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Panasonic G5 or Olympus EPL5

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Michael Kaufman

Michael Kaufman

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I want to buy my niece a camera for a graduation present and want to spend less then $500.

The Panasonic G5 and the Olympus EPL5 seem to be the best two camera in the range. She says she doesn't care about a VF, but that might be because she has never used one.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
 
Thanks.
 
I just got the G5 to back up my G6 and I find it to be a great camera. If it were my relative or friend, they'd get something with an EVF, whether they thought it was important or not. The few cameras I have without EVF are seldom used. I consider them mistakes I made along the way. The exception for me is when I want the smallest camera possible to slip in a shirt pocket, which isn't often.

Jack
 
Setter Dog said:
I just got the G5 to back up my G6 and I find it to be a great camera. If it were my relative or friend, they'd get something with an EVF, whether they thought it was important or not. The few cameras I have without EVF are seldom used. I consider them mistakes I made along the way. The exception for me is when I want the smallest camera possible to slip in a shirt pocket, which isn't often.

Jack
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Same thing here. I bought a G5 as a secondary camera to my G6. The EVF is a BIG advantage when using the camera outside during the day, allowing you to frame your shots much better. the fully articulating screen is also quite nice as well, allowing you to take low angle photos in landscape or portrait mode, as well as flipping the screen around for "selfies".

If your niece is more serious about photography, I would recommend the G5. If all she is looking for is a better quality camera, and will just be using kit zoom lenses, then maybe the EPL5? Speaking of kit zoom lenses, that 14-42 that comes with the G5 is pure and utter rubbish. If you want to get a nice starter zoom lens, look at picking up a 14-42 II. Much smaller than the 14-45, while delivering similar image quality.

Also, depending on how serious she is about photography, you may want to look at picking up a copy of LR5. It makes a WORLD of difference when editing a RAW file compared to the JPG files created by the G5.
 
Setter Dog said:
I just got the G5 to back up my G6 and I find it to be a great camera. If it were my relative or friend, they'd get something with an EVF, whether they thought it was important or not. The few cameras I have without EVF are seldom used. I consider them mistakes I made along the way. The exception for me is when I want the smallest camera possible to slip in a shirt pocket, which isn't often.

Jack
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My take is, the Panasonic is ergonomically superior, while the Olympus has better IQ at high ISOs, and is lighter and smaller.

The Olympus requires some degree of thoughtful customization of the controls to make it comport with my shooting style - fortunately, the controls are VERY customizable. The Panasonic G5 is ergonomically excellent right out of the box.

I ALWAYS use the E-PL5 with a VF-2 viewfinder. With the VF-2 and the extensive control customization, I've been able to make it's ergonomics approach those of the G5 for my style of shooting. At this point, the E-PL5 is my main camera. I really use the G5 nowadays mostly when I need to shoot in silent mode, or I need the articulating screen, or I need a body that balances well with a long telephoto.

But I would not be using the E-PL5 if I didn't use an add-on EVF with it.

My personal take on cameras without EVFs is the same as Setter Dog's. Other than for a pocketable P&S, I won't use a camera without one.

I should also add, I CANNOT recommend the 14-42 version I kit lens for the Panasonic G5. The newer version II of this lens is smaller, lighter, and better built and better optically. The Olympus 14-42 (versions II or II R) are decent, especially at the wide end. The Panasonic 14-42 version II is better yet, but the version I is the weakest of the kit lenses.
 
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Michael Kaufman said:
I want to buy my niece a camera for a graduation present and want to spend less then $500.

The Panasonic G5 and the Olympus EPL5 seem to be the best two camera in the range. She says she doesn't care about a VF, but that might be because she has never used one.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Is she the type that would not mind carrying an extra case? If she does, then the E-PL5 would be better. Also, the E-PL5 has a sensor that is better for party shooting ... i.e. in the dark. It handles shadows somewhat better ...

But ... the G5 is a joy to shoot and outdoors in the sun it will blow the rest away easily because of the decent EVF. It also has eshutter for longer lenses if she gets into shooting wildlife. I regret selling mine, although thankfully my G6 replacement has shipped. The G5 makes excellent video if she decides to play around with that stuff.

The GF6 has the GX1 sensor, which means that it is quite good for FaceBook pics up to 3200 ISO. I have not shot one, but if they retained the amazing menu system from the GF3, then it might be incredibly fun to shoot. I still carry the GF3 now and again with something like the Samyang 7.5 on it. I also have the GX1, and I think of the GF6 as the love child of the GF3/5 and the GX1 ... the main advantage for her would be a really nice user interface ... much less inscrutable than the Oly interface ... my E-PM2 continues to be less than fun because of that.

By the way ... E-PM2 kits are going cheap right now, and I can recommend them as small and light and having excellent image quality as well. It will have the same shadow handling advantage as the E=PL5 over the pannies ...

Can't really go wrong ...

--

Nothing Special

This blog is my personal space. Do not confuse this with statements or opinions on behalf of any employer I have ever had, have now, or will ever have in the future.
kimletkeman.blogspot.com kimletkeman.blogspot.com
 
dougjgreen1 said:
I should also add, I CANNOT recommend the 14-42 version I kit lens for the Panasonic G5. The newer version II of this lens is smaller, lighter, and better built and better optically. The Olympus 14-42 (versions II or II R) are decent, especially at the wide end. The Panasonic 14-42 version II is better yet, but the version I is the weakest of the kit lenses.
Click to expand...
The 14-42X lens is quite sharp and pairs beautifully with the G5. A surprisingly compact package for a coat pocket. And kits are pretty cheap these days ...
 
Kim Letkeman said:
Michael Kaufman said:
I want to buy my niece a camera for a graduation present and want to spend less then $500.

The Panasonic G5 and the Olympus EPL5 seem to be the best two camera in the range. She says she doesn't care about a VF, but that might be because she has never used one.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Is she the type that would not mind carrying an extra case? If she does, then the E-PL5 would be better. Also, the E-PL5 has a sensor that is better for party shooting ... i.e. in the dark. It handles shadows somewhat better ...

But ... the G5 is a joy to shoot and outdoors in the sun it will blow the rest away easily because of the decent EVF. It also has eshutter for longer lenses if she gets into shooting wildlife. I regret selling mine, although thankfully my G6 replacement has shipped. The G5 makes excellent video if she decides to play around with that stuff.

The GF6 has the GX1 sensor, which means that it is quite good for FaceBook pics up to 3200 ISO. I have not shot one, but if they retained the amazing menu system from the GF3, then it might be incredibly fun to shoot. I still carry the GF3 now and again with something like the Samyang 7.5 on it. I also have the GX1, and I think of the GF6 as the love child of the GF3/5 and the GX1 ... the main advantage for her would be a really nice user interface ... much less inscrutable than the Oly interface ... my E-PM2 continues to be less than fun because of that.

By the way ... E-PM2 kits are going cheap right now, and I can recommend them as small and light and having excellent image quality as well. It will have the same shadow handling advantage as the E=PL5 over the pannies ...

Can't really go wrong ...

--

http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com
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The ebay sellers pvt4545 and cametaauctions are authorized resellers of Olympus refurbs.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/pvt4545/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

In the past, I bought an E-PL2 from pvt4545 for a great price that appeared to be brand new.

I have also bought numerous items from Cameta over the years and find them to be a very reliable vendor as well:

Loading…

www.ebay.com
 
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I have owned most of the G/GH bodies and now shoot mostly with the Oly EM1 and EM5. There are great comments here in the thread. Yes the EVF is so important, but the G5 also has silent shutter which became far more valuable than I had thought it would. To be able to take pictures without an audible sound is fantastic at weddings, street shots, for wildlife, and or merely to reduce shutter shock. The latter generally makes up for the reduced resolution compared to the OLY bodies.

The color of the G5 is not as good but you can alter that by shooting in raw. It's really small and light, an amazing value now, and it works marvelously with Panasonic lenses, especially my 100-300mm copy.

I would stick the venerable Pana 14-45mm old kit lens on the G5. Mine is virtually as sharp as my 20mm prime, and they can be had cheaply.

gp
 
I shoot with an e-pm2 and a G2. Not the same animal as a G5 for sure, but it still works for me in good light. My wife, who is not an avid photographer, likes the G2 because it's easier for her to hold. She doesn't take it out much, though, because she thinks it's too big to fit in her purse. An 18 year old girl is going to be very comfortable using a touchscreen and taking pictures at arm's length. I would lean towards the e-pm2 for size and "cuteness." If she wants a VF down the line, she can always pick one up cheap.
 
One concern about the E-PM2 and the EPL5 is the lack of a built in flash. I never use them, but I can see her wanting to have one built in.
 
gary payne said:
I have owned most of the G/GH bodies and now shoot mostly with the Oly EM1 and EM5. There are great comments here in the thread. Yes the EVF is so important, but the G5 also has silent shutter which became far more valuable than I had thought it would. To be able to take pictures without an audible sound is fantastic at weddings, street shots, for wildlife, and or merely to reduce shutter shock. The latter generally makes up for the reduced resolution compared to the OLY bodies.
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The G5's resolution in raw is identical to that of any Oly body.
gary payne said:
The color of the G5 is not as good but you can alter that by shooting in raw.
Click to expand...
Which is an axiom for any Panny body.
gary payne said:
It's really small and light, an amazing value now, and it works marvelously with Panasonic lenses, especially my 100-300mm copy.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I really like that combo.
gary payne said:
I would stick the venerable Pana 14-45mm old kit lens on the G5. Mine is virtually as sharp as my 20mm prime, and they can be had cheaply.
Click to expand...
The new 14-42II is also sharp, and so is the 14-42 X, which suffers SS problems on other bodies, but not with the eshutter.
 
Michael Kaufman said:
One concern about the E-PM2 and the EPL5 is the lack of a built in flash. I never use them, but I can see her wanting to have one built in.
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True, but there are very small flashes available.

The GF3, GF5, GF6, GX1 and GM1 have flashes that can be tilted back for bounce shots. Perhaps the GX7 too, but I've not seen that one. Works surprisingly well, although it is best to raise ISO when pulling that off.
 
I just got a G6, actually went to a real camera store this time. : ) It fits like a glove, has everything I could need. I tried the EM10 and a few others, but the G6 one me over. Now who has some tips for me?! Pls

jj
 
jhoto said:
I just got a G6, actually went to a real camera store this time. : ) It fits like a glove, has everything I could need. I tried the EM10 and a few others, but the G6 one me over. Now who has some tips for me?! Pls
Click to expand...
Don't eat yellow snow.

Kidding ...

I tried all the newest bodies at Heathrow last autumn as I was passing through ... the GH3 is magnificent, but huge and missing a lot of the new features I like (focus peaking for example) ... the GX7 us cute but I dislike the EVF and intensely dislike the grip ... and the G6 was simply incredible. As you say ... fits the hands like a glove.

As for tips ... well ... the G series is so easy to shoot that I never thought anything of remembering tips. Everything works like any dSLR ... and the video is magnificent.

--

Nothing Special

This blog is my personal space. Do not confuse this with statements or opinions on behalf of any employer I have ever had, have now, or will ever have in the future.
kimletkeman.blogspot.com kimletkeman.blogspot.com
 
Michael Kaufman said:
I want to buy my niece a camera for a graduation present and want to spend less then $500.

The Panasonic G5 and the Olympus EPL5 seem to be the best two camera in the range. She says she doesn't care about a VF, but that might be because she has never used one.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
PL5.

It's small and the iPhone generation doesn't need an evf.

And the flip up screen works for selfies.
 
Kim Letkeman said:
jhoto said:
I just got a G6, actually went to a real camera store this time. : ) It fits like a glove, has everything I could need. I tried the EM10 and a few others, but the G6 one me over. Now who has some tips for me?! Pls
Click to expand...
Don't eat yellow snow.

Kidding ...

I tried all the newest bodies at Heathrow last autumn as I was passing through ... the GH3 is magnificent, but huge and missing a lot of the new features I like (focus peaking for example) ... the GX7 us cute but I dislike the EVF and intensely dislike the grip ... and the G6 was simply incredible. As you say ... fits the hands like a glove.

As for tips ... well ... the G series is so easy to shoot that I never thought anything of remembering tips. Everything works like any dSLR ... and the video is magnificent.
Click to expand...
Forgot to mention that I sold off my GH2 and G5 to make room for a GX7 or GH3 and in the end the G6 won the day. It arrives tomorrow. I know that the sensor takes more effort with darker subjects and shadows and such, but it is such a pleasure to shoot ...
 
I agree a built in VF is a desirable feature (won;t buy another camera without one.) I have both the GX1 and the G5. The G5 goes with me while the GX1 mostly sits on a shelf...
 
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