E-PL6 kit for $299 - the best mFT entry level deal?

$299. They are practically giving it away. That's a great camera..

sderdiarian wrote:

Knowing my friend likes to travel, I went to the "which camera will he appreciate the most given his limited knowledge (i.e., which won't bite me later ) rule. After checking into where things currently stand, my shortlist initially included:

• Panasonic ZS50 travel zoom: $347, EVF and 3" LCD, 12MP sensor for less noise, 24-720mm/OIS lens, video features, flash, 8 oz.; downsides, slow f3.3-6.4 lens and small 1/2.3" sensor (same as some smartphones). Likely the safest choice, though.

I had to recommend a "pocketable" compact with viewfinder, reasonable manual controls and decent zoom a few months ago and ended up recommending the ZS50/TZ70. Compared to the previous model (ZS40/TZ60), the viewfinder was substantially better - a similar progression to that seen with Panasonic's MFT models, I guess - and the controls are pretty usable given the audience.

Being an E-M5 user myself, I had looked at the Olympus Stylus 1 as an alternative, but it's a bigger camera. And the 10x zoom requirement makes cameras with larger sensors larger still, of course, as well as quite a bit more expensive (thinking of the Sony DSC-RX10 product line).

But I guess that if "zoom" isn't a priority, the GM1 or one of the E-PL series could be pretty attractive. Where I live (and probably everywhere else), the E-PL7 seems to be on sale bundled with the pancake zoom, albeit not at $299 or equivalent.

The big question for me is whether he wants a better camera to take pictures with, or he wants to get into photography...

If he has an interest in photography and wants to learn, then mft is superb, and a kit like that would be superb - it is affordable, a solid camera and a great beginner setup to expand on later. This assumes he has an interest in photography, as otherwise mft will just be a waste for him - any upgrade in quality will be completely offset by it being bulkier and requiring additional lenses to get a fraction of the range of some compacts.

Which I guess leads on to the second option - if he just wants to take better pictures then a basic superzoom compact camera should do the trick - the zoom lens alone will probably give the 'better' results he wants. Check out the basic Canon and Panasonic models as all being pretty solid performers.

until the end of the month. It's a super deal.

sderdiarian wrote:

How many of you have been asked by a friend or family member what camera should they buy as an upgrade from their smartphone and, oh, by the way, they don't have much money to spend? First instinct, run and hide!

This came up Sunday at a gathering at our home. I showed my friend my GM1, which he loved, but when I mentioned it was $499 on sale last X-mas, he said that was more than he wanted to spend. When he also mentioned he could get a Canikon DSLR at BB for that price, we had "that" conversation, you know, the smaller does not mean inferior (just the opposite), big brand names do not mean better and the mFT advantages bit.

Knowing my friend likes to travel, I went to the "which camera will he appreciate the most given his limited knowledge (i.e., which won't bite me later ) rule. After checking into where things currently stand, my shortlist initially included:

• Panasonic ZS50 travel zoom: $347, EVF and 3" LCD, 12MP sensor for less noise, 24-720mm/OIS lens, video features, flash, 8 oz.; downsides, slow f3.3-6.4 lens and small 1/2.3" sensor (same as some smartphones). Likely the safest choice, though.
• XZ-2 for a fast compact: currently $239 reconditioned thru GetOlympus (a steal), f1.8-2.5 28-112 lens, 1/1.7"sensor, flash, Olympus colors, enthusiast grade build; downsides, limited focal range, no EVF. If he's serious, an excellent choice.
• GM1 kit: $449, featherweight ILC with sharp 24-64mm (35mm equiv.) kit lens, 16 MP 4/3's sensor, flash; downsides, no EVF, no IBIS, swapping lenses. Price is higher than he planned, but might be worth the stretch to him.
• E-M10 2 lens kit: $599, small and light full-featured ILC, 16 MP 4/3's sensor, Olympus colors; downsides, size, swapping lenses. The price (while a bargain to those on this site, high to this novice) would be a stumbling block, but in good conscience I felt this great value for a camera he could grow with bore mentioning.

Then I stumbled across the E-PL6 kit on Amazon for $299.

While I always liked the styling and features of the E-PL5 (16MP Sony mFT sensor, Truepic VI processing, flip screen, IBIS, 8 fps, My Sets, 1/4000 shutter, small size), I didn't realize the E-PL6 added time-lapse shooting and improved 3-axis IBIS (E-PL5 has 2-axis), the latter a game changer to me.

It's also a handsome camera in black, having a nice enthusiast look about it:

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-E-PL6-Digital-Camera-14-42mm/dp/B00VNW5ALS/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1444826893&sr=1-1&keywords=olympus+pen+e-pl6

I came to the conclusion that while not as small as the GM1, an E-PL6 2 lens kit can be had for under $400, making it arguably the best deal for those on a tight budget looking to truly upgrade from a smartphone.

I'd be interested in what others might recommend given a $400 maximum price and a novice looking to upgrade from a smartphone.

To me, a 28-300mm (35mm equiv.) optical range would be desirable as would a larger sensor, along with ease of use and small size. A fast lens would also be up there, but this leads to compromises in optical range (i.e., the XZ-2) which may frustrate a traveler, or in a price out of their reach. Depends on priorities.

Personally I'd go with either the GM1 or EM10.  The GM1 is a tiny gem and I love mine.  That said, as an only camera it might not be the best bet.  Larger cameras are just going to be usable for a wider range of uses.  The EM10 gives you everything you need to do most photography in a relatively small package.  It has a built in flash so no need to carry around one like with the ePL6.  It also has a viewfinder which is definitely useful especially if it is your only camera.  To me the EPL6 just makes no sense.  It is larger than a GM1 yet lacks both a flash or viewfinder built into the body.  You also can't use viewfinder and flash at same time.  It might have good technical specs, but the design just makes no sense to me.

sderdiarian wrote:

I'd be interested in what others might recommend given a $400 maximum price and a novice looking to upgrade from a smartphone.

Upgraders should always consider any of the smallish interchangeable systems (m4/3, Nikon 1, etc) over something like the XM2 or Sony RX series. When you buy an E-PL6, you have the option of going larger (EM1, GX8) if you decide you like the hobby. You throw away the body in 4 years, and keep your lenses.

Then, of course, there is another overlooked feature of m4/3: multiple bodies.

The ability to carry a smallish E-PL6 or GM5 with a prime lens (or a specialty lens like a fisheye) in the same bag with another body is one of the great features of m4/3.

Another option to consider is looking around for a Sony RX100 MK1 or MKII.  For a lot of people they can do all they need and can be found pretty cheap right now.  I have the MK1 and although I prefer using my GM1 (just feels better in use to me) the RX is similar in its capabilities and IQ, plus is more pocketable and the zoom goes longer.  Both are good travel cameras that are getting reasonable in price now.

Soulhand wrote:

sderdiarian wrote:

Ulric wrote:

Are you sure about the 3-axis IBIS? I thought the E-PL5 and E-PL6 were virtually identical.

Yes, based on Olympus' own description included on Amazon, scroll to the bottom of the page in the link:

Guy Parsons will be along shortly to point out it's 2-axis (not withstanding Olympus's own description).

Hello, I just had to answer that invitation!

Yes, it's 2 axis IBIS, the goons at Oly USA cannot read their specs and are lying in all the promotional stuff about the E-PL6.

It really is 2-axis. It's a lightly warmed over E-PL5, and the IBIS didn't change.

See, for instance, http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55670172 and here http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55703879

Yes, it's a slightly warmed over E-PL5.

I think the only real differences are the added intervalometer, but only for up to 99 shots with interval from 1 second to 24 hours. Also has "new Short Release Time Lag Mode" to cause a shorter delay from shutter press. Plus the ISO 100 ability added.

It was originally sold in Japan only, then expanded to some other Asian areas and later Europe, now sold in USA, but not sold here in Australia.

At US$299 it does appear to be a bargain and a great way to dip the toes in the M4/3 waters.

Regards.... Guy