Torn between MFT camera options to buy as a beginner for casual photography

Sensenacai said:

JakeJY said:

I have a GX85 and no regrets buying it. With the 12-32mm it fits in a jacket pocket (not possible with any of the EVF hump cameras like the G85 or E-M5 II). The EVF is fine for me. I bought a used 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 and it is perfect for travel. Entire kit fits in a DSLR holster bag (intended to fit one with a standard zoom kit lens).

If you don't care about size/weight however, G85 may be a better option. It has a better EVF as you point out, better stabilization (Dual IS 2 instead of Dual IS), weather-sealing, a FAS (which may or may not be a positive vs the GX85's tilt screen, depending on your preferences), microphone jack, and Cine-like profiles included (although there are hacks to add it to GX85).

Here in the US, Bestbuy does carry demos of the GX85, you may be able to find on their website perhaps a store that has a demo one.

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I wish I could just easily buy the GX85 kit without worrying too much about the EVF but I have no room for buyer's remorse and neither does my bank account haha. I visited both Best Buy's in my city and neither of them have a GX85 on display or in stock online. Only place I can find it brand new in Canada is this kit shipped and sold by Amazon Canada.

As for the G85, it checks a lot of boxes but I'm not sure if the fully articulating screen is something to dislike compared to a tilting one though the GX85's screen doesn't tilt 180 degrees upwards which I find a bit odd.

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JakeJY said:

Amazon has easy returns (they currently have extended returns until 1/31/2023), but I don't know if that is a good price for CAD. You may want to wait until Black Friday to make your purchase.

This website shows Amazon price history, and the same kit dropped to $450 USD in the past, although that price didn't return last Black Friday.

https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B079VDF7ZG?context=search

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Projectdb said:

Price to performance there isn't a better deal out there than a used EM1 II. They're going under 500 USD on eBay currently. Map Camera is a very reliable seller.

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gary0319 said:

I own and have owned some of the high end M43 Olympus cameras, but I don't consider them when I just want to take some great images in a "casual" manner.

My camera of choice is my E-M10 Mark IV (or chose the E-M10 II). I won't lug my OM1 and Pro lenses to a picnic, or walk on the beach at sunset, or for a fly in fishing trip....that kit is just too big. And none of my companions on these casual outings appreciate having to put up with the 'Camera Guy".

Save some money and get a camera that not only takes great images, even with the kit lenses, but is small, and has some dandy in-camera computational features like your smart phone. So, give a look to the Olympus E-M10 series with a 14-42 pancake kit lens and if you want some extra reach buy the inexpensive 40-150 f/4-5.6 lens. The Dragon Fly image below garnered a blue ribbon in statewide competition with the E-M10 IV and el-cheapo 40-150 lens.

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Sensenacai said:

The E-M1 II looks to be a little too large for what I want to be carrying in my small hands.

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Sensenacai said:

Hey all, I'm looking to buy my first digital camera for casual still image photography after using only smartphones and the cameras on my current phone (LG G6) just don't suffice anymore as they lack sharpness and detail.

I'm mostly looking to shoot still images of a variety of miscellaneous subjects and maybe the rare video if the need arises. Here is a collection of unedited JPEG photos I've shot from my current phone to give you an idea of things I take pictures of.

I've spent weeks researching digital cameras and narrowed them down to a few options based on specs, features, the UI, lenses etc and mostly settled on MFT cameras.

At the moment I'm feeling torn between the Lumix GX85, G85 and Olympus E-M5 II. The trouble here is that none of these cameras are available on display in any store in my city for me to test out. There's a Best Buy that has a G7 I tested out which I guess is nearly identical to the G85 and that's about it.

I personally lean towards the rangefinder aesthetic of the GX85 but my main concern with that camera that may completely deter me from buying it is the field-sequential viewfinder. I've read and listened to many complaints about the GX85's EVF such as rainbow tearing artifacts, a blurry image, the EVF lens being made of plastic, uneven viewing angles and the display image being cropped by the 16:9 aspect ratio. Because I'm unable to find one to test out, I'm hesitant to make a decision on buying the GX85 if I don't know what I will see from peering into its EVF. I peered into the EVFs of the Lumix G7, Sony A6000 and A6400 that were on display at Best Buy and the image looked great since they are using OLED(?) panels for the EVF and I'm worried the GX85 EVF will look worse by comparison.

The conspicuous design aesthetic of the G85 or E-M5 II are not to my taste but I can settle on the compromise if it means having an EVF superior to the GX85.

Here in Canada we don't have reputable companies with large secondhand inventories like B&H, MPB, KEH or Adorama so I've mostly been browsing Kijiji (Canadian verison of Craigslist), Facebook's Marketplace or Buy/Sell groups and B&H for used deals. The USD prices of used options at B&H look similar to what I've found in Canada but after currency conversion and the import fees and taxes they're more expensive but you can at least buy a protection plan from them and shipping on most cameras is free.

There's this Olympus E-M5 II body I found on kijiji for $450 CAD being sold by someone with high ratings/reviews. I've been looking out for holiday discounts on the G85 with the kit lens that retails in Canada for $899 CAD and this GX85 kit from B&H that's often on sale for $597 USD (or this this GX85 kit shipped and sold by Amazon Canada with a fluctuating price but unsure about the protection plan they offer) but I'm curious if either camera will be discounted lower than their current prices for the holiday sales. My budget is about $700 CAD so I'm trying not to stretch it further than that.

Any purchasing advice? Sorry for the long post.

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Sensenacai said:

...............................

I'm mostly looking to shoot still images of a variety of miscellaneous subjects and maybe the rare video if the need arises. Here is a collection of unedited JPEG photos I've shot from my current phone to give you an idea of things I take pictures of.

.............................

Any purchasing advice? Sorry for the long post.

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cba_melbourne said:

Sensenacai said:

...............................

I'm mostly looking to shoot still images of a variety of miscellaneous subjects and maybe the rare video if the need arises. Here is a collection of unedited JPEG photos I've shot from my current phone to give you an idea of things I take pictures of.

.............................

Any purchasing advice? Sorry for the long post.

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Those are all static pictures in your collection. Some nice ones though.

I suggest you make up your mind before spending money. Do you want to continue with mostly static pictures? Or was this due to the limitations of phones, and you would really like a camera with fast AF to capture things in motion, maybe even wildlife?

If it is the former, something like a new GX85 kit or the old EM5.2 will serve you perfectly well.

If it is the latter, better consider something like an EM1 mk2, bigger and heavier but has fast pdaf and is currently an excellent bargain new or used. And should also be within your budget.

***

wrt the sequential EVF, a minority people are sensitive to flickering, the majority of people are not. I personally cannot see the flickering, no matter how hard I try. I am perfectly fine with field sequential displays. Maybe this video helps to explain what some people see:

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gary0319 said:

I own and have owned some of the high end M43 Olympus cameras, but I don't consider them when I just want to take some great images in a "casual" manner.

My camera of choice is my E-M10 Mark IV (or chose the E-M10 II). I won't lug my OM1 and Pro lenses to a picnic, or walk on the beach at sunset, or for a fly in fishing trip....that kit is just too big. And none of my companions on these casual outings appreciate having to put up with the 'Camera Guy".

Save some money and get a camera that not only takes great images, even with the kit lenses, but is small, and has some dandy in-camera computational features like your smart phone. So, give a look to the Olympus E-M10 series with a 14-42 pancake kit lens and if you want some extra reach buy the inexpensive 40-150 f/4-5.6 lens. The Dragon Fly image below garnered a blue ribbon in statewide competition with the E-M10 IV and el-cheapo 40-150 lens.

Click to expand...

unhappymeal said:

This is the right answer if you want to dip your toes photography with m4/3. You get the same image quality as the latest bodies, solid IBIS and nice computational features. You're going to have to work harder for your shots due to CDAF, but it's still a very competent little body.

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Marty4650 said:

If the GX85 is the style, size and type of camera you are interested in, then it should be your obvious choice. It is an excellent camera at a very modest price, and used ones are screaming bargains.

This camera was so heavily discounted that brand new two lens kits were selling for $500 for a while. I found my two lens kit used on Craigslist for $350 around three years ago, and I have been extremely happy with it.

Before you dismiss it for the often reported EVF problem, I suggest you try it out for yourself. Maybe it is just me, but I don't see this problem, or I just am not sensitive to it, or perhaps the problem has been overblown like a lot of things are on internet reviews. One reviewer mentions a problem, then all the others jump on the bandwagon. And then the problem becomes a deal breaker because you heard it about it so often. But it isn't a problem for me, and it might not be one for you.

Every camera made is a compromise of some sort. If you want a specific size and weight camera, then you are limited to those that exist with the other features you want. Like someone mentioned a used EM1 II is an outstanding camera for the price, but if it is too large for you then it just isn't an option for you.

You might also want to consider a used GX9, which is very similar to the GX85 but has the 20 MP sensor and the tilting EVF feature. But it costs more, and it still has the same type of EVF which so many people don't want. I've seen used ones sold on ebay for around $500 and often for under $600 with the exceptionally good 12-60mm kit lens.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

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cba_melbourne said:

Those are all static pictures in your collection. Some nice ones though.

I suggest you make up your mind before spending money. Do you want to continue with mostly static pictures? Or was this due to the limitations of phones, and you would really like a camera with fast AF to capture things in motion, maybe even wildlife?

If it is the former, something like a new GX85 kit or the old EM5.2 will serve you perfectly well.

If it is the latter, better consider something like an EM1 mk2, bigger and heavier but has fast pdaf and is currently an excellent bargain new or used. And should also be within your budget.

***

wrt the sequential EVF, a minority people are sensitive to flickering, the majority of people are not. I personally cannot see the flickering, no matter how hard I try. I am perfectly fine with field sequential displays. Maybe this video helps to explain what some people see:

Click to expand...

PhotonBeam said:

Note to the OP: If you are on a budget, seriously look at forums and other places for used copies of the camera you decide to get. You should be able to find a lightly used EM5 mkii for less than $250 USD (similar story for other models). I know this, because I sold one in mint condition with grip for that much a year ago. Also, the Olympus 12-40 f2.8 pro is a good value on the used market (~$450 USD) and may be worth considering if it meets your needs and is not too large for you.

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Eric-P said:

I think your reservations for the GX85 EVF is unfounded.. IMO it is a perfectly fine EVF in most conditions. I only see the RGB effects when I am shooting fast moving objects or doing quick panning. If you really like the rangefinder style camera, then this is the one to go for.. There are many gx85 / gx9 happy users, and despite various negative reviews, you don't see many actual users complaining..

I have an E-M1 mkii and X-T2, both with excellent EVF, and I don't have any issues switching between those and my GX9.

I would recommend getting the GX85 with the pana 20mm f1.7, as it's a stellar combination. The 20mm f1.7 is super compact, all--round lens that is sharp, focuses close, and a 2-stop advantage over the kit-zoom. -So big advantage in low light, and great shallow DOF (for closer objects) when you want to play with this. (You may need to consider buying used to get this combo within budget.)

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Sensenacai said:

PhotonBeam said:

Note to the OP: If you are on a budget, seriously look at forums and other places for used copies of the camera you decide to get. You should be able to find a lightly used EM5 mkii for less than $250 USD (similar story for other models). I know this, because I sold one in mint condition with grip for that much a year ago. Also, the Olympus 12-40 f2.8 pro is a good value on the used market (~$450 USD) and may be worth considering if it meets your needs and is not too large for you.

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Y'all have it lucky in the US with those kinds of prices lol. The used market in Canada is tiny compared to the US. There's a few Buy/Sell camera groups on Facebook I have asked around on with limited results because they're all rather small.

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