Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
p.1 #1Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
I have shot mostly full frame and APS-C cameras all my life. I been itching to try an Olympus camera to shoot with the Panasonic Lumix Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 lens and the 75mm 1.8 lens. I shoot mostly static things like flowers and portraits. No birds, no wildlife or landscapes.
What camera would you recommend for me to use to use these 2 particular lenses? Or any Micro Four Thirds camera.
What camera would you recommend for me to use to use these 2 particular lenses? Or any Micro Four Thirds camera.
Apr 08, 2026 at 07:28 PM
p.1 #2Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
If you want a smaller body, the 5 series should handle your needs. Either the E-M5 iii, OM-5, or OM-5 ii.
If you want a larger body with much better ergonomics, the 1 series will do the trick. Anything from the E-M1 ii or iii to the OM-1 or ii. The last two are likely overkill for your use case.
If I were in your situation, I'd go for either the OM-5 or the E-M1 iii. Not the latest models, but more than sufficient for your stated needs.
If you want a larger body with much better ergonomics, the 1 series will do the trick. Anything from the E-M1 ii or iii to the OM-1 or ii. The last two are likely overkill for your use case.
If I were in your situation, I'd go for either the OM-5 or the E-M1 iii. Not the latest models, but more than sufficient for your stated needs.
Apr 08, 2026 at 08:12 PM
p.1 #3Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
I’d go for the OM-1 (mk 1). It’s still small, has a great grip for using heavier lenses like the 42.5mm, great sensor, great autofocus. And they can be had for relatively cheap nowadays, since the Mk 2 came out.
Apr 09, 2026 at 08:00 AM
p.1 #4Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
esanchez wrote:
I have shot mostly full frame and APS-C cameras all my life. I been itching to try an Olympus camera to shoot with the Panasonic Lumix Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 lens and the 75mm 1.8 lens. I shoot mostly static things like flowers and portraits. No birds, no wildlife or landscapes.
What camera would you recommend for me to use to use these 2 particular lenses? Or any Micro Four Thirds camera.
The suggestions for EM1-3, OM5, and OM1-1 are good.
The other side of the coin is pairing with a Panny body. If video isn't a priority (which I assume it isn't), you could opt for the G9 or G9ii, the former being more than enough for your use case.
I have a GX9 body (love the portability) and really, that'd be enough for your use case.
I have shot mostly full frame and APS-C cameras all my life. I been itching to try an Olympus camera to shoot with the Panasonic Lumix Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 lens and the 75mm 1.8 lens. I shoot mostly static things like flowers and portraits. No birds, no wildlife or landscapes.
What camera would you recommend for me to use to use these 2 particular lenses? Or any Micro Four Thirds camera.
The suggestions for EM1-3, OM5, and OM1-1 are good.
The other side of the coin is pairing with a Panny body. If video isn't a priority (which I assume it isn't), you could opt for the G9 or G9ii, the former being more than enough for your use case.
I have a GX9 body (love the portability) and really, that'd be enough for your use case.
Apr 14, 2026 at 11:53 AM
p.1 #5Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
OM-1 is a good choice. If you need smaller camera, OM-3 can work too. You can use multi stacking or 50MP 14-bit resolution if you need more details... Other advantage of multi stacking is the ISO performance, eg 50MP 14 bit ISO 12800 looks like ISO 3200 normal shot...That is very good even for portraits as long as your subjects are still...
If you don't need those, you can even use an old Pana gx bodies... Here are shots from GX7 + Pana 42.5mm 1.2 from 2014 DC Sakura Festival:
If you don't need those, you can even use an old Pana gx bodies... Here are shots from GX7 + Pana 42.5mm 1.2 from 2014 DC Sakura Festival:
Apr 14, 2026 at 12:53 PM
p.1 #6Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
For you? OM-3. Hands down. I have the OM-1, Om-3, A7r5 and A7Cii : 90% of the time it's the OM-3 I reach for first. Wonderful camera (add the Leofoto L-plate/grip to transform the hand-holding - it only weighs ca. 68g).
N.B. My go to lenses are the superb trio of OM 20/1.4, OM 45/1.2 Pro and OM 75/1.8.
Edited on May 19, 2026 at 02:21 AM · View previous versions
N.B. My go to lenses are the superb trio of OM 20/1.4, OM 45/1.2 Pro and OM 75/1.8.
Edited on May 19, 2026 at 02:21 AM · View previous versions
May 14, 2026 at 12:53 AM
p.1 #7Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
Have multiple cameras but OM-3 is the one I reach out to most as the comment above. It's a very enjoyable camera to use and people ask if it's film. I have a wooden grip on it.
May 18, 2026 at 10:03 AM
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p.1 #8Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
If you’re not looking for some of the latest computational features, the E-m5iii is a great camera.
May 27, 2026 at 06:36 PM
p.1 #9Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
The LUMIX G9 for sure
Oct 08, 2026 at 10:40 PM
p.1 #10Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
Sorry I'm a little late to this thread. In the current generation of cameras I've had two, and they couldn't have been more different. You didn't give a ton of information on what you might value, so I can break the two cameras I know down a little:
OM-3: This is my daily camera, the one that lives in my bag, and is a joy to use once you set it up to your liking. I have settings for HHRS, for 50FPS capture, for B+W emulation, etc. all ready to go. AF is beyond fast and accurate in my experience, and exposure has been spot on everywhere. I thought the lack of a grip would be a problem, but it hasn't been, even with the 50-200/2.8 IS. Also has lovely SOOC JPEGs.
G9 II: Highest resolution in system, excellent ergonomics if you are coming from FF, has the LUT system via the app, and has excellent video capabilities. The SOOC JPEGs are not to my liking, but the LUT system allows you to download whatever formula you might want. I find it to be a far superior option to OM's Creative Dial. AF was mostly good, but missed more than I liked; I'd say 90% on target. High frame rate capture was just ok; I don't remember how fast it was but it wasn't fast enough for capturing children in motion in dim light; it's not a sports cameras so I didn't expect it to though. The size of the camera was a detriment; it's the same size as a FF (literally; it shares a body with Panasonics FF camera), and the file sizes are huge (twice the OM-3). The High Res mode was a bit harder to get results from than the OM's, so I used it less.
Overall, if you want to experience m43, I think the OM-3 is the best current example of the system at the high end. The new PEN might be a great example of the system in a more compact format.
OM-3: This is my daily camera, the one that lives in my bag, and is a joy to use once you set it up to your liking. I have settings for HHRS, for 50FPS capture, for B+W emulation, etc. all ready to go. AF is beyond fast and accurate in my experience, and exposure has been spot on everywhere. I thought the lack of a grip would be a problem, but it hasn't been, even with the 50-200/2.8 IS. Also has lovely SOOC JPEGs.
G9 II: Highest resolution in system, excellent ergonomics if you are coming from FF, has the LUT system via the app, and has excellent video capabilities. The SOOC JPEGs are not to my liking, but the LUT system allows you to download whatever formula you might want. I find it to be a far superior option to OM's Creative Dial. AF was mostly good, but missed more than I liked; I'd say 90% on target. High frame rate capture was just ok; I don't remember how fast it was but it wasn't fast enough for capturing children in motion in dim light; it's not a sports cameras so I didn't expect it to though. The size of the camera was a detriment; it's the same size as a FF (literally; it shares a body with Panasonics FF camera), and the file sizes are huge (twice the OM-3). The High Res mode was a bit harder to get results from than the OM's, so I used it less.
Overall, if you want to experience m43, I think the OM-3 is the best current example of the system at the high end. The new PEN might be a great example of the system in a more compact format.
Oct 14, 2026 at 07:05 AM
p.1 #11Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
AHPZuazua wrote:
The LUMIX G9 for sure
If you're buying used, this and the E-M1 Mark II/III are among the best options for features, design, and price.
The LUMIX G9 for sure
If you're buying used, this and the E-M1 Mark II/III are among the best options for features, design, and price.
Oct 14, 2026 at 07:36 AM
p.1 #12Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
I have the excellent OM System OM-1 MKII, and I usually use only the superb OM System 50-200/2.8 IS Pro with it.
For travel and macro photography, I use the top-of-the-line OM System OM-3 + Leofoto base plate with grip + Smallrig wrist strap + OM System 12-100/4.0 IS Pro +
OM System 90/3.5 Macro Pro IS + OM System 30/3.5 Macro + OM System 12-40/2.8 Pro II + OM System 8-25/4.0 Pro + OM System 20/1.4 Pro.
For the best image quality, I use the Sony A7RV + excellent Sony GM prime lenses + the top-of-the-line Voigtländer manual prime lenses.
For travel and macro photography, I use the top-of-the-line OM System OM-3 + Leofoto base plate with grip + Smallrig wrist strap + OM System 12-100/4.0 IS Pro +
OM System 90/3.5 Macro Pro IS + OM System 30/3.5 Macro + OM System 12-40/2.8 Pro II + OM System 8-25/4.0 Pro + OM System 20/1.4 Pro.
For the best image quality, I use the Sony A7RV + excellent Sony GM prime lenses + the top-of-the-line Voigtländer manual prime lenses.
Oct 14, 2026 at 09:38 AM
p.1 #13Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
How very discriminating. With that top-of-the-line equipment I'm sure your photos are superb, excellent. But is there a recommendation in there?
Oct 14, 2026 at 03:19 PM
p.1 #14Help me choose an Olympus camera. Micro Four Thirds
If you want small sized body, E-M5iii and newer for the 5 series is good, for value a used E-M5iii is great. I actually still use the E-M5ii myself for a compact m43, but the newer 20MP sensors are a step up in my opinion.
I also use an OM-1, but I think any of the 1 series with a 20MP sensor would work great, better ergonomics for the largish lenses you list than the 5 series.
Only reason there's no recommendation for the 3 series is because I've never even seen one in the person much less use one. In my mind, for the size of the OM-3, I think I'd take the OM-1 instead.
I also use an OM-1, but I think any of the 1 series with a 20MP sensor would work great, better ergonomics for the largish lenses you list than the 5 series.
Only reason there's no recommendation for the 3 series is because I've never even seen one in the person much less use one. In my mind, for the size of the OM-3, I think I'd take the OM-1 instead.
Oct 14, 2026 at 06:44 PM