Is the E-PL6 the best camera deal at the moment?

Nomadical wrote:

badtweed wrote:

I shoot low light music performance venues from time to time.

I typically use a FF like Canon 6D etc but purchased the PL5 a few years back with a set of the popular primes. Found that at higher iso settings like above 800, I was at first a bit disappointed with the amount of noise and lack of detail esp. once post processed and even small amounts of noise reduction was applied. Here is a shot taken hand held at one of the worst lit blues bar dives in Seattle, Highway 99. I used an Oly 45mm prime at 1/125 s and iso set to 1600. No post processing, just straight out of the Oly PL5. The venues lighting is the typical multicolored lighting that few cameras are able to deal with correctly. I've used my Canon 6D at the same venue with much nicer results as one would expect.

The Nearly Dan tribute band at Highway 99 in downtown Seattle

Thanks, just what I was looking for. I find myself taking a lot of low light pics, be it early morning or late evening. So that's why I was curious. That doesn't look too bad though it appears the cam performed quite a bit of noise removal. Aren't there NR settings in the PL5/6? It still looks better than the RX100m3 and Panny G5 from my experience though.

junk1 wrote:

You're asking subjective questions and who knows if pictures you find online were taken correctly, the amount of light when taken; etc.

Check dxomark's site for sensor scores.

the "comparometer" tool is a blessing...how can that not be the best way to compare???

All current gen cameras are very similar, you're not going to find one that's 2x better in low light than another good camera such as the PL6.

DXO numbers... sigh. Will you refer me to snapsort.com next? I would rather seek user experience and examples than pointless numbers and charts, otherwise I wouldn't be here.

The camera settings for this photo were with ibis on, the warm setting turned off, auto white balance and noise filter set to standard with noise reduction on. I intentionally posted this straight out of the camera without post processing to help illustrate what to expect form the PL5s stock jpeg engine output. Of course the white balance is off for those who cared to comment. I always shoot raw and jpeg however. Can be corrected to a decent degree in post processing of the raw file but anyone who has experience shooting at such dimly lit stage venues that use the multi colored lightning understands the problems associated obtaining a decent balance even with different camera brands and types. Glad that this helps you out since that is what you were asking for. Looking at static charts can only go so far in showing you what equipment is capable of esp in low lit venues.

That said, when shooting thses venues, I simply take a the FF 6D over the m4/3rds gear when possible. Can't expect miracles from the smaller format.