NelsonARowe Loc: North Georgia USA

I will be taking a trip to Iceland next summer (2019) that’s a photography workshop. I am interested in a full frame that has good weather resistance and a good selection of lenses. Preferably the lenses I would like to buy would be used or refurbished to save on price but I might buy new. I would want something that is a wide lens with great light capabilities because I will be shooting a lot in the early morning and night too. I would be doing more landscape photography than anything else. I would prefer keeping the weight down (mirrorless) but not apposed to a dslr if it’s going to give me better weather protection and lens choices. My budget for the setup would be $3,000 or close to it. I’m going to have plenty of time to learn the new one so that’s good. I would appreciate any suggestions you guys and girls have. Thanks.

At this time I have been looking at the Sony A7riii and the Olympus OMD E mii but that’s just initial research. Would a 42mp sensor be twice as good as a 20 or 24mp ? Or is this beyond the range of the human eye until you blow it up to an extremely large print ? I sometimes wonder if they are just doing new things because they can and then get to charge more for it 😂 even though it doesn’t necessarily matter.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Neither camera is capable of taking great landscape photos. That part depends on your skills. The Olympus is most definitely better sealed, but you should not have any issues with the Sony system either. While the hi res feature is somewhat limited, since the scene has to be still, the Olympus will generate an 80mp raw file that beats pretty much every full frame camera. For other applications, you get 20mp files. Both systems have their pluses and minuses. Best suggestion I can give is that you try to handle both cameras at a camera store or rent each for a few days. Either way, both camera systems are capable of top tier work. Personally, I’d never consider a dslr. Due to the electronic viewfinder, for me at least, looking into an optical one is very old school. I love being able to see what the exposer is going to be.

Good luck and enjoy your trip! And which ever system you end up purchasing.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Not that it matters much but Olympus has THREE MKII bodies: the E-M1, E-M5 and the E-M10.
The E-M1 and E-M5 both have high rez modes, combining multiple exposures to form one higher rez image.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

The OP means the EM1 mark2.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Oh thats right, you're a mind reader!

BebuLamar

I would call the OMD an M4/3 full frame camera but most will not call it a full frame camera.

NelsonARowe Loc: North Georgia USA

Correct an EM1 mark 2

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

No, a 42mp sensor compared to a 24mp sensor would only be a small increase in resolution, but would make a difference when printing large!
To double the resolution of a 24mp sensor you need about a 100mp sensor (96mp to be exact)!
Also, the mp-count is not what makes a sensor good or bad, its the quality of the pixels, there a many 12mp sensors out there that put a lot of 24mp sensors to shame!

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Unless you are printing very large prints (bigger than 13x19), you don't need more than 16Mp. If your budget is $3,000, you should NOT be looking at either the A7Riii or the OM-D E-M1 Mk2. A system is only as good as its weakest link. It makes no sense to buy a top end camera and put cheap lenses on it or buy a cheap tripod. And you should be looking at the total camera system: camera, lenses, tripod, extra battery, SD cards, bag. With either of the cameras you mentioned, the system (with two or three quality lenses and a good tripod and tripod head) will cost $6,000 to $10,000. If you skimp on any of the key elements of the system (camera, lenses, tripod), image quality will suffer accordingly. You can probably should put together a balanced system based on the E-M5 Mk2 ($1,100) or the E-M10 Mk3 ($650). That is what I would do with a $3,000 budget.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Doesn’t take much common sense to figure that one out now does it? The OP is considering the top of the line Sony camera, why would he be looking at anything less from a lesser quality sensor? Not to mention, that there is only one mark 2 version with a 20mp sensor. Of all people, as a retailer of camera gear you should have known the answer - instead of embarrassing yourself.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

You can get lightly used em1 mark2 for $1300. $550 gets you an em5 mark 2.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Have you used the 40MP high res feature much?
I borrowed an em5 mkII from a friend (a really good one!) with all his great lenses, but never tried the 40mp option.
Impressive camera/system, especially the IS.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I use the 64mp raw files only. You know it shoots both. The quality beats FF. I’ve read several times that many product photographers switch from medium format to use the Olympus hi res feature for work. Love my EM5 (well, I love both my cameras)

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Ps: sorry, yes I do use the hi res feature as much as I can. I shoot mostly landscape so that helps.

repleo Loc: Boston

The A7Riii alone would exceed your budget and leave nothing for lenses. The A7iii would be easier on your budget but still not enough for lenses.

If you think low light performance will be one of the more critical considerations look for a used A7Sii for around $1500 on eBay. Get the new Sony 24-105 F4.0 ($1300) as your main stay workhorse and if you have enough left over go for a used Rokinon FE14M-E 14mm F2.8 at about $220 on eBay - Total right around $3000. The A7Sii is only 12 mpx but has phenominal ISO performance. The 24-105 is a beautiful lens - sharp everywhere and most useful range. The Rokinon would cover your ultra wide needs or else use the 24-105 for panos on the wide shots.