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New Olympus EM10 Mark III vs GX80/85 vs EM5 Mark II

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Jchris006

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:-) Hi everyone!

im leaving my Sony Nex F3 APSC for a new generation camera with better AF, and, i hope, better image quality.

i travel a lot cause of my job (airline crew) and i would like to travel with some light weight stuff for practical reason... i shot 80% street photography (day and night, portrait of people moving in their environment,), 20% landscape (long exposure)... i dont care that much on videos

The GX8 is very big and heavy, so i was focusing on GX80/85 following lot of advice about good technology, fast AF, nice 4K burst mode, and very good price actually with a 14-140mm and a 20mm f1.7... until i traveled to Tokyo this week and i took this GX80/85 in my hands and didnt like its EVF at all...

I had a crush on the Olympus E-M10 III, vintage look and fantastic EVF... so i read about it on the web, and i cant have a good opinion... even if its ranked like one of the best mirorless camera in 2017 everywhere, some of tests say it has an amazing new AF, other ones says it hasnt improved from mark II...

So im looking forward some advices from u guys... can we compare GX80/85 and e-m10 III? Is image quality equivalent? AF? Does 14-150mm zuiko II makes great picture with e-m10 III? Is there any owner of e-m10 III, is it great?

Maybe other suggestion (max budget 1000$ With lens) ? Any new nice camera announcement for beggining of 2018?

And... any difference with e-m5 mark II ? (Except weather sealed... image quality? AF?) i just saw it at 999$ With 14-150 II ... but it seems menu are very complicated compare to e-m10 mark III...

thank u so much for your help! :-)
 
Jchris006 said:
And... any difference with e-m5 mark II ? (Except weather sealed... image quality? AF?) i just saw it at 999$ With 14-150 II ... but it seems menu are very complicated compare to e-m10 mark III...
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At $999 I would maybe buy it! (despite the fact that I hate flip out sideways screens :-) )

Olympus always has had "complicated menus" but they are needed to get full functionality and ability to set up the camera the way the user likes to have it working.

Once familiar then it's easy. In fact with my Pen E-P5 I have set up the camera with 4 MySets (Custom Modes) assigned them to the Mode dial and that's all I use 99% of the time. Now it's very rare that I need to dive into the menus. I made a web page to help myself when I have to do that and though it's for the E-P5 only a lot of it is common to other models.

Sadly the E-M10 Mk3 has abandoned those MySets/Custom Modes so that cannot be done (it simplified the menus too far in my opinion), see my Timeline to get a rough comparison of some major features. Latest models at the bottom and some links to E-M10 Mk3 reviews and comments.

A better "beginner's" camera to "grow up with" in Olympus terms is the E-M10 Mk2 compared to the Mk3 which in reality is not an E-M10 but some lesser model.

Regards.... Guy
 
Guy Parsons said:
Sadly the E-M10 Mk3 has abandoned those MySets/Custom Modes so that cannot be done (it simplified the menus too far in my opinion), see my Timeline to get a rough comparison of some major features. Latest models at the bottom and some links to E-M10 Mk3 reviews and comments.
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I'm certainly not in the market for a new camera now, but this is good to know nonetheless. It would never have crossed my mind that any Olympus "mark n+1" camera would actually lose functionality from the previous version. IMHO, this is a dumb move on Oly's part.
 
Joseph T Lewis III said:
Guy Parsons said:
Sadly the E-M10 Mk3 has abandoned those MySets/Custom Modes so that cannot be done (it simplified the menus too far in my opinion), see my Timeline to get a rough comparison of some major features. Latest models at the bottom and some links to E-M10 Mk3 reviews and comments.
Click to expand...
I'm certainly not in the market for a new camera now, but this is good to know nonetheless. It would never have crossed my mind that any Olympus "mark n+1" camera would actually lose functionality from the previous version. IMHO, this is a dumb move on Oly's part.
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Helen was the first to buy one and pointed out the differences very early on. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60125017

To me it has less functionality than the E-PL1 in that the E-M10 Mk3 has no MySets or Custom Modes (very important in my opinion) plus it also lost the RC flash control that has been there forever. Other strange and puzzling menu restrictions also have happened so in fact they reduced to E-M10 line to something lower than before to effectively create 4 lines of OM-D instead of 3.
  1. Top line E-M1 Mk1 and Mk2
  2. Advanced ability E-M5 Mk1 and Mk2
  3. Basic model E-M10 Mk1 and Mk2
  4. Beginners model E-M10 Mk3
It makes me wonder where the Pen line is headed, if it even continues at all.

Regards...... Guy
 
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Guy Parsons said:
Helen was the first to buy one and pointed out the differences very early on. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60125017
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I see that Helen's post was made three or so months ago.

I didn't read it at the time, because my photography had taken a back seat to getting my house (which had been rented out the past 25 years) repaired and fixed up so decent folks would want to live in it. I finally got past all of that, and only recently have been able to spend much time reading camera forums just for for fun.

So, belated thanks to Helen for sharing her insight re. the E-M10 Mk III deficiencies.

--
Tom
 
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Joseph T Lewis III said:
Guy Parsons said:
Helen was the first to buy one and pointed out the differences very early on. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60125017
Click to expand...
I see that Helen's post was made three or so months ago.

I didn't read it at the time, because my photography had taken a back seat to getting my house (which had been rented out the past 25 years) repaired and fixed up so decent folks would want to live in it. I finally got past all of that, and only recently have been able to spend much time reading camera forums just for for fun.

So, belated thanks to Helen for sharing her insight re. the E-M10 Mk III deficiencies.
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Thank u so much replying...

Can't really decide between EM5 II and EM10 III... i dont like that much spending my time for configuration... and the AF (even new on em10) seems to be the same, same for image quality...

GX80 seems to be performing better than these 2 but i dont like EVF and style... :-(
 
Jchris006 said:
Thank u so much replying...

Can't really decide between EM5 II and EM10 III...
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Really wildly different cameras aimed at different market segments. Checking E-M10 Mk2 vs E-M10 Mk3 would make much more sense, but even that's unfair as the Mk3 is so crippled compared to the Mk2.
Jchris006 said:
i dont like that much spending my time for configuration...
Click to expand...
That's where MySets are necessary, choose 4 setups and make MySets and use those from then on and menu diving is then not needed much at all. Can't do that with E-M10 Mk3, but then there's less menus to dive in so the user is stuck with the way they have configured the modes on the dial.
Jchris006 said:
and the AF (even new on em10) seems to be the same, same for image quality...
Click to expand...
Later image processing chip helps there in the E-M10 Mk3. It will take good shots but versatility is limited.
Jchris006 said:
GX80 seems to be performing better than these 2 but i dont like EVF and style... :-(
Click to expand...
Can't comment, never tried the Panasonics, totally stuck in the Olympus body world.

Regards.... Guy
 
Guy Parsons said:
Jchris006 said:
Thank u so much replying...

Can't really decide between EM5 II and EM10 III...
Click to expand...
Really wildly different cameras aimed at different market segments. Checking E-M10 Mk2 vs E-M10 Mk3 would make much more sense, but even that's unfair as the Mk3 is so crippled compared to the Mk2.
Guy Parsons said:
i dont like that much spending my time for configuration...
Click to expand...
That's where MySets are necessary, choose 4 setups and make MySets and use those from then on and menu diving is then not needed much at all. Can't do that with E-M10 Mk3, but then there's less menus to dive in so the user is stuck with the way they have configured the modes on the dial.
Guy Parsons said:
and the AF (even new on em10) seems to be the same, same for image quality...
Click to expand...
Later image processing chip helps there in the E-M10 Mk3. It will take good shots but versatility is limited.
Guy Parsons said:
GX80 seems to be performing better than these 2 but i dont like EVF and style... :-(
Click to expand...
Can't comment, never tried the Panasonics, totally stuck in the Olympus body world.

Regards.... Guy
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+1 for Mysets. Besides being very handy and saving time, they also allow you to start each shoot with the baseline values you have chosen for a variety of parameters (shutter, aperture, ISO, IS mode, etc etc.). This is important, because it prevents you from inadvertently using the parameters left over from your last session which, depending on the environment, might be totally wrong for the next shoot.

one point to consider: just because a camera allows you more capability, doesn't mean you have to start using those capabilities all at once. If you get an E-M5 II or E-M10 II, you can start out simple, and delve into the more flexible menu options as you get used to the camera. If you buy the E-M10 Mk III, you will forever be constrained, no matter how familiar you become with the camera, or how much your skills improve.
 
I bought a Lumix G80 and I've no complaints. I want to try my hand at astro landscapes. Ive read in the forums that the performance of the Olympus sensor is much better than that in the Panasonic. Before I invest a lot of time in learning the G80, would I do better to switch to the Olympus now?
 
Klumper said:
I bought a Lumix G80 and I've no complaints. I want to try my hand at astro landscapes. Ive read in the forums that the performance of the Olympus sensor is much better than that in the Panasonic. Before I invest a lot of time in learning the G80, would I do better to switch to the Olympus now?
Click to expand...
Did you read the prior posts, in which the fact that the E-M10 Mk III is dumbed down / crippled compared to previous versions, was discussed in a fair amount of detail?

If you are interested in an Olympus, why not look at the E-M10 Mk II? It has more features than the Mk II (you are not required to use them, but it is better to have capabilities and not use them, then need them and not have them). And, it was recently on sale for something like $449.
 
Joseph T Lewis III said:
Klumper said:
I bought a Lumix G80 and I've no complaints. I want to try my hand at astro landscapes. Ive read in the forums that the performance of the Olympus sensor is much better than that in the Panasonic. Before I invest a lot of time in learning the G80, would I do better to switch to the Olympus now?
Click to expand...
Did you read the prior posts, in which the fact that the E-M10 Mk III is dumbed down / crippled compared to previous versions, was discussed in a fair amount of detail?
Click to expand...
Joseph T Lewis III said:
If you are interested in an Olympus, why not look at the E-M10 Mk II? It has more features than the Mk II (you are not required to use them, but it is better to have capabilities and not use them, then need them and not have them). And, it was recently on sale for something like $449.

--
Tom
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Yes I saw the Mk II was better.

I was hoping for confirmation that the sensor in the Olympus was sufficiently better compared to the G80 to justify making the switch from the Panasonic.
 
Klumper said:
Joseph T Lewis III said:
Klumper said:
I bought a Lumix G80 and I've no complaints. I want to try my hand at astro landscapes. Ive read in the forums that the performance of the Olympus sensor is much better than that in the Panasonic. Before I invest a lot of time in learning the G80, would I do better to switch to the Olympus now?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I was hoping for confirmation that the sensor in the Olympus was sufficiently better compared to the G80 to justify making the switch from the Panasonic.
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For astro you should get a Panasonic gx8, g9, gx9, gh5.
 
Klumper said:
I bought a Lumix G80 and I've no complaints. I want to try my hand at astro landscapes. Ive read in the forums that the performance of the Olympus sensor is much better than that in the Panasonic. Before I invest a lot of time in learning the G80, would I do better to switch to the Olympus now?
Click to expand...
In my opinion, u couldn't be further from the truth Klumper. There is virtually no difference between sensors in Olympus&Panasonic cameras! Having owned both the original and Mk2 EM5, as well as EPL5, EMP2 (&briefly EP5)... while I have nothing against Olympus, I strongly prefer Panasonic for the following:

more reliable

better warranty in US

more intuitive menu

better ergo/UI

better video

better CAF (w/ Lumix lenses)

As far as the areas where Olympus has had an edge (IBIS & JPEG color) the gap has virtually disappeared

But do try out the Oly bodies yourself!

Note: beware, Oly fanboys outnumber Panny guys here 2:1
 
I won't that helpful: I have an EM10 Mark I and absolutely love it, but have never held or tried a GX80/85 before.

Just a quick note though: there is no issue with you using the Panasonic 14-140mm on an EM10. This is what I do and they work great together. It had become my most-used lens, I'm always shocked at how sharp it is.
 
Klumper said:
Joseph T Lewis III said:
Klumper said:
I bought a Lumix G80 and I've no complaints. I want to try my hand at astro landscapes. Ive read in the forums that the performance of the Olympus sensor is much better than that in the Panasonic. Before I invest a lot of time in learning the G80, would I do better to switch to the Olympus now?
Click to expand...
Did you read the prior posts, in which the fact that the E-M10 Mk III is dumbed down / crippled compared to previous versions, was discussed in a fair amount of detail?

If you are interested in an Olympus, why not look at the E-M10 Mk II? It has more features than the Mk II (you are not required to use them, but it is better to have capabilities and not use them, then need them and not have them). And, it was recently on sale for something like $449.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Yes I took I look. It says the ‘sport’ figure measures low light performance and the Olympus figures are better than the Panasonic but I don’t know what that would mean in terms of image quality.
 
I went out and had a go taking a Milky Way shot with my Panasonic G80.

I think the senor must be adequate as I got this shot. It’s good enough for me :-)



6bbab22503c64ac3b32d8cc5da4927dc.jpg
 
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