jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

Hi, I'm asking for some suggestions. I primarily use a Nikon D500; I have the Nikon 18-300mm telephoto (f/3.5-f/5.6) and a f/1.4 50 mm prime. It has gotten to the point where the weight is driving me a bit crazy when I travel. I bought an Olympus OM-D EM5 Mark II, and it was great, but I found that the auto focus using the electronic viewfinder was too slow for my likes. I am looking for suggestions on a Mirrorless because of the weight savings. I primarily shoot travel stuff - like landscapes, but do some action (granddaughter is a gymnast). I am hearing good things about the Sony a6500, and see the Sony a7 ii as about the same cost. If I were to get the a6500, I'd probably get their 16-105mm f/4 lens to start, not sure what to get with the a7 if I go that way. I can't afford the new A7iii, so that's out, and I haven't really looked at the Panasonic Lumix (4/3, like my Oly, so I think it may not be a good option), nor have I any idea about Fuji. I'm not a pro, take decent, but not great pictures, and use the camera for fun rather than a business, but like decent equipment. Anybody out there have any suggestions out there?

Flying Three Loc: Berthoud, CO

I have an a 6500 with an 18-200 lens, and it is a great system. I switched from a Canon system and have found the Sony system and menu a real challenge. I have a good friend that does professional work and has the Fuji XT-2 or 3, I don't remember which. Because of the knob adjustments instead of menu adjustments, I think the Fuji would be an easier camera to learn and use. It is a little heavier than mine. I hope this helps and that you will check them both out.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

The best (non-FF) mirrorless camera systems are (in no particular order):

Sony A6300
Sony A6500
Fuji XT-100
Fuji XT-2
Fuji XT-3
Panasonic G9
Panasonic GH5
Olympus EM1ii (uses PDAF and CDAF for focusing, unlike the EM5ii-CDAF only).

They all have their pros and cons, but they are all capable of capturing great images. If you have questions about the EM1ii specifically, I'd be happy to answer them.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

A friend of mine has the Fuji mirrorless and loves it. The 18-55 lens is supposed to be great for a kit lens. I've played with it and it is small and very easy to use. It has a lot of features that will make you happy.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

I would rent them first - check out Aperturent.com - or at least do a hands-on to see what fits your hands and "feels right" -
You can chat with the folks about what you shoot and let them show you what would work for you -

Address: 16475 Dallas Pkwy #375, Addison, TX 75001
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 5:30PM
Phone: (866) 360-6161

jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

thanks. I'm in Plano so this is convenient too!

jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

thanks for your reply. On the OMD-EM1, how is the viewfinder. I found on the EM5 it was so slow that if I was trying to photograph any action, by the time I could see what I wanted to shoot, it was already gone :-(. is the EM1's viewfinder any faster? Shooting my granddaughter's gymnastics meets as well as travel stuff, primarily.

Jeff

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I'm surprised to hear your problems with the Olympus EM-5's viewfinder and wonder if there was a setting buried somewhere in the menu that could have been the culprit?

UHH user MinnieV (Paula Van Every) used the EM-5 for some of the bird photos in the Luminous Landscape article (link below), and the EM-1 for the rest. She's a huge proponent of the Oly line:
https://luminous-landscape.com/the-dam-birds-luminous-endowment-grant-winner/

The below two shots are mine with the EM-10. I have been super happy with it - although, its predecessor for long-distant bird shots was a bridge camera, so maybe I just have low expectations?

(Download)


(Download)

jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

your pix are really nice, so maybe I'm the problem. Not sure. I'll have to see what I can do. I asked when I was up in NY recently at Cameta (I have gotten to know one of their salespeople in the retail store there, and bought a bunch of stuff from them) and she indicated that she was aware of it, and recommended the Sony a6500. So . . . .

markwilliam1

Have you considered the Sony RX10 M4? It’s an all in one bridge camera with an amazing 24-600mm f4 optical lens. Lightweight, 24 FPS, weather sealed. It has it All but expensive! I’m my opinion worth every penny.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

The EM5ii only has CDAF (contrast detection), and when using continuous auto focusing, it can struggle. The EM1ii has both CDAF and PDAF (phase detection, similar to how a traditional DSLR works). I've found that the continuous autofocusing works great with the new body (I upgraded from the original EM1 about a year ago). As to the viewfinder, I have no issues tracking birds, airplanes, or even my kids (8 and 10yrs old).

jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

thanks

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Before I give you my suggestion, permit me to expose my potential biases:
A. I own and use a Sony DSLT APS-C A-mount camera and 2 Sony mirrorless APS-C E-mount a6000 cameras.
B. I also have hand tremors intermittently from PD.

I have read little, nor do I really care, about the new mirrorless camera lines that Nikon & Canon recently debuted; however, that doesn't mean they should be dismissed. So rather my recommending a mirrorless camera brand or line to you, I'm going to list a couple of considerations.

1. What is the line's current selection of lenses like?
2. I see you want to reduce camera WEIGHT. Does the same hold for camera/lens BULK as well? If so, realize that most telephoto lenses for mirrorless cameras aren't much smaller than their counterparts for DSLR/T cameras. Also, large aperture fast medium zoom lenses are not necessarily that much smaller either.
3. If Image Stabilization is important to you, make sure you know for sure which cameras have it built in, or alternatively, which lenses have it and at what additional cost.

Hope this helps.

le boecere

However (in my experience), the older Fuji X-cameras (X-Pro1 ~ X-E2 ~ X-T1) are not the mirrorless for flying grandkids ~ the Sony 6000-series is the MILC camera for that.

repleo Loc: Boston

The 16-105 you mentioned is actually a 18-105 (Sony 18-105mm F4.0 G OSS). It is an APS-C lens and is excellent. It, and my A6000 are my preferred travel kit. You might also consider the Sony E 18-135 f3.5 - 5.6 OSS which is a little lighter, and shorter and little cheaper, but you would be giving up constant F4 which I really like.

If you go for the A7ii, definitely go for the Sony 24-105 f4.0 G OSS which is a FF lens. This is an outstanding lens. You might never want to bother with a prime in this range I have it on my A7Rii and am amazed at the pictures it is able to give me. However, it is quite heavy which is why my A6000 and 18-105 is still my preferred kit for travel. I am heading to Sicily and Venice in a couple of weeks and that is what I will be bringing.

Remember, with the Sony's you have the option for Sony's Clear Image Zoom which is really effective at doubling the zoom range of the lens.