Upgrade from OMD EM10 Mark II: new lens or new camera?

Hello everyone,

I have been using my em10 mark II for 2 years, started with the pancake kit 14-42 and soon replaced it with the enjoyable prime 17mm 1.8. I am happy using MFT cameras and shoot during travel, mostly landscapes, city architecture and street life (not portraits).

I would like to upgrade soon (camera or lens) in order to improve my photography between 15mm and 40mm with a more capable lens than the 17mm 1.8 and not much bigger. The closest lenses I could find are the Oly 12-40mm F2.8 and the Oly 17mm 1.2 PRO, which "appear" to be better than my prime but also expensive and might look unbalanced on my em10 mark II, right?

1st Question: Is there another good lens (prime or zoom) comparable to the 17mm 1.8, 12-40mm 2.8 and 17mm 1.2 Pro, which is worth considering to use on my em10 mark II in order to upgrade my photography?

If not, then I would consider either buying the em5 mark III with the 12-40mm Pro, which seems to suit one another in size, or switching to a Fujifilm camera that is similar-sized and better than em10 markII / em5 markIII.

2nd question: How much added value and capabilities would the em5 markIII with the 17mm I own and the 12-40mm 2.8 PRO bring for me? If not, could you recommend a comparable Fujifilm system?

Thanks for taking the time to help me!

Main benefit E-M5 mk III or Fuji system camera would bring you is continuous AF and tracking.

Main benefit of 12-40 PRO would be shooting in low light (and nice close focus capability).

Konstantinospapag wrote:

Hello everyone,

I have been using my em10 mark II for 2 years, started with the pancake kit 14-42 and soon replaced it with the enjoyable prime 17mm 1.8. I am happy using MFT cameras and shoot during travel, mostly landscapes, city architecture and street life (not portraits).

I too am an e-M10 II fan! I used one for 2+ years then I sold it because I wanted some new features. Here's what I found.

There is no photo quality difference with the newer cameras. I mean none I can meaningfully measure. The photos are pretty much the same.

What I got is weather sealing and dual-IBIS (some lenses combine stabilization powers for even more effective stabiliziation.) Plus an extra button or two which is always nice.

With the E-M1 mark II, and the upcoming E-M5 III you also get much better autofocus. I found the E-M10 II AF to be pretty good for AF-S on static subjects, which isn't that hard of course. When things start moving around i was pretty unhappy with the autofocus.

In other words if none of the above things matters to you, keep that E-M10 II.

For lenses, I use the Panasonic 12-35 2.8 because it's smaller than the Olympus 12-40. The 45mm 1.8 Olympus lens is also fantastic, so are most of the 25mm primes.

Greg.

For those of us who have used (or still use) the wonderful E-M10 Mk II, there's no denying the fact that this little gem can produce some wonderful IQ levels.

Of course, then all that is left is the lens you wish to attach - based on your budget levels.

I've personally always had this pension for pursuing superb kit lenses - ones that can give the big boys a run for their money without having to go broke.  As a result, I've gone through many kit lenses in my quest to find the budget level holy grail.

Now, this is purely based on my opinion - but I've found the Panasonic Lumix 12-60 F3.5-5.6 OIS to be an outstanding addition to the E-M10 Mk II.  I have one on my 10 Mk II and has never disappointed.  In fact, short of it having a constant F2.8, that lens can give the Leica version of this focal range a great run for the money.  In otherwords, this Lumix 12-60 punches far above its weight.

So IMO, keep the E-M10 Mk II and upgrade to the Lumix 12-60.  You won't go broke as many are available on eBay - new, separated from the kit (or listed as white box models) and some are going for great prices.  I currently have 3 copies of this lens.  The first that I purchased was right after it was initially released, I may have been one of the early adopters.  I was taken aback at that copy - at how sharp it was, the build quality, and the IQ results.  Then I invested in two more - both from eBay and they cost me (new, separated from the kit) at $225 and $279 respectively.  And both of those copies were absolutely superb also.

So unless you want to move to a 20 MP model - which there is nothing wrong with that - the E-M10 Mk II is a winner and will be for quite some time.  And, it's so called replacement - the Mk III version - has less options than the Mk II did, and many prefer the Mk II version - now go figure.

Currently, here are the Lumix 12-60's available on US eBay (check weekly because more will show up).  When you see lots of white box versions - or those separated from kits - it often means that purchasers never gave the kit lens a chance.  Rather, they assumed that since it is considered a kit lens, the performance must not be good (and boy is that a false assumption).

US eBay 12-60's:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1312.R1.TR11.TRC3.A0.H0.XPanasonic.TRS1&_nkw=Panasonic+12-60mm+f%2F3.5-5.6+Lens&_sacat=625

That shows used and new ones.

Several random samples captured with the 12-60 attached to the EM10 Mk II:

Alseyn wrote:

Main benefit E-M5 mk III or Fuji system camera would bring you is continuous AF and tracking.

Main benefit of 12-40 PRO would be shooting in low light (and nice close focus capability).

thanks for the reply! How sharper do you think the 12-40 is compared to the 17mm 1.8 I own? I prefer shooting at 4.6 or 5.6 and would like to find a better sharper lens that zooms between 15 and 35mm.

inlawbiker wrote:

Konstantinospapag wrote:

Hello everyone,

I have been using my em10 mark II for 2 years, started with the pancake kit 14-42 and soon replaced it with the enjoyable prime 17mm 1.8. I am happy using MFT cameras and shoot during travel, mostly landscapes, city architecture and street life (not portraits).

I too am an e-M10 II fan! I used one for 2+ years then I sold it because I wanted some new features. Here's what I found.

There is no photo quality difference with the newer cameras. I mean none I can meaningfully measure. The photos are pretty much the same.

What I got is weather sealing and dual-IBIS (some lenses combine stabilization powers for even more effective stabiliziation.) Plus an extra button or two which is always nice.

With the E-M1 mark II, and the upcoming E-M5 III you also get much better autofocus. I found the E-M10 II AF to be pretty good for AF-S on static subjects, which isn't that hard of course. When things start moving around i was pretty unhappy with the autofocus.

In other words if none of the above things matters to you, keep that E-M10 II.

For lenses, I use the Panasonic 12-35 2.8 because it's smaller than the Olympus 12-40. The 45mm 1.8 Olympus lens is also fantastic, so are most of the 25mm primes.

Greg.

Thanks Greg, this is insightful! I also saw that the Panasonic 12-35 is smaller than the 12-40 but I am afraid that it might not be as suited on my em10 as the Oly 12-40 is (same brand). What do you think?

thanks Ben, that was an insightful reply and I like the photos shared! I will definitely try the suggested lens.

A few months ago. I was quite surprised how balanced it felt. Some here have stated the the 12-40 is liking having a bag full of f2.8 primes.

That being said, the Panasonic 12-35 might be another option.

If IQ improvement is your desire, then I would say either invest in good glass, or a new system with a larger sensor (but even that is debatable).  I'd go for the glass.... or a good tripod that you actually use!

When I added the Olympus 12-100 to my lens mix, my 12-40 f/2.8 found a home on my E-M10 II.....what a great fit. I took the E-M10/12-40 as a backup kit to my E-M1 II on a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park last year and ended up shooting most of my images with it. It seems particularly suited to the 16mpx sensor in my E-M10 II. I would get that little OEM add on grip for about $60 and the 12-40 will match up just fine. My opinion? Keep the E-M10 II, buy the lens.

Here’s a few images from the RMNP trip with the E-M10 II and the 12-40 Pro

my 2¢: you will never regret owning the 12-40 2.8. You may regret selling the E-M10II.

https://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/outlet-featured/m-zuiko-ed-12-40mm-f2-8-pro-reconditioned.html

That being said, I have never used Ben's 12-60 Panasonic - but over the years I have learned to value his opinion.

Bigger than the 17mm f/1.8 for sure - but this combo feels very good in the hand. Sure delivers the goods.

E-M10II + 12-40 f/2.8 Pro

imho the better solution like many other said: get a pro 12/40 f2.8 it's a gem.

keep you're 17 for indoor or light/discreet shooting when needed, and add a 45 1.8 and that's all

if you shoot indoor party's , add a little flash like godox tt350o, you'll never need a ff anymore

my kit is: omd em10mk2 with the oem grip ( i've got big hands, and for 12/40 it's easier)

my beloved 12/40 at 80% of the time

the 25mm 1.8 ( don't like 17mm focal range) and 45mm 1.8 (they live in my pocket)

a nissin di466 flash, and i make all the shots i want without any frustrations or FF needs

my so cuty em10mk2 with his grip and primes..

Stan Powers wrote:

my 2¢: you will never regret owning the 12-40 2.8. You may regret selling the E-M10II.

https://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/outlet-featured/m-zuiko-ed-12-40mm-f2-8-pro-reconditioned.html

That being said, I have never used Ben's 12-60 Panasonic - but over the years I have learned to value his opinion.

Bigger than the 17mm f/1.8 for sure - but this combo feels very good in the hand. Sure delivers the goods.

E-M10II + 12-40 f/2.8 Pro

Thank you Stan! The photo you shared looks sexy!

the 12/40 + em10mk2 rocks together ! sharp and delightfull colors (direct jpeg)

Is that an E-M10II+12-40 in your pocket, or....

AndyH44 wrote:

"I have been using my em10 mark II for 2 years, started with the pancake kit 14-42 and soon replaced it with the enjoyable prime 17mm 1.8. I am happy using MFT cameras and shoot during travel, mostly landscapes, city architecture and street life (not portraits)."

Personally, I would buy a Panasonic Leica 8-18 for what you have described. Hands down winner of a lens!

Same thoughts here. Travel and city architecture would benefit from a small uwa zoom. I quite like my cheap, small and light Oly 9-18mm. IQ matches what I paid for it (not the full price...).

stateit wrote:

Konstantinospapag wrote:

2nd question: How much added value and capabilities would the em5 markIII with the 17mm I own and the 12-40mm 2.8 PRO bring for me? If not, could you recommend a comparable Fujifilm system?

I spend time shooting people events on contract with my EM5ii and EM1ii.

Assuming the EM5ii and EM10ii sensors are the same (I believe they are), in good light they have a similar 'good output' with the 12-40.

But that 'good light' is rare , and I have to work more in post processing for that 'money shot' with the older and smaller sensor. I'd say the EM5iii, with the same sensor as the EM1ii, will give you a noticeable boost.

I can't compare with Fuji. I can say a month ago a Canon 7D (APS-C) with an L-series lens was tossed into the mix on one event, and there was negligible difference (plus or minus) with the EM1ii with respect to IQ and output.

To be fair here the 7D is a 10 year old sensor.  I have one and a smattering of L glass.  The 7D is capable of great results in great light (like just about any fairly modern camera) but compared to more modern stuff the high ISO is not that great.  I am no pixel peeper but I reckon it is fairly similar to my em10 - same conclusions as yourself.

When the light starts to go the larger/slightly more modern canon sensors like in my 6Dii simply smoke my em10ii.  But again, to be fair I have better quality canon glass than I have m4/3 glass, but still...

But to the OP:  glass, glass glass.  Get the 12-40 f2.8 or as has been mentioned the lumix 12-60 (which I have on my em10ii a lot).  The 12-40 will however be a lot better in more challenging lighting situations.

As for being unbalanced, well I don't really get the whole unbalanced thing.  I used to own a sigma 120-300 f2.8.  That doesn't balance with ANY body!  Including a 1d series...

Just get a cheap photodiox (or similar) $20 gripped L-Plate to add to your em10ii to make it more fitting with a larger lens like the 12-40.

I am also tempted by a body upgrade, but for reasons like PDAF, mic input etc rather than incremental image quality gains.