Sad Used Prices for EM-1 first edition

Just out of curiosity, today I checked KEH for selling (to KEH) prices on both my EM1 and GX7 camera bodies both in excellent plus condition. While the EM1 only fetches $95 dollars US, they will give me $129 for the GX7 yet the EM1 is superior in so many ways.

In terms of percent of value, the $600 GX7 bought new is holding up so much better than the EM1 (also bought new), which in my case was overhauled by Olympus last year for green blobs in the EVF. They replaced the viewfinder and the rear dial and brought the camera back to specs, although the rear dial in my opinion was not needed (already replace once and working perfectly).

I am still quite happy with the images they both take and will hold onto them for a while longer. Funny how many of Nikon film cameras are still selling used for more than their original cost (if in good condition).

Supply and demand. There are probably far more used E-M1.1s than GX7s. Most E-M1.1 users probably upgraded to the E-M1.2 or E-M1X or now to the E-M1.3 or E-M5.3 since all have much better PDAF performance which was one of the primary reasons for purchase of the E-M1.1. The GX7 performance is probably not that different in many ways from the more recent Panasonic and Olympus 16MP cameras while it is very small, light weight camera with a tiltable EVF.

...to my girlfriend, along with a new (to her) 25mm f/1.8. She'll get way more value out of it than I'd get selling it on eBay, especially considering how much obvious wear and tear there was on the body.

Concentrate on lenses and you'll feel better about used prices for your gear. Cameras depreciate like any consumer electronic gizmo, very quickly. Nature of the beast.

Cheers,

Rick

I don't buy cameras for their resale value; I use them for imaging.

We should be happy the techology has advanced so much that the older cameras are "out of date" for certain types of shooting.

My EM-1 I, though, is still fine for landscape/nature except for long exposure night shooting.

The EM1 had several "issues" like rear wheel failure and strap sockets falling out. I suppose like the Nikon D60 with its oil on the sensor problem, it is a camera best avoided used.

A few years ago you could not give away film SLR cameras. There seems to be a bit of a rebirth of interest in film, thus film cameras have regained some value.

I see my EM5i goes for €150 SH, It still shoots nice pictures.

There are few if any Nikon film cameras (maybe the FM3's) selling for what they cost in 2020 dollars. You can buy a working F3 for about $120.00 and it was about $900.00 in the 1970's.

NCV said:

The EM1 had several "issues" like rear wheel failure and strap sockets falling out. I suppose like the Nikon D60 with its oil on the sensor problem, it is a camera best avoided used.

A few years ago you could not give away film SLR cameras. There seems to be a bit of a rebirth of interest in film, thus film cameras have regained some value.

I see my EM5i goes for €150 SH, It still shoots nice pictures.

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Most post-1985 film cameras are worth little. Economy models from the late 80s and 90's are basically worthless. Interestingly, it's the same way in the audio world. Wood-sided stereos from the 1970's (like cameras) have some value whereas the black metal stuff from later on is worth very little.

averacpa said:

Just out of curiosity, today I checked KEH for selling (to KEH) prices on both my EM1 and GX7 camera bodies both in excellent plus condition. While the EM1 only fetches $95 dollars US, they will give me $129 for the GX7 yet the EM1 is superior in so many ways.

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Owning both cameras mentioned I would dispute your assertion that the E-M1 is superior.

The GX7 was and remains a classic - a prefect rendition of the RF-Style body in digital format.

The interface is very intuitive and Panasonic certainly fitted it up with every bit of technology they had when it launched. Unlike my E-M1 my GX7 has been 100% reliable and has had a lot more use. Today I still use it in parallel with a GX85 and GX9 - in no way do I consider the GX7 inferior for practical use.

averacpa said:

In terms of percent of value, the $600 GX7 bought new is holding up so much better than the EM1 (also bought new), which in my case was overhauled by Olympus last year for green blobs in the EVF. They replaced the viewfinder and the rear dial and brought the camera back to specs, although the rear dial in my opinion was not needed (already replace once and working perfectly).

Click to expand...

My E-M1 had evf “blobs” (developed within months of ownership) which were fixed with the dodgy back wheel (as supplied). The repaired wheel survived but despite careful use the blobs eventually returned. Furthermore the I (personally) think that the GX7 interface is about perfect and intuitive whilst the E-M1 interface has to be learned and assimilated over a much longer period of time. Luckily the Olympus repair centres have a good reputation as they must be needed more often. I would rather own stuff that never fails.

None of my several Panasonic camera bodies have ever developed “blobs” in the evf and I of course use identical dioptre settings and use them in a similar manner.

So the need for your Olympus to be serviced back up to specs has been the answer your own curiosity. You did not mention if the GX7 needed to be repaired.

Anyone buying a second hand E-M1 will no doubt take into account the lottery of their reputation for breakages - and I see that neither of use mentions “strap lugs”.

averacpa said:

I am still quite happy with the images they both take and will hold onto them for a while longer. Funny how many of Nikon film cameras are still selling used for more than their original cost (if in good condition).

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Try buying a Panasonic GM5 these days.

Who can say why something becomes collectible, but my money's on film cameras with few electronics being at the top of the heap eventually. Clockwork shutters, electro-magnetic meters (that don't require mercury batteries), thumb winding and the like. My kid was gifted a very nice mostly electronic Nikon SLR for Christmas and it luckily takes four AA cells, but the displays, switches, motors and the like will not have the shelf life of an F.

Cheers,

Rick

Skeeterbytes said:

Who can say why something becomes collectible, but my money's on film cameras with few electronics being at the top of the heap eventually. Clockwork shutters, electro-magnetic meters (that don't require mercury batteries), thumb winding and the like. My kid was gifted a very nice mostly electronic Nikon SLR for Christmas and it luckily takes four AA cells, but the displays, switches, motors and the like will not have the shelf life of an F.

Cheers,

Rick

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Probably not, but enough mechanical cameras fail as well. Stuff from the 60's or earlier are a real crap-shoot, especially junk like Zenit cameras.

Tom Caldwell said:

averacpa said:

Just out of curiosity, today I checked KEH for selling (to KEH) prices on both my EM1 and GX7 camera bodies both in excellent plus condition. While the EM1 only fetches $95 dollars US, they will give me $129 for the GX7 yet the EM1 is superior in so many ways.

Click to expand...

Owning both cameras mentioned I would dispute your assertion that the E-M1 is superior.

The GX7 was and remains a classic - a prefect rendition of the RF-Style body in digital format.

The interface is very intuitive and Panasonic certainly fitted it up with every bit of technology they had when it launched. Unlike my E-M1 my GX7 has been 100% reliable and has had a lot more use. Today I still use it in parallel with a GX85 and GX9 - in no way do I consider the GX7 inferior for practical use.

Tom Caldwell said:

In terms of percent of value, the $600 GX7 bought new is holding up so much better than the EM1 (also bought new), which in my case was overhauled by Olympus last year for green blobs in the EVF. They replaced the viewfinder and the rear dial and brought the camera back to specs, although the rear dial in my opinion was not needed (already replace once and working perfectly).

Click to expand...

My E-M1 had evf “blobs” (developed within months of ownership) which were fixed with the dodgy back wheel (as supplied). The repaired wheel survived but despite careful use the blobs eventually returned. Furthermore the I (personally) think that the GX7 interface is about perfect and intuitive whilst the E-M1 interface has to be learned and assimilated over a much longer period of time. Luckily the Olympus repair centres have a good reputation as they must be needed more often. I would rather own stuff that never fails.

None of my several Panasonic camera bodies have ever developed “blobs” in the evf and I of course use identical dioptre settings and use them in a similar manner.

So the need for your Olympus to be serviced back up to specs has been the answer your own curiosity. You did not mention if the GX7 needed to be repaired.

Anyone buying a second hand E-M1 will no doubt take into account the lottery of their reputation for breakages - and I see that neither of use mentions “strap lugs”.

Tom Caldwell said:

I am still quite happy with the images they both take and will hold onto them for a while longer. Funny how many of Nikon film cameras are still selling used for more than their original cost (if in good condition).

Click to expand...

Try buying a Panasonic GM5 these days.

Click to expand...

Bit of an odd comparison, GX7 and E-M1, as they have very different feature sets and audiences. I can't comment on relative reliability since I never owned a GX but the EM-1s served me flawlessly as do the M1iis I use today. I just know I could have never shot sports with the GX7. Or four-thirds lenses, but that's true for most m4/3 cameras and I don't hold that against it.

It's still a pretty, and pretty small camera for somebody who would like one. The E-M1 reains a great entre for performance shooters who don't mind 16MP. I do not hesitate to recommend clean used copies to beginners.

Cheers,

Rick

LoneTree1 said:

Skeeterbytes said:

Who can say why something becomes collectible, but my money's on film cameras with few electronics being at the top of the heap eventually. Clockwork shutters, electro-magnetic meters (that don't require mercury batteries), thumb winding and the like. My kid was gifted a very nice mostly electronic Nikon SLR for Christmas and it luckily takes four AA cells, but the displays, switches, motors and the like will not have the shelf life of an F.

Cheers,

Rick

Click to expand...

Probably not, but enough mechanical cameras fail as well. Stuff from the 60's or earlier are a real crap-shoot, especially junk like Zenit cameras.

Click to expand...

Hey. Don’t knock the Zenits.

The Zenit E was my first SLR. Built like a brick... and took photos like one. Great learning tool though.

Photo Pete said:

LoneTree1 said:

Skeeterbytes said:

Who can say why something becomes collectible, but my money's on film cameras with few electronics being at the top of the heap eventually. Clockwork shutters, electro-magnetic meters (that don't require mercury batteries), thumb winding and the like. My kid was gifted a very nice mostly electronic Nikon SLR for Christmas and it luckily takes four AA cells, but the displays, switches, motors and the like will not have the shelf life of an F.

Cheers,

Rick

Click to expand...

Probably not, but enough mechanical cameras fail as well. Stuff from the 60's or earlier are a real crap-shoot, especially junk like Zenit cameras.

Click to expand...

Hey. Don’t knock the Zenits.

The Zenit E was my first SLR. Built like a brick... and took photos like one. Great learning tool though.

Click to expand...

The challenge will eventually be finding the hermits who can still CLA an old mechanical camera, and has drawersfull of teeny tiny parts harvested from donor cams to keep them going.

I have a Contax rangefinder--Model III, a lovely thing that still functions. Its shutter curtain is tiny metal slats attached to--wait for it--leather. Know anybody who would rebuild that? Me neither.

The selenium light meter needs no battery. Win!

Cheers,

Rick

The GX7 has held more value because in many people’s opinion, Panasonic didn’t make a proper replacement. Remember the howling over the size of the GX8? I have it now and only wish I had bought it sooner, but I listened to the chatter. I think the size of the G9 has made the GX8 more acceptable. Then Panasonic launched the GX85 which seen as a downgrade in some aspects, and now the GX9, which is still not a flagship class camera the way the GX8 was.

Skeeterbytes said:

Tom Caldwell said:

averacpa said:

Just out of curiosity, today I checked KEH for selling (to KEH) prices on both my EM1 and GX7 camera bodies both in excellent plus condition. While the EM1 only fetches $95 dollars US, they will give me $129 for the GX7 yet the EM1 is superior in so many ways.

Click to expand...

Owning both cameras mentioned I would dispute your assertion that the E-M1 is superior.

The GX7 was and remains a classic - a prefect rendition of the RF-Style body in digital format.

The interface is very intuitive and Panasonic certainly fitted it up with every bit of technology they had when it launched. Unlike my E-M1 my GX7 has been 100% reliable and has had a lot more use. Today I still use it in parallel with a GX85 and GX9 - in no way do I consider the GX7 inferior for practical use.

Skeeterbytes said:

In terms of percent of value, the $600 GX7 bought new is holding up so much better than the EM1 (also bought new), which in my case was overhauled by Olympus last year for green blobs in the EVF. They replaced the viewfinder and the rear dial and brought the camera back to specs, although the rear dial in my opinion was not needed (already replace once and working perfectly).

Click to expand...

My E-M1 had evf “blobs” (developed within months of ownership) which were fixed with the dodgy back wheel (as supplied). The repaired wheel survived but despite careful use the blobs eventually returned. Furthermore the I (personally) think that the GX7 interface is about perfect and intuitive whilst the E-M1 interface has to be learned and assimilated over a much longer period of time. Luckily the Olympus repair centres have a good reputation as they must be needed more often. I would rather own stuff that never fails.

None of my several Panasonic camera bodies have ever developed “blobs” in the evf and I of course use identical dioptre settings and use them in a similar manner.

So the need for your Olympus to be serviced back up to specs has been the answer your own curiosity. You did not mention if the GX7 needed to be repaired.

Anyone buying a second hand E-M1 will no doubt take into account the lottery of their reputation for breakages - and I see that neither of use mentions “strap lugs”.

Skeeterbytes said:

I am still quite happy with the images they both take and will hold onto them for a while longer. Funny how many of Nikon film cameras are still selling used for more than their original cost (if in good condition).

Click to expand...

Try buying a Panasonic GM5 these days.

Click to expand...

Bit of an odd comparison, GX7 and E-M1, as they have very different feature sets and audiences. I can't comment on relative reliability since I never owned a GX but the EM-1s served me flawlessly as do the M1iis I use today. I just know I could have never shot sports with the GX7. Or four-thirds lenses, but that's true for most m4/3 cameras and I don't hold that against it.

It's still a pretty, and pretty small camera for somebody who would like one. The E-M1 reains a great entre for performance shooters who don't mind 16MP. I do not hesitate to recommend clean used copies to beginners.

Cheers,

Rick

Click to expand...

Fair comment Rick,

But I have never seen much difference in the style of use or the feature set of the EM-1 versus GX7. One is faux-dslr in shape and the other is RF-style shape. Both have everything necessary to take photographs with every lens I have thrown at them

The E-M1 has simple PDAF and more advanced IBIS - but I have never felt disadvantaged by using the GX7. The GX7 has been utterly reliable - the E-M1 less so. But I have no other issues with the E-M1 and the wheel once fixed has never since failed.

The GX7 has a much better touch screen interface and the SCP feature of the EM-1 is not so much a wonder-feature as to be almost essential because of the more convoluted interface it has over the more straight-forward clean interface of the GX-7.

Of course I came to M4/3 via the GM1 and form that I effectively “knew” the GX7 interface in “five minutes” whilst the E-M1 by comparison was something designed on “Planet X”.

But of course anyone who has been brought up on Olympus products could easily say that the reveres is true. It is something that we “get used to” when we first come to M4/3 and frankly the GX7 interface took a lot less getting used to in my book compared to the E-M1.

So I had to standardise interfaces and the Panasonic version per camera is relatively similar and has followed their “original” right through the S1 in L-Mount format.

What I was trying to say was not that the E-M1 was lacking as a camera - other than mine was as unreliable as many others had found and also I found the human interface not exactly to my (personal) liking - I can understand that others will disagree.

However when the OP says that he has had to fix the known issues that were widespread and acknowledged for that particular camera body in one breath and then wonders why the ultra reliable GX7 is worth more money then assuredly he has answered his own question.

Surely a known unreliable camera body type (even when fixed) is not going to be worth as much some years down the track as a patently reliable cousin. I will also not resile form my assertion that the GX7 in its day was a technical tour de force. As indeed the E-M1ii must have been. The E-M1 may have been a better camera in its older age if Olympus QC had been better.

Tom Caldwell said:

averacpa said:

Just out of curiosity, today I checked KEH for selling (to KEH) prices on both my EM1 and GX7 camera bodies both in excellent plus condition. While the EM1 only fetches $95 dollars US, they will give me $129 for the GX7 yet the EM1 is superior in so many ways.

Click to expand...

Owning both cameras mentioned I would dispute your assertion that the E-M1 is superior.

The GX7 was and remains a classic - a prefect rendition of the RF-Style body in digital format.

The interface is very intuitive and Panasonic certainly fitted it up with every bit of technology they had when it launched. Unlike my E-M1 my GX7 has been 100% reliable and has had a lot more use. Today I still use it in parallel with a GX85 and GX9 - in no way do I consider the GX7 inferior for practical use.

Tom Caldwell said:

In terms of percent of value, the $600 GX7 bought new is holding up so much better than the EM1 (also bought new), which in my case was overhauled by Olympus last year for green blobs in the EVF. They replaced the viewfinder and the rear dial and brought the camera back to specs, although the rear dial in my opinion was not needed (already replace once and working perfectly).

Click to expand...

My E-M1 had evf “blobs” (developed within months of ownership) which were fixed with the dodgy back wheel (as supplied). The repaired wheel survived but despite careful use the blobs eventually returned. Furthermore the I (personally) think that the GX7 interface is about perfect and intuitive whilst the E-M1 interface has to be learned and assimilated over a much longer period of time. Luckily the Olympus repair centres have a good reputation as they must be needed more often. I would rather own stuff that never fails.

None of my several Panasonic camera bodies have ever developed “blobs” in the evf and I of course use identical dioptre settings and use them in a similar manner.

So the need for your Olympus to be serviced back up to specs has been the answer your own curiosity. You did not mention if the GX7 needed to be repaired.

Anyone buying a second hand E-M1 will no doubt take into account the lottery of their reputation for breakages - and I see that neither of use mentions “strap lugs”.

Click to expand...

Hardly. Early manufactured EM-1's had the problem with the rear dials. My 2014 camera had that problem and was repaired, although I could always make the camera work. My 2015 EM-1 I had no issues whatsoever for 4 years of shooting mostly in an outdoor environment. As to lugs, I can't think of a worse way to carry a camera than dangling from my neck as I walk, swinging back and forth. With my EM-1 II where I expect bird opportunities I carry it with the 300 F4 in my hand by the grip. The grip is so good it is not an issue. Perhaps I might carry it that way for two hours at a time, which is a surprise for me with that combo. When I perceive no opportunity for images I carry it in a chest-mounted bag- no swinging, no discomfort.

The EM-1 I is still an excellent camera and on many hikes it will remain my go to camera because it is quite small and produces great images. I do think IC Focus Stacking is better with the EM-1 II and the sensor is better for astro/landscape. The main issue with the EM-1 I and I am sure with the GX7 also is mediocre performance in C-AF for birding.

Tom Caldwell said:

Tom Caldwell said:

I am still quite happy with the images they both take and will hold onto them for a while longer. Funny how many of Nikon film cameras are still selling used for more than their original cost (if in good condition).

Click to expand...

Try buying a Panasonic GM5 these days.

Click to expand...

geoson said:

The GX7 has held more value because in many people’s opinion, Panasonic didn’t make a proper replacement. Remember the howling over the size of the GX8? I have it now and only wish I had bought it sooner, but I listened to the chatter. I think the size of the G9 has made the GX8 more acceptable. Then Panasonic launched the GX85 which seen as a downgrade in some aspects, and now the GX9, which is still not a flagship class camera the way the GX8 was.

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Cameras which have been downgraded in some fashion:

Olympus E-M10III, Panasonic GX9, Olympus E-M5III.

Any others?

LoneTree1 said:

geoson said:

The GX7 has held more value because in many people’s opinion, Panasonic didn’t make a proper replacement. Remember the howling over the size of the GX8? I have it now and only wish I had bought it sooner, but I listened to the chatter. I think the size of the G9 has made the GX8 more acceptable. Then Panasonic launched the GX85 which seen as a downgrade in some aspects, and now the GX9, which is still not a flagship class camera the way the GX8 was.

Click to expand...

Cameras which have been downgraded in some fashion:

Olympus E-M10III, Panasonic GX9, Olympus E-M5III.

Click to expand...

I hardly think the EM-5III is a downgraded camera. It is said to be much more effective in C-AF and has numerous software capabilities. It appears to be an excellent mid-grade camera that would make most photographers very happy.

LoneTree1 said:

Any others?

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Sam Bennett said:

...to my girlfriend, along with a new (to her) 25mm f/1.8. She'll get way more value out of it than I'd get selling it on eBay, especially considering how much obvious wear and tear there was on the body.

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How wonderful to have a girlfriend that appreciates a used E-M1 as a gift... or did she? :-D