Giving Micro Four Thirds a shot

[rossb]

I played with a Lumix GF3 in a NYC camera store and I really liked it. It is tiny, the lenses are small and light, it offers plenty of control, focus was super fast, and the online samples look really good even over ISO 800. I am going to use it when I want better than compact P&S quality, but I don't want to carry my D7000 and lenses. The GF3 does not have a flash hotshoe, but I can use my Nikon SU-4 and SB-28 when I need more flash. I've used it with my Lumix ZS7 compact P&S and it works well. It also lacks an EVF, but I did not want to step up to the bigger and more expensive G3.

I ordered the GF3 with the 14-42 kit lens and a Lumix 45-200 zoom. I know that these are not top quality lenses, but they should be good for what I plan to do with it. I may eventually get one of the fast pancake primes as well. This should be a great light weight kit to carry around WDW.

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gf3/index.html

 

[Buzzguy]

I like mine. I have an Olympus Ep1 that I bought a couple years ago now. I quite like it, great for going light. I have the Oly 14-150mm and the Panasonic 20mm and that takes care of most things when I'm traveling. At night I'll take a Gorillapod and I'm off. Enjoy!

 

[photo_chick]

I'm considering getting my husband a mirrorless so I can borrow it. He's been using the heck out of our daughter's point and shoot lately. He likes to shoot video, too. What's been y'alls experience with video and these? and when I say video here, I mean causal clips of kids playing on vacation and stuff, not anything complicated.

 

[Pugrpooh]

I have the Oly E-PL2 two lens kit plus the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7. We've been on two trips so far with it and really like being able to travel lighter. The flash on the E-PL2 can be bounced, which is a really nice feature.

With the Panny 20mm, I was finally able to get good aquarium photos like this one from Sea World.

 

[zackiedawg]

Mirrorless cameras are excellent 2nd bodies for DSLR shooters - they give you much the same abilities and versatilites as DSLRs, in a smaller and lighter package. Where they don't compete with DSLRs, such as in speed, focus tracking, etc, that's where you whip out the DSLR. Otherwise, the mirrorless cameras can be the perfect camera either alongside the DSLR for different focal lengths without having to switch lenses, or to take the place of the DSLR when you want to travel lighter but don't want to give up large sensor image quality.

I've had my Sony NEX for 4 months or so now - it's served many times alongside my DSLR, including on a Disney trip, and for a shorter Disney side excursion during some business travel it actually came in place of the DSLR - no disappointments at all - it performed beautifully and was definitely nice to have such a small and light package but without having to compromise on high ISO ability, interchangeable lenses, or shallow depth of field ability.

You should thoroughly enjoy your M4:3!

 

[rossb]

I ended up with a G3 after all. Here it is next to some of my other cams. It is a nice size.