Best lens/body combo for around $600-ish?

BrianovichIV wrote:

RSSrsvp wrote:

BrianovichIV wrote:

I have the EM10 (the original) and it's fantastic. If you want to maximize your budget, get that instead of the MkII. You could then get the kit zoom and a prime like the ones you mentioned.

I would stretch the budget for the Mark ll and have the improved 5 axis IBIS instead of the 3 axis IBIS in the original E-M10. The Mark ll also has an improved EVF, touchscreen focusing, focus bracketing and a silent electronic shutter.

When I bought the original, I had the same choice you mentioned, i.e., stretch the budget for the MkII. I didn't, and I have no regrets. OP might feel differently of course, but I would argue that lenses are more important than bells-and-whistles on the body.

Very much this. I use an EP5 and the 20mm lumix around 80% of the time. The lens is superb. If you are keen on instant focus then get one of the 25mm 1.7 primes instead.

Am totally bemused at the pressing to stretch for the next body up (especially after you said that you didn't want to do that).

Unless there is a deal breaking thing on the spec sheet that you know you need, then anything from the EP5 /em5 onwards will be much of a muchness... Get the cheapest body you can stand and invest in lenses. At the worst,  the lenses will hold their value better than the body and you'll be less hit in the pocket. In truth it'll make the camera come to life in a way that the kit lens never will, so you won't need to trade it in.

Quick question to all the 'best body' advocates here, do you exclusively use the kit lens for your work?