Button layout and feel

[Walti]

How different is the E-M1X to the E-M1ii in button layout?

Are they similar enough that the two bodies can be used side by side - to gain telephoto V2.0 focussing advantages of X, while using ii for smaller lenses?

I went on a Brands Hatch day and don't have any issues using both bodies, but cannot remember the actual differences!

My thinking being that the new 150-400 looks like it "needs" the X to get the most out of it, but while I'm still struggling to get the best out of lesser lenses I'd be better off improving the output from them, until the lens/body becomes the limiting factor rather than me being the limit!

[JohnGG]

The most significant difference when the cameras are up to your eye is that on the E-M1X the four-way pad and OK button have been moved lower to make room for the AF point selection joystick. This has resulted in the "MENU" and "dustbin" buttons moving to sit below the screen. The AF point selection button at top right rear on the E-M1ii is omitted on the E-M1X as the joystick does that job. The two-way switch is now further away on the E-M1X and has a "Fn" button inside it rather than the "AEL/AFL" button, which is now separate and closer to the rear wheel. On the E-M1ii I used the two-way switch in posn. 2 for ISO adjustment with the rear wheel but the E-M1X now has separate ISO and exposure compensation buttons handy on the top plate, and repeated for the vertical grip.

The differences are not huge and I seem able to make the adjustment when moving between bodies. The biggest problem when going back to the E-M1ii is reaching for the joystick that isn't there but, apart from that, I don't tend to have problems as I alway use it with the grip attached anyway, as I also do with my old 4/3rds bodies. Having rather large hands I find using cameras, the OM-D bodies in particular, without a grip a bit like trying to eat my dinner with children's cutlery 🙂

Cheers,

JohnGG

[Walti]

Many thanks for that, I find the ii fits my hands quite well, whereas the i didn't so I always used the grip with the larger lenses, on the ii I've used it a few times for extra battery when doing long composites or time lapse.

Next question is "Do I want to spend £1800 on a second body?"...

[Walti]

Just looked at EBay - for a laugh, and found second hand copies being offered at £2,200, while a new one is £1,800 (or £1,600 from one or two dealers) or £1200 for grey imports.