E-PL6 (or E-PL5) as a pocket camera?

TimoK wrote:

Hi all,

I'm considering getting a small inexpensive pocket camera and noticed I could get the PEN E-PL6 + 14-42 EZ kit for 399 eur.

That seems like a pretty good deal, actually. But that is hardly a pocketable kit.

On the other hand, I could also get the Sony DSC-RX100 (the original) for the same amount. Both prices are for new units. Obviously the Sony is smaller.

Well, if pocketability is your priority and you can't rise the budget, the answer is simple. Go with RX100.

Oly has the bigger sensor but I'm not sure how the pancake fares optically against the Sony. I'd appreciate any pointers.

From what I hear, 14-42 EZ is kind of a hit and miss, not as good as Panasonic's tiny 12-32. But you'd best do to search for photos shot with both cameras to see for yourself.

There are other options as well.

First, there's Olympus E-PM2, but I don't think it's sold with the pancake zoom, so that's probably a deal-breaker.

And of course, there is Panasonic GM1. It's around 100 EUR more. But it's pretty much as pocketable as RX100, but will provide better image quality. And you get the 24mm equivalent on the wide end. Not sure how important that is for you. I know I'm constantly annoyed that I can't go wider than 14mm. I guess that's because of LX5 I had for quite a long time before getting into MFT.

Not that GM1 does not have downsides. Mechanical shutter is only 1/500s, flash sync is pathetic, there's no BULB mode. The zoom stops at 32mm on the long end. But I guess for a general shooting scenarios on the move, those quirks are probably not that important. And if you'll ever want more reach, Panasonic has a tiny 35-100 zoom that's the size of a prime lens.

Anyway, here's a size comparison .