Need advice for choosing camera

I broke my EM5. I loved this body, but always wish have better video. I read a lot of rumors that in next year will be new camera from Olympus. But I do not know the price and spec. So for not long term (or maybe long enougth) I nead new (old) camera, but do not wish spend more then 500 eur. I have only Oly lens without IS and my favorite lens is 12-40. So I need advice:

1. I can get EM1 (5 year old), but still will have problem with video? And I do not use old 4/3 lens, but maybe good still good camera?
2. I can get EM5 MII. Looks at this moment best choice. No 4k, but maybe HD good?
3. I can get OM MII or MIII. Never tried this models, but maybe good option for small price?
4. I never tried Panasonic bodies, and now they have IBIS. Maybe DMC-GX7, but this model do not use IBIS in video mode? And how they balance with 12-40? maybe other panasonic models are?
5. Maybe Panasonic GH4?

Thanks for your advices!!!

I can't recommend GX7 due problems with shutter shock. This is a real problem. It's really better to get a camera with new type of shutter.

I have a new Olympus M5 II. It's a dream to shoot photographs with.

It's also the best movie camera I've owned until I bought my new Tough TG5 Olympus, that has 4K.

But for $400 for the M5 II and $300 for the TG5 I have both.

You can't lose with Olympus.

They don't plan to make any new mirrorless lens mounts, to obsolete all your Olympus lenses.

If you'd like a cheap full frame camera, then Nikon or Canon would be the way to go, I suppose. At least Nikon and Canon don't change mounts much, except if you want a mirrorless camera, but why would you want those oddball mount mirrorless systems anyway?

Olympus invented the first real mirrorless camera system, and they still make MFT mount cameras to this day, ten years later.

Don't change  mounts in the middle of a stream, as we say in Humansville.

bronislovas wrote:

I broke my EM5. I loved this body, but always wish have better video. I read a lot of rumors that in next year will be new camera from Olympus. But I do not know the price and spec. So for not long term (or maybe long enougth) I nead new (old) camera, but do not wish spend more then 500 eur. I have only Oly lens without IS and my favorite lens is 12-40. So I need advice:

1. I can get EM1 (5 year old), but still will have problem with video? And I do not use old 4/3 lens, but maybe good still good camera?
2. I can get EM5 MII. Looks at this moment best choice. No 4k, but maybe HD good?
3. I can get OM MII or MIII. Never tried this models, but maybe good option for small price?
4. I never tried Panasonic bodies, and now they have IBIS. Maybe DMC-GX7, but this model do not use IBIS in video mode? And how they balance with 12-40? maybe other panasonic models are?

If you prefer camera to have similar powerful stabilization as EM5-II, for Pany is the Dual IS V.1 and V.2, models before GX85 are not recommended.

GX7 is the first Pany to have IBIS, but is very primitive more similar (or worse) to the earlier 3-axis models of Olympus. On my home testing, it can do the best of around 1~1.5 stop on shooting with 14 f/2.5. So, when non stabilised longer lenses be used...? Generally GX7 is still a very lens OIS relied model IMHO.

Even the IBIS of Pany be improved a lot (introduction of 5-axis IBIS and Dual IS) after GX85, by a recent thread on using the non stabilised 12-40, it suggested that the stabilization is still not as good as you can expected from the 5-axis IBIS of Olympus. I would rather suggest to use Dual IS support lenses (Panasonic only) for the full benefit of 4~5 or even 5.5 stops of stabilization.

As was succeeded by GX9, currently GX85 could cost not much more than GX7. But there is Dual IS, DFD, sharper image, better jpg engine, 4K video and photo, more bracketing modes, ISO25600 (GX7 is ISO3200 only) on GX85...

5. Maybe Panasonic GH4?

GH4 is still one among the generation (including G7, GX8 and having GX7 be the transitional model) still using the older standard of hardware.

i.e., no floating sensor for 5-axis no IBIS, no Dual IS, no DFD (faster CAF), noisy shutter for possible shutter shock... If not looking for the pro video spec, G85 actually is cheaper and can deliver similar (some members said better) video IQ vs GH4.

Thanks for your advices!!!

bronislovas wrote:

3. I can get OM MII or MIII. Never tried this models, but maybe good option for small price?

If you mean OMD EM10 Mk II or Mk III, then Mk II is (much) better option. Really very good camera.

bronislovas wrote:

I broke my EM5. I loved this body, but always wish have better video. I read a lot of rumors that in next year will be new camera from Olympus. But I do not know the price and spec. So for not long term (or maybe long enougth) I nead new (old) camera, but do not wish spend more then 500 eur. I have only Oly lens without IS and my favorite lens is 12-40. So I need advice:

1. I can get EM1 (5 year old), but still will have problem with video? And I do not use old 4/3 lens, but maybe good still good camera?

Its still a great camera even though its 5 years old but its video features aren't as good as the newer models.

2. I can get EM5 MII. Looks at this moment best choice. No 4k, but maybe HD good?

I've used the E-M5 II for video and its FHD is good, not the best but I find its still pretty good. Just make sure you use A-I or at least SF.

I've seen people try to use the E-M5 II for video, say its unusable then later when they ask for help, I found out they set the camera bit rate to F or N because it fits more footage on the card.

What makes this a good Olympus option for video in my opinion is primary the IBIS followed by the audio jack and the flippy screen.

3. I can get OM MII or MIII. Never tried this models, but maybe good option for small price?

If you want to focus more on photos I'd say get the E-M10 II. Its more geared to advanced users and for photos its feature set isn't too far behind the E-M5 II. Its also probably one of the best deals for Olympus cameras at the moment, you can often find them mint or near mint for close to $300. Less if you don't mind a little wear or some dents and dings.

If you want to focus more on video the E-M10 III has 4k and it looks pretty good, Its IBIS is also noticeably better in video over the E-M10 II. Its menu and feature set have been simplified/limited compared to the E-M10 II but you'll feel it much more with photos than you will with the video.

4. I never tried Panasonic bodies, and now they have IBIS. Maybe DMC-GX7, but this model do not use IBIS in video mode? And how they balance with 12-40? maybe other panasonic models are?

The GX85 is a pretty good deal right now with the two kit lenses bundled together. It has 4K video and while its IBIS isn't quite up to the level of the E-M5 II its still better than a lot of other options in the same price range.

5. Maybe Panasonic GH4?

Never used a Panasonic GH series camera before but the GH4 probably has the best video and video feature set of the cameras you mentioned. I don't think it has IBIS though so if stabilization is important to you, you'd have to look at Panasonic's OIS lenses.

Thanks for your advices!!!