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Ethan Delgado

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Ethan
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Hi there!

I am an amateur photographer looking for advice on buying a new camera. I currently own an Olympus PEN E-PL7 with an M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3,5 - 5,6 lens.

I use my camera to shoot a bit of everything, focusing mostly on portrait and architecture.

I would like to ideally upgrade to a mirrorless camera around the 800 GBP range. I'm not opposed to buying second hand!

I'm open to any advice!

Please let me know if you need any more details.
 
Carousels Spin said:
Why do you want a new camera? As in, what is your current camera not doing that you'd like it to?
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No, I find the lack of viewfinder annoying and I want something with more zoom (I understand I could just get a new lens, but I'd rather shell out for a new camera all together) I've been looking at the Olympus OM D EM10 Mark III as a relatively similar but better option
 
If you want to stick with Olympus then you have a few options. I would suggest the EM10 mark 2 over the mark 3 as the mark 3 doesn't really offer anything worthwhile for most folk so you may as well save your cash. Alternatively you could get a used EM5-II which adds a larger viewfinder, weather sealing and a few other features, or a used EM1 which is a great bang for buck, and for me ergonomically the best (very subjective).

However, I would strongly recommend the 12-40mm f2.8 lens. Sharp, renders nicely and a great all rounder including architecture. Whilst it's not going to give you the greatest shallow depth of field for portraits, you can achieve a bit of subject isolation with it. A used 45mm f1.8 is a great cheap lens that will give nice portraits with more shallow depth of field, but the m4/3 is not the best system for achieving shallow depth of field. However, if you're doing studio portraits shooting at circa f8 then the 12-40mm and 45mm f1.8 are very good lenses giving plenty of detail.

So in summary for your budget I'd recommend a used/grey EM10 Mark II and 12-40mm f2.8. If your budget doesn't include the sale of you Pen and 14-42mm then maybe sell those and get a used/grey EM5-II or EM1 with 12-40mm f2.8.

There are other systems of course if you're wanting to change completely such as the Sony A6000, Panasonics, Sony A7 (although this plus lenses will likely be well out of budget).
 
snerkler said:
If you want to stick with Olympus then you have a few options. I would suggest the EM10 mark 2 over the mark 3 as the mark 3 doesn't really offer anything worthwhile for most folk so you may as well save your cash. Alternatively you could get a used EM5-II which adds a larger viewfinder, weather sealing and a few other features, or a used EM1 which is a great bang for buck, and for me ergonomically the best (very subjective).

However, I would strongly recommend the 12-40mm f2.8 lens. Sharp, renders nicely and a great all rounder including architecture. Whilst it's not going to give you the greatest shallow depth of field for portraits, you can achieve a bit of subject isolation with it. A used 45mm f1.8 is a great cheap lens that will give nice portraits with more shallow depth of field, but the m4/3 is not the best system for achieving shallow depth of field. However, if you're doing studio portraits shooting at circa f8 then the 12-40mm and 45mm f1.8 are very good lenses giving plenty of detail.

So in summary for your budget I'd recommend a used/grey EM10 Mark II and 12-40mm f2.8. If your budget doesn't include the sale of you Pen and 14-42mm then maybe sell those and get a used/grey EM5-II or EM1 with 12-40mm f2.8.

There are other systems of course if you're wanting to change completely such as the Sony A6000, Panasonics, Sony A7 (although this plus lenses will likely be well out of budget).
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Thank you for such a thorough response, it is much appreciated! This gives me a lot to think of. A local shop has offered me the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II along with a 14 - 42 lens and another free high zoom lens for about 550 GBP which is quite tempting at the moment. Still need to do a bit of research on prices though.
 
Ethan Delgado said:
Thank you for such a thorough response, it is much appreciated! This gives me a lot to think of. A local shop has offered me the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II along with a 14 - 42 lens and another free high zoom lens for about 550 GBP which is quite tempting at the moment. Still need to do a bit of research on prices though.
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You can get a new Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II body for £234 after cashback from https://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/cameras/compact-system-cameras/olympus-csc-cameras.html
And various other offers with lenses there.
 
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