ACK, I can't decide

[DawnM]

I am selling my Olympus PEN. I just haven't been that pleased with it unless we are in the right lighting and the subjects don't move......

I need a walk around camera as small as the Olympus PEN that I can stick in my purse 90% of the time.

My boys can be active, so, I need something that will not have lag.

My Canon 40D is great when I don't have to walk far or carry it too much, but I really want a smaller camera to keep with me.

Price range is similar to the PEN.....$500 or less.

I have seriously thought of the Canon G series cameras in the past.....thoughts? I like that it can take RAW photos but I can't find much info on action shots.

I don't mind buying used.

I would like to get it before my cruise in 4 weeks.

Thanks,

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

BTW: I got a pancake lens for the Olympus to make it more purse friendly, but then couldn't take any shots that needed a zoom.

My point and shoot trusty Canon ELPH also died, so I am thinking a cross between the two would be great......flat lens when I carry it but has more capabilities than a normal point and shoot.

 

[DawnM]

Hmmmm.....now considering the Canon Rebel SL1. It is about the same size as my Olympus.....and I am already very familiar with the Canon.

 

[havoc315]

The newer Pens have come a long way. You might want to look at the PL5 or PL7.

 

[boBQuincy]

Panasonic's GF, GX, and GM series are about the same size as the Pen (the GM is smaller) and take the same lenses. The GX and GM focus and take the photo very quickly (taken with a GX7):

Check the reviews on dpreview. Maybe take a look at the newer PENs too, as noted they have improved considerably over the older ones.

 

[DawnM]

Thanks guys. I have been checking DPReview, but still am not sure!

Bob, I have to take your advice with added questions. I have long known you are a far superior photographer to anything I can become, and you have pulled some beautiful shots with some crappy cameras in the past. So, I have to ask, could you have taken that same quality of photo with a Pen PL2 like I have?

Dawn

 

[boBQuincy]

Thanks Dawn!

My guess is no, the PL2 is older and focus is likely to be much slower in low light than the GX7. My older G3 could not have done this either. I used a f/2.8 lens for this photo so that helps too. Most of Panasonic's newer cameras use the same sensor as the GX7 so focus speed should be about the same. The newer Olympus (Olympi ?) are probably the equal of the Panasonics, especially the OM series.