Olympus Malaysia takes
local pre-orders now (9 to 31 March 2012). There are promotions with FREE gifts too, choice of
MMF-3 adapter or 32Gb Sandisk EXTREME card. Do check out their official
promotional page here (Click).
Important Notes:
1. This blog is written from a user-experience perspective.
2. All images were shot in RAW and converted directly to JPEG Large SF (super fine) via Olympus Viewer 2 version 1.3 (provided by Olympus Malaysia).
3. General camera settings, Noise Filter = OFF, Contrast/Saturation/sharpness = 0, White Balance = Auto (with an option maintain warm color = OFF), Gradation = Normal
4. No post-processing applied to the images. All images were as good as straight out of camera, with minimal cropping for better presentation.
In my past review entries I have been receiving quite a number of feedback and suggestions from you beautiful readers. One popular request was for me to use the bundled kit lens M.Zuiko 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 together with the E-M5. I have done one dedicated shooting session with the 12-50mm lens alone.
I understand that I rarely used the 12-50mm lens in my past reviews of the E-M5. My justification for not using the 12-50mm lens is simple, it is not the sharpest lens among the current Olympus Micro 4/3 lenses line-up. I used the best prime lenses, 12mm F2 and 45mm F1.8 in most of my photographs previously, to vanquish any shadow of doubt that the images could have been better if better lenses were used. If I have used 12-50mm, the imperfections of the lens would have skewed the overall impression of what the E-M5 is truly capable of delivering. We know well that prime lenses will always be sharper than zoom lenses (optimization of optics for single focal length, and simple optical elements design). I was reviewing the Olympus OM-D E-M5, hence I wanted to push the camera and see how far it can go, it is only fitting to use the best lenses Olympus offers.
Sanjit, a dear friend who has worked so hard on the video shooting with E-M5 is almost done with his part of "behind the scenes" sharing and video capabilities review of the E-M5. At the mean time, he has released yet another fantastic video, summarizing my previous parts of reviews. Do give the video a look here:
About the M.Zuiko 12-50mm lens
I have also done an extensive user experienced based review for the M.Zuiko 12-50mm lens a few months ago. I have covered the primary strengths and features of the lens, such as the close up/macro capabilities, the 12mm wide angle and also the use as a general standard all rounder zoom lens. I shall not repeat myself in this entry, but before I go on with my shooting session with the E-M5 and 12-50mm on the streets, the following is a list of summary on my impressions on the 12-50mm lens:
You will like the lens if:
1) You want a general all-rounder lens that can do a lot more than an ordinary kit lens
2) You do not intend to buy a macro lens, but want much better magnification for close up works
3) You need something wider than the standard 14mm (28mm equivalent focal length)
4) Technical perfection is not a priority, and you do not require absolute sharpness in your image
5) You need a weather sealed lens to go along with the E-M5, and shoot in harsh conditions
6) You do a lot of video recording works, where the power zoom will ensure smooth and silent zoom operations.
You will NOT like the lens if:
1) You love bokeh. This lens will not give you much useful bokeh at all.
2) You are crazy about technical perfection (Chromatic Abberation, distortion control, etc)
3) You need a very sharp lens and critical about the amount of details resolved (I am guilty of this)
4) You won't shoot in rain or dusty conditions, and you treat your camera like a porcelain vase.
5) You always shoot indoors, or low light conditions, and you need to freeze movements in such circumstances