 Mkii or Mkiii - nothing off the PEN-F
Olympus Summer Bonus 2018
Thanks everyone for your help, it’s interesting reading. I was really happy with my E-M5ii while I had it for about a year, then obviously spoilt by the D750 I had for a year afterwards.. so I think the Pen F would be almost perfect for my needs but might be a bit fiddly and frustrating compared to my last camera lol. Guess I’ll have to think more and suck it up and just make the most of whatever I decide on!
Just noticed the cash back too lol, maybe I should go for the em5ii as it’s much cheaper with the cash back. Hmm. £674 vs £900
Recently changed from Nikon D300s to the em5 mk2, the more and more im using it and getting used to it, the more im loving it. there are somethings that really bug me but nothing can be perfect