I wouldn’t underestimate the size difference. Even though by pure specs it might not seem very different, once lenses are attached, it’s pretty … um, sizeable. Here’s a good visual comparison of a 5Dmk2, 550D (T2i), and an OM-D side by side: http://www.mu-43.com/f42/e-m5-vs-5dii-550d-size-comparison-25205/
It’s even more stark when you consider small lenses – m43 has many compact and pancake primes that are dwarfed by even the smallest DSLR lenses (on the Canon side, the nifty fifty or the plastic 35mm. A specialty lenses like the Voigtlander Ultron will get you closer to the larger m43 primes). There’s just no comparison.
I have tons of DSLR gear, but what I found was that I mostly couldn’t be bothered to bring it out with me anymore and was shooting (too much) with my phone. Last year, I committed to carrying an X100 with me everywhere and I’ve shot more (and better) for fun than I have in years. I found dynamic range and high ISO performance beat my old 5D and was practically on par w/ the 5Dmk2 in a much smaller and way more discreet (that leaf shutter!) package. It’s a perfect travel camera, and I don’t feel like I’m missing anything vs carrying around my DSLR (quite the opposite).
I wasn’t exactly looking for another system, but I ended up pre-ordering the EM-5. Frustratingly, Amazon shipped it 3-day on my Prime account, so it arrived (and is sitting in the office now) the day after I went out of town on a work trip, but I can outline some of what made it particularly compelling:
- Weather Sealing: I shoot outdoors a fair amount, and my last travel trip, both the X100 and 5Dmk2 went out of commission on a particularly photoworthy expedition (ended up shooting w/ my iPhone 4S and a waterproof Sony TX10). The EM-5 is sealed as well as the E-5, which is pretty much the Gold standard (maybe the 1Dmk4 compares).
- Lenses: previously discussed is the size difference, but also, of the MILC systems, m43 is head and shoulders about where the X-Mount or E-Mount are (or will be) any time soon in terms of selection. Great primes, decent slow zooms, and the tons of adapted options (I’m actually most looking forward to trying out some C-Mount and M39 lenses).
- Flexibility: while I love the X100 and have adapted to some of its charms, there are a lot of things it just doesn’t do as well with (I don’t shoot much action, but my proudest moments are successfully capturing close-up social shots, which shouldn’t be as herculean a task as it is). The EM-5 keeps the size and most of the discreteness for shooting people (closer to the X100 than a DSLR) while being much more forgiving with handling (best-in-class AF, high frame rates, and that 5-axis IBIS), and it turns out, without sacrificing much, if any, real world IQ.
As a point of reference, I’ve had a 5Dmk3 in the office for a few weeks, but honestly, I haven’t felt the need/desire to actually take it out shooting for fun w/ it…
