MFT most interesting platform?

[Sam Bennett]

Great article at fstoppers.com on this topic:

Is Micro Four Thirds the Most Interesting Camera Platform Right Now?

Micro Four Thirds has been declared “dead” so many times you’d think it was a cat working its way through nine lives. Year after year, people predict its collapse, citing smaller sensors and the dominance of full frame. And yet, here we are in 2025, with OM System unveiling one of the most...

fstoppers.com

The part that sums up my thoughts on MFT…

This is what makes Micro Four Thirds so compelling. It’s not just about megapixels or dynamic range charts. It’s about changing the shooting experience itself. OM System isn’t asking you to spend more time in front of a computer. It’s inviting you to do more in the field, in the moment, with the gear you already carry. It’s a creative philosophy as much as it is a technological one, and that might be the most interesting part of all.

 

[gary0319]

Great article at fstoppers.com on this topic:

https://fstoppers.com/gear/micro-four-thirds-most-interesting-camera-platform-right-now-711262

The part that sums up my thoughts on MFT…

This is what makes Micro Four Thirds so compelling. It’s not just about megapixels or dynamic range charts. It’s about changing the shooting experience itself. OM System isn’t asking you to spend more time in front of a computer. It’s inviting you to do more in the field, in the moment, with the gear you already carry. It’s a creative philosophy as much as it is a technological one, and that might be the most interesting part of all.

An interesting article that touches on some of the features that often get short shrift by the reviewers of OM cameras, namely the computational modes. However, these features would require these same reviewers to go beyond their old school thinking and actually try them out in the field.... so, ignoring them is the easy way out, IMO.

 

[JacquesC]

Thanks for the link.

I liked this bit:

"because once you stop comparing spec sheets and start comparing experiences, Micro Four Thirds looks like it might be leading the charge."

Add in the sheer fun of using these cameras and you quickly forget about the flogged-to-death rhetoric about sensor size, equivalency, and other nonsense issues.

I still get an almost sadistic pleasure out of using my little EM10IV when travelling while seeing other photogs hauling around kilograms of heavy metal.

 

[ikolbyi]

Great article at fstoppers.com on this topic:

https://fstoppers.com/gear/micro-four-thirds-most-interesting-camera-platform-right-now-711262

The part that sums up my thoughts on MFT…

This is what makes Micro Four Thirds so compelling. It’s not just about megapixels or dynamic range charts. It’s about changing the shooting experience itself. OM System isn’t asking you to spend more time in front of a computer. It’s inviting you to do more in the field, in the moment, with the gear you already carry. It’s a creative philosophy as much as it is a technological one, and that might be the most interesting part of all.

An interesting article that touches on some of the features that often get short shrift by the reviewers of OM cameras, namely the computational modes. However, these features would require these same reviewers to go beyond their old school thinking and actually try them out in the field.... so, ignoring them is the easy way out, IMO.

I am blessed having an S1R.2 & G9.2, but the camera I use the most (prefer) is my OM-1.1 despite some of it’s limitations (mainly lower 20MP & 4K@60ps)

 

[Sam Bennett]

Great article at fstoppers.com on this topic:

https://fstoppers.com/gear/micro-four-thirds-most-interesting-camera-platform-right-now-711262

The part that sums up my thoughts on MFT…

This is what makes Micro Four Thirds so compelling. It’s not just about megapixels or dynamic range charts. It’s about changing the shooting experience itself. OM System isn’t asking you to spend more time in front of a computer. It’s inviting you to do more in the field, in the moment, with the gear you already carry. It’s a creative philosophy as much as it is a technological one, and that might be the most interesting part of all.

An interesting article that touches on some of the features that often get short shrift by the reviewers of OM cameras, namely the computational modes. However, these features would require these same reviewers to go beyond their old school thinking and actually try them out in the field.... so, ignoring them is the easy way out, IMO.

Yeah and I think part of it is just showing that there's different kinds of photographers who enjoy different aspects of photography. There was a point where I loved poring over RAW files to extract every last bit of detail, etc. Some people really love the "darkroom" part of photography and find post-processing as satisfying (or sometimes more satisfying) than actually taking photos. For that type of person, the computational photography features are almost "taking away" one of the parts they find enjoyable (and some would argue, at the additional cost of inferior processing). I get that.

But for me, I'm definitely more in the camp of wanting to "do more in the field", which I suppose is why I've been an happy MFT'er for about 15 years!

 

[SeeingSomeThingsMissingMany]

Back in the day when I photographed with my Sigma SD9 Foveon dslr with m42 adapted lenses, my favourite image making dslr, I photographed as what the scene was, representing the scene as well as I could. Same with my Kodak slrC full frame, Canon 1DS full frame, Fuji S2 Pro dslrs. Straight ahead photography.

They were like when I picked up my Acoustic Guitar I played as straight ahead as I'm able. Took some of my favourite photographs with those dslrs back in the day.

My m4/3s starting with E-P1 in 2010 have had 15 m4/3s, makes me want to sometimes experiment. My m4/3s makes me want to do somethings sometimes differently instead of always straight ahead photography.

It's like when I plug my Electric Guitar into Stomp boxes, Fx pedals to experiment with tones sounds. I don't often pull it off still I give it a go. Took some of my favourite photographs with my m4/3s.

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

 

[James Stirling]

Thanks for the link.

I liked this bit:

"because once you stop comparing spec sheets and start comparing experiences, Micro Four Thirds looks like it might be leading the charge."

Add in the sheer fun of using these cameras and you quickly forget about the flogged-to-death rhetoric about sensor size, equivalency, and other nonsense issues.

I still get an almost sadistic pleasure out of using my little EM10IV when travelling while seeing other photogs hauling around kilograms of heavy metal.

And users of 1" compacts feel the same towards you and the bloody phone photographers are laughing at us all . And just like fans of anything they think they and only they are right

 

[Owlsfan]

Thanks for the link.

I liked this bit:

"because once you stop comparing spec sheets and start comparing experiences, Micro Four Thirds looks like it might be leading the charge."

Add in the sheer fun of using these cameras and you quickly forget about the flogged-to-death rhetoric about sensor size, equivalency, and other nonsense issues.

I still get an almost sadistic pleasure out of using my little EM10IV when travelling while seeing other photogs hauling around kilograms of heavy metal.

And users of 1" compacts feel the same towards you and the bloody phone photographers are laughing at us all . And just like fans of anything they think they and only they are right

I think M43 is where image quality starts to jump.

Not only because of the sensor but the ability to change lenses.

You can get great photos from 1 inch sensor cameras but it's not quite up to scratch for my tastes. I use my FZ330 quite a bit but that is purely a daylight and no more than iso 800 camera for me.

I don't know if M43 is leading any charges but having dipped my toes in Nikon Z world I feel like I appreciate what M43 offers even more.

I'm pleased with my full frame kit but I thought it might dampen my fondness of M43 but it really hasn't.

 

[James Stirling]

Thanks for the link.

I liked this bit:

"because once you stop comparing spec sheets and start comparing experiences, Micro Four Thirds looks like it might be leading the charge."

Add in the sheer fun of using these cameras and you quickly forget about the flogged-to-death rhetoric about sensor size, equivalency, and other nonsense issues.

I still get an almost sadistic pleasure out of using my little EM10IV when travelling while seeing other photogs hauling around kilograms of heavy metal.

And users of 1" compacts feel the same towards you and the bloody phone photographers are laughing at us all . And just like fans of anything they think they and only they are right

I think M43 is where image quality starts to jump.

That is a matter of opinion the "jump" from 1" to m43 is smaller than the jump between m43 and FF

Not only because of the sensor but the ability to change lenses.

I agree 100% with this I would never choose a fixed lens camera as my only camera. Not just for lenses most of the 1" sensor cameras are small and fiddly ( for me )

You can get great photos from 1 inch sensor cameras but it's not quite up to scratch for my tastes. I use my FZ330 quite a bit but that is purely a daylight and no more than iso 800 camera for me.

I think the fly in the ointment of most 1" cameras is the lens they squeeze an awful lot in to say the RX100 series so something has to give. My wife loves her RX100 V and also has an RX10 IV which is a different beast the lens is excellent . The difference between 1" and m43 is approx 1 stop.

Daylight 3200 vs 1600 ISO 100% crops



Daylight 6400 vs 3200 ISO 100% crops



Low light 6400 vs 3200 ISO 100%





All cameras give better results in decent light

I don't know if M43 is leading any charges but having dipped my toes in Nikon Z world I feel like I appreciate what M43 offers even more.

I know that though the forum may imply otherwise , rather than being bitter rivals I find m43 and FF to be an excellent combo for my uses

I'm pleased with my full frame kit but I thought it might dampen my fondness of M43 but it really hasn't.

I think they work well together and I don't see them as separate entities just different tools that do different jobs

--
Jim Stirling:
"To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason, is like administering medicine to the dead." - Thomas Paine
Feel free to tinker with any photos I post

 

[Bobapingu]

Great article at fstoppers.com on this topic:

https://fstoppers.com/gear/micro-four-thirds-most-interesting-camera-platform-right-now-711262

The part that sums up my thoughts on MFT…

This is what makes Micro Four Thirds so compelling. It’s not just about megapixels or dynamic range charts. It’s about changing the shooting experience itself. OM System isn’t asking you to spend more time in front of a computer. It’s inviting you to do more in the field, in the moment, with the gear you already carry. It’s a creative philosophy as much as it is a technological one, and that might be the most interesting part of all.

The writer, Alex Cooke, has just put OMDS marketing department to shame.

Alex states, "This is why Micro Four Thirds has always had a loyal community of birders, hikers, and adventurers who simply cannot get the same results without breaking their backs or their budgets."
Most of us agree. That's why we are here. Yet, over on the dark side, many happily claim the gap has closed. What are we missing?

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Do I need to read the link to see if Panasonic gets a mention?

 

[ahaslett]

Great article at fstoppers.com on this topic:

https://fstoppers.com/gear/micro-four-thirds-most-interesting-camera-platform-right-now-711262

The part that sums up my thoughts on MFT…

This is what makes Micro Four Thirds so compelling. It’s not just about megapixels or dynamic range charts. It’s about changing the shooting experience itself. OM System isn’t asking you to spend more time in front of a computer. It’s inviting you to do more in the field, in the moment, with the gear you already carry. It’s a creative philosophy as much as it is a technological one, and that might be the most interesting part of all.

The writer, Alex Cooke, has just put OMDS marketing department to shame.

Alex states, "This is why Micro Four Thirds has always had a loyal community of birders, hikers, and adventurers who simply cannot get the same results without breaking their backs or their budgets."
Most of us agree. That's why we are here. Yet, over on the dark side, many happily claim the gap has closed. What are we missing?

Actually the claim is that the gap is smaller not that it “has closed”.

It’s not that difficult to cherry pick combinations of MFT gear that are some combination of heavier and more expensive than APSC or FF gear that does a similar specific job.

Equally, you can mix and match MFT and FF gear to optimise cost, weight and performance in some combination.

To take a specific example, I bought a used 300/4 to go on my OM1 mk i to shoot perched birds. It cost me about 30% more than a new Sony 200-600mm G lens at the then current prices. I did it to save weight, although the Sony would have given me more cropping ability by some way.

Now my open box GM1 kit and OM5.1 with 12-45/4 kit were both very cost effective and are small compared to APSC or FF options I might consider. The Canon RP and kit lens are hardly expensive or heavy - a smaller gap.

Hopefully that clears that up. We all have different uses and priorities, so people should pick what suits them. Look at our ex-Mod Martin. He has gone over to the dark side, as you call it.

Andrew

 

[Regor250]

If you listen to the vast majority on DPR forums pretty much only 4 things matters: least DoF, least noise, max DR and max resolution. Anything that deviates from the sum of these 4 factors is considered inferior. Then they post process their images after increasing DoF with small apertures, add "grain" to look more film like, increase contrast (i.e. reduce DR) and crop. It's human nature, and I'm being somewhat sarcastic, just saying that there is a market that likes the M43 system, and that market, albeit small, can hopefully survive the idiosyncracies and misguidances of the vast majority out there. There's more to it than absolute best technical specs.

--
Roger

 

[TheRealYeats]

Do I need to read the link to see if Panasonic gets a mention?

There is one mention, primarily as a reminder that the-brand-that-shall-not-be-named is also part of the platfrom.

 

[UsherFellig]

Thanks for the link.

I liked this bit:

"because once you stop comparing spec sheets and start comparing experiences, Micro Four Thirds looks like it might be leading the charge."

Add in the sheer fun of using these cameras and you quickly forget about the flogged-to-death rhetoric about sensor size, equivalency, and other nonsense issues.

I still get an almost sadistic pleasure out of using my little EM10IV when travelling while seeing other photogs hauling around kilograms of heavy metal.

I love mine as well, and the EM5/OM5s are just about the same size for those scenarios when weather sealing is a priority.

 

[jjbinx]

It’s an interesting read, but I just wish that reviewers and bloggers would stop making misleading statements like “A constant f/2.8 100–400mm equivalent is the kind of lens no one else would attempt” - stating the equivalent focal length without the equivalent aperture

 

[UsherFellig]

While I'd agree, "the experience" and "creativity" and "fun" is also the line of Fuji and Fuji heads. The excerpted language from this article could almost be copypasta of what is expressed in that quarter as well.

Certainly I'd vote m43 the most charming system.

Edit to Add: It might not be apparent in this excerpt that the overall, er, focus of the fstoppers article is the new OM telephoto, and increased reach with reduced size/weight for wildlife, nature, hiking, etc. Which is great, but OMS has recently indicated they also intend to emphasize general travel, street, and lifestyle. Which would be excellent for those of us who don't find telephoto, "adventure," and outdoorsy computational tech to be the most "interesting" thing about m43.

 

[the bluesman]

Good article Sam, I enjoyed that read, "Micro Four Thirds might actually be the most interesting system in photography right now" I agree with that quote and will say it's made for interesting people as well

 

[the bluesman]

 

[gary0319]

While I'd agree, "the experience" and "creativity" and "fun" is also the line of Fuji and Fuji heads. The excerpted language from this article could almost be copypasta of what is expressed in that quarter as well.

Certainly I'd vote m43 the most charming system.

Edit to Add: It might not be apparent in this excerpt that the overall, er, focus of the fstoppers article is the new OM telephoto, and increased reach with reduced size/weight for wildlife, nature, hiking, etc. Which is great, but OMS has recently indicated they also intend to emphasize general travel, street, and lifestyle. Which would be excellent for those of us who don't find telephoto, "adventure," and outdoorsy computational tech to be the most "interesting" thing about m43.

Tomorrow, I leave for a 2 week "general travel, street and lifestyle" trip along with some scenic venues and family visits. My OM-1 and OM-3 will remain at home, and my OM-5 II kit is packed and ready to go (along with the TG7, of course).