Best Micro Four Thirds Cameras Under $300? Under $500?

Quick overview / spec comparison of Micro Four Thirds cameras (Olympus, OMDS, and Panasonic). Lots of great deals on the used market - prices continue to plummet fast. Great camera/lens combos can be put together for well under $1000!
Best value picks:
Olympus E-M10 Mark II: ebay.us/E8pR5J
Olympus E-M5 Mark II: ebay.us/iGy5lR
Olympus E-M1 Mark I/II: ebay.us/EcDdeC
Panasonic G85: ebay.us/K6A5zq
DISCLAIMER:
Some of these links have an affiliate code. If you purchase gear with these links I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

[@lensvana]

Best value picks (AFFILIATE LINKS): Olympus E-M10 Mark II: ebay.us/E8pR5J Olympus E-M5 Mark II: ebay.us/iGy5lR Olympus E-M1 Mark I/II: ebay.us/EcDdeC Panasonic G85: ebay.us/K6A5zq

[@amermeleitor]

The Panasonic G100 it's a great buy used. Small, good EVF, good screen, good video quality if manual focused, microphone port, etc. From all the small and very portable m4/3 for me it's the best overall.

[@lensvana]

That's a great point! Seems like even better value than a used G7 (not to mention it's 5 years newer with way better specs)

[@dezmondwhitney1208]

Please allow me my more frequent comments as I think that your seeking value for money by compiling spec tables of the numerous alternative cameras is very helpful to most of us.

[@lensvana]

Thanks - I appreciate all comments and feedback :) There's so much value on the used market these days

[@tonykeltsflorida]

Your charts are very helpful. I looked up some prices on MPB. I don't have a M43 camera yet. I might have to get one for my EF lenses (and an adapter) if anything happens to my M6 mark II. I hope it will outlive me but I need a backup plan.

[@lensvana]

Thanks! Canon's stuff is generally great so I'm sure your M6 II will be fine for a while. I'd probably stick to Canon bodies if using EF lenses. Worst case scenario you could pick up another M6 Mark II down the line, used prices will continue dropping

[@tonykeltsflorida]

@@lensvana Canon has become greedy and I won't buy any more from them.

[@AKAndrew]

Thanks so much for the video. So helpful and your charts are amazing! If you had to choose between the OM-D E-M1 and the G80/85 which would you go for? Many thanks!

[@lensvana]

Thanks for watching :) It's not an easy choice! The G85 if 4K video is important to you. The G85 is also a few years newer. On the other hand, the E-M1 has the better autofocus and more rugged construction. The G85 has the easier / more intuitive menu, making it a better choice for beginners. I'd personally go for the E-M1 and put the money saved towards lenses, but you can't go wrong with either one!

[@AKAndrew]

@@lensvana thank you so much. That makes it very easy to size them up! I’ll be using it going kayaking so the E-M1 it is! Do you have a similar post regarding lenses? I’d be looking for a weather sealed lens if possible. Many thanks for such a speedy and detailed reply. Very much appreciated 😎

[@lensvana]

@@AKAndrew Happy to help :) I haven't made a video but I think the Olympus 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 II would be a great choice, it's more expensive than the camera but it's an excellent "do it all" lens and weather sealed, too. Safe travels!

[@AKAndrew]

@@lensvana Wow - thank you so much for your generosity in sharing all this info. It's extremely helpful!! Have a happy holiday season if you celebrate.

[@lensvana]

Forgot to mention: in the Olympus OM-D table, "HRM" refers to cameras capable of High Resolution Mode. More info here: learnandsupport.getolympus.com/learn-center/photography-tips/browse-tips-by-camera-feature/high-res-shot-mode

[@jonlouis2582]

I have an ancient Panasonic GF-1 that I still use from time to time, just for fun. More recent additions are several Olympus Pen models (I can't keep their nomenclature straight, don't recall the exact models.) I had intended to upgrade to a Pen F, but watched as prices climbed to stratospheric levels here in the NYC area. I have no interest in video, so I'm happy for now.

[@lensvana]

I think certain camera models got hyped beyond reason - especially compacts and anything that looks like a film camera. They'll all come back down in price eventually (but it may take a while). For stills, I'm happy to use just about any interchangeable lens camera made in the last 10 years.