Compact System Cameras
Discussion
Does anyone on PH have any experience with compact system cameras?
I want to buy a new camera that I can learn more about photography with but do not want to carry round a DSLR and all the extra kit.
What are the views on these types of camera. The Olympus E-PM 1 has caught my eye mainly due to the price and that it appears to get good reviews.
I want to buy a new camera that I can learn more about photography with but do not want to carry round a DSLR and all the extra kit.
What are the views on these types of camera. The Olympus E-PM 1 has caught my eye mainly due to the price and that it appears to get good reviews.
RosscoPCole said:
Does anyone on PH have any experience with compact system cameras?
I want to buy a new camera that I can learn more about photography with but do not want to carry round a DSLR and all the extra kit.
What are the views on these types of camera. The Olympus E-PM 1 has caught my eye mainly due to the price and that it appears to get good reviews.
just collected today my new Nikon J1 with two lenses.I want to buy a new camera that I can learn more about photography with but do not want to carry round a DSLR and all the extra kit.
What are the views on these types of camera. The Olympus E-PM 1 has caught my eye mainly due to the price and that it appears to get good reviews.
I already have a Nikon D300S and 10 FX and DX lenses, so could use all of them with the adapter.
It seems very good to use, if only after a few hours of use!!
I just needed a good portable for snaps, that was not as bulky as my D300S!!
They split the verdicts usually.
I've got a Lumix G3, love it, but it does what I want it to do. I can learn the basics on it, get fantastic shots, and it's not too big. It's also "wife friendly" so she can take good shots without the need to know how an SLR works. The downside is that if I decide to go down an SLR route at some point I'll need to replace the lot. lenses aren't cheap, but you can get adapters so they can take SLR lenses as well.
I was in the same boat as you and went for this knowing it's limitations and the thought I might need to go SLR in the future - go in with your eyes open and they're great.
I've got a Lumix G3, love it, but it does what I want it to do. I can learn the basics on it, get fantastic shots, and it's not too big. It's also "wife friendly" so she can take good shots without the need to know how an SLR works. The downside is that if I decide to go down an SLR route at some point I'll need to replace the lot. lenses aren't cheap, but you can get adapters so they can take SLR lenses as well.
I was in the same boat as you and went for this knowing it's limitations and the thought I might need to go SLR in the future - go in with your eyes open and they're great.
Got a Sony NEX-5n before and it made me sell my Canon SLR stuff. The quality easily matches SLRs in the same price range although the lens range is limited. Now sold that for a Olympus OM-D E-M5 and am very very happy with it. Tend to take it everywhere, something I stopped doing with the SLR a while ago.
The Olympus EPM1 uses the old 12MP sensor which isn't the best, but it is certainly small. Truly Pocket friendly, but it aimed at compact upgraders rather than SLR 'downgraders' due to lack of buttons for easy control access. I'd recommend that model over a point and shoot, but not if you're after most SLR benefits like ergonomics.
The Olympus EPM1 uses the old 12MP sensor which isn't the best, but it is certainly small. Truly Pocket friendly, but it aimed at compact upgraders rather than SLR 'downgraders' due to lack of buttons for easy control access. I'd recommend that model over a point and shoot, but not if you're after most SLR benefits like ergonomics.
Most of these compact systems are good for normal shots - people/holidays even landscapes, but when I did a test on the G3 for action stuff (airshow) last year I found it rather wanting.
My usual camera is a 7D so I grant you it is bit of an unfair comparison, but the AF on the G3 was pretty slow to acquire and track, and the frame rate was pedestrian. The Pentax *istD I had back in 2003 was as quick.
Static shots I took with it were nice and punchy with good detail though so it depends what you want it for.
Some of the newer systems, the nikon included, seem to offer the speed which will make them better for action, but you are paying a premium for the compact dimensions when you consider how good (and relatively cheap) the entry level canon and nikon DSLRs are.
Horses for courses though and if you don't need the speed and just want a good solid, but small, camera for every day stuff they all have their plus points.
Best option is to go down to a local camera shop and get your hands on a few. Ergonomics will play a big part in how easy you find them to use so always worth handling a few.
EDIT: One final thought, I found the battery life on the G3 rather shockingly poor as well. Less than 200 shots from a full charge iirc. I have two in my 7D and can comfortable take and review 4000.
I appreciate most people on most days will not take that many, but I would budget for a spare anyway as it does not matter how good the camera is if the battery is flat when you need/want to take a picture.
My usual camera is a 7D so I grant you it is bit of an unfair comparison, but the AF on the G3 was pretty slow to acquire and track, and the frame rate was pedestrian. The Pentax *istD I had back in 2003 was as quick.
Static shots I took with it were nice and punchy with good detail though so it depends what you want it for.
Some of the newer systems, the nikon included, seem to offer the speed which will make them better for action, but you are paying a premium for the compact dimensions when you consider how good (and relatively cheap) the entry level canon and nikon DSLRs are.
Horses for courses though and if you don't need the speed and just want a good solid, but small, camera for every day stuff they all have their plus points.
Best option is to go down to a local camera shop and get your hands on a few. Ergonomics will play a big part in how easy you find them to use so always worth handling a few.
EDIT: One final thought, I found the battery life on the G3 rather shockingly poor as well. Less than 200 shots from a full charge iirc. I have two in my 7D and can comfortable take and review 4000.
I appreciate most people on most days will not take that many, but I would budget for a spare anyway as it does not matter how good the camera is if the battery is flat when you need/want to take a picture.
Edited by Javam on Friday 18th May 19:59
I've got a Panasonic G3 and have had Micro 4/3rd cameras for the last 2 or 3 years and think they're great for their size. I bought it so that I would always be able to carry it on me and it fulfilled that role well. You get all the controls you do on a DSLR. The quality of the pictures is quite surprising and better than some older DSLRs out there. A newer one will be better but then they're a lot more money and they are still bigger.
Having said all of that I am now getting rid of all of my Micro 4/3rd stuff so I can buy some more Canon SLR stuff as I am now using that a lot more. Things like an optical viewfinder and better autofocus have won for me over portability. If you were interested in the G3 with a 14mm lens and some batteries, timer shutter release etc let me know as it'll be going on eBay this weekend.
Having said all of that I am now getting rid of all of my Micro 4/3rd stuff so I can buy some more Canon SLR stuff as I am now using that a lot more. Things like an optical viewfinder and better autofocus have won for me over portability. If you were interested in the G3 with a 14mm lens and some batteries, timer shutter release etc let me know as it'll be going on eBay this weekend.
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