New 4/3 User looking for a small starter kit

ildahl · Apr 13, 2017

Hello,

My name is Lance I have been looking at moving from my D70 setup to a 4/3 format, I will later in the summer pull the trigger on either the G8 or GX8 I think. In the mean time looking for a used smaller camera as a back up to one of these and hope to grab a lens or two at the same time. My question is which is the best value out there in the used market as far as GF/GX or other series with a kit lens or the 20 1.7?

Thanks Lance

Albert Valentino · Apr 13, 2017

Welcome to the forum and the womderul world of m43. As a former D70 owner I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the much improved IQ, including DR.

I am not the best one to recommend an interum camera. However, I must say this, spending money for an interum camera will cost you more inthe long run than getting a new camera now, plus you get to enjoy the new camera today and get used to how it works. It takes time to master anew camera and once learned it gets tricky to relearn new habits and button positions.

--
If you don't get older and wiser, than you just get older.

ildahl · Apr 13, 2017

Thanks Albert,

I understand what you are saying about the primary camera, I was hoping to find a good small pocket 4/3 model used to keep around as a back up and maybe get a lens also at the same time. I just don't know what would be a good older model there are so many.....

Lance

zvim · Apr 13, 2017

I can very much recommend the GM5, with the small 12-32 or, if you prefer, the 20mm. Almost pocketable, and with a very usable viewfinder.

Bhima78 · Apr 13, 2017

Is probably the original Olympus EM10. You can find it for under $300 on keh, ebay or the Olympus outlet. Its a solid camera with good build quality, responsive enough S-AF and decent IBIS.

For your main m43's camera, I'd definitely suggest the G85... it is a better camera than the GX8, even though the sensor on the GX8 has a bit more resolution. The G85 has a better shutter, and better IBIS that is also usable in video.

In terms of lenses:

Panasonic 20mm is great, but the AF is a bit pokey

Olympus 45mm can be found pretty cheap on Oly's outlet (around $220)

Sigma's lineup is good and cheap, just not particularly wide aperture (except for the 30mm f1.4).

There is no good cheap wider prime. The most versatile wide prime imo is the Panasonic 15mm f1.7. But its around $450 (grey market or used).

Scuba Carlos · Apr 13, 2017

ildahl said:
Hello,

My name is Lance I have been looking at moving from my D70 setup to a 4/3 format, I will later in the summer pull the trigger on either the G8 or GX8 I think. In the mean time looking for a used smaller camera as a back up to one of these and hope to grab a lens or two at the same time. My question is which is the best value out there in the used market as far as GF/GX or other series with a kit lens or the 20 1.7?

Thanks Lance

Find a GM1, it is tiny and will still be a decent back up after you get something newer and better. Just my $.02. Welcome, I'm fairly new also but I'm loving my GX8 and Oly 12-40 f2.8.

Sa7724473 · Apr 13, 2017

ildahl said:
Hello,

My name is Lance I have been looking at moving from my D70 setup to a 4/3 format, I will later in the summer pull the trigger on either the G8 or GX8 I think. In the mean time looking for a used smaller camera as a back up to one of these and hope to grab a lens or two at the same time. My question is which is the best value out there in the used market as far as GF/GX or other series with a kit lens or the 20 1.7?

Thanks Lance

If you're going to end up with the G8 or GX8, question is do you want your back camera to have Viewfinder or not. If you need one, get a used Panasonic GM5. Or either version of the Olympus E-M10. The latest version of the latter handles well enough that you might end up keeping it as your primary camera and not buying another. Honestly.

if no viewfinder needed, get the GX850, which is state of the art if you don't need a viewfinder.

The 12-32 KIT lens is good - no, great - in daytime, but too slow indoors and at night. Yes the Panasonic 20mm is what I'd recommend.

Tim Reidy Productions · Apr 13, 2017

panasonic gf2/gf3 have cheap camera bodies

small primes

oly 17mm

pana 14mm and can be budget friendly

I would get a 20mm lens over a kit lens if it was the same price.

good luck

Scuba Carlos · Apr 13, 2017

Keep in mind that the Lumix 20mm f1.7 II is not stabilized in case that matters. Ibis isn't offered on Panny models older than about a year or two.

Sa7724473 · Apr 13, 2017

Image stablilisation on a 20mm lens is not of much value. That's why you generally dont find them on the prime lenses below portrait range....

Jeff4500 · Apr 13, 2017

For me a small kit might consist of a 14mm 2.5 and a Gx7 or EM10.

Regards,
Jeff

h2odog · Apr 13, 2017

If you want it to be pocketable either the GM1 without EVF but with built-in flash or GM5 with EVF and external flash. The 12-32 and the 20 1.7 are terrific and small on either camera and pocketable. A camera that is a little larger is the GX85 with a great shutter and wonderful in body stabilization both for stills and video. Also, consider the Pany 14 2.5 for a pancake lens on any of the above mentioned cameras.

Scuba Carlos · Apr 13, 2017

Osa25 said:
Image stablilisation on a 20mm lens is not of much value. That's why you generally dont find them on the prime lenses below portrait range....

I would appreciate it for diving, but I don't like to shine lights on my subjects. I agree though, it is of limited use.

FrankS009 · Apr 13, 2017

Welcome to the forum, Lance

First of all, I reccommend the GX8 over the GX85. Better EVF, water resistant, better sensor, 12 bit electronic shutter output - a very satisfying camera to use and hold. I love mine.

If you want an interim camera, the old GF1 is a classic you might just want to keep in spite of the lack of EVF and the 12mpx sensor. The GX1 is a good choice too, with the next generation 16mpx sensor. Both would be fine with the 20mm 1.7 which is a wonderful lens. The GM5 is also a great second camera and the 20mm 1.7 works well with it too. That is my go anywhere setup.

F.

ildahl · Apr 13, 2017

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, With all the old bodies out there it is hard to decifer which would be best to seek out and find. I will be looking for a few good deals on either the GM5/GX1/GF1 and a lens or two until I can pull the trigger on a G8 or GX8 body later in the summer after (graduation, a wedding to pay for, and two kids in collage). It has been good reading through the old posts about these cameras and lenses. Thanks again for the welcome and the great suggestions.

Lance

im45us · Apr 14, 2017

I found the GM5 very hard to find and if you do find it the price will be high. I did find a used one for close to $500.

KCook · Apr 14, 2017

Not always easy to find on the used market, but the GF6 would give you a gentle entry to M4/3. Plus points for coming with a real kit lens instead of the goofy pancakes.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/entry-level-mirrorless-camera-roundup-2013/8

Kelly

ildahl · Apr 21, 2017

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and great information and opinions, I really wanted a small pocketable 4/3 as a starter and found a GM5 with the 20mm 1.7 and the 12-32mm kit lens. should be here next week and I will let everyone know what I think of the camera. I guess the next purchase will be a longer focal length lens for outdoor events and such, maybe the 45-150mm.

Lance

Alien from Mars · Apr 21, 2017

ildahl said:
Thank you everyone for the suggestions, With all the old bodies out there it is hard to decifer which would be best to seek out and find. I will be looking for a few good deals on either the GM5/GX1/GF1 and a lens or two

GX1 or GF1 would be a bad idea.

Those are too old and you wouldn't like them I'm afraid.

GX1 is also a poster child for shutter shock.

I would not recommend anything older than first E-M5 from either manufacturer (year 2012).

Get one of these: GM1/5 (if smallest possible body has any appeal to you), E-M10/10-II or E-PL7 if the lack of viewfinder is not a problem (E-PL7 is E-M10 minus viewfinder). Even original E-M5 is still a very capable camera.

Pana 12-32 is a nice pancake zoom, 20/1.7 is a very sharp lens but one of the slowest to AF, 14/2.5 is another pancake to consider if you like the FL.

Alien from Mars · Apr 21, 2017

ildahl said:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions and great information and opinions, I really wanted a small pocketable 4/3 as a starter and found a GM5 with the 20mm 1.7 and the 12-32mm kit lens. should be here next week and I will let everyone know what I think of the camera. I guess the next purchase will be a longer focal length lens for outdoor events and such, maybe the 45-150mm.

Lance

Nice choice!

Consider Pana 45-175X too - it's internal focus internal zoom lens, very compact one.

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