Return to Small 4/3rds Camera for Backpack Trips

My first DSLR was an Olympus E-500 back around 2005. My previous SLR was a Canon from the early 80s.  The Olympus E-500 actually got me going into astronomy when I decided to buy a Celestron C80ED on a CG-5 German Equatorial Mount and use the E-500 to capture astronomy photos.

Chasing better lower noise astronomy image quality I later purchased the Canon 40D and then the Canon 6D. Eventually I purchased full frame astronomy cameras including the ZWO ASI6200MM-Pro, ASI6200MC-Pro and ASI2400MC-Pro with regulated cooling.

I bought the XT-3 when it came out and started using it more and my Canon 6D less. Eventually I sold most of my Canon glass except for a few used for wide angle astronomy photos. Later I purchased the XT-4 and recently the X-H2. I sold the X-T3 since a pair of Fuji cameras was enough.  I have a very complete collection of X-mount glass so I will be sticking with this platform for a long time in the future.

We backpack a lot. Sometimes trips involve 10-12 days between resupply. I carried the Canon 6D and 16-35mm f/4 lens for 19 days back in 2014 for a full John Muir trail trip.. Had a great time with it but it was large and heavy. Last summer I carried the Fuji X-H2 and a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 lens. I also had a great time with the camera but my 66 year body complained more about the camera weight.

I have carried the Sony RX100 m6 backpacking but find using the camera not as interesting as a full mirrorless camera. I find it a pain to use my phone for photos when under bright mountain sunshine. I need a useable EVF under full sun.

We will be fully retired this summer and plan to section hike the PCT for about 2 months each of the next several seasons to complete the whole PCT.

I just purchased the Panasonic LUMIX G100D because it was the lightest 4/3s body I could find. I don't really care that much about its limited video because I can pull out my iPhone 14 Pro if I want to capture some video. The USB C port update is nice since I need to recharge things on longer trips and most everything I carry uses USB C for charging. I bought a couple of spare batteries for the G100D.

I also ordered the LUMIX 9mm f/1.7, 14mm f/2.5, 20mm f/1.7 and 35-100 f/4.0-5.6 zoom. I will probably just carry the 9mm and 20mm lenses on extended backpack trips. The 35-100 will be used on short backpack trips or day hikes. I may carry the 12-32mm kit lens if I find the image stabilization is useful. I have an extremely light tripod that I can use on a rock or hiking pole if I am capturing alpine glow or the Milky Way.

I carry my camera on a Peak Design capture clip on my backpack, shoulder strap. It will have to go in a water tight bag when it rain since there isn't any weather sealing on the G100D.

I would love if Panasonic would sell other more feature rich small light body cameras for those who are concerned more about weight and size. IBIS isn't a big deal for me since I am mostly shooting stills using good outdoor daylight and mostly wider lenses. A few more camera controls and weather resistance would be worth paying for. I just don't want to carry a camera that weighs more the 16 ounces without the lens.

I thought about the Fuji X100vi but who knows when I would actually receive one once I order it. I also like shooting wider than 35mm equivalent so a small 4/3rds camera body with a few nice but light lenses covering  18-40mm equivalent sounds more useful to me.

I don't plan to buy a lot of fast expensive 4/3rds glass since weight is my priority for this system.

Hopefully the G100 holds up for my backpacking trips or there is a better successor 4/3rds camera with a comparable weight and size.