Looking for a "fun" and compact travel cam: E-PL6 or GF7?

thechoson · Aug 24, 2015

Looking for something fairly inexpensive, compact, and "fun" to use as a travel cam. I have enough gear for "serious" photography.

I gotta admit, I do want some good selfie capability. My wife and I generally like taking pictures but hate bothering strangers to take photos for us when traveling. So a tilting screen is a must.

I'm also prioritizing compactness and relatively cheap since this would be additional gear I'm buying without replacing anything.

I would be new to the Micro 43 world, but I love the compact bodies and compact lenses. Getting say two "kitlenses" such as the 14-42 and 45-150, and then pairing with a fast prime like a 20mm 1.7 or 25mm 1.8 would create a really compact and capable kit for me.

Also, this is a Micro 43 forum so I don't think I'll get any suggestions otherwise, but if there is another camera that might be good for me, I'm open to that as well. Something like the Canon G7X maybe? I'm generally a Canon user.

But I'm primarily looking at the E-PL6 or the GF7.

LMNCT · Aug 24, 2015

While you are looking for a "fun" camera, take a look at the GM5. Small, light and very, very good.

Wayne Beaumont · Aug 24, 2015

Of the two, I would lean toward the GF7. The GF7 has an electronic/mechanical shutter which should eliminate any concern over shutter shock. Along with the flippy screen and wifi - just looks like a better package.

thechoson · Aug 24, 2015

LMNCT said:
While you are looking for a "fun" camera, take a look at the GM5. Small, light and very, very good.

No articulating/ flipping LCD, right? That's actually a dealkiller for me for what I want right now. Thanks for the suggestion though. I rented a GM1 a while ago that was a terrific camera!

gary0319 · Aug 24, 2015

thechoson said:
Looking for something fairly inexpensive, compact, and "fun" to use as a travel cam. I have enough gear for "serious" photography.

I gotta admit, I do want some good selfie capability. My wife and I generally like taking pictures but hate bothering strangers to take photos for us when traveling. So a tilting screen is a must.

I'm also prioritizing compactness and relatively cheap since this would be additional gear I'm buying without replacing anything.

I would be new to the Micro 43 world, but I love the compact bodies and compact lenses. Getting say two "kitlenses" such as the 14-42 and 45-150, and then pairing with a fast prime like a 20mm 1.7 or 25mm 1.8 would create a really compact and capable kit for me.

Also, this is a Micro 43 forum so I don't think I'll get any suggestions otherwise, but if there is another camera that might be good for me, I'm open to that as well. Something like the Canon G7X maybe? I'm generally a Canon user.

But I'm primarily looking at the E-PL6 or the GF7.

If you want the selfie feature, I'd suggest the Olympus PL7. The screen flips 180 degrees down for selfies. I don't do selfies (too ugly) , but the photo technology inside the PL7 is winner all the way. Latest firmware VII from Olympus, small and compact body. Pair it with the Panasonic 12-32 and the Panasonic 35-100 for a really compact and stunningly sharp combo. Here's a pic taken with my PL7 and the Panasonic 35-100 this July forth.

And yes, the PL7 is just plain fun, fun, fun...

C Sean · Aug 24, 2015

Hello

I own the GM1 and overall I'm very happy with the camera. If you don't know the GM1 is actually a GF7 but in a smaller body with a fix screen. Other than that they pretty much identicle in performance. The only problem you will encounter if you are planning to shoot fast moving objects like cars. The electronic shutter take time to capture the image and in the process create pictures of cars we can't buy in the show room.

If you are planning on taking photos of famous buildings in low light then the 15mm 1.7 is a good lens to have. Other than that the 20mm 1.7 should be enough but in my personal opinion I like to have a wide prime on my camera when traveling so I don't have to mess about too much while on the go.

Cjar · Aug 24, 2015

My compact travel is the Panasonic zs50.
It doesn't have a tilt screen but you can control it with your smartphone via wifi. Has an EVF, too.

Donald B · Aug 24, 2015

just been down this path for taking selfies. compact cameras unlike dslr do not focus when the timmer goes off

only when the shutter button is half pressed. you need a remote to take a selfie with a compact. I have the epl5 which has a selfie rear screen.

cheers don

gary0319 · Aug 24, 2015

Donald B said:
just been down this path for taking selfies. compact cameras unlike dslr do not focus when the timmer goes off only when the shutter button is half pressed. you need a remote to take a selfie with a compact. I have the epl5 which has a selfie rear screen.

cheers don

Wayne Beaumont · Aug 24, 2015

That's always been a bummer for me. On the Panny GM1 you can sort of get around that by using the built-in intervalometer. It will focus each shot when in that mode. Using wifi with a smartphone is probably the best solution.

--
Wayne B

GV27 · Aug 24, 2015

Donald B said:
just been down this path for taking selfies. compact cameras unlike dslr do not focus when the timmer goes off only when the shutter button is half pressed. you need a remote to take a selfie with a compact. I have the epl5 which has a selfie rear screen.

cheers don

--
Pentax k7,fz150,xz1, oly m43 e-pL5 , EM5 my toys.
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/9412035244

Do you just need to be in AFC mode? I don't do the selfie thing but do use the timer occasionally - AFS on my GM1 focuses on the half-press (as designed) but AFC keeps focusing (again, as you'd expect).

tkbslc · Aug 24, 2015

I'd lean GF7 for two main reasons:

1. It has wi-fi so you can share stuff via tablet or phone while travelling.

2. The kit lens that comes with the GF7 is much more compact and has a wider angle.

RaleG · Aug 24, 2015

thechoson said:
Looking for something fairly inexpensive, compact, and "fun" to use as a travel cam. I have enough gear for "serious" photography.

I gotta admit, I do want some good selfie capability. My wife and I generally like taking pictures but hate bothering strangers to take photos for us when traveling. So a tilting screen is a must.

I'm also prioritizing compactness and relatively cheap since this would be additional gear I'm buying without replacing anything.

I would be new to the Micro 43 world, but I love the compact bodies and compact lenses. Getting say two "kitlenses" such as the 14-42 and 45-150, and then pairing with a fast prime like a 20mm 1.7 or 25mm 1.8 would create a really compact and capable kit for me.

Also, this is a Micro 43 forum so I don't think I'll get any suggestions otherwise, but if there is another camera that might be good for me, I'm open to that as well. Something like the Canon G7X maybe? I'm generally a Canon user.

But I'm primarily looking at the E-PL6 or the GF7.

I traveled a lot with E-PL5 (pretty much same as E-PL6), 17mm 1.8 and 40-150 4.0-5.6. I can't put in words what a revelation that was after years of lugging Canon 7D and bunch of lenses. 17mm is used 95% time and I could definitely survive on that lens only. I bought 40-150 only because it's cheap and small and I'll have it in my pocket just in case. It has pretty darn good IQ for the $99 lens.

Whole experience of using this package brought me back to times when using camera was actually fun thing to do, not a freaking labour. My brain now has spare cycles to use on how to make great photos and enjoy the moment instead of looking for place to drop backpack of the shoulders.

Can't comment on Panasonic, never used their cameras.

Donald B · Aug 24, 2015

GV27 said:
Donald B said:

just been down this path for taking selfies. compact cameras unlike dslr do not focus when the timmer goes off only when the shutter button is half pressed. you need a remote to take a selfie with a compact. I have the epl5 which has a selfie rear screen.

cheers don

Click to expand...

007peter · Aug 24, 2015

thechoson said:
Looking for something fairly inexpensive, compact, and "fun" to use as a travel cam. I have enough gear for "serious" photography. I gotta admit, I do want some good selfie capability. My wife and I generally like taking pictures but hate bothering strangers to take photos for us when traveling. So a tilting screen is a must.

No need to apologized, I'm with you 110%. I'm also searching for a Selfie Camera to take photo of me & my GF. I'm extroverted and have no problem asking strangers. However, I discover strangers take LOUSY photo (don't expect stranger to CARE about good ~~hand-holding technique,~~ resulting in many blurry or out-of-focus shots )

I narrowed down to:

Samsung Mini-NX (smallest/lightest, but 1" sensor = too much smearing @high iso)
Sony NEX 3N (good smile shutter, can be have for really cheap on ebay)
Sony A5100 (good smile shutter best IQ but also a tad expensive)
Panasonic GF7 (best kit lens (12-32), but terrible battery life, expensive still)

I was waiting for the GF7 price to fall, but I came across a used Panasonic GF6 for a low price.

It has the same Flippy LCD and a much high capacity battery for better battery life. It also have the beauty mode (smooth out acne).

My GF6 arrive 2 days ago, but I don't have a lens yet. I write more about it when I received my LENS. So put the older GF6 into your consideration. So far, I'm loving the camera (design and all).

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Looking for a "fun" and compact travel cam: E-PL6 or GF7?

thechoson

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LMNCT

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