Can a micro4/3 camera be a DLSR replacement?

I really don`t care about video and/or autofocus.. And long lenses.. I!ve got a 105mm(x1.6) which is nice and gets it`t time whle shooting but nowadays I tend more and more to wider lenses.
And of course I`ve looked at the RD-1, but it`s still a bit pricey.
Anyway, after a day of thoughts (while unable to go out and shoot 🙁 ) I think I`ll stay with the dslr and only try to replace my 10D with something newer.. (Or wait for the EVILs?)
 
My vote is go for the t2i. I picked one up about a week after release as a backup to my 1-series stuff. Without a grip, it's tiny and weighs next to nothing. Go handle one at a store, if you get the chance.
 
andreios said:
And of course I`ve looked at the RD-1, but it`s still a bit pricey.
Anyway, after a day of thoughts (while unable to go out and shoot 🙁 ) I think I`ll stay with the dslr and only try to replace my 10D with something newer.. (Or wait for the EVILs?)
Click to expand...

You mentioned earlier that you would like to replace the 10D with a 20D or 30D if you stay with a DSLR. I recommend the 40D. In the meantime it's cheap enough and I think it's a lot better than 20D or 30D.
 
Money an issue? Always is for me... I try to be sensible about gear and get most bang for the buck.

1. Rebuilt Nikon D5000 (body only):
Refurbished (lots on market due to early recall, fixed by Nikon) $450.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...olp_refurbished?ie=UTF8&condition=refurbished

2. Then get the Nikkor f1.8/35mm (50mm equiv) DX lens... they go for $200. Very good prime, best I've used wide open - literally no need to stop down. Made for APS-C sensors (doesn't work on full frame). http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/35mm-f18.htm

How good is Nikon D5000?
1. 2009 DIWA Image Award. http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/2009/diwa_awards/review1.html

2. 2nd Best APS-C camera according to DxO Labs testing - a hair behind Nikon's D90, which shares its sensor. http://www.dxomark.com/

Size? The camera (to me) "just feels right". It's a compact DSLR and small enough not to "leave it on the shelf", with the prime lens. A big ole zoom attached, different matter (to me). (I wouldn't have purchased it if Nikon didn't have that nice, affordable fast prime...) Ergonomics matter more than size:

Two Nikon digital cameras receive the "red dot award: product design 2010"
Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj compact digital camera
Nikon D5000 digital-SLR camera
http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2010/0330_reddot_01.htm

These factors - cost, quality, ergonomics (and size), along with articulated LCD and a preference for how this model implemented video capture (important to me, prob not to others...), and a very effective "quiet mode" like the old Hexar rangefinders, swayed me away from the EVIL I was planning to purchase (Samsung NX w/ f2 pancake...) I am not disappointed with this purchase. Major bang for the buck, imo. Not a fan of 4/3 but don't own one.

...just thought I'd share my thoughts to further confuse you 🙂
 
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I've been having similar confusing thoughts about replacing my aging EOS 300D (the original Rebel in the US I think). I keep swaying between the 550D (aka T2i), the GF1 or even the EPL1.

I've been really enjoying the Hexar AF so something close to a digital Hexar would be ideal. The problem with the T2i is that I can't seem to find any lenses that would be affordable and similar (prime 35mm equivalent, f2 or faster). The problem with m4/3 is that I'm not sure how much of a difference I'd see in IQ over the 300D.

The new Sony cameras could be a solution - or just confuse me even more!
 
@Nick - I have been looking at the D5000 the other day - I have to find a store an try to hold it in my hands. The D90/80 is still a possibility.
I agree with nathan that one of my issues with canon is the lack of some nice (and affordable) primes - which brings me always to Nikon and to the possibility (if I understood it right) to use older lenses in manual mode with new dslr bodies - without bothering w/ an adapter.. (I admit I am here a bit inspired by the current thread about slr lenses...)
 
I think once we get some more fast primes then it could be for me. I use it for 90% of my digital. I'd love a D700 sensor in something that size but has to be for a D700 price. 🙂
 
Since getting my G1 four months ago, the 20D and its L lenses have not come out of the safe. Have not missed it a bit. Just too big and bulky plus am enjoying rediscovering my old FD lenses (and the extended reach of the telephoto ones). Now my wife wants a Red G1!
 
I love the GF1 with the 20mm. Compact and fast. Recently I tried my Minolta MD300/4,5 IF on it because I lent my 7D DSLR. This is 800 ISO, standard PS RAW conversion, no tricks, no cropping.
I don't like the ergonomics with this big lens, but it works!
 

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andreios said:
@Nick - I have been looking at the D5000 the other day - I have to find a store an try to hold it in my hands. The D90/80 is still a possibility.
I agree with nathan that one of my issues with canon is the lack of some nice (and affordable) primes - which brings me always to Nikon and to the possibility (if I understood it right) to use older lenses in manual mode with new dslr bodies - without bothering w/ an adapter.. (I admit I am here a bit inspired by the current thread about slr lenses...)
Click to expand...

I have older M42 lenses and an M42->Nikon adapter. Fooled around with these a bit. Personally? Wouldn't bother. Just go with Nikon's recent (and reasonably-priced) 35/1.8 prime. Build quality no where near the old lenses but the coating is soooo much better than the old glass and soooo much better at f1.8... It's a revelation. Again, just my opinion.
 
You can use legacy mf Nikon F-mount lenses on a D5000 or D90 without adapters. However, be knowing that:

1. If the lens is not Ai or Ai-converted you may have fit issues. The lens may mount/dismount with difficulty, and the aperture ring may turn very stiffly. There is considerable sample variation from body to body and lens to lens, so you won't know unless your try. [m4/3 adapters don't care about NAi/Ai, don't limit you to Nikon or any other mount]
2. You will have no onboard light metering capability. Set body to Manual, set aperture, guess shutter speed (or use handheld meter), fire, chimp, then readjust as necessary. IIRC, the shutter will not fire unless you're in Manual mode, so you can't even leave the lens wide open in Aperture Priority and get metering that way. Not so bad if your subject is static, a pain if your kids are running around the room in typical varied indoor lighting. [m4/3 very conveniently meters any mf legacy lens, any mount, in Aperture Priority or Manual]
3. Many people find it difficult to focus mf lenses on DSLRs, esp. dimmer smaller porrofinders like the D5000. Wideangle lenses, with their deeper depth of field, are especially difficult to focus on DSLRs. [m4/3 EVF are very bright, even in dim light, and mf focus is much easier, even for wides]

So, yes, you can use mf Nikon lenses on Nikon DSLRs, but it's a much bigger pain to use them than on m4/3. Only a D300S or better will give you onboard metering, and $500 E-PL1 body focuses mf lenses better and easier than a $1,700 D300S.

DSLRs are better for some things, mirrorless are better for others. Mirrorless are much better for using legacy lenses.
 
My E-P2 does as well with legacy M lenses as anything out there that takes these lenses except possibly the M9. Here'a a sample with an adapted 90 AA Summicron-M. Effectively of course it's a 180, something Leica user's have always lusted over for the M series.
 

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I own both the E-P2 and the D700. Each camera has it's advantages. Both have similar resolution. The Oly produces better JPEG images right out of the camera compared to Nikon and of course it's smaller and less intimidating to the subject. The Oly is always set up as live view and displays the finished image right after the shot is taken so that's a big time saver. The Nikon is more intuitive, much better low light performance (although the Oly is the best of the m4/3 cameras) and has a built-in flash, not to mention their excellent speedlights. Lastly, lens availability is far superior with the Nikon.
 
andreios said:
@Nick - I have been looking at the D5000 the other day - I have to find a store an try to hold it in my hands. The D90/80 is still a possibility.
I agree with nathan that one of my issues with canon is the lack of some nice (and affordable) primes - which brings me always to Nikon and to the possibility (if I understood it right) to use older lenses in manual mode with new dslr bodies - without bothering w/ an adapter.. (I admit I am here a bit inspired by the current thread about slr lenses...)
Click to expand...

Cheap canon primes:

20mm f2.8
24mm f2.8
28mm f1.8
28mm f2.8
35mm f2
50mm f1.8
50mm f1.4
85mm f1.8
100mm f2

Pretty much all of these are under $500, and there isn't really a dud in the bunch. Some of them are very close to or at least as sharp as equivalent leica optics (35mm f2, 85 and 100 all extremely good and cheap) They also have full functionality on ALL canon bodies, unlike the nikon lenses which don't work properly on cheap bodies.
 
Personally I´d not consider these options to be mutually exclusive. I´d have both. I take my DSLR along when I know action shots (that includes kids outdoors) are the order of the day. I use my R-D1 for more sedate situations. A m4/3s type camera might be a go anywhere solution, when you don´t know what will happen - but want to be reasonably well prepared. They all do things well, just not the same things....

P.S. And soon I´ll be shooting 6x12
 
It`s hopeless.. I`ve done some shooting w/ my current dlsr today, after some time spent w/ bessa it was a real pain. So while still undecided I tend now more towards m4/3. But to mess it up a bit more I`ve started looking at the pocketable ricoh GRD.. So I`d better go to bed and wonder what will be in the end my new camera.. Thanks to all so far..
 
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