Best compact 4/3 camera with quality zoom

Tony8232 wrote:

How much are you willing to spend. The E-PM2 two lens kit is an amazing bargain. Unlike the GX1 you can add a viewfinder if you are so inclined. The IQ is better than the Panasonic. However no PSAM mode dial. But value for money there is no contest. The kit lens is very good and the 40-150mm zoom makes this an extremely portable and versatile system. Even if the two lens kit was priced the same as the GX1 I would buy it for the better IQ and the extra lens. This is assuming you are shooting stills primarily.

The EPM2 IQ is not better than the GM1. The JPGs are a little prettier, if you plan to use them, but not by much (and I prefer the color signature of the GM1, actually).  High ISO on the GM1 is a tiny bit better than the EPM2...and the GM1 has no shutter shock.

Six of one half dozen of another.  I traded my EPM2 in and ended up with the GM1, which I like better, in spite of the price differential. The OP would not go wrong with either.

-J

Howard wrote:

Hi,

I am sure this topic has been discussed before, but the information I found seems to be a bit outdated.

I have been a long time SLR/DSLR user. But lately the idea of having a more portable system seems more and more appealing to me. To be sure, I will still keep my DSLR system. In fact, I will have to use my telephoto lens (a rather large 300mm f/2.8 lens with extenders). But for general purpose -- landscape, street scene, people, even macro -- a small camera with 1 lens sounds pretty good to me.

Which camera and lens kit would you recommend? I am looking at the Olympus E-PM2 with the 14-42 lens kit, would this be a good choice? Is the lens good?

Again, I mainly want this system to supplement rather than replace my DSLR system, please keep that in mind when you make recommendations.

Thanks in advance,

Whatever you get, make sure you try your 300 2.8 on it......you might get a surprise.

Tony8232 wrote:

How much are you willing to spend. The E-PM2 two lens kit is an amazing bargain. Unlike the GX1 you can add a viewfinder if you are so inclined. The IQ is better than the Panasonic. However no PSAM mode dial. But value for money there is no contest. The kit lens is very good and the 40-150mm zoom makes this an extremely portable and versatile system. Even if the two lens kit was priced the same as the GX1 I would buy it for the better IQ and the extra lens. This is assuming you are shooting stills primarily.

The EPM2 IQ is not better than the GM1. The JPGs are a little prettier, if you plan to use them, but not by much (and I prefer the color signature of the GM1, actually).  High ISO on the GM1 is a tiny bit better than the EPM2...and the GM1 has no shutter shock.

Six of one half dozen of another.  I traded my EPM2 in and ended up with the GM1, which I like better, in spite of the price differential. The OP would not go wrong with either.

-J

http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GM1-versus-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX7-versus-Olympus-PEN-E-PM2___920_901_840
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/90891174@N04/

Howard wrote:

Hi,

I am sure this topic has been discussed before, but the information I found seems to be a bit outdated.

I have been a long time SLR/DSLR user. But lately the idea of having a more portable system seems more and more appealing to me. To be sure, I will still keep my DSLR system. In fact, I will have to use my telephoto lens (a rather large 300mm f/2.8 lens with extenders). But for general purpose -- landscape, street scene, people, even macro -- a small camera with 1 lens sounds pretty good to me.

Which camera and lens kit would you recommend? I am looking at the Olympus E-PM2 with the 14-42 lens kit, would this be a good choice? Is the lens good?

Again, I mainly want this system to supplement rather than replace my DSLR system, please keep that in mind when you make recommendations.

Thanks in advance,

If you want just a small camera with a single lens, why go M4/3.

Surely you would be better of with a compact.

Have a look at the Olympus Stylus 1.

It has a great EVF (as found on the EM5)

It has a great touch screen and processing engine (as found in the EM5)

It has a 28-300mm f2.8 constant aperture lens

And it will cover all your needs including macro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGlVfuxz6IU

Howard wrote:

Thanks but a fixed lens camera will limit any future expansion opportunities.

In that case then either the EM5/10, EP5 or the GX7.

I would not bother with the GM1 or EPM2 taking the above list into consideration as your planing on expanding and the GM1 would be a total dead end.