Camera Talk

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.

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.

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.

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;

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.

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.

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/

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