e-m5 vs x-pro1

[nasoj21]

So I work for a camera retailer, and have to look at these cameras everyday. I shoot semi-professionally, but thus far I use Nikon for all work stuff.
A couple of years ago Olympus had a holiday program where if I sold 12 E-PL1's they would give me one, so i sold 12. Now I want an upgrade on the mirrorless side. (partially since my gf took the e-pl1)
I had decided that out of the three main contenders, the E-M5 X-PRO1 and NEX7, that I would get another Olympus.
The Sony and the Fuji, are both priced a bit too high and have pretty limited lens availability. The O-MD is a blast to shoot with and has a relatively decent price tag.
Well I have been waiting for Olympus to have regular availability on silver bodies so I as an employee can pick one up.
Now comes the complicated part.
We just recently became a premiere Fuji dealer, and Fuji has given us a very lucrative price, as employees on the X-PRO1. It would actually be cheaper for me to buy the Fuji than the Olympus.
I have shot the Olympus quite a bit, and for the most part love it. I really am not a big fan of electronic viewfinders, but can't really find any real complaints with it.
Now though, I have to bring to Fuji back in to the decision making process, so i took it out and shot it more.
The Fuji is such a strong option for a couple reasons. One, the cool factor. It is just really cool. It holds well. The view finder is cool. Two, the image quality. I really think that the Fuji will give better image quality. The sensor is bigger, so i will get shallower depth of field. There is no aa filter so the image will be sharper. Fuji has always delivered awesome color. Three, the price. This one only applies to me, but now the Fuji is priced better than the Olympus.
Despite all that. I still think I am going to go Olympus. They aren't really giving me a price break, but it isn't just what Olympus does or doesn't do for me. It really comes down to.what Fuji gets wrong.
The X-PRO1 is so slow. The focus is slow, and the camera takes forever between shots. There is no good way to manually focus, which makes lens adapters less of an option. I tried doing some portrait work with it, and the way the camera had to refocus between every shot despite being in single focus drove me crazy. Usually on a camera, if you put your finger halfway down on the shutter release, then push it all the way, than come back to halfway, then depress once again without your finger ever fully lifting, the camera won't refocus, but will shoot again and again and again. Not the Fuji. It refocused for every shot, unless I focused once then flipped the focus to manual. A serious problem when shooting a moving kid at a fairly shallow depth of field; need to refocus too often. Also I never shot enough color film to understand Fuji's color modes.
So in the end, money not being a factor, I have decided the Olympus is a better camera.

[Narsuitus]

Why did you not consider the Olympus E-p3?

[nasoj21]

I really don't have a good reason. Partially I guess I wasn't ready for a new camera till recently and partially I am a sucker for the latest and greatest.
I am so torn over the whole thing. A large part of me is still saying that I need to upgrade my D300s and not invest money in a whole new system.

[Don Kondra]

If you don't mind going a bit off topic could you say what you would upgrade to from the D300s..?

Cheers, Don

[nasoj21]

I think probably the D800e. I am not sure I really need all the resolution, but there are times when it would be nice. If i found a good deal on a used D3s, I would seriously consider that.

[japanesejay]

Originally Posted by nasoj21

So I work for a camera retailer, and have to look at these cameras everyday. I shoot semi-professionally, but thus far I use Nikon for all work stuff.
A couple of years ago Olympus had a holiday program where if I sold 12 E-PL1's they would give me one, so i sold 12. Now I want an upgrade on the mirrorless side. (partially since my gf took the e-pl1)
I had decided that out of the three main contenders, the E-M5 X-PRO1 and NEX7, that I would get another Olympus.
The Sony and the Fuji, are both priced a bit too high and have pretty limited lens availability. The O-MD is a blast to shoot with and has a relatively decent price tag.
Well I have been waiting for Olympus to have regular availability on silver bodies so I as an employee can pick one up.
Now comes the complicated part.
We just recently became a premiere Fuji dealer, and Fuji has given us a very lucrative price, as employees on the X-PRO1. It would actually be cheaper for me to buy the Fuji than the Olympus.
I have shot the Olympus quite a bit, and for the most part love it. I really am not a big fan of electronic viewfinders, but can't really find any real complaints with it.
Now though, I have to bring to Fuji back in to the decision making process, so i took it out and shot it more.
The Fuji is such a strong option for a couple reasons. One, the cool factor. It is just really cool. It holds well. The view finder is cool. Two, the image quality. I really think that the Fuji will give better image quality. The sensor is bigger, so i will get shallower depth of field. There is no aa filter so the image will be sharper. Fuji has always delivered awesome color. Three, the price. This one only applies to me, but now the Fuji is priced better than the Olympus.
Despite all that. I still think I am going to go Olympus. They aren't really giving me a price break, but it isn't just what Olympus does or doesn't do for me. It really comes down to.what Fuji gets wrong.
The X-PRO1 is so slow. The focus is slow, and the camera takes forever between shots. There is no good way to manually focus, which makes lens adapters less of an option. I tried doing some portrait work with it, and the way the camera had to refocus between every shot despite being in single focus drove me crazy. Usually on a camera, if you put your finger halfway down on the shutter release, then push it all the way, than come back to halfway, then depress once again without your finger ever fully lifting, the camera won't refocus, but will shoot again and again and again. Not the Fuji. It refocused for every shot, unless I focused once then flipped the focus to manual. A serious problem when shooting a moving kid at a fairly shallow depth of field; need to refocus too often. Also I never shot enough color film to understand Fuji's color modes.
So in the end, money not being a factor, I have decided the Olympus is a better camera.

I think you figured it out. As you have figured, the Fuji's focus speed is indeed too slow. I was in the same predicament and got an OM-D and have not turned back. However, the OM-D does have focus issues as well, especially under poor lighting conditions. I think these are part of the weaknesses of M4/3 cameras but its something you can live with.

I vote for OM-D (or the cheaper EP-3).

[kenwae]

The stable of lenses is another consideration. I don't know Fuji, but the OM-D lens collection is good, and going to get better.

[Saichiez]

The EP-3 or the E-pl3 is certainly an attractive alternative for price. I have the E-pl1 and have been very happy with it.

However, I don't think it will be long until we see the OM-D (EM-5) technology in a PEN body, foregoing the weather proofing (I don't do photography in the shower) and the tilt screen for a price in the range of the EP-3. I'm waiting a bit. However, at 69 with a bad ticker.. who knows?

[ClintS]

The D800/800E are awesome cameras. However, those that do not make large prints will not end up seeing that great resolution. Yet there is the great dynamic range, great detail that can be pulled dark areas, and being able to use 6400 ISO is outstanding.

But I still love the Olympus gear! I compared a D7000 and 24-70mm against a E-30 with a 12-60mm lens and the Olympus held its own at ISO 800 and below! With the announcement Olympus might only make one or two more DSLRs I solidly moved to Nikon and waiting to see what Olympus would come up with.

Now I hear about all these great things the OMD E-M5 is, and I really want a camera that do not have to lug around. I almost ordered a E-M5 today! I really need to get my hands on one for a week or.

[Iluvmycam]

OP...Thanks for the rundown on the cams.