InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

I have two driving vacations planned with my family of 6 adults for this year and a cruise with them next year. My wife and I are trying our best to get all of us together a few more times while we can. Our children will probably consider it torture.

My four children are currently ages 16 to 22. I am a prolific, family photo taker and for years I've used my DX DSLRs for that, D100, D90, D7000. I've never been satisfied with a cell phone and I really have to have a viewfinder to be happy. For these trips, space is going to be limited and that's a good excuse to get something a bit more modern and much smaller. Since I don't spend a lot on camera gear and have always bought used, my wife has given me her blessing if I keep the cost under control. I'm not one to charge anything or break the piggy bank, so I have set a firm budget of $650 total. That includes extra batteries, etc.

I have narrowed it down to the Panasonic GX85 kit with two lenses and the Olympus OM-10 Mk II kit which is currently offered with an additional telephoto lens. The cameras have nearly identical features although the Panasonic is newer. Both have good reviews. Both have in-body, 5-axis stabilization which might be a plus if I put any of my Nikon glass on them which I most certainly will try.

You may think I'm a bit crazy, but I shoot raw and I really don't want to deal with the size files that would come off of a 20 or 24 megapixel sensor. These match the resolution of my D7000 which I think is about perfect.

The Panasonic wins on video probably because it's newer. I don't take much video, but that might be because my D7000 is not an inspiring video camera. It also wins on warranty since the kit gives you 2 extra years. This might come in handy considering the complexity of the short lens which telescopes.

The Olympus has an edge in reviews, has a rangier short lens in the kit, and may win on ergonomics with me since it has a center-mounted viewfinder.

Here are the two links to B&H who will be collecting my money. I know many of you will be tempted to give me alternatives. Go ahead. That said, I'm really looking for any shortcomings any of you may have found through experience in either of these cameras.

Thanks in advance.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1444716-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_gx85_mirrorless_micro.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1238281-REG/olympus_v207051bu000_om_d_e_m10_mark_ii.html

repleo Loc: Boston

Driving with 6 adults?? My advice would be to forget the camera and go with the flow - upgrade your cell phone to a iphone X or one of the newer competitors. Your kids are going to using them and I guarantee they will be taking better pictures than you will with a $650 camera. They will take them quicker and will have sent them to family and friends before you get your DSLR out of the bag and nobody (except us Hoggers) is going to want to see your pictures two weeks after the event. You will all get along better if they aren't constantly waiting for you to get set up. While you are at it, get a selfie stick.

Use the phone to shoot RAW and you can still have the joy of PPing the pictures when you get home.

Enjoy, don't kill anyone and post pics when you get back. Nowadays, it is much more impressive to boast that you shot those stunners with a cellphone than with your Nikon D$$$$.

User ID

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I use both brands but neither of those exact versions.

Amongst my several models are special features that
I value: 6K burst, "one touch" exposure, perspective
correction, focus stacking, HDR, etc, etc. But acoarst
not all features are on every camera.

So, given two outfits of essentially equal basic ability,
maybe it's a specialty feature that will win your wallet
to one kit or the other ?

=============================

In my flock, Olympus has the outstanding specialty
features, but Lumix has the outstanding operational
features. So the Lumix features aid me continuously
altho not adding special imaging abilities, while the
Olympus features are not of continuous use, but do
add special imaging abilities. IOW, Lumix features
are ergonomic conveniences, Olympus features are
actually enabling image making in special situations
[focus stacking, perspective adjusting] ... BUT ! but
becuz you prefer raw files, a few of the Olympus's
imaging features will be denied you :-(

.

Kuzano

I've shot a lot of Olympus, and a few Panasonics.

Have you checked https://www.getolympus.com/. They often have factory refurbished Olympus.

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

I'll be the geeky old guy wearing a REAL camera around my neck. I won't slow anyone down, besides, I'm the one driving. Cell phones take decent pictures in decent light and that's about it. They also have tons of depth of field which isn't always a good thing and can't be changed.

d3200prime

I don't have an opinion on either camera but I will say you are one brave soul to take on a trip with your six grown kids and believe you won't slow them down with your prolific propensity to photograph. I hope all goes well but I see trouble in paradise ahead. Will look forward to viewing your shots when you get back. BTW: where ya going?

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

Six total adults, my FOUR children, my wife, and myself. I'm stupid, but not that stupid.

RickTaylor

Keep your NIKON’s. You already have good equipment. With the crew you are traveling with spend the money on the best scotch you can find.

Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA

I would suggest looking at a Nikon D500 it has a lot of what can blow a cellphone out of the water like inter changeable lens, still cellphone are pretty good at close up shots, but they can't get long distance shots & ultra wide angle shots, that being said if someone knows what they're doing cellphone can get good panoramic shots so you have a lot of choices. By the way I'm a Nikon guy but I use my phone, film & digital

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

I'm not getting rid of DSLRs.

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

Did you read my original post at all?

d3200prime

LOL! I just couldn't resist poking a little fun. I'm sure you will make many happy memories. Be sure to wow us with pics when you return from............

d3200prime

Please learn how to use the forum options properly.

Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA

Read your original post ,you said camera & batteries not body & lens

User ID

Waaaay too huge. Did you read
all of the whole OP ?

The query is limited to m43 only.