The competition
Images: Nikon D300S – £1,050 (body only), Canon EOS 7D – £1,150 (body only)
Despite pitching itself as a professional camera with a body-only price of around £1,500, the E-5 sits more comfortably among the advanced consumer models, such as the Nikon D300S, Canon EOS 7D and Pentax K-5. These advanced amateur/semi-professional cameras offer similar body sizes and comparable specification to the E-5.
The Canon EOS 7D and Pentax K-5 offer higher pixel counts and all offer faster frame rates, but the Olympus has the advantage of a vari-angle screen and creative art filters.
Currently, the E-5 is at a disadvantage because it has only recently been launched and is still holding its recommended retail price, while the others have dropped their prices slightly. This makes the E-5 the most expensive option of the four, but this is bound to even out after a few months of sale.
