X2 versus OM-D E-M5

[Cadfael_tex]

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I had all but decided on buying an X2 but then I saw a video on Steve Huff Photo (

!) that made me think twice. I've seen some great things about the New OLY OM-D and the Zuiko lenses are the only things I've seen that come close to the Leica glass to my eye.

 

So, even though it's apples to oranges, what do you think about a comparison between these two cameras? What are your thoughts?

 

TIA,

Tony

[nryn]

For a week or so I contemplated the same thing. In the end I decided I didn't want another system camera. I have a camera (an M9) for which I can change lenses and which I take with me on photography-focused excursions.

 

I chose the X precisely because it isn't that camera and because it boils the photographic experience down to exactly the set of things I want from a camera I have with me all the time. While I make a few photograph-specific choices, of course (namely exposure), the only choice I need to make about the camera is whether to put the EVF on or not. No zoom. No IS. No lens selection or regret about which lens I've got. I've got what I've got and I take pictures within those constraints.

 

I don't really care about the pixel peeping stuff. I've seen excellent results from both the OM-D and am getting them from the X2. Saying one is a definitively better camera than the other seems ridiculous to me and always absent some larger context.

 

The X2 works great for me given the goals stated above.

[Spaniard69]

I don't much about the Oly but I prefer the X2 becoz I hate changing lens. I was using a 5DM2 with 24L, 50L and 70-200L. It's was pain and heavy to bring along on vacations. Sold all my gears and bought a X2 instead. Now I don't have to worry about which lens should I bring.

 

Glad I make the right decision.

[M8X2]

I had the same question some weeks ago. I ended up with the third option, an X100.

 

For me it was the blog of Ming Thein which first showed the first full review of an X2. I was ready to buy - after testing, of course. Then he made another review on the Olympus a bit later. I was confused and wanted to investigate before I made my decision.

 

Being nearly happy with my M8 with a Voigtländer 35/1,4 (only focussing takes too long for my purpose), I knew I could live with the limitations of the X2, but I wanted to give the OM-D a chance, mainly because of the available faster lenses (e.g., Panaleica 25/1,4) and for the video capabilities which I don't intend to use it often but just in case.

 

My decision against the Oly was taken after a minute. It is well made and fast as lightning, no doubt, but the controls are just too tiny for me and I was not able to hold it comfortably.

 

If I had to decide between Oly and X2, it would be the X2.

 

I decided to buy an X100. It has a faster lens and an OVF. I also want to see what Leica might issue between X and M. That might be the thing I really might want supplementing the M8 and I don't want to burn too much money.

[sfowler]

I chose the X2 over the Oly because of a few reasons.

 

1.Oly is being sued for mob action and they may go under and then the warranty can go bye bye.

2. The oly has that stupid fan running all the time and will irate me.

3. Although its has built in IS it still is not my fav.

4. IQ is better on the X2 any day of the week.

 

 

I also agree with the comment made by ether farm "I chose the X precisely because it isn't that camera and because it boils the photographic experience down to exactly the set of things I want from a camera I have with me all the time. While I make a few photograph-specific choices, of course (namely exposure), the only choice I need to make about the camera is whether to put the EVF on or not. No zoom. No IS. No lens selection or regret about which lens I've got. I've got what I've got and I take pictures within those constraints." I LOVE THAT COMMENT!!!

 

Now I did have some lenses that were sitting in my cabinet and didn't want them to go to waste. So they were Zeiss lenses. A 20mm flektogon 2.8, 180 Sonnar 2.8, 300 Sonnar F4, and a 80 Biometar - none of these were IS and I wanted a camera that had IS built in for these lenses. Now since I am a big super fan of Zeiss lenses and Leica lenses - I wanted a camera that had the ability to help with IS. The Sony has Image Stabilization built in. It also accepts the Zeiss AF lenses that I hope to buy soon and you can't get AF in Zeiss unless you go Sony mount since Sony and Zeiss are in bed together. If I went with the Oly I would never be able to get the AF 24-70 Zeiss lens or any of the AF lenses that Zeiss makes for Sony. It just won't work on OLY. So thats rules out Oly for me. I want AF Zeiss lenses in the future and want to be able to use my existing Zeiss lenses on a SLR that supports IS and supports the AF Zeiss lenses for the future. I went and bought a Sony a57 for my lenses that I have so they don't go to waste. That worked for me.

 

And I have been doing a lot of testing on my Zeiss lenses with the Sony against the Leica and - the Leica X2 is the superior camera to my SLR or any SLR I have had in the past and I have had many cameras. The X2 is a serious machine in my book. It does everything I expect and more from the X2. Its light and the IQ is the best - it does long exposure, it does bracketing for my HDR stuff and its a great portrait lens as well as landscape photography. I don't regret the X2 at all. Next year...I will buy a (hope) M9.

[Ecaton]

If it has to be max IQ in a truly jacket pocket size format then there is only one option, X2 (X1). If versatility, speed, VF , tiltable screen etc matter as much, the baby Leica is the wrong choice.

[kalokeri]

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Two cameras - two concepts. You can compare the image quality but the rest is just up to your choice: what kind of camera do you want, do you consider to use different focal lenses or does the build in lens of the X2 satisfy your needs?

 

Everything else is wishful thinking.

[250swb]

I chose the X2 over the Oly because of a few reasons.

 

1.Oly is being sued for mob action and they may go under and then the warranty can go bye bye.

2. The oly has that stupid fan running all the time and will irate me.

3. Although its has built in IS it still is not my fav.

4. IQ is better on the X2 any day of the week.

 

1. Hardly likely given the size of the company which is vast, vaster than just making cameras.

2. What stupid fan? Do you mean the sensor that is suspended in a magnetic field to deliver industry leading image stabilisation?

3. It isn't possible with many other cameras to dial in the focal length of the lens you want stabilised. As it isn't your favourite what others have you tried?

4. Not from an side by side comparisons I have seen with a comparable lens on Huff's site or DPR. From my own experience using the PanaLeica 25mm DG Summilux it is hard to tell it apart from a 50mm ASPH Summilux on my M9, until 400 ISO upwards when the OMD is easily better.

 

Olympus have always made lenses very close to Leica quality at the high end, and now Panasonic are getting in on the act with the help of Leica. But an OMD has the advantage of more choice of focal lengths than the X2 (), it is better at high ISO than the X2, it has a better dynamic range than the X2,...and I could go on except to say it is also cheaper than an X2.

 

Steve

[sfowler]

1. Hardly likely given the size of the company which is vast, vaster than just making cameras.

I don't think anyone can answer that correctly as time will tell. My crystal ball is broken

 

2. What stupid fan? Do you mean the sensor that is suspended in a magnetic field to deliver industry leading image stabilization?

 

Yes - and it will irate me over time. I don't want a noisy camera humming all the time. My Sony doesn't humm while it stabilizes my image but the Oly does. Go figure - makes no sense and its a proven complaint on the internet. Everyone complains about the noisy camera humming all the time.Maybe your ok with it. I would not be.

 

3. It isn't possible with many other cameras to dial in the focal length of the lens you want stabilised. As it isn't your favourite what others have you tried?

 

With Sony you can. I have a chip adapter for m42 to Sony that is dialed in at 300mm and the Sony camera stabilizes my image like it should. No problem there. I can also put on Zeiss Autofocus lenses. Cant do that with an oly or canon or nikon or even pentax. I have tried Pentax IS built in and preferred Sony for the flexibility of Zeiss Lenses that are AF, Canon and Nikon don't make build in IS inside the camera. They have the IS in the lenses to make money.

 

4. Not from an side by side comparisons I have seen with a comparable lens on Huff's site or DPR. From my own experience using the PanaLeica 25mm DG Summilux it is hard to tell it apart from a 50mm ASPH Summilux on my M9, until 400 ISO upwards when the OMD is easily better.

 

Well then go get an Oly and be happy To each his own.

[Ecaton]

1. From my own experience using the PanaLeica 25mm DG Summilux it is hard to tell it apart from a 50mm ASPH Summilux on my M9, until 400 ISO upwards when the OMD is easily better.

 

Well then go get an Oly and be happy To each his own.

 

Two posts up you announce to hope to buy a M9 next year. An two posts later you can miraculously already compare the output from YOUR M9 with the OMD. This was a short year, wans't it.......:o:o I'm always glad to have such rich experience contributing to this forum.

[anupmc]

Two posts up you announce to hope to buy a M9 next year. An two posts later you can miraculously already compare the output from YOUR M9 with the OMD. This was a short year, wans't it.......:o:o I'm always glad to have such rich experience contributing to this forum.

 

sfowler was quoting Steve on that item 4.

[sfowler]

Two posts up you announce to hope to buy a M9 next year. An two posts later you can miraculously already compare the output from YOUR M9 with the OMD. This was a short year, wans't it.......:o:o I'm always glad to have such rich experience contributing to this forum.

 

Ecanton - I was quoting what 250SWB said and making my response. I did not say "Originally Posted by sfowler

1. From my own experience using the PanaLeica 25mm DG Summilux it is hard to tell it apart from a 50mm ASPH Summilux on my M9, until 400 ISO upwards when the OMD is easily better."

 

I am responding to 250SWB statement in red. I do not own a M9 - I do hope to own one next year.

[stevelap]

Sam, please don't use red text please, that's the prerogative of one of the moderators so can be confusing.

 

250swb already has an OM-D, as well as an M9, so he's commenting from personal experience. By the way, the OM-D isn't noisy in use, the hum is only apparent if deliberately listened for.

 

In any event the OM-D and X2 are not comparable cameras - apples and oranges. The former is a CSC and a very welcome, much smaller alternative to an interchangeable lens DSLR. The latter is a large sensor, fixed lens, interesting alternative to a point and shoot compact. Own one or the other, or both, but they are not the same thing.

[jaapv]

1. Hardly likely given the size of the company which is vast, vaster than just making cameras.

I don't think anyone can answer that correctly as time will tell. My crystal ball is broken

 

2. What stupid fan? Do you mean the sensor that is suspended in a magnetic field to deliver industry leading image stabilization?

 

Yes - and it will irate me over time. I don't want a noisy camera humming all the time. My Sony doesn't humm while it stabilizes my image but the Oly does. Go figure - makes no sense and its a proven complaint on the internet. Everyone complains about the noisy camera humming all the time.Maybe your ok with it. I would not be.

 

3. It isn't possible with many other cameras to dial in the focal length of the lens you want stabilised. As it isn't your favourite what others have you tried?

 

With Sony you can. I have a chip adapter for m42 to Sony that is dialed in at 300mm and the Sony camera stabilizes my image like it should. No problem there. I can also put on Zeiss Autofocus lenses. Cant do that with an oly or canon or nikon or even pentax. I have tried Pentax IS built in and preferred Sony for the flexibility of Zeiss Lenses that are AF, Canon and Nikon don't make build in IS inside the camera. They have the IS in the lenses to make money.

 

4. Not from an side by side comparisons I have seen with a comparable lens on Huff's site or DPR. From my own experience using the PanaLeica 25mm DG Summilux it is hard to tell it apart from a 50mm ASPH Summilux on my M9, until 400 ISO upwards when the OMD is easily better.

 

Well then go get an Oly and be happy To each his own.

 

It is much more clear if you use the (multi)quote function of the forum

[-Lss-]

By the way, the OM-D isn't noisy in use, the hum is only apparent if deliberately listened for.

Whether the noise can be heard in use depends on the type and level of environmental noise. In a typical quiet room it would be difficult to miss it even from a distance. There are thus situations where the noise can be objectionable.

[stevelap]

Whether the noise can be heard in use depends on the type and level of environmental noise. In a typical quiet room it would be difficult to miss it even from a distance. There are thus situations where the noise can be objectionable.

 

From personal experience I don't agree I'm afraid.

[-Lss-]

From personal experience I don't agree I'm afraid.

No worries. I own the camera myself and speak from personal experience, too.

[Cadfael_tex]

Follow on question then: One of the reasons I'm looking at the OM-D is that it takes great video from what I can tell. If I were to focus more on something just to take photos for me and get a D-Lux 5 or V-lux 40 as a small P&S and video for the 'family' would I be getting something worth having? Not to insult the cameras, but I noticed that in the article with the Leica President he didn't mention them and on the Leica website they call the X series 'real Leica's made in Germany'.

 

Is their any of the Leica charm in a D-lux 5 or V-lux 40?

[250swb]

They are both repackaged Panasonic's, which offer the same image quality for less money. True Leica bundle higher end software with them, so if you don't already have Lightroom then buying a D-Lux 5 may be cost effective.

 

Steve

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[rramesh]

I chose the X2 over the Oly because of a few reasons.

 

1.Oly is being sued for mob action and they may go under and then the warranty can go bye bye.

Olympus is one of the few Japanese companies making cameras also, that posted a profit this year, albeit a small one. Panasonic and Sony, if you recall posted huge losses, business pulled down by consumer electronics. Olympus is a very viable company indeed with a extremely strong medical imaging business. Very unlikely to fail.