is oly really that good?

[RiverRat]

RiverRat,
Sorry if my question sounds silly but I am still a novice...

Silly, not at all, I'm a novice too! Just got my 5050 today so I thought I'd post my reasons for grabbing it over the 5060. So far I like this camera! As far as the lag time I'm not planning on rapid succession shots so I don't think it will be an issue at my level anyway. Gotta start somewhere but at this price ($409.00 on buydig.com) this camera and the case will get me into what has been historically a very expensive hobby for cheap. Of course I'm drooling over an Inon strobe now.......I'll practice with the built in flash first

 

[Dee]

Dang....I paid $429 for one last week at BuyDig.com!

Twilight....ChrisP from Rodales has both cameras and has posted a comparison of the two ----> HERE

 

[TwilightZ1]

Dang....I paid $429 for one last week at BuyDig.com!

Twilight....ChrisP from Rodales has both cameras and has posted a comparison of the two ----> HERE

Dee,

Thanks! Helpful as always.

 

[ReyeR]

Dang....I paid $429 for one last week at BuyDig.com!

Twilight....ChrisP from Rodales has both cameras and has posted a comparison of the two ----> HERE

Very sound advice. I would like to add that the 5060 is a very smooth and quiet(er) camera, sort of a like a refined 5050. In reality it is perhaps just marginally faster in focusing but feels a lot faster and responsive because it is smooth and quiet. The full-flip viewfinder is very handy - I don't know why Olympus doesn't do it for all it's high-end prosumer cameras.
Also, I feel the housing for the C5060 has been improved - it's easier to setup the camera with the PT-020. The jog dial on the housing has also been shifted to the back rather than on top.
Out-of-the-box I would choose the 5060 for it's wider lens and smooth operation. The f1.8 of the 5050 is a nice-to-have but TBH I've never used it at that aperture. In my opinion the long lasting batteries and slower shelf discharge time of the lithium ions far out-weigh the benefits of generic AA batteries. If you are worried about your battery or charger qarking it on the trip then carry spare batteries and charger - this is what I do with my NiMH anyway. BTW, according to dpreview, the proprietary lithium-ion battery of the C8080 last upto 5hrs 52mins! Probably the longest of any camera in the market.
The only reason I would choose the C5050 over the C5060 is the interchageable wet WAL.

 

[RiverRat]

Dang....I paid $429 for one last week at BuyDig.com!

Twilight....ChrisP from Rodales has both cameras and has posted a comparison of the two ----> HERE

I paid about that with shipping, maybe same deal. Hey thanks for the Rodales link. Wish I saw that before I bought the 5050 but I'm happy with the purchase. Both cameras are pretty damn close in comparison and a heck of a buy to get into the hobby. With the case I'm into this for less than $600.00!
Topside I'm very impressed so far with this camera.
Can't wait to get it wet!