Please help me choose an m4/3 camera for my sister.

[Charley123]

Don't forget that right now on their website Olympus has the E-M10 Mark ll bundled with the 14-42 lens on sale for $599. That leaves you room to add another lens to this kit.

Yes, its price has been fallen all the way. It is hard to compare a 10 months model vs a just launched model.

But I would rather like to pay US$685 for GX85 + 12-32, that >US$100 could give me 4K photo for the fun of a high speed camera.... 10 months later, I could guarantee GX85 might be bought at a much lower price than EM10-II now.

--
Albert

The price for the GX-85 with the 12-32 lens is $799 on the Panasonic USA site, not $685.

I'm pretty sure I've seen it somewhere for $700

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

P.S. - it needs to have an electronic viewfinder.

No need for touchscreen, but I would like a screen that can rotate. It doesn't need to fully articulate. Just rotate.

It needs to have a built in flash, or a hot shoe for a flash.

===

What is Panasonic or Olympus humblest camera that has:

EVF, rotating LCD screen, and built-in flash or hot-shoe for flash? Image stabilization would be a nice bonus, but isn't required.

With excellent menu system, really good JPEGs, really nice viewfinder, nice articulated LCD, excellent IBIS, small form factor, friendly price and not a bad kit lens, I would say, without hesitation, a Pentax K-S2! And it is a small camera as well! Fairly cheap, too!

I began my DSLR life with a K-x, shooting just JPEGs, not doing any PP, or anything!

I later switched to Nikon (CX, DX, and FX), and my wife returned to m43 (she loves her OM-Ds and her new GX8).

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

And as fine as the Sony compacts are, I'd stay away from them because of their rather intricate user interface.

David, couldn't have said it better myself! Loved the NEX-5N, hated the interface!

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

i'd suggest a bridge camera like the Panasonic FZ1000 with a 1 inch sensor. I don't have one, but reviews are good.

Peace.

John

The FZ1000 is a pretty heavy camera.

And will never, ever go into a small bag!

An RX100 is a sweet little zoom camera, and so is the Ricoh GR (fixed focus though).

The RX has Sony-style menu system, sigh, but works very well in auto mode, and the GR Pentax-style menu system, just lovely! Both renders fantastic images!

 

[JimW-203]

Thus far, I have not seen a suggestion that the OP's sister might be well served by a Lumix LX100. While it has a fixed lens, that lens is very capable, both in terms of speed and optical quality. In terms of usability, I would suspect that in an environment such as an assisted-living facility, where it could span the demands from group activities to individual portraits (I suspect telephoto would be rarely needed) with aplomb.

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

Having read all the above comments, and added a few by myself, I would, after having handled both the E-M10, and the GX8, that I'd jump on the E-M10 II offer, and buy the 1.7/20 Pan lens, and still be within budget. The kit lens isn't fast, but collapses to a mere nothing, and that Pan lens is so sweet, and fast! The camera has a nice viewfinder, flash, and seems rugged.

And I've heard no horror tales, either!

I myself love the Nikon 1 system, like the V2, which normally comes with the kit zoom (10-30) and there is an excellent 18.5/1.8 (equals a 25 on a m43 camera) that is still amazingly cheap. Add a 30-110 (which in m43 terms is a 40-150), which is an outstanding lens for the money! I'd say you'll get all that, and still be within budget, if you buy a used V2. Sometimes new ones can be found at about $250, but have not seen those prices lately.

The V2 can be found new on eBay, Amazon, and similar places, but it is no longer in production. The V1 lacks flash, so not quite according to your specs. Nice video on both!

Later versions either lack viewfinder, or flash, on the V3 you can switch between the two, but not use them at the same time!

The V2 is very compact, takes very little room, sweet little camera!

A few shots taken with just that little camera:











































































All the mammals captive, all the birds wild! Almost all shot free-hand.

--
Tord_2 (at) photographer (dot) net
Mostly Nikon V1, V2, J5, & D600, user

 

[alcelc]

Don't forget that right now on their website Olympus has the E-M10 Mark ll bundled with the 14-42 lens on sale for $599. That leaves you room to add another lens to this kit.

Yes, its price has been fallen all the way. It is hard to compare a 10 months model vs a just launched model.

But I would rather like to pay US$685 for GX85 + 12-32, that >US$100 could give me 4K photo for the fun of a high speed camera.... 10 months later, I could guarantee GX85 might be bought at a much lower price than EM10-II now.

 

[alcelc]

Don't forget that right now on their website Olympus has the E-M10 Mark ll bundled with the 14-42 lens on sale for $599. That leaves you room to add another lens to this kit.

Yes, its price has been fallen all the way. It is hard to compare a 10 months model vs a just launched model.

But I would rather like to pay US$685 for GX85 + 12-32, that >US$100 could give me 4K photo for the fun of a high speed camera.... 10 months later, I could guarantee GX85 might be bought at a much lower price than EM10-II now.

--
Albert

The price for the GX-85 with the 12-32 lens is $799 on the Panasonic USA site, not $685.

Sorry you can't buy it cheap.

In my city (Hong Kong) it is around US$830 from authorized dealer and I could get it cheaper from grey market (touch wood it won't need repairing in next 12 months).

P.S. Some grey market price in Hong Kong here (exchange rate HK$7.8 = US$1).

--
Albert

 

[harvo]

Look at the Panasonic LX100. Compact, M43, decent F1.7 lens, 24-70 zoom, 13 mp, EVF, good low light performance in a fixed lens camera. And has a good iAuto mode where the camera does most of the work.

Harvo

 

[Charley123]

Nice photos Tord

 

[Charley123]

Thus far, I have not seen a suggestion that the OP's sister might be well served by a Lumix LX100. While it has a fixed lens, that lens is very capable, both in terms of speed and optical quality. In terms of usability, I would suspect that in an environment such as an assisted-living facility, where it could span the demands from group activities to individual portraits (I suspect telephoto would be rarely needed) with aplomb.

That reminds me of a joke. You're not supposed to use a wide-angle lens for portraits because it makes people's noses look big, but with old folks who can tell the difference? Noses get larger as we get older. So even with a portrait lens they still look like they were shot with a wide-angle lens. Ha ha

 

[Jim Salvas]

Seriously, why does she need a camera?

I suspect she doesn't want to change lenses, so if the EVF is all important, get her a fixed lens point and shoot.

If she can do without the EVF, get a phone.

i think it's sad she doesn't want to learn to truly use a camera, but if that's final, then the decisions are easy. Don't get a camera.

 

[morepix]

i think it's sad she doesn't want to learn to truly use a camera, but if that's final, then the decisions are easy. Don't get a camera.

Yeah, incontrovertible, hard scientific data shows that careful processing of raw images derived from thoughtful choice of shutter speed, aperture, and sensitivity -- not just the embarrassing "A" mode -- makes a far greater contribution to image quality than does sensor size or other new features that one finds in "real" cameras.

This thread has been fun.

--
David
pbase.com/morepix

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

Nice photos Tord

Thanks, Charley!







--
Tord_2 (at) photographer (dot) net
Mostly Nikon V1, V2, J5, & D600, user

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

i think it's sad she doesn't want to learn to truly use a camera, but if that's final, then the decisions are easy. Don't get a camera.

Yeah, incontrovertible, hard scientific data shows that careful processing of raw images derived from thoughtful choice of shutter speed, aperture, and sensitivity -- not just the embarrassing "A" mode -- makes a far greater contribution to image quality than does sensor size or other new features that one finds in "real" cameras.

This thread has been fun.

Indeed! A one!

 

[RSSrsvp]

Seriously, why does she need a camera?

I suspect she doesn't want to change lenses, so if the EVF is all important, get her a fixed lens point and shoot.

If she can do without the EVF, get a phone.

i think it's sad she doesn't want to learn to truly use a camera, but if that's final, then the decisions are easy. Don't get a camera.

Please read what the OP said again.

What m4/3 cameras are small/light and make good jpgs and 60 fps full HD mpgs?

P.S. - it needs to have an electronic viewfinder.

No need for touchscreen, but I would like a screen that can rotate. It doesn't need to fully articulate. Just rotate.

She does like and use interchangable lens feature of her Rebel T2i. That's part of why she can use Auto indoors (without flash) and outdoors and get reasonably good results. She uses the appropriate lens for the job.

So she's the main photographer for assisted living facility parties and field trips. So although her photography skill level is beginner in some areas, and intermediate in a couple areas (lens choice and composition she's good at), her level of responsibility for photos is rather high. i.e. - the company relies on her photos for results, and she usually delivers reasonable quality with her Rebel T2i and SIgma 30mm F1.4 indoors, and Canon zoom 18-55 kit lens outdoors.

 

[Jim Salvas]

I must admit, I didn't read the OP's second post with the PS.

OK, then. Pen F, with a fast prime for portraits and the kit zoom. She can use its many JPEG modes.

But it's still a shame she doesn't want to learn to get a little more out of a camera.

 

[RSSrsvp]

I must admit, I didn't read the OP's second post with the PS.

OK, then. Pen F, with a fast prime for portraits and the kit zoom. She can use its many JPEG modes.

But it's still a shame she doesn't want to learn to get a little more out of a camera.

 

[cameron2]

What is Panasonic's next camera above the GF7?

Edited in Later: GX7, I think?

I have both. The GF7 is a bit smaller and lighter, and simpler. It pairs VERY well with the 12-32 and the 35-100 tiny zooms (not the f2.8 pro zooms). It pairs OK with the 14-140ii (and its eshutter avoids the SS issue of course).

Frankly, if you can find that GF7 + 12-32 + 35-100 deal again (it was $500 last December at Costco), then it's a no-brainer.

The EM10ii is more complex, but it is a pretty good choice as well.

The GX7 is a great camera, and placed on eshutter, there's no SS concern. The GX85 is new and thus a bit more expensive, but you can put it on the list of cameras that fit the bill.

 

[Ulfric M Douglas]

Why the hell does the OP want a 25mm prime?

He should go for the cheapest fully-stabilised Olympus with kit zoom and a bright wideish prime.

My money would go on an E-M10 with EZ kit zoom plus one of the following ;

15mm Panaleica

17mm OlympusF1,7

20mm Lumix

With such a kit you can photograph and video dying old fogies to your heart's content. win!!