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

Regards,

Timo

I have an EPL-5 that I got this winter and use with either the 17mm f/1.8, 12mm f/2.0, or 45mm f/1.8, which is a recent acquisition. I tried zooms for a while, but I'm just not a zoom guy so, I stopped using zooms and the 14-42mm is sitting in the box. I can put the EPL-5 with any of the three primes or even the 14-42mm in my jacket pocket. I also have a VF4 because I need my reading glasses to use the LCD. The VF4 makes the kit too large for a jacket pocket, so I carry the VF4 and a spare battery in another jacket or pants pocket. When the summer comes, I will have to adopt another plan but, for now, it's still jacket weather where I live.

I'm sure the RX100 is more pocketable but, first you get a smaller 1" sensor which may be an issue, depending on what you plan to do with your images and second, if you find down the road that the lens doesn't meet your needs, you have to replace the entire camera.  Besides the three primes I'm using, Olympus and Panasonic make five more small primes and four pancake zooms that would allow you to put the EPL-5 in a jacket pocket.