Reading mode: Light Dark

The heat is on.

Go to last post
J

jbent1

Well-known member
Messages
101
Reaction score
39
Location
S Ontario, CA

Loading…

www.cameralabs.com

Hi, above is the link to Gordon Laing's very favourable review of the new Sony 18-135 lens suitable for the A6xxx series. One notable feature is its small size relative to what Nikon and Canon has on offer. My experience with Sony was clouded by my 16-50 lens which clearly compromised the abilities of the body (5100).

But now Sony has the A6500 functioning much like m/3 bodies in terms of its user options and this is a good lens. Together they make a nice compact pairing in common with what I like with m4/3.

My purpose is not to stir up the loyalty pot. I like my m4/3 experience. But with this option, the presence of competent compact cameras like the Nikon D5600 and this recent trend to larger m4/3 bodies (and lenses) the competition is getting tougher to ignore.

I offered my EM10-1 with the standard 14-42 lens for free to any one of my 9 nieces and nephews. Not one took me up on it. 8 used smartphones and saw no reason to have a camera. The remaining one bought into the Sony A6xxx series and is very happy.

In comparison with m4/3 offerings, cameras like the SL2, D5600 are going for less money and refurbished ones and lenses are easy to get. High end cameras like the D500 are clearly competitive $ and quality wise. Finally, Sony is getting smarter about their offerings too now.

With what appears to be declining interest in cameras in general, as smart phones get photo proficient (a friend of mine just paid $1200 for a new Iphone primarily to take better pics, but completely balked at the suggestion of buying a new EM-10ii for $600 instead) and the competition amongst camera producers gets fiercer, we may be left at the sidelines.

It is going to be interesting to see how M4/3 fare in this very competitive environment. I really would not know what to do if I was getting into photography today. That bothers me.
 
jbent1 said:
this recent trend to larger m4/3 bodies (and lenses) the competition is getting tougher to ignore.
Click to expand...
You don't have to buy the bigger bodies and lenses. There's a huge range of M43 bodies, if you want a smaller one, buy one!

The idea that offering additional choices that happen to be larger somehow is a negative for the M43 ecosystem baffles me...
jbent1 said:
I really would not know what to do if I was getting into photography today. That bothers me.
Click to expand...
And this one, too. We're in a market where there are several excellent choices of camera systems, and not one where one is clearly better than everything else, and that's a bad thing? Several vendors innovating and competing to be the best sounds excellent to me

(And these "Sony/Canon/Nikon/Fuji have released a body/lens that does X so now M43 can't compete" threads have been happening for, literally, years. One day it might be true, but even after the announcement-de-jour, my M43 kit still seems to take pictures that keep me happy)
 
Last edited:
Sensor size is merely one aspect of any given system.

Assuming similar technological prowess, having a smaller sensor enables the use of features that are not possible with larger sensors in the current tech cycle yet. Faster readouts, better stabilization, advanced video features etc.

You also have the ability to create lenses that retain peak performance at maximum aperture with minimal vignetting, distortion and so forth.

Simply put, if the image quality you get out of a system is good enough for what you need, investing in a smaller sensor, nets you more capable bodies with more advanced features.

If you're into a genre that requires maximum DR and low light performance above all else, you'd obviously opt for a larger sensor, forfeiting some of the benefits of smaller systems.

There is no heat whatsoever from APS-C of FF for MFT. It does what it does extremely well, better than ever before actually with the latest bodies from Panasonic and Olympus and it will continue to do so for its intended audience.
 
jbent1 said:
I offered my EM10-1 with the standard 14-42 lens for free to any one of my 9 nieces and nephews. Not one took me up on it. 8 used smartphones and saw no reason to have a camera. The remaining one bought into the Sony A6xxx series and is very happy.
Click to expand...
Doesn't surprise me at all.

My friends are always thrilled to see my pics when we're out and about doing stuff, even though inevitably I'm using either the cheap and cheerful 14-140 (version 1) or 20mm/1.7 (version 1). But smartphones are just so convenient, so as long as someone has a nice camera, we're all documenting the same thing, so it doesn't need to be them.

They love the results, but I don't think my friends would ever bother with a dedicated camera, except one who has one for travel (A6000 + 16-50). And one friend who has her 6D and L-glass, and is addicted to shallow DoF, but is otherwise pretty happy to leave the camera on Auto and have it do what it wants to.
 
I dunno, seems akin to "now that McDonalds has brought back the McRib, Chipotle better watch out!"

Established photographers are generally creatures of habit and first-time camera buyers are rare as hens teeth. Oly and Panny need to keep working to their strengths and they'll be fine.

Cheers,

Rick
 
jbent1 said:
https://www.cameralabs.com/sony-e-18-135mm-f3-5-5-6-review/

Hi, above is the link to Gordon Laing's very favourable review of the new Sony 18-135 lens suitable for the A6xxx series. One notable feature is its small size relative to what Nikon and Canon has on offer. My experience with Sony was clouded by my 16-50 lens which clearly compromised the abilities of the body (5100).
Click to expand...
But it is described as a kit zoom. With that range, I would bet the performance would be on the fair to good scale. I wouldn't personally buy a lens with that much range no matter who the manufacturer. But everyone has their own concept of IQ.
jbent1 said:
But now Sony has the A6500 functioning much like m/3 bodies in terms of its user options and this is a good lens. Together they make a nice compact pairing in common with what I like with m4/3.

My purpose is not to stir up the loyalty pot. I like my m4/3 experience. But with this option, the presence of competent compact cameras like the Nikon D5600 and this recent trend to larger m4/3 bodies (and lenses) the competition is getting tougher to ignore.
Click to expand...
There is no question the market for manufacturers is a tough one. Oly and Panasonic are putting their bets on high quality lenses. There doesn't appear to be much in it for manufacturers in the lower end performance (and price) lenses and bodies for that matter.
jbent1 said:
I offered my EM10-1 with the standard 14-42 lens for free to any one of my 9 nieces and nephews. Not one took me up on it. 8 used smartphones and saw no reason to have a camera. The remaining one bought into the Sony A6xxx series and is very happy.

In comparison with m4/3 offerings, cameras like the SL2, D5600 are going for less money and refurbished ones and lenses are easy to get. High end cameras like the D500 are clearly competitive $ and quality wise. Finally, Sony is getting smarter about their offerings too now.

With what appears to be declining interest in cameras in general, as smart phones get photo proficient (a friend of mine just paid $1200 for a new Iphone primarily to take better pics, but completely balked at the suggestion of buying a new EM-10ii for $600 instead) and the competition amongst camera producers gets fiercer, we may be left at the sidelines.

It is going to be interesting to see how M4/3 fare in this very competitive environment. I really would not know what to do if I was getting into photography today. That bothers me.

--
JDW
Click to expand...
 
Why ....brand loyalty. My first camera was an Oly half frame manual everything camera. Followed by a Pen F Om1and 3. Then I strayed into Nikon and Panasonic and back again. I want Oly to be more than a collectible fondly remembered brand.
JDW
 
jbent1 said:
It is going to be interesting to see how M4/3 fare in this very competitive environment....
Click to expand...
...when the other camera companies catch up. Right now, it seems to me, Panasonic's M4/3s are way ahead of the pack when it comes to features in a under $1,000 camera that shoots 4k video without overheating. Add into that scenario reasonably priced prime lenses and the M4/3s are hard to beat. I suspect, when the other companies catch up (and implement Canon's DPAF) Panasonic might be in trouble.
 
jbent1 said:
https://www.cameralabs.com/sony-e-18-135mm-f3-5-5-6-review/

Hi, above is the link to Gordon Laing's very favourable review of the new Sony 18-135 lens suitable for the A6xxx series.
Click to expand...
It is a 7.2x zoom, of FF eq AoV of 27mm~203mm. I wish you realize that Oly has 14-150, and Pany has 14-140 M2. Not owned 14-150 but according to my 14-140 M2, it broke my long bias view on super zoom lens and changed my view forever. It has very similar IQ to premium lenses like 12-35 f/2.8...
jbent1 said:
One notable feature is its small size relative to what Nikon and Canon has on offer.
Click to expand...
Yes, but comparing to Pany's 14-140 M2, which is still relatively large (Sony is 88mm long vs Pany's 75mm) and leavier (Sony is 325g vs Pany 265g)...
jbent1 said:
...

I offered my EM10-1 with the standard 14-42 lens for free to any one of my 9 nieces and nephews. Not one took me up on it. 8 used smartphones and saw no reason to have a camera. The remaining one bought into the Sony A6xxx series and is very happy.
Click to expand...
Generation gap?

And would also depend on how we look at photographing. Would we serious regard it as an art, or a hobby and also how we'll use the image? I suppose most of us if still shooting with a camera, we shall demand the best SOOC result if possible (minimal PP) to show our technique and skill, concern on digital artifact, noise, sharpening, micro contrast, exposure, framing, to what lens for the best result etc. It would be much simplier for those who just want to record an image, view it on phone's small screen or share it on fb...

Indeed a camera and camera phone would be for entirely difference group of users. Just in the early day of digitalization, and before the availability of reasonably quality camera phone, people had no alternative but rush to buy a camera. When camera phone became cheaper, obvious those who never need to shoot with a camera in the first place would prefer a more convenience camera phone. It is just going back to the old days that not many family owned a slr. Fully automatic P&S or even disposable camera would be their obvious choice at that time. IMHO nothing has changed, we are just back to the circle of development again.
jbent1 said:
...
Click to expand...
 
Stejo said:
There is no heat whatsoever from APS-C of FF for MFT.
Click to expand...
A the low-end, the Canon M100 looks like strong competition for the Olympus PEN E-PL. Asia buys more mirrorless cameras than The Americas and Europe combined, and I understand that they like low-end mirrorless.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top