azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

All the negativity against the new owner "OM Systems" is not yet deserved. I would be the first person to claim a scam, but there is absolutely no evidence to support a problem. Let's wait and see what new body they come out with before passing judgement. Also, remember that Olympus itself was a scandalous corporation several times over, even as they delivered remarkable camera bodies. To the OP, I also recommend the M-5 mark ll as a remarkable weather sealed and light camera with very sharp results. I paired mine with a Lumix zoom up to 300mm for amazingly sharp images on safari.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Hmmmm. Your 50mm comparison the M43 combo is 30% less. That’s significant. Also the volume is considerably less.

But that is comparing DSLR to mirrorless. If you compare to Nikon mirrorless body and 50 mm lens you get even more savings because the 50mm Z-mount s-series lens is huge compared to the f-mount D version.

BUT the Z body and 40mm f2 Z mount lens are much smaller. I have both and while the Nikon Combo is bigger, it’s not as much difference as with a DSLR combo.

But M43 is still my goto hiking, backpacking, travel adventure kit. It’s still considerably smaller and lighter than the equivalent FF kit.

And the OM-D has some very nice features that Nikon lacks I’m sorry Nikon is still playing catch up in the mirrorless market. And Olympus, Sony, Panasonic, et.al. Are not waiting for Nikon to catch up.

timcc Loc: Virginia

If light weight is a primary consideration and you don't need long telephoto, the Olympus TG-6 takes excellent photos, including macro/close-up, and is waterproof, dust-proof, and designed for rugged outdoor use.

See pics on my website below for IQ examples (e.g., Beauty and the Beast, Washington Cherry Blossoms, and Ice Storm) taken with a TG-5. The TG-6 is even on sale:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=olympus%20tough%20tg-6&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

The EM1 mark III is brilliant, check secondhand if necessary, but it is a top class camera. I am fortunate to own an EM1X and an EM1.3 and previously owned an EM1.2 and 2 x EM1 bodies. The EM1X is definately my favourite, but probably not suited to your intended use. I doubt you would be disappointed with an EM1.3, as focusing is fast and accurate, IBIS is marvellous, and it is compact and lightweight. I came back to Olympus from a Sony A7III, A9 and A7R4 and do not regret the move, though the Sony cameras were stunning.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I’m sorry but I call BS on this opinion.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I am not sure what marketing language you are referring to. The last announcement from OMD on their name and branding changes also showed pictures of their upcoming camera, the WOW camera. No information on specs or pricing but everything that has come from JIP indicates that they are concentrating on their high end products such as the PRO lenses.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I would recommend the E-M1 mkIII and one of the following: 14-150, 12-200, or 12-100 Pro IS. Be aware that the 1.4X and 2X teleconverters only work on some Pro lenses and not these lenses. Olympus is still the camera for sports, wildlife, and birding. Panasonic and Olympus lenses are interchangeable for basic functions. There are both people on this site that 4/3rds will not meet their needs and some that just hate 4/3rds. But many of us have been shooting 4/3rds for a long time and will continue to. And there are professionals that shoot 4/3rds exclusively and are hardly worried that it is going away. One thing, the scroll menu is harder to learn than most but not impossible. Trying using the Super Control Panel menu first until you learn the scroll menu.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Once you turn on the SCP you rarely need the scroll menu. That’s the beauty of the SCP.

Beenthere

[quote=BillPeab]I'm a hiker/backpacker looking to buy a mirrorless camera - size and weight are important consideration for me. I'm seriously thinking of an Olympus OMD.

I too love the Olympus series of OMD cameras, and agree with the suggestions of others on this forum. However, considering your requirements for size, weight and performance, I don't understand why no mention was made of the OM-D EM10, especially the MK II and the MK IV. I exclude the MK III as you can only access the "SILENT" function in the "AP" mode. Other than that any of these 3 small versions of the OMD series, provide excellent image quality. All include IBIS, and the MK IV has the 20MP sensor. If "Silent" is important to you, for say photographing animals without disturbing them, then again I would bypass the MK III as it limits you to "Silent" in only one mode. The others mentioned allow "Silent" in any mode. One more drawback of the EM10 is weather sealing.., it is not. But it will use all of the M43s lenses offered by Olympus and Lumix (Panasonic). The 14-42mm EZ kit lens is quite good and makes the package even smaller.

The next step up in your requirements would be the OM-D EM5 either MK II (Which can be had used at reasonable price). or the newer MK III, both of which are weather sealed w/ IBIS.., the Mk III being the lighter of the two. I've used all of these at one time or another and, as I said before, love them all. Hope this helps a bit?

aikiboy

I realize you posted about OMD, but you might want to look at some of the deals available on Panasonic these days. The G95 is on sale for under $700 with a 12-60mm lens, both weatherproof. I have a G85 and a G9, have been very happy with both, and find the image quality very good in both given good light. The G95 has the same sensor as the G9.

Stray Goose Loc: Florida

I have backpacked extensively and done over 1100 miles of the AT. I am also have the Olympus M1 MkII with many of the PRO lenses and their TG-4 and TG-6. For backpacking, it's the Olympus TG series hands down as weight is the deciding factor. The current model is the TG-6. It is an outstanding camera for backpacking, and is waterproof to 50 or 60 feet, not just weather sealed.

Canisdirus

Everything coming out now was already developed and in the manufacturing pipeline.

Moving past the old OLY pipeline...JIP/OM-D has said they want to become partners with as many companies as they can. They are looking to sell the old inventory ... somewhere.
That is the pattern of JIP in the past.

They certainly are not going to do the same thing OLY did...that only means one thing...losses.

William Royer Loc: Kansas

IMO, the Oly EM 5 would be a good choice — weight, size, weather proofing, IBIS are terrific. For HiRez, it does need a tripod (I think), whereas the larger M1Mk3 can do HiRez hand held. Depending on the reach you want for your lens, you might look hard at the 12-45 f4 PRO. The size is quite small, the weather-proofing is superb, the image quality is great, and the reach of 24-90mm (FF equivalent) might capture much of what you’d typically shoot. Just my $.02

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

There are some specialized menus that are very useful in the scroll menu. But about 95% or more of the controls one is always changing can be found in the Super Control Panel menu.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

No one has ever figured what Olympus did to UHH member Canisdirus, but it does not really matter if Olympus succeeds or not. That is the beauty of 4/3rds. All Olympus and Panasonic bodies work with all Olympus and Panasonic lenses for all basic functions. This is probably the main reason that the pros using 4/3rds are not worried about the 4/3rds future. And even Canisdirus says Panasonic is "long term". Eventually there will be larger megapixel sensors to use the 100mp sensor capabilities of the pro lenses. For now, the handheld 80mp image capability of the E-M1 mkIII and E-M1X will have to do. And your requirement of handheld photography can be best matched with the 7 stops of body stabilization of the E-M1 mkIII and E-M1X. There are other future lenses that one can look forward to from both Olympus and Panasonic.