Best compact 4/3 camera with quality zoom

Howard wrote:

have emerged as contenders. I will do more research. Meanwhile if anyone has more recommendations/thoughts, that's always welcome.

The EPM2 and GM1 are the contenders of choice for your purposes, for sure.

I have owned and used both cameras, and have some additional notes about them both:

The kit lens on the GM1 is, IMO a bit better than the kit lens on the EPM2 in terms of IQ.  It has better contrast, and I think the output overall is a bit more dynamic looking.  However, it is a 12-32mm lens, vs 14-42mm, so you'd have to decide whether the 12mm is more useful to you than 42mm.... (I personally never used the 14-42mm on the Oly as I never cared for it at all, but I use the 12-32mm all the time on the GM1).  Also, the lens IS on the 12-32mm works better than the IBIS on the EPM2.

The EPM2 has the ability to add an external viewfinder.  This is a very useful feature in bright shooting situations.  HOWEVER...the native rear screen on the EPM2 is smaller in useable size due to the 16:9 dimensions vs the 3:2 dimensions on the GM1.  If you are planning to use only the rear LCD, the GM1 wins in this category.   Also, the GM1 LCD is slightly more visible in bright sunlight than the EPM2's.

The GM1 has much more sophisticated touch screen functionality.  The EPM2 has the super control panel, but the GM1 allows tremendous control of function selection via programmable tabs.  I never cared one way or another about touch screen functions before the GM1, but it's done so well on the camera that it really adds to the usability of it.

The EPM2 rear wheel is a bit less touchy than the wheel on the GM1.  However, there is some sample to sample variation, as the first GM1 I tried was difficult to turn the wheel without selecting a function accidentally, but the second one I have now has no problems at all with the wheel control. My suggestion would be to try one in the store if you have the chance.

The GM1 has an interesting shutter setup.  It has electronic first curtain, which means no shutter shock, whereas the EPM2 can give you SS if you are in the target shutter speed range (if you set the camera on 1/8 sec anti shock and do not use IBIS, you can pretty much avoid it, though).  The only real drawback to the electronic shutter on the GM1, however is the flash synch speed is only 1/50s max.  If you do lots of flash work, the GM1 is not the right camera for you.  (However, for occasional light flash use, it does have a built-in flash vs the clip-on that comes with the EPM2).

The EPM2 is a nice little camera with excellent output.  The GM1 is a little gem of a camera with excellent output.  In terms of giving a product a bit of magic, Panasonic designers really outdid themselves with this one.

After using them both, I would actually highly recommend them both, but I am happier with the GM1 overall.

-J