Should I upgrade to E-M1 Mark II?

[kopi90]

Hi all,

Currently, I have Panasonic GX9 with the 12-32mm kit lens and 45-150mm tele. Overall it's a nice solid camera but has some flaws with lower-quality EVF, IBIS while present not as good as in higher-end models, shallow grip, cramped buttons, battery life is not great and of course, the most important thing is that I haven't bought any really premium lens. Some time ago I was wondering whether to stick with M43 or to simply switch to APSC/Full-frame. The conclusion is that APSC with a similar treatment as M43 is only from Fuji and the whole platform is quite closed. Full-frame bodies are not that much bigger. but the size of lenses convinced me to better stay with a crop sensor format.

My initial idea was to get Pana Leica 12-60mm to get some nice improvement in IQ and reach. The lens was even discounted but saw that it might not be very well balanced with a smaller body like GX9, so I resisted to buy it.

Now in Europe, we have a quite interesting offer directly from Olympus to get the following kit:

• Olympus E-M1 Mark II
• Olympus 12-40mm f2.8
• Olympus 25mm

For around 1100 Eur approx. $1300.

Would this sound like an interesting offer? I am a little bit worried that the Olympus is even older than GX9, a higher model though. EVF has a similar resolution, so in this case, it might not be a huge upgrade, or is the optics better?

I use the camera mostly for travel, landscape, close-ups, and street photography. Also experimenting with video, split is roughly 90/10. My level is an amateur who is looking to improve my photography and post-processing skills.

Alternatively, I can get 12-45mm f4.0 for around 420 Eur approx. $500.

Any thoughts?

 

[d_chiesa]

Hi,

i'm looking at a similar upgrade and am in EU:

where did you find those prices from Olympus?

Thanks,

D.

 

[tammons]

Hi all,

Currently, I have Panasonic GX9 with the 12-32mm kit lens and 45-150mm tele. Overall it's a nice solid camera but has some flaws with lower-quality EVF, IBIS while present not as good as in higher-end models, shallow grip, cramped buttons, battery life is not great and of course, the most important thing is that I haven't bought any really premium lens. Some time ago I was wondering whether to stick with M43 or to simply switch to APSC/Full-frame. The conclusion is that APSC with a similar treatment as M43 is only from Fuji and the whole platform is quite closed. Full-frame bodies are not that much bigger. but the size of lenses convinced me to better stay with a crop sensor format.

My initial idea was to get Pana Leica 12-60mm to get some nice improvement in IQ and reach. The lens was even discounted but saw that it might not be very well balanced with a smaller body like GX9, so I resisted to buy it.

Now in Europe, we have a quite interesting offer directly from Olympus to get the following kit:

• Olympus E-M1 Mark II
• Olympus 12-40mm f2.8
• Olympus 25mm

For around 1100 Eur approx. $1300.

Would this sound like an interesting offer? I am a little bit worried that the Olympus is even older than GX9, a higher model though. EVF has a similar resolution, so in this case, it might not be a huge upgrade, or is the optics better?

I use the camera mostly for travel, landscape, close-ups, and street photography. Also experimenting with video, split is roughly 90/10. My level is an amateur who is looking to improve my photography and post-processing skills.

Alternatively, I can get 12-45mm f4.0 for around 420 Eur approx. $500.

Any thoughts?

Couple of years ago, I upgraded from a GX9 to a used EM1 II and never looked back. Later, I did buy a used GX85 for extended 4k video but that's a different story.

 

[Hope1943]

Hi all,

Currently, I have Panasonic GX9 with the 12-32mm kit lens and 45-150mm tele. Overall it's a nice solid camera but has some flaws with lower-quality EVF, IBIS while present not as good as in higher-end models, shallow grip, cramped buttons, battery life is not great and of course, the most important thing is that I haven't bought any really premium lens. Some time ago I was wondering whether to stick with M43 or to simply switch to APSC/Full-frame. The conclusion is that APSC with a similar treatment as M43 is only from Fuji and the whole platform is quite closed. Full-frame bodies are not that much bigger. but the size of lenses convinced me to better stay with a crop sensor format.

My initial idea was to get Pana Leica 12-60mm to get some nice improvement in IQ and reach. The lens was even discounted but saw that it might not be very well balanced with a smaller body like GX9, so I resisted to buy it.

Now in Europe, we have a quite interesting offer directly from Olympus to get the following kit:

• Olympus E-M1 Mark II
• Olympus 12-40mm f2.8
• Olympus 25mm

For around 1100 Eur approx. $1300.

Would this sound like an interesting offer? I am a little bit worried that the Olympus is even older than GX9, a higher model though. EVF has a similar resolution, so in this case, it might not be a huge upgrade, or is the optics better?

I use the camera mostly for travel, landscape, close-ups, and street photography. Also experimenting with video, split is roughly 90/10. My level is an amateur who is looking to improve my photography and post-processing skills.

Alternatively, I can get 12-45mm f4.0 for around 420 Eur approx. $500.

Any thoughts?

Get the deal. The EM1 mark ii is a better camera with more features and the lenses are sterling.

Peace.

John

 

[Isola Verde]

Hi,

i'm looking at a similar upgrade and am in EU:

where did you find those prices from Olympus?

Thanks,

D.

I'd suggest you yry looking for your nation's equivalent of this page on the Olympus shop site - where the deal for us is GB £ 1,000...

https://shop.olympus.eu/en_GB/cameras/om-d/e-m1-mark-ii-1240-kit

Unfortunately, not immediately locatable in in the Italian section?

https://shop.olympus.eu/it_IT/fotocamere/om-d

... nor the Spanish...

Loading…

shop.olympus.eu

Peter

 

[pannumon]

Now in Europe, we have a quite interesting offer directly from Olympus to get the following kit:

• Olympus E-M1 Mark II
• Olympus 12-40mm f2.8
• Olympus 25mm

For around 1100 Eur approx. $1300.

That's a very good deal.

Would this sound like an interesting offer? I am a little bit worried that the Olympus is even older than GX9, a higher model though. EVF has a similar resolution, so in this case, it might not be a huge upgrade, or is the optics better?

Without checking, E-M1 mk II EVF is larger, has higher refresh rate and is not field-sequential (if you don't see tearing, this is irrelevant). In terms of image quality I would expect E-M1 mk II to be slightly better. E-M1 mk II is designed for wildlife/action photography. Most of the headline features, such as continuous AF and high burst rate may not be very useful for you.

Any thoughts?

Although I nowadays own several high quality lenses, I don't think they are necessarily a good way to spend money. In my humble opinion, the main benefit of getting expensive cameras and lenses is the confidence boost.

The same goes with camera bodies. Better screen and EVF will make the image look more pleasing before capture, and motivates to re-think the composition and release the shutter. Good build quality gives a feeling that only the sky is the limit, but the difference in actual image quality is not huge. That said, I am not a huge fan of smaller 'rangefinder style' bodies. If ergonomics is an issue, then a larger camera makes a lot of sense.

If I were you, I would get lenses that widen the shooting envelope. This means I would get:

42.5mm f/1.7 or 45mm f/1.8

and/or 20mm f/1.7 or maybe 25mm f/1.7 or f/1.8

and/or maybe Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7.

 

[pannumon]

I'd suggest you yry looking for your nation's equivalent of this page on the Olympus shop site - where the deal for us is GB £ 1,000...

https://shop.olympus.eu/en_GB/cameras/om-d/e-m1-mark-ii-1240-kit

It says £1,899.00 on my browser (also tried in private mode with VPN located to U.K.).

Unfortunately, not immediately locatable in in the Italian section?

https://shop.olympus.eu/it_IT/fotocamere/om-d

E-M1 mk II 12-40 kit 2199€

E-M1 mk III 12-40kit 2350€

... nor the Spanish...

https://shop.olympus.eu/es_ES/camaras/om-d/e-m1-mark-ii-1240-kit

Same prices as in Italy?

I wonder if 1100€ for this kit is from grey market.

 

[Isola Verde]

I'd suggest you yry looking for your nation's equivalent of this page on the Olympus shop site - where the deal for us is GB £ 1,000...

https://shop.olympus.eu/en_GB/cameras/om-d/e-m1-mark-ii-1240-kit

It says £1,899.00 on my browser (also tried in private mode with VPN located to U.K.).

Unfortunately, not immediately locatable in in the Italian section?

https://shop.olympus.eu/it_IT/fotocamere/om-d

E-M1 mk II 12-40 kit 2199€

E-M1 mk III 12-40kit 2350€

... nor the Spanish...

https://shop.olympus.eu/es_ES/camaras/om-d/e-m1-mark-ii-1240-kit

Same prices as in Italy?

I wonder if 1100€ for this kit is from grey market.

What, the Olympus shop has bought stock from elsewhere?

Here's what I'm seeing...







Peter

--
Pictures...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/132932913@N02/albums

 

[pannumon]

What, the Olympus shop has bought stock from elsewhere?

Here's what I'm seeing...



Peter

Thanks. Now I see the black box. I must have automatically disregarded it as an unwanted ad or other small print.

Similar thing happens to me with modern e-mail apps: it's sometimes freaking hard to find the "new email" button when it has totally different color than all the other buttons and is floating in the opposite side of the screen than all the other controls.

 

[pannumon]

Well, I tried it again, and this is what I see (With Vivaldi browser in private mode with VPN set to U.K., built-in adblocker off):



With Edge and Chrome the black box appear there.

It is a browser incompatibility issue, after all. And before anyone starts, VIvaldi uses the same Chromium engine as Chrome.

 

[Skeeterbytes]

The E-M1ii is a highly refined camera, which I found very appealing in addition to the vast feature set when upgrading from the E-M1. My pair have been flawless for several years and I can't think of a reason to not upgrade, but don't have hands on with that Panny model so unable to make an A:B comparison.

The deal is a very good one.

Good luck!

Rick

 

[sprocket-docket]

That sounds like an amazing kit, and, as long as you're okay with the significant increase in size/weight over what your current kit is, I'd advise to do it in a heartbeat. The only consideration you will need to keep in mind is that you're not going to get better IQ from the body - it'll be almost exactly the same as the GX9. But the IQ upgrade from those lenses will be significant.

The EM1II also feels almost perfect as a camera in the hand, and the EVF is very nice. The GX9, which I owned for a while, is hard to handle, and as you said, the EVF is quite poor. So the whole overall experience will be a lot better with the EM1II. Plus, the Olympus 25/1.8 is superb.

 

[joeletx]

• Olympus E-M1 Mark II
• Olympus 12-40mm f2.8
• Olympus 25mm

That is a steal and is a fantastic system. If you don't have telephoto need then this combo should cover everything you needs.

 

[shinndigg]

...for a second.
I purchased a second hand EMI MKI and love it. That being said, would an EM 10 MKIV with a 12-45 serve your needs? Sized between the GX9 and the EM 1.

 

[bs1946]

Besides his ongoing original blog, Robin Wong, a well known Olympus Visionary, has a bunch of YouTube videos on all the Olympus cameras and lenses, outlining all of the pluses and some of the minuses. I've watched some of his videos lately and I believe his personal camera is an EM1 MkII or an EM5 Mk II.

 

[softmarmotte]

I have both cameras. The EM1 ii I use for wildlife with the 100-400. Macro mainly with the 60mm. Any weatherproof environments. Low light (because the IBIS is 5 times better). Night pics because of Live Composition. Generally burst and autofocus are better. Hire and bracketing also work better (presumably because of IBIS ?)

For walking/hiking I use the GX9 (weight). The 12-60 Leica and Pana 100-300 also work well with the GX9, although the non existent 12-32 is a remarkable lens for the price. I just prefer the Leica 12-60 rendering

The Oly is clearly the better camera but then it is more than double the price. The EVF is great. The GX9 EVF is OK but just small, whereas the screen on the GX9 is tns better - it's only up and down moveablewhich means I use it much more, so the EVF becomes a bit irrelevant

I think having both is the ideal but then I did a lot of research before adding the GX9. I definitely don't want to be without the Oly and given a choice of 1 would take the Oly because of it's added extras

BTW I have just parted ways with my 12-40 as it was just too short at the long end and I prefer the Leica 12-60 rendering anyway, as well as the Oly 1.8 primes

Hi all,

Currently, I have Panasonic GX9 with the 12-32mm kit lens and 45-150mm tele. Overall it's a nice solid camera but has some flaws with lower-quality EVF, IBIS while present not as good as in higher-end models, shallow grip, cramped buttons, battery life is not great and of course, the most important thing is that I haven't bought any really premium lens. Some time ago I was wondering whether to stick with M43 or to simply switch to APSC/Full-frame. The conclusion is that APSC with a similar treatment as M43 is only from Fuji and the whole platform is quite closed. Full-frame bodies are not that much bigger. but the size of lenses convinced me to better stay with a crop sensor format.

My initial idea was to get Pana Leica 12-60mm to get some nice improvement in IQ and reach. The lens was even discounted but saw that it might not be very well balanced with a smaller body like GX9, so I resisted to buy it.

Now in Europe, we have a quite interesting offer directly from Olympus to get the following kit:

• Olympus E-M1 Mark II
• Olympus 12-40mm f2.8
• Olympus 25mm

For around 1100 Eur approx. $1300.

Would this sound like an interesting offer? I am a little bit worried that the Olympus is even older than GX9, a higher model though. EVF has a similar resolution, so in this case, it might not be a huge upgrade, or is the optics better?

I use the camera mostly for travel, landscape, close-ups, and street photography. Also experimenting with video, split is roughly 90/10. My level is an amateur who is looking to improve my photography and post-processing skills.

Alternatively, I can get 12-45mm f4.0 for around 420 Eur approx. $500.

Any thoughts?

 

[d_chiesa]

Unfortunately i do see the black box in GB, but then in Spain or Italy i do not get the same deal, only a bit of discount on the 25mm lens

:-(

At this time, buying from UK in EU is not an option.

I'll keep looking around and waiting.

 

[kopi90]

Hi,

i'm looking at a similar upgrade and am in EU:

where did you find those prices from Olympus?

Thanks,

D.

The offer is from Olympus Germany online store.

You need to add this product https://shop.olympus.eu/de_DE/kameras/om-d/e-m1-mark-ii-12-40-mm-kit to your shopping cart and at checkout enter the code EM125JUNE21

The price will go to 1199 Eur. As I am not from Germany, I can get additional 100 Eur discount on VAT. Therefore, the final price should be around 1100 Eur or $ 1300. This offer should be available in most EU countries.

 

[Trolleyman]

How about get the EM-1 ii and also keep the GX9, both have their uses.

I have both and the smaller camera is great with a 15/1.7 for wandering around cities. There again prefer the Olympus when I want to use a larger lens like the 12-100. Spare camera is always good to have especially when away from home for any length of time.

 

[kopi90]

Now in Europe, we have a quite interesting offer directly from Olympus to get the following kit:

• Olympus E-M1 Mark II
• Olympus 12-40mm f2.8
• Olympus 25mm

For around 1100 Eur approx. $1300.

That's a very good deal.

Would this sound like an interesting offer? I am a little bit worried that the Olympus is even older than GX9, a higher model though. EVF has a similar resolution, so in this case, it might not be a huge upgrade, or is the optics better?

Without checking, E-M1 mk II EVF is larger, has higher refresh rate and is not field-sequential (if you don't see tearing, this is irrelevant). In terms of image quality I would expect E-M1 mk II to be slightly better. E-M1 mk II is designed for wildlife/action photography. Most of the headline features, such as continuous AF and high burst rate may not be very useful for you.

Any thoughts?

Although I nowadays own several high quality lenses, I don't think they are necessarily a good way to spend money. In my humble opinion, the main benefit of getting expensive cameras and lenses is the confidence boost.

The same goes with camera bodies. Better screen and EVF will make the image look more pleasing before capture, and motivates to re-think the composition and release the shutter. Good build quality gives a feeling that only the sky is the limit, but the difference in actual image quality is not huge. That said, I am not a huge fan of smaller 'rangefinder style' bodies. If ergonomics is an issue, then a larger camera makes a lot of sense.

If I were you, I would get lenses that widen the shooting envelope. This means I would get:

42.5mm f/1.7 or 45mm f/1.8

and/or 20mm f/1.7 or maybe 25mm f/1.7 or f/1.8

and/or maybe Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7.

Thanks for your interesting consideration. I don't want to improve my photography only by having more expensive gear. That won't make me a better photograph. As you mentioned, great continuous autofocus or a high burst rate might not be a real added value for me.

I have Panasonic 20 f1.7 on my radar to pair it with the GX9. The retail price is quite high for such a tiny lens, so most probably I will buy second-hand.

While Olympus 12-40mm looks like a great lens, it won't provide much better flexibility in focal length compared to the 12-32mm. Based on some opinions, the improvement in image quality in normal conditions might not be substantial as it looks from simply comparing the size and robustness.

While I believe that the offer is very interesting, I am not sure if it's the right one for me.