I have a Canon T1i that I absolutely love, but my "backup, have everywhere, lives in the purse, easy to travel" camera is a five-ish year old Canon SD750 point and shoot.
I am thinking about getting a new backup camera, primarily for everyday use and also potentially for multi-day hiking trips, when the full DSLR size would be prohibitive. I have been very impressed with @fueast pictures using her Micro 4/3 Olympus PEN, and I would love people's opinions about Micro 4/3 cameras vs. point-and-shoots.
@archaeofrog Hi Katie! The Micro 4/3rds title caught my eye, so here I am! :) I, personally, am a Lumix GF1 user and I love every second of my time with it! It's light-weight, it's compact, it's a DSLR, I can change lenses with it -- it's just very versatile! :) I use it to learn about photography: t's technical side and its art side.
P&S would be a nice thing to have too -- as a back-up camera, as you say. I would like something I can pocket very easily and that can automatically take photos of scenes/events that happen very quickly. But mainly I would like something I can put in my back pocket (which I can't do with a GF1, although I think the GF1 is a great everyday-camera). :)
I am also looking at the new EVIL cameras. Apparently the Sony NEX and Olympus PEN are the two to go for. Their bodies are small and lightweight like a p&s but once you start adding lenses they become too big for your pocket or small purse.
I have a Panasonic Lumix TZ10 p&s with a 12x zoom and its a great little compact camera.
I have a NEX and it has been my main camera for a year, with my iPhone as back up. I've now upgraded to a canon 7d, but kept my NEX for backup. It's not really throw in your handbag neat and small with the 18-55 lens on, but it's great for sightseeing, street shots etc as its light enough to grip with one hand. I guess it all depends what you want your camera to do and what you need it for? Having the sensor/megapixel capabilities of a NEX means your snapshots are great quality for printing/sharing etc, well better than an iPhone anyway!
@brumbe@archaeofrog@kjarn The great thing about the PEN is interchangeability of lens with Panasonic, and also usability of vintage lenses as per below. Unlike Panasonic, Olympus has onboard image stabilisation. There is a decent range of Olympus lenses. Camera is light to carry and I like image quality. There are a range of shooting options from creative programs to fully manual. Guess I am an Olympus fan - always have been
@vjjoson Thanks, VJ. You mention speed as a potential issue for you with your Lumix. Is that a problem that comes up a lot or is it just slower for really high speed things like sports or quickly moving wildlife?
@kjarn Thanks for the tips, Kathy. I've seen from some other posts about very small or "pancake" lenses to keep the size and weight down, but that might blow my budget!
@lilbudhha Thanks for the link! I love my current Canon, and I didn't know that they had an entry in the 'smaller' but bigger than P&S sensor range. I'll have to take a look. What made you chose it over any others?
@emsabh Thanks, Art. The PEN was the first Micro 4/3s I noticed other 365-ers using. Would you still recommend the 1 or do you know anything about the changes made for the 2 and 3? I'm not an "early adopter" by any means and am considering the 1 as a way to save significant $$.
@charli321 Thanks Charli. What I'm looking for is similar to what you are talking about, something smaller and more portable than my DSLR (without adding giant-size lenses, of course). Now that you have the 7d do you feel like there are certain things that your NEX is missing or certain areas where you find it comes in more handy?
@peterdegraaff Thanks for the specifics about the Olympus, as that is one of the ones that I am considering. Do you have any specific lenses that you would recommend (not vintage, per se, but portable)? Thanks!
@archaeofrog
Three reasons:
1. Pocketability. The G1x gives a greater range in a smaller package than any mirrorless "large" sensor camera.
2. Interchangeable lenses. While this makes for a terrific camera system, it reduces the portability if I need carry a bunch of lenses. You need carry at least two to match the G1x.* And I already have a lens monster in my DSLR.
3. Inconspicuousity. Despite the knobs and dials the G-series has, an all in one looks less serious. Therefore should generate less paranoid reaction.
*Or one comparatively large lens, reducing the compact intent.
@archaeofrog Thanks so much for the mention. Yeah the PEN is the only camera I use now. I had a film SLR and then a point and shoot but I am happy with the PEN. Its light enough to carry in a rucksack but has manual settings and changeable lenses. I bought the basic kit to start with but a year later decided I wanted the zoom. I think its much more expensive to buy them separately so the kits with more than one lens could turn out to be good value if you have the money up front. I have also recently got a macro converter which was used on the frost shots posted last week. None of my pics are SOOC though! I use photomatix and photoshop elements a lot. I wouldn''t say the pEN is a pocket camera. But the weight hasn't been an issue for me and its easy to shoot with one hand too. There are lots of choices - probably more now then when I bought the PEN a year ago. Have a good look around and enjoy the shopping!
@archaeofrog another olympus user and fan here. i think after a bit you would find one to be more than a backup. one thing not mentioned is while still not a pocket camera (except a large coat pocket) the lenses are smaller as well. i suggest reading as many reviews as you can find and then choose, that's what i did.
@archaeofrog Depends if you know the type of photos you want to catch from your backup. I have a 20 mm Panasonic lens and a short zoom to keep in my work bag, so to have a wide ISO or super fast shutter speed isn't critical. Having said that, my only wish is to have less noise at the higher ISO for the E-PL1, which would be the only reason for me to upgrade. Have fun though. Can't go wrong with any of the four thirds.
@archaeofrog Hi Katie, I've yet to venture out with the 7D, but the NEX does everything that you would want from a basic DSLR, it just has the lack of lens' issue. I still love my NEX and though I traded in the 18-200mm zoom lens for it I couldn't face trading in the camera and basic lens', it's been a trouper of a camera!
@chard@fueast so glad there are more Mt Olympus people out there. I have the E-620 dslr and love it. The only one not posted here is @bobfoto and he must join in.
@brumbe@fueast My advice is to go into a shop and try one out to find body you like and features then purchase online. I bought twin lens kit but subsequently have bought the 9-18mm and woohoo 75-300mm online for less than have retail cost. It is a question of looking around. I tend to use 9-18mm all time because it is so compact and the light is gorgeous
@brumbe - One of my favourite friends from on top of Mount Olympus has just joined the 365 family and I daresay he would like to comment on this discussion thread. Over to you @flacko_man
@archaeofrog My GF1 is fantastic where speed is concerned. I suppose what I had in mind when I said that is, since I am working mostly on Manual (just studying it), it would be nice to have another camera that's pocket-able and already set on automatic for quick captures when changing my camera settings would be more of a hassle and causes me to miss my shot.
But then again, I guess I just need to know my camera more (or better) if I want to be adept in quickly changing the settings for whatever circumstances. :D The GF1 so far is perfect for me and my needs. :)
Oh, and on really high speed shots, I haven't tried it yet. :)
Thank you again for adding on and for all the insights! I think I definitely need to get out to the camera store and do some looking around and to really get a feel for the sizes / bodies of everything.
(I guess, as a girl, when people say 'pocket,' I'm really thinking purse. And, truth be told, I can (and have) fit my DSLR in my purse, so it's more a question of weight than actual pocket-ness.)
Overall, I think the PEN might really be a great option for me; although the new Canon sounds intriguing, I think it'd quite bust my budget at this point!
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P&S would be a nice thing to have too -- as a back-up camera, as you say. I would like something I can pocket very easily and that can automatically take photos of scenes/events that happen very quickly. But mainly I would like something I can put in my back pocket (which I can't do with a GF1, although I think the GF1 is a great everyday-camera). :)
I have a Panasonic Lumix TZ10 p&s with a 12x zoom and its a great little compact camera.
@kjarn Thanks for the tips, Kathy. I've seen from some other posts about very small or "pancake" lenses to keep the size and weight down, but that might blow my budget!
@brumbe Thanks for alerting others with insights!
@lilbudhha Thanks for the link! I love my current Canon, and I didn't know that they had an entry in the 'smaller' but bigger than P&S sensor range. I'll have to take a look. What made you chose it over any others?
@emsabh Thanks, Art. The PEN was the first Micro 4/3s I noticed other 365-ers using. Would you still recommend the 1 or do you know anything about the changes made for the 2 and 3? I'm not an "early adopter" by any means and am considering the 1 as a way to save significant $$.
@charli321 Thanks Charli. What I'm looking for is similar to what you are talking about, something smaller and more portable than my DSLR (without adding giant-size lenses, of course). Now that you have the 7d do you feel like there are certain things that your NEX is missing or certain areas where you find it comes in more handy?
@peterdegraaff Thanks for the specifics about the Olympus, as that is one of the ones that I am considering. Do you have any specific lenses that you would recommend (not vintage, per se, but portable)? Thanks!
Three reasons:
1. Pocketability. The G1x gives a greater range in a smaller package than any mirrorless "large" sensor camera.
2. Interchangeable lenses. While this makes for a terrific camera system, it reduces the portability if I need carry a bunch of lenses. You need carry at least two to match the G1x.* And I already have a lens monster in my DSLR.
3. Inconspicuousity. Despite the knobs and dials the G-series has, an all in one looks less serious. Therefore should generate less paranoid reaction.
*Or one comparatively large lens, reducing the compact intent.
But then again, I guess I just need to know my camera more (or better) if I want to be adept in quickly changing the settings for whatever circumstances. :D The GF1 so far is perfect for me and my needs. :)
Oh, and on really high speed shots, I haven't tried it yet. :)
Thank you again for adding on and for all the insights! I think I definitely need to get out to the camera store and do some looking around and to really get a feel for the sizes / bodies of everything.
(I guess, as a girl, when people say 'pocket,' I'm really thinking purse. And, truth be told, I can (and have) fit my DSLR in my purse, so it's more a question of weight than actual pocket-ness.)
Overall, I think the PEN might really be a great option for me; although the new Canon sounds intriguing, I think it'd quite bust my budget at this point!