Which camera for lightweight travel kit?

[averacpa]

I am revising my lightweight travel specifically to replace my GX-7 essentially because I want good in-camera stabilization as I often shoot at f5.6/8 with the Oly 9-18 and the Pany 45-150.

The kit contains the following lenses:

9-18 Oly

15 F1.7 Pany

25 F1.8 Pany

45 Oly

45-150 Pany

I am torn between the GX9 and the EM-5; actually waiting for the Mark III version to see if there is any major improvements like 4k video or 20Mp sensor, etc.. Beside photos, I do like to take some video to create a nice slideshow presentation, 1080 is usually fine, but 4K would be better on my UHD TV. Weather proofing is not an issue as none of the lenses have it and I usually would not be walking around in the rain when traveling in cities.

I normally shoot landscape, architectural and city shots at all hours of the day/night, as well as, inside buildings. Often I don't have much of a choice of the time of day when shooting (scheduled tours) so lightning conditions outdoor can be extreme for the sensor. This sometimes forces me to bracket shoot (HDR techniques if I can stabilize the camera without a tri/monopod).

I have the EM-1 and several pro lenses, but camera capability closely followed by weight is very important. My Oly 12-40 could replace the first 3 lenses, but its too big, heavy and noticeable on the GX7 plus I loose out the 9-12 range and 1+ stop.

 

[larsbc]

I am torn between the GX9 and the EM-5; actually waiting for the Mark III version to see if there is any major improvements like 4k video or 20Mp sensor, etc.. Beside photos, I do like to take some video to create a nice slideshow presentation, 1080 is usually fine, but 4K would be better on my UHD TV. Weather proofing is not an issue as none of the lenses have it and I usually would not be walking around in the rain when traveling in cities.

If you can wait, then that's what I'd suggest since the EM5 III should be coming out, soon. At least in my opinion. But if you can't, then GX9 seems pretty good. Also, I find the G85 to be close enough in size/weight to my ex-EM5 II that I have no qualms carrying it and using it in the same way.

 

[HRC2016]

It sounds like you want to buy more gear.

If you're serious about going lighter then it's very simple: use a zoom instead of primes. Check the camera websites for the weight of gear.

 

[Brian Thomas]

I don't think on this gear-obsessed forum you deserved the comment about just "wanting to buy gear" when you are talking of going from g-7 to gx9 (after skipping gx8 generation.)

Nonetheless, I do think that for "lightweight travel" you could take 1 or 2 less lenses. I note that you don't mention "birding" or safaris. I'm obsessed with lightweight travel and feel very lucky that I'm not interested in either of those two telephoto necessitating options.

I'd also ask if you're in America, because if you are you don't have any choice but get the Panasonic 12-60 if you buy the GX9.

I'm close to buying into my first mirrorless. My proposed lightweight kit for traveling around India for a year:

Olympus fisheye lens cap

Panasonic 15 1.7

Panasonic 25 1.4

and then the question is will I have the discipline to leave the 12-60mm kit lens at home. I don't think I will. I won't carry it around every day, as I will the other lenses, but keep it for special events-- festivals.

 

[Firelight]

I just got a gx9. I haven’t used it yet but for a few casual pics. I like the handling with 12x60 lens. And the few pics I took I liked. The menu system is tons better than the Sony I had but also fairly in depth. I would rather have the 14x150 lens. I am liking it but still reserved for a real opinion. I think it the perfect size.

 

[Rmark]

Instead of 12-40, get the smaller and lighter Panasonic 12-35. That would cover 2 primes. You could add the Oly 45 and and the 40-150. You could still take the 9-18if you need wider than 12 mm.

 

[Martin.au]

Pen-F?

 

[Day Hiker]

Some people want to carry a bunch of small lightweight lenses and call that a lightweight kit. You seem to have a kit like that now. When traveling, I consider a lot of lenses, no matter how small or lightweight, annoying.

Some want to carry just one lens and concentrate on the trip and not so much on the photographic aspect (keeps the spouse happy). The 12-40 Pro and 12-100 Pro do that.

I’m in between. Anymore, my lightweight travel kit is one body and two lenses:

• Pen F with Oly grip
• M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro
• M.Zuiko 8mm f/1.8 Pro fisheye

Occasionally I will substitute in the M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 for the fisheye. It depends upon the nature of the trip. The entire kit fits in a tiny ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover 20 bag. My backup is a Fujifilm X70 that I keep packed away in my luggage in the event my Olympus system fails or is stolen (neither has happened yet).


Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA
Life is good in the woods

 

[averacpa]

Thanks for all who have replied.

As for zoom like the 14-140 or the 12-40, I normally shoot in the 12-45 range on city trips, so I could live with just the Oly 12-40 and the Pany 45-150 for the occasional reach, but as much as I love the 12-40, I find it large and heavy compared with the Oly 9-18. Its best suited when I bring the EM-1. I like shooting inside museums so the f1.7/8 lenses really help there.

For that matter, if I had to choose just 3 travel lenses, I would probably take the 9-18, 15 and the 45-150 as the absolute minimum plus the GX-7 in size and weight over the EM1 and the 12-40.

I guess as I am getting older, the weight issue is becoming more apparent. My last trip to Antarctica, I carried a lot of m4/3 equipment plus a MB pro 13" laptop in a Think Tank backpack. Although I used most of the gear, I found it way too heavy.

A later trip to Spain, I carried only the GX7, Oly 9-18, Pany 15 and the Pany 45-150 in a small Domke F-5XB bag. This was more of a walking, train, bus trip and weight was everything. Learned to appreciate the original intent of m4/3.

A small body with a small lens is not noticed by anyone, especially thieves and authority figures. Probably no different than shooting with a phone in terms of being obvious and intrusive that comes with large size gear.

My focus is on upgrading to a body that is light, offers good body stabilization and has a higher dynamic range. Better video is good, but not a deal breaker. The only two cameras that I think currently are in the running are the GX9 and Oly EM 5 MkII. Both are around the same price and differ a bit on specs.

Since I am in no rush, I can probably hold out to see what next year brings. Just wanted your experiences on those bodies. I even looked at the EM10 Mk III, but I find it below either of those two.

 

[kangarooinoz]

The 12-40 is a good lens but its also bulky on the em5ii: which is also pretty heavy for its size.

I wanted a lightweight travel setup too and if I had my time over again I'd probably try the lumix 12-35 lens or an olympus pen F.

 

[PentaxNick]

Olympus Pen-F.

Possibly with the Olympus 14-150mm. With the 9-18mm makes a great travel setup. Oh and add the 9mm bodycap - so tiny and cheap but great on occasion.

I sometimes add the 12/2 or 30/3.5 macro depending on where I’m going.

 

[Badwater]

GX85 or G85 are good for small compact and light weight. The GX9 would the be the best for size weight and performance. That Dual IS is phenominal with any MFT lens in low light and for 4K video.

 

[yellodog]

I find myself, more and more, just falling back on the old LX100. Small, light, robust and does what it's supposed to with no fussing, good IQ, brilliant 4k video.

 

[KCook]

I think the E-M5ii would have the edge for low light. But I'm sick of the Oly menus and yearn for a GX9. The only body that could possibly lure me back to Oly is the PEN-F.

As long as you are packing a fast prime, why bother with the heavy f/2.8 zooms?

Kelly

 

[Max5150]

I bought a used Panasonic G85 +12-60 3.5-5.6 last week to test out the M43 ecosystem, as I'm looking for a lighter set up. I also have a Sony 6500, a Nikon j5 for street, and a NikonD7500 70-200 2.8 for kids sports.

I really like the way the G85 handles. It just feels great in my hands. I also like the menu layout. I was taking pictures today of my kid's soccer game and I was surprised by the excellent job the G85 did. Focus was spot on. No dud's. I couldn't believe it.

Time will tell whether IQ and low light performance fills my needs. If not, then I may look at the Fuji system. Nevertheless, I think Panasonic makes a hell of a camera, and the G85 is a great example.