OM-D (EM-5) vs. NEX7 EVFs

[Jamie Pillers]

(FYI if you're thinking about buying the Oly OM-D/EM-5 or the NEX7)

I've been thinking about getting an Olympus EM-5 as a foul-weather camera. And as an all-in-one kit with the zoom lens for trips with the family when I don't want to lug more gear around. But I've been concerned about whether I'd be happy using a camera with an electronic viewfinder.

Recently I'd read comments by Mike Johnston at TheOnlinePhotographer.com and Steve Huff at SteveHuff.com about how wonderful they think the Sony NEX7 is. So today I had a chance to handle both the EM-5 and the NEX7 in our local camera store. I've got to say that, to my taste, the EM-5's viewfinder is WAY, WAY better. I know people like Sony's focus peaking feature, but I find it really distracting. The Sony EVF is far too contrasty, and with the focus peaking colors all over the place, the view feels like when you look through 3D glasses at the movie theater for the first time. The EM-5 viewfinder on the other hand is subtle, as EVFs go. Not nearly as contrasty, but VERY bright. I liked it a LOT!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I haven't tried the NEX, but I quite like the EM-5's EVF as well. It's a great little camera.

 

[Keith]

I've noticed with the E-M5 viewfinder when focusing manualy that the edges of things brighten and change colour slightly as they come into focus ... it really is an easy camera to focus with. Even the 17.5 f0.95 I bought recently is no big deal wide open!

 

[david.elliott]

Any insight as to how the panasonic g3 viewfinder compares?

 

[Johnmcd]

I've noticed with the E-M5 viewfinder when focusing manualy that the edges of things brighten and change colour slightly as they come into focus ... it really is an easy camera to focus with. Even the 17.5 f0.95 I bought recently is no big deal wide open!

I've noticed that too.

 

[Keith]

I've noticed that too.

I'm glad someone has noticed that ... it's almost like a subtle version of focus peaking and I find it very useful.

 

[n5jrn]

I've noticed that too.

Ditto here.

 

[heed]

I love the image-stabilized aspect of the EM-5's viewfinder. I can focus my legacy 135mm lens manually (hand-holding) perfectly using the zoom+IBIS. It's a knockout punch IMHO.

I very strongly considered the NEX as well, but there were just too many compelling features about the EM-5.

Have no fear, though. Sony is not the type of company to rest on its laurels.

 

[hteasley]

The external EVF for the NEX-5n convinced me to get a NEX. The external EVF is the same as the one in the NEX-7 and the A77. It is amazing. Haven't seen the OM-D's EVF, but the Sony's is really hard to beat.

 

[vrgard]

Never having tried the Nex7 I cannot contribute to the comparison discussion. However, I can say that I am very happily enjoying the evf of the OM-D E-M5. I don't feel any loss versus an SLR optical finder and actually find it better in medium to low light situations.

- Randy

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Have no fear, though. Sony is not the type of company to rest on its laurels.

Its really an amazing time we're living through, photographically. There doesn't seem to be any end to the innovations coming out of the digital photography design world. Its frustrating in a way, because one can't buy into a lifetime system... too much temptation comes around about every 6 months. In the 'old' days, you could invest in a Nikon or Canon or Leica kit and expect to pass it along to the kids. No more. 😱

 

[floyd]

Hi Jamie
I've got both cameras here and I have to say the viewfinder in the E-M5 is much nicer to look through in all lighting conditions. The Sony gets very poor in low light conditions.

 

[Lss]

The Sony EVF is far too contrasty

I have handled the NEX-7 a couple of times and agree with this, but I guess what I was looking at was the default setting. Overall it is the EVF with better specs, but the one in OM-D is certainly very good to work with.

The cameras are so different that I would not choose between them based on the EVF quality. The viewfinders are close enough in technical quality in my opinion. Concerning the EVFs, issues such as how information is shown and settings accessed are more important. Personally, I did not look deeply into this on NEX-7, but my experience with the NEX system is not too positive.

 

[peter_n]

I know people like Sony's focus peaking feature, but I find it really distracting. The Sony EVF is far too contrasty, and with the focus peaking colors all over the place, the view feels like when you look through 3D glasses at the movie theater for the first time.

Sounds like the camera you used had focus peaking set to high. If it's set to mid or better yet low you'd have very few objects in the plane of focus and it's not nearly as distracting.

 

[Keith]

Going OT for a moment...I had no interest in Canon DSLR's until I realized their compatibility with my Olympus OM Zuikos that I dearly love for film but have no otherwise FF digital use.

Likewise, I have been very curious about the OM-D E-M5 due to its form factor but had not yet seen images from a lens that suited me to the point of motivating me to buy into another camera system. I just have. The flickr group for this lens (VC 17.5 f0.95) has some very nice images, but this particular image demonstrates a smoothness that I demand from a fast lens:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwesterhof/7525659072/in/pool-1920748@N23/

I think I've had a glimpse into my future.

I finally got around to taking some images with this ^ combination today ... all at f0.95 and shot in very low light. It's an impressive lens ... I'll probably post some examples in the MFT forum when I've post processed them.

One thing I will say about the 17.5 is like the 35mm f1.2 Nokton M mount lens it has a very loose aperture ring. It moves if you breathe on it ... it's quite annoying and because the lens has no electronics there is no indication of your aperture in the viewfinder!

 

[GaryLH]

(FYI if you're thinking about buying the Oly OM-D/EM-5 or the NEX7)

I've been thinking about getting an Olympus EM-5 as a foul-weather camera. And as an all-in-one kit with the zoom lens for trips with the family when I don't want to lug more gear around.

Jamie..lol. 😀😡🙄:bang:

Another gas attack just because u reminded me that em5 w/ 12-50 is fully weather proof and dust proof plus the 24-100 (equiv) is my ideal one lens solution for vacations.

I got to rethink this..

Gary😀