"I'm like a dog... I wouldn't know what to do if I actually caught one!"
That's the first thing I thought of as I left the camera shop without the Olympus OM-D they had sitting, sealed in a box.
I've hit most all the camera stores around here, and not a single one has the darn thing in stock. Nobody online seems to have it - unless you want to pay for used or price gouged models. And so while on a trip this weekend - about 100 miles from home - I entered a small camera shop and asked if they had one; knowing full well the answer would be "no."
When he had me follow him across the store, I figured he didn't know what he was talking about. But wouldn't ya know it! ... They had a silver model on display, and a black kit model w/ the w/s zoom for MSRP at $1299.
I was freaking THRILLED to get my hands on it. First off; I'm a big fellow, and no doubt, this is a tiny little camera. I knew it'd be small, but it's really shocking in person. It's itty-bitty. It was also a bit lighter than I expected; it felt solid, but not quite as "hefty solid" as I hoped. I mean, sure, the light weight is probably better all things considered; but I think I kind of could have appreciated some extra heft.
Those two things aside, though, the camera was fantastic. It auto-focuses *FAST*. I mean, almost instantly. It certainly blows my new D90 with kit lens out of the water; and it was comparable to my 40D back when I'd use nice lenses like the 70-200 2.8IS. That was the first "practical use" benefit I recognized once getting my hands on it.
The electronic viewfinder is a bit weird. It certainly works, and it's way better than nothing at all. But it was more grainy/washed out than I'd hope. It'd be 100% fine for composition; but it definitely would leave something to be desired in regard to accurate color/shadows/lighting/etc.
Dials were solid, and buttons were well laid out. My hands wrapped comfortably around it.
I didn't get a whole lot of time to test it's limits; I was in the store with limited objects and goofy lighting... and no SD card to review my shots. But, I definitely loved what I saw.
Is it comparable to a top-end DSLR? No, not at all. But a entry-to-mid level DSLR? Yeah, I'd wager so. with similar primes/focal lengths, I can't possibly see this OM-D struggle to take just as good - if not better - pictures than a Canon 60D or Nikon D7000.
... But that's not even the point. It's awesome that the hardware is right up there with great DSLRs from Canon/Nikon, etc; but it's the benefit of it's size and noise that really make me happy. It's instantly apparent that this is the perfect camera for my uses:
Travel? Hell yeah. Throw my Crumpler or a new Domke' canvas bag in my overhead bag with my clothes with an extra lens or two; and keep the actual body and a fast prime in my "personal item". When I'm in a new city for work, hitting the town at night, it's light enough to wear over my neck/shoulder and it not wear me down or me need to worry about it clunking against me. Even better, it doesn't make me look like a tourist or a professional. ... It's quite nice to just look like someone who might want to grab a picture of something. A *hobbyist*, which is exactly what I am.
My pictures? Yes! People immediately react when they see a camera - for better or for worse. But take out a large SLR and a big lens, and regardless of your subject, it's much harder to get natural - or hell, the coveted candid - shots. And when you're sneaking a shot or two, the loud shutter gives me away instantly. This was much quieter, and much more compact. I really do feel like I'll be more likely to snag the shots I like more often.
And those are my two biggest concerns.
***
So, why didn't I buy it? After all this hunting, I couldn't believe I turned it down. But, really, it was just a matter of money right now.
After tax, that basic kit would cost me $1400+. And I knew I'd probably drop three or four hundred on a lens the second I got home and hopped online. And, I'm a sucker for buying a new bag and memory card when I get new equipment... I just can't help it ;p At the end of the day, I sat there thinking I'd be dropping nearly $2K for the absolute BARE minimum I want in my early kit. Really, I could probably hit over $2.5K fairly easy once I throw in a battery grip and another fast prime. And even still, I wouldn't have everything.
So, yeah, I just couldn't do it. I wanted to... bad. But that's an expensive wall right now.
I figured I'd go home and start saving. And in a couple/few months, I'll re-evaluate my finances and see if I have built up a small savings. If so, I'll sell my D90 and combine that $$ with my savings, and I'll go buy my kit without putting two grand on a credit card.
/book
