tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Hoping to upgrade soon. Currently have a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ45 Bridge Camera. Don't want to go to complicated. Thinking of a Compact System Camera over DSLR. Any thought folks?

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Yes, thinking I need to know how much you plan to spend ;)

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Probably around 500-600 quid.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Hi Tom,

How familiar are you with the "compact system camera" product line-up from the different suppliers? Do you have your eye on anything in particular at present? If so what, and why?How important is "having a viewfinder" to you? What kind of photos do you tend to like to take most (important for initial choice of lens)? Do you just want a camera and lens, or are you intending to create a "system"? Are looking for brand new, or would you be comfortable with "good used"?


These are just a few questions for you to consider. If you aren't familiar with this site - http://www.sansmirror.com/ - I offer it for your perusal. There's a ton of unbiased knowledge here about the systems, the products, the most popular, and the "best". The author is a highly respected Nikon pro photographer and this, the sister site to his Nikon site, will give you a huge amount of assistance.

The Micro 4/3 system, run by Olympus and Panasonic, is the most versatile, most popular of the current systems. But you're buying and it's your needs and wants which must be satisfied.

Ask your specific questions here - there are a good few user members here with plenty of knowledge and experience of "compact system cameras".

As an example - the Panasonic GX1 (look for review on sansmirror) will be replaced this autumn and there are some "silly deals" on it, new, in the USA at present. It doesn't have a viewfinder, but I had its predecessor, the GF1, which was a terrific camera. The GX1 is even better. There are loads of USA members here who might be prepared to help you out with purchase and delivery to the UK. Here's one which is current -

www.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_fspt%3D1%26LH_CAds%3D%26_udlo%3D%26_sadis%3D%26_sop%3D12%26_sacat%3D%26clk_rvr_id%3D482370686869%26_fpos%3D%26_mPrRngCbx%3D1%26_udhi%3D%26_nkw%3D200925237296%26_rdc%3D1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200925237296?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_fspt%3D1%26LH_CAds%3D%26_udlo%3D%26_sadis%3D%26_sop%3D12%26_sacat%3D%26clk_rvr_id%3D482370686869%26_fpos%3D%26_mPrRngCbx%3D1%26_udhi%3D%26_nkw%3D200925237296%26_rdc%3D1

That would certainly help you, bearing in mind your budget limits, as you'll need to purchase lens(es) also.

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Probably looking for new. have looked at panasonic G5K At john lewis who are doing a deal to trade in existing camera. it has an extra lense as i would like extra bits and bobs. panasonic G5 also looks good.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Check out London Camera Exchange, I buy from them all the time.

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand-Search/?Order=Latest&View=Grid&SHMake=&SHModel=&SHType=Compact+System+Cameras&Location=&Results=100

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Tom - well your reply is a sort of start. Here's a list of all Panasonic cameras since 2009, with a long list underneath of "discontinued" cameras - http://www.dpreview.com/products/Panasonic/cameras - I can find a G5 and a GF5, but for the life of me no G5K. Is that a John Lewis' special? Unlike anyone to rename a manufacturer's camera model.

The G5 has a viewfinder, but the GF5 does not.

It's not easy to help with so few pieces of info ! Help !

How about some answers to the other questions I posed? What sort of assistance are you really looking for here?

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Just checked its Panasonic Lumix DMC G5K

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Basically am i not going to complicate myself with upgrade from a bridge camera?

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Tom - it's possible, but I cannot answer you properly. Not enough info !

Do you use your current camera mode dial in either the "Auto" or any of the "Scene" modes? Or are you more advanced and able to use the aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes? How would you described your camera skills - basic, intermediate or advanced?

What sort of skill level to you want to acquire?

Do you want to be changing lenses?

When you know more fully what you want and need, and why, it'll be easier for you to find the right camera for you.

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Would call myself intermediate. I use all the modes on camera. Only use auto for a quick shot. For some reason picture quality not as good in auto. Do get a bit confused at times whether to auto focus or manual focus. Also with multi point or single point focus. I do want to have extra lenses. I like to capture birds so long zoom will be priority. Find focal length a bit confusing also.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

OK Tom - I've found it at John Lewis - http://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-lumix-dmc-g5k-compact-system-camera-with-14-42mm-45-150mm-lenses-hd-1080p-16mp-3-lcd/p231880413 - most people call it the G5.

You get 2 lenses to give you focal range coverage from 28mm to 300mm (micro 4/3 sensor gives a 35mm equivalent focal length x2). So you have more than adequate range for most every day shots. If they give you £150 against your old camera that's a bonus. Have you done your research, read the reviews?

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_G5/

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/panasonic-g5/panasonic-g5A.HTM

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_g5_review/

It seems to come "highly recommended".

Whether it is "too much" or "too little" for you will be easy for you to decide when you have made a proper assessment of your wants and needs. You are the only person who can and should make those decisions.

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Have a collection of pics on flickr. If you fancy a look type in tommckibbin.

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Thanks for that. Will probably go for it. Have dropped the wife hints to buy it for me.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Thanks for that, but genuinely have not the time !

When one moves to a new camera there is always a learning curve - how that is overcome is really down to you. But you say you're intermediate, so the basics are there. It sounds like you need some help in certain areas.

Might I suggest you take a look at these short, well-made, instructional videos. Nice thing is you can start wherever you wish, to suit yourself - http://www.photographycourses.biz/all_photography_videos.html

Gotta go 'cos I have outstayed my time here ! Hope I've been of some assistance, and wish you well.