In the never-ending debate (or is it ever-evolving?) about what makes the best street camera, here's an intriguing suggestion that's worth a look.
I have long waxed poetic in my posts about how much I love the Micro Four Thirds system. Whether it's creating an unobstrusive, lightweight kit for journalism, or just the infinitely usable features of the system's cameras, the system has definitely matured and has come to the point where there's pretty much something for everyone.
And for street photographers, the system offers the excellent pairing of the Panasonic Lumix GX9 with the Micro Four Thirds staple, the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH. Lens, according to photographer and YouTuber Grant Robert Davies.
Davies (and I) are certainly not the only ones to extol the virtues of this little gem of a pancake lens. Its predecessor was the first mirrorless lens I owned, and it was the kit lens for the original Panasonic GF1. Even Panasonic's engineers realized the system's potential for street photography with a kit lens like that.
Between portability, image stabilization, focus speeds and image quality, among other features, Davies highlights why the combo is so good. That said, to be ultra-discreet, I'm still always a fan of the long-discontinued Panasonic GM series cameras, the GM1 and GM5. While both have their drawbacks and shortcomings, having a camera the size of a deck of cards that can hook up to any Micro Four Thirds lens is incredibly appealing.
All that said, lately Panasonic and Olympus haven't been focusing on small, street-able cameras, and the camera referenced here, the GX9, was released five years ago. It's a big reason my street photography has shifted mainly to the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, released in 2021 and with much more sophisticated autofocus capability and image quality. Paired with the diminutive EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Lens, it's a package about as small as the Panasonic gear here, but, to me, a more capable package.
What are your recommendations on an ultimate street photography camera/lens combo? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Some valid points in this video...my own preference in the M4/3 world is the Panasonic LX100ii as it is even smaller than the GX9 and has more versatility than even the Canon M50 mentioned (I have one of those too with the 22mm) which is a great little camera as well. The LX is 3 MP smaller than the GX9 and has no tilting screen but is otherwise mostly the same camera but in a smaller footprint and a 24-75mm lens!
As a longtime Olympus/OMD user, I am gratified by the love the general photo community has been showing towards m43s recently. But I'm also confused! Why couldn't you guys see what I saw 5-6 years ago?
At any rate, I'm glad you're onboard. It's a good system, if you're a good enough photographer! (like any other system,competence helps a lot.)
Fuji XE3 w/18mm. That's all you need. And good sneakers
Coffee, always coffee!
For portability, the Olympus E-M5 Mark III with the very sharp Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH combo works well for me. Lightweight enough that I don't notice I'm carrying it. Lots of nice lenses in the M43 mount. And I agree that good sneakers and competence help a lot.
I miss my Olympus E-M10 Mark II dearly. Took a tumble off the top of my monopod at a protest and that was that. Great little camera, just like the E-M5 series.
E-M5 MarkIII great for fast action motorsports as well.
Wow! That's nice!
M43 has been amazing for me ever since I picked up the EM10ii for less than 200 USD last year (previous owner moving to Sony iirc).
Since then I got the 14/17/25/30/50/56/60/75mm + 12-40mm
So yes, no regrets in M43 so far.
I disagree that the M50 is more capable. I shoot an m50 and a gx80. First off, I think the gx80 is a better buy than the gx9. It's cheaper, smaller, has a nicer design and almost no crop shooting 4k video. The only real compromises are the exposure comp dial and the articulating EVF. The EVF is cool but I doubt it's actually that useful.
On the m50 vs gx80 so, there's no noticeable image quality benefit in either sharpness, colour or dynamic range on the m50. The gx80 is sharper despite having only 16 megapixels to the m50's 24. Gx80 images colour grade better to my eye in Lightroom than the m50 which can get a bit flat at times. The AF on both my 25mm 1.7 and 12-32 3.5-5.6 is way faster than the EFM 22mm which is fine but shockingly slow for a modern lens. ISO performance is about the same on both which is to say not great. However, the m50 has IBIS which makes it a clear win for Panasonic when shooting in darker conditions or on longer lenses.
Huge one next, the m50 only has one control dial. I hate this, the gx80 of course has two and just makes it a dream to use.
The gx80 has the flip-up screen which is generally much better in street shooting scenarios than the fully articulating screen.
MFT has a way better lens lineup than the pitiful ef-m.
The EVF on the m50 might be slightly better but the screen on the gx80 is waaaay better than the m50.
I could go on but I think this makes the case pretty effectively.
I bought an m50 for €500 and a few months later I got the gx80 for €240. Withing a couple of months I almost completely stops shooting the m50. That really says it all.
I felt the complete opposite way on all of this - especially re: the EVF and autofocus stuff, but that said, as long as you enjoy what you're shooting!
No argument about the lens selection. M50's future lens selection looks bleak.