What micro 4/3 to buy?

I have a nice dslr setup but looking for something smaller to carry around on short trips etc. as well. Just need a walk around lens (no telephoto). What are your recommendations? Hoping to spend no more than about $600.00.

I just got a used Panasonic G3 ($300) and a 20mm 1.7 ($300ish used) and carry it around in my backpack. Awesome combination - the G3 is close to the OMD in image quality but is a fraction of the price (but, of course, you loose out on weather sealing, IBIS, and the retro styling). Very happy with the combo. You could add the 14-42 for $80 used and have a pretty versatile kit.

DL Photo wrote in post #15197174
I have a nice dslr setup but looking for something smaller to carry around on short trips etc. as well. Just need a walk around lens (no telephoto). What are your recommendations? Hoping to spend no more than about $600.00.

Do you want a viewfinder, or is size more important?

Is a relatively slow 28-84mm zoom OK, or would a faster prime lens be better?

Well, a viewfinder is nice but not a deal breaker. Size is more important. I'd prefer the zoom lens. Can always buy a prime as an extra.

Lots to choose from in that price range. Do you want to buy new or used, get a smaller or larger body, have a preference for Olympus or Panasonic, etc?

No preference for make. I'd buy used but need to have a better idea of which models are better than others. Micro 4/3 is a whole new area for me ( been dslr for a while now).

If you want latest and greatest option you have the Olympus E-PL5, but that's $700 with kit lens, and you have the E-PM2, for $600 with kit lens. E-PL5 is larger but still compact, and offers more bells and whistles. Both include a flash unit, and an EVF is an option you could add to either later.

There are some outstanding used options available, but I'm hard-pressed to recommend something other than these two cameras. They feature the newest Sony 16MP sensor, which is also found in the E-M5. I find the capability of that sensor in the Olympus cameras to be a pretty big step beyond previous iterations. For example, I would suggest that the E-M5 is at least on par with your 7D for IQ. I've owned them both.

The issue is that these cameras are new (E-PM2 is not even out just yet) and they tend to fall off pretty hard in value by their first birthday. With the new sensor that may not happen so quickly or dramatically, but it is something to be aware of if you tend to keep checking prices and get stressed because you paid full ticket.

Another option is to pick up a very cheap E-PM1 ($170 for refurbs at Cameta) and a used 14-42 lens for maybe $100 (check mu-43.com classifieds). You can try out the system and the Olympus user interface, and if you like it look to pick up one of the newer models when they have seen some softening on price. You'd be able to re-sell the E-PM1 at a minimal loss.

Thanks for the useful info. This will be a big help. Any thoughts on the E-PL3 model?

I've also been thinking about this. Is Sony NEX a M4/3 camera?

I have a few M42 manual lenses and would like to use those.

abjam77 wrote in post #15197228
I just got a used Panasonic G3 ($300) and a 20mm 1.7 ($300ish used) and carry it around in my backpack. Awesome combination - the G3 is close to the OMD in image quality but is a fraction of the price ...........

I have this combination and it's a really sharp low light combo at a great price.
The 20mm is the most Leicaesque m4/3 lens I have, creating excellent bokeh and razor sharp edges.
The G3 was always underpriced in the UK..great little piece of Chinese manufacture ( hence the price I guess )

DL Photo wrote in post #15197468
Thanks for the useful info. This will be a big help. Any thoughts on the E-PL3 model?

The E-PL3, the E-P3 and the E-PM1 will all produce very similar images. DIfferent price points, sizes and features. You're pretty much choosing price vs features among those three.

The Panasonic GX1 is also worth considering. They've been on sale at times for $400 with kit lens. I personally prefer Olympus, especially if you prefer JPEGs with little need for processing. If you are a raw shooter then the Panasonic would be an equally good choice IMO. It has built in flash and optional EVF.

I use to own an Olympus E-PM1 and the E-PL1. Olympus jpegs are OUTSTANDING.

I have an Olympus E PL-2 with the 14-42 mm kit lens($350) and the Panasonic 40-200mm telephoto ($200) and I also got the VF 2 ($220) at the same time. Some of the prices may have changed. I am happy with the IQ, and although it is not a lightning fast camera, it does a nice job for what it is. Here is a shot from a baseball game and a pano of the stadium as an example. I shot both of these from the right field boxes; the shot of Hanley Ramirez was made with the Panasonic at 200mm.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/64775760@N07/7​201191558/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/64775760@N07/7​201193218/

Nice pano shot. I may just go with the E-PL3. Reviews seem okay for that price. Not expecting the same results as a dslr but the portability will be great. Thanks for all the advice.

There are a number of distinct sensor variations amongst the Micro 4/3 cameras that have been released so far. The basic 12MP sensor is found in every Olympus except the newest E-M5, E-PM2, and E-PL5 models, and is also used in the Panasonic G1, G2, GF1, GF2, and GF3. There are differences between the output of these cameras, particularly in colour between the Panasonic and Olympus cameras, but it never was the greatest sensor IMO. The GH1 introduced a different multi-aspect senor that had a lot better dynamic range and less noise but it did suffer from banding at higher ISOs. The GH2 fixed the banding and had a higher resolution and almost as much DR as the GH1. The G3 and GX1 have a newer 16MP sensor which was less noisy at high ISOs than the others but had the same limited DR as the 12MP sensor. The E-M5, E-PM2, and E-PL5 have a new Sony sensor (reportedly) which is the best so far in all areas.

Personally I use an E-M5 and a GH1. I have also had a succession of older Olympus Pens and a GF1 and they were very compact cameras but I was never really happy with the 12MP sensor.