Full-Frame, what am I missing?

[ikolbyi]

As someone who is heavily invested in both MFT (OMS & Panny) and FF (Panny), I wanted to share an image of the two systems side-by-side for those who continuously discuss MFT & FF systems as if MFT is now a cancer or dead system (my interpretation on this forum commentary).

The grass is not necessarily greener on the other (FF) side, it all comes down to how you use the system and what you are trying to photograph.

The below sample is of a static image with natural lighting. Something I saw in my yard after a heavy rainstorm so I brought out both cameras for a quick and dirty comparison. I am noting now the setting are different between the cameras because the systems are different. Different focus distances, lenses, sensors, etc .... but I tried my best to make the image comparison identical. Images processed through DXO v7.

Lumix G9.2

Lumix S1R.2



Which one do you prefer?

 

[Bas Hamstra]

As someone who is heavily invested in both MFT (OMS & Panny) and FF (Panny), I wanted to share an image of the two systems side-by-side for those who continuously discuss MFT & FF systems as if MFT is now a cancer or dead system (my interpretation on this forum commentary).

Well, I kind of understand...we've been using it so long, at starts to itch. We try other things. But give up on it? Not any time soon. Personally I would like an OM5 as my next camera, because the brilliant EM1.2 gets a little old, and the OM5 has these cool live filters for landscaping.

Which one do you prefer?

There is not much difference but the background is slightly quieter in the FF shot. As a macro shooter I spot these things.

 

[ahaslett]

Why would you expect to see a difference, other than not having the same shot? Is base ISO on the S1ii really 200?

A

 

[ikolbyi]

Why would you expect to see a difference, other than not having the same shot? Is base ISO on the S1ii really 200?

A

If you are hung up on specs, then you are not living the moment.

Photography is about living the moment.

 

[ahaslett]

Why would you expect to see a difference, other than not having the same shot? Is base ISO on the S1ii really 200?

A

If you are hung up on specs, then you are not living the moment.

Photography is about living the moment.

I don’t have moments when I use two cameras and ask the audience why.

?

A

 

[mmartel]

Overall I preferred your G9ii image. Reasons:

1. FOCUS POINT. I preferred the focus on the closest surface of the mushroom head. On the full frame shot, I think you slightly missed focus and landed a bit closer to the stalk.

2. ASPECT RATIO. I've been shooting m43 too long, maybe. For portrait orientation shots, I just think 3x2 ratio looks weird. I know, I know, I'm a boomer and we're in the phone age. I make no apologies. 3x2 in the vertical orientation will always look "too tall and too skinny" to my eyes, even if it looks great in landscape. Sue me.

That said, I slightly preferred the tones in your full frame (S1RII?) shot, by a smidge. But that may just be because of the slight differences in white balance, ambient light during capture, or whatever.

So, what is full frame missing? Not much. That's why everyone and their mother buys it and recommends it. S1RII—very nice.

 

[number_5]

As someone who is heavily invested in both MFT (OMS & Panny) and FF (Panny), I wanted to share an image of the two systems side-by-side for those who continuously discuss MFT & FF systems as if MFT is now a cancer or dead system (my interpretation on this forum commentary).

I got into m43 for its overall size and weight. The gap is narrowed with some of the FF lightweight lens advancements (Nikon PF, Sony 300/2.8 & 70-200/4). The m43 cameras seem to move toward a different direction and not updating some of the lightweight options.

From what I can tell, no one stated the m43 is dead dead, but questioned the diminished benefits and where they are going.

Which one do you prefer?

The difference I care about is that the m43 setup is lighter than FF's. If the images are comparable and good enough, no preference.

What I'm looking for m43 is OM-5 size and a decent lightweight 12-100 (f/x-5.6[6.3]) for travel.

 

[SeeingSomeThingsMissingMany]

Overall I preferred your G9ii image. Reasons:

2. ASPECT RATIO. I've been shooting m43 too long, maybe. For portrait orientation shots, I just think 3x2 ratio looks weird. I know, I know, I'm a boomer and we're in the phone age. I make no apologies. 3x2 in the vertical orientation will always look "too tall and too skinny" to my eyes, even if it looks great in landscape. Sue me.

Most of my 101 digital cameras been 3:2. Even though I've had several m4/3.

On Dpr Medium Format forum sometime last year RogerJosem shared photos he took in China with Gfx100s2. From same location same time Roger photographed with his Sony A7R5, Roger shared these on Sony Dpr forum.

Straightaway I preferred 4:3 aspect of Gfx100s2.

So much so when I returned to photography january this year 2025, it was m4/3 a lot because of 4:3.

--
Photography after all is interplay of light alongside perspective.

 

[Dr Jason Polak]

1. First one has more breathing room on the left hand side
2. First one does not have that distracting out of focus bokeh (dust speck?)

Fact is, there are a hundred things that make one picture better than another, and the format/sensor used is usually at the bottom in images like this.

 

[BudgetTraveller]

As someone who is heavily invested in both MFT (OMS & Panny) and FF (Panny), I wanted to share an image of the two systems side-by-side for those who continuously discuss MFT & FF systems as if MFT is now a cancer or dead system (my interpretation on this forum commentary).

The grass is not necessarily greener on the other (FF) side, it all comes down to how you use the system and what you are trying to photograph.

The below sample is of a static image with natural lighting. Something I saw in my yard after a heavy rainstorm so I brought out both cameras for a quick and dirty comparison. I am noting now the setting are different between the cameras because the systems are different. Different focus distances, lenses, sensors, etc .... but I tried my best to make the image comparison identical. Images processed through DXO v7.

Lumix G9.2

Lumix S1R.2

Which one do you prefer?

I like them both. One looks plump and firm and the other looks like it went through a lite Jenny Craig diet!

Thanks for doing them!

 

[jjbinx]

Why would you expect to see a difference, other than not having the same shot? Is base ISO on the S1ii really 200?

A

If you are hung up on specs, then you are not living the moment.

Photography is about living the moment.

If I’m ‘living the moment’ I don’t have a camera to distract me and my eyes and mind are free to look, see and feel.

jj

 

[G1Houston]

that we must constantly question whether m4/3 is good enough ...

 

[James Stirling]

Why would you expect to see a difference, other than not having the same shot? Is base ISO on the S1ii really 200?

A

If you are hung up on specs, then you are not living the moment.

Photography is about living the moment.

A wise man once said "I tried my best to make the image comparison identical. Images processed through DXO v7." . As Yoda would say you either do or you don't . Alas I am afraid you didn't . Different exposures , different focal lengths, different DOF , different ISO

 

[James Stirling]

that we must constantly question whether m4/3 is good enough ...

Along with endless m43 vs FF posts started by m43 users typically with skewed "testing " . Who then take offence when corrected , not this OP . m43 sensor size is much closer to 1" sensors or APS than FF though the same folk take offence when this is pointed out

 

[mmartel]

Overall I preferred your G9ii image. Reasons:

2. ASPECT RATIO. I've been shooting m43 too long, maybe. For portrait orientation shots, I just think 3x2 ratio looks weird. I know, I know, I'm a boomer and we're in the phone age. I make no apologies. 3x2 in the vertical orientation will always look "too tall and too skinny" to my eyes, even if it looks great in landscape. Sue me.

Most of my 101 digital cameras been 3:2. Even though I've had several m4/3.

On Dpr Medium Format forum sometime last year RogerJosem shared photos he took in China with Gfx100s2. From same location same time Roger photographed with his Sony A7R5, Roger shared these on Sony Dpr forum.

Straightaway I preferred 4:3 aspect of Gfx100s2.

So much so when I returned to photography january this year 2025, it was m4/3 a lot because of 4:3.

 

[jjbinx]

Why would you expect to see a difference, other than not having the same shot? Is base ISO on the S1ii really 200?

A

If you are hung up on specs, then you are not living the moment.

Photography is about living the moment.

A wise man once said "I tried my best to make the image comparison identical. Images processed through DXO v7." . As Yoda would say you either do or you don't . Alas I am afraid you didn't . Different exposures , different focal lengths, different DOF , different ISO

This is the way

jj

 

[SeeingSomeThingsMissingMany]

Overall I preferred your G9ii image. Reasons:

2. ASPECT RATIO. I've been shooting m43 too long, maybe. For portrait orientation shots, I just think 3x2 ratio looks weird. I know, I know, I'm a boomer and we're in the phone age. I make no apologies. 3x2 in the vertical orientation will always look "too tall and too skinny" to my eyes, even if it looks great in landscape. Sue me.

Most of my 101 digital cameras been 3:2. Even though I've had several m4/3.

On Dpr Medium Format forum sometime last year RogerJosem shared photos he took in China with Gfx100s2. From same location same time Roger photographed with his Sony A7R5, Roger shared these on Sony Dpr forum.

Straightaway I preferred 4:3 aspect of Gfx100s2.

So much so when I returned to photography january this year 2025, it was m4/3 a lot because of 4:3.

Interesting. Did the orientation make any difference?

I will occasionally crop to suit my subject and when I print (obviously).

But for onscreen viewing, I don't usually crop at all. When I do, I'm more likely to crop m43 landscape orientation shots to 3x2 or 16x10 proportions than portrait orientation (which I'll almost always leave 4x3 proportions).

Was just a few weeks before I picked up my E-Pl7 in january this year

this is the post I made on Dpr Medium Format forum comparing RogerJosem's 4:3 and 3:2 photographs of Suzhou China, swayed me immediately to 4:3.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/68070136

PS: Coincidentally, I'm also planning to get a GFX100S2 once it gets down below $500 used and I can get into decent glass for the same. Just a bit hard for me personally to justify at current prices and, potentially/hopefully, a few more decades left before I sign off.

Same it's too high prices used 2nd hand currently for me. When original Gfx100 currently around £2K used with warranty drops to around £1K used with warranty maybe in 5-7years as it has ibis can attach tilt swivel evf. I'm just going to utilise it for specific landscapes just for 100MP detail also 4:3. It's weight 1400g with batteries and evf is fine + 1 ultrawide lens weight approx 700g - 1Kg : I was out day before yesterday carrying nearly 3Kg of manual adapted lenses and my G80.

I didn't want to wait years so I picked up E-Pl7.

--
Photography after all is interplay of light alongside perspective.

 

[Cafe Racer]

As someone who is heavily invested in both MFT (OMS & Panny) and FF (Panny), I wanted to share an image of the two systems side-by-side for those who continuously discuss MFT & FF systems as if MFT is now a cancer or dead system (my interpretation on this forum commentary).

The grass is not necessarily greener on the other (FF) side, it all comes down to how you use the system and what you are trying to photograph.

So what are you attempting to demonstrate with these two photos?

The below sample is of a static image with natural lighting. Something I saw in my yard after a heavy rainstorm so I brought out both cameras for a quick and dirty comparison. I am noting now the setting are different between the cameras because the systems are different. Different focus distances, lenses, sensors, etc .... but I tried my best to make the image comparison identical. Images processed through DXO v7.

Lumix G9.2

Lumix S1R.2

Which one do you prefer?

 

[martinhb]

I have often tried to repeat & see if my new gear takes better photos only to find its simply impossible to capture the same original ambience.

The images are nearly 4 minutes apart. In an extreme example, with a sunset image, those 4 minutes are the difference between light & dark.

With these images there’s a subtile lighting difference between the two. I just happen to prefer the one taken later.

 

[Lepewhi]

I prefer the first one, taken with the G9ii. I like the colours on the cap of the mushroom and find the undergrowth more pleasing. It's just like how you like your coffee, it's a matter of taste.