Moving to M43 from FF

[Nessimelle]

For a long while I've been thinking downsizing my camera equipment. Reason being 90% of the times I take photos I'm out hiking, biking, skiing etc. I've tried this before with a Fujifilm X-E1 (I think), but immediately went back to my Canon 5DIII. Hoping my next choice will be better suited.

I currently own a Sony A7rII and a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. While my setup is the most compact I've had for many years, I don't like the total weight of the system and the size of the lens. Staying with FF and trying to reduce size and weight doesn't make sence to me. Therefore, I'm considering moving to OM-1 and a lens equivalent to a 24-70 mm F2.8.

My use:

• Hiking (weatherproof body and lens)
• Skiing (AF should be equal or better than A7rII)
• Biking (trail)
• Landscape
• Travel
• Prints up to 50x70cm (~20x28in)

Have anyone made the same switch? What did you think? What did you miss?

Is the OM-1 best for my use, or should I consider something else? What lens would you recommend? Zoom only: I've had multiple primes before, but it's not suited with the types of activities I do.

Excluding budget this time.

 

[JOrmsby]

I made a similar move from my Nikon D610, after I bought an old Olympus EM-10, and realized I was getting more keepers with the latter due to the excellent IBIS, and fact that I took it with me many more places.

One of the strongest pluses of m43 is the lens availability and quality. All of Oly's PRO lenses are superb, and I've owned/used most of them. The 12-40 2.8 and 12-100 4.0 are just about perfect. I'd recommend getting both of them for different scenarios. The 40-150 2.8 is also great, though I would take a real close look at the new 40-150 4.0 too. Add in one or two of Sigma excellent DC DN 1.4 fast lenses and you'd got a pretty complete setup.

After years of swearing I'd never go back to FF, I admit I've considered it more recently. Mostly due to the OM-1 still getting stuck at 20mp, and more lightweight options in FF mirrorless recently. I really think APSc is the sweet spot for 90% of photogs, but there are, what I feel like, mostly half-assed systems out there in that, and that includes Fuji. So nothing's perfect yet, but if Sony ever makes an APSc a6600 successor with a top viewfinder and front control dial, I'd strongly consider switching to them, or running it alongside m43.

 

[jalywol]

For a long while I've been thinking downsizing my camera equipment. Reason being 90% of the times I take photos I'm out hiking, biking, skiing etc. I've tried this before with a Fujifilm X-E1 (I think), but immediately went back to my Canon 5DIII. Hoping my next choice will be better suited.

I currently own a Sony A7rII and a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. While my setup is the most compact I've had for many years, I don't like the total weight of the system and the size of the lens. Staying with FF and trying to reduce size and weight doesn't make sence to me. Therefore, I'm considering moving to OM-1 and a lens equivalent to a 24-70 mm F2.8.

My use:

• Hiking (weatherproof body and lens)
• Skiing (AF should be equal or better than A7rII)
• Biking (trail)
• Landscape
• Travel
• Prints up to 50x70cm (~20x28in)

Have anyone made the same switch? What did you think? What did you miss?

Is the OM-1 best for my use, or should I consider something else? What lens would you recommend? Zoom only: I've had multiple primes before, but it's not suited with the types of activities I do.

Excluding budget this time.

Just a suggestion:

Why not add in a compact M43 body and lenses to your existing kit, rather than a complete system switch?

If size matters, then one of the smaller bodies that has both PDAF and CDAF focusing would make more sense, and that would be the Oly E-M5-mark III .

Now, we get into the lens requirement: Yes, there are excellent lenses in M43 which cover the focal range you are interested in. Oly makes the 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens, and the 12-45mm f4. Panasonic makes the 12-35mm f2.8 (my personal favorite of the bunch, because it's smaller and not front heavy, and I like its output...YMMV, however )

BUT. Here's the thing: Remember that DOF on a M43 lens at f2.8 is going to be equivalent to the DOF of a FF f 5.6 lens. SO if you are looking for DOF control, there is no normal zoom lens in M43 that will give you an equivalent DOF to the f2.8 aperture on your Tamron lens.

IF you are just looking for shutter speed equivalence, then you are good to go with the f2.8 M43 zooms. It's just if you want lots of background blur, you have to go to faster primes instead.

By the way, I am not trying to dissuade you from M43. I have used the system for 11 years now; but I also use a FF (had an A7, first gen, but now have a Panasonic S5). I love the system, and it's infinitely more portable than the FF. BUT, I use both, as each has its strengths, so my suggestion to add in the M43 rather than a total system swap is based on my own personal experience with both system types.

Now, for hiking, skiing, etc, a small, weather resistant body with a small, high quality, lens, would seem to be a perfect complement to your existing setup, ergo my recommendation for the EM5 III and one of the fast normal to wide zooms mentioned above. It would do everything you ask, and be small enough to go everywhere without giving you heartburn.

YMMV, of course....maybe rent one and see how you get on with it?

-J

 

[Austinian]

For a long while I've been thinking downsizing my camera equipment. Reason being 90% of the times I take photos I'm out hiking, biking, skiing etc. I've tried this before with a Fujifilm X-E1 (I think), but immediately went back to my Canon 5DIII. Hoping my next choice will be better suited.

I currently own a Sony A7rII and a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. While my setup is the most compact I've had for many years, I don't like the total weight of the system and the size of the lens. Staying with FF and trying to reduce size and weight doesn't make sence to me. Therefore, I'm considering moving to OM-1 and a lens equivalent to a 24-70 mm F2.8.

My use:

• Hiking (weatherproof body and lens)
• Skiing (AF should be equal or better than A7rII)
• Biking (trail)
• Landscape
• Travel
• Prints up to 50x70cm (~20x28in)

Have anyone made the same switch? What did you think? What did you miss?

Is the OM-1 best for my use, or should I consider something else? What lens would you recommend? Zoom only: I've had multiple primes before, but it's not suited with the types of activities I do.

Excluding budget this time.

Just a suggestion:

Why not add in a compact M43 body and lenses to your existing kit, rather than a complete system switch?

I would agree with this, though I've made different equipment choices.

M43 has been fully adequate for most of my needs, but there's still occasions (for example, when I want a highly-detailed landscape shot) where a higher-res FF image is my preference.

 

[Nathaniel Alpert]

For a long while I've been thinking downsizing my camera equipment. Reason being 90% of the times I take photos I'm out hiking, biking, skiing etc. I've tried this before with a Fujifilm X-E1 (I think), but immediately went back to my Canon 5DIII. Hoping my next choice will be better suited.

I currently own a Sony A7rII and a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. While my setup is the most compact I've had for many years, I don't like the total weight of the system and the size of the lens. Staying with FF and trying to reduce size and weight doesn't make sence to me. Therefore, I'm considering moving to OM-1 and a lens equivalent to a 24-70 mm F2.8.

My use:

• Hiking (weatherproof body and lens)
• Skiing (AF should be equal or better than A7rII)
• Biking (trail)
• Landscape
• Travel
• Prints up to 50x70cm (~20x28in)

Have anyone made the same switch? What did you think? What did you miss?

Is the OM-1 best for my use, or should I consider something else? What lens would you recommend? Zoom only: I've had multiple primes before, but it's not suited with the types of activities I do.

Excluding budget this time.

I made the switch from Canon 5Dii in 2014. My reasons for doing so were much the same as yours. I also wanted a to travel with a roll-on case that could accommodate 2 camera bodies, 6 lenses and accessories while fitting under an airplane seat. Most important, I needed a lighter weight system to mitigate the neck pain I experienced with the Canon L lenses. At that time, Olympus EM-1 had 16 MP whereas the 5Dii was about 20 MP. To make a long story shorter, I found that IQ was better with the EM-1 and the excellent Zuiko Pro lenses. I was able to make excellent prints whose size was limited to 17 x 22 inches by the Epson 800 printer, not to say that was a real limit to their size. And, I was delighted to discover that the EM-1 was much more fun to use than the 5Dii. I lol at the banter about the MP gap and the so called resolution of FF cameras. Of course you can make bigger prints with higher quality from a FF file but the size at which this advantage becomes important is so large that only a relatively few actually ever use this capability.

In your case, the applications you outline do not require the OM-1. The limitations of the prior generations of Olympus cameras was mainly in focusing for birds and other fast moving animals. Landscape photography will not be a problem with something like the EM-1 iii.

 

[mtnroads]

My E-M5 III and 12-45 F4 Pro lens weighs a bit over a pound and a half (1lb 9 oz) and is 24-90mm equiv. It is a fantastic sharp lens on a light body. All WR. Perfect for hiking/biking.

My E-M1 II and 12-40/2.8 Pro weighs 2lb 4 oz, less reach (24-80mm), 1 stop faster.

Swap lenses to the other bodies and weight is in the middle - under 2 lbs.

The 12-35mm f2.8 lens from Panasonic is also excellent, as mentioned (24-70mm), and they make a matching 35-100/2.8 that is outstanding, and under a pound!

Any of these combos would be perfect for your use case. It's a sweet spot for m43.

Take a look at the images in this recent thread for samples of E-M1 II/12-45 Pro:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4640991

 

[Dann-Oh]

For a long while I've been thinking downsizing my camera equipment. Reason being 90% of the times I take photos I'm out hiking, biking, skiing etc. I've tried this before with a Fujifilm X-E1 (I think), but immediately went back to my Canon 5DIII. Hoping my next choice will be better suited.

I currently own a Sony A7rII and a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. While my setup is the most compact I've had for many years, I don't like the total weight of the system and the size of the lens. Staying with FF and trying to reduce size and weight doesn't make sence to me. Therefore, I'm considering moving to OM-1 and a lens equivalent to a 24-70 mm F2.8.

My use:

• Hiking (weatherproof body and lens)
• Skiing (AF should be equal or better than A7rII)
• Biking (trail)
• Landscape
• Travel
• Prints up to 50x70cm (~20x28in)

Have anyone made the same switch? What did you think? What did you miss?

Is the OM-1 best for my use, or should I consider something else? What lens would you recommend? Zoom only: I've had multiple primes before, but it's not suited with the types of activities I do.

Excluding budget this time.

Id recommend taking a look at the EM5iii + 12-45F4. If you like that package I have that package for sale (US shipping only).

 

[ahaslett]

I made a similar move from my Nikon D610, after I bought an old Olympus EM-10, and realized I was getting more keepers with the latter due to the excellent IBIS, and fact that I took it with me many more places.

One of the strongest pluses of m43 is the lens availability and quality. All of Oly's PRO lenses are superb, and I've owned/used most of them. The 12-40 2.8 and 12-100 4.0 are just about perfect. I'd recommend getting both of them for different scenarios. The 40-150 2.8 is also great, though I would take a real close look at the new 40-150 4.0 too. Add in one or two of Sigma excellent DC DN 1.4 fast lenses and you'd got a pretty complete setup.

After years of swearing I'd never go back to FF, I admit I've considered it more recently. Mostly due to the OM-1 still getting stuck at 20mp, and more lightweight options in FF mirrorless recently. I really think APSc is the sweet spot for 90% of photogs, but there are, what I feel like, mostly half-assed systems out there in that, and that includes Fuji. So nothing's perfect yet, but if Sony ever makes an APSc a6600 successor with a top viewfinder and front control dial, I'd strongly consider switching to them, or running it alongside m43.

I have had a 12-40/2.8 on an EM1.2 longer than OPs Tamron 28-75/2.8 on an A7R2. The Tamron is every bit as good optically as the 12-40 Pro. Sensor resolution makes a difference but maybe less so at the size OP is going to print.

The big differences between an A7R2 and any EM1/OM1 from EM1.2 onwards are:

1) Much better IS

2) Much better low light AF

3) More functions like stacking, bracketing, keystone correction, defishing, live composite…

4) Faster buffer clearing and shorter EVF blackout

AF differences depend on which MFT body you have and which AF function is being compared.

The lens ecosystem of MFT is nearly as large as FE but less diverse, especially at more exotic characteristics. Many higher end MFT lenses are excellent from nearly wide open. Only more recent and expensive FE lenses are optimised like that.

The small f4 Olympus zooms and Panasonic kit lenses are unique in terms of shooting envelope. The 8-25/4 and 8-18/2.8-4 are unusual and great for WA landscape etc.

The A7R2 wins on DR and resolution.


Andrew

 

[WileEC_ID]

For a long while I've been thinking downsizing my camera equipment. Reason being 90% of the times I take photos I'm out hiking, biking, skiing etc. I've tried this before with a Fujifilm X-E1 (I think), but immediately went back to my Canon 5DIII. Hoping my next choice will be better suited.

I currently own a Sony A7rII and a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. While my setup is the most compact I've had for many years, I don't like the total weight of the system and the size of the lens. Staying with FF and trying to reduce size and weight doesn't make sence to me. Therefore, I'm considering moving to OM-1 and a lens equivalent to a 24-70 mm F2.8.

My use:

• Hiking (weatherproof body and lens)
• Skiing (AF should be equal or better than A7rII)
• Biking (trail)
• Landscape
• Travel
• Prints up to 50x70cm (~20x28in)

Have anyone made the same switch? What did you think? What did you miss?

Is the OM-1 best for my use, or should I consider something else? What lens would you recommend? Zoom only: I've had multiple primes before, but it's not suited with the types of activities I do.

Excluding budget this time.

Having come from FF land, and still having some of my FF (Nikon) gear, and given the things you mention, my recommendation is simple.

I think the OM-1 is your best bet. You can invest in a smaller camera, but the size difference is not that big, relative to the tech difference. The tech difference will be beneficial for the larger prints.

In terms of a lens, I would invest in the Oly 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens (24-80mm FOV). It is smaller and lighter than what you are used to using. Many have suggested there are more quality lens options with MFT. I have not found that to be true. There are a ton of consumer lenses that overlap. I don't find any where near the range of quality primes as I owned, or could own in Nikon land. You won't have the same DOF control you had with the f/2.8 lens you have been shooting. That said, for the kinds of shots you describe, one typically is looking for more DOF, so this lens will be fine. It is one of my favorites for the kind of shots you have listed above.

I would recommend you still with the same brand for camera and lens(s) for the benefits that can be there, like Sync-IS. Less of an issue with a lens this small, as the camera IS is excellent.

 

[ahaslett]

For a long while I've been thinking downsizing my camera equipment. Reason being 90% of the times I take photos I'm out hiking, biking, skiing etc. I've tried this before with a Fujifilm X-E1 (I think), but immediately went back to my Canon 5DIII. Hoping my next choice will be better suited.

I currently own a Sony A7rII and a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. While my setup is the most compact I've had for many years, I don't like the total weight of the system and the size of the lens. Staying with FF and trying to reduce size and weight doesn't make sence to me. Therefore, I'm considering moving to OM-1 and a lens equivalent to a 24-70 mm F2.8.

My use:

• Hiking (weatherproof body and lens)
• Skiing (AF should be equal or better than A7rII)
• Biking (trail)
• Landscape
• Travel
• Prints up to 50x70cm (~20x28in)

Have anyone made the same switch? What did you think? What did you miss?

Is the OM-1 best for my use, or should I consider something else? What lens would you recommend? Zoom only: I've had multiple primes before, but it's not suited with the types of activities I do.

Excluding budget this time.

Just a suggestion:

Why not add in a compact M43 body and lenses to your existing kit, rather than a complete system switch?

I would agree with this, though I've made different equipment choices.

M43 has been fully adequate for most of my needs, but there's still occasions (for example, when I want a highly-detailed landscape shot) where a higher-res FF image is my preference.

I too shoot A7R4 alongside an EM1.2, with an OM1 on order. I also recommend an EM5.3 with 8-25/4 Olympus Pro, Panasonic 35-100/2.8 mk i (although may not be as waterproof as 40-150/4 it’s light and gives more isolation).

For those applications, I wouldn’t bother with a prime. MFT f2.8 should be fast enough.

My own travel kit is 12-40 Pro, 40-150/2.8 Pro and 8/1.8 fisheye Pro.

Andrew

 

[ahaslett]

For a long while I've been thinking downsizing my camera equipment. Reason being 90% of the times I take photos I'm out hiking, biking, skiing etc. I've tried this before with a Fujifilm X-E1 (I think), but immediately went back to my Canon 5DIII. Hoping my next choice will be better suited.

I currently own a Sony A7rII and a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. While my setup is the most compact I've had for many years, I don't like the total weight of the system and the size of the lens. Staying with FF and trying to reduce size and weight doesn't make sence to me. Therefore, I'm considering moving to OM-1 and a lens equivalent to a 24-70 mm F2.8.

My use:

• Hiking (weatherproof body and lens)
• Skiing (AF should be equal or better than A7rII)
• Biking (trail)
• Landscape
• Travel
• Prints up to 50x70cm (~20x28in)

Have anyone made the same switch? What did you think? What did you miss?

Is the OM-1 best for my use, or should I consider something else? What lens would you recommend? Zoom only: I've had multiple primes before, but it's not suited with the types of activities I do.

Excluding budget this time.

Having come from FF land, and still having some of my FF (Nikon) gear, and given the things you mention, my recommendation is simple.

I think the OM-1 is your best bet. You can invest in a smaller camera, but the size difference is not that big, relative to the tech difference. The tech difference will be beneficial for the larger prints.

In terms of a lens, I would invest in the Oly 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens (24-80mm FOV). It is smaller and lighter than what you are used to using. Many have suggested there are more quality lens options with MFT. I have not found that to be true. There are a ton of consumer lenses that overlap. I don't find any where near the range of quality primes as I owned, or could own in Nikon land. You won't have the same DOF control you had with the f/2.8 lens you have been shooting. That said, for the kinds of shots you describe, one typically is looking for more DOF, so this lens will be fine. It is one of my favorites for the kind of shots you have listed above.

I would recommend you still with the same brand for camera and lens(s) for the benefits that can be there, like Sync-IS. Less of an issue with a lens this small, as the camera IS is excellent.

If going for OM1, I’d get the 12-40 Pro mkii, cheaper as a kit and a better lens than the mki.

Andrew

 

[Kazanuda]

For weathersealing compatibility, you dont want to mix brands as the lens mount gaskets differ in diameter and sealing wont be 100% effective when you mix and match.

Considering your AF requirement, OM-1 is the best m4/3 has right now in terms of AF and WR.

If you're going to go with a one lens kit, 12-100mm f4 pro and 12-40mm f2.8 pro are excellent picks.

12-100mm is optically excellent across the range, wide open, 12-40 is only a little soft in extreme corners at f2.8 in 35-40mm range. It sharpens up at f3.5 or so.

Tho I'd personally go with 8-25mm f4 + 40-150mm f2.8 combo.

 

[nextSibling]

I was in the same place a few years years ago. Fed up with lugging FF gear around the great outdoors. Switched to an Olympus E-M5 (now have the mark III) and a single zoom (now have the 12-45 f/4 - fantastic little gem of a lens).

I was worried I'd miss FF 'image quality', resolution and dof control, but in practice it's far less of an issue than many might have you believe. 20 Mpx is plenty for big prints with careful processing. Modern noise reduction software is marvelous - just Lightroom straight out the box meets my needs. And deeper depth of field is more of an advantage than not according to my style. Olympus Pro lenses are stunningly sharp, even wide open, as well.

I thought I'd worry about it more so got a Panasonic-Leica 50mm f/1.4 'just in case', for low light and depth control. It's a gorgeous lens and works great on the E-M5 but honestly it doesn't get as much use as I thought it might.

Many days I'll leave the Camera on Av and auto ISO, the lens around 5.6 or 8 and not really have to think much more about it other than +/- compensation tweaks. It's very liberating to just think about pictures and not gear.

Best of all I'm far more likely to grab the camera on the way out the door.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Sounds like you needed the GM5 with the kit lens 12-35 - not as fast but it has IS and is in fact a very good lens. Can keep your existing kit and only give it up when you realise that really small is even smaller than a OM-1.

Finding such a kit at a reasonable price might be harder. People tend to hang on to their GeMs quite tightly.

I had such a kit eight years ago exposed to a very wet day in Milford Sound NZ - I might as well have dropped it in a bucket of water. Survived the experience and once carefully dried out both still work perfectly today.

 

[Gary from Seattle]

For a long while I've been thinking downsizing my camera equipment. Reason being 90% of the times I take photos I'm out hiking, biking, skiing etc. I've tried this before with a Fujifilm X-E1 (I think), but immediately went back to my Canon 5DIII. Hoping my next choice will be better suited.

I currently own a Sony A7rII and a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. While my setup is the most compact I've had for many years, I don't like the total weight of the system and the size of the lens. Staying with FF and trying to reduce size and weight doesn't make sence to me. Therefore, I'm considering moving to OM-1 and a lens equivalent to a 24-70 mm F2.8.

My use:

• Hiking (weatherproof body and lens)
• Skiing (AF should be equal or better than A7rII)
• Biking (trail)
• Landscape
• Travel
• Prints up to 50x70cm (~20x28in)

Have anyone made the same switch? What did you think? What did you miss?

Is the OM-1 best for my use, or should I consider something else? What lens would you recommend? Zoom only: I've had multiple primes before, but it's not suited with the types of activities I do.

I do exactly the same activities you list except biking. I've climbed, backcountry skied, and hiked/backpacked for more than 50 years. I now use most often the 12-45 F4. In mountain/desert photography you want more DOF, not less because in most images you want everything sharp. So, I often shoot at F5.6 to F7.1.

I have the EM-1 I, EM-1 II, and EM-1X - the latter for wildlife. If you are shooting scenery and mountain/action images you might want the OM-1 - for really just one primary reason - the larger EVF (though I've not seen one in person). With the 20MP sensor(s) you will not have a problem at your printing size. I view on a 27" monitor and can get my nose to 9" or so from the screen, which is way more than adequate. You will love the IBIS and should be able to handhold to 1-2 seconds with the OM-1. No tripod except for Milky Way or macro photography. You will be secure with weather sealing.

I have the 12-45 and 12-40, both are excellent. At high quality I would complement with the excellent Panasonic 35-100 F2.8; carrying it on days where you think you might want those focal lengths. I also bought the Panasonic 50-200 - but for mountain trips with wildlife.

My wide lens is super wide, the 8mm 1.8 FE, and very small. Consider also the 8-25 F4 if you envision a good deal of shooting wider than 12mm. I don't use the 8mm that often but do have some stellar shots with that lens. (Olympus allows in-camera defishing.)

The tiny 60mm macro is great for certain small wildlife, flowers, and the like. I carry it in certain seasons. It weighs 182 grams.......a 5 oz. chocolate bar.

Excluding budget this time.

 

[pannumon]

In general, Olympus PRO lenses are optimized for image quality, not for size or weight. Panasonic X / Panasonic Leica -branded lenses are in general smaller and lighter, but also slower aperture-wise. Some people say Olympus lenses are designed for sharpness, whereas Panasonic lenses are optimized for pleasing rendering, but I don't know. Panasonic/Olympus is mainly matter of preference, and I would not be afraid to use Panasonic lens on an Olympus body, or vice versa.

 

[memo90061]

I’ve been in this dilemma multiple times! I wish I could afford two cameras. Photography is just a hobby, but I’ve been very impressed with the Panasonic S5. Quality is amazing, but sometimes I miss the small lenses like the Panasonic 15mm and the 20mm.

 

[GutiWong]

I’m considering 12-45 F4 + 8mm FE. Is 8-15 better than this combo?
I do travel and family photography

 

[ekaton]

OM1 plus 12-40 2.8 will not give any relevant weight/size advantage to our current compact FF solution. Have you considered adding a Ricoh III plus IIIx if compact and lightweight have key priorities. The Ricoh's produce fantastic files, clearly superior to M43 ones.

 

[gnik1]

In general, Olympus PRO lenses are optimized for image quality, not for size or weight. Panasonic X / Panasonic Leica -branded lenses are in general smaller and lighter, but also slower aperture-wise. Some people say Olympus lenses are designed for sharpness, whereas Panasonic lenses are optimized for pleasing rendering, but I don't know. Panasonic/Olympus is mainly matter of preference, and I would not be afraid to use Panasonic lens on an Olympus body, or vice versa.

I agree that Panasonic lenses tend to be smaller / lighter, but I'm not sure they are slower. Off the top of my head, in the cases of the P 14-140 vs O 14-150 and the PL 12-60 vs the O 12-100 and the P 100-300 vs the O 75-300, the O lenses are slower.