fetzler Loc: North West PA

Olympus has the ability to use an android device as well and is occasionally useful but it doesn't cover all my needs.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I have used an intervalometer and remote for Canon cameras on my E-M1ii and E-M1iii. I wasn't planning on upgrading to the E-M1iii, but the local camera store had a used one for $1050. Was in like new condition with less than 2500 shots on it.

HiFromSusan

Another EM1iii feature is the in-camera ND filter, if you plan to do any landscape/water photos.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I thought, indeed, this would be a great feature.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I would go with the mkIII with the 12-100 f4 Pro IS. The 12-100 can do 1/2 lifesize for most of its range. It will suffice until the upcoming 100 f2(?) Pro IS macro lens comes out. And the 12-100 is a good travel lens. It is very sharp lens and can do well in the 40mm to 60mm 4/3rds portrait range (see Image Resource). I've handheld successful 4 second shots with my mkII (wished it had the built in "ND") and the mkIII is better. If BIF and action sports are a possibility, the E-M1X would possibly be even better for you. I suspect the 1/3 off the E-M1X is to reduce inventory before the release of a mkII version (25mp? 32mp? later this year or early next year). Do not hesitate buying either the E-M1 mkII, E-M1 mkIII, or the E-M1X. Having the E-M1 mkII, I suspect the E-M1 mkIII will meet your needs the best at this time because of the extra technology that will meet some of your expressed uses.

Never worry about the future models; Buy what meets your needs at this time. There will always be a newer model "tomorrow" with more bells and whistles right after you buy whatever. If you keep waiting for that next "better" model, you will never buy a new camera for the rest of your life. Always buy for your needs at the time for only the money you have allocated and want/willing to spend. This was advice given to me by my professional teacher in the 70's and it has not failed me yet.

User ID

I would NEVER forego a great price on the EM1-X just to upgrade lenses. The lenses will still be available later, *IF* you ever actually need them. Nothing wrong with mid level lenses, especially m4/3 lenses.

Assuming you can, please tell us what aspects of the EM1-X require superior lenses than the lenses that are good enough for use on an EM1-II.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

I was perfectly happy with my EM1 MkI until Olympus had a flash sale a couple of years ago that included the MkII in their refurb department and brought the price down to about $1100 (including tax.) The MkII has performed beautifully as my go to camera ever since. If they do another flash sale that gets a MkIII refurb down closer to the $1000 mark than it was in their most recent promotion I'd probably spring for one, just to have a second Olympus body, but I don't actually have a real need for the new features of the III.

BTW, I also have a Lumix G9 and love its feel and a lot of the features. But it does NOT focus nearly as reliably in low light as the Olympus. The last family outing was to a bumper car basketball (?) venue that needed ISO3200 and 1/60 @ f/4 using a Lumix 12-60 2.8-4.0, and I had both the G9 and MkII bodies with me - I started with the G9 but it routinely failed to lock focus in single focus mode (as I fully expected, but I always have hope) and I put it away after a few minutes in favor of the Olympus for the rest of the evening. FWIW.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I have a G9 and for everything I love about it the contrast detect focus just hasn’t cut it for wildlife, so I’m getting ready to put it on the market and just this week I picked up the E-M1X at the sale price. I also decided to sell the Leica 100-400 lens and ordered a used Olympus 40-150 pro from B&H and the 10% off accessories I got for registering the camera plus $50 off sale for the 2x teleconverter from Olympus. The lens arrived today and it looks brand new. The lens hood and bag that came with it had never been removed from the original wrapping. When I went out to shoot this afternoon I was really impressed.