Susan14 Loc: Westchester County N.Y.

Hi...this is my first post.
I have been researching for many months to buy my first "real" digital camera. I shot film on a Nikon FE years ago. I take pictures outdoors mostly, a lot when I'm out bike riding.
I enjoy shooting landscape,would like to try some macro and everything in between. When I bought my FE many moons ago, I never tired of it and still have it. I want to buy a camera with the intention of growing into it, since digital will require a huge learning curve for me. I bought a Casio point and shoot a few years ago to carry on my bike and play with...was trying to learn how to paint water colors and wanted something to paint from. Now I want to get back into photography.

I have been reading MANY reviews, gone to camera stores to handle cameras and this is my dilemma .
Weight is an issue for me. I really wanted the Nikon d610, but when I held it with a good wide angle zoom, it was heavy. I also liked the Nikon DF, while a little lighter, still heavy with decent zoom lenses. I could handle either of these cameras with prime lenses, but was really hoping to find a full frame camera that I didn't have to limit myself to only those.

So I looked at the Sony ar7/a7. Weight is perfect, but reviews not great...focus issues,very few lenses.

Then I thought I'll forget the FF and looked at 4/3 camera, Olympus omd-em1. I realize the picture quality won't be the same as a camera with a FF sensor...I'm willing to deal with that, but I'm afraid I won't be able to accomplish shallow DOF easily with this camera, according to what I've read. Maybe I can get around this with fast prime lenses, but I was hoping to ride around with this camera with the 12-40 2.8 Pro lense.

So I found the Fujifilm XT-1. An APS-C sensor and still very light. As it just came out, I'm having trouble finding a lot of reviews on this. I will try to find one in a camera store and check it out. My interest in this is a bigger sensor than the 4/3rds, hopefully giving me the shallow DOF options, and still keeping light weight.

I found this forum a couple of months ago and have been reading it everyday. I hesitated to write in because I know I have to just bite the bullet and make a decision.

But I guess I am looking for input from people, especially those with light weight cameras that are very happy or not?

Anyone with the omd-em1 camera...what is your experience with achieving shallow DOF?

Anyone own the Sony ar or ar7?

Anyone have the Fujifiom XT-1 yet?

Thank you...I have been learning so much from reading this forum!!!
Susan

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Susan, welcome to the Hog. Sorry, but I'm not qualified to answer all you're questions.
But, if you decide to get a real camera, you'll have to get a Canon!! :lol:
Again welcome
SS

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

All the cameras mentioned will do a fine job for your needs, but it seems you are really wanting to rule out the full frame models due to size and weight.
You may well want to take a good look at the new Olympus OM-D E-M10, its a very good bargain priced, lightweight camera with a good lens selection in the M4/3s mount.
http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/e-m10.html

amehta Loc: Boston

Welcome!

I know you're looking at all the ILCs (interchangeable lens cameras), but I'll throw out one completely different option, a point & shoot, the Sony RX-100. It has a 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 equivalent zoom, a very large sensor for a P&S, about 20mp and 13x9mm, while m4/3 is about 17x13mm, not a huge difference. It weighs less than 9oz with the battery and card. It shoots raw, and the pictures are amazing. It may not interest you, but seemed worth mentioning.

Gobuster Loc: South Florida

Agree 100%, the RX100 and it's successor RX100 II are superb small cameras to start out with digital. Also the RX 10 has the same sensor but larger zoom range and larger (non pocketable) size.

Susan14 Loc: Westchester County N.Y.

lol!
Thank you!

Susan14 Loc: Westchester County N.Y.

Thank you...I'll check them out.

Susan14 Loc: Westchester County N.Y.

Thank you. The only light weight FF cameras still under consideration are the the mirrorless Sony Ar7 and A7. And I haven't totally ruled out the Nikon FFs.

I read about the E-M10 and it does look promising, but I guess my concern about it is the same as with the EM-1. I don't know if I will have to sacrifice shallow DOF. I really like the OMD-EM-1 and was almost ready to pull the trigger until I read that with such a small sensor, it will be difficult to achieve a shallow DOF.
Thank you...I will check out the E-M10 also!

Susan14 Loc: Westchester County N.Y.

Thank you! I am keeping an open mind...not ruling anything out until I finally make a decision!

amehta Loc: Boston

Open minded, huh? We'll fix that! :evil:

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Susan, I have the OM-D E-M1 -- If that is over budget, the E-M10 certainly could be an option.

But what I wanted to point out:
You made a remark about the difference in size between APS-C and 4/3 senson (Micro 4/3 and 4/3 are the same size).
If you compare both these sensors with a full frame (36 x 24 mm, if I remember right), there really is not that huge a difference between an APS-C and 4/3 sensor: 23.6 x 15.6 mm, and 17.3 x 13 mm.
Not trying to convince you of anything, but with both my E-5 (4/3 system) and E-M1 (micro 4/3 system) I have managed to get tack-sharp images, including a nice bokeh background. Maybe not as easy as with a FF sensor, but it certainly works.

amehta Loc: Boston

There is also an aspect ratio difference: FF and APS-C are 3:2 while the 4/3 are 4:3 (shocking, right?). If your final result will be an 8x10 print, both need to be cropped. The maximum usable parts of the sensor, rounded, are
* FF: 30x24mm
* DX: 20x16mm (Nikon; Canon is slightly smaller)
* 4/3: 16x13mm
* 1": 11x9mm (Sony RX-100)

There is a difference at each step. The question is where this difference balances with the size difference for the optimum camera for you.

Susan14 Loc: Westchester County N.Y.

Thank you! This is very helpful news about the bokeh.
From the reviews I've read, I wasn't concerned about sharp pictures with the OMD-EM1, but I didn't know if I could get a nice shallow DOF(bokeh background) with a zoom lens. What lenses do you use with your EM-1?
Are you able to achieve this using a lens like a 12-40 2.8? This seems like a good lens for me to start with,if I get this camera?

Susan14 Loc: Westchester County N.Y.

Susan14 Loc: Westchester County N.Y.

Ok. Thanks.