Camera confusion

[gogo65]

Hi everyone,
I am not a photographer by any means and usually use a Panasonic point and shoot or a Panasonic waterproof, drop proof weather proof camera or use my iPhone.
In the last few years we have been travelling yearly to different parts of the world (Africa, Guatemala, Morocco, Turkey etc) and we have decided the photos just don't do our visits justice.

So we had a big camera sale here at home and I ended up walking away with two cameras, the sale finished today, so the salesperson was happy enough to let me buy two cameras and return one this week once I have done more research. My problem is i am reading review after review and just getting myself more confused.

So I have bought an Olympus EPL-5 with the 14-42 and 40-150 lenses as a package, my DH wants a view finder so we will buy a viewfinder for it when we go the US in April. The other camera is a sony nex-6 with the 16-50 lens, we will also buy the 55-210 lens.
So there seems to be good and bad in both, price wise the Olympus has come in a bit cheaper by around $100 after factoring the viewfinder for the Olympus and the lenses for the sony.
The main use will be for holidays, the next holiday will be the US and Europe however, we are planning a trip to the arctic for the northern lights next February/march and Antarctica the year after.
Does anyone own either of these or have an opinion please, for someone that feels very overwhelmed at the moment......thanks

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi Gogo. Congratulations on your purchase (whichever one you decide).

I have some friends that have recently sold all their dSLR equipment and change to the micro 4/3rds market. One went with the Sony NEX system and the other went with the Oly PENs. FWIW - Both sets of friends are happy with their respective brands. But their photography styles are very different and I suspect that they chose their cameras/lenses to fit the type of pictures they like to take.


So....a couple of questions. What type of pictures do you like to take and what do you want to do with your pictures? Aside from the holidays, do you take pictures whilst at home or for kids/family or for sport? Do you take pictures at night or inside concerts? Are you after something for wildlife?


I did go looking (window shopping) at the micro 4/3rds myself over Christmas and for me, it actually may be lenses and the range of lenses available that may be tip the scales. I suspect that the lenses you've mentioned might be the standard/kit range. You might like to see if they are suitable for you and your DH's style of pictures.

I do low light photography (indoor concerts, night time shots) - handheld or on tripod - so I would need lenses with at least an aperture size of f/2.8 or better. So, if it were me, I would look at the type of lenses suitable for that kind of photography, what was available in that range and then do a cost comparison on the lenses as well.


I think the Sony NEX has wifi capability; but I'm not sure. So, if you're the type to want to share on social network sites, then the one with wifi may be better for you.


Good luck with the decision!

 

[havoc315]

The reality is, cameras of a similar type, with similar sensor sizes, similar price ranges etc --- Are indeed very similar. Not like one camera is fantastic and one is horrible.

The NEX 6 uses a larger sensor so it will give you slightly better low light performance and slightly better control over depth of field. But not huge differences. Not enough to make impossible shots on the OLY possible on the NEX. In practice, the differences would be very very slight.

The OLY does have more native lenses available, with a very developed lens lineup. (But they both likely have the lenses you want and need). Overall though, lens will be smaller on the OLY. So the system will be a bit more compact. (Smaller sensor allows for smaller lenses).

But mostly, you're going to have to make a decision based on your subjective preferences. Which camera feels better in your hands. Which button layout and menu layout is more comfortable for you. Do you want/need built-in flash and viewfinder or not?
For the types of photography you are doing, which feels more responsive? Focusing faster?

You're in the enviable position of getting to try both cameras, side by side. And you can make an informed decision about which is best for you.

I don't think there is a "wrong" answer.

 

[gogo65]

Thanks. PIO
The lenses that come with both cameras are the standard kit lenses. It seems the lens that comes standard with the sony 16-50 power zoom is only so so.
I know nothing about aperture but I think I have worked out from response you want a lower number for low light? The sony is 16-50 F3.5-5.6, the Olympus is 14-42 F3.5-5.6, so a lens for low light might be required( love taking pictures of cities etc at night)
This will be pretty much a camera to take on holidays, we may use it for the occasional birthday party or my daughter at cheerleading competitions but I think I will continue to use my iPhone for normal everyday photos.
In regards to holidays it would be landscape photos, sunsets, people, animals, buildings etc. we wanted a lens with a good zoom because I find that is what we are lacking mostly when using the point and shoot.
We would definitely buy a lens to take to the northern lights but I wouldn't know where to start( I have 12 months to work it out)
The nex6 does have wifi, but apparently can be clunky to use because the screen is not touch, the oly has a flash air card thingy to wirelessly transfer photos
The Olympus seems to have a better range of lenses and although we don't want to be buying numerous lenses having a choice might be good.

Thanks havoc,
I think you have hit the nail on the head( do you say that in the US?)
I think the reason we are struggling is at the end of the day they are both good cameras and suit our needs.
Probably the hardest part is my DH likes the nex because it feels better in his hands and has the viewfinder and flash, I like the oly because it is all metal, has a touchscreen, is much smaller and looks so pretty. It has the sensor from the OMD which gets great reviews.
If we didn't buy the viewfinder for the oly we would be about $300 better off over the nex, I'm just not sure we need it, we have managed without one on our point and shoots.

Maybe we should keep both

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I think you have hit the nail on the head( do you say that in the US?)

Yep.

Probably the hardest part is my DH likes the nex because it feels better in his hands and has the viewfinder and flash, I like the oly because it is all metal, has a touchscreen, is much smaller and looks so pretty...

Maybe we should keep both

Looks like that salesman knew what he was doing when he let you take both home.

Good luck with whichever one (?) you choose.

 

[hakepb]

Just to confuse you further
If you don't need a viewfinder or flash, you can get the smaller NEX 5R or 5T, and it has a touchscreen.

 

[havoc315]

Just to confuse you further
If you don't need a viewfinder or flash, you can get the smaller NEX 5R or 5T, and it has a touchscreen.

And the NEX6/7 successor is to be announced any day now.

 

[boBQuincy]

To muddy the waters a little more, instead of a E-PL5 with add-on viewfinder you could get a Panasonic G6 or GX7, these have a built-in viewfinder and take the same lenses as Olympus. If you can wait a bit Olympus will announce their E-M10 (low cost version of E-M5, also with built-in viewfinder) next week.

 

[havoc315]

Thanks. PIO
The lenses that come with both cameras are the standard kit lenses. It seems the lens that comes standard with the sony 16-50 power zoom is only so so.
I know nothing about aperture but I think I have worked out from response you want a lower number for low light? The sony is 16-50 F3.5-5.6, the Olympus is 14-42 F3.5-5.6, so a lens for low light might be required( love taking pictures of cities etc at night)
This will be pretty much a camera to take on holidays, we may use it for the occasional birthday party or my daughter at cheerleading competitions but I think I will continue to use my iPhone for normal everyday photos.
In regards to holidays it would be landscape photos, sunsets, people, animals, buildings etc. we wanted a lens with a good zoom because I find that is what we are lacking mostly when using the point and shoot.
We would definitely buy a lens to take to the northern lights but I wouldn't know where to start( I have 12 months to work it out)
The nex6 does have wifi, but apparently can be clunky to use because the screen is not touch, the oly has a flash air card thingy to wirelessly transfer photos
The Olympus seems to have a better range of lenses and although we don't want to be buying numerous lenses having a choice might be good.

Thanks havoc,
I think you have hit the nail on the head( do you say that in the US?)
I think the reason we are struggling is at the end of the day they are both good cameras and suit our needs.
Probably the hardest part is my DH likes the nex because it feels better in his hands and has the viewfinder and flash, I like the oly because it is all metal, has a touchscreen, is much smaller and looks so pretty. It has the sensor from the OMD which gets great reviews.
If we didn't buy the viewfinder for the oly we would be about $300 better off over the nex, I'm just not sure we need it, we have managed without one on our point and shoots.

Maybe we should keep both

They will both have all the lenses you need, but the OLY does currently have a wider selection.

Viewfinders are very helpful --- On a bigger sensor camera (bigger than P&S), properly balancing the camera is more important, and pressing it up against the eye gives you some extra balance. Also very helpful for viewing and composing your images in harsh lighting.

On the NEX, the best low-light lenses, without spending an obscene amount of money, are probably the Sony 35mm F1.8 OSS and the Sony 50mm F1.8 OSS.
For telephoto zoom, you have the Sony 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS which you mentioned.

Remember, because of the difference in sensor size... The 14-42 on the OLY is about equivalent to 16-50 on NEX. (Which is the equivalent of 24-75 on full frame).

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks. PIO
The lenses that come with both cameras are the standard kit lenses. It seems the lens that comes standard with the sony 16-50 power zoom is only so so.
I know nothing about aperture but I think I have worked out from response you want a lower number for low light? The sony is 16-50 F3.5-5.6, the Olympus is 14-42 F3.5-5.6, so a lens for low light might be required( love taking pictures of cities etc at night)
This will be pretty much a camera to take on holidays, we may use it for the occasional birthday party or my daughter at cheerleading competitions but I think I will continue to use my iPhone for normal everyday photos.
In regards to holidays it would be landscape photos, sunsets, people, animals, buildings etc. we wanted a lens with a good zoom because I find that is what we are lacking mostly when using the point and shoot.
We would definitely buy a lens to take to the northern lights but I wouldn't know where to start( I have 12 months to work it out)
The nex6 does have wifi, but apparently can be clunky to use because the screen is not touch, the oly has a flash air card thingy to wirelessly transfer photos
The Olympus seems to have a better range of lenses and although we don't want to be buying numerous lenses having a choice might be good.

Thanks havoc,
I think you have hit the nail on the head( do you say that in the US?)
I think the reason we are struggling is at the end of the day they are both good cameras and suit our needs.
Probably the hardest part is my DH likes the nex because it feels better in his hands and has the viewfinder and flash, I like the oly because it is all metal, has a touchscreen, is much smaller and looks so pretty. It has the sensor from the OMD which gets great reviews.
If we didn't buy the viewfinder for the oly we would be about $300 better off over the nex, I'm just not sure we need it, we have managed without one on our point and shoots.

Maybe we should keep both

If the comps are in a bright area (outdoor/daytime or indoor/well lit stadium), the lenses will be fine. If they are indoor and darkly lit, then you definitely might want to consider getting a lens with a 'lower number'.

For the types of pictures you want to take during the holidays, the lenses will probably be fine as well. And if you do find that you need something better for the night, you can always balance the camera on something flat and leave the lens open for a longer time or use a tripod. I also suspect that the lenses and the camera capabilities might be enough for your cheerleading comps; assuming decent lighting.

If neither you nor your DH are currently bitten by the photo-bug, then in the interest of keeping the costs down, pick one or the other and go with the kit lenses. No point spending the money unless you know you're going to love it enough to want to live with one eye down the barrel of a camera. If you then get bitten by the bug, then I'm sure you'll find plenty of people here more than happy to help you spend your money.


The question will be what lens for Aurora Borealis! But as you said...you have a year to figure it out.


Of course, you could always wait for the new models to come out; but then you'll be back in the situation of having to work out what you want. At least now, you're down to 2.

Just remember - equipment DOES help. But it does come down to how willing you are to learn to use it and what you do with the knowledge.

 

[gogo65]

Wow' thank you all for your detailed responses, still feeling very overwhelmed.
Our friend who is into photography is edging us towards the nex 6, although he also said if we weren't planning on spending thousands on lenses maybe we could go for the sony rx-10.
Birdsofprey you may just be correct

Bobquincy you have me very interested in the em-10, it seems it may be released tomorrow, I'm wondering how quickly reviews will come out.
Havoc I wonder when the new nex6 will come out, if that had a touch screen it would make the choice easier.
Hakepb the viewfinder although not compulsory would prefer one.

PIO DD's competitions are normally in large stadiums with excellent light, otherwise they may drop them

Oh dear, might be time to sleep on it again

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Not surprising your friend would nudge you toward the NEX. There is a bias against Olympus and 4:3 out there, for sure; maybe less so with micro 4:3 now that they've proven themselves to be capable cameras. (Brand Wars are alive and well in the photography world!) You have to know what you're dealing with and it sounds like you really do, even if it doesn't feel that way. I am impressed you know that the PEN has the same sensor as the OMD. That is huge. Many reviewers have said they'd be comfortable using an OMD in place of their DSLR since image results, as a pp has mentioned, are pretty darned close when you "pixel peep". (I have never been a big pixel peeper myself. I'm more concerned with getting images I like than trying to impress anyone else.)

Of course, it helps with whatever camera you use to know how to use it and principles of photography. If you haven't read Understanding Exposure, you shoud start there. I believe there is also a Dummy series for many of the PENs (and I'm sure also the NEXs). The best images will come from people who can make the camera sing. You have to learn how to do that no matter which camera you buy. Too many people come on here and say the camera stinks, when usually user error and unfamiliarity are the biggest problems. And it can take a good, long time to get good at it; you can't give up.

In all reality, when you use an interchangeable lens camera, you will have to, well, change lenses. That's the caveat. If you didn't, then you could stick with a point and shoot. I have both of those kit lenses for the PEN (and for the 4:3 Olympus cameras) and although they are considered some of the best kit lenses out there, they will be limited in certain situations, such as low light and indoor sports. Does that mean you shouldn't choose them? Heck no! You just have to learn to use other tools at your disposal and at some point, another "fast" lens or two. This is the case for most people who buy an interchangeable lens camera, no matter what they wind up buying. "Lens Aquisition Syndrome" is something that happens when you get into the hobby beyond a point and shoot.

I am with the crowd that says go with whichever feels best in your hands and intuitive to use; the one you like best, etc. I can tell you that in my house, if DH liked the NEX best and I liked the PEN, we'd probably each just get our own. I mean, what good is it to not like to use a certain camera? How much use will you actually get out of it if you don't know how to use it and don't like how it feels, etc. Not much, if what people post here is true. If photography is important to you, you have to use a camera you love.

Good luck with your decision. Either camera will be great.

 

[gogo65]

Thank you pea-n-me for your input,
I agree I think my friend was biased towards the Sony, although he did call back after I said something about the omd sensor, and said it would be a good camera after researching it.
As for going with what we love, DH likes the Sony, I like the Olympus but we will only be getting one! The budget and the passion doesn't extend to any more than $1000.
Bobquincy, the OMD EM10, looks good just read the press release, seems it has everything we want, we aren't compromising on anything, only problem, I have no idea what it all means, as much as it has our must haves,(viewfinder, flash, touch screen etc) I'm not sure about the technical specs, to compare it the other two, obviously being new, it will be a while before reviews start to trickle out. Price wise it seems reasonable, I'm thinking I may wait....

 

[SplashMo]

The EM-10 should be identical to the E-PL5. However with the added bonus of a build in view finder and better controls. Not sure if it has a tilt screen or not...

 

[gogo65]

The EM-10 should be identical to the E-PL5. However with the added bonus of a build in view finder and better controls. Not sure if it has a tilt screen or not...

Yep it has a tilt and touch screen

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I just got this today in my email:

Olympus E-M10 OMD

 

[boBQuincy]

More information on the E-M10 at 43rumors.com. The camera looks good but I don't see why they stick with the SLR look when there is no need to (no pentaprism). Panasonic's GX7 is more my style.

 

[Renysmom]

I am very excited about the new Oly M10. This may be the camera that puts me into a mirror-less system.

If it helps I was a diehard Oly user for years and years.. Somehow I got talked into switching to Canon about 6 months ago. Huge mistake for me. I just am not happy with the camera or the results I've been getting so I am seriously looking at the M10. As soon as my camera store has one I will be renting it for a few days to check it out. Reviews on Dpreview are all positive so far.

 

[gogo65]

Just an update on our camera dilemma,
We returned both cameras today as we were able to pick up an Olympus
Omd-em5 twin lens kit for $880 AUD, about $770USD, one of our major department stores had it on sale as a clearance item for $1100 and then had 20% off that price if we spent $50 on accessories.
So we bought it, DH is currently working out how to use it

 

[PrincessInOz]

Just an update on our camera dilemma,
We returned both cameras today as we were able to pick up an Olympus
Omd-em5 twin lens kit for $880 AUD, about $770USD, one of our major department stores had it on sale as a clearance item for $1100 and then had 20% off that price if we spent $50 on accessories.
So we bought it, DH is currently working out how to use it

Congrats Gogo.