was looking for which MFT cam was best for me and discovered this camera at a pretty decent price according to CamelCamel https://au.camelcamelcamel.com/product/B077WBNKYT
Enjoy!
(btw, if y'all had good recommendations for lenses to start out with for this camera, please mention them in the comments please :D)
CamelCamelCamel.
Panasonic 25mm f1.7 isn't quite as good but it's a lot cheaper.
Never seen a 12-40mm under $500 before used, they're usually $600+, I've been keeping an eye out for months too.
Would this be a better option and price point considering it comes with a lens?
https://www.amazon.com.au/Olympus-M-Zuiko-Digital-14-42mm-F3…
Kit 14-42 is a bit meh…
idk, how much is that lens usually? lens specs looked run of the mill (but I have no exp, so might be talking out of my ass)
I sold my gen2 one for about $100 years ago
The 14-42 pancake isnt amazing, but its nice for a cheap and very compact lens.
Should be able to grab one second hand for about $100, so no not worth it buying new in a kit.
btw the s in Mark iiis is a slightly updated version with silent shooting mode, so not exactly the same
I swear by my Oly 45 f1.8, can't go wrong, picked it up for 220 second hand
TLDR: Get the Zuiko Pro 12-100 f4. It's super versatile, the only lens I took on a solo around the world trip, and a big enough step-up from camera phones to be worth using. But, the Olympus' key advantage is its small form factor and weight. If that's not important for you, I reckon you'll find Fuji or Sony to be a more capable camera system overall, in which case you should just get a kit Olympus lens and save some cash.
Long version: Good find at a great price! I've been an Olympus user for 10+ years (since the e410). To answer your lens question, I suggest you answer a different question first - how committed are you to the m43 system. The reason I ask this is because if, like me, you are a committed m43 user, then spend more on Zuiko Pro lenses. It really is worth it. But if you have any doubts, then don't. The m43 system has its trade offs and Fuji is an attractive alternative. I'll give my perspective, I'm an amateur travel photographer, but I have been published.
The saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you at the time you need it. This is true, and the key word in my self description above is travel. I'm a travel photographer. This means I need my camera to be light, small, versatile (can shoot scenery, wild animals, and jet fighters), and work without a tripod. This way, I have a camera that does its job with me when I'm on a 6 hour trek up Yosemite, or waiting for the blood moon eclipse in Venice. To clarify, I have very little interest in portrait, wedding, street photography of anything of that sort.
In this regard, the Olympus is perfect. M43 means for telephoto, the equivalent lens is smaller (meaning a 10x zoom lens in m43 is much smaller than the same in full frame). The same goes for any application where you need a small and versatile camera to perform under challenging situations. If this is you, then I'd suggest the Zuiko Pro 12-100 f4. This is a highly versatile travel lens and the only one I brought on a solo around the world trip. The aperture isn't the best, but it is workable - and far more practical than taking different lenses on a glacier trek in Alaska. For what it's worth, I have both the 12-100 f4 and the 12-40 f2.8.
If the above use case for the camera does not sound like you, I'd suggest not spending too much and get a kit lens. You might find as you take more photos, that other systems like Fuji's enviably accomplished T series suit your needs better. Or Sony for that matter, if you don't mind investing in a hobby. You'll need to buy lenses for those systems if you decide to get those cameras. Those cameras are not quite as small as the Olympus, but one area they probably perform better in is the autofocus. In dark lighting, my Olympus hunts and hunts for focus and it drives me insane. I am using a very old OMD EM1 Mark 1 (they are super reliable, mine works very well and has 100k+ shots). But the focus hunt is inane and infuriating. You can still get the shots, that's for sure, but it will take you 5x the work. That's hard when you're just trying to enjoy what you're doing.
Hope that helps!
Woah thanks so much for all the advice! I really really appreciate it 🤗 I'll being doing heaps of cosplay photos (mostly portrait, some landscape), so that autofocus mention was important!
I really like the lower price points and lighter lenses of the m43 systems but don't have enough context as to how life would be with them. This having a tough time deciding.
This really helped, I'm still undecided but it your story has a lot of needed context!
Hey mate, very welcome! For cosplay, I'd say go m43. The reason is focus hunting happens mostly in low light which I don't think applies to cosplay scenarios. In decent lighting, it focuses fast. Also keep in mind as @Buy2Much says, later generations have improved. Mine is the Mark 1 so I think at least 5 years old. The body is all scratched up, rubber over thumb rest is gone, but still works haha! As for landscapes, the m43 will work fine and if you do a lot of night cityscapes, it's still ok. Yes it will focus hunt but it's not a shot you must capture in the moment. One thing I am sure you will enjoy is the smaller form factor and lighter weight when carrying it around.
From what I can tell about your use case, I'd say go the 12-100 f4. Keep in mind, you wont need most of the telephoto range for cosplay, but if you're going to spend decent money, might as well get your bases covered if your photography style develops. You might end up at the F1 and really want to take good pics, the longer telephoto will give you that flexibility whereas the 12-40 will not. Good luck mate I hope you will get some great shots and enjoy the process!
+1 for the 12-100mm. I spent ages searching for something equivalent when I moved to full frame (Tamron 28-200mm is close, but just a little long in the wide end). My EM1 died and the repair shop said the cost to fix was greater than the cost of camera, but until then it was a reliable and solid body.
Good feedback. I must add that I don’t have AF issue on the E-M5 mark II and III. My keeper ratio for my Olympus is E-M5 is around similar to my full frame Canon R. Also BIS is better/easier implemented for smaller sensors and Olympus is known for having the best BIS around. Which is why they are popular with bird watchers and action photographers who also want lightweight super telephoto lenses. I have used both 150-600mm full frame lens and m4/3 100-400 lens (200-800 ff equivalent). I prefer the latter system, especially when going on trips.
P.s. Lumix Leica 12-60 F2.8-4 is versatile while maintaining good image quality. I replaced my Olympus 12-40 f2.8 with that.
If anyone was still itchy, there's a similarly priced one here https://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/olympus-om-d-e-m10…
might need to pay for shipping tho
I updated the post as it came back in stock on Amazon :D
If anyone else is considering an M4/3 and lens package, I'd recommend this Olympus E-M1 Mk II with 12-200mm Lens for $1799 delivered.
Summary for the lens:
While not in the same class as the 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens, it is weather-sealed and covers a 16.6x zoom range (24-400mm equivalent in 35mm format) and is smaller, lighter in weight and lower in price, making it ideal for travellers and everyday photographers.
The lens alone has a street price of $1000 (Aust stores with local warranty), effectively the camera is only $800! This is not the latest flagship camera but is more than capable. 20MP, ruggedised construction, splash and dust proof, weather sealed, dual SD card slot, USB C, and all the features that go with a flagship camera… Check the review here.
Thanks for sharing! I think it's a really good deal too but can't justify the price atm (was hoping to stay under 1.5k at the most).
Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 is perfect all rounder - should be able to get second hand for $400-500
Olympus 25mm f1.8 and 45mm f1.8 - nice small, high quality primes