Thorn

Hi,

I thought I would ask whether some of you folks could help me with my choice of a new camera.

First, a little bit of background: I am a novice/amateur when it comes to photography. Currently, most pictures I take are of my kids or travel spots (we do travel a lot), no fast cars or pro sport. I venture out of the auto mode, experiment, but I'm far from being an expert. I actually really like photography and really get into it when I have the occasion, but here is my problem: I have realized that because of its weight and size (particularly the lens), I am just not using my current DSLR, a Pentax K-x, that much. We have two kids and when travelling or even just walking around the city, we often are faced with the dreaded question: do we take the dSLR? Do we carry around that extra weight? And too often, because of all the other stuff we have, the answer ends up being "no".

Hence my quest for a smaller camera that still allows me to grow into photography. After much research, I am now debating between two of the usual suspects: the Sony A6000 and the Oly E-M10. I gotta say, I'm thorn.

Based on the many reviews I have read for both cameras, I listed below what I feel are the main pluses/minuses of each. I was wondering whether you feel I forgot some important dimensions, and what would be your advice in general. Each of them has been out for a while now, and reviews are by now quite old: I just wonder whether there are limitations and issues the reviewers initially missed that have been noticed with long-term users since.

I like the feel of both (though quite different), with maybe a slight preference for the Sony. In general, what I'm looking for is a fun camera, one that makes we want to play and experiment with it. I have to admit, my Pentax K-x never managed to do that for me (I guess I should have been more careful before listening to the advice of a Pentax fanboy...)

Thanks a lot in advance

SONY A6000

Pluses:

- Larger sensor, 24mp

- Faster tracking AF

- Better placement of EVF (left)

- USB charging

- Better battery life

- Much better video

Minuses:

- More limited lens options

- Lens image stabilization

- No level gauge

- Slower on startup

OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10

Pluses:

- In-body image stabilization

- Much larger selection of lenses

- Smaller sensor means lenses of equal focal lengths will be smaller and lighter than Sony's

- Touch screen: allows to more easily review last pic taken, can be used to choose focus point

- Better low light performance (not totally clear on that one)

- Metal body

- Better kit lenses (?)

Minuses:

- Smaller sensor, so theoretically lower IQ with equivalent lenses

- Shallower grip

Do you know anyone who has these cameras so you can test them both in the field and then have more of an idea which one you personally prefer?

Anything anyone else says is just their opinion and they may use their camera for very different reasons and results to you.

If you get the same size sensor (i.e. Sony A6000) the lenses will be as large as the ones from Pentax.

Olympus is smaller but for me is too small. If you consider the smaller grip and cramped controls the small gains in weight will be shadowed.

But you have to make a choice so if dSLR is not for you perhaps the best next thing is to buy Olympus. You still need a bag and if 1.5 kg is too much maybe 1 kg will be all right.

PS:

Thorn is a way roses protect from intruders. I guess you are torn between the choices.

--
Victor
Bucuresti, Romania
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The E-M10 is not smaller but a little larger and heavier the the A6000. Both are good cameras. Don't listen to the fanboys, but take the one you have the best feeling with.

Rudi

Thanks for the advice, unfortunately I don't know anyone who owns either...

Thanks for the PS, as you can infer English is not my mother tongue I learn stuff every day!

That was my fear about the A6000. While the size is perfect with the 16-50 kit lens, I'm a little worried of what happens once I start considering other lenses in the future. That being said, it's unlikely to happen anytime soon.

But the lenses are smaller. Sony has a larger sensor that require larger lenses for the same FOV and speed.

Well the K-x is already pretty small; did you ever try it with prime lenses?

nic22 said:

Hi,

I thought I would ask whether some of you folks could help me with my choice of a new camera.

First, a little bit of background: I am a novice/amateur when it comes to photography. Currently, most pictures I take are of my kids or travel spots (we do travel a lot), no fast cars or pro sport. I venture out of the auto mode, experiment, but I'm far from being an expert. I actually really like photography and really get into it when I have the occasion, but here is my problem: I have realized that because of its weight and size (particularly the lens), I am just not using my current DSLR, a Pentax K-x, that much. We have two kids and when travelling or even just walking around the city, we often are faced with the dreaded question: do we take the dSLR? Do we carry around that extra weight? And too often, because of all the other stuff we have, the answer ends up being "no".

Hence my quest for a smaller camera that still allows me to grow into photography. After much research, I am now debating between two of the usual suspects: the Sony A6000 and the Oly E-M10. I gotta say, I'm thorn.

Based on the many reviews I have read for both cameras, I listed below what I feel are the main pluses/minuses of each. I was wondering whether you feel I forgot some important dimensions, and what would be your advice in general. Each of them has been out for a while now, and reviews are by now quite old: I just wonder whether there are limitations and issues the reviewers initially missed that have been noticed with long-term users since.

I like the feel of both (though quite different), with maybe a slight preference for the Sony. In general, what I'm looking for is a fun camera, one that makes we want to play and experiment with it. I have to admit, my Pentax K-x never managed to do that for me (I guess I should have been more careful before listening to the advice of a Pentax fanboy...)

Thanks a lot in advance

SONY A6000

Pluses:

- Larger sensor, 24mp

- Faster tracking AF

- Better placement of EVF (left)

- USB charging

- Better battery life

- Much better video

Minuses:

- More limited lens options

- Lens image stabilization

- No level gauge

- Slower on startup

OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10

Pluses:

- In-body image stabilization

- Much larger selection of lenses

- Smaller sensor means lenses of equal focal lengths will be smaller and lighter than Sony's

- Touch screen: allows to more easily review last pic taken, can be used to choose focus point

- Better low light performance (not totally clear on that one)

- Metal body

- Better kit lenses (?)

Minuses:

- Smaller sensor, so theoretically lower IQ with equivalent lenses

Click to expand...

You won't notice any difference in any reasonably sized print.

Except that m4/3 has better lenses at the lower price levels. You might notice that in a print.

nic22 said:

- Shallower grip

Click to expand...

EM-10 has an inexpensive accessory grip if you want it.

Also, you might want to read this about the quality of Sony kit lenses:


TEdolph

Good point, I actually never did. But then I guess could also put a prime lens on the a6000 or E-M10 and make it feel even more nimble. There's just no escaping it: while one of those can fit into a large coat pocket or small shoulder bag along other stuff, the size of the K-x body (even though I agree it's small compared to other dSLRs) implies that you need to carry around one additional bag (in addition to the kids' own backpacks after 30 minutes of hiking... but that's another story).

Thanks!

nic22 said:

Good point, I actually never did. But then I guess could also put a prime lens on the a6000 or E-M10 and make it feel even more nimble. There's just no escaping it: while one of those can fit into a large coat pocket or small shoulder bag along other stuff, the size of the K-x body (even though I agree it's small compared to other dSLRs) implies that you need to carry around one additional bag (in addition to the kids' own backpacks after 30 minutes of hiking... but that's another story).

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Sure, just make sure each brand has desirable prime lenses within your budget... Pentax has many more than Sony, but some are expensive.