Basic m4/3 camera with viewfinder?

Nawty

Nawty

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My wife killed her Nikon V1 so I thought I'd replace it with a m4/3 camera so she can use my lenses and I bought her an EPM2 as it is simple to use and small.

However, the lack of viewfinder drives her mad - me too when I use it - and I know you can buy an add on VF but they are almost as expensive as the camera itself!

So, are there any simple to use (i.e. not my EM10) m4/3 cameras with a built in viewfinder?
 
Buy a VF2 to go with the E-PM2 it is nice to use on XZ-1
 
There's one for sale over on the Oly forum, having had a look around that might be the best option.
 
If you want cheap then the Panasonic G3. For some reason it's never been all that popular, but I think it's the smallest m43 body with a built-in viewfinder. Plus flippy touch screen and customisable controls (all of which are small of course) - might well fit the bill. Same sensor as the GX1.
 
A warning has been issued for this post
Mod edit: what an interesting way to ensure you don't get access to the classifieds in future...
 
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martsharm said:
If you want cheap then the Panasonic G3. For some reason it's never been all that popular, but I think it's the smallest m43 body with a built-in viewfinder. Plus flippy touch screen and customisable controls (all of which are small of course) - might well fit the bill. Same sensor as the GX1.
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Thanks for the suggestion, looking at the camera size website it looks basically the same size as my EM10

jh2 said:
Mod edit: redacted. s)
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Thanks, but if I were to go down that route I'd bequeath my EM10 :)
 
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Thanks, but if I were to go down that route I'd bequeath my EM10 :)[/QUOTE]

Ha ha, understand. Good luck :)
 
martsharm said:
If you want cheap then the Panasonic G3. For some reason it's never been all that popular, but I think it's the smallest m43 body with a built-in viewfinder. Plus flippy touch screen and customisable controls (all of which are small of course) - might well fit the bill. Same sensor as the GX1.
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Not that I'm Biased ;) but I had a G3 and upgraded to the Em-5. On the plus side the G3 is cheap and the rotating screen is great, but Em-5 has much better jpeg's, is smaller (just) better evf and 5 axis stabilization for not much more than a G3. just sayin....
 
Why is the EM10 difficult to use, has full auto features if you want them?
 
snerkler said:
Why is the EM10 difficult to use, has full auto features if you want them?
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You don't know my wife :exit:

The issue is that there's a good chance (a very good chance with the EM10) that she would knock a setting and not know how to sort it.

This is why the V1 was perfect - the things that enthusiasts bemoaned (lack of controls) was exactly the reason it was great for her. The EPM2 is good in this respect, just the lack of VF is the issue - I missed the one on the Oly forum :(
 
Nawty said:
You don't know my wife :exit:

The issue is that there's a good chance (a very good chance with the EM10) that she would knock a setting and not know how to sort it.

This is why the V1 was perfect - the things that enthusiasts bemoaned (lack of controls) was exactly the reason it was great for her. The EPM2 is good in this respect, just the lack of VF is the issue - I missed the one on the Oly forum :(
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Can't you just get the clip on viewfinder for the EPM2?
 
snerkler said:
Can't you just get the clip on viewfinder for the EPM2?
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Yeah the VF2 I recomded earlier in thread Leica users buy them too

Nawty said:
That does look pretty damn awesome, perfect for this situation. I wonder how generous I'm feeling :D
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I suggest trying it before buying as the VF is small but is a lovely little thing in the hand I only tried one in a shop while looking at the E-M10.
 
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A warning has been issued for this post
Mod edit: someone else who doesn't ever want to get into the classifieds section I see...
 
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Nawty said:
That does look pretty damn awesome, perfect for this situation. I wonder how generous I'm feeling :D
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Don't buy without trying it. I found the GM5's EVF was really too small and went for an E-M10.
 
I have too many cameras, but each has it's use for specific activities. The E-PM1 (and VR2) is my walk about camera and lives in my car. Small, compact and lightweight, it is currently fitted with a Lumix 12-32mm collapsing lens. The VR2 is really good but the one concern is that it does not lock onto the Camera so I need to be really carefull not to loose it, typically £100 secondhand, less for the VF3 which I think does lock. My wife has the G3 and I have the G5. The flip out screen is really useful for low and high angle shots, for me the handling and menus are much better than the Pens or OMD series but the G3 and G5 often need exposure compensation to avoid blown out skies, don't focus as well on my high speed German Shepherd or offer In Body stabilisation. The G3 and G5 have been used on long haul holidays and are ideal for this purpose. Where the G series suffer most compared to the OMD is in the depreciation department. The G3 body secondhand is well under £100, MPB have 4 x G5s from £129. The OMD seem to be just dipping to around the £275 mark. Pens suffer a lot of depreciation too, E-PM1 Pens are advertised from about £49, E-PM2 Pens seem to be thinner on the ground and prices are higher but variable secondhand. The G series offer far better video capabilies, especially newer models.

The choice really will depend on the available budget. In the OPs circumstances, I would opt to buy one of the optional viewfinders if the camera otherwise suits the user.
 
jh2 said:
Mod edit: what an interesting way to ensure you don't get access to the classifieds in future...
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O come on, I am patiently waiting for my sixty days nearly there & am now interested in this forum to talk. Sure I hinted a selling something (my mistake now reading the forum rules) but also made a relevant comment on the subject. Please be kind and just offer a polite notice I will of be warned, the internet these days ! :)
 
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Yelkrub said:
Mod edit: someone else who doesn't ever want to get into the classifieds section I see
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Warning accepted... I don't miss the classifieds now, was just trying to be helpful.

@ jh2 looking at the rules it's not just 60 days, you also need 25 non spam posts.
Edit : ha, just checked and you're over that. I've been on over sixty days but do more watching than contributing ;)

Getting back on topic, I can also recommend the EM10. I'm sure the extra function buttons can be turned off if necessary. The second dial and built in viewfinder I find help make the camera easier to use.
Must admit to missing the VF2 variable angle at times but for 95 percent of the time the em10 tilting screen copes well.
 
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Would someone mind telling me what these warning's are for please so that I don't make the same mistake?

Edit: Ignore as has been answered :)
 
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@Yelkrub Ha ha, yer made a mistake won't do it again!

back to topic (if I'm still allowed) I swapped my EM-5 for a Rx100M3. It's small, simple take great pics with EVF. Just thought I'd add that in :)
 
The tiny problem with the Panasonic M43 cameras is that there is no in body stabilisation so if you use Oly lenses, you need to have a much steadier hand as the IS is put into their lenses instead. It might be worth investing in the VF-4 (the VF-3 has a much lower resolution) as it actually locks into the hotshoe and can then be moved onto another Olympus Pen camera when its time to upgrade. Otherwise, you could always buy yourself a shiny new EM5 MK2 and pass on your EM10 (y)
 
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