Which camera?

[melek]

OK, my neighbor is looking for a digital camera that is smaller than an SLR. She currently shoots a Nikon D40, but she hates hauling around that big-ass camera. She has a little point and shoot but the quality is so-so.

Here's what she would like:

- Smaller body
- Viewfinder (EVF or optical) / no auxiliary viewfinder. It needs to be part of the camera
- Interchangeable lenses or a fixed zoom of good quality
- Either Micro 4/3 or APS-C sensor

Any thoughts?

She was looking at the X100, but it has a fixed lens and conversion lenses, which are a bit like the lenses made for the Yashica Electro 35 series. I don't see her using them.


Edit: Earlier, I wrote "LCD or optical" for the viewfinder, but I meant EVF.

[Captain Slack]

I loved my Olympus EPL-1. Only reason I have a Canon DSLR now is it was stolen. I'd recommend looking at one of those. They're not too expensive and have interchangeable lenses.

[P C Headland]

Panasonic GM5? Incredibly small, but handles really nicely, and a large range of lenses to choose from. If she wants something a little larger, a GX7 can be had for a good price these days.

The other option could be the Sony A5100.

Me? I like the micro 4/3rds option.

[melek]

I spoke with her today, and she's leaning toward the Fuji X100S. She wants good low-light performance so she can take photos at gatherings, etc.

I just came across some photos that Prince Harry shot using the Fuji. The black and white shots are pretty nice.

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/prince-har ... slideshow/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Philip]

I own an X100 and it is by far the best digital camera I have used. The main adjustments can be made without consulting a menu, or the screen, and this makes it a camera that you can use in the dark (like at concerts). It is as close to a manual film camera as I have seen in digital cameras. It is a fine choice.

[melek]

Thanks! So, we ended up with the Fuji X-E1. It's at a price point that she likes (US$699 from B&H Photo), and I think it has enough flexibility and features without being overly complicated. And I think she'll want a zoom lens. She's an enthusiast, but not a techie.

It arrives Monday, and I'm going to unbox and get it charged. She's in the U.K. right now, so her son can bring it to her at Christmas.

I'll shoot a few pix and see how I like it.

[rumtea]

I love my Olympus OM-D E-M5 a lot. Before that I've been using Olympus SLRs and Olympus Pen PL2 but the OM-D E-M5 is the finest.
Here are some photos I took with OM-D E-M5.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vietnamfr ... 382242745/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vietnamfr ... 700608327/

[grizz]

I would look at the Sony A6000. I have one and it is fantastic...Griz....