geezer7 Loc: Michigan

Some time ago I started a post http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-283566-1.html which is related to this topic. I asked about a new travel camera for long distance treks (10-12 days) in the Alps. In the interim we trekked the Alta Via trail in the Italian Dolomites and used the same Canon S90 that we took on our previous two Tour du Mont Blanc treks. That camera has the great advantage of being small and light but was released in 2009 and has a small sensor. I had initially thought that a Sony RX100 might make a suitable replacement but have now decided that the Micro Four Thirds line would be more appropriate.
I have pretty much narrowed my search down to the Panasonic GM5 and the Olympus EM10 both with kit lenses initially.
Reviews I have read seem to indicate that the EM10 may be slightly superior to the GM5 but the GM5 is considerably smaller. I need a camera that will be small enough to fit into a small case that can be attached to my chest strap on my backpack. The current S90 definitely fits this criterion and it seems that the GM5 will also.
My question is really if the EM10 can be carried in a similar manner (i.e. is there a case that it will fit that is small enough to be carried on a chest strap)? It seems that the EM10 will not fit into a pants pocket but probably the GM5 will?
I am probably fixating too much on the slight superiority (if it exists) of the EM10 but I don't change cameras often so I want to make the best choice. I must say that the results from the S90 are not bad but I'm probably experiencing a case of GAS! I do have a Nikon D7100 that I use for situations that don't require serious portability.
Any experience Hoggers can send my way would be appreciated. I'm especially interested in viewpoints from the perspective of a hiking camera. The weight difference is not something I worry about but the additional bulk may be an issue.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dave

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Shall we call a funeral home?

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

What size prints do you intend to make from your trip?
A small sensor 1/2.3 can easily go up to about 16"x20" these days - in the light weight travel (shirt pocket) cameras you can carry always with you and the most important thing - no lens changing!

geezer7 Loc: Michigan

I have made 11"x14" from the S90 which are pretty decent from a sharpness viewpoint. I would like to be able to make up to 16"x20" prints. It would probably make sense to try a larger print from my S90 files! I think the major advantage of the M43 cameras is the low light capability. The S90 sensor is 1/1.7.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Buying a good quality compact camera is a challenge. I tried several Sonys, but got rid of them and stuck with my Nikon DSLRs. The closest I have to a compact travel camera is an Olympus Tough 860. Being "tough," it can take water and dropping, and it takes good pictures, but not DSLR quality.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I use a Canon S100 and G16 for such purposes. As long as I don't get carried away with cropping to get composition I want, they are fine. Today, if faced with your dilemma, I would either go with what I got or be tempted to look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I recently got the GM5. It is a very cool machine. Love the weight and size. But it would require a large pocket even with the kit lens that comes with it. There might be a pancake wide angle that will work. Adorama had it on sale with lens for $459 a few weeks back when I bought it.

Be aware battery life could be an issue with it. I got a couple of higher storage no names with it: they work much better than the Panasonic. But due to the touch screen and EVF you'll only get about a day from a battery. Maybe less if cold.

Where I plan to use it charging will not be a problem. Most chargers now come with simple European plug adapter.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

Based on the photo travel needs you discuss, I recommend the Canon G-3X. It has a 1" sensor, long reach quality zoom, high end resolution, compact size, light weight, and good low light capability.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I was at a camera expo yesterday. The Panasonic GX85 would be my choice today if my current travel camera were to break. It comes with a compact 12-32. There are two 35-100 lenses in the Panasonic line. One is small and compact making a nice two lens kit that covers the 35mm equivalent of 24 to 200.

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

If you don't need lens interchangeability and are OK with a relatively short zoom, then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 is a great compromise of light weight/small size and large sensor.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

You're right. That is the one I have for my current travel camera. It is a wonderful travel camera. I won't replace it until it breaks! For the three years I've had it, I've used it for my primary camera. The M4/3 sensor and the Leica lens make RAW files that easily work for my target of 13x19 prints.

My surprise at the expo yesterday was that the LX100 was sitting next to the GX85 with kit lens on the display table. They were almost exactly the same size, weight and shape. The only thing I don't like about the LX100 is the lack of much telephoto. The GX85 would fix that with an extra lens.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Go back on your meds...

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

You're right. I forgot about the Leica lens on the LX100.

I'm old enough to have passed through the phase of carrying a body and three lenses which is why I only use fixed lens cameras or carry just one zoom on my only interchangeable.

For me, the best zoom is my two feet.

Different strokes. So many choices that everyone can be happy.
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geezer7 Loc: Michigan

Thanks for all the responses! I hadn't considered the LX100 because I felt I wanted interchangeable lenses but the Leica lens with f1.7 is attractive. Comparing sizes on Camera Size shows the LX100 to be quite a lot larger than the GM5. I wish we had a store where I could actually look at the various cameras. Imaging Resource has a page where a variety of cameras can be compared. https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/image-comparison/fullscreen?attr18=daylight&attr13_0=panasonic_dmcgm5&attr13_1=panasonic_dmclx100&attr15_0=jpeg&attr15_1=jpeg&attr16_0=6400&attr16_1=6400&attr171_1=on&normalization=full&widget=167&x=0.11778447315562816&y=-1.059080887372856 The images shown appear pretty similar and are way better than my S90 (actually they have only the S120 which is probably better than the S90). Portability is an issue even for travel in cities where it would be convenient to put the camera in a pocket.

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

I have both the LX100 and the Canon S95. Eash is good for a different situation, but that big Lumix sensor beats the Canon's little one every time.

I feel sorry for the masses who are turning away from traditional camera shapes in favor of their cellphones. Taking pictures with a glass-coated graham cracker just doesn't compare with the ergonomics of even a basic point-and-shoot camera.
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