GX9 or EM5III?

technotic wrote:

Chris Noble wrote:

technotic wrote:

I've had a GX7 since it came out and 6 small lenses (4 Olympus 2 Panasonic). I was considering selling it all off and moving to a larger sensor camera. I recently visited a camera shop and tried out all the latest offerings and I realized the bigger and heavier gear is not for me.

The one thing I'd really like is IBIS so I can get some smoother video hand held and some cool long exposure shots with no tripod needed. So I'm considering the GX9 and EM5III. I know the GX9 is way cheaper at the moment but I'm looking for a camera that will last me a good number of years so just wondering if the EM5 is going to give me more options such as the live composite, phase detection AF, better IBIS(?). I've never had an Olympus body so not sure if there are things I'll miss from the GX7 (had the GF1 before that).

Anyone else faced this decision? Which way did you go and are you happy with the decision?

Rangefinder-style and DSLR-style are very different cameras. Not better/worse, but very different. I'm surprised that you have narrowed down to 2 bodies before deciding which type you prefer.

I don't actually find the difference that great myself. I've had both styles and I'm more interested in the capabilities of the cameras.

Got it. I felt that way a year ago and bought a G9. The capabilities blew me away (still do), but it was big and heavy and complex. The GX9 is a more intuitive camera for me and has an excellent sensor. And the tilting viewfinder in the rangefinder location is a lot more convenient than a fixed central viewfinder. But the grip is not as good as the perfect G9 grip. The accessory GX9 grip fixes that. Also I really like the dedicated EC dial as I do a lot of that and it's convenient to instantly see and adjust that setting.

I was just shooting yesterday aft and I'm glad I switched from the G9 to the GX9. My first rangefinder-style after lots of DSLR-style bodies.