Tech | Olympus OM-D EM-5, one year later

I've now been using the Olympus OM-D EM-5 actively for a year. It's been in 10 countries with me and recorded over 21,000 frames. Every camera and lens has strengths and tradeoffs, but for my needs the EM-5 is the best digital camera I've owned, and I think Olympus deserves recognition for its achievement.

In thinking about this, I found that I can go even further: this camera has helped me improve my photography and strengthen my personal style, compared to my full frame DSLR. How can a camera do that, when it's just a tool? Well, I think a camera that has certain strengths does influence the photographer.

• In-body stabilization with interchangeable lenses has been a revelation. In the past my wide-angle lenses never had stabilization, but now I'm encouraged to shoot hand-held wide angles anytime, in low light and at night.
• A high-quality EVF encourages experimentation, because it shows a "live" view of actual exposure (in decent light) and allows "live" composition in different aspect ratios. I'm trying exposures and compositions I wouldn't have attempted using my DSLR.
• Because the EM-5 is so small, I never have to choose between an SLR and a compact camera; I always have the full creative capabilities of an SLR with me.
• Because the EM-5 is "friendlier looking" than my DSLR, I don't get challenged as much by strangers when I'm shooting on the street (people wanting to know why I'm taking pictures). I don't have data to back this up, but in it's been my experience.
• By reducing my lens choices, the EM-5 has actually helped me think less about absolute pixel-level image quality and more about the content of the image. Sure, the Olympus 9-18mm is softer in the corners than a Canon 16-35mm L -- but I can hardly recall a situation where it mattered.

It has faults, of course. Most prominently:

• Custom settings (MySets) are essentially unusable, because you have to dive into the (mediocre) menu system to retrieve them. You can assign a MySet to a button, but you have to hold down the button while shooting -- in other words, pinch the top of the camera with your thumb on Fn1 and your finger on the shutter. It's a bafflingly stupid design choice in an otherwise thoughtfully designed camera, and no custom settings is a big limitation in a semi-professional camera.
• Though the camera is sturdy and weather-resistant overall, on my silver model the paint has worn off the right top corner, where my finger rests on the shutter. I've never seen that on any camera before.
• Customizing the camera is needlessly complicated and has some pointless gotchas, but there's a good DPReview guide for this and you don't do it often.

But oddly enough, when a camera is this good, it gains a certain character that makes you look past obvious faults and want to just keeping using it.

These days when I pick up my Canon 5D, it feels wrong to me. It's too bulky and heavy; I don't want to walk with it for 6 or 8 hours, as I often do when traveling. The viewfinder view is bigger, but there's information missing, especially live exposure information. The only reasons to use the DSLR are pure image quality, or the benefit of a specific lens (sharpness or DOF). Those are good reasons, but rarely; nearly always, the DSLR stays in the closet and the EM-5 comes with me.

So here's to the future of Micro Four Thirds!