photoheron
Newbie
Hello,
I'm currently without a camera system. I'm been researching the camera options within the 4/3 world. I'm photo hobbyist and enjoy taking pictures.
I shoot a great deal of nature and other subjects such as buildings.
I have been looking at the Panasonic G6, Olympus Pen PL5, and possibly the new Fuji X-m1. Any input from users would be helpful.
I'm currently without a camera system. I'm been researching the camera options within the 4/3 world. I'm photo hobbyist and enjoy taking pictures.
I shoot a great deal of nature and other subjects such as buildings.
I have been looking at the Panasonic G6, Olympus Pen PL5, and possibly the new Fuji X-m1. Any input from users would be helpful.
jbielikowski
Jan Bielikowski
Not a user here, but I handled G6 for a while and its a impressive little beast. Build quality, looks and ergonomics at a very high level. I'm not really into digital photography, but with video capabilities of GH2 this camera is so tempting. OTOH I like Eos M, not a popular camera.
arseniii
Well-known
New Olympus E-P5 for ergonomics, tilted screen and an amazing sensor from OM-D
Shade
Well-known
I would recommend an om-d. But would need to know your budget.. The Fuji looks promising but until I handle one myself I cant say anything much about it..
v_roma
Well-known
+1 for the E-P5. Class leading sensor for m4/3.
rolfe
Well-known
I just moved from a GF-1 to an EOS-M, which is a very underrated camera. Having said that, Panasonic clearly has made a major commitment to m4/3 and has an array of offerings. So many, that it can get confusing. But the GX-1 at current prices is pretty compelling -- even as the price drop probably signals an impending new model.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
The Fuji isn't Micro-FourThirds.
The Olympus Pen E-PL5 is is very good, so is the new E-P5 model (a bit better actually). I've not explored the Panasonics since the G1, which was a fine camera.
Between Olympus, Panasonic and Voigtländer offerings, there are a lot of excellent lenses for Micro-FourThirds.
G
rolfe
Well-known
One question, raised before in other threads, is whether m4/3 now has enough momentum to propel it forward or whether APS-C cameras are now inexpensive enough that the smaller sensor can compete with the larger one. Can m4/3 always enjoy a size and/or price advantage? It would seem that it needs to do both to succeed in the long run, and I wouldn't necessarily bet against that.
If you need a camera now, I wouldn't necessarily let this be a factor -- except for the longstanding maxim that an investment in lenses will, over the long run, exceed any investment in camera bodies. As Godfrey has correctly stated, between Olympus, Panasonic and Voigtlander there are now many lens options in m4/3. This is in marked contrast to the situation only a couple of years ago. Also, I wouldn't discount Panasonic's comittment to this format in video, which is significant.
If you need a camera now, I wouldn't necessarily let this be a factor -- except for the longstanding maxim that an investment in lenses will, over the long run, exceed any investment in camera bodies. As Godfrey has correctly stated, between Olympus, Panasonic and Voigtlander there are now many lens options in m4/3. This is in marked contrast to the situation only a couple of years ago. Also, I wouldn't discount Panasonic's comittment to this format in video, which is significant.
Range-rover
Veteran
I have a Olympus E-PL1 and really like it, lenses are small and colors are fantastic.
When I go out shooting I leave my Nikon D2X at home more and more.
Range
When I go out shooting I leave my Nikon D2X at home more and more.
Range
kbg32
neo-romanticist
Olympus OMD EM-5 or the new EP5. Fantastic IQ.
kshapero
South Florida Man
I heard that these attach on EVF can easily get caught on things.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Anything with the sensor from the OMD has to be good ... I didn't like the OMD that much but the camera's IQ was extremely impressive!
MrOlympus
Newbie
E-P5 is the way to go. Get that kit with the new 17.5mm f1.8 and the new VF-4 EVF. Then, enjoy the IQ and handling....
Godfrey
somewhat colored
The question is mostly irrelevant to the use of a camera. I mean, really, who cares whether a system has 'momentum' if it already supports all the image quality you need, has all the lenses you need, and has bodies and accessories that suit your purposes?
I don't care to be an industry analyst. I'm a photographer, I buy what equipment I think is going to suit my photography best. If, in the future, I find I need/want something else, I buy that, then.
I'm still taking photos with equipment so old and so obsolete I should toss it in the technological junk pile. But it continues to make great photos, so what does it matter?
G
rolfe
Well-known
I completely agree from a standpoint of making pictures -- personally I think m4/3 has plenty of quality. One should only care insofar as, if one is going to make a significant investment in m4/3 glass you would hope the format has some longevity.
Eric T
Well-known
If price is a concern, it is hard to beat the Panasonic GX1. It can be had for less than $200. I have one and I am very happy with the IQ.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Again, whether the 'format has some longevity' is mostly irrelevant. Whether the camera that you buy has sufficient quality and durability to last you for its intended use is all that matters.
Most people (including myself) buy way too much gear and are too quick to want the next upgrade for the actual uses the gear is put to. Any of the excellent mFT camera bodies made today will last a very long time in use if the photographer concentrates on making photos without being distracted by the "new and improved!" marketing nonsense that is hammered at us on a daily basis.
Beyond that, Olympus and Panasonic are well entrenched in Micro-FourThirds production and development. They'll keep at it for a good while to come. When they stop, well, people on this forum have a habit of enjoying lots of obsolete cameras that have been discarded by industry for decades, eh?
G
FA Limited
missing in action
don't u get that feeling sometimes that it was such a good shot, i wish i took that shot with a better camera? to me that's the true basis of gear lust
JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
Terminology is Important
Terminology is Important
Terminology is important. I know employees of camera stores who think all mirrorless cameras are "four thirds," which is silly because APS-C sensors are 3:2, like the Sony NEX or Fuji X series.
"Four thirds" is a lens mount and sensor format specification, which included the Olympus E-series DSLRs and maybe one Panasonic L-series camera.
Then there's "micro-four thirds," which is an entirely different lens mount and sensor format that shares with "four thirds" only the sensor dimensions.
The "4/3 world" is pretty much dead of new camera development. Micro-4/3, on the other hand, is alive and well.
Terminology is important, especially if you're asking detailed questions and desire detailed, accurate answers. The devil is in the details.
Terminology is Important
Terminology is important. I know employees of camera stores who think all mirrorless cameras are "four thirds," which is silly because APS-C sensors are 3:2, like the Sony NEX or Fuji X series.
"Four thirds" is a lens mount and sensor format specification, which included the Olympus E-series DSLRs and maybe one Panasonic L-series camera.
Then there's "micro-four thirds," which is an entirely different lens mount and sensor format that shares with "four thirds" only the sensor dimensions.
The "4/3 world" is pretty much dead of new camera development. Micro-4/3, on the other hand, is alive and well.
Terminology is important, especially if you're asking detailed questions and desire detailed, accurate answers. The devil is in the details.
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
So am I, so I see where you're coming from. However, when buying in to a new (to you) camera system it doesn't seem unreasonable to ask whether it's likely there will be new cameras, lenses etc. developed for that system. My Canon FD mount stuff can still take photos I like, but I wouldn't recommend it as having great prospects for future development.
...Mike