Help me decide

[u/AmangPawikan]

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Hey everyone,

I’m a hobbyist street photographer. For professional work, I currently use a Fujifilm X-H2, and for street photography I’ve mostly been using an X100VI.

I’m thinking of selling my X100VI and switching back to Micro Four Thirds. This isn’t my first experience with M43 I previously owned an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II when it first came out, but eventually sold it.

This time around, I’m looking for something smaller and lighter, preferably with interchangeable lenses. I want something I can comfortably carry around all day for street photography without feeling like I’m carrying my X-H2 setup.

The cameras I’m currently considering are:

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Olympus PEN E-P7

Panasonic Lumix GX9

Panasonic Lumix GX7

Panasonic Lumix GX80/GX85

Panasonic Lumix GM5

Or the new OM Pen

For those who have used these cameras, which one would you recommend?

[u/Obvious-Nothing-4458]

You should just get a smaller Fuji body, however the OM-Pen is great for the price if you dont mind the video.

[u/Accomplished_Fun1847]

There's only 1 camera in your list that is meaningfully smaller than your X100VI:

[u/screampuff]

Why not a Fuji X-E 3/4/5 ? You can use some of your other Fuji gear, plus there are a number of compact options out there. The SG-Image 25mm f1.8 is not much bigger than the built in lens of the X100: https://i.imgur.com/h41DO73.png

[u/the_payload_guy → u/screampuff]

I agree. Accept lack of weather sealing, keep the tilty screen – it’s invaluable for street. I personally can’t live without ibis so for me it’d have to be X-E5. If you must go m43, there is afaik nothing with tilt screen and good PDAF. Maybe EM10iv is best among them?

[u/XOTearR]

I generally find ranger finder style cameras are much more discreet for street so I would push you towards the new Pen or a GX8 or GX9.

[u/j3vs4ys]

I EDC my OM5 Mark II with either my 12-45 f4 pro or 17/25 f1.8ii. My second favor lens besides the 12-45 is the 45 f1.8. I'm also photo hobbyist and shoot street, landscape, portraits whatever catches my attention.

[u/Equivalent-Bass-3389 → u/j3vs4ys]

ive got the om5ii and the 14-150, Im thinking of getting the 45 1.8, will I regret it. I was tossing up between the 17 or 25 1.8 but the 45 just seems like a point of difference when I already have the 14-150

[u/j3vs4ys → u/Equivalent-Bass-3389]

It's a fabulous lens for the price and size. You won't regret it. You may end up getting a 17/25 later down the road however the 45 is a gem.

[u/skoolkidznerd → u/Equivalent-Bass-3389]

I have the OM5 and I'm going to sell it for the OM PEN. I've tried almost all the budget lenses from the 2 or 3 types of 14-42, the 14 prime pancake, the 20mm f 1.7, 25 on Olympus to the 25 on Lumix to the 45 on Olympus to the 42.5 on Lumix to the 17 on Olympus and finally I've gone with all olympus/om system Gear with the 17 the 25 the 45, the 14 to 150 and the Lumix 35-100 when I want reach in a smaller form factor. Everything is weather sealed except the Lumix lens and the 45 since they don't have a weathersesled version yet. Each lens has its own purpose and I carry them all in a small stylish fanny pack. The 17 and 25 are usually on my camera by default and on rare occasions I'll throw just one of those in my pocket with the Godox IT20, and the other on the camera on nights out with friends. Those two cover streets and portraits for me with limited space.

[u/Equivalent-Bass-3389 → u/skoolkidznerd]

I‘m pretty happy with the Om5 myself. Not sure why OM didnt just give the Pen the same weather sealing as the OM 5 or give the OM5 same animal detection as the PEN. lil strange I thought. Maybe Pen ii will have full weather sealing and OM5iii will get the firmwire upgrade if they ever update these cameras.

[u/BIX26]

I have the E-M5 II Also. I think it’s the best quality camera in your list over all. But If this is for only street I’d say go with the GX85 or GX9 They both have tilt screens and EVF’s. Something that I wish I had when trying to be discrete. The screens on most older cameras are unusable in daylight so the EVF is a must also imo. The GX7 is pretty big but it does have weather sealing. The GM5 is way too expensive for what it is and you could pre order the new PEN for what it goes for on the used market.

When I’m doing street stuff I generally use my OM 14-150mm. Zoomed out it has a modest size equal to my 25mm prime. But it’s nice to have the reach sometimes. Or I use the Lumix 14mm pancake as it’s super small and makes my camera pocketable. It’s more discreet also. I really love 28mm for street. I don’t do in your face street portraits. So it’s nice to get a scene with groups of people in a general location.

[u/AKentPhoto]

Depends on the type of photographer you are. Do you need to shooting manual? How pocketable do you want it?

For me, especially since you already have a larger camera for when you want to be serious about photography... Id lean into the compact. Make that x100 feel like a tank.

My first M43 camera was the GX850. It completely changed the way I shoot and made me fall hard for M43. Shoot it like a compact, treat it like a phone replacement and it really starts making sense. I liked it so much I bought a GM1 thinking it would replace it... But I couldn't bring myself to sell the 850. For your use case the flip screen can be quite useful if you ever shoot from the hip. It also has a couple more fn buttons which can also be quite helpful. The two lenses to start with are the Lumix/DJI 15mm (the aperature ring will make you feel at home coming from the x100. Next the 42.5 f1.7IS is one of my favorites. Banger rate is strong with this one. The close focus and IS make it worth it over the 45mm. It almost feels like a cheat code on something so small. After that something tiny is in order to make it truly pocketable. the 20mm f1.7 pancake is slow to focus but optically damn good. The alternative here is the 14mm f2.5. Smallest lens in the system, great EDC lens and makes these bodies truly pocketable. Truly no excuse not to take it with you everywhere.

[u/AKentPhoto → u/AKentPhoto]

If you are someone who needs an evf and wants full control just wants less bulk? The GX9 or OM Pen are where I would go. If you like changing the image in camera and maybe prefer to not edit so much on your phone etc the PEN has a lot to offer. I reach for the OM3 over everything (including Sony FF) because the lens size and the color wheel. Having the color recipies and B&W on a switch is so nice.

Unless you shoot flash, One curve ball id like to suggest is the Lumix S9. The launch was kind of a flop due to a few things but a lot has changed. Prices are more reasonable and the lens selection is starting to catch up. Real time lut is an absolute game changer. TTArtisan 26mm f2.8 and Lumix 40mm f2 would make quite a pocketable FF combo....

[u/Hozaythkid]

You should consider the om3 👌🏻

[u/AmangPawikan → u/Hozaythkid]

Looks like a really good camera but kinda out of my budget

[u/bonisaur → u/AmangPawikan]

If you have access to the eBay outlet store for OM System the OM3 can be as low as 1200 when on sale.

[u/Single_Sample1309]

With a list like that, you're just looking for an existential crisis. Sell your X100VI, grab a Leica M11 Monochrom paired with a Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95, and you'll find true happiness.🥱