M 4/3 vs NEX system

[Larry251]

Ah yes. A most practical solution, but it does make life more complicated in some respects dealing with two systems. Ultimately, I may have to do some buying, trying and selling to figure out what best suits me.

 

[D Lynch]

NEX system has the advantages others describe I simply wasncausing mine. Hadthe kita zoom and telephoto zoom

I didn't liketheSony logic Icarry my M5 constantly.

What do I miss? The Sony low light scenery modes

 

[sigala1]

Larry251 wrote:

My question (and I do have one), is how much of a difference in Image quality would I really likely see in day-to-day use, assuming that most of my pictures will be shared on the web or e-mail with only a small portion printed and even fewer above A4? I would however like the possibility of doing a print or 2 at say 16 x 20 if I got something great when traveling that I thought was worthy of framing.

There are loads of comparison photos on review sites, like this one. You can start with the studio comparison tool.

As you already know, NEX has a bigger and therefore, arguably, better sensor. m43 has a larger selection of lenses, and the lenses tend to be smaller.

 

[rrr_hhh]

If you get one of the Olympus new cameras (E-M5, E-Pl5 or E-M2) you won't see much difference between the Nex-5n and one of them. You can get an E-Pl5 plus small collapsible 14-42mm kitzoom in the price range you have indicated; an E-M5 would be a little above that and also bigger than the Nex-5.

 

[rrr_hhh]

Larry251 wrote:

Agreed. Beautiful images. And thank you for the run down. Very helpful to me. I will also take a look at the preview for the G5 and see what the difference is.

The E-M5 by all accounts is a great camera. I could extend my budget, but honestly, given my level of proficiency and the difference in price to a G3, I'm not sure the extra money is justified for my purposes and I would probably be better served spending some extra money on good lenses.

The G5 will be a bigger camera than the Nex-5 and the G3, although smaller, probably bigger too. I'd rather go with one of the new Pen body, either the E-Pl5 or the E-Pm2. The second would be cheaper, but the first has a nice flip up display instead of a fixed one.

 

[baxters]

Larry251 wrote:

The battery is charging and I'm getting ready to try it out over the next couple of weeks. I'm coming from a bridge camera (Panny FZ35) and an advanced P&S (Canon S90) and I'm not particularly unhappy with them, but wanted to push the IQ up a notch, especially in low light situations. I like the large sensor in the NEX, but like all cameras, nothing is perfect.

Still haven't haven't taken a picture when you posted this and buyers remorse had already kicked in? By now, maybe you've taken a few shots. If the WOW factor over the FZ35 and S90 hasn't happened, it won't happen with M43 either.
As peter007 already posted and he should know, for low light you have a winner already.

Micro 4/3 has an appeal in that I think I could get a smaller package which is great for travel and still take a pretty good step up in IQ. My question (and I do have one), is how much of a difference in Image quality would I really likely see in day-to-day use, assuming that most of my pictures will be shared on the web or e-mail with only a small portion printed and even fewer above A4?

The S90 was good enough for Facebook and email sharing. That means any M43 camera will do.

It seems like money isn't an issue, so why not learn how to use your new system and get a good grounding in photography with an advanced camera and interchangeable lenses. Switch systems next year. I think the NEX will spoil you so that you will need an EM5 or one of the new PEN's coming out to get near the same IQ capability. I don't know much about Panasonic. Perhaps their newer offerings also will compete.

 

[Vlad S]

baxters wrote:

Still haven't haven't taken a picture when you posted this and buyers remorse had already kicked in? By now, maybe you've taken a few shots. If the WOW factor over the FZ35 and S90 hasn't happened, it won't happen with M43 either.

The OP dissatisfaction with the NEX system was the size of lenses, AF speed, and flash/viewfinder issues. Not the IQ, but the ergonomics. He wants to know if µ4/3 offers ergonomics that are more suitable for him than NEX without much penalty in IQ. Totally legit IMO.

Vlad

 

[Larry251]

jalywol wrote:

I think, since you have tried the NEX and not cared for it, that it makes perfect sense to give the M43s a shot. You might be surprised at how good these little cameras really are...

-J

J, thanks for your detailed reply. Just for the record, I don't think I said (and didn't intend to imply) that I don't care for the NEX, just that (like all cameras) it's not perfect and I think it is in my best interest to evaluate the M4/3s as well. I'm not sure where I am going to come out on this, but as I evaluate my choices I am coming to the conclusion that if I am going to have to carry a small bag for a camera and lens anyway, it may make sense to go just slightly larger and get the built in EVF that I prefer over an add-on and a built in flash. The benefits of an add-on EVF is the ability to take it off to go smaller and on the NEX, the EVF tilts, but I'm not sure that is enough to outweigh what I view as the inconveniences of not always having it available and having a bit of a wart on the top of the camera that can make carrying it a little bit of a concern.

Anyway, if I go the built in EVF route, I think it leaves me with the NEX 6 (or 7 if I want to exceed my initial budget), Panasonic G3 or G5 or Olympus OMD EM5 (also a bit higher than my budget). The G3 certainly seems like the best bang for the buck as a "get my feet wet" M4/3 camera without too high of an initial investment, just as I felt the same to be true with the NEX 5N with regard to the NEX line. I really need to get my hands on the other cameras and see what I think. If I love the 5N, the 6 seems a logical purchase (although at the high end of what I wanted to spend). If I merely like it, maybe the Panasonic makes sense if I find I also like what it has to offer. I suspect either way it will be a big step up from what I am used to and I should be happy -- as long as I don't ultimately conclude that I really just need a pocket camera like the RX100 ;-).

Edit: I just realized that the EM5 doesn't have a built in flash.

 

[Larry251]

Vlad S wrote:

baxters wrote:

Still haven't haven't taken a picture when you posted this and buyers remorse had already kicked in? By now, maybe you've taken a few shots. If the WOW factor over the FZ35 and S90 hasn't happened, it won't happen with M43 either.

The OP dissatisfaction with the NEX system was the size of lenses, AF speed, and flash/viewfinder issues. Not the IQ, but the ergonomics. He wants to know if µ4/3 offers ergonomics that are more suitable for him than NEX without much penalty in IQ. Totally legit IMO.

Vlad

Exactly. Thanks. It's not a matter of buyer's remorse, just better evaluating the options. I would have tried to conclude my research before laying out money for the 5N, but unfortunately I had to jump on the sale price quickly as there were a limited number available and they sold out within 24 hours.

 

[skpman]

This is true. The EPM2 and EPL5 have the same sensor as the OMD, making IQ differences between NEX and m43 moot. These two cameras are within your budget, unlike the higher priced OMD. They won't have built in flash or EVF like you wish though, which may be a reason to look into G5 or GX1. I have a GX1 and am hesitant to go Oly because of the complicated menu, I love my GX1 controls.

 

[Larry251]

skpman wrote:

This is true. The EPM2 and EPL5 have the same sensor as the OMD, making IQ differences between NEX and m43 moot. These two cameras are within your budget, unlike the higher priced OMD. They won't have built in flash or EVF like you wish though, which may be a reason to look into G5 or GX1. I have a GX1 and am hesitant to go Oly because of the complicated menu, I love my GX1 controls.

Funny, I never felt completely at home with the menu on my FZ35. It's not all that complicated and it works well, but there are about a million menu options, many of which seem to do similar things.

The GX1 looks great, but I wouldn't I have to buy an EVF for that also? Does it attach securely with no issue when stored in a bag when attached?

 

[skpman]

You'd need a separate EVF but it comes with a built-in flash so at least the EVF+flash option is available. I don't know the control system on your camera... but I found the GX1 very intuitive to use and easy to adjust settings on the fly. To be honest, I haven't used an Oly M43 before but from pictures it seems like a bit more work to get the right settings.

 

[baxters]

Larry251 wrote:

Exactly. Thanks. It's not a matter of buyer's remorse, just better evaluating the options. I would have tried to conclude my research before laying out money for the 5N, but unfortunately I had to jump on the sale price quickly as there were a limited number available and they sold out within 24 hours.

Ah. I see you bought the NEX5N plus 18-55mm for $439 at Beach Camera. That's a great deal and you had to jump on it. Well, that's almost walking around money in the DPR camera world.


So go find a 50mm f1.8 somewhere for $10 and a $15 ebay adapter. Enjoy that focus peaking ion the NEX.

 

[Larry251]

baxters wrote:

Ah. I see you bought the NEX5N plus 18-55mm for $439 at Beach Camera. That's a great deal and you had to jump on it. Well, that's almost walking around money in the DPR camera world.

LOL. I'm afraid I'll start thinking that way. Hanging around here can be detrimental to my financial well-being!