Instead of editing a previous post, just a little note (that may or may not be helpful for others): Another step in the big purge completed - down to three distinctive compacts, each with its particular use case. LX100 and original GR gone, GR III in the house (and being appreciated!), so FZ1000 (superzoom), G1X III (zoom compact - weather resistant), GR III (super-compact street shooter) left, and that's it - unless some miracle occurs (not likely).
But that's not news, it's just keeping stock.
Going forward, I'm now contemplating which of two mirrorless systems to eliminate in earnest - and since it won't be the Nikon Z and 1 systems (the latter will stay - not for nostalgic reasons, but because I still enjoy shooting with the V1 occasionally), it comes down to either Sony (F)E or
. Quite a big difference, in use cases as well as system depth in my case. However, we're at a point where Sony E could actually replace
in my current usage - I'd have to let go of quite a few interesting options, though (long tele, including zooms, and fisheye and ultrawide options on the other end of the spectrum).
When I got into Sony (F)E, it was to be just a playground, and I have so far kept that promise I made to myself. However, I find myself enjoying the lowly (and dated, by now!) A6000 so much that it really makes me pause and think. Some say the A6600 is overpriced, but it brings together more or less everything I want in a small body that still can take big lenses. The new 16-55mm f/2.8 is the lens the system was sorely lacking. I concede that it'd be quite an expensive switch - but it might well be worth it once the dust has settled.
In spite of all this, I may well stick with
because it's still *the* best choice for a nice balance between compactness and performance - even though the GX9, mature and well-spec'd though it is, hasn't turned out the be-all-end-all body that I was hoping for, mainly because it just doesn't play well with bigger lenses (even when using the additional grip). So, in order to make things work for me again, I would definitely have to switch bodies again. Unfortunately, for my needs and desires, there's no other compelling option: The current G series bodies are too big for my liking, and Olympus doesn't have an up-to-date enthusiast model out yet. However, with the release of the Olympus E-M5 III around the corner (or at least, not as far away as it was), I may be able to decide this year and complete the whole plan within a year.
Exploring new gear and whole systems is fun, but it doesn't do anything for your time spent shooting, and it's certainly not conducive to getting familiar with a particular system.
What could complicate things would be other cameras hitting the market in the not-too-distant future, like, e.g., a Nikon Z APS-C body as has already been rumored online. Depending on what that would offer, hesitation might set in again. But then, it might speed things up as well - so, not to worry.
Even though it might seem counter-intuitive, this thread has been a major motivation to finally get things in check and stop diversifying. Of course, doing so for quite a number of years has left me with quite a few odds and ends, i.e. (too many) options. But I've been transitioning to more focussed decisions for a while now - and people sharing their motivation behind their purchases has helped a great deal.
M.