Easiest access camera: Smaller or larger but sealed?

[Tjaard Breeuwer]

So, we all know that the camera that takes the best pictures is the one you can pull out quickly and easily.

I am looking at micro 4/3 cameras, as a nice balance of size and performance.

The question then is, which will be faster on the ‘draw’:

The tiny Lumix GM5, since it’s easy to stash in a pocket or pouch, but needs a more protective pouch which takes time to open, or the weather sealed OM-D E-M5MkII, since it can stay outside, on a clip in all but the worst weather.

[Bruce Tolley]

More than one person has said the best camera for backpacking is the one you will use.  How often would you need to protect the camera from the rain? What about drops?  When it rains, I carry my Olympus M4/3 E M10 mark1 stuffed in a cheap plastic bag and carried in a cheap LowePro holster (non AW). (I might have gotten the idea from the late great Bob Gross).

Also are all your lenses sealed?  I also suspect the weather sealing is just against moisture, not against rain or steam but go to the Olympus site for the spec and read reviews/post questions on the B&H site. I had some Canon L lenses which were supposed sealed suffer from mold after a trip to the tropics during rainy season. Personally, I would go for the lighter camera.

[Tjaard Breeuwer]

“How often would you need to protect the camera from rain?”

Not super often, but it happens. last weekend was another wet weekend. Great atmosphere, but makes me very worried about the camera.

Certainly snow is quite common, as is spray from waves or waterfalls, all of which are precisely the situations you would like to take pictures of.

The OM-D eM5 II page on Olympus website has an video of backcountry powder skiing that is pretty nice.

You are correct that condensation is still an issue, even in truly waterproof cameras, which none of these one are.

Yes, lenses need to be sealed too, luckily Olympus offers quite a few models, both Pro series and a compact super zoom. If you are getting a weather sealed Panasonic body you should think long and hard though, since they only offer a few sealed lenses.

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