The Best Budget Camera No One Buys

[@mattwaller8959]

Wow, a lot of comments already, I'll throw in my redundant kudos for calling out this great camera. I did street photography with an E-PL8 for years, actually owned two of them. Buyers should be aware that the E-PL8 was the LAST Pen Lite model to support the external flash or the VF-4 external EVF. The E-PL9 and 10 also dumbed down some menu items like the number of customizable buttons. I currently shoot with the E-PL10, which added full silent shutter and is also, in my opinion, in all-black, the best-looking model of the bunch. Cheers!

[@kit.e6864]

it looks like 9 and 10 still have a foot for some attachment... but people say the VF doesn't work with them. can you attach anything there?

[@mattwaller8959]

@@kit.e6864 Nope, there's no attachment plug on those two. They don't take the VF or the weird little antenna macro light thing they made for it. You can still attach the external OVF to the hot shoe, is all.

[@kit.e6864]

@@mattwaller8959 thank you

[@MinoltaCamera]

5:00 England is cloudy (6500K) and you set Sunny (5500K) so you get cooler photos. If you set Tungsten (3200K) you will get even cooler photos. If you want to get warmer photos, you need to be above the temperature, not below. So for a cloudy day (6500K) you need to set it to shade (7000K). Or just choose the Kelvin temperature manually

[@charleyb4424]

That's super useful info. Thanks!

[@bovineox1111]

I think this is a silly simplification. The photos show blue skies so it’s clearly not “cloudy in England” on this day. Light is light and can be diffused by cloud regardless of what country you are in. I do not think you can say, UK sunny is different temperature 🤦‍♂️

[@snappy8k]

5:07 there is no clouds, it's just Olympus shoots terrible oversaturated blue skies

[@StanleyKubick1]

or just shoot raw and choose the WB in post

[@MinoltaCamera]

@@StanleyKubick1But that's not snoob enough to make a video about it

[@TheDiverat]

The E PL8 and Panasonic 12-32 is my favourite street photography setup. Light enough to carry around all day and a great little camera with loads of features

[@stephenbrasure4331]

Good information here. My first micro 4/3 cameras were the PL-2 followed by the PL-5. I found that getting the VF 4 viewfinder made the camera a lot more fun to use. After using the PL-5, I moved up to the M10 and found it to be such a better camera, especially for the ability to hold the camera up to your eye and make multiple adjustments without moving it. I still use it's successor, an M10 Mark II along with a M1 Mark II and think the micro 4/3 system is a great choice for many photographers.

[@mayathompson727]

I’m an Olympus girl since the beginning of time. These are like Toyotas of cameras. I have so many vintage lenses I can use. I also use it for my photography work.

[@1hinita]

Do you rec for beginners?

[@mayathompson727]

@@1hinita absolutely. That was my first camera as a beginner and I still use it as a pro photographer..

[@mayathompson727]

@@1hinita and the fun part is you can put any lens you want, the older the lens the better

[@1hinita]

@mayathompson727 Thank you for your honest reply! I'll look more into it. I'm not a photographer, but I do enjoy taking pictures and are looking for something budget friendly as a beginner . Thx again!

[@1hinita]

@mayathompson727 are the lenses more or less one size fits all? So I could but a camera and multiple lenses?

[@AdriaOliSal]

I just purchased last week this camera for 200€ second hand with it's 14-42mm default lens and in near perfect condition with all the accessories (flash, bag, charger and a 64Gb sd) and I couldn't be happier!

[@wnose]

NICE! where did you get it from???

[@ivanmuradeli5160]

I saw it on the market like this too, will try to get it

[@neilcousineau4956]

Hi just a FIY on the cracked screen. I had the same problem with my older Olympus XZ-2 pocket camera. I ordered a new screen from Japan on eBay, it took 8 weeks for delivery, and I have a local cell phone repair shop replace the old screen with the new screen. All total I paid under $ 200 for the screen, delivery, and repairs. That was a couple of years ago but it is something to look into. Cheers from southern Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada.

[@TomCalton]

Hey, thanks Neil. Good to know! Though, honestly, it works absolutely fine so I'm gonna leave it until it really does need replacing. But I appreciate the advice ☺️

[@isthatxavier92]

I compared some shots with the Canon r50 lens kit, and surprisingly, the epl-8 took sharper, better looking jpgs. Raw files were easier to work too, had a certain look that I cannot explain. They just looked good.

[@danncorbit3623]

I have a PL-7 that I use when I want ultra lightweight. For instance, for the long steep hike up Mt Rainier/Tahoma I don't want to haul 15Kg of full frame gear to Comet falls. My Pen camera is perfect for that.

[@danncorbit3623]

@@brendon_mtb A chacun ses goûts

[@1ilrx]

@@brendon_mtb I don't think you understand. A camera will always feel better to a lot of photographers than a phone even if it's almost the same quality. Main difference is that phones still use digital zoom compared to a cameras optical zoom phones also do worse in low light even with their powerful denoising software.

[@Sc0pee]

@@1ilrxThis is true. And it's not "almost the same quality", not even close but maybe if you only upload to Instagram and look at the photos from your phone's screen. The sensor in phone cameras can never compete against a DSLR mainly just because of the size difference. It's a physical limiting fact that the camera sensors in phones will always be tiny if they don't suddenly decide to make them a lot bigger. DSLR always will have sharper pictures with better dynamic range that makes a HUGE difference in post (editing). Not even talking about the usability of a DSLR which when used by a seasoned photographer becomes almost like extension of the body when all the necessary BUTTONS are spread around the camera for easy and quick image adjustment to capture just the picture you want in all conditions. And the best thing out of all is that if you want you can even leave your phone home (or just not look at it while your shooting and having a great time relaxing). But there is really no need to compare phone cameras and DSLR's because it's really like comparing apples and oranges.

[@GeorgeSazo]

I bought PEN EP7 a month or so ago. It's a fantastic camera: compact, light and with a great image quality. It's always with me even when going to buy bread across the street. Neither FF nor APSC cameras can match portability. The only drawback that Micro 4/3 had - low light performance is practically not an issue today with the powerful denoising apps. I think it's the perfect time for micro 4/3 and the fact that OM Systems is hardly coping with orders only proves this.

[@LifteroBeats]

I almost got the same setup with the Olympus Pen E-PL8 but i went for the Panasonic GX80 paired with the Lumix 20mm f1.7 and after a year of using it for street photography and just taking it with me anywhere i go i can say that its really good at doing the job, its cheap, light and it looks good (i got the silver/black body it looks amazing). So anybody who's looking for a cheap and easy to use setup should really look into m43, cheap, compact, beginner friendly, a great way to start your journey!

[@annaterzieva1205]

@@LifteroBeats what was the main thing that turned you to get the Panasonic one

[@LifteroBeats]

@ lenses were cheap, the body is cheap, looks good, its small and it has a decent video quality.

[@thedarkslide]

3:00 The number four in many Asian languages sounds similar to the word death, so it is considered an unlucky number in most Asian cultures, so companies avoid naming their products with anything "four" in it.

[@DeeeFoo]

How about the Playstation 4? Or the many video game titles that are the fourth installment in their series? Like Street Fighter 4, Tekken 4, Final Fantasy 4, Dynasty/Samurai Warriors 4, to name a few. Or maybe it just doesn't apply to video games?

[@chrisrarc]

Those are Japanese game titles. Four sounds like “death” in Mandarin and Chinese dialects

[@DeeeFoo]

@@chrisrarcOlympus is a Japanese company too, so it's still relevant in a conversation on why Olympus skipped 4. Besides, 4 also sounds like "death" in Japanese.

[@Koji-888]

Usually it’s the older senior Asian folks that are the most superstitious. Culturally. So the younger video game playing kids wouldn’t even notice the “Playstaion 4”. ツ

[@TimGreig]

@@DeeeFoo Om4. Never skipped that time.

[@MrVara411]

I would advise anyone checking out any of the "EPL" series cameras to consider the PEN E-P5 (no "L" in the name). It's older (2013) but is built better, looks better (IMHO), still has a lot of the same tech or better, and actually has better image stabilization and controls thanks to a second dial. Awesome little camera. I love it.

[@RainIndex]

What about image quality?

[@Optykz]

My first camera is an EPL7 that I still have. Recently bought a Sema-1 microphone adapter that I use at Raves. It’s quirky and fun.

[@Optykz]

@@unbroken1010 Olympus EPL line does not come with a mic jack. The Sema -1 plugs in through the accessory port located under the hot shoe.

[@Optykz]

@@unbroken1010 it works great, I pair it with a wireless blue tooth adapter and gets the job done ✅

[@szecek]

Came here to look at Olympus Pen and ended up with a massive nostalgia after seeing Cambridge in your photos. I moved away from there 7 years ago, but it feels like another lifetime.

[@tompickering]

I use my epl-5 all the time. Awesome little camera. Fit it with a Panasonic 14mm 2.5 and you have a fantastic pocketable camera.

[@Porco1984]

Thanks to this video I decided to try out the Pen E-PL8. Found one locally in excellent condition with the Olympus 14-42mm pancake kit-lens for £170/€200, can't wait to take it with me everywhere! Hoping to find a great deal on the 20mm F1.7 at some point.

[@4mooncheese]

I have an E-P1 but unfortunately bricked it while updating the software. Also bricked the 17mm f2.8. Recently purchased a Pen-F, which while not perfect, is so much fun to use.

[@edshotsdotcodotuk]

Not too sure if they fixed the issue but quite a few models from Olympus experienced banding with the Panasonic 20mm 1.7. It happened with my E-M5 and E-PL5 with a Panasonic 20mm. The PanaLeica 15mm 1.7 and the Olympus 17mm 1.8 had no issues. AWB on Olympus with the tungsten light correction has always given me pleasing results on JPEGs. Indeed I think they're often underrated as some of the best in the biz. Add to the fact you can add your own copyright and change the dpi to files even with the most basic models it's very useful. Some of the older models hide the SCP (super control panel) but when that's enabled you barely have to go into the menus with most functions at a touch of a button. Supremely fun and affordable cameras. The 12-40mm 2.8 Olympus lens is nearly all the range most people needed especially with the decent 2x digital teleconvertor. Yes it upscales the file but if you're wanting simplicity and flexibility then it's an excellent feature.

[@edshotsdotcodotuk]

@@unbroken1010 you can now but back in 2012 there were not too many models that you could and most other makes limited it to the more expensive pro style models. Olympus allowed it in nearly every OMD and Pen model. They furthered the anti dust sensor tech and led the way in IBIS. I'm just saying that they've always been underrated. And you've proved my point 😄

[@Moonstone-Redux]

Finally, an older camera I actually have! I got a used E-PL8 as a secondary camera to complement my Nikon D7000 and then when the original 14-42mm broke down I got a Panasonic 12-32mm to really make it compact, though there is a 17mm f/2.8. Then when I got my Fujifilm X-T2 I passed the E-PL8 to my father though he prefers to use his iPhone to take pictures.

[@stonkr]

I'm waiting for the PEN 15. Small form factor in your pocket but expands to a more usable size when taken out ready for action. I understand a flash might cause exposure problems and the drive only allows a single shot, maybe two if you're lucky, but the final result is breathtaking.

[@miralaoise]

This sounds like a bad idea

[@arenalsurferphoto]

I bought the epl7 for 146€, you have got a good camera with an excellent lens. You already have some amazing photos. Great video.

[@kiwipics]

@Tom Carlton .. I have the EP1 in the all stainless steel finish. The original in the digital EP M43 body. I also have the EP1-L that has been converted to full spectrum IR , and it's a great compact kit. I do believe that the 4 wasn't released due to superstition and the number 4.

[@Democratiser]

In Chinese, the word meaning ‘four’ sounds like the Chinese word meaning death. So yes the number 4 is not popular in China.

[@josephweaving6458]

just picked up an EP5 and it must be said it feels a solid piece of hardware in the hands which i really like

[@charleyb4424]

The # 4 is considered badluck (death) in Japanese culture and language. So Japanese camera manufacturers usually don't make (skip) model 4. I have no idea why they sometimes also skip model 6. It's similar to #13 being considered bad luck in Western European and American nations. That comes from catholic history.

[@stefanvasilev9318]

Love this range! I'd get one in a heartbeat, being a MFT guy for almost 15 years now, but I just need a viewfinder 🙄Especially for street, in a bright environment trying to use the LCD could be a challenge - I know EVF can be bought as an accessory, but it's quite expensive and not suitable for all the Pen models. Great lens tho - that's next on my list, for sure! It reminded me of an old 25mm pancake 4/3 lens that I used to have years ago. Cheers and greetings from Bulgaria 🙏

[@davestokes3446]

I wouldn't be without my EVF but, I only use it in bright sunlight.

[@KidCalavera]

THANKS!!! I've been looking for budget cameras that can switch lenses and man, your video is the first one with actual budget cameras not going over a thousand bucks by default and calling it "budget"

[@pramanai9177]

Cheers Tom, that's exactly the kind of camera I was looking for. I do own the analog PEN version from way back. Are there any attachable viewfinders for this camera?

[@malcolmtaylor518]

Agree, camera is well built and solid. Maximum I want to carry now. Use with a handle in the tripod socket for panning.

[@thomasrichards8055]

I’m rocking the Pen E-PL7, having found it for around £225 on MPB (+£110 for an Olympus zoom lens), and it’s everything I could want in a portable EDC.

[@edgarwalk5637]

I bought an epm-1 new, when it was just going out of sale. I got it for AU$220 with the 2 kit lenses. I also have an omd-5 mark 1 bought new (body only) for the same price when the mark 2 was released. Best purchases ever!

[@jukeboxjohnnie]

I just got a couple of e-pl10 bodies as they’re all discontinued, great with the Panasonic 14mm 2.5 also discontinued

[@woofowl2408]

There are also viewfinders that can be attached to the hotshoe, very handy in sunny conditions

[@bobkent007]

I recently bought one as I didnt want to carry the large A7III around everywhere. Great little camera at good price. I got mine from CEX almost mint. I then bought the electronic viewfinder attachment for them very sunny days. Love it. Great video. (mines the tan one).

[@georgemahlum6542]

I currently use an EPL9 for street and everyday in Bangkok...(Probably pick up a spare body in the near future)...I have had no problems with it and enjoy using it. One of the main features I like is the flip down vs side flip screens so that I can do waist level shots at will...(Not a video guy and I dislike side flip screens LOL)

[@rofferdal]

I actually got a used PL7 in the mail today. Spec wise pretty much identical to the PL8, and I really like it.

[@sadiaafrin4825]

Just got pl9 yesterday with kit lens and additional 70-125mm lens (third party but don't know which brand) for £250, including all other accessories except neckstrap. Just trying to learn manual photography and on budget, so it seemed a great deal for me Was looking for pl8 as it had external evf support, but still pl9 for that price with lenses was the best I could find

[@TheDodgefan9]

The E-PL8 was my first real camera. I paired it with budget lenses, the Panasonic 14 and 25mm (which has a focus issue). I didn't know if would use a standalone camera, so it was a cheap way to get started. I got better at photography with that setup, and I upgraded to a E-P7 last year. While image quality has improved, the build is plastic. It can't compare to the metal body of the E-PL8.

[@Dwightjelee]

Love this video! I bought the E-PL8 a few years ago as a present for my wife. I then enjoyed using it myself so much that it moved me away from Nikon (I then used a D7100 with kilos of lenses 🙈) to Olympus and I bought a E-M5 MIII for myself. And still today both the E-M5 III and my wife's E-PL8 are used as my main photography gear. I love the image quality (although they don't really hold up at high iso), but foremost due to their looks and size / weight, they made me fall in love with photography again.

[@Sc0pee]

Nikon does make small, mirrorless cameras as well just saying. As a bonus you get access to a plethora of Nikon lenses!

[@Dwightjelee]

@@Sc0pee yes you are correct! But since I already had the E-PL8 for my wife, we also already had a couple of mft lenses because of this. Also the lenses are incredibly small and light. All those factors made me decide to buy a E-M5 III and enjoy photography again, it in fact had nothing to do with Nikon.

[@wnose]

DXO photolab does some really remarkable stuff with high iso pictures. Give it a shot!

[@chrispenn715]

I had one of the first digital Pens - a lovely camera to hold with aluminium body. However, the lack of a viewfinder meant that I generally used my Panasonic instead.......

[@krone5]

I got a epl9 and it is a backup workhorse, nice second camera in the bag.

[@motomium]

So wait, with MFT you can use brand X body and brand Y lens? Does this work on all brands?

[@Carlos1180]

The E-PL8 is the last version compatible with the VF-4 clip on viewfinder. Very worthwhile add on as it's a better evf than the E-M1 ii at the time and I find composing easier, especially in strong sunlight. It's perfect for street photography or getting into museums that don't allow cameras. Nobody takes you seriously. Mine is white which is even less serious. I got mine with 650 shutter count for £129 on eBay in as new condition with 3 batteries

[@dedclownsRfunny]

Love my EPL8. It has the most features from the previous lineup with the capability to add flash/evf so it’s the one I chose. You should’ve mentioned the Live Composite mode

[@cameraexplorations]

Good shots and a nice video! I love Olympus cameras! My first ever DSLR was an Olympus E-410. Now I have the E-M10 Mark III (after 10+ years of Canon). It is nice to be back, and yes, those dials bring the same great feeling that makes you wanna..smile 😀

[@Sgt_Glory]

Bought an OM-5 last year and immediately fell in love. Traded in the kit lens for a pro lens and then bought a pro prime as well.

[@cameraexplorations]

@@Sgt_Glory Nice gear! Enjoy it!

[@BlazingSerenade]

my first mirrorless was the EPL8 and I still use it, its such a good shooter!

[@solmare_]

2:00 - made me subscribe because of this. this is specifically the kind of unhinged references I am looking for in my life.

[@MrMaster72]

Got a minty epl8 off eBay recently £150.. paired it with Olympus 17mm 1.8 (mpb used) nice little set up..manual clutch focus is a nice touch..

[@danielspenner3683]

I can confirm everything you Said about this camera. In Germany I got one for around 250US$ equivalent in mint condition and equipped with the 14-40 mm kit lens, which has a decent Image quality.

[@dedclownsRfunny]

It’s also so fun with a vintage lens adapted and has multiple exposure. Has a heap of features almost same as my EM5markII

[@lorenschwiderski]

Nice with the Lumix 14mm or Lumix Leica 15mm lens. The Olympus 25mm f1.8 or Lumix 12-32 lens works well.

[@drevo50]

I still use - and love using - my Olympus Pen F. Really good camera.

[@owenlaprath4135]

M4/3 is alive and well, but no longer the bargain it used to be, like all system cameras! I paid only 300 bucks each for my 3 Olympus PEN cams, when they were new and on sale many years ago. Now they are plain gone, and are hard to get used for what I paid new! An OM-D E-M10 used to go for 500 bucks on sale, now they run 800! I got into Micro 4/3 with the E-PL2 in 2012, never looked back at other digi systems, and abandoned my lifelong K-bayonet setup! I added the E-PL6 and E-PL8, and those 3 with a few kit lenses (14-42mm, 40-150mm) and 3 Sigma fixed f/2.8 lenses (19mm, 30mm, 60mm), gave me a system for all occasions. Cameras, like everything, have gotten more expensive, and being disabled I can no longer afford all the things I bought long ago. I am happy I bought these cams, as they are just wonderful, and deliver images with "full frame" quality of not too long ago!

[@josephakendrick529]

Tom, an eloquent discussion of this camera. Question: Is it notably better than, say, a smartphone camera? If yes, explain. Thanks.

[@TomCalton]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I'm planning on making a video on that very topic soon, so keep an eye out for it and hopefully you'll have your answer.

[@johnl2613]

I love my E-PM2. I have 2 pancake lens (20mm and 28mm I think). I think I use it more than my DSLR LoL

[@Andreas.Berger.87]

I purchased one just yesterday for 160€ in germany including a 14-42mm Zuiko lense (sadly not the pancake version)!!! The foldable display has some damage on the outside but the display itself is fine.

[@Andreas.Berger.87]

Update: 2 days ago I also purchased the Lumix 20mm f1.7 lense for a mere 115€ (+ 30€ for fuel). It's the first version with the dark grey plastic body so visually its not the nicest but otherwise I'm super pleased with the performance of this setup.

[@ohwhoaitzjoe]

Do any of the newest Pen or EPL models have usb charging? I’ve owned a lot of those cameras and I would just really like a convenient m43 camera that charges without a separate brick…

[@wlewisiii]

Had an E-PL1 & an E-PL3. Don't miss them. Have Pentax K5 & K3 now - far superior and about the same price at KEH.

[@matdrat]

E-PL7 and E-PL8 are near identical in specs. The difference is fps rate in burst mode. E-PL8 is also the last in the line to accept external EVF and other accessories using the powered hotshoe.

[@milunacodes]

I had an EPL7 and it is a wonderful camera. The only things that I disliked were the outdated menus and the shutter speed not going above 1/4000th which limited the use of the small f1.8 prime lenses. It woudn't be an issue if I had some ND filters but since I have an EM5 mkIII which improved those features I was not using the EPL7 much and ended up selling it

[@michaeld5888]

I had an E-PL8 but it had electronic shutter added but locked away in a special mode which only used warm WB. I switched to an E-PL9 which put it in all modes so the E-PL8 is specifically one to avoid as is the EM10 III which actually was a backward step from the EM10 II which had all mode electronic shutter. They brought out an EM10 IIIs which fixed this but the menus were still cut back. The reviewers on the whole completely missed that electronic shutter had been fixed which could I am sure could have been done in firmware. Buying cheap cameras can be a false economy as any minor bugs will need an entirely new camera whilst the higher end kit gets free firmware updates even adding facilities.

[@Timat-s4n]

Odd about the jpeg white balance as Olympus jpegs are usually great. My Pen Mini2 usually has accurate jpeg WB. Yes the E-PL7 and 8 are both good too from what I've read and seen samples from. Good video.

[@stuartcarden1371]

I love the e-pl cameras. I had one until finally giving in to the full frame bug but I'm sure I'll come back to micro 4/3 one day, when I finally get fed up with the weight 😅

[@DenyTheZeitgeist]

I’ve got an original Pen FT I love shooting but would pick one of these digital Pens in a heartbeat. Just can’t see the price for me yet. I got a Nikon D7200 with two lenses and a bag for $500 and even though it’s way bigger, it’s also a lot more camera and more what I want with full manual controls just like my other film SLR’s.

[@alangamble3236]

The EPL8 had only minor upgrades to the EPL7 so if you find a lower priced EPL7 I would go for that. Both are ‘better’ than the EPL9/10 as they can be fitted with the Electronic View Finder via the ‘hot shoe’.

[@pdtech4524]

Firstly, these digital Olympus Pens aren't really that cheap anymore!😊 But.... I've already found the worlds cheapest Olympus Pen....... The 1960s Olympus Pen ee half frame film camera 📷 paid just £15 for it, it's absolutely mint. 😊

[@noway8233]

Cool camera ,cool picters , i like the colors and composition😊

[@KenneyCmusic]

I have the Olympus Pen EPL-1. It's a great camera. I need to find some other lenses for it.

[@miki_marker]

вероятно pl1 в том числе значительно медленнее чем pM2 и pL6 или m10 mark1, обязательно попробуйте их

[@jordanjoestar8839]

My film Olympus OM1 taught me so much more about than just shooting film. I owe my entire career to Olympus.

[@kangchem]

I had this camera like four times... all have some issue with date and clock reset (cmos internal battery). or maybe it dont have at all...

[@michaelbruchas6663]

I have an EPL-1 and EPL-5. Both bought used and enjoyable for street work…

[@nvdolcevita1717]

How is the video quality and stabilisation?

[@sefaifen]

I owned a pen camera and I had problems with focusing in dim light

[@pietschoemaker3065]

Why not mentioned the possibility to use a EVF from Olympus?

[@SuperCocoKrunch]

Bought the same one last year before my Autumn trip to South Korea, pretty great little camera. This camera is my entry to M43 and now I own EM1 mk2 and 5 lens.

[@TomCalton]

Nice!

[@DrAce2006]

This video just cost me some 300 Euro :) But I got three lenses, the flash and the EVF 2 with the camera.:D Nice little thing, thanks for the heads up!

[@huntera123]

I loved my Olympus cameras back in the day.

[@dimitraallkia8052]

Please let me know is this camera made of metal compared to Epl9/10 ? Thank you.

[@oskar_the_dark8124]

@@dimitraallkia8052 Yep

[@InertiaEffect]

Omd em 10 mk ii pretty good too

[@empressdoinalot]

I bought this one on ebay for £300.99. It came with a 45mm lens too and the kit lens. Plus all the original accessories. I love mine.

[@TomCalton]

Absolute bargain! Nice one!

[@mlhm5]

For $500 used from MPB the Olympus OM-D E-M1 is far better for $350 used + the Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 for $150.

[@gabrielalamberti5860]

Question: the Panasonic lens is "fully" compatible with the Olympus camera?

[@daniellah2343]

In my experience the Panasonic lenses are fully compatible with Olympus Cameras. But, you do lose out on dual image stabilisation if said Panasonic lens has image stabilisation. You can't use the Panasonic lens image stabilisation in conjunction with the Olympus IBIS.

[@chrishowell5718]

Pretty much, in my experience. I have a GX8 as my 'main camera' and got an EPL7 second hand primarily because I was interested in the 17mm and 45mm lenses it was being sold with, and the asking price was such that I effectively got the camera body for free. I've had perfectly satisfactory results with Panasonic 20mm, 12-60mm and 12-32mm lenses.. I've not stress-tested it by trying to do long hand-held exposures or anything like that, and I don't think I've tried it with my PanaLeica 100-400, but for every day routine use it's absolutely fine.

[@georgeosier5459]

my first REAL digital camera was a E-PL1 .... now I have a M10 and E-PL6 .... LOVE Olympic cameras and Micro 4/3

[@seantan7420]

Hi Tom, fantastic video as always! Asian companies tend to skip the number 4 as the number 4 in Chinese sounds a lot like the word for death. I guess Olympus did not want their camera being named “Epl-Death”.

[@TomCalton]

Just to be clear, that's a pretty sick name for a camera. I'd buy that 🤣

[@Kotu1000]

I like your channel a lot. Gives me a nice headache when I choose the camera. Getting a bit lost .... I can get PEN E-PL 8 w / ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6. and then used Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/2.8 Lens for 129$ or better Lumix G H-H020 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens for Micro Four Thirds ?? or LUMIX G Lens, 25mm, F1.7 ASPH, for 140 $ ? Also there is a used Lumix G 80 with TTartisan 25/2 - this one would need another lens to make a set as well... Anyone advice ?

[@KarstenMeyer]

Nice coincidence. I got an E-PL8 very cheaply on eBay a week ago and since yesterday I have the ultra-compact Pankake zoom 14-42 mm 3.5-5.6 II R, which goes perfectly with it. I like the easy-to-fold-out display so much better than the complicated one on my Sony A7c that just always gets in the way. To my surprise, the autofocus is no slower than that of the much newer Sony.

[@benbunch4159]

Huge missed opportunity on these to not do true manual dials. Also how good would it be to see a digital Pen with the sensor in a vertical layout like the film ones….

[@hb0x]

Wow, Cambridge looked great with this little cam!

[@endrekosa1453]

Nice video, just don't try to outsmart auto-WB, it's quite consistent, as with most Olympus cameras. I bought this camera for the looks, fell in love with what it can produce. As great as it is, the 20mm Panaleica is actually one of the problematic lenses when it comes to AF, so this little beast focuses even better with an Olympus 17.5mm or the Leica 15mm. There's also a supertiny Panasonic 14mm f/2.5, which makes this a viable alternative to a GRIII. The sensor is good up to about ISO2500, but the hi-ISO grain is quite graceful, and AI-denoise can extend that to ISO5000 probably. It used to be even cheaper (I got mine for 150 EUR with the kit lens, boxed, mint, etc. three years ago), apparently getting more expensive in the current compact camera craze, driven by Fujifilm & Ricoh.

[@odysseusreturns9133]

I could never phantom the thinking behind downward hinged screen for selfies and vlogging. The camera, if used for these purposes has to be either mounted on a tripod or rested somewhere. A downward hinged screen makes both of those impossible.

[@jonbarnard7186]

I think OM Systems has killed off the Pen line. There is no longer one for sale on their website; nor does B&H sell any now. Oddly the E-PL10 is featured on the OM System website, but it's not for sale. I'm not sure why they left it up.

[@pchts1]

I would imagine it does video also but I don’t think you mentioned it. After I watch these videos of seems like the suppliers watch these videos also and up the price making it almost unacceptable for my budget. I see a lot of EPL 1, 2, 7 for in my case reasonable pricing then I find the EPL 8 hitting a mark of $350-$450 USD way out of my comfort zone! I guess that I’m stuck with my 2 go to digital non changeable lens cameras a Kodak digital with zoom and a Sony that screens removable lens that looks like a high end exchangeable lens but isn’t! I’m thinking just dropping this idea and sticking with what I have and going back to film for stills with my Minolta’s with my collection of lenses

[@terrytong8665]

micro 4/3 is the gem now, for people who just want to do photography without paying premium for a hype. But so are used DSLRs, and your smartphones.

[@chrismcgathey7604]

I am trying to decide between the Olympus Pen 8 or a Leica C Type 112. I know they are completely different cameras with one being interchangeable micro four thirds with no VF and the Leica essentially a point and shoot. If it were you which camera would you lean toward?

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Thanks!

[@TomCalton]

No, thank you! 🙌🏼

[@rikardpersson9493]

Thanks Matti for an entertaining an thought provoking video! I can say that I almost cured my GAS! I realized that I actually am into the rendering of the pictures - ie the lens. The GRiii helped me to realize this… My Nikon Coolpix A is in absolute terms inferior to the GRiii but I like the rendering of the Nikon Lens better. Luckily I stopped selling my gear way back when I got new Cameras so I could, when I realised this, go back tibpick up both older Cameras and more importantly the „old“ lenses I used to shoot the “cameras” with - only to realize that, for me the camera is unimportant (as long as I don’t hate using it (The Sonys come close hate and The Pentaxes and Olympuses to love)) the lenses do it for me. Not selling gear earlier made me able to use i.e. the Loxia 35 f/2 (ALL the Loxias) again together with the Nikkor 35 f/1.4, LUMIX Leica 25 f/1.4 and Olympus 25 f/1.2 and Super Takumar 50 f/1.4 (8 elements) again! The list goes on… All of these lenses need a Camera… so I am lucky to have kept them all! Regards Rikard

[@leisurelypaice]

I am looking forward to trying a Pen at some point

[@TomCalton]

If they're all like this, I think you'll enjoy it

[@dh1895]

The 20mm was so nice but also so slow 😢 really sad that there was never a follow up version with a faster focus motor

[@MakePictures]

what's fun is they also make screen hoods that attach to the screen- when closed it covers the screen, and then you can flip it open into a shade. when the screen is turned up towards you it's like shooting a medium format. very handy for non-confrontational street photography

[@WaddyMuters]

Can you provide link, please? I’ve been looking for something like that but couldn’t find anything.

[@apsreehari_]

umm, what camera did you shoot this video on ; )