Entry into M43 - Panny GX85 12-32

wembley1966 wrote:

New member here planning an entry into the world of small cameras and thinking M43.

My work camera is a Nikon D3s with the 14-24 attached nearly all the time. Real Estate Photographer and occasional event photographer. This would still be my go to work equipment and I absolutely love it. Also Own the Nikon AFS trinity.

My travel camera (back-up work camera) is a D700 usually with a 24-70 on it and the 17-35 and 70-200 in the bag.

I want to enter the world of small for travel and can get a Panny GX85 with the 12-32 brand new for $630.

Would this be a good entrance point for M43 to test the waters?

Not been a video shooter but interested in the ibis 4k video option for travel. Like the idea of touchscreen, wifi capability and quality of the gx85.

After many years of being a telephoto shooter (graduating to a 400 f2.8 afs) I have been shooting UWA and the 14-24 is my fav Nikon lens.

But traveling quite a lot at the moment and like a grab shot camera as well as the occasional 'serious' imaging too and tired of dragging the DSLR. Have liked shooting the wife's D5300 and 18-140.

So this is what I'm looking at to start with:

GX85 with pancake 12-32 $630 new

Oly 9-18 f4-5.3 M Zuiko $250 used (locally)

possibly oly 17 f1.8 or pany equivalent for low light stuff if i can get used to such a small system and learning a whole new set-up.

If i like the M43 system would also add a panny or oly 12-35 or 12-40 f2.8 and maybe a 40-150 f2.8 (based on images i've seen that show an image quality I'd be happy to compare with my current equipment).

Does this make sense and most importantly will someone who on a daily basis uses the D3s and 14-24mm be happy with the results knowing full well at probably 1/4 of the size and weight it will not be like for like.

Cheers

Wembley

If video is important, then the GX80 is an one way street. If not, depending on budget, you might also want to have a look at the EM10, EM5ii, and PEN-F (although the GX80 is probably still the winner in terms of value for money - it offers more than the EM10 and costs less than the EM5ii and PEN-F).

In terms of lenses, frankly I would try to sell the 12-32 and get the 14-140ii instead; or one of the fast standard zooms (12-35/2.8, or 12-40/2.8, or 12-60/2.8-4).