Sony Nex5, Olympus E-PL2, or Canon G12?

Village Idiot · Nov 3, 2011

I'm currently looking at these three cameras as something that I can take out when the 5D MKII is a bit much. I'll be using it mainly for photography for a food and travel site I'm writing articles for, when I'm on the motorcycle, or when 30 lbs of cameras equipment is too much.

The Sony Nex5 appears to have the best IQ of the bunch but is automatically out if I can't fire a flash by physically tethering a PW to it via a sync cord. From all my searching, it isn't possible, but I'm just putting it out there with the hopes of someone has heard of some way to make this work.

The Olympus E-PL3 is looking to be leading the choices right now. It has detachable lenses and is fairly small. I hear that ISO 1600 is acceptable, but it's best when under 800 and 400 IS. This may be an issue eventually, but I'm thinking a small gorilla pod will clear that up if it ever becomes the issue.

The G12 is small. There's no detachable lenses to worry about having to purchase separately and carry with. It's a good camera, but i still has an even smaller sensor than the MTF format and it doesn't have detachable lenses so I'm stuck with the focal lengths and apertures that come with the camera, but it does have a hotshoe.

They're all about the same price as well. Is there anything else out there I should consider? I want a hotshoe or a way to trigger a pocket wizard via a sync cord. That HAS to be on whatever camera I buy. Other than that, I'm open to suggestiongs.

kundalini · Nov 3, 2011

I have the Oly E-P3. I can't speak highly enough about it. It is also the largest body (flagship) of the PEN line. From more reading since my purchase, the E-PL3 is running the same sensor but packed in a smaller body with fewer on-body control knobs, wheels, buttons. The E-PM3 is also the same sensor with even less controls and a smaller body. The one thing about the E-PL3 is that they have a swivel LCD screen, but the E-P3 is an OLED screen with much better resolution.

I did buy the EV3 viewfinder and it helps, but it is not the same as the viewfinder you're used to. The E-P3 does have a hotshoe and a built-in flash. I can easily use my PCB Cybersync's to fire speedlights and strobes.

Another option to look at is the Panasonic line (G# / GF#), don't really know their model numbers. I think some of the Panny's have an articulating LCD screen. They are on par with Olympus pretty much. You can use Panny and Oly lenses on either body. They have come out with some nice glass recently, Panny has hooked up with Leica and I believe this is only the beginning for the native m43 lenses. They are very small, lightweight. Of course, you can also get an adapter to use your Canon lenses with the MFT format.

Although the IQ of the Sony may be better, I am not impressed with the lenses and accessories, yet. And as you mentioned, the G12 is a fixed lens, even though it has a hotshoe.

dots · Nov 3, 2011

Forget the G12. That's yesterday's fish and chips now. If you can get by without AF, i'd say choose the NEX-5 because of the amount of lenses that can be adapted. Otherwise, go with the Oly.