Olympus EM10 good for beginners?

[ancient_mariner]

I've no direct experience of the Olympus M43 series of cameras, hence the question. I'd like to get my wife something smallish and affordable with a viewfinder (EVF is better than OVF because she will see what she's taking, rather than what is just in front of the camera). I have Nikon and Sony kit already, but none of it compatible with CSCs. Biggest concern is that there will be too many buttons, and it will require too much user input initially. Fuji appeals in some ways, but I'm not sold on the sensor or some of the design features.

Any thoughts.

 

[gad-westy]

It'll work fine for a beginner. It has fully auto modes, scene modes etc that are easily accessed so no need to jump in at the deep end. There are plenty of buttons but in full auto mode, you more or less just use the shutter button like most cameras. One big advantage of m4/3 is the lens selection. If you want to travel light there are a myriad of pancake zooms and primes. Are you looking at Mk1 or Mk2 version out of curiosity?

 

[damianmkv]

I started m43 with the em10 - perfectly good camera IMO. The camera shoots fine in auto if the number of buttons is a concern so I'm sure your wife will be fine ( hope that doesn't sound patronising it's not meant to be )

 

[JohnN]

Simply put - yes, its a great camera - depending on what and how you shoot it could be all you need - be careful thought, that images out of that thing are excellent with the right lens - a good place to start is the stupidly cheap 45mm 1.8.

I started in M43 with the EM10, went to EM! (for autofocus speed and the feel) and only move back to DSLR because I "needed" that full frame feel, if I'd not had full frame I'd still be with M43.

 

[twist]

Id take her to a camera shop and let her choose one thats comfy.

 

[ancient_mariner]

Thanks Gents.

Are you looking at Mk1 or Mk2 version out of curiosity?

MkI probably, on the basis of cost. It's not going to get a huge amount of use, but the main frustration is that the Panasonic TZ10 she has right now simply doesn't help her frame things well, and image quality is a bit marginal.

I started m43 with the em10 - perfectly good camera IMO. The camera shoots fine in auto if the number of buttons is a concern so I'm sure your wife will be fine ( hope that doesn't sound patronising it's not meant to be )

Not at all, since I'd already mentioned it, and she'd be the first to say that she would prefer to P&S.

Id take her to a camera shop and let her choose one thats comfy.

Normally I'd agree, but I also know that she'll be put off by the experience, and would find it easier to be presented with something likely to help her than go choose it herself.