Why I bought a camera for 40.000¥
I have had my Olympus OM-D EM1 markii for many years now and am, for the most part, still very happy with it. Sometimes I wish I had a higher image resolution, or the option to take pictures with a wider aperture. But then I am thankful again for the advantages of shooting with MFT, especially for it being a smaller and lighter system. After all, the best camera is the one you have with you, right? And the same goes for lenses too.
And this is also the first reason why I bought a new camera. Or rather, not new. I bought a used Olympus OM-D EM10 markii, an entry-level camera that came out a year before my EM1 markii.
As you might have guessed, I am not planning to exchange my main camera for this older model with less features and less megapixels. But since I am getting more and more serious about my photography, collaborating with people and making appointments for photo shoots, I am also feeling more anxious about having a back-up, and about not dragging my most important work tool into every pub or other potentially dangerous situation. The EM10 is also even smaller and lighter than the EM1. Therefore I hope that I will just throw it in my bag and take it along with me more often. This will give me the chance to take pictures in the moment of the people I meet and the places I go.
Still, I am wondering, is it worth it? Do I take more and better pictures with this camera than I would with my phone?
Originally I had planned to take the EM10 with me on an evening out in Okachimachi, but I caught a cold that forced me to stay in and delay this plan. Instead, I employed the ‘models’ available to me at home.
Here are the results of my first shooting with my new 40.000¥ (~290$) camera:
So far what I can say is, that the EM10 markii clearly is a cheaper camera than the EM1. It feels cheaper, the image quality cannot quite keep up, the auto focus is not as good, there’s only one card slot,… But, honestly, the question has never been whether it can match the EM1. Of course it can not!
But, it is a fun camera to shoot with in my opinion. I clearly prefer it to taking pictures with my phone.
I also notice that I care more about composition and lighting, and everything included in taking a good picture, with a camera in my hand, compared to my phone.
So, yes, as a camera to take with me wherever, buying the Olympus OM-D EM10 markii was a great choice in my opinion. It is small, light, fun, and capable enough.
Knowing I have it as a back-up should anything happen to my EM1 also gives me a sense of security, though I would hope that I won’t have to fall back on it for too long.
This sums it up for now. I hope I will still get around to taking the new camera out to Okachimachi, and if I do, I will let you know how it went and share some of my pictures.
Until then, have a great day and keep shooting.