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Can I find One camera that will do it all for me?


Momneedshelp | Asked  over a year ago | Last response was 6 months ago

Hello, I appreciate any help in deciding on a camera system. I'm a novice, but will take some classes in photography because I really enjoy it. It would be great to find a camera that can shoot on auto, but will allow me to grow as I learn. I really want one of the smallest form factors. Micro 4/3rds, etc. I have been watching these since debut and I can't wait anymore as my kids are young teens now!! I am returing the Sony nex-5n kit I bought because it's really not fast enough!

I've been reading till my head spins. There is so much info. I've been eyeing the new Olympus EM-5 and the Nikon 1V1. The Nikon boasts great speed and fast focus but is 10mp - will I be able to crop and get blow-ups? I would like a small (pancake?), to keep the camera small and a zoom for sports for starters, guess I need a flash too! The Olympus looks great too-has Everything I Need AND Like, but I don't think it's near as fast as the Nikon.

My needs are:

1) taking (sharp, focused) pics at my daughters lacrosse games so I need speed & quick autofocus. A good zoom lens also - not across a canyon/sometimes I'm 30 ft. away, at times on the bleachers while they play on part of the football field (100 yds at most I think?) 

2) Family indoor pics, vacation outdoor pics

3) I would like to be about to blow up some prints when I want - 8x10, maybe a 11x17, but probably will need to crop too of course.

4) Good video is a big plus

My Likes are:

 tilt screen, good movies, evf

Thank you so much for any help!!!!!

Which camera do you recommend for Momneedshelp?

Nikon V1 - $649
10 MP|Nikon CX CMOS|3" LCD
Olympus E-M5 - $999
15.9 MP|Four Thirds CMOS|3" OLED
4 Answers
  1. Beginner II
    Olympus OM-D E-M5
    Promoter
    Score
    over a year ago Steven-Rounds recommends the Olympus OM-D E-M5

    The Nikon 1 V1is very, VERY over-priced for what you get.

    You can set the E-M5 up to focus-&-fire the shot by just tapping on the screen.  I thought that doing this would tend to blur my shots (because tapping the OLED screen would cause some motion/blurring in the camera), but the 5-axis IBIS on the Olympus took care of that.

    I recommend setting up the EVF for a full-screen display for soccer (superimposed icons on the screen, not in an info bar below, and use the info button to reduce the number of icons on the screen to the amount you want).  This will enlarge your EVF viewfinder view.

    I've got the 12-50mm and 40-150mm, but you could get the 14-150mm lens.  The 40-150mm gives you an 80-300mm 35mm equivalent, which would be good for soccer.  BTW, I got my 40-150mm for $159 on sale at B&H...you could wait for the sale to repeat.

    But the main thing to remember is that the E-M5 is weather- AND dust-sealed...just wash it off in the shower if it gets dirty.

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  2. Beginner II
    Nikon 1 V1
    Supporter
    Score
    6 months ago Sven-Hudak recommends the Nikon 1 V1

    The Oly is very nice but it does not focus as well as the V1 on moving subjects...The V 1 tracks much better and if you are shooting sports the 2.7 crop factor will help you greatly in getting closer to the action...the OM-D has better image quality but you can print 11 x 14 from the V1 ..no problem...and using software like onOne's new resize program...you can print even larger without losing detail...in the long run I like them both...I own the V1 and am saving up to get Om-D...each tool does a different job well...you don't use a hammer if you need a screwdriver

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  3. Intermediate II
    cameras Community
    Fair Minded
    Score
    9 months ago Foto-Mim recommends the Olympus OM-D E-M5

    I am pretty sure you'll be better with the Oly, it's image quality is way above Nikon's 1V1. You also get into a mature system, with plenty of lenses/adapters you can grow in.(Olympus, Panasonic, Leica) Another big plus for the Oly is it's reliable weather sealing, it might be at hand sometimes. As a mirrorless camera, Oly's speed leaves no room for complaining. Good luck in taking the right decision!

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  4. Beginner II
    Nikon 1 J1
    Supporter
    Score
    10 months ago Justin-Skyline recommends the Nikon 1 J1

    The J1 is almost half the price of the V1, has the same sensor and other hardware and is the same speed. It is also lighter and easier to carry. For even better shots though, check out the new D3200 which is a proper SLR. This means it has a better range of lenses to choose from and also has a guide mode which teaches you to use the various functions of the camera. :)

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