Getting back into digital photography after 5 years...

I will be retiring in a few months, so I'm back here at DPreview for some help choosing a new camera. My last camera was a DMC-FZ5, which was a lot of fun, but limited because of IQ of course. Back then, M4/3 was just taking off, and I thought it would be ideal for my brand of shooting, and with digital camera technology improving so fast, interchangeable lenses just make a lot of sense. So, I need a small camera that will fit into a large cargo pants pocket or large jacket pocket. Never been comfortable composing images on an LCD screen, so a good EVF is a must. And for most shots, a zoom lens or lenses covering 24 – 200 mm. FPS not an issue, but do need to be able to shoot in low light at higher ISO without a tripod with decent IQ. I won't be taking pictures of flowers, birds, landscapes, or even portraits, although I certainly enjoy seeing other folk's work. I will be using this camera in the city, sometimes in bad neighborhoods or places folks normally don't take pictures, so this is why a small, inconspicuous, yet flexible camera is needed. I will be printing and framing these images, mostly 8.5 x 11, and some 13 x 19, so they need to be presentation quality. Right now I'm considering the DMC-G3 with the 14-42 kit lens mainly because of it size, larger sensor, and very reasonable price, but I would appreciate hearing from other serious amateurs.

G3 with the 14-42 kit lens is a good choice. Then get the 20/1.7 pancake for low light shooting.
Then save up some more and get the 100-300 zoom.

Good luck.

--
Tod Yampel

Duck Club member

G3 is a good choice, but see the G2, it is now at a unbeatable price, it is a 12 megapixels sensor but it is fine and is a very good camera overall, very complete and nice to use (I already seen a G2 with the kit lens for $326)

The G3 have a new sensor with a bit better image at high iso, but high iso is not often used, and the G3 have some features missing because it is smaller

Think well

--
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

God is the tangential point between zero and infinity.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

God always take the simplest way.

• http://aleo-photo.org

• http://blog.aleo-photo.org

E-PL1 is an ideal camera for you. On german ebay I see factory refurbished E-PL1's with 14-42 lens for 220 Euros. If you live elsewhere there must be some good deals on it as well. Up to about ISO 1600 it matches G3 quite well on IQ. The downsides: it is slightly slower to focus and the LCD sucks. Otherwise, it is a great camera, and it is much happier in the pocket than G3 since it has no built-in viewfinder.

fermy said:

E-PL1 is an ideal camera for you. On german ebay I see factory refurbished E-PL1's with 14-42 lens for 220 Euros. If you live elsewhere there must be some good deals on it as well. Up to about ISO 1600 it matches G3 quite well on IQ. The downsides: it is slightly slower to focus and the LCD sucks. Otherwise, it is a great camera, and it is much happier in the pocket than G3 since it has no built-in viewfinder.

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Pair it with a 17mm f/2.8, or better yet a $19.00 Industar 61LD 55mm, f/2.8 and you will have a very nice street shooter for "rough" neibourhoods.

Hey, zone focusing and setting the hyperofocal distance doesn't get any better.

Hmmm......maybe a Nikor 35mm f 2.0 would be an even better match.

Enjoy!

Tedolph

With your help and others here at DPreview, I've ordered a G3 with the 14-45 kit lens and the 45-200, and hope to get the 20/1.7 later, so I'm pretty excited.

You've chosen a sweet setup. Let us know how you get on with it.

probepro said:

With your help and others here at DPreview, I've ordered a G3 with the 14-45 kit lens and the 45-200, and hope to get the 20/1.7 later, so I'm pretty excited.

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get a G2 and 14- 140 lens that should cover your requirements. Sorry I just realise you have ordered all ready.
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Ellen McIlroy

Aleo, where is a G2 with a kit lens available for 326$ ? and what is the kit lens bundled?

Yeah!
Now, be sure to come back and tell us all about it!

probepro said:

With your help and others here at DPreview, I've ordered a G3 with the 14-45 kit lens and the 45-200, and hope to get the 20/1.7 later, so I'm pretty excited.

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--
June in Georgia

Birth Certificates show we were born. Death Certificates show we died. Photographs show we lived.

dolphinsnose said:

Aleo, where is a G2 with a kit lens available for 326$ ? and what is the kit lens bundled?

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I've seen the kit with the 14-42 at B&H for $374; or if you want the 14-45mm instead it would be 499 (they have a $100 off any Panasonic lens when purchased with the G2 body at $300), through July 31.

-J

Thanks Aleo.. I too had seen the 300$ plus 14-45 for 199 more..but the 14-42 offer wasnt there when I checked B&H last couple of times..thanks anyway for your prompt reply..