Here's my dilemma. My epm1 is great as long as I stick to taking pictures of just one particular area such as architecture or people, or even just landscapes. However, I like to hike and on any particular hike I might be interested in taking a close up of a flower, so I put on a lens for that. Then I see a raven overhead that I just have to take a picture of, but by the time I change lenses he is long gone.

So, I'm thinking of adding the Sony HX200V just for hiking - I understand its zoom lens can go from micro to telephoto in a second or 2. I don't know how much I'm giving up with this camera, but at least I can get the pics.

Am I missing something about the m43 that will compensate for my dilemma, or is there another p&s camera that might work for these "quick and dirty" pics?

Hope this is the right forum for this.

Lyn

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Olympus E-PM1, Olympus 14-42mm II R, Olympus 14-150mm, Panasonic Lumix 20mm

Err, ahh, how about slapping on that 14-150? :-)

I guess you need something quite a bit smaller for hiking? In that case, yeah, a P&S with a decent zoom is probably your only option.

For me my choice hiking or walking around is the Panasonic 14-140mm since it offers a huge range and versatility. If you had something like the Olympus 12-50mm it's not quite as large a range but it has a noticeably wider 12mm end for landscapes and wide scenes, goes to a useful 60mm at the far end, and even has a macro mode for closeups of flowers and such.

I just noticed you have an Olympus 14-150mm listed in your signature - is there a reason you are finding that not to meet your needs? What is it you think the Sony would offer that your zoom lens doesn't on the E-PM1? If there's a specific problem/need you're trying to solve maybe that will help with offering advice.

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500px | flickr

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

Yes, the 14-150 doesn't meet my macro needs. I was debating about getting a macro lens, then got to thinking about the switching lens problem, and that's when I decided to ask you folks what to do. Also, the 14-150 is kind of large if I'm climbing - but, to be sure, not as large as the Nikon D90 I got rid of!

I'll do some research on the Oly 12-50mm you mentioned, maybe that would work, although it won't give me a huge distance, it might just be enough and it certainly will give me better pictures than a p&s.

Thanks,

Lyn

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Olympus E-PM1, Olympus 14-42mm II R, Olympus 14-150mm, Panasonic Lumix 20mm

You can also look into the macro adapters like the raynox models that clip on the lens to add magnification. Quality would take a hit but if you're just doing occasional macro shots that might be a decent compromise.

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500px | flickr

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

That is a possibility - I'll look into that since adding other lenses is expensive.

I'm wondering - since the sony hx200v is only $400, what am I giving up if I just add and use it instead of the other lenses?

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Olympus E-PM1, Olympus 14-42mm II R, Olympus 14-150mm, Panasonic Lumix 20mm

I'm not familiar with the hx200v specifically, but I imagine that's up to you when it comes down to it. I still have a Canon S95 I use as a backup P&S when I don't want to or can't bring a full size camera, but I rarely use it. I find it hard to take a drop in IQ and functionality when I have the G3 and assorted lenses to choose from instead.

This is how I see the choice between m4/3 and the hx200v (or most any P&S), bearing in mind I haven't used that particular camera.

Pros:
- $400 cost, gives you a second camera to work with
- wide zoom range
- macro focusing mode (not sure how much of a true 'macro' this would be... my guess is you'd get same or better quality with the Oly 12-50 in macro mode)
- built-in viewfinder (assuming you like a viewfinder)

Cons:
- fixed lens
- drop in IQ
- decreased low light performance
- power zoom versus manual zoom lens (con for me, I would never want to go back to a power zoom if I didn't have to)
- bigger than EPM1 body size (might be pro or a con depending on your preferences)
EDIT: forgot a big one for some folks, lack of RAW support. May not matter to you if you only ever shoot JPEG but I prefer RAW or at least the capability to shoot in RAW as an option.

I think it just comes down to which points are most important to you. On some particularly light hiking trips, I might just throw my S95 in my chest rig and forgo bringing a bigger camera. FWIW, got the S95 as a backup in the first place because I went on trip in the White Mountains where it rained and misted so often I hardly took any pictures; my m4/3 gear was packed away in a waterproof bag for safekeeping.

I don't baby my gear that much anymore, and I'll worry about it even less when I eventually get a weather-sealed kit. But for now, I'll still take the S95 as a backup when foul weather is a concern.

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500px | flickr

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

Who knows the Sony hx200v may be a fine camera. I would look at a few real macro images on one of their forum sites to see if the macro ability really cuts the mustard and to compare it to the 12-50mm and PL45.

If it does then it maybe it's an option, if not then I'm looking at adding a 12-50mm or PL45 to my kit.

That's my approach. BTW .... I have a serious love/hate relationship with the PL45. It takes great macro shots and pretty good portraits. This issue is that sometimes with the macro focusing hunts more that I think it should.

I would say increased low light performance comparing it to a e-pm1. Sony cameras are low light gods. My TX5, a sensor generation behind the HX200, embarasses my M43 cameras in low light. When I say low light, I don't mean at dusk, I mean sometimes I use my TX5 to take shots so that I can see where I'm going. No, I'm not using the flash. It simply takes pictures at night where I can see things I can't see with my naked eyes.

Could be the case, I was just going by specs and what I saw at higher ISO on the DPR tests I looked at. Experience trumps stats though when it comes to cameras sometimes

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500px | flickr

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange