Permission to buy "vacation camera" - help me choose between 2 MFT kits (Page 6): Gotta think about that.

Bill P

JD750 wrote:

Re the super menu if pressing OK twice and having all the salient functions available is too confusing, then perhaps you might want to sell your OM-D. How much do you want for it? ;)

BillP life is short. Use the camera that you like best.

Gotta think about that.

laf Loc: Nordland

Having owned OMD EM10MkII I found the D610 stayed home time after time. The Oly was a joy to shoot with, the prime lenses super sharp, small etc. For vacation, if you can swing it, get the Oly 12-100
f4 and a 17mm 1.8 prime for low light; at least 2 extra batteries.
Above kit is small easily carried and you are not switching lenses nearly as often. Have fun shooting. laf

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Imagemine wrote:

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

Did you even read the original post?

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

InfiniteISO wrote:

Did you read my original post at all?

HaHaHaHa! I just sent him the same response. I also shoot Nikons, a D7200 and D500, love them both, but I wanted something smaller and easier to use from a kayak. I originally ordered a GX85, but had to quickly cancel and switch to the G85 because I needed weather sealing. I’ve since picked up a G9 and I find them both to be fantastic cameras. The menus are extensive, but once you get them set up just about everything you need is at your fingertips with external controls. I find their ergonomics to be the best I’ve used. The EVFs are bright and clear and I love the live view when I’m dialing up some EC. I’ve also found myself using the excellent 4K video more than I thought I would. Like I said, I love my Nikons but it seems like the camera I’m grabbing everyday is the G9. I’m actually getting ready to sell the G85 with the 12-60 lens, extra batteries and charger and a 5 year drop/spill warranty

JD750 Loc: SoCal

laf wrote:

Having owned OMD EM10MkII I found the D610 stayed home time after time. The Oly was a joy to shoot with, the prime lenses super sharp, small etc. For vacation, if you can swing it, get the Oly 12-100
f4 and a 17mm 1.8 prime for low light; at least 2 extra batteries.
Above kit is small easily carried and you are not switching lenses nearly as often. Have fun shooting. laf

I resemble that remark about the DSLR staying home. In fact I think I loaned it out. Hmmmm.. Yes I did. I still have my SLR's and for digital I use the OM-D. Ditto on extra batteries. Make sure they are charged!

papaluv4gd Loc: durham,ct

why not look into a used olympus e-m1. I have 2 e-m1 bodies, and 1 e-m5 body. All are 1st gen. but working just fine. find the e-m1 to be easier to handle with it's built in handgrip ,plus it's a bit larger and easier to manipulate. Pare that with a 14-150mm II lens, (28-300 eqv.) That combo gets used 90% of the time for me. There are a few other hoggers using the same combo who can attest to it's usefulness. Something to consider.

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

papaluv4gd wrote:

why not look into a used olympus e-m1. I have 2 e-m1 bodies, and 1 e-m5 body. All are 1st gen. but working just fine. find the e-m1 to be easier to handle with it's built in handgrip ,plus it's a bit larger and easier to manipulate. Pare that with a 14-150mm II lens, (28-300 eqv.) That combo gets used 90% of the time for me. There are a few other hoggers using the same combo who can attest to it's usefulness. Something to consider.

I appreciate your love of the OM-D E-M1, it has great specs. The issue with your combo is price. You're essentially spending the same amount of money for a camera that is 5-years-old technology-wise and at least 3-years-old build-wise. Putting your combo together with Good+ used items that offer a 90-day warranty always busted 700 dollars. There is a lot of technology in these cameras, especially in the in-body stabilization and I think newer, if I can get it is better. I do like the lens. I have about half a day before I can order, who knows what I'll pull the trigger on by tonight when B&H opens back up.

The Lumix G85, like the OM-D E-M1, has a built-in grip, has better video technology, and if everyone's statements are accurate is much easier to configure and use. It also comes with a 3 year warranty and was released in late 2017.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

These are quite serviceable cameras. I have a Pen F and it is excellent. I did consider another model of Panasonic when I purchased the Pen F. The Olympus Workspace program for photo editing is rather good and it is free. I think the software for Panasonic is rather poor. The Pen F and I believe all the OM-D's can use a wired cable release. This did not seem to be the case for the Panasonic.This feature is necessary as I use the Pen F for macro. This allows interface to a macro rail. Pen F has no external mike so not so useful for video. I do have a couple of Panasonic lenses for my Olympus - 12-60mm and 100-300mm. The former has a very useful focal length range. It is expensive but can be purchased used from KEH for much less.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

InfiniteISO wrote:

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

I have two driving vacations planned with my famil... (show quote)

Why spend money when you have good working cameras. You end up paying more for bells and whistles for the newest camera. Another downside of this, it's another User Manual you will have to read. Save your money and spend it on souvenirs (like picture frames) for every one.
My wife has told me time and again, "Put the new camera down on the counter, step away from the counter, and no one gets hurt!"

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

InfiniteISO wrote:

I appreciate your love of the OM-D E-M1, it has gr... (show quote)

Good analysis. If/when you do buy used, these are the specialists:

https://www.keh.com/

https://www.mpb.com/en-us/

Six month warranties and first rate customer service. They are *very* conservative with ratings.

I’ve bought two lenses and a tripod head and a used GH4 from KEH. No issues. All were pristine.

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

Scruples wrote:

Why spend money when you have good working cameras. You end up paying more for bells and whistles for the newest camera. Another downside of this, it's another User Manual you will have to read. Save your money and spend it on souvenirs (like picture frames) for every one.
My wife has told me time and again, "Put the new camera down on the counter, step away from the counter, and no one gets hurt!"

I can appreciate this. I have almost talked myself out of this purchase a couple of times.

My personal rule is not to buy on impulse and to try and buy used. I purchased a minty D100 about a decade ago for a $125. A D90 years ago, used with the 18-105 for $280. I got my D7000, body only, for $325 on eBroke. I took a chance on that one and did good. Both of my bodies are near 50,000 exposures and I am responsible for 90% of those shots.

As for glass, I purchased a used Nikkor 18-200 for $180 and a new 17-55, F2.8 Tamron, the early non-VR model for $200. All the rest of the vintage full-frame, manual focus Nikon glass I own was purchased for less than $300 dollars, that includes an F1.8 50mm, and F2.8 100mm, and an F4-5.6 75-300mm.

I'm not going to add all that up, but it's less than $2000, so for me this is a significant purchase. I have a feeling in the hog world however, that my cost per exposure is very low compared to most, LOL. For the last few years I've shot 15,000+ images a year. I've also averaged about $2,000 a year net for the last few years in photo income which sorta pays for my hobby. I'm not saying I deserve a new camera, but I'm not going to feel guilty about buying this one...if I do, LOL.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I would like to buy a "Hassie!" I won't however. My current camera is not terribly expensive. After all, it not the camera that takes the photographs. It is the nut behind the viewfinder. Anyway, my wife has warned me that I will be sleeping where the dog sleeps (under the backyard porch) and she will keep the Hasselblad very comfortable in our bedroom.

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

Scruples wrote:

I would like to buy a "Hassie!" I won't however. My current camera is not terribly expensive. After all, it not the camera that takes the photographs. It is the nut behind the viewfinder. Anyway, my wife has warned me that I will be sleeping where the dog sleeps (under the backyard porch) and she will keep the Hasselblad very comfortable in our bedroom.

So your wife appreciates a nice camera too

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

InfiniteISO wrote:

I can appreciate this. I have almost talked mysel... (show quote)

Burkphoto, myself, and some of the other 4/3rds hoggers think you are making a good, thought out decision. I own an Olympus and normally suggest the E-M5 mrII with the 12-100 f4, but it is much, much more than what you have indicated you would like to spend. Spend to your budget limit or less. The G85 will be a great travel camera and you can always add on more Olympus and Panasonic bodies and lenses later on.

aikiboy

I have the Oly and seldom use it: the ergonomics drive me crazy and the menu system is difficult. You can get a Panny G85 from B&H for $697.9. It has (I think) a much more easily navigated menu system, great ergonomics, is extremely flexible, has a great kit lens (12-60mm, which given the crop gives you the equivalent of a 24-120) and has a built in flash. I have one and have loved it since the day I got it. I bought the Oly OMD-EM 10 mark ii so that I'd have a smaller camera when I needed it, but as I said, I almost never use it.
Good luck, and stop for frequent breaks,
Jonathan