Camera choices

photoheron

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Location
Fort Smith Arkansas
Name
Brad
I'm researching camera options I'm looking at both 4/3 system cameras ie Olympus Pen PL5 or Panasonic G6, compact camera the new Fuji XMl.

What are the benefits of each and the drawbacks of each. Those that use one system or other others by do you like it?
 
Image quality will be better on the Fuji, apart from that there is little difference apart from how thy feel in the hand which is probably the most important part about buying any camera. If it don't feel good in the hand you won't use it!

I'd go Fuji all day long despite lack of lens choice.
 
I don't think its as much of a slam dunk as some folks. The Fuji has a unique look and feel to the files which is pretty intoxicating - I too like it a LOT.

BUT, the m43 gear is quite close or matches the Fuji in some of the quantitative IQ measures and those files are pretty great too, at least with the more recent bodies using the newest sensors. And m43 has its own advantages. An incredible range of lenses, for one - Fuji is moving forward on lenses at a pretty good pace, but the system is just over a year old, while m43 has been around for nearly five years now and has a pretty mature collection of lenses for pretty much any want or need. And operationally, the m43 bodies are simply more versatile than the Fujis. The AF speed and burst mode and write speeds and all of those little things that add up to "responsive" are notably better in m43. There's a greater variety of types of bodies at more price points. Also, the newest higher end Olympus bodies (OMD and EP5) have an image stabilization system that has to be used to be believed.

I wouldn't steer anyone AWAY from the Fuji gear, but I wouldn't write off m43 anywhere NEAR as quickly as some of those who have commented above...

-Ray
 
A lawyer`s answer would be: "It depends".
What will the camera be used for mostly? Family snaps, travel/reportage, street, birding, macro, sports and action, including video. From your short list, I assume it should be pretty compact and still have decent IQ.
 
My opinion from the OPs question is the Fuji. Not being long-winded in a post isn't the same as quickly writing off a system.

I own and use 2 m43 and 1 Fuji-X (and a bunch of other camera gear) and between the two sensor choices above I would pick the Fuji. I shoot daily.
 
What are the benefits of each and the drawbacks of each.

Fuji gets a +1 for pure IQ (mainly applies to pixel peepers...the m43 options are plenty good
Oly/Pana gets a +2 for a much more diverse collection of lenses to choose from

I find the Fuji files pretty amazing, but as much as I love my Fuji, I've been using my Olympus a lot more lately.

I would also suggest trying to find a place you can handle them both. I find that my initial reactions to cameras and how they feel in the hand tend to dictate how often I will use them. I've tried keeping cameras that didn't feel great because they had some other function I wanted......they ended up not being used. Good luck with your search and please share some images when you reach that point.
 
I agree with Luke, and Ray, and retow. IQ is close enough that you can allow other factors to drive the decision. But those decision of mostly personal and tough for others to weigh in on.
 
You can add viewfinder to EPL5 and change the grip to make it more usable with bigger lenses. I don't have Fuji but AF is still the fastest with m43.
 
I'm learning about the various systems such 4/3, then there is mirror less compacts. A mirror less compact is similar to older rangefinder type cameras, that basically has gone digital. The 4/3 system is also a compact camera, that has its own niche. I not quite clear about is 4/3 format.

There are many camera choices in both systems, the decision comes down to which system I want to use for my photography needs.
 
Ah-ha ... What will probably be most helpful in helping others help you is for you to say what your photography needs actually are.

When you name three cameras and ask what are the benefits and disbenefits of each, it's easy to assume you've already established that these three will fit your needs, but that you are having a hard time picking between them.

A note on terminology: .. 4/3 and micro-4/3 are different camera systems: although they share the same size sensor the lens mount is different, and the 4/3 system is almost moribund now. Wiipedia is helpful in understanding all the different sizes and flavours of sensor.

Can you say what your needs are? (in terms of the amount of flexibility you need, whether you're snapshooting, takingpics of your kids, or wildlfe, or sport, or landscape; do you want to take lots of pics in poor or low light? Does size matter? Do you need interchangeable lenses ? And so on ...)
 
Good questions. I have been without a serious camera for sometime now. I looking both the 4/3 and compacts to build a small system around with a few lens such telephoto, marco lens.I do not want the the bulk that a DSLR system would have. I'm not one to shot too much in low light. I mainly shot outdoors nature is my primary subject i.e birds, (birds in flight is not an issue), landscape, flowers etc. I also enjoy shooting buildings and street scenes. I chose these systems because of image quality, portability, to add lens, because I think these system would be fun to use and learn from.

I have used a variety of cameras over the years such rangefinders, SLR, DSLR. I enjoy photography and using a camera as tool to capture what is around me. I think I have the photography skills to make either system work for me.
 
If you say telephoto and macro, then I recommend m43 as a system. Olympus 60mm and Panasonic 45mm lenses are good for macro option. As a telephoto Olympus 75-300 and Panasonic 100-300 are again only long teles for mirrorless cameras. Olympus 75-300mm is the lens that replaced my Canon 100-400 and it is small enough to carry anywhere:

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The EPL5 has in body image stabilization. The other two cameras don't.

Although we haven't seen the XM1 in action yet, my guess is that the AF speed will lag behind the m4/3 cameras.

Both the EPL5 and GF6 allow for the LCD to flipped completely up (or nearly) which is great for selfies. Not sure about the XM1.
 
If outdoors and good light is your usual set, and you are into birding, I wouldn't rule out Nikon 1. It would give you longer reach with smaller lenses (due to crop factor), also stabilisation with compact and fast gear. IQ is good, especially in your given scenario.
 
My vote would be for the Fuji as well.

I find your advice especially valuable, because you're an excellent photographer and also because I think we shoot mostly the same subjects. Do you think Fujifilm X-E1 overall is a better camera than E-M5?

Right now I need to buy a new camera and I'm torn between Panasonic G6 and Fujifilm X-E1. I know that the Panasonic's image quality is inferior even to the E-M5, but it is ergonomically superior and its video mode is second only to the GH3 (I occasionally need to shoot video). I also have another Micro 4/3 body (which I can use as a backup) and 2 very nice lenses — 14/2.5 and 45/1.8. But I'm also very enthusiastic about X-E1 with its kit zoom. I know that at 18mm Fujifilm kit zoom is actually better optically than Panasonic 14mm and I also suspect it can mostly replace 45/1.8 for me. I find the very idea of shooting with just one camera and one lens strangely appealing.
 
The X-E1 is not a videographer's machine by far, if video is a requirement (even a minor one) I would consider something besides a Fuji.

The 5 axis internal IS of the EM5 factors in heavily for hand-held video, like a mini steady cam function.
 
The X-E1 is not a videographer's machine by far, if video is a requirement (even a minor one) I would consider something besides a Fuji.

I know this. I had a chance to shoot with the X-E1 for almost a month, mostly with the 35mm lens. I didn't like its AF compared to my Micro 4/3 cameras and its video mode is laughable compared to the Panasonic GH2 I used to own, but otherwise it's a great camera.

The 5 axis internal IS of the EM5 factors in heavily for hand-held video, like a mini steady cam function.

This is one of the main strengths of the E-M5, but I strongly dislike its ergonomics (I always smear my glasses with my thumb when trying to turn its rear dial).
 
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