ssscomp

Okay. Let's assume it comes down to this. Want to get back into digital photography and I am looking at one of two cameras each with a zoom lens and I would get one fast prime for whichever system I pick. I'm your average geeky photographer and I like to have my camera with me not always but a lot of the time. I'm the guy who sort of drives his family nuts because he always wants to stop and take a photo. I do occasionally blow them up to A3 size which is approximately 13" x 19". I take pretty darn good photos but realistically I don't expect to make the cover of National Geographic. I like to shoot landscapes, the dogs, my family, an occasional shot on the street, occasionally in restaurants; basically just take photos for the fun of it. So I have narrowed it down to the following

1. The Olympus E – M1ii which will be coming out shortly together with the Olympus 12 – 100 F4 .0 lens and a fast prime. The advantages are smaller size, I like the electronic aspect of being able to see and do almost everything with my eye to the viewfinder. I think the lens will be terrific. And from everything I understand the camera's in body image stabilization together with the lens stabilization gives an incredibly terrific result. Disadvantage: slightly less pixels for cropping and maybe more noise above ISO 3200.

2. The Fuji X – T2 together with the 18 – 135 mm lens and a fast prime. Advantages: larger sensor and more pixels which are helpful when cropping. Supposedly the best electronic viewfinder in the history of the world. Absolutely superb JPEG's. I am not considering the fact that there are lots of mechanical dials on top, that is neither a ± to me. Disadvantage: Unless it will give a noticeably better photo would be a larger camera to carry around.

So I guess the real question is which way seems more reasonable to you? I know everyone will say it is up to me in the way it feels in my hand etc. but I am wondering if anyone here has perhaps used both the Olympus E – M1 and the Fuji X – T-1 and could compare them which might give me some insight as to how the other two might compare.

In any event if you have read this far I thank you and would appreciate any response you have. Just keep it clean.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I looked seriously at the Olympus, but concluded the control dials and buttons are laid out quite close together - might be difficult to use quickly in the field. The Olympus OM-D 5ii might be a better choice despite a lower MP rating. I've owned two Fuji cameras and quickly sold them both. Another serious option might be the new Pentax K-70 - check out reviews at the "ABC vendors" or YouTube.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Take a look at the new Olympus OMD EM1 MarkII.
That is one serious camera.

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

Fuji X-T2 gets my vote. But try them out in a camera store with the salesperson to explain the features of each.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

With the small and fun criteria, I do not think you should leave out the 1 inch sensors - like the Sony RX10 I/II - (24-200 f2.8 eq.) Otherwise, M4/3 sounds good for you also.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Dang price of the EM1ii is what's holding me back. I love my current EM1...guess I'll just have to love it a while longer until it comes down at least $500. My brother in law just picked up the XT-2 and has instantly fallen in love with it. I don't think you can really go wrong with either one...however if you want the faster FPS with the fuji, you will need the battery grip too.

Ksocha Loc: Bethesda, MD

I have the Oly OM1 and the Fuji XT2. I like the way the Fuji handles better, but the Pro lenses for the Fuji are heavier than I anticipated. The Fuji colors and film simulations are very cool and definitely different than the Olympus.

The Fuji 55-200 is inexpensive and relatively small. The Oly 40-150 f2.8 is much, much heavier but is superb.

One big advantage with the Olympus is that it works great with all the good, light,
Panasonic lenses.

For Portraits and skin tones, I much prefer the Fuji. Landscapes: the Oly gets the nod but the way the Fuji renders blues is really special and unlike any other.

You can't go wrong.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Nice...

Ksocha Loc: Bethesda, MD

I saved up over years and now buy good lenses and switch bodies. I tend to buy on eBay, have bought from Hog sellers, I rent from lens rentals before I buy. Selling stuff I replace offsets the cost.

I only buy slightly used cars and save a lot that way too.

Photography, golf, and travel are my main retirement activities after trying to read all the great novels in the English Canon.

My wife and I have been together for 40 years, but never had children. It all works in a way.

Davimack Loc: West Vancouver, Canada

Had the Olympus EM1, and initially felt it was great, good colour, handling etc., but the menu was really difficult, and I started looking around again. One thing that really bugged me was that you had to buy a lens hood separately for almost every lens. I ended up selling all my Olympus equipment, and bought the Fuji XT1. Much better quality construction, better menu, better colour, but that is very subjective, a fraction heavier, and absolutely love it.
Have not moved up to XT2, yet, but I gather it's even better! Hop it helps!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Keep in mind the em1ii menu system has been revamped...also because there are so many customizable features with these cameras, the menus are very detailed.

ecblackiii Loc: Maryland

I once had an Olympus camera and liked it. But, now, I'm old and cranky. If it ain't Nikon, I'm not buying it. :-)

HallowedHill Loc: Chattanooga, TN

I asked a similar question about a week ago. You may find some of these replies helpful.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-420664-1.html

stevebein

I bought my E-M1 system after talking with some Nat Geo photographers who use them for some Nat Geo assignments. I went on a trip to Ethiopia with two bodies, three zooms, two low light primes, two flashed, 7 batteries, filters etc. Since the system weighed about 10 1/2 pounds including the fanny pack, instead of the 45 pounds the equivalent of my Canon SLR system, I was willing to try it. I have prints up to 30x45 on aluminum which are sharp.I usually do proof prints at 20x30 at home and they are stunning. So the the cameras are capable of meeting your requirements. One suggestion, do not trust the paper manual, since it refers to the DVD manual which I left. Learn how to use it before you take them out. I had to wing it in Ethiopia, but was able to figure out the system and made, what I consider, some outstanding images. Since I had lenses from Panasonic, I used the Panasonic 14-140 mostly, with the 7-14 mm Panasonic for wide angle. That means in two lenses I had the equivalent of 14mm to 280mm. Except for the night shots when I borrowed a 12-35 f2.8 lens from another member of the trip I had little problems with the system. Another thing recommended was that the use of a Double rapid strap system allowed both cameras ready with no issues of changing lenses in the dusty environment. It was very dusty and this system kept most dust from the sensor. IF you do your part, the Olympus E-M1 will do its part. There are a lot of systems available which are lightweight and highly effective. I went with the recommendation and unless I want to print larger than 30x45", this system works very well. Low light requiring very high ISO is a limitation, though, if you have a fast lens for the low light it works very well. If you are a night photographer, a full frame DSLR or the full frame mirrorless systems may be a better choice.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Both are great for very different reasons, if you can believe spec sheets. Wait for dpreview and other reviewers to test.

Personally, I'm interested in the LUMIX GH5, due out next year.