Looking for advice on Olympus Brand Micro 4/3 bodies: Currently I use Nikon DSLR bodies (D610 and D7200) and am not looking to move away from that system. There are times when it is...

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Currently I use Nikon DSLR bodies (D610 and D7200) and am not looking to move away from that system. There are times when it is practical to travel with something lighter, and for years it was a Canon G9. About a year and a half ago I purchased a Sony A6000 to try to Replace the G9 with newer technology. For some reason, I could never really get comfortable with the Sony system so I sold it. Now I am looking at the Olympus brand, and either the PEN EPL7 or the OM D E M10. I am not looking to invest in a whole new system as I plan to continue using my Nikon bodies and lenses. Would any UHH members who have experience with the Olympus brand, and particularly the two models mentioned above, be willing to share some comments or recommendations on these bodies and favorite lenses? I shoot mostly family, landscape, grandchildren's sporting events, vacation photos, and sometimes street scenes. The new gear would be used mostly on family vacations, weekend trips, and street photography. Thanks for any comments, suggestions.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I may have some micro 4/3 lenses that might be of interest to you. PM me for details.
After purchasing an Olympus Pen E-PL5, I liked the system characteristics: excellent build quality, relatively light weight, wide range of practical features, and great glass from both Olympus and Panasonic. Have enjoyed very nice results from my E-PL5.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

rjaywallace wrote:

I may have some micro 4/3 lenses that might be of interest to you. PM me for details.
After purchasing an Olympus Pen E-PL5, I liked the system characteristics: excellent build quality, relatively light weight, wide range of practical features, and great glass from both Olympus and Panasonic. Have enjoyed very nice results from my E-PL5.

I will certainly PM you if I decide this is the way I want to go. At that time, we can discuss what you have, and are willing to part with. Thanks for your response.

jcboy3

The most significant difference for me is the viewfinder (or lack of one on the E-PL7). You can get an attachment, and its very nice, but very bulky. I'm a viewfinder guy, so the whole PEN series is of very little interest. I have an E-PL5, but also a VF-4; and I use it as a third body with my E-M1 and E-M5.

My advice would be to get the E-M10 and the Panasonic Pro lenses (12-35 f/2.8, 35-100 f/2.8). And/or if you like primes, then the 17mm f/1.8 and 45mm f/1.8. Maybe the 25mm f/1.8 as well. After these lenses, the rest are either slow or expensive, so it's a matter of what you want.

Or get the Olympus 14-150 and pretend you have a very good bridge camera.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

jcboy3 wrote:

The most significant difference for me is the view... (show quote)

Thanks so much for your reply. I definitely prefer a viewfinder and that may be enough to tip the scales towards the EM10. I will take your comments into consideration about the Panasonic Pro lenses.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Go with any of the OMD...preferably the em5ii or em10ii versions. The older ones are not supported with firmware updates.

If you want a small zoom, get the 12-32. 14mm really isn't wide enough for my tastes when it comes to landscapes. Also pick up a 7.5mm Rokinon. A 45mm f1.8 makes for a decent portait lens...and if you are going to splurge, get a75mm f1.8. Buy used, and save some cash.

HCB iii Loc: Delray Beach, Florida

I have the EM10 with the pancake lens and love it for travel and street photography where light weight is important. It is wonderfully convenient and compact with good build quality. I also have a bunch of Oly lenses for it, but in a recent trip to Germany down the Rhine, I only used the pancake. It was simply so convenient.

DEBJENROB Loc: DELRAY BEACH FL

RKL349 wrote:

Currently I use Nikon DSLR bodies (D610 and D7200)... (show quote)

i was in the same situation your in .... my primary camera is the Nikon D800 .... but it is to heavy for travel ... lenses etc. it is difficult to travel with a 30 pound backpack filled with camera equipment ... I bought the E M10 about a year ago .... bought several lenses(they are light weight) and now travel with a lighter weight camera bag .... yes I know .... I will never shoot that prize winning photo with my Olympus .... but the E M10 is a wonder .... you will not believe the things you can do "in camera" ..... I took some photos in Tuscany last year that the members of my Photo Club could not believe that they were straight out of camera ....

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Cdouthitt wrote:

Go with any of the OMD...preferably the em5ii or em10ii versions. The older ones are not supported with firmware updates.

If you want a small zoom, get the 12-32. 14mm really isn't wide enough for my tastes when it comes to landscapes. Also pick up a 7.5mm Rokinon. A 45mm f1.8 makes for a decent portait lens...and if you are going to splurge, get a75mm f1.8. Buy used, and save some cash.

Thanks for your input. I was not aware that firmware updates would not be available with the em10, so I will save a bit longer for the em10ii, to save some cash, and also definitely consider factory refurbished, if they have some available. I was thinking about starting with a prime or two, and have heard that the Panasonic 25 mm f/1.7 works well with the Olympus. I have read that many reviewers like the 12-32 small zoom as well so that, too, may be a consideration. Thanks again - I appreciate your input as you seem to be the resident expert at UHH for all things Olympus.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

HCB iii wrote:

I have the EM10 with the pancake lens and love it for travel and street photography where light weight is important. It is wonderfully convenient and compact with good build quality. I also have a bunch of Oly lenses for it, but in a recent trip to Germany down the Rhine, I only used the pancake. It was simply so convenient.

Thanks for your reply. I will give this consideration as I really had not considered it, but may be just what I need for what I am looking to do with this camera.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

DEBJENROB wrote:

i was in the same situation your in .... my primar... (show quote)

Thanks for your reply. Great to hear from a Nikon user who has ventured off the reservation a little. I have read many positive comments about the Olympus line of micro 4/3 cameras. I have also read that you need to really spend some time to learn the Olympus operating system, but once done, many reviewers are very happy with their results. I have received some great input from other users so I am getting more comfortable with the idea of adding an Olympus, and probably the E M10 II to my arsenal. I will probably look at factory refurbished as they become available, to save me a little cash that I can use for lenses.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

What is the longest lens you'd want with an OM-D body? If 75mm is enough, try the Leica (Panasonic based) Type 109. If you need longer try the Leica Type 114. You'd be amazed at the results.

If you decide to go with Olympus, the original EM-1 is way down in price and may drop more when the Mark II comes out later this month. It's one hell of a camera. The 14-150 II is an exceptional lens for the money. If you want to see travel pictures with that combo, PM me.

DEBJENROB Loc: DELRAY BEACH FL

RKL349 wrote:

Thanks for your reply. Great to hear from a Nikon ... (show quote)

here is a little secret I will not share with members of my Photo Club ..... I shoot on Auto with my Olympus .... something I would never do with my D800 or 300S ..... so I will never get that great photo ..... think "no brainer" ....

Gort55 Loc: Northern Colorado

RKL349 wrote:

Currently I use Nikon DSLR bodies (D610 and D7200)... (show quote)

I also have a Nikon (D7100) and bought an EM10 with the pancake lens for travel. The additional cost ECG-1 grip makes the camera a little easier to hang on to. I'm impressed with Olympus.

londonfire Loc: NY to NC

I have Olympus and Panasonic bodies. One thing I would caution you on...look at any Olympus body in depth to make sure you're comfortable with the menu. Their menus are somewhat hard to grasp and I'm not alone in saying that. I find the Panasonic cameras much easier to use in the field. However, all the Oly bodies have built in IS and only a select few of the latest Panasonic do.