I have always been a gadget guy as much as a photographer. So, I like buy different cameras as they come out. I mainly have Nikon, Sony, and Fuji Film cameras and usually the trio of lenses that go with them in wide, medium and telephoto F2.8 ranges. Recently I jumped into the Olympus real specifically for the AI features only Olympus offers. Yesterday I was playing around with the Live ND (neutral density) capability of the camera. No filters attached to lens but camera adjusts up to 5 stops ND. You can even see the live preview of the motion created by water and such when taking the picture. I was impressed that I could get a decent shot handheld at 2.5 seconds and get the motion blur in the water. I will look forward to trying some of this as soon as our spring rains get the area water falls going again. Other features unique to Olympus that I have had fun with are Pro Capture, Live Composite, Live Capture each with specific uses. Live composite is good for product photography adding light or painting with light and being able to see real time the progress. Anyway here is an image of the Live ND handheld at 2.5 seconds, ISO 100, F16.

I own, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, and Olympus. I would suggest the Olympus OMD EM1 Mk III with 12mm-100mm f4 over the rest for one simple reason. You said your son is interested in food photography. Olympus is the only camera on the market that has Live Composite which is wonderful for food and product photography. Live Composite allows you to make composite images in-camera that previously would only be able to be created with two separate images and a bunch of post-processing. It allows you to add light and view the change in real time so that you can highlight the food in a manner that makes it the most appealing. It takes a lot of guess work out of the process. The camera has other features only Olympus cameras have such as pro capture, Live Capture, and Live ND which all have specific uses. The camera is fully capable of the full range of functions of other cameras. I was hesitant when I bought it for the Olympus specific features as I am use to the high resolution of full frame sensors up to 60 Megapixels but have been truly impressed by the quality of images from the micro four thirds 20mp sensor. I specifically use it for food and product photography which seldom needs to be more than 20mp. Other than those Olympus specific features, then as others have said all of the mirrorless cameras of today are very good. I recommend the 12-100 mm lens because of it's overall usability but if he only is going to do up close and maybe some portraits, the 60mm Macro is excellent too.

Thank you very much!

Thank you! Great suggestions!

Thank you!

Thank you! I just kept getting the feeling i needed to check if the image was level with the horizon.

I agree. I was trying to keep the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (unusual shaped building upper right) in the frame as it is a well known and recognizable part of the cityscape.

I kept having the sense the horizon wasn't straight caused by the directions of the tail lights. I checked it numerous times so figured it was triggering something.

I tried something that I had never done in making this image using an Olympus OMD E1 MKIII and “Live Composite.” The feature is fun to use but I paid attention to a certain detail and now I wonder, even though I know my detail was correct, if there is a sense of conflict in the image. Any thoughts or comments welcome.

KCMO

Thank you!

Thank you! I used almond milk late one evening on initial setup and when I returned the next morning all the color settled to the bottom. It did work well to give the water some opacity.

Thank you! I have heard that and did use milk in one of these. I also used Xanthan gum in water with food color to get a little extra body to the water.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!