M4/3, compact, Mirrorless for <$500 Opinions?

[VulgarDisplay]

Wife is looking to replace her aging canon point and shoot, and I've been looking for something decent under $500 for her. The problem is, there are so many damn choices.

The Sony NEX-5T, Fuji X-A1, Nikon 1 J3 (seems to have a decent prime lens for cheap), and so many others to choose from.

I'm practically sold on the nikon 1 j3 because of it's size and some decent cheap lenses being available. Anyone had to make this decision in this price range?

 

[Throckmorton]

Sony Nex because it's APS-C

 

[Syborg1211]

Are you sure your wife needs/wants an interchangeable lens camera? Even the Nikon 1 is going to take up more space than the canon, and managing extra lenses is also a hassle. How serious does she want to get with the photography?

If you get a Canon S1xx series camera, she should be right at home since she has a Canon p&s already. The sensor size is larger than your average p&s, but it's also nowhere near where the interchangeables are. For something in between (but pricier), check out the Sony RX100.

 

[blastingcap]

See: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2288911

http://forums.anandtech.com/archive/index.php/t-2288911.html
The only things that have changed are that each system has a few more lenses, and hybrid PDAF/CDAF cameras have improved somewhat, the A6000 may even be approaching the original Nikon V1/J1 speeds (but the V3 is even faster).

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Are you sure your wife needs/wants an interchangeable lens camera? Even the Nikon 1 is going to take up more space than the canon, and managing extra lenses is also a hassle. How serious does she want to get with the photography?

If you get a Canon S1xx series camera, she should be right at home since she has a Canon p&s already. The sensor size is larger than your average p&s, but it's also nowhere near where the interchangeables are. For something in between (but pricier), check out the Sony RX100.

Who cares what my wife wants lol. She asked for a smaller camera than our d5100 so I want something g new to play with. She can think its for her all she wants hahaha.

I keep hearing about how awful the menus and controls are on the Sony cameras. The Fuji sounds like its better on that front than the others. The Nikon 1 j3 has price on its side.

 

[Mgz]

Sony RX100, very compact, raving review and your wife will love it. just wait for the occasional sales at 400$ (amazon price :550$ atm)

 

[IAteYourMother]

As far as M4/3 goes, I think you can get an Olympus E-PM2 w/kit lens for ~200 USD, or at least there were several deals over the past month or two on Slickdeals about it. It's super small and has a pretty good sensor.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Need to talk to the wife because the nex 6 is on sale for $524 right now. That's a pretty crazy deal I'd say.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Decided on the nex 6 because of the deal. Its small enough to fit in her purse, and I can get an adapter to work with my Nikon lenses.

I also love the evf and focus peaking capability. That is a truly great feature.

 

[Spoooon]

Need to talk to the wife because the nex 6 is on sale for $524 right now. That's a pretty crazy deal I'd say.

It's a great deal. I was going to post it in the thread yesterday, but didn't after you posted about the Sony menus.

I have an NEX-F3, the menu isn't so bad. Should be better on the NEX-6 because you have more manual controls.

I bought an A7 earlier today. Should be here on Monday.

 

[Loser Gamer]

I love my Olympus E-PM2. I bought the body only and then got a Sigma 30mm 2.8 from BH Photo. Camera was $250 on sale and lens was $200.

I use it on auto mode because I'm not learned with all the manual programing yet.

The video isn't the greatest from what the reviews say but it takes great pics. My saying goes if you want great video go buy a camcorder which are made for it.

See the pics... I am happy with these. I can't wait to try a fisheye lens soon.

 

[brainhulk]

i just bought my wife a sony rx100m2.

unprocessed jpeg:

 

[ClockHound]

Oh my, look at that floral bokeh. ;-)

Not bad for a P &S. Not bad at all.

 

[brainhulk]

Oh my, look at that floral bokeh. ;-)

Not bad for a P &S. Not bad at all.

darn you and your wink. you made me google what I was doing wrong and learn how to use her camera
take 2!