Best lens/body combo for around $600-ish?

I'm looking for an every day carry kind of camera. I've used an A6000 and it's a great camera, but it doesn't really get me to go out shooting more because it feels more "computer-y" (if that makes sense) and not very "camera-y". And it's my work camera so technically it's not mine. MFT camera's all have a super great look to them.

I've recently been turned on to MFT by some photographers I follow. I also assume that since I can take really incredible photos with my iPhone and MFT is a much larger sensor that I'll be able to take much better photos with a MFT. Sensor size is seeming to be less of an issue these days than it used to be. Plus I'm not shooting for Nat Geo any time soon.

I'm looking at some of the best combos of body/lens for around $600-ish. I can swing a little north of that if need be. It's main use is going to be family pictures. Family events and the like. My 50/1.8 on my A6000 is way too long of a lens. I have to get against the wall to take pictures of my son. I'm looking for a 28mm-50mm equivalent length lens.

I'm looking at maybe the Panny 20/1.7 as a lens and a body like the EP5 or EM10 MII.

But I'm open to anything. I have virtually no requirements on the camera. Just something that can take good pictures with a lens that is 28-50mm equivalent range.

Don't care about EVF, they are nice but I'm not glued to having one. I shoot mainly in manual mode so the ability to navigate those settings well would be nice.

Thanks for the recommendations!

PS. I know this is DP Review, but I don't want any responses like, "The Pen-F isn't that much more expensive and well worth to save up for." I am spending around $600 or maybe up to $700, but not more than that. Thanks.

I have the EM10 (the original) and it's fantastic. If you want to maximize your budget, get that instead of the MkII. You could then get the kit zoom and a prime like the ones you mentioned.

Take a look at the Panasonic G7, with kit lens it's about $500 now.

If you're not into 4K video, a EM10.1 + 14-42 kit + 14/2.5 prime(all used) can be had for about $500.

If you think you need 4K video in the near future, then a new GX85 + 12-32 + 45-150 for about $600. You can maybe sell the 45-150 to go towards a 14/2.5 prime.

I started out with a new EM10.1 + 14-42 + 40-150 + (used)14/2.5 prime 2.5 years ago for a total of $850.

Edit: WA 14/2.5 for your low-light/indoors.  You might be able to make do with the kit lens though (14-42 or 12-32) if subject is stationary.

BrianovichIV wrote:

I have the EM10 (the original) and it's fantastic. If you want to maximize your budget, get that instead of the MkII. You could then get the kit zoom and a prime like the ones you mentioned.

I would stretch the budget for the Mark ll and have the improved 5 axis IBIS instead of the 3 axis IBIS in the original E-M10. The Mark ll also has an improved EVF, touchscreen focusing, focus bracketing and a silent electronic shutter.

Looks like Amazon.com has got a good deal on the EM5 with 14-42 for 599$

https://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Mirrorless-Touchscreen-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0074WDEY6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1493837366&sr=8-6&keywords=Em5

If you look for the 5-axis IBIS, a little bit faster sequential shooting, and weather sealing, it might be a good deal.

Otherwise for 699$ you could get the EM10.2 with both the 14-42 and 40-150 and add a prime latter on:

https://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera-14-42mm/dp/B01CIXJK16/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1493837783&sr=1-1&keywords=olympus%2Bomd%2Bem10%2Bmark%2Bii&th=1

Marco Zima wrote:

Otherwise for 699$ you could get the EM10.2 with both the 14-42 and 40-150 and add a prime latter on:

https://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera-14-42mm/dp/B01CIXJK16/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1493837783&sr=1-1&keywords=olympus%2Bomd%2Bem10%2Bmark%2Bii&th=1

True Modern Electronics? For the same $699 price buy from a reputable seller like Adorama or B&H plus they both give you a 4% reward ($28) that you can use on a future purchase.

https://www.adorama.com/iomem10m4bk.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1238282-REG/olympus_v207051bu010_om_d_e_m10_mark_ii.html

RSSrsvp wrote:

BrianovichIV wrote:

I have the EM10 (the original) and it's fantastic. If you want to maximize your budget, get that instead of the MkII. You could then get the kit zoom and a prime like the ones you mentioned.

I would stretch the budget for the Mark ll and have the improved 5 axis IBIS instead of the 3 axis IBIS in the original E-M10. The Mark ll also has an improved EVF, touchscreen focusing, focus bracketing and a silent electronic shutter.

When I bought the original, I had the same choice you mentioned, i.e., stretch the budget for the MkII. I didn't, and I have no regrets. OP might feel differently of course, but I would argue that lenses are more important than bells-and-whistles on the body.

BrianovichIV wrote:

RSSrsvp wrote:

BrianovichIV wrote:

I have the EM10 (the original) and it's fantastic. If you want to maximize your budget, get that instead of the MkII. You could then get the kit zoom and a prime like the ones you mentioned.

I would stretch the budget for the Mark ll and have the improved 5 axis IBIS instead of the 3 axis IBIS in the original E-M10. The Mark ll also has an improved EVF, touchscreen focusing, focus bracketing and a silent electronic shutter.

When I bought the original, I had the same choice you mentioned, i.e., stretch the budget for the MkII. I didn't, and I have no regrets. OP might feel differently of course, but I would argue that lenses are more important than bells-and-whistles on the body.

I don't disagree but in the case of the E-M10 Mark ll there are so many improvements that I would sacrifice in the lens department and invest in a superior body. Lenses can be added at a later date.

Marco Zima wrote:

Looks like Amazon.com has got a good deal on the EM5 with 14-42 for 599$

https://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Mirrorless-Touchscreen-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0074WDEY6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1493837366&sr=8-6&keywords=Em5

If you look for the 5-axis IBIS, a little bit faster sequential shooting, and weather sealing, it might be a good deal.

However, until you get a splash proof lens, it isn't weather sealed.  The E-M5 did come with the 12-50mm lens as a kit, and you might be able to find a kit with that as a combo.  The price of used/refurbished 12-50mm's is generally decent, but at times you can luck out with a sale.

The conventional wisdom is mixed on the 12-50mm.  I shot with it for 2 years until I upgraded to the 12-40mm pro lens, and I found it to be a good lens.  It is slightly slower on the long end (f/6.3 vs. f/5.6 on the 14-42mm), but that is only 1/3 f/stop.

Note, the E-M5 mark I is 5 years old, so you probably should budget for replacement batteries.  My E-M5 mark I is still going strong.

One thing to note about the cameras that use the BLN-1 battery like the E-M5 mark I, the E-M1 mark I, the Pen-F, etc. is the Olympus BLN chemistry is slightly different than the normal chemistry used by third party battery makers.  This means you should use the third party charger on third party batteries, and the Olympus charger on Olympus batteries.  A forum user Atmel has done testing on the various BLN-1 clones, and he came to the conclusion that most of the third party BLN-1 batteries were junk, with the exception of the Watson batteries (sold at B&H) which have something like 80% of the charge level of the Olympus batteries, but only 50% the cost.  That being said, after being happy with Wasabi batteries on my previous cameras, I had 2 Wasabi BLN-1's swell on m

Otherwise for 699$ you could get the EM10.2 with both the 14-42 and 40-150 and add a prime latter on:

Yeah, I was going to recommend the E-M10 mark 2.

The E-M10 mark I is 3 years old, so it may be time to think about upgrading BLS-5/BLS-50 batteries as well, but they should still hold a charge.  The chemistry of the BLS batteries is more standard, so there is less issue of charger compatibility.

A reconditioned E-M5 with the 12-50mm lens is listed on the getolympus site for $720. That lens is better than many think and is very versatile, with a wide focal length range and near-macro focusing.

The Micro Four Thirds habit is a progressive disease, and once hooked, the addict cannot escape the clutches of his addiction.

If you are going to do this thing, then the best way to do it would be to go to a Best Buy or other large electronics store and purchase a brand new OMD M10 ii with it's 14-42 kit lens for $600.  It will have a warranty, that it likely won't need, and you'll be able to take it back to the store within a certain number of days, which you certainly won't do.

After the initial rush of having a pint sized DSLR quality camera in your jacket pocket, you'll wander off into purchasing new lenses for your new toy, and those will include adapter rings so you can shoot virtually every interchangeable camera lens on your Oly that's been made in the last eighty years. The M10 ii has the top of the line 5 way in camera body stabilization that allows you to plunk any lens on the camera and it's stabilized.

There are cheaper ways to become addicted, in the short run.

A good PL5 or PL6 body is about $200 and a good M10 or M5 body is only another hundred or so.  But they need lenses, and the 14-42 kit lens is about $150 new and $100 in excellent used condition.  And, if you go used, then you'll not have the latest and best camera body.

The OM 10 ii is available gray market from Asia for $400 for the body, and if you'd like a refurb from an American seller, those are near $500.  Might as well pay $600 for everything new in the box, and start shooting.