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X2 versus OM-D E-M5


Cadfael_tex

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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.

 

Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012

Net sales 8,485 (0.20%)

Operating income 355 (-7.5%)

Net income -490 (-)

 

As a company, net sales and net income have been heading in the wrong direction for the last 3 financial years, with the most recent FY in the red. I don't imagine FY13 will be any better considering the recent fiasco.

 

There are rumours of a Sony cash injection though, without which I doubt they can stay afloat (without some sort of breakup).

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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.

 

Yes, it does, but...

 

I was trying to record a presentation with my OM-D and the bloody thing would stop on its own accord after about 15-20 minutes. After reading the manual it seems that the camera will cease recording video - without warning - when the camera gets too warm to proceed. Odd thing was that all I had to do was restart the recording process and it would run for another 15-20 minutes, then shut itself down, etc., etc.

 

When I filmed (or tried to film) the recent Venus transit with my GF1 I had no similar problems.

 

YMMV...

 

Don't get me wrong, though, I love my OM-D.

 

Bruce

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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?

 

The D-Lux 5 is a superb camera capable of excellent results and well worth considering. Its f2-3.3 24-90mm equivalent lens is extremely versatile. It does video but I'm not into that; I understand the V-Lux 40 is better for video. The V-Lux 40 has a f/3.3-6.4 24-480 mm equivalent lens. That's a huge range but slower so not so good for low light. I haven't used it so can't comment on image quality.

 

The X2 and X1 have classic controls like the M. IQ is better at high ISOs.

 

All of these cameras are significantly more compact than the OM-D Much depends on whether you will be happy with a single focal length.

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In some ways the Om-D is a compromise for the video and family-user-friendliness. So my 'new' question: how good is the IQ and video capability of the V-lux 40? Then I could concentrate on the 'camera' I want as a photography tool.

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So my 'new' question: how good is the IQ and video capability of the V-lux 40?

 

Its as good as the £200 point and shoot camera it is based on, except it costs £550. Video is possibly slightly better than a cameraphone.

 

Steve

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Got the OM-D and haven't got on with it. Too many settings to go in and change to get good results. So it's going back to the store tomorrow unless I have a big change of mind. I'm going to keep a DSLR as I feel so comfortable with SLR shooting. However, I'd still like a small camera to carry around and get great IQ with. So the question is now: X2 versus X100.

 

Ok, so humor me, I've still got sticker shock with the Leica models.

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Got the OM-D and haven't got on with it. Too many settings to go in and change to get good results. So it's going back to the store tomorrow unless I have a big change of mind. I'm going to keep a DSLR as I feel so comfortable with SLR shooting. However, I'd still like a small camera to carry around and get great IQ with. So the question is now: X2 versus X100.

 

Ok, so humor me, I've still got sticker shock with the Leica models.

 

I have the X1 and the Fuji. They are both great. If jacket pocket size is important, the X1 without VF wins. IQ is a draw up to iso 1600. Otherwise, the X100 simply is the better camera, in every respect, not even considering the massive price difference with VF included. When thinking about cost, for the price of a X2 & VF, you could actually keep the OMD and add the X100 to the collection;).

However, I won't depart with the X1, it's the best high IQ jacket pocket size solution in the market, there simply is no alternative. The X1 sans VF and without any accessories like handgrip etc (had them all, sold them all) is the point and shoot aps-c sensor alternative for me, whereas the X100 is the RF alike tool as far as shooting experience is concerned. If I could have only one camera, it would be the Fuji.

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I'm satisfied with my X1 and plan to buy an om-d to use with the 45/1,8 lens in the occasion when I need a tele (portraits etc). The only doubts is about the different aspect ratio (2/3 and 4/3). Of course I know I can eventually crop. I do not print larger than A3+ and think that IQ will be similar with both cameras.

robert

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OM-D went back to the store yesterday and my Nikon D40 is sold to my dad so I can go any direction I want (within wallet's reason). I might be able to stretch to $2000 (US). I can get a used X1 for about the same price as a X100 but I'm hearing that might not be the best option. I have almost talked myself into 'affording' the X pro 1.

 

The other option is to get a Nikon D7000 or another DLSR and get a smaller camera (even a film rangefinder) later.

 

What would you do if you were me?

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I might be able to stretch to $2000 (US). I can get a used X1 for about the same price as a X100 but I'm hearing that might not be the best option.

Why is that? Not to litter this topic, but I'm torn between buying an X1 and X100 too...I want the Leica but I fear the Fuji might be better ( with the EVF and all)...

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  • 2 weeks later...

It's always great to have options. I've been looking for a small supplemental camera for street shooting for awhile. I tried a few including the X100 but had never found anything that really fit what I was looking for until I picked up an OMD several week's ago. I particularly like using the rotating screen on the back as a waist-level finder especially as it can also be used as a shutter release. It expands how I can approach many different scenes creatively and unexpectedly.

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Yes, it does, but...

 

I was trying to record a presentation with my OM-D and the bloody thing would stop on its own accord after about 15-20 minutes. After reading the manual it seems that the camera will cease recording video - without warning - when the camera gets too warm to proceed. Odd thing was that all I had to do was restart the recording process and it would run for another 15-20 minutes, then shut itself down, etc., etc.

 

When I filmed (or tried to film) the recent Venus transit with my GF1 I had no similar problems.

 

YMMV...

 

Don't get me wrong, though, I love my OM-D.

 

Bruce

 

Are you sure you didn't hit the end limit imposed by the EU so that the camera doesnt get taxed in Europe like a video camera?

 

Gordon

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I feel the OM-D is a fine camera, but I don't care for the design. Seems like design by committee to me. A future iteration might be nice and Oly does make good glass.

 

That said, I agree with someone else that said they are interested in the X2 because it's not another "system". With a system comes the inevitable desire to buy lenses, which is not necessarily bad unless you already own another system and don't have unlimited funds.

 

As far as X2 vs X100 is concerned, I like the controls and get the heck out of my way simplicity the Leica offers. I've owned both the X100 and X1 and have sold the X1 to a friend. The X100 was sold because I didn't think the lens was anywhere near as good as the Leica aside from being a stop faster. Lots of flare and ghosting issues, even with the lens hood on. A bright light source off to the side would always wash out the photo. I did not experience that at all with the X1 out of the box without any hood.

 

I think I'll have an X2 by this fall again. In save up mode after buying a 5d3.

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