I was looking to add a small walk around camera to my kit. I have an om-d e-m5 ii right now and a few m43 lenses. I’ve been really happy with that, but I want something a little more slim and with a flip up screen (as opposed to flip out screen). IBIS is a must have for me. Other than that, I’ve just been looking to not spend a ton.

So in that vein I’ve been looking at used m43 cameras in the less than $400usd range (preferably less than 200, but I’m considering more to add features). Ones that have gotten my attention have been:

  • lumix gx7
  • lumix gx80/85
  • olympus e-pl6 (and successors)
  • olympus e-p5
  • exciting mystery option (your suggestion goes here)

I’m mostly wondering if people have used these and have any experience or advice on which is best. If there are other things to consider I don’t know about that would be helpful.

The lumix gx7 seems like a really solid choice but I’ve never used a lumix camera before so IDK how they stack up against some of those olympus ones. I’d be buying from mpb, upp, or keh so it had some kind of warranty at least (avoiding ebay et al)… but that does bump the initial price up just a little bit.

Also, my lenses are primarily olympus lenses… which should work but I know sometimes there are quirks with putting them on lumix and vice versa. 🤷

Anyway… if anyone has suggestions or insights it would be much appreciated. 😊

Thanks.

  • DurandalOP
    1·
    23 hours ago

    For walking around… I want something I can walk around in the city. I don’t really do street photography per se since I don’t like photographing people… but I do like landscape and architectural and just documenting my life sort of things. I like nature walks and parks and such as well… not really hiking… more casual stuff.

    My experience is moderate. I started with 35mm in the 80’s and 90’s and worked as an assistant to a portrait and event photog in the early 00’s. So I am not a pro but I’m not new to using a camera. Like I said, I have am om-d e-m5 ii now, which is great but I’d like something with a flip up screen and with a slimmer profile than the SLR body style of the e-m5 as well as a bit less weight. Since I already have several m43 lenses that cover a gamut of focal lengths (7.5mm FE, 14-42mm, 45mm f/1.8, 40-150mm) it feels like just slotting a small m43 body into my kit will be a no brainer. I plan on picking up some small primes soon as well, so all the more reason that sticking with just adding a new m43 body for versatility makes sense. I primarily shoot in manual mode, so having some physical controls to adjust those quickly would be nice, but since this is a secondary body it isn’t a deal breaker if it doesn’t have dual dials.