Beginner I
1
Score

Street and Landscape mainly - Some portrait but the holiday snap kind!
Brad-Jones | Asked  over a year ago | Last response was over a year ago

I am an expert beginner! I have been interested in photography all my life, with a parent who would say he is a hobbiest photographer. I have had no tuition but know my way around a camera but wouldn't say that I am fully informed on every aspect of the camera settings.

I enjoy trying to be creative with my photos and currently lack the manual controls with my current P&S (Coolpix L100).

I have started to dabble with the digital darkroom but mainly for tweaking photos rather than 'creating images from photos'

As a beginner with no particular focus other than to take good photos, I would like flexibility with what it can do but a camera that takes good quality images that doesn't take a day of setting up to get a snap

Which camera do you recommend for Brad-Jones?

Panasonic DMC-G3 - $249
15.8 MP|Four Thirds CMOS|3" LCD
Olympus E-PM1 - $299
12.2 MP|Four Thirds CMOS|3" LCD
8 Answers
  1. Beginner I
    2
    Score
    over a year ago Mariusz-Pawelec recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

    Lumix its the best from those choice and U can get cheaper G1 or G2 

    1. Beginner I
      over a year ago Brad-Jones
      Hi, thanks for your comment. I went to hold a G3 earlier today, I am thinking it maybe too small. The G2, like you say, is cheaper and the size is better for me too. I am concerned that I would be buying into an older model, especially as we are in the early days of mirrorless technology. Any other suggestions? maybe even a compact DSLR?
    2. Beginner I
      over a year ago Mariusz-Pawelec
      There is another good thing for U its Pentax Kr with this one U can use old manual lenses,and he is comfy in hands also has very same size like Lumix ;)
    Reply
  2. Beginner I
    1
    Score
    over a year ago marc518 recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

    personally I have not been happy with the olympus's I have used.  I would check amazon or bhphoto, crutchfield to see if tha panasonic price could come down.  assuming the olympus is current, it may be ok, but i would rather look at nikon or canon (discontinued models) like the canon g12 or nikon p7000 (upgraded).  there are other choices, but I am not bringing up every option here.

    1. Beginner I
      over a year ago Brad-Jones
      Hi Marc, I was the same, Nikon or Canon were above and beyond. My Dad suggested to me the Olympus as he has a few DSLRs from them. G3 is too small I think, G2 is better for my grip but a compact DSLR like the Sony A35 feels spot on. Just know that my budget will not stretch too far and paramount for me is image quality and manual settings.
    Reply
  3. Beginner II
    1
    Score
    over a year ago Balazs-Ari recommends the Olympus PEN E-PM1

    GF1 or GX1 , because it is the best ;) I have one, beside of my 5D mkII.

    1. Beginner I
      over a year ago Brad-Jones
      Hi, thanks - If you look at the below comments, i have new concerns - any help you can offer me would be great. I am a landscaper at heart but I have been doing a lot of travelling recently with more to come. Cities, streets, foreign landscapes etc - but also the versatility to be able to shoot most things that come my way!
    Reply
  4. Intermediate I
    cameras Community
    Fair Minded
    0
    Score
    over a year ago Ben-Marshall recommends neither camera

    If you want Quality, RAW capability, great video, and LOTS of possibilites, go NEX.

    Simply put, They are the best Mirrorless cameras available... perhaps even the best camera period, for your money.

    I have a NEX-3... and it makes me want a NEX-7 10 times more than a Canon 1DX...

    The fact that you can buy simple adapter plates, and use Lenses from nearly every manufacturer, and even find amazing lenses like the Fujinon 50mm f0.7, that you can USE on the NEX...

    Makes NEX the clear winner due to the combination of photo quality and versatility.

    Reply
  5. Beginner I
    0
    Score
    over a year ago Diogo-Gon-alves recommends neither camera

    Hey Brad, i would recommend the Lumix G3, but be careful with the battery, cause its a quite poor.. Hug

    1. Beginner I
      over a year ago Brad-Jones
      Hey - thanks - I held a G3 earlier, was very small in my hands and I am not sure now. A compact DSLR maybe or the G2 (but see below for concerns)
    Reply
  6. Beginner II
    0
    Score
    over a year ago Neil-Quigley recommends neither camera

    The G3 is nice, but unless you're actually going to have a lens collection you might not even want to have a system camera - have a look at both the Olympus XZ-1 and the Canon G1X, both of these give you all the manual controls and creative flexibility that you're looking for along with better IQ than a point & shoot, but without the hassles of a system camera (which I'm increasingly seeing as pointless for the 80% of CSC users who have just the kit lens)

    Reply
  7. Beginner I
    0
    Score
    over a year ago Don-Barto recommends neither camera

    Fujifilm X-Pro 1... good at high ISO, easy to handle...but result like pro !!! ...or maybe you would take a look at Fujifilm X100 for less cost.

    1. Beginner II
      over a year ago Balazs-Ari
      but the price tag is like the pro too :(((
    Reply
  8. Beginner I
    -1
    Score
    over a year ago Don-Nissen recommends neither camera

    Look at the Sony NEX-C3. It's phenomenal, works great in auto-mode for the beginner, and its beautiful  articulating screen is a no-turning-back kind of experience, you'll never buy another camera that doesn't have one.

    Reply

Summary

2 Recommendations for
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
1 Recommendation for
Olympus PEN E-PM1

features

Sortable

corporate

  • jobs
  • team
  • about
  • press
  • terms and privacy

community

on the web

Sortable
Rebellion Media Technology