Should you switch to a Micro 4:3 Camera for wildlife?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- Janine was joined by top wildlife photographer (and OM Systems shooter) Mark Buckler in The Chobe to discuss the pros and cons of a micro 4/3 camera system. In this candid interview Mark explains why he switched from Canon to OM (formerly Olympus) and has never looked back.
The video will cover the pros and cons of this cropped sensor as well as the software and ergonomic features of the camera. At the end, there will be some suggestions as to what you should think of buying if you want to make the switch to a micro 4/3 camera system for wildlife photography.
If you would like to know more about Mark or maybe contact him you can do so here bucklerphoto.com/
If you are interested in joining us on safari then please have a look at our photo safari packages: www.pangolinphoto.com/photo-s...
Read our blog to find out more about the micro four-thirds system for wildlife photography: www.pangolinphoto.com/micro-f...
Timeline
00:00 Meet wildlife Mark Buckler
00:56 What is a Micro 4/3 Sensor
02:12 Why Switch your Gear to Micro 4/3
03:48 Pros and cons of a Micro 4/3 System
03:58 Size vs. Reach
06:33 Price of a Micro 4/3 system
08:22 Pro Capture
11:05 Low Light Performance
14:08 Ergonomics
16:34 Bokeh
19:14 Summary Advantages & Disadvantages
20:25 Best Micro Four Thirds Camera Options
We are Pangolin Wildlife Photography based in the Chobe, Northern Botswana. When we are not making videos for our channel we host our guests and clients from all over the world on our Wildlife Photography safaris throughout Botswana and the rest of Africa..and beyond sometimes too!
If you would like to be kept informed of our new videos releases as well as online tutorials, gear reviews and special offers on safaris then please join our community by clicking here: www.pangolinphoto.com/community
#wildlifephotography #naturephotography #micro4/3
Have you considered switching? Have you already made the move? Please share tour thoughts and experiences.
Great and really fair Discussion for once!! Really appreciated. I am a Olympus user since the old 4/3 days. Outdoor, Wildlife, Nature Photography is the absolute strength of Olympus m4/3 System. On the Pro Side of things I think there are a few points that have not been Hightech enough. Of Course there is the Software side: Pro-capture is Key. Also the Live Composite things as well as Live ND, but totally underrated is the Bracketing and HH HRS. Worth to have a look at! But also really important is the Weather Sealing. Olympus Gear has been always known as the one that really can be abused. And I mean really, from taking into a shower to dropping to totally freezing in ice. There are enough Videos on this. And then there is the SSWF. You really never have to dust of the Sensor. Now on the Ergonomics, I have to disagree!! I know a lot of different Cameras from different brands but the EM1X from a body design point is awesome, for me one of the most ergonomics, usable, stress free designs ever made. So I am waiting and hoping for the OM1X. But on the negative points, I have to say that 20MP only is a downside. With Cameras like the A1 or Z9 you just have so much more pixel to use and crop - this is for me the number 1 downside of m4/3 even before DOF /Bokeh. As for the Lens, yes I have to agree as I own one. The 150-400 F4.5 TC1.25 IS Pro is really the best overall wildlife lens on the market - simply for its awesome usability and flexibility while being super fast and track-sharp , relative small and lightweight. And the 150-400 has another feature that most do not know or rate at the beginning - 1.3m Focus distance at even 500 mm F5.6 (1000mm Fullframe!!!). Everything small from gardenbirds to insects and details can be even captured big with this lens.
Hello! I'm actually struggling to decide whether I should take my micro 4/3 gear or my Fujifilm cameras to my next trip to South Africa and to Chobe, with you, at Pangolin! 😂 I love my Fuji cameras and lenses, but the 7Kg carry-on limit might mean I'll take my Olympus gear instead (which I also love, btw). I already packed and unpacked my backpack several times!... 😉
@@timafken2297 And no one here even mentioned the 'Synch IS' that gives up to 8 stops of image stabilization.
@@andresalgadomarques Hi Andre, I wouldn't worry too much about the 7 kg limit in Botswana.... they are pretty lenient and I would just take the gear you prefer. Have fun and I am looking forward to welcoming you soon - cheers Janine
@@gregm6894 Good point... but the video is pretty long as it is :D And the new Canon R system has also got amazing image stabilisation by now... so it is a little bit of tits for tats - cheers Janine
I have used Olympus, Canon(full frame)and Sony(full frame) and Now I only use Olympus. I am quite happy with the results. As the man says, noise is no longer an issue thanks to the advanced soft ware. Greetings from Japan.
Hi K Ito, it is a fantastic system and I was astonished how many wildlife lenses they have developed in the meanwhile. They have become truly competitive.... cheers Janine
Agreed .. also, one can use a mix of systems .. Staying with my old but robust and faithful Canon full-frame but planning on building what would be for me a 2nd system around M4/3… getting “best of both Worlds”
Okay, My Pangolin friends pretty much must know I'm going to make a comments. First, as full disclosure, I am an OM System Ambassador but the comments I will be making are my own true thoughts on the gear. Mark did a great overall job of mentioning the attributes of the OM System gear. Like Mark, I shot Canon for a very long time and have been shooting the micro 43 gear for about 4 years now, starting with the EM1X, which was really their first truly wildlife camera and not the OM-1 body. As was mentioned, the portability of the gear is amazing. The body, especially if you put a battery grip on the OM-1 is not that much smaller than many full frame cameras, but the lenses are much smaller and lighter. My camera bag for Africa jumped from 34 pounds with Canon to 21 pounds today. One small omission in the review: On the discussion on lower price options verses the OM-1 and EM1X, one key body was omitted, the new OM-5 which has most of the features discussed in this video. Also on the discussion of cost, it was noted the OM-1 has a US retail price of $2,000 and then they discussed less expensive options. A lot of the discussion was comparing this to Janine's Canon R3. It should be noted that body costs a whopping $5,600. A similar savings can be seen when comparing lens costs for full frame vs. micro 43. Matter of fact, excluding my 150-400mm lens, my entire kit of lenses and a body cost less than what I paid previously for just my Canon 1Dx MkII. Of course a talk like this cannot cover every single benefir or limit of any camera, but beyond Pro Capture, there are several other very helpful computational photography features in the OM-1. A few examples: Internal Neutral Density filter which is amazing for shooting pans, Starry Sky focus which is great for night sky shots, Live Composite - which, for example, allows you to see the star trails 'build' as you shoot them so you can stop the shutter when you feel your exposure is long enough. This same feature also allows you to not over expose any bright foreground like a lit up tree as the live composite only adds brighter light than the initial frame. Regarding ISO, there is a subtle point not mentioned, but is rather important. In some ways it was indirectly mentioned on the DoF discussion. While I may need slightly lower ISO many of the PRO lenses are a full stop faster than the equivalent price point full frame lens. This lower f/stop becomes an offset. For example, the 40-150mm (which is the equivalent of 80-300mm) f/2.8 allows me to shoot f/2.8 in low light. The fairly equivalent priced Canon 100-400 would be shooting f/5.6.
This is an excellent Overall review video. I would like to thank Janine and Mark for making this well done video. I also want to thank Pangolin for the many, many videos they have provided to the photography world.
Hi Buddy, good to see you here and thank you so much for your amazing feedback and added summary with your expertise. Yes, the video was already getting quite long and we had to stop it somewhere... :) But I hope we mentioned all the most wildlife relevant factors.... cheers Janine
Hi Buddy...thanks for filling in some of the gaps that we just didn't have the time to fit into the final video. Hope to run into you sometime!
@@markbucklerphotography I visited your web site and see we circle a lot of the same locations. I'm amazed we haven't bumped into each other yet. Looking forward to that day ... and again, great job with Janine and the whole behind the scenes Pangolin crew on this video.
I switched from Canon to Olympus in 2018, before going to Antarctica. Carry-on weight restriction was 15.4lb (7kg) on the flights within Argentina. Weather-sealing was another factor. So happy with my decision! Love Pro-capture for unpredictable events, and all of the other computational modes. The smaller size and lighter weight gear is wonderful. In Africa, several people in my group were hauling around giant Pelican cases for their giant lenses. I can carry 3 cameras, 2 longer telephoto lenses, 3 other lenses, and 2 teleconverters all in a 20L backpack.
I use the OM System/Olympus OM1 camera and I also have the 150-400 Pro lens that Mark was using. We were on the Chobe with Pangolin in August and I used the combination all the time. It is a great camera and lens.
Hey Carol, it is such a fantastic combo ... and you have so much reach!
I switched from Canon to Olympus a few years ago. At was the right decision for me back then, now with the OM-1 and the 150-400 it is even better. The ability to find an active bird at the 150mm setting, rapidly zoom into capture an image at the 400mm setting, and with a flick of your finger to increase that to 560mm is amazing. Combine that with the crop factor, and with a system that you can carry around all day with no tripod, it is just wonderful. I get shots with this system I would never get with the Canon 500mm f4 I used to own.
I switched from Olympus and Panasonic a few years ago to Canon. I loved the small size of m four thirds and the lens choice. The bodies were robust and very light. What caused me to change was image quality and autofocus ability, in particular resolution and phase detect af. Now I have a Canon R5 and it is the best quality image I’ve had. I still hanker after the smaller f factor though!
Hi Jack, yes... it is difficult to compare the 150-400 with Canon's 500mm f/4 ... they are very different tools that would be used for different scenarios entirely. A 500mm f/4 is definitely not a bird in flight lens.... the 150-400 would by default perform much better - cheers Janine
@@mondujar279 I also think that Canon has the better dynamic range due to the full frame sensor - something we had never mentioned in the video - cheers Janine
I have a OM 1 but only a 40-150 f2.8 +MC 20
My dream camera is the R5 (full frame Sensor + better AF)
But My Budget is Not enough for the R5 and the expensive lenses
Do you Miss anything? (Noise, Af, Megapixels)
@@t0992 I did use the OM 1 with the 40-150 and MC 20 on a recent trip to the Galapagos. It worked well enough, but not near what the 150-400 will do. Does the Canon system have better AF and less noise? I have no personal experience, the answer is Yes. Would I switch, even if price were no object? No. I can sling the OM-1 and the 150-400 over my shoulder and walk around with it all day. I can hand hold over 1000mm equivalent lens and get great images. The new Topaz AI plug ins for Lightroom do an amazing job of cleaning up noise. For me, this is an ideal system.
Have to say this is the first time I’ve ever heard the topic of Bokeh come up for wildlife photography.
Since one is usually shooting from a distance with long telephoto lenses, it’s pretty hard NOT to have a blurry background.
Also, by and large, the struggle is usually more about getting the subject in focus than worrying about what’s blurry. We’re not talking about studio portraits here.
You’ll have to excuse me. I’ve been shooting since the mid-70s and, as a person raised on film, the last thing I care about in the field is bokeh. I want everything in focus and, if I change my mind, I can fix the background in the post production like everybody else.😉📷📷📷
Another important thing to bear in mind is that, no matter how much they try, a camera with a 35 mm sensor is never going to match Olympus micro 4/3 for image stabilisation. The sensor is simply too big to accommodate IBIS stabilisation on all axes. Very important consideration with long telephotos.
Subject isolation is one of the more important aspects to wildlife photography. If you're going for an out of focus background, a fast lens and a full frame sensor makes the job easier for you. Why do you think so many professional wildlife photographers use 500 and 600mm f4s instead of f5.6 or f6.3s? It's to have fast shutter speeds in low light and to get those very soft backgrounds that better isolate the subject. Shooting "from a distance" with a long telephoto lens actually does NOT give you a very blurry background at all. You have to get quite close to your subject and position yourself so the background is a long way behind your subject to end up with blurry backgrounds. My style is OOF backgrounds and there is a huge difference in the backgrounds rendered between a full frame and micro 4/3rd sensor as seen at 16:40 and especially 18:39. Getting an OOF in the field is actually quite difficult in many cases. You have to constantly change your position (without spooking your subject), so you can line him up where the background is as far away from him as possible. If the micro 4/3rds got the same depth of field as FF sensors I would sell my R5 right now and switch to Olympus.... I may end up buying a M4/3 in the future, but the greater depth of field of M4/3 is what is holding me back. Extra DOF is a big plus for macro though...
@@mdees88 I disagree. Complete subject isolation is a bit of a fad. The best wildlife photographs put the animal in context of their environment. And the better wildlife photographers try to do this.
@Dane Varkevisser I agree that great photos do incorporate some of their environment. My point was that isolating the subject (to varying extents) is a very
important part of wildlife photography, and you don’t get good subject isolation JUST because you are using a long telephoto lens (like was mentioned). It takes a lot of work on the photographers part to get good subject isolation, and certain lenses make it a little easier for you as is clearly seen in this video.
@@mdees88 I take your point, but what I am saying is putting the background out of focus very rarely makes a great wildlife photograph. So I disagree that subject isolation in the sense of putting the background out focus is one of the more important aspects of wildlife photography. If this is your aim, then sorry, you are unlikely to stand out as a wildlife photographer. When you see enough such images, you realise it is a bit of a tired, worn out cliche. It has become a bit of a modern trend - a fad - and as such these images just aren't compelling any more.
@Dane Varkevisser I already agreed with you, I'm not sure what else to say. I do think you are taking what I said to an extreme and are not really understanding what I meant, though. I never said "complete subject isolation", you did... I said subject isolation. I'm talking about making your subject pop and stand out. I'm not talking about a sharp subject and a completely blurred out, solid green background. There are different degrees of subject isolation and a FF sensor gives you more flexibility in controlling it. Almost every wildlife picture taken will benefit from some amount of subject isolation. There are not near as many great pics where the subject and background are in the same focal plane, as there are where the background is some degree out of focus. But you are certainly entitled to your opinion. My point to the original poster was, subject isolation doesn’t just magically happen because you're using a telephoto lens (like he implied). And the difference between a FF sensor and a micro 4/3 sensor is huge when it comes to the ease of getting subject isolation from the background. There are reasons everyone's not using a micro 4/3 sensor for wildlife, and I would assume depth of field is one of them. Subject isolation is a very important part of wildlife photography (in my opinion), especially if you prefer more artistic photos that look very good hanging on your wall (which is what i was more referring to). Just my $.02...
Thank you guys for talking not only about cameras and lenses but also about prices and therefore making a complete picture of somebody’s investment! Nobody ever explains micro 4/3 cameras that well with pros and cons included on TH-cam and it makes a big difference!
Hello, great video :-), but with a common error in it: the sensor is a 4/3 sensor (the same dimension than in the Olympus E series), not a micro 4/3 sensor. Micro four third is about the mount (different than the 4/3 mount). This is one of Olympus' big marketing mistakes, because today everyone thinks the sensor is "micro", when in fact the term "micro" has only ever been about the mount.
I went the other way. I shot with the Panasonic M4/3 for 10 years (2011-2021) then switched to a canon full frame when the R5 mirrorless came out. I’m happy with the switch, although I loved the smaller form factor of the m/43. I’m also concerned that there has been less development in the m 4/3 space now that Panasonic has moved to full frame
I used to shoot Nikon but 5 years ago I switched to Olympus, I have an EM1 Mark III and LOVE it. I sell my work and no one has ever asked me why I don't shoot F/F!
You missed a HUGE point in FF's favor... cropping. With a 60MP FF camera, you will be able to crop much more readily than m4/3 sensor... thus, providing yet another level of "zoom" for wildlife. M4/3 is great for the weight... but FF has destroyed it!
What wasn’t mentioned are the benefits of greater depth of field in some cases, especially in outdoor macro photography.
because the greater depth of field is not because of size of the sensor, but because of wider lens angle, which you can easily do on FF
This operation is top notch. They are very professional and well supplied.
Excellent information. Great conversation about the contrasts between the FF sensor and the M4/3rds. This is an excellent discussion about the two sensors. Everything is explained very well and accurately. I suggest anyone who is considering either system to watch this TH-cam discussion. Thank you for taking the time to produce this fine technical piece. 😁📷😎👍
By far the Best explanation of diferences between micro 4/3 and full frame cameras I ever saw in youtube, congratulations good work!
Impressive, well balanced video. This was concise, objective, and did a good job of clearly explaining the 'pluses and minuses' of each system.
Loved the video - really nice and balanced. I just moved from APSC to full frame - beginning to think I should have gone with one body to OM1!
Glad to see Olympus is still around and relevant. Very nice video that fairly explained pros and cons
Thank you Janine for sharing this video. This video just broaden the horizon for all the wildlife shooters or people who wants to jump into the wildlife photography. At the end of the days, we all just enjoy what we have and have a great time shootings. Hopefully, one day I can join the Pangolin trip. It is one of my bucket list. 😃
Thank you for this sharing all this information. I was very curious about the OM1 / micro 4/3 system. This video was very comprehensive and explained to me many things that I did not understand regarding the 4/3 systems. I now understand why so many wildlife photographers have made the switch to this system. As a Canon R5 user /full frame, I am happy with the results and love the RF lenses and focusing capacity with the newer Canon mirrorless system. I can understand why many jumped out of Canon a few years ago when there was a lag in development but for me Canon works for my style of photography, shallow DOF and usability.
Very interesting and informative comparison. I'm shooting mainly as a hobby with the Lumix G9 and 100-400mm lens and find the camera is NOT the limiting factor in my images.
Hahaha :) That is often very correct Bruce ... however, you will be surprised how much you hone in your skills if you come on a wildlife photography workshop with us for a few days.... it is so fun and sooner or later you will then outgrow your gear. It is a wonderful feeling, exhilarating, but also frustrating because you enter the technology battle and with your new gained awareness there is always something new and cool - cheers Janine
word.
I live in North Carolina but I enjoy seeing the videos from Pangolin in South Africa, which seems quite exotic from this distance. It was quite a surprise to see Mark Buckler, who last I heard, lives on the NC coast joining in the discussion. I have seen him make presentations several times and he is well respected here. I happen to have one foot in the Canon world and one in the M4/3 world. To get into wildlife more seriously, I can immediately see that 400mm is not enough. APSC or M4/3 are the only options open to me for weight and cost reasons (and the sensors are not that much far apart in size). I think this presentation was very well done, pros and cons were fully explored by two people I respect. Very helpful.
I have the ZCAM E2M4, a budget cinema camera with 4:3 sensor and an absolute dream for wildlife filmmakers. Great slow motion and good in low light conditions. The crop factor of 2 is also helpful. I read somewhere that mft is twice the fun at half the weight and price. And that seems about right.
Thank you - this is the best summary of both the benefits of M4/3 and the drawbacks that I have seen. I shoot with an EM5 M3 and looking forward to upgrading to an OM1 on the secondhand market once the price comes down. I would love some better bokeh and agree that the noise can be a bit rubbish, but the size factor is such an important thing - particularly like me if you’re always carrying overnight camping equipment or fly fishing kit.
I’m in love with my 300mm f/4 PRO but I dream one day to have the 150-400mm!!
I switched 3 years ago to Olympus and haven't looked back. Works perfectly for my style and subject matter, which is everything from landscapes to macro to BIF. I'm too impatient to sit in a blind, but it's when I'm quietly working on a landscape or macro shot I see the most wildlife, and it's great to just reach over and pull out the 300mm and have full confidence in its abilities. And all that kit, including filters and flash, fits in a small pack with room for extra layers and a sandwich :)
Blurred out backgrounds are nice, but when you for example capture an osprey catching a fish, and the osprey's head is sharp but the fish is blurry it bugs the heck out out of me.
The comparaison between full frame and m4/3 is excellent. I've made the move to Olympus and now OM system 3 years a go. I was a Canon shooter for 20 years. What I was looking for, mirror less, a more portable system and a good weather proof body/ lenses. I don't like to stay at the same place while shooting so I walk or kayak. After trying Olympus for a few months I sold two Canon body's and 18 lens. There's is compromise to do with M4/3 but I enjoy using this system so much that I take and go out actually more often then I did before. And now with the 150-400mm this is a game changer lens.
Very nice job on this video! It was timely for me. I have enjoyed using my OM-1 so much that I just shipped/sold all of my Canon gear to MPB a couple of days ago. I have had the OM-1 for about 6 months and found that I was choosing to use it much more often than my Canon system. Life is too short to use gear that you don’t enjoy. I am using the proceeds from the sale to acquire more Olympus lenses. I have a chronically sore right shoulder that really starts to bother me after using heavier gear. I just enjoy using the gear a little more if I don’t have to pay for it later with soreness. I have found the OM-1 bird detection to work in much lower light than any of my 3 Canon mirrorless bodies. I had the R6, R7 and, for 3 months, an R5 that I bought open-box with a 90 day return window. Mine would lock up on a daily basis and often at the most in opportune times. So I returned it and with the rumored R5ii on the way I decided not to buy another. I have not used the R3 or the R6ii but the OM-1 has superior bird detection AF than the Canon bodies. This is really noticeable as the light worsens.
Great video as always guys. I'm not a pro but l can relate to Mark's situation having traded in my Canon gear for Olympus back in late 2019, after 21 years shooting Canon dating back to the film days. I love my Olympus gear and it just suits me down to a tee.
That said, these days I don't there is any such thing as a bad camera and it's about finding what system suits you best.
Wow! Fantastic video! Really enjoyed the transparency in this video.
Thanks so much Steve - I really appreciate that - cheers Janine
I very much enjoyed both of your comments/pros/cons. Well done Janine and Mark. I shot with Nikon full frame gear for 20 plus years (film and Digital). I shoot both wildlife and landscapes for my enjoyment not a pro. I switched to Olympus 4/3rds 6 years ago and now have two OMD em1 mark iii bodys and carry only three lenses for travel; all Zuiko Pro lenes. 12-40 mm 1:2.8,; 40-150mm 1:2.8 and my all time favoite lens the ED 150-400mm 1:4.5 TC1.25X. I agree this may be the best wildlife lens out there. (just my opinion) I have used these lens and bodies in the Artic, Antartica and Africa with great sucsess. My whole bag fits easly in the overhead and is very lite. No trouble on the incountry small planes, with weight limits, by putting some gear in my vest. With the new software avaliable for noise, I shoot high ISO's often with no worries. I loved my Nikon gear but now have only Olympus gear for my travel.
Hi Janine! Thanks for the great video together with Mark. You two really nailed the facts down!
JUST HAVE SOME MONEY LEFT FOR TRAVELLING AFTER BUYING GREAT GEAR! 😉
8 years ago, I switched to an entry level Olympus OM-D - for travelling Namibia and Chobe, one of my best trips ever.
My change to the Oly system was my start on a photography path much more deeper, with more passion and fun as before.
Now I've got the OM-1 with 150-400mm/4.5 Pro. Mind blowing! I'll never change.
But finally, everyone has to find his/hers own brand which fits best, which motivates to use it on and on with enthusiasm and fun.
Greetings from Switzerland and be sure: Once, I'll be back to Chobe!
I switched from Nikon to Olympus back in April of last year. I am very happy that I did. Almost any camera can catch large birds in flight. Smaller birds are more difficult for most cameras, but not the OM-1. With Pro Capture at 50fps or even 120fps, the OM-1 captures sparrows or Kingfishers in flight with ease. The extremely high frame rate captures wing positions that are rarely seen at slower frame rates. These frame rates are taken on the OM-1 with full resolution RAW. After having the camera for about a month, I started shooting birds at 50fps. I never went back. I missed too much action at slower frame rates.
what lens did you use on your Nikon? And which to you have now?
And even the old and very affordable EM-1 II can shoot up to 60fps (as long as you don’t need C-AF)!
Thanks for discussing this. After extensive research into the best mirrorless system for me, it became evident that MFT was the only way to go. I settled on the Lumix G9 (that and the GH6 are every bit as good as any Oly or OM body--it's matter of personal preference--plus GEAR DOESN'T MATTER!) and I've never looked back either. I prefer the UI/ergonomics of the G9 with its larger body (and especially its huge grip) to the smaller OM (and Sony E-Mount "FF" bodies) and the battery grip is rarely detached. It also has features like Pro Capture (called Pre-Burst), focus stacking, Post-Focus, etc.
I'm not primarily a wildlife photographer but I use a full range of lenses from 16-800 EFL, the far end being covered by the Leica 100-400 (200-800 EFL). Besides being smaller than a "FF" 70-200 and weighing less than a kilo (2.2 lb), that lens has a minimum focusing distance of 1.3m (4.27 ft), making it a great "semi-macro" lens with its 0.5x magnification (enough to more than fill the frame with a butterfly or dragonfly from a "safe" distance). Re DoF, I've generally found it easy to get all of the bokeh I want in the field (and it's easy to convincingly blur in post if you must have that look), but there are many more cases where more DoF is advantageous. It also costs around US$1,700. The Oly 150-400 is also a great lens (perhaps a bit overkill unless you're searching for new stars) , but US$7,500 is way more than I spent on my G9 with grip, five lenses, filters, batteries, etc.
Re low-light, first of all, MFT's base ISO of 200 (and superior IS) helps, but as you point out, with the current level of NR, noise is no longer an issue (and your example looks to be SOOC--not processed).I can get great results at any ISO. The only reason "FF" (or APS-C) bodies exist is that when CaNikon starting going for the digital market, they knew it would be a hard sell to get their customers to invest in a whole new set of lenses to support an emerging technology, so they made the sensors/mounts compatible.
The main advantage of MFT's portability is that relatively few people shoot wildlife from a boat or other "platform" as you often need to hike over arduous, technical terrain to find certain subjects (wildlife or other). At the end of a long day (or even after an hour), would your rather be carrying a 5-kg sling bag (as I do with my full 16-800 EFL array of lenses including macro plus accessories) or a much larger, heavier pack that becomes very problematic when doing things like climbing through brush, scrambling over loose rock, or crossing streams via slippery rocks and logs? I'm a rock/ice climber in great shape, but I prefer to use my big LowePro pack for air transport rather than in the field. Also, I rarely use a tripod and have no problem holding my "big" Leica up high waiting for the right moment. Not fun with a "FF" body and long lens. I think MFT is the most sensible format for the vast majority of photographers--so many advantages and no significant downsides. For wildlife, it seems a slam-dunk.
I have used a Panasonic Lumix G9 and Leica 100-400mm lens for a couple of years and really like it, but I didn't give up my Nikon gear. M4/3 has a lot of strong points, as mentioned in the video, but image quality suffers in low light and it does not tolerate cropping very well. I use it now mainly when I am sure I have strong light and I can get close enough to the subject to fill the frame.
Best vlog I've seen about using an MFT system for wildlife photography, the side by side FF and MFT sample photos shown were so relevant. Congratulations !
Wow, thanks!
Thks Janine & Mark for an informative video. First time I've watched your channel. It is almost impossible to keep up with all the changes that come at a price. I do photography as a hobby but do try & do it properly to make it worthwhile. It is fine when using $ but not everyone earns $. I have a Canon DSLR in lower end of the market w/Canon & Sigma lenses depending on fl etc. Will watch other videos soon. This is one way of keeping up by listening to photographers in the field.
Very nice update here superbly presented by you both.
I thought seriously about Olympus for the advantages of portability and cost, but in the end I went from 80D to 5Ds so the opposite way - surprised me. Comfort of use, bokeh performance and build quality for the price is stunning. So I made the choice and got it without the low light advantage you might expect from FF; Full Frame 50Mp doesn't help with low light, (similar to 4/3 in some ways), but wow the advantages more than compensate - swing sways in favour still. Then I see something like this and start to doubt it all again - who knows what is next!
Hello! Glad to be here and be a micro four thirds shooter. I shoot portraits, landscapes, travel, and macro. And sometimes I combine all those skills to do weddings. I use an EM1X and an E-M5 Mk II. I have a handful of Oly premium and regular lenses and 2 Sigma F1.4 primes(16&30mm). I love the "barriers" of MFT and breaking them. Great video!
Outstanding video. First, for an 80-year-old bird photographer, the smaller size of M43 kit makes a huge difference while traveling and while shooting. Second, shallow DoF and smooth bokeh are overrated. I want to see the whole bird in focus in the context of its environment (not interested in publishing a field guide). Third, high ISO in low light is indeed an issue, but Topaz DenoiseAI (and other software, too) has totally changed the game (no longer a problem). Many thanks for addressing this topic. I shoot an OMDS OM-1 with a Panasonic-Leica 100-400 lens.
Noel, great point. Janine noted she can handhold her super telephoto Canon lenses but I find many of the guests traveling with me are over 60 (including me) and the lighter gear is a BIG benefit for them shooting handheld.
@@BuddyEleazer Yes, Buddy. The boats on the Chobe have built-in swivel attachments for large kit, which, I think, is how Janine shoots mostly (handheld occasionally, perhaps, but she's young). I (try to) shoot BIF and swinging a large lens to keep up with a flying bird is a challenge. My wife has also switched from Canon to OM-1 and loves it.
@@noelzinn6801 Hi Noel... I end up shooting most of my gear hand held as I rarely have a seat between my guest and feel more free hand held.... but I am still happy at this point - cheers Janine
@@pangolinphotohosts818 Thanks for that information, Janine. I was presumptuous in suggesting otherwise. Your many videos have been a bright spot throughout this pandemic and I hope that my wife and I can get to Chobe someday. Cheers, Noel
Jeanie, handle this topic very professionally ❤ the comparison was well done and gave lots of information to make a wise decision for me.
Brilliant summary and shots! I was using a Canon 7D2 based on your recommendation Janine. But it was a but too heavy for my hikes and better lenses would have been even heavier (not to talk about the costs). I'm just a hobbyist, so not looking for ultimate sharpness and found my new super budget setup perfect for my needs. I got a second hand original E-M1 and 75-300mm lens for A$560 (US$380!) and the only difference I see in practice compared to said 7D2 with Tamron 18-400mm (twice as heavy!) Is AF for birds in flight (still not terrible). I've since bought a 60mm macro lens and am super happy with the sharpness and in-camera focus stacking for insect photography, completely new subject for me 😀
Fantastic discussion. Thank you!
This was both informative and timely … excellent video …
Great video Janine, well done with the contents, etc. I was shooting Nikon until 2.5yrs ago. Now I couldn't be happier. It is all about personal priority. Mark's images speak for themselves how well MFT can delivery comparing to other systems. I am not saying FF is not better because it is from technical perspectives. Anyhow, hope to find time and go on you guys safari in the near future. I am now shooting with OM1, EM1.3 with 300mm F4, 200mm F2.8 (Penleica lens) and 40-150mm F2.8 and the two TCs. Those are for my typical wildlife shooting setup. I have a set of F1.2 primes and 12-40mm f2.8 for family when I need them. I can fit allmost all of them in ThinkTank Airport Essential bag as a carry on. I could never do that with FF or APS-C. One thing that didn't get address in this video is the ability to use top quality Panasonic lenses. Cheers...
Hi Narin, that is a fantastic point that we didn't discuss at all. Thanks so much for adding that to the discussion... we would love to welcome you here soon. It is wildlife photography heaven - cheers Janine
Nice to meet you Janine and congratulations for your work and for your channel. I enjoy the wildlife videography by my Lumix GH5II and three amazing (for me) lenses: Panasonic Leica 12-60mm f2,8-4; Panasonic Leica 200mm f2,8 and 1,4x teleconverter; Venus Laowa 50mm f2,8 2x macro. I can confirm, MFT is smartest system for wildlife photo and video: smaller, light wight and less expensive
best video about the subject i have seen. I own both mft and full frame, and i like both a lot but for different reasons.
Hello from Montreal Canada! Janine you are awesome! , I love to watch your videos, keep up with the awesome content ❤️🤗
Thanks so much Miguel... I really appreciate that - cheers Janine
Excellent discussion 😃📸💥.
I don’t think I’d ever replace my full frame capabilities, I LOVE shallow depth of field and being able to crop my shots in post.
That OM system does look fantastic for travel or hiking where weight and space are important factors to consider 🤔.
Maybe buy into both systems.
I really enjoyed this content and it cover everything on m43 pros and cons! Amazing photos from R3 and OM1!
thanks so much James - cheers Janine
Nice video and very informative, I'm that person who shoot maybe once or twice a year , I've never paid attention to the micro thirds sensors until now , I love to photograph birds and I own Canon R6+Canon RF 100-500 it's just that it's impossible for me to switch brands at the moment but this is something that raised my eyebrows.
Hi Matshete, you have a phenomenal set up for now so I wouldn't be worried at all in the near future.... Your R6 is a low light beast and you have plenty of reach with the 500mm .... enjoy shooting out there - cheers Janine
Same gear + the 24-105L... + a 90D with the Tamron 150-600 & 70-200. Canon guy till the day I die !
Baie Dankie Janine en Mark .Dit is n baie leersame video en verseker inligting wat min van ons van geweet het .
Verseker n baie goeie video .
Jy is baie welkom Sarel - good to hear from you and I hope you guys are doing well - cheers Janine
Excellent discussion! One of the factors that goes into selecting equipment also has to do with the photographer, himself or herself. For example, many of us as we grow older, or as a result of injuries, have difficulty managing the larger and heavier full frame lenses. To have the ability to shoot professional level optics in a smaller size and with lighter weight equipment enables many of us to continue capturing amazing images in the field, despite our physical limitations.
Kinda like guitars. When I was younger, I would lug around an amplifier they weighed a ton. Now I have a smaller amp that sounds just as nice and is 1/3rd the weight. Unlike photography, my Les Paul never needs upgrading. I've always used the crop factor to my advantage when shooting wildlife. I use the APS-C sensor with an image stabilized 75-300 for that extra reach. My full frame usually has the 17-35 on it for the wider shots. I'm still shooting with older Canon gear, but Olympus has always been on my radar.
@@flyonwall360 Hi, that is such a nice way of comparing it. - Janine
Hi, yes.... we tried to make that clear in the video that all the pros and cons we mention really depend on who is shooting the camera and what your goals are. There is so many options out there that it sometimes becomes difficult to judge. Are you shooting Olympus? - cheers Janine
@Pangolin Photo Hosts When I was younger, I inherited my father's 1956 Canon that he bought when he was in the service. Almost 30 years later, I bought a Pentax Auto 110 Super kit when I was in the service. I ended up collecting Canon gear because I acquired a few of their lenses. I haven't upgraded in years. My 17-35 2.8 L stays on the Elan 7e film camera, and the 75-300 stays on the Rebel XTi. I can actually squeeze more megapixles out of the Elan 7e by scanning the film on an Epson 750 Pro. The only Olympus I have is a point and shoot film camera. When I get to upgrading Olympus will be on my list of cameras to consider.
Another excellent and balanced review from Pangolin! Thank you. As a wildlife photographer, I switched from Nikon to Olympus years ago and have traveled to all 7 continents with the Olympus/OM-1 gear (always with multiple cameras and lenses packed as weight-limited carryon during air travel). That is a big advantage over full frame gear. An under-discussed advantage of the m43 2x crop factor is that you get a lot more of the subject in focus. No worries about getting the eye sharp as the whole head and face (and more) will be sharp focus. On the Chobe, you can easily get a group of elephants all in focus in a well composed telephoto shot. Given the distances at which most extreme telephoto photography is done, it is a real advantage to have more - not less depth of field. Mark was not exaggerating in saying that Olympus/OM-1 Pro lenses are excellent, rugged and probably the best weather/dust sealed of all lenses made. I have the 150-400mm 1.25 f/4.5 lens on an OM-1 with 7 to 8 stops of image stabilization. Further, this lens was specifically designed to have excellent results with a 1.4x teleconverter also attached providing a 1,250mm f/8 hand-holdable lens. A final comment is that these Pro wildlife lenses all close focus to about 1.3 meters making them very good for closeup photography (bugs, amphibians etc). As for noise - not a real problem given the OM-1’s backlit sensor, multi-step readout algorithms and postproduction noise reduction software.
Men 7000+ € that lens...jah very good but so so expensive🤣🙈🙈🙈
Amazing video discussing the difference between the two systems. I’m sticking with full frame for the same reason as Janine
Thanks so much - I really appreciate it. I also think we often get very single minded but could learn so much from looking around a bit more even if we don't have to adopt it all or even agree with it all. - cheers Janine
Wonderful Video! Great images! I am recommending a family member to look at the micro 4/3 system, I know they won't be disappointed . Thank you.
Just bought an EM-5 MK2 plus two lenses, 14-150 and 45mm, and am testing what it can do. I also own the canon R6 and R5. So far I'm impressed with this camera even if it is 7 years old.
Excellent informative discussion about the pros and cons of mFT! If I were a wildlife photographer I probably also would choose the OM- system. I am familiar with it, I worked with the E-M1 MkIII for several years. But because I mainly shoot landscapes, forests, trees and other plants, flowers, small animals as well as people and street, full frame has become my main system (Nikon Z). If I take a 46MP full frame camera like the Nikon Z7II or Z9, paired with the relatively light Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 lens for example, I can also strech the reach by using a teleconverter (1.4 and 2.0 x), or/and additionaly shoot in DX-mode when necessary, and still get a 20MP image. I loose much light by doing so, but on the other hand I still take advantage of the superiority of the bigger sensor which is 3,8 timer bigger than the mFT sensor. There doesn't exist a system giving you an advantage over other systems in every respect. With every system you have to swallow a toad. Therefore it ist important to know what are your priorities in photography, depending on the motifs you shoot mostly.
Fully agree. Pick your system, understand what and how you shoot, do not buy equipment to match the exceptions, i.e I shoot small birds in flight on the odd occasion so buying a lens for small birds is a dumb move, but many people do that. I also moved from FF to Small sensor and back and all for the wrong reasons. Today my kit is Z9 and a Z6 as back up and travel body, with a 100-400 with 1.4 TC on the Z9 that covers all my needs and a 14-30 and 24-200 for travel.
The 150 - 400mm lens is absolutely fantastic as you say....its so well made and sharp throughout the range and edge to edge !!
Thanks for all this info! I’ve been using my Lumix M43 since 2016 and love it. I’s light and powerful. Recently I also got a Lumix Full Frame S5 mostly for shooting portraits and larger prints. It’s amazing. I’m keeping both systems and use them for video as well of course.👍
I think one great advantages of Olympus in the pro series, is that the weather sealed is absolutely brilliant!
I have heard a lot about it ... but wouldn't worry about my R3 in a storm either. As I am not planning to shower with it :) i am happy with my Canon gear so far - cheers Janine
@@pangolinphotohosts818 Well guess what? You CAN shower with Olympus Pro gear. 😄 I routine clean my gear in the shower or under a faucet because it's a lot more convenient (and cleaner) than using a microfiber cloth and a blower. Bet you wouldn't try that with an R3! ;-) Olympus is also the only camera brand that certifies IP53 protection.
Thanks for this video, you must have been reading my mind. I currently shot both Canon (5D MRKIV) and Olympus, am at a cross road to decide what system to upgrade to for mirrorless. So much great information. Thank you.
Have you shot a mirrorless Canon? - give it a try for comparison - cheers Janine
That extra reach is why I use the APS-C crop mode on my Sony A7R IV, I love that camera because of it's versatility and sheer cropability. That being said, I've been thinking about trying out the OM-1. I really like the IBIS, and it's weather resistance but I'd hate to get rid of some of the features I love in the A7R IV. If I had the funds I'd totally just get one as a second cam.
I was a Nikon FF and crop sensor user for 30 years. A few years back I wanted my gear to be smaller and lighter. I already had a very old Olympus mirrorless and loved the many features. The camera store tried to persuade me to go Canon but back then the range of lenses were not what they are today. Ditto with Nikon and I didn't want to be adding an adaptor to use the lenses I had at the time. Besides it defeated the purpose of going smaller. So I started with the OMD-EM1 Mark 11 and have since added the Mark 111 and now the OM-1 which I just love. I also have the 12-100 F4 for wider shooting and the awesome 150-400. Sure there are the few limitations mentioned in the video but for me the advantages far outweigh them. I love the system and am looking forward to using it on the Chobe in September.
Hi Carol, we cannot wait to welcome you here on this side and taking some fantastic images with your system - cheers Janine
Robin, your photography is AWESOME! I especially love your architectural work. Very much an inspiration for me. Consider me a fan and subscribed. Cheers for S.C. USA!
Great discussion. Beautiful images. Full frame all the way for me. I'm 71. There might be a day when the small form factor will win me over. Not yet.
Thanks so much Robert - I am 100% with you.... and no one has to switch... it is all about knowing the products out there, the pros and cons, and then finding your own priorities.... I will also not switch: not now and most likely not ever - cheers Janine
Really informative video for us thinking about switching.
As i have come to expect from your channel, a well balanced and informative video. If i may, another view would be a standard cropped sensor. My Nikon D7200 has an extra crop facility to get a 1.9x crop factor, all be it losing one third of the pixels. With newer sensors with higher resolutions, and mirrorless ones for the added "cheating " features, you can get similar advantages over a full frame sensor to the OM system.
That is very true Ben. A lot of the full frame gear has so many pixels that you can easily crop in (both in camera and in post-production). However, those high Mgpx beasts have the same disadvantage than the micro four thirds of squeezing too many pixels onto a space and therefore they become small and less light efficient. Therefore, I always prefer the lower pixel bodies for wildlife photography. I guess the ideal scenario would be two bodies so that one has the choice... cheers Janine
Very pertinent, given I'm heading on safari with a Panasonic G9 in a few months.
That is very cool.... where are you heading to? - cheers Janine
@@pangolinphotohosts818 thanks Janine - I'm heading to the Blue Canyon Conservancy near Hoedspruit - very much looking forward to it!
Low light in the mornings/evenings is a concern, but as mentioned in this video, software like DxO can work wonders with noisy images.
Greetings 🙏
May some day I shall visit....
I love all your videos... This one cleared my doubts as I am considering to switch to micro four thirds...
🙏 Thanx for this video 🙏
Hi Kiran, you are very welcome... it would be awesome to welcome you here one day - cheers Janine
Until recently I was shooting an Olympus EM1 Mark 2. The new OM-1 is certainly improved in some ways, such as handheld hi-res mode and in-camera focus stacking. But the EM-1 Mark 2 has good fast AF and I was able to capture many birds in flight that still look good, even now I have the OM-1 with its computational features and bird-detect AF. It is hard to find one new, but a used one should be well under US$1k and excellent value.
Very interesting video again. I switched from m43 (Panasonic G9) to full frame (Canon 5D iv) because I found my G9 struggling in low light situations during my safaris in Tanzania. The noise at high iso was also an issue. Can’t wait to try out my Canon in Tanzania this August.
Awesome... you will love it there.... let me know how it goes - cheers Janine
@@pangolinphotohosts818will do Janine, been studying Sabine’s tutorial about the 5Div. Also very helpful.
Thank you for your balanced report!
Great stuff Janine! That's something to think about, but it will be a while before I make the switch from my Canon. Thanks!
Hi Jon, no one has to switch... it is all about knowing the products out there, the pros and cons, and then finding your own priorities.... I will also not switch: not now and most likely not ever - cheers Janine
Good video and shows the advantages and disadvantages of the system
Thanks so much Roger, have a great day - cheers Janine
Great interview, a fair discussion. Now i am seriously thinking about having another system rather than only Nikon.
Brilliant video. I shoot wildlife and insects photography with EM1ii with 70-300mm + 60mm lenses. It makes a complete set to walk anywhere in the nature without and extra gears ever needed. It’s so lightweight, and shoots brilliant photos. If needed, it is easy to get rid of noise, and sharpen the images in post.
Wonderful discussion Janine and Mark! FF or MFT cameras are just tools. Both systems have “Pro-level” tools to suit the professional photographer. I have different camera systems for different purposes as a professional photographer and videographer since 1998. What I can say is that I am using MFT system a lot more compared to FF or apsc systems in the last 5 years, for Nature, Macro, Travel Photography and wildlife. I can carry the necessary gear for my 30+ km trekking trips with many climbing situations in South America and Europe, without any problem! The new Olympus 150-400mm is phenomenal!!!
Especially for trekking it makes a huge difference!!! - cheers Janine
@@pangolinphotohosts818 Exactly Janine. And for long wall climbs there's nothing that strikes the perfect balance of quality and portability like the M43 system. If you are climbing a 500m vertical wall and want to photograph birds, insects and rare bromeliads, in addition to incredible views, there is no better tool! Just that: knowing how to choose the right tool for the job! The rest is snobbery or inexperience.
Thanks for this great video!
I wish Janine had been our guide on our Pangolin trip last year. I switched away from Cannon gear in 2015 and have never regretted it. I had hoped to learn more about shooting African wildlife, but our guide was a Canon only snob and ignored those of us shooting other brands. Hopefully, he will watch this video and learn something. The lens that I love for birds is a Panasonic Lumix 100-400 f4-f6.3 with my OM1x and OM1 bodies. I also use the 40-150 f2.8 and the 300 f4, sometimes with my 1.4 or 2x teleconverter. For a walk around lens, I use the Olympus 12-100 f4 -- I have taken 4sec handheld shots inside of Egyptian pyramids with it on my OM1mkIII. The IBIS is really between 7 and 8 stops depending on the lens and body. I plan to get another OM-1 body and the 150-400 pro lens as soon as my piggy bank allows. This year I'll be primarily shooting in South America, Amazon in July and then Ecuador in the Fall shooting hummingbirds.
I'm planning on visiting Pangolin next year.....I use Olympus, so sounds like there might be someone to avoid as "tutor/guide"?
Hi from Oz & thankyou for a great video that explains everything I need to know about my probable change from my ageing Canon system to the OM-1. I'm also ageing along with my Canon equipment & I'm finding the weight of the system a bit of an issue now.
Thanks again.
I love it! Rise Of Micro Four Thirds !
Thank you both for the best straight forward and honest comparison I have heard. As a Canon person for aeons I too am considering swapping to the Olympus system for wildlife. I tire of buying a new camera for photography (R7) only to find that there are flaws in the best features, like high speed shooting which is awesome but warps images. Then potentially this flaw will be ironed out in a 'new' R7 mk11. !! 🙄 I digress.... thank you again 🙏🏻
Hi Gerry, yes the new systems are sometimes a bit flawed but give them that - they usually try and fix it with software upgrades. Given the huge swap to mirrorless a few hick ups were to be expected.... but with all the money we invest it does get very frustrating. Now you have all the information to make a decision about maybe swapping your systems... I am curious what you will go for. Cheer Janine
@@pangolinphotohosts818 Thank you for your reply, yes I agree, new systems, like computers are flawed and development continues through firmware updates. Canon make outstanding cameras. And already there seems less warping of images to me with the latest firmware update for the R7. It's a terrific camera but the appeal of the smaller / lighter Olympus system as opposed to heavy L series lenses is calling loudly. Thank you again for a great channel 🙏🏻
Yes, there are always tradeoffs. I'm an M43 shooter but am not heavily invested enough to be unable to switch systems. I'm looking to shoot more birds, and I have to say the R7 is a pretty compelling option. With the RF 100-400 it is actually cheaper AND LIGHTER than an OM-1 + Oly 100-400. And the upgrade to the RF 100-500 is much cheaper than the upgrade to the OM 150-400. Add in the ability to use relatively inexpensive EF glass for cases where weight is less of a concern and the Canon system should be noticeably cheaper. But, rolling shutter is a problem, you do sacrifice some degree of robustness and weather sealing with the R7, and being a more premium camera the OM-1 brings additional trick to the table (multi shot modes, insane frame rates).
No easy answers - if there were we'd all use the same system.
Very good information! Thank you! Janine's explanation is very clear and gentle and even elegant! I can feel your family traditiona dneducation! Really pleasant!!! I am Nikon guy but always have a nostalgia to have Olympus. I am thinking it seriously!!! CTS From Seoul.
I'm not really wildlife photography. I shoot live music, and some of them lead a pretty wild life. I used to shoot Canon 35mm sensors (I refuse to call them "full frame" because nearly all digital cameras shoot the full frame of the sensor) because that was expected of music photographers. In mid 2021 I was looking to switch to mirrorless because my DSLR was reaching the end of its life. I initially looked at the Canon R6, but the camera cost and the price of native lenses was very high. I also wanted something lighter because I'm no spring chicken. I tried Olympus and found the images were no worse, in terms of noise at high ISO, than what I was getting with the DSLR, except with critical pixel peeping, and what normal person does that? I used to shoot Olympus in the film days (still do) and always loved their lenses. So I dove in and fully switched to Olympus. No one has noticed the switch, in terms of image quality. If anything, I've had more work. After the pandemic, live music was pretty slow starting again, so I started shooting some macro nature photography and the Olympus seemed to excel there, because it was so small and light I could get in places a larger set up wouldn't. And it has built-in focus stacking, as well as focus bracketing, which is really handy.The high-res mode (with restrictions) is fantastic if you need large files. I have also reliably been told they are excellent for astro and night sky photography too. I would go so far as to say that M4/3 would work perfectly for over 90% of photographers, especially if they stopped listening to camera marketing and TH-camrs who keep insisting that "full-frame" is the only way to go, while ignoring the sensor sizes either side of 35mm that will do the job as well or even better.
This is one of the most educational, unbiased comparisons between the two systems I’ve seen. Thank you!
BULLSHIT !
Wow thanks that was very helpful.
Fantastic video and very balanced! I used Olympus in the past and was in general very happy. Moved to Canon RF a year ago because of much better animal focus (at that time), low light performance and missing faith in Olympus long term. I'm very happy with my R5 & 100-500 but miss some functionality in Olympus including the size of the system.
Hi Sverre, thank you so much... yes there is always pros and cons no matter which way you go. People often ask me what is the best wildlife camera for them to purchase and I always start with it depends and a multitude of questions because there is simply not just one answer. For me the new R range of Canon is fantastic and I won't be swapping my systems but I believe staying open minded keeps us on our toes and ready to learn... cheers Janine
I'm thinking about switching all the time to Sony or Canon because I'm afraid that I'm investing too much now and Olympus/OM System won't be around much longer
Great video! One thing that is worth mentioning is that while many full frame zoom lenses stop at 600mm, if you shoot high res full frame you have additional room to crop. While the pixel density of the Olympus sensor is higher, in my opinion, in terms of reach, micro 4/3 doesn’t have an advantage over full frame cameras with around 45 mpx or so of res. Just because you can crop down to 20mpx and have more magnification than 800mm. Nikon has really innovated with their new 800mm pf. This lens coupled with the z9 is truly hard to beat if you want reach and portability. 800mm with 45 mpx of resolution, even more with a tele 🤯 for $6k! I really think the z9 with their class leading wildlife primes should be your next video. Nikon has the most well rounded pro wildlife system right now! 400 and 600 primes with built in 1.4x teleconverters, 800mm f6.3 pf and 500mm pf!
Hi John, you are absolutely right. You can usually always crop a full frame better than a Micro four Thirds camera as they Micro four Thirds bodies are limited with how many pixels they can squeeze onto that smaller sensor. However, I am also not a huge fan of 45 mpx full frame bodies as we often run into low light restrictions as well. You run into the same physical limitations that the pixel size just becomes so small that it is struggling to absorb light and that is one thing I did notice on the Z9 when testing it. But don't worry - we are working on a Z9 video for you.... wanted to get it done long ago but like everyone struggled to get our hands onto it. However, price wise it cannot compare to the OM-1 ... hope you have a fantastic day - cheers Janine
Olympus and om systems does have a 50mpx handheld and a 80mpx tripod mount settings. and they are excellent
@@johnmiller6108 Please use that for wildlife and show me the results ;-)
I have never needed it. So it is a no-show from me. Not for moving subjects as a presume you are saying. But I have never had a problem with m43 when not pixel peeping. Shot my last 2 weddings on a Boat out on the bay in Turkey with not much light at all. Just a single flash and i am now going to a the Czech Republic based on that work. So I am very happy with m43 as you are with canon. after all we are different people with different needs to fill.
@@pangolinphotohosts818 Awesome! thanks for the reply and looking forward to the video!
LOL-I actually loved some of the OM system features, and am a Canon R5 owner. Loved you as well!❤
I found the contents of this video fascinating. Micro 4:3 is clearly becoming a serious and usable system for wildlife photography. When someone as experienced as Mark Buckler switches from full frame to Micro 4:3, one has to listen. However, Janine did a good job as devil’s advocate. A very interesting and informative video for anyone seriously considering making a move from full frame. I like the 2x crop and especially, the pro capture features. However, I am nervous about the depth of field issues and the low light performance. Although I’m sure most will disagree with me, I dislike the the very small size of the OM1 - it really is tiny in the hands! Alun
I agree with you Alun... I have the exact same issues - cheers Janine
Micro Four thirds also has more depth of field, so more of the subject will be in focus for the same shutter speed. This can help reduce subject motion blur. To get the same depth of field in Full Frame, you will need a smaller aperture and slower shutter speed. In Macro photography depth of field is important.
This is fabulous content, thank you so much!
Great overview, well done and very interesting 🙂
Not for me, but great information... Thank you Mark and Janine !!
I use both Olympus and Canon for different reasons and situations but I love both and can’t imagine ever selling either system :)
Hello, thank you for the very informative video. I myself switched from the Olympus EM 1 III to the Sony A 7IV in March last year. The main reason was the terrible viewfinder. The Olympus was my first mirrorless camera - I was thrilled with the photos - if it wasn't for the viewfinder. In retrospect, I regret not having had a little more patience until the OM 1 arrived - but who has patience when it comes to the hobby. I really miss a lot of functions that are already in the EM 1 III - focus stacking in the camera shouldn't be witchcraft for a Sonny for over 2500 Euros - and Pro Capture was really awesome. Greetings from Germany
I agree, when it comes to software, OM has fantastic advantages but the view finder is still not keeping up with Canon's or Sony's flagship cameras I have to say. It all has advantages and disadvantages .... cheers Janine
Very enjoyable and informative video. I'm still using my 1DX MK 2 and I love it but am torn between the R5 and R3 going forward. I love the quietness of the mirrorless cameras and the eye tracking really sounds like something I would enjoy. I am reluctant to leave Canon but can't help but be impressed by the Olympus and Sony gear now.
Hi John, I loved my old 1Dx mkii ... she was my baby. But if you look into Canon I would probably go with the R3 if you want something comparable. The processor is so much faster than the R5 and the low light performance the best on the market at the moment. You can shoot on such high ISOs it is incredible. The eye tracking is also a bit more reliable (while not infallible) on the R3. Olympus and Sony are both fantastic but you really cannot compare the two. Sony is more closely relatable to Canon than Olympus. It is all full frame gear in the same price category as Canon. The A1 systems will be comparable to the R1 systems (once released) the A9 systems to the R3 and so on and so forth.... Have fun browsing and looking around and always stay open minded. However, if you know Canon the swap to Canon mirrorless will definitely be smoothest for you. - cheers Janine
@@pangolinphotohosts818 Yes I agree Janine the R3 is definitely my pick. I need to sell some gear though. I have a 7D Mk2, 5D Mk 3. and a 5DSR and I only use my 1DX MK2 now. I'm off to Tasmania in the morning for a double-header pelagic out of Eaglehawk neck.
@@johngunning2123 Enjoy!!!! That sounds epic
I shot Olympus for a few years, and really enjoyed it. I ended up moving to Canon RF because the high-iso performance is better, but I do miss some of the cool features that Olympus/OM Systems has, and things like 'pro capture' are only now starting to show up in larger sensors(I think the Nikon Z9 and Canon R6 mkii can do it?)
Hi Brent, it all has up and down sides.... I do like my full frame gear tremendously .... also simply for the more elongated aspect ratio. The Nikon Z9 can do it but unfortunately only with JPEG - I haven't heard about it from the R6mkii.... - cheers Janine