sancarlos Loc: Sacramento, CA

I currently have an Olympus M1 Markii and was thinking of upgrading to the Mark iii (about $1,400)

With the changes at Olympus, I was thinking that maybe i should be looking at a different brand that
would accept my current Oly lenses (about 10 lenses)

Any thoughts/suggestions greatly appreciated

thank you in advance

R J Sands

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

The two manufacturers that sell micro 4/3 cameras and lenses are Olympus and Panasonic. The Panasonic G9 has gotten good reviews but is a few years old (Jan 2018). One knock on the G9 is their focussing method; it has come into criticism from some.

Some of the body/lens stabilization capabilities are reduced when putting Olympus lenses on Panasonic bodies.

I also have the E-M1ii and have been tempted to upgrade to the E-M1X or E-M1iii. The price on the E-M1ii is tempting, but I don't see the differences worth the price. The sensor that they use is several years old. Sony (?) recently announced a new sensor for the micro 4/3 system. It would be nice if Olympus Digital incorporated this sensor or at least upgraded the sensor. If that happens, I will likely upgrade.

Olympus had a program that you could borrow selected gear from selected camera stores. I used the E-M-1X and didn't like the shape and weight. I don't think the program is still going, I was planning on using the E-M1iii,

sancarlos Loc: Sacramento, CA

hpucker99
thank you for your input

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I just did what you are contemplating: upgraded from Oly EM1 Mk ii to Mk iii- good sale price, plus an extra discount and Oly points brought it to an attractive price, and I sold the Mk ii for a reasonable price the same day to a traveling camera buyer who comes only once a year which I took as an omen

My reasoning had to do with protecting my investment in Oly lenses, and my affection for small, lightweight kits, and the heavy use of my faithful Mk ii. I don’t want to make a switch to Panasonic unless I have to, because of the difference in how Pany and Oly do stabilization.

I have not even had time to explore all the new tricks it will do but I’m pleasantly surprised with the improvements in the old sensor (they got more out of that thing). The shutter seems more responsive. I can handhold at even lower shutter speeds and with longer lenses than with the Mk ii. I like having a dedicated ISO button so I can use programmable buttons for other things. I like having the emulated ND filter. I haven’t tried the handheld night sky feature or the handheld high resolution but those are things I definitely want to explore.
The button array is somewhat different and will take some getting used to, but I think I will like it.

There are reasons to make all the different decisions you’re contemplating and of course you’re the only one who can weigh the merits and shortfalls of each one. So far I’m happy with the route I took.

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

I've got the E-m1 mark 3.
We're not going out now, except for absolute necessities, and one can take only so many photos of the flowerpots on the patio, what I have done with the camera, I like. I don't actually know how many lenses I have, should get them all together and count.
I also have the E-m1, I guess that would be mark 1 although nobody calls it that. I do like the mark 3 a lot better in comparison. I recently got the first part of Tony Phillips book for this camera, and am flipping through it and trying out different things with the book as a guide.
So far, absolutely no regrets laying out the money for the E-m1 mark 3.

srodday Loc: Mass

You really should rent bodies before you switch as specs only tell you so much. I have the Canon 5d Mark IV (and some other canons) and em-1 Mark ii and iii.

I bought both Olympus used (and lenses!) in the past year for birding and travel (well that went out the window with COVID!). They can produce very nice images although at higher ISO, I did use Denoise.

I thought about getting rid of Olympus when they were sold but I generally hang on to equipment for a bit, and while I would like the new zoom lens (too expensive), I have most of the lenses I need and the gear is very waterproof. Plus the new owner will come out with new cameras so it will still be alive fir at least a couple of years. The camera itself will last years and by then, we shall see who is still around and how technology has changed.
(Now I will sometime get the Canon R5 within the next year probably used to upgrade for my canon stuff.)

I am a big fan of used if you get it from good places! Save some dollars

See_the_shot Loc: Bluffton, SC

Hang in there. The new owner of the brand didn’t invest big money just to turn around and shut down their new venture.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

If Oly went DOA like right now, the camera is not going to stop working...........

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I'm an Oly owner as well and the ownership change doesn't bother me. Were I you, I'd go for it.

bigd7200

Morning Star mentioned the Tony Phillips book. Another good book about the M1iii and M1x is by Joe McDonald: https://mcdonaldwildlife.e-junkie.com/product/1689014/. He describes and goes through how he sets up the menus for wildlife photography.

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

When I google “compare Olympus (model number to model number) there is a site that does side by side comparisons. When I did that a few days ago to compare the mark ii to mark iii, the few improvement clearly show. Of course, each person needs to decide for themselves if those improvements are worth the cost to them. Good luck with your choice. JimR

sancarlos Loc: Sacramento, CA

to All
thank all of you for your comments, very helpful
😇

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

If the Oly situation makes you nervous, look at the Panasonic Lumix G9 and GH5. Both will work with all of your Micro 4/3 lenses, although with a few caveats, depending on brand.

The G9 is most similar to the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and III. Both the G9 and the GH5 are due for replacement in the next year or two. I'd expect something will be coming in the Spring or Fall of 2021.

The G9 is far more capable now than it was at introduction, due to a long series of free firmware updates. It now rivals the video capabilities of the GH5 in some respects.

Panasonic Lumix GH series cameras are "hybrids," or cameras designed to do an equally good job of making both stills and video recordings. The Lumix line is particularly valued by those of us who need "passably professional quality" video *and audio* for training, documentaries, weddings, short films, TV commercials, and other low budget applications. As a trainer, I use an older GH4 for stills in PDF and printed manuals, for eLearning modules, and for various video applications.

I think you'll find the Panasonic Lumix ergonomics and menus to be much more livable than the Olympus models. The Olys probably have more features, but finding them can be awkward. My GH4 is the most logically laid-out camera I've ever used. It was almost instantly an extension of my hands and brain. The only other camera that came close to that was the Nikon F3 film camera I used in the 1980s. The GH4 reminds me of that one, but is far more capable.

HiFromSusan

If you are choosing between the EM1iii and the EM1x, they are very much alike. The EM1iii does just about everything the 1x does and it packed into a lighter body. HOWEVER, if you do a lot of birding, please note that the EM1iii has a single processor, while the 1x has a dual setup. That means that it can handle the new AI Bird tracking. The E1iii cannot.

Thegreygeek

i upgraded to the em1 III a few months ago from my em5-II . My wife now uses the em5-II. I am pleased with the camera., actually it is great. i am not worried about the new company, all will be well. Go to Youtube and search on videos from 1.) Rob Trek and 2) Robin Wong. they both have videos regarding your question. the em1-II is still a great camera, only improvements that i like the best are. 1) improved Stabilization - needed for an old guy like myself 2) handheld hi-res shot. really works great. 3) noticeable improvements in eye detect focus.
enjoy