Carli Ohara

Hello,
Just looking for opinions on a mirrorless camera. Comparisons on variety of shots and lens upgrade options. I have been doing research and to be closer to my budget these are the 2 I have come to. Unless someone has a other recommendations.
This is my first post please take it easy on me. Thanks in advance.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

I have a lot of experience with the Panasonic GX85 and it is a marvelous camera, in fact, I own and use two. Would highly recommend this model over the G85...check out the "dpreview.com" reviews on cameras you are interested in. One thing to keep in mind is that Panasonic kit lenses, not necessarily the pro line lenses, are more highly rated than Olympus and very affordable.

Micro four/thirds camera and lenses have come a long way in recent years and are a joy to carry and use...you won't be disappointed!!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

BOTH the G85 and Olympus E-M10 III are good cameras. The G85's menus and control ergonomics are generally regarded as first rate. Olympus users often complain about the menu clutter and awkward control placement. However, Olympus has, for years, had better JPEG output. If you record raw files and post-process them, there is no particular advantage to either camera... the sensors are very close to being the same (both are made by Sony).

Here are links to the dpreview.com conclusion pages. The G85 scored better (Gold vs Silver award).

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympus-om-d-e-m10-mark-iii/5
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-g85-g80/8

I'm a Lumix GH4 user, because I record about equal amounts of video and stills. The GHx line is a good balance between still and video capture capabilities.

The key to getting great results with Micro 4/3 cameras is in the lenses. Both Panasonic and Olympus make different grades of lenses. You get what you pay for. A $300 42.5mm or 45mm lens will be good. But a $1300 42.5mm lens will be phenomenal (and faster). So whichever brand you choose, invest in good lenses.

You might want to take a look at this chart: http://hazeghi.org/mft-lenses.html It's about a year out of date. There are probably a dozen new lenses available now, and some of these have been discontinued.

Carli Ohara

@Jederick, Thank you!

Carli Ohara

Thank you Bill!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I’d lean towards the g85, especially if you’re going to do any type of video work.

Carli Ohara

Actually the one thing I don't do much of is video. But Thank you!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I’d still go with the Panasonic.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

A difficult decision. Panasonic has weather sealing and the menu, from what I know, is easier. It has a fully articulated screen that the Mk III does not have if that is important to you.
It has no anti-aliasing filter so theoretically the images should be sharper out of camera. JPEG files are better from Olympus.
You should be happy with either one and my advise is that you go to a camera store, if available to you, that has both and try them. You will know which one fits you better.

Naptown Gaijin

Imaging-resource.com
Cameradecision.com
Dpreview.com
Dxomark.com

Answers all ur questions.

BobT Loc: southern Minnesota

Another vote for you to at least consider the Panasonic GX85. I recently sold all of my Canon gear and have gone totally to the GX85. NO looking back; as this was an excellent choice for me. Especially for it's lighter weight and dual image stabilizer with appropriate lenses.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I rate m4/3 in the following tiers (based on photography, not video capabilities:
6: Pen Cameras other than PenF
5: EM10II, EM10iii, Gx85, G7
4: Pen f Gx8
3: G85 EM5ii, Em1.1, GH4
2: GH5
1: G9 and Em1.2

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I concur. The GH5 and GH5s share the top prize for video, though. The G9 and E-M1-II are better at stills. And they are different enough for a new user to try/rent both before purchasing.

Although I own a GH4, it’s dated. Given sufficient $$$, I’d get a GH5.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

It was an interesting study, looking at both manufactures and grouping them together. The Pen f and the Gx8 really threw things off, but I felt as though they needed to be in a tier on their own.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Yeah, the Pen F and GX8 cater to a similar buyer, except they don't. Both have great features and annoying flaws. Autofocus on the Pen F is iffy. Shutter shock on the GX8 has a firmware fix that is a cop-out, if you need a mechanical shutter in the middle of the range (1/60 to 1/320 or so). What's worse, some GX8s are unaffected by shutter shock without the firmware fix, but some really need it.

At least we have choices, and the entire range of bodies can share the same lens collection. Imagine what would have happened if both Nikon and Canon had used the same lens mount.