Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NX-5 vs vs Panasonic DMC-GF1 Mirrorless Camera Desision

srq203

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Hi,

This is my first post here, so here it goes. On eBay, I have been hunting for mirrorless cameras and found a few options. Here they are:

Panasonic DMC-GF1 with 14-45mm and a 25-200 ($270)
Sony NEX-5 with 18-55mm ($229)
Olympus E-PL6 with 14-42mm ($276)

I'm a real noob here, so some insight on which is a better value would be appreciated.
Thanks a lot!

Edit: Yes, I spelt decision wrong!
 
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Hello.

I just wanted to comment on the Panasonic and Sony cameras, I don't know anything about the Olympus.

Anyway, none of these cameras are the latest thing but I expect you know that. I had a Panasonic GF1 and I'd say that at low to medium ISO's it's excellent but as it's an old bit of kit now it wont compete with the latest kit but at least it comes with two lenses and I assume the 25-200mm is actually a 45-200mm.

I've not owned a Nex 5 but a family member did and I'd say that the image quality is good and better than that of the GF1.

Personally I'm not a fan of back screen shooting so I'd much prefer an EVF and if the Panasonic GF1 grabs your attention you could always go for the very similar G1 or G2 which have an EVF and a fully articulating screen. G1's typically go for about the same money as GF1's. If you're happy with back screen shooting then I'd say that any of these would make a good daylight shooting camera and the GF1 package looks good as you get two lenses but if you're going to be shooting indoors or out in lower light maybe the Nex 5 would be a better way to go than either of the Micro Four Thirds cameras.
 
The Panasonic 14-45 is a great lens. For the money the 45-200 is pretty good as well although it is outperformed by the Panasonic 45-150 in my experience.

I would second the suggestion of going with a G1 or a G2 instead of a GF1. Having a viewfinder is crucial in bright light outdoors plus it allows you to hold the camera to your eye which makes it more stable.

The Panasonic G2 has a separate microphone input I believe which is highly desirable if you plan to use it for video as well. From memory the G1 and the G3 didn't have this so if you can locate a G2 for a similar price as a G1 that would be the one to get.
 
The G1 doesn't have video... or if it does I never found the button :D
 
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