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Back up camera for vacation+general use

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offtheback

offtheback

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I'd like to ask this on the M43 forum rather than the Panny or Canon p n s forum.I have an OMD with 12-35,35-100,75-300.I'd like to get a non interchangeable lens camera for a backup on vacations and also just to have around.I'd love a viewfinder(wear single script sunglasses)and only use my OMD LCD for odd angle shots.I've considered the Canon G15,Panny LF1,and Panny FZ200.Any other models to look at would be appreciated.

I've read that the Canon viewfinder is better than nothing,the LF1 is a severe downgrade from the EM5,and the Panny FZ200 though has a smaller sensor has a constant 2.8 lens and would underr certain zoom lenghths have a stop+ advantage to help with the small sensor.On vacation I take the usual"scenery" pics,like moderate lowlight stuff,and certainly don't expect EM5 performance.

Thanks for any opinions on this.
 
the models you mentioned are vastly different. it depends on what you want. for me, i'd want something that complements what you have already - something different. you've got a mini- DSLR type camera already, with a large zoom range. the FZ is about the same size as an m4/3. i'd skip that one - too similar. the LF and the canon are both more compact, which to me serves a better function as a back-up. you may not want to bring a bigger camera in some situations. the canon may be a better all around camera but the LF seems substantially more compact. i'd probably go for the LF.
 
Sounds like the Fuji X20 might be for you, with its viewfinder and overall nice image quality. Highly rated on Amazon, and popular enough to still be selling at full price...
 
I have a GH3 with a 14-45mm Panasonic, 19mm Sigma, and the 35-100 Panasonic.

My back up is a Panasonic GF2 with the 14mm f2.5 Panasonic lens, that stays on it permentaly. It fits in my jacket pocket, takes great pics (better than the Olympus E620 with the 14-54 f2.8-3.5 lens I have just sold) and, awesome video. I had a FZ200 for a while and did not like it, (Great for video), but the picture quality at anything above iso 200 was poor.
 
How about an LX7 with the optional electronic viewfinder (which has a lock so it does not fall off) for a back up. It is lightweight, has a 24 - 90 mm (35 mm range) reach and the lens is an f 1.4 which does not close down much when zoomed. It is well made and at the present time, not terribly expensive.
 
I haven't actually used one, by my top pick would be the Panasonic LX7.

It has a fast, wide lens, and the camera controls look very well thought-out.
 
I was just thinking today, I love my little LX-5 (Panasonic Lumix LX-5). The lens has such good image quality and the camera is small, works well, fairly clean files. I recommend it highly. The new model, of course, is the LX-7.

It doesn't replace my OMD EM5, but man sometimes it comes awfully close!
 
Member said:
jkrumm wrote:

Sounds like the Fuji X20 might be for you, with its viewfinder and overall nice image quality. Highly rated on Amazon, and popular enough to still be selling at full price...
Click to expand...
 
offtheback said:
offtheback wrote:

... the Panny FZ200 though has a smaller sensor has a constant 2.8 lens and would underr certain zoom lenghths have a stop+ advantage to help with the small sensor.On vacation I take the usual"scenery" pics,like moderate lowlight stuff,and certainly don't expect EM5 performance.
Click to expand...
I vote for the FZ200. I've posted some photographs you can check out:

Loading…

urs2.net

- Richard
 
What about investing $50 - $100 in a good sling bag ? I was one of those "I'll never wear a murse" guys, but now I don't walk out the door with out one. I love the fact that I can carry a water bottle, camera, lens and have room for a tablet and jacket. It was especially nice when hiking as I was carrying the water for the group anyways. I find it hard to go back to a point and shoot as they seem like a jack of all trades, master of none. I'd rather just use my phone in that case.

The event messenger series is even smaller.
 
I bought an Olympus Pen Lite as a back-up to my OMD. That way I can use all the same lenses if I want to. It's a useful 2 camera kit or I can use it on it's own with a 14~42. It's small enough to leave in the top pocket on my backpack so I have it with me much of the time.

If I wanted an all-in-one alternative rather than an interchangable lens camera it would be a Fuji X20 without any doubt.
 
I just tried various M4/3 cameras and lenses for very different occasions during my Alaska trip this summer. Shooting wildlife with the 100-300 mounted on my OMD, while 9-18 is on my E-PM2 most of the time for scenery. I just love the size and weight of this little brother.

Sometimes, especially when the sun is too much on my screen (don't have EVF on my E-PM2), I used my G5, mostly with either 20/f1.7 and when I shoot portrait, 45/f1.8

I find E-PM2 and G5 are both great cameras to back up the OMD.

I will be using these combos for my forthcoming Central/Eastern Europe trip.
 
plus one on the suggestion you consider the XZ-2 with a view finder.
 
I agree with you 100% on LX5.

It was always on my belt, or in my cargo pant pocket, as a backup for my Nikon D7000 plus lenses, in the past few years.

My last Alaskan trip was the first time I did not have the LX5 as backup. Not that it is no good, but I just need to try out my M4/3 gears to convince myself to let go the heavy DSLR as I am not getting any younger.
 
offtheback said:
offtheback wrote:

I'd like to get a non interchangeable lens camera for a backup on vacations and also just to have around.
Click to expand...
I have a GF3 with either the 14mm or 20mm pancake for that. The E-PM2 would be better. If I wanted a fixed lens camera, I would take a look at the Canon G1X.
 
offtheback said:
offtheback wrote:

I'd like to ask this on the M43 forum rather than the Panny or Canon p n s forum.I have an OMD with 12-35,35-100,75-300.I'd like to get a non interchangeable lens camera for a backup on vacations and also just to have around.I'd love a viewfinder(wear single script sunglasses)and only use my OMD LCD for odd angle shots.I've considered the Canon G15,Panny LF1,and Panny FZ200.Any other models to look at would be appreciated.

I've read that the Canon viewfinder is better than nothing,the LF1 is a severe downgrade from the EM5,and the Panny FZ200 though has a smaller sensor has a constant 2.8 lens and would underr certain zoom lenghths have a stop+ advantage to help with the small sensor.On vacation I take the usual"scenery" pics,like moderate lowlight stuff,and certainly don't expect EM5 performance.

Thanks for any opinions on this.
Click to expand...
The Panasonic LX7 is the best compact camera I ever used, image quality and performance and ease of use always exceeds my expectations. The OIS works great, never any problems with shutter shock, the shutter is completely silent, the LCD is better than the LCD on the less expensive Olympus m43 cameras, more physical controls than any of the less expensive m43 cameras.

Image quality is almost as good as a 12 MP m43 camera with a kit lens (and by "almost" I mean you can barely tell the difference), and because the lens has such a big aperture, it's actually a better low-light camera than a 12MP m43 camera with a kit lens.
 
I find myself in the majority WRT the LX cameras. I have the LX3 and 5 and they're a perfect companion camera. Excellent images from both, with the nod going to the 5 for its better feature set and higher ISO range. Never used a 7, but presume it's even better.

Cheers,

Rick
 
Thank you all for the help.Nice to get even handed responses with no raging opinions.Y'all have helped my decision process lots.
 
offtheback said:
offtheback wrote:

Thank you all for the help.Nice to get even handed responses with no raging opinions.Y'all have helped my decision process lots.
Click to expand...
Room for one more?

I have an LX3 and I can use an optical viewfinder from an E-PL1 which I bought for $60. But I don't like the LX series because of lower IQ and colors.

So I now have an E-PM1 which is tiny, and I put the self-same OVF described above, on it. Now the settings on the E-PM1 are very poor if you use the default. But there's lots of advice on the internet on how to customize the settings...then you really have something which is as good as it gets for a 12 mp series camera. And oh yes, you need to enable the Supermenu.

Good luck!
 
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