I want to address the phrase "half the size of full frame" mentioned in the video since some of you are commenting about it. First off, I should have been more clear and said, "the diagonal measurement is half the size of a full frame sensor." I naturally omitted it because when it comes to imaging, size typically refers to the dimensions, not the area. So a few of you are commenting about how the area of the m43 sensor is actually more like 25% the size of full frame, and you are correct, but that fact is kind of irrelevant when it comes to doing calculations. - m43 diagonal x 2 = full frame diagonal because it's half the size - m43 focal length x2 = equivalent full frame focal length - m43 aperture x2 = equivalent aperture of full frame for DoF - m43 ISO x 2^2 = equivalent noise levels on full frame (You multiply by crop factor squared because of the way SnR is compounded.) Basically we are talking halfs and doubles, because the important information is a multiple of 2. Yes the area is 4 times bigger on full frame, but that number isn't important to the calculations.
Half diameter = quarter the surface area, nice from you admitting you were wrong, but then "m43 sensor is actually more like 25% the size of full frame, and you are correct, but that fact is kind of irrelevant when it comes to doing calculations.", instead correcting the fact in the video you're now saying it's irrelevant, so it doesn't matter you said it wrong in video? You're also wrong about 6:20, if the physical aperture size is the same, the depth of field (DOF) will be the same for equivalent field (FOV) of view lens, with the same distance from the subject. The full frame lens 100mm F/2.8 have aperture size 100/2.8 = 35.7mm So M4/3 lens with equivalent field of view (FOV) and depth of field (DOF) would be 50mm F/1.4, with the same size aperture 50/1.4 = 35.7mm The same size aperture will always give you the same DOF (35.7mm = 100mm/2.8 = 50mm/1.4) at the same distance from subject (for any focal length). You're confused with "F/" numbers (F/2.8, F/1.4, etc) which don't represent the aperture size, but the relation between focal length ("F") and aperture size, which serves for calculating proper exposure. Maybe it's a good idea to redo the video to not confuse even more people with wrong facts...
Ja sam - I think you're misunderstanding me. I don't think that any part of my video or my explanation is irrelevant, I think the comments about area not being half the size are irrelevant, because for crop factor we need the diagonal, which is half the size. As for aperture, I wouldn't say that I was "wrong", but again I could have been more clear and said "your aperture setting or f-stop or f-number as it appears on your camera." Essentially when your f-stop reads the same on both cameras, the DoF is impossible to match. You have to compensate by adjusting your f-stop, thus opening the aperture to match the full frame aperture. But you know this already, and I think most of the viewers were able to put this together on their own, and truthfully, I find this wording more confusing than what I chose in the video. While I appreciate your insights, and while your understanding of aperture is absolutely correct, I personally think you're just being nitpicky and pedantic and not to the benefit of the viewer. I think you came across as insulting and thus wholly counterproductive.
Sorry, didn't mean to insult you, my intentions were constructive critiques, maybe I should be more polite :) I hope you'll consider to do another video about this so many of your viewers won't be confused.
No worries, Je sam, thanks for the apology. I appreciate it. 😃 I don't think I'll remake the video, but this is a pinned comment, so if anyone is confused about that component hopefully they'll see this thread and it will clear things up for them.
I'm 82 yrs old and in my time I went from view cameras to the gh5. Everytime I got a little older and weaker a new lighter system came about. In another 5 years I'll need something lighter bu for the gh5 which I'm still using professionally is just fine. Enjoyed your video.
I have been using the Micro4/3 system since I first bought the Lumix GF1. Two years ago, I bought the GX9. Very recently, I bought the Canon M6 Mk2 which out perform the GX9 but just as small. It is also cheaper overall. Faster, more responsive AF and higher resolution.
@@chrishuang8763 except for the less than impressive selection of lenses. The Sigma primes really are a game changer but there is still no good telephoto option for landscape or wildlife. I will leave out sports as the M system is not designed for it.
I am an older computer engineer with all the traditional Engineering training. So math, sizes, and proportions are all intuitive to me. But even with this background I was blown away about how extremely helpful your screen resizing was. Great job! I really enjoyed it so I clicked your like button twice. Oh wait....
Another advantage of MFT is with in-body image stabilization. An MFT sensor is about 25% of the mass of a full-frame sensor, and consequently can be physically positioned much more accurately (using the same amount of battery power). IBIS handheld video on Lumix cameras is noticeably smoother than footage produced by Sony full-frame cameras. Battery life is also significantly longer on MFT cameras.
Agree with the Ibis, but disagree with your thoughts on battery life, as I'm using an A9 and I get about 600-800 shots easily with one battery. I think thats great, or which one last longer?
My Gx9 has atrocious battery life. Love the camera but always break into a second battery when I use it. My nikon I can use for 2 or 3 days on the same battery.
@@rhetoricalrobot8359 Definitely in photography. Cant say with video department, unless the weight of the camera lessen the jitter or using gimbal like the literal cinema cams.
I bought the original Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera (With the MFT Sensor) for $500. That was my introduction to the system and it was a pretty sweet one at that :)
@@xywa42 It's a really cool camera, isn't it? It has obvious flaws but still... I love that little thing. With the aluminium Body and few buttons, it's also the most stylish camera I've ever held. These days I'm mostly shooting with the FS5 these days; but I have an Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake lens for the BMPCC and love just picking it up and shooting handheld on walks/hikes. This setup is soo leightweight and compact, I can literally take in anywhere without it bothering me. It's fantastic, loving my BMPCC with this setup.
Dude I subscribed based on the effort you put into this video alone. It's nice to finally see a channel that isn't afraid of diving deep into the nerdy details of camera's.
excellent info on microfourthirds, after watching your video i bought a panasonic lumic g7 camera with two lenses.iam 64 years old,this camera so small to carry ,i have been using NIKON 800E AND D3S. They are so heavy to carry at my age.nice video
Yeah, as I get older (I'm 58 now) I realize that carrying a big DSLR and a few lenses on a hike is just too much. I purchased the G85 and haven't looked back. Although I still have my DSLR and use it a lot around the house, if I'm heading out on a road trip, the G85 and a couple of lenses are in my old, much smaller camera bag. Oh yeah, I like the nerdy details too.
I started out with single-use Kodak Brownie, that my Dad helped me develop and re-load in his home darkroom. I then got an old "Made In Occupied Germany" Praktika that I used for high school and college newspapers and year books. But then I fell in love with the Olympus OM System - so small, so light, so sturdy, and wonderful Zuiko glass. I played around with digital, starting with the Apple Quick Take, but didn't find a decent interchangeable lens system until Olympus came out with 4/3rds. It's size and weight was disappointing, but it let me use my collection of OM Zuiko film lenses, and it had an outstanding and growing selection of outstanding Zuiko Digital glass. But 4/3rds just wasn't "exciting." I couldn't carry as much gear as I could in the OM film days, and I found myself using it less and less. Enter µ4/3rds. I waited and watched the early offerings, then finally jumped when the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II came out. THE LOVE IS BACK! The smaller, lighter bodies and lenses follow the tradition of the original Maitani OM vision, without compromising optical or build quality. They manage to do small/light while using a lot more sturdy metal, rather than plastic, and did I mention optical quality? The lenses are just superb! Best of all, the small register distance means even more lenses can be easily and inexpensively adapted. Have a favourite Canikon lens that keeps you from switching systems? Well, you can keep using it! In fact, years after the 4/3rds system was discontinued, I just bought the outstanding, first-of-its-kind, Zuiko Digital 35-100mm ƒ2.0 zoom, which is an amazing conference/wedding/portrait lens. So the love is back, and I'm not switching any time soon. Keep up the great work, Olympasonic! (Or would that be Panalympus?)
5 years later, and this video is still quite interesting and entertaining, especially to someone like me who just left full frame and committed to M 4/3 for event and stage photography. Great results so far. And I don't even do video (yet).
probably the, clearest, most accurate, least amount of BS, presentation of micro 4/3 I've ever seen on YT. Especially liked real world comparison to other formats, such as full-frame Sonys. Well done! I subscribed. The other thing about Panasonic and m4/3 is that it forces Sony to continually up their game. I think it's taking them so long to release the a7Smk3 because they know they have to hit Panny's new benchmarks.
Thanks a lot! Really appreciate this comment and the sub. I think you're probably right. The 4K60 thing is going to be pretty crucial going forward to the other manufacturers now that Panny has shown it in action. Most users seem adamant that the a7S III have it included.
Excellent video Gerald! My first mirrorless Camera was the Panny G1 and the stellar panny 23 f/2.8. My images were nice and sharp. However, when I printed an 11x14 inch print, I found the Sharpness and detail rendering lacking. So, I did some research and settled on the Fujifilm X-System and haven’t looked back.
@@stevelink21 the largest print I did with my Lumix G6 is 30x40 inches. Quality is excellent! and when I say to my friends photographers that was shooted with a FF, they have no doubts I'm not lying! So, what you say surprises me a lot, probably the system is much better since G1... (I own G85 now...) That said, Fuji X has an amazing quality! Take a look at this: th-cam.com/video/OGn3yPl59ZM/w-d-xo.html
It’s 2019 and I just bought a GH5, my first 4/3 camera. Absolutely love this beast, especially for video. I’ve just started my journey with it, but I’m really blown away with all the video options and the image quality.
I switched to Micro 4/3 in March when I bought an OM-D E-M1 Mark II. That thing was a game changer. I had been a loyal Canon user for a decade, but my 6D was showing its age and I wanted a 24-70 lens. I basically said, “Why not?!” and sold off the Canon gear. The size and weight are perfect and the quality is just as sharp as anything I’ve ever seen. The stigma towards anything that’s not Full Frame is sickening once you see what these are capable of.
Mostly a travel photographer. Switched to Olympus 5 y ago after 10 y w Canon... Last Canon was a 7D, 24-105L. Present Camera is EM1 II w most used lens - 12-100 pro. Noise in low light, and shadows (limited DR) took some “acceptance of limitations” of m43 system, but the sharpness of the glass, light weight, and feature rich tech, is extremely satisfying. Image quality actually surpasses my previous Canon system. EVF gives immediate feedback, greatly improving my photography skills. Will I seek out a mirrorless FF system? July is still out. Improved image quality w FF will have to be substantial to override lens size/weight disadvantages.
Yeah the thing is, if you have some legacy 35mm glass, like some nice Pentax SMC manual lenses, 4/3 is essentially doubling the effective focal length and using only a small part at the center of the lens. I like playing with old lenses which were designed for 35mm, so I think I'll try to get a "full frame" sensor to use them like they were supposed to. But otherwise, the whole "full frame" concept is obsoleted, because film is not really a thing anymore, so most people don't care that the seize of their sensor would be equal to the size of 35mm film. They should call it "35mm sensors" not "full frame sensors". That and if you want to do some crazy, real low light shooting, and have a couple of thousands of dollars to invest in a modern 35mm digital body. Otherwise, go 4/3! I have no regrets about investing in 4/3, only some regret about not getting a more advanced body. One thing that bothers me a bit, though, is that they seem to be using the same sensor all the time. I would like to see a bit more advances in sensor technology, on 4/3 bodies.
What m43 enabled for me, is to actually have my camera with me, and not sitting home on a shelf. The G3 was such a small thing compared to a full-size DSLR that it allowed me to carry my camera with me always, and not just when I specifically went shooting.
What attracted me to the m4/3 is that • it can be small and casual, • it can be robust and dedicatedly professional • 4:3 format is optically more efficient than 3:2 formats • lenses are smaller but optically less compromised than 3:2 counterparts • lenses need less glass surface, which means better price; thinner elements, which means better colour reproduction, better micro-contrast, less weight, faster AF. • magnification this system offers is sufficient for 99.5% of all enlargements. • future m4/3 sensors will only be better, but FF lenses will never be smaller, better or more affordable than their best m4/3 counterparts. • in terms of quality, m4/3 always gives more for the same money. In short, the m4/3 is the smartest digital camera system. Many FF systems will die out because they are redundant and uneconomical, but m4/3 will stay because it is unique. Thank you Olympus and Panasonic.
Some FF systems. Not all. (as a contrast, there is just one m4/3 system mount). There will be too many FF systems (different mounts) and some will make no sense after a while. Lots of overlaps, all doing same futile thing. Judging from historic precedents of the companies involved, and historic behaviour, I suspect Sony will soon find that market too much trouble to bother with, especially when both Nikon and Canon bring in their FF mirrorless cameras, lenses and adapters. Sony thrives only temporarily, and only in that niche, only because Nikon and Canon did not bring the FF mirrorless. When Canon comes, Sony will start packing things.
What attracted me to the FF is that: -it is bigger and has more ergonomics (I have big hands) -cheap lens, a lot of very good lenses on the secondary market - in terms of quality, FF always gives more for less money -wide angle without destortion -higher useful ISO
I know this video is old but it makes me sad to see the comments trying so hard to call you out for something or demanding you redo the video. This content is completely free, unbiased, and correct. I recognize how much effort you put into making these videos for us and I'm sure I speak for many when I say we appreciate you!
I switched from a Canon 70D to an Olympus E-M5ii and absolutely love it. Having a toddler, I realised I was quickly tiring of carrying around my Canon (with a standard 2.8 constant zoom) around all day, and often it stayed in my bag which made the camera a bit pointless. With the E-M5ii I have so many options! I can whack on the 12-40 2.8 Pro zoom and add a larger grip and have a do-it-all camera, or I can pop on a prime, put another in my pocket and have a tiny camera that weight almost nothing! So many M4/3 lenses are amazingly sharp wide open, something you can't always say about the lenses on larger systems especially in the same price range. I must admit I have been tempted by Fuji recently, they have some excellent and affordable primes and their cameras just LOOK amazing as well. I think 2019 is going to be a big year for M4/3, and I think it needs to be to ensure they remain competitive.
I just found your channel, and this video. I have to tell you that this is, without a doubt, the best video I have ever watched regarding the attributes of micro four-thirds that make it unique from other common digital form factors. Bravo! Now to answer your question, after the world transitioned to digital imaging, I adopted the four-thirds system, owning both an E-330 and an E-30. The first was a unique but limited body and the second was an awesome camera that is still being used today. When Olympus abandoned four-thirds in favour of micro four-thirds, I switched to Canon. Yep, I was taken in my all the bigger is better nonsense, and I purchased what was then one of the highest rated APS-C cameras of the time - the 7D. What I got was quicker auto-focus, and that was about it frankly! I was now encumbered by a big, heavy camera with huge heavy lenses. Image quality was a little different but absolutely not better, and despite the weight of the beast, it was no more reliable than my earlier Olympus units. I was also sucked into buying "L" lenses, which was stupid given that they are designed for full frame cameras and are thus even heavier with no noticeable IQ benefits. In fact, with the exception of the 400mm f/4, which is an awesomely sharp lens, I can't say that any of the Canon glass I purchased impressed me. Virtually, all the Canon lenses I owned were prone to some degree of fringing at a minimum, while the 85mm f/1.4 was a fringing monster. It was an issue that I never really noticed with even my cheap Olympus lenses. Fast forward a couple of years, and I purchased an Olympus OM-D E-M1. Fast forward a couple more years and I own the 12-40 f/2.8, 7-14 f/2.8 and 40-150 f/2.8. I now have a complete kit of very fast, well built and awesomely sharp glass that is easier to carry than one Canon body and a single telephoto. To top it off, I have better dynamic range, better low light capabilities, and better mobility than I did with the Canon gear. The in built IS of even the first E-M1 is awesome! Even with the 40-150, I have no need to carry a tripod or monopod, making hikes into the back country way more enjoyable. Best of all, I just prefer the handling of Olympus cameras. Finally, lets talk about "IQ." Although we all use this term, it's really a very bad one. Photography is supposed to be a creative process supported by tools. "Image Quality" suggests standards, which is kind of counter to creativity, which at its best is looking for a non-standard approach. When talking about sensors, and cameras, and lenses, it would be much better to talk about "image character." Every tool will offer a character which can be exploited or ignored, as the case may be, by the user. My 7D did have a nice grain to the images that I rather liked. My EM-1 with the 40-150 can produce an exceptional bokeh for environmental portraits at a specific range that is unparalleled. While slow as a snail to focus, my old E-330 could, in good light, offer a richness of colour and tone than was exceptional. It's these nuanced attributes that people should be looking for. It's why, when I am shooting people in good light, my favourite camera is still a Pentax K1000 loaded with Kodak Portra film and a 100mm lens. It gives me a rounded three-dimensional result that no digital camera, no matter the make or model, or sensor, or post processing employed can match, in my opinion. So, why do I use Micro four-thirds? Primarily, I love the reliability, portability, handling, and lens line-up. It makes taking photos fun and predictable. Would I use something else? Of course. Would I carry something else, on long hikes into the forest? Other than my Pentax film kit, which is also surprisingly light and portable, probably not.
Thanks so much for your high praise. I really appreciate it. Also, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences in such detail. I like your attitude toward IQ and the counterproductive standards it imposes. I think that's a really great point. Cheers! 😃
I'm a content creator for a ski resort and have just started working with m4/3 as it's the gear the mountain already owned. Coming from the fuji system for my personal use but really excited to learn this new world. We just got the e-mi mkiii and it definitely feels good in my hands!
This was awesome! In terms of impact for me personally m43 changed everything. I've gone from chasing new new new new to actually concentrating on my photography and worrying about gear much less. And it's helped tremendously with video. Omg. ❤️
Hey! Thanks for your kind words and thanks for sharing. I totally get the shift to concentrating on the work instead of the gear. That's a tough one for me because I'm such a gearhead. But yeah, video... sweet, sweet video. 😃
It depends on you alone wether you hunt new new new or not, and not on the camera system. Says a Nikon shooter with a lens zoo from the last 4+ decades.
Well, as a Pentax shooter, I tend to think differently already ;) People keep telling me Pentax is dead. I think of it more as undead, and unkillable. Oly and Panny users need not worry about a thing.
Micro Four Nerds omg! We're totally with you here! I thought Sony A7RII (or now III) was the o ly way forwards, but m34 build quality and affordability is such a draw card! My new m4/3 camera might be old tech, but it has me out there enjoying photography in a way my ff never did.
Guess I'm not a math fan, because instead of being excited, I'm sitting here wondering if you ever get a date? ;) Your work here is awesome, entertaining, well-prepared, well-delivered, and fun. Thanks for brightening our days.
Even after four years, I found this video to be incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for sharing it! While I must admit that the mathematical concepts were a bit challenging for me to grasp, the rest of the content proved to be truly invaluable.
I did a lot of film photography when I was younger and have been looking to go digital and rediscover my love of capturing images. Hopefully tomorrow I will be purchasing a LUMIX G7 with 2 lenses, and I wanted to thank you for breaking this all down for me. I found this video incredibly helpful, entertaining and thankfully not overly cheeky. Great work!
First video that I have seen of yours. Wow. Lighting is great. Audio is great. Animations are great (and relevant). Super concise while extremely informative. Thank you. Just effing thank you! Great work!
@@geraldundone yeah man, you are a massive bank of knowledge and I really like the animations too. How do you pull off the animations? Is it as time consuming as it looks?
I moved from Nikon to m43 for two reasons once I turned over 55 yr: mobility and quality for the purpose of my pictures. After several years using it, I can add several other reasons: - what makes a good picture is the composition, visual impact, etc... not pixel peeping - any master of photography had much worst cameras than us - if I make a bad photo, is not because of the camera, it’s me... - the advanced functionality in m34 offers many creative possibilities non existing in traditional SLR. And much more... Thanks for your videos, they are very useful .
Only two things I remembered from algebra classes, for some reason - the Pythagorean Theorem and ratios (criss-cross multiplying of fractions to get an X value). Maybe because there are so many PRACTICAL uses for them in life if you're not an honest-to-goodness scientist or engineer.
I spent the last decade hooked on Sony NEX / E-Mount aps-c mirrorless cameras. I have also dabbled with various other manufacturers aps-c DSLRs over the last few years, but recently discovered the joys of micro 4/3 cameras. I have fallen in love with my Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II. I use it more than my trusty old a6000. I love everything about it. I don't think micro 4/3 is going to disappear anytime soon.
I love the benefits of the m43 system. All my shooting is outdoor and travel stuff for the large depth of field and slower auto-focus were never problems. The large depth of field is actually a benefit when doing hyper-focal shots because I can get the depth of field of a DSLR can but do it at a much smaller f/stop for much faster shutter speeds. I can handhold shots at my lens' "sweetspot" what most DSLR users will need a Tripod and f/22 for. Plus it's awesome being able to shrink down a camera setup to something that you can take backpacking with you.
I bought the olympus omd em-10 II about a year ago by accident, because i didn't know anything about cameras and variant of its sensor size. I get along with it great but always underconfident because almost a whole year i thought that M4/3 sensor is inferior. Your video made me feel awesome for owning a M4/3
I love some of the replies about this great video . When working professionally in photography we didn’t say let’s ditch the 35mm cameras because we now had medium format, or 5x4 s, as every camera has its uses, and strengths, and the size of the camera body and format, is certainly a large part of it . I did love the guy in the comments who said that we are getting obsessed with this ridiculous thing called bokeh, he’s right this is a “tech head “mentality not an art mentality. When people don’t know what to point their cameras at, they talk about Fxxxing gear ... a real bloke thing. Some fabulous comments, and a superb commentator Gerald Undone. He’s what is missing on YT !!
My GH5 kit is my go-to gear after shooting Nikon since 1980. The 4k video is amazing from this camera. Handheld surf photos with the 100-400mm without fatigue. The entire kit weighs in at 7 lbs (8mm-400mm) compared to 22 lbs for less than the equivalent of my Nikon FF system (16mm-300mm, 450mm APC). Might have to try the G9 mainly for stills. Sometimes the GH5 misses on night shots but, so did the Nikon D800 at times. Meaning noise. Very well done video explaining it all.
I just adopted the format. My A cam is a C200 (Mostly shoot RAW), but i have to say i'm falling in love with my new GH5s. I'm so impressed with the image quality, versatility and size. I'm a new fan of the M4/3 system. Thanks for this video.
I've been using the MFT system ever since the GH2 was released, which was right around 2010 - 2011. I thought it was the best bang for the buck at the time. The bitrate hack excelled it even further and opened up possibilities and created hobbyist, enthusiast, and professional network groups, video creations, and opportunities for many filmmakers, including myself. Now, I'm here with my GH5 and still rocking the Four Thirds/MFT system on the BMPCC4K.
Having used most formats from film to digital over a 45 year professional photographic career, now I'm retired I find myself using M43 exclusively, and wouldn't want to be without it now 😊
I have been a nikon shooter and with age, it became harder and harder to carry my DSLR everywhere I go, then I found about the Pen F and fell in love with it. I got the tiny 45 for my portraits and the epicly awedome 25 1.2! Now I carry the camera everywhere I go and love every moment of it. Subbed! And I did press the like button 3 times!!! 😂
I've been watching a bunch of camera bloggers this week. As an outsider, let me say: you're fantastic -- head and shoulders above the other stuff I've seen. Thank you!
I love my Olympus cameras. I just went and got a OM-D EM5 MkIII which is the third Oly I’ve had in the last 10 years. The jpgs out of an Oly are best I’ve seen although the new MkIII seems to match the Raw and Jpeg very closely. I shoot birds and wildlife. IS is great. I seem to put up great 16x20’s on my walls from Olympus products. I could go on and on. I also own a decent Nikon system but hands down will go out with the Olympus every time. I’m an older retired guy so I’m happy Olympus is around and doing so well. I went back so to speak. VERY informative. Thanks for posting.
I just have to say, so refreshing to hear such a well spoken, articulate and erudite presentation. I even heard the correct use of adverbs! I'm a new subscriber just based on your language skills, let alone your mathematics. The video was also very informative.... side note. :) LOL
Totally agree! Plus, unlike so many youtubers, he is a true gentleman and takes his time to actually read the comments and even respond to some of them. :-)
I bought an Oly OMD-M5 in 2014 as a Always-with camera. Later I upgraded with the Mark II and went travelling with the two cameras 24-200 2.8 attached - in a fannypack. That was great. Also Olympus has very cool Bulb features.
I used MFT for 4 years and it turned me into a true filmmaker. I’ll always have loved for the system, but the depth of field disadvantage became too much to handle as I work in product and fashion. Sold it last year for an a7sii and the 24-70 2.8GM, as I mostly work in video.
Gerald - I've been watching a few of your videos over the past couple of days as I try to get myself up to speed on the current landscape of video. I am totally blown away by the amount of knowledge and information you share on any topic you take on. I haven't found any other channel that explains this as well and in as much detail. Thanks for putting this out there!!!
This just got recommended to me in 2020. Sadly it's been about 1 week since the news Olympus is being sold. The day before that announcement I had purchased a Lumix g85 and several lenses. m4/3rds might be on its way out, but for me it will go out in a fiery blaze of glory. My main camera system is the Nikon d750. I've done a couple of professional events (large concerts, speaking engagement, parades, birthdays, weddings, one very interesting baby dedication, some portraits for families, and some nature photography competitions) and won some competitions for photography, but I don't consider myself "professional" as I so not seek out events, I normally get asked and only accept a few. All of that to say, my Lumix g85 has become my go to. Not only do I grab it when I leave the house, I use it with virtually no fatigue. A couple days ago I shot a thunderstorm and brought both my cameras and my g85 with the 14mm pancake lens sat in the rain and caught a beautiful time lapse. I also take my g85 hiking and any time I go out of the house for job business events. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to say I'd rely on it as a primary for a professional gig, but there's no way I'm going to about professional gig without it now. I will say the low light limitation has been a major weakness at times that I've had to compensate for (when I set up my time lapse of the thunderstorm I had to limit the ISO settings and use the mechanical shutter because I accidentally left it in auto ISO with no cap during a similar time lapse and the trees looked like playdough). All of that to say, I fear m4/3rds may be on its way out but my biggest regret is not getting into the format earlier
Wow, similar history....have had a 750 for 10 years now and giving it to my son. Way too much camera for me. For the past few years I put it in auto for everything. Now I'm looking at a travel/light camera and considering a compact replacement for less than $1,000 with lens. This GX 85 with a prime lens looks awesome. The camera alone is $500, so a prime lens may push me above $1,000 total. A fast prime would work, but I want to do landscape photos....so a good tele (with a large aperture) might work better.
Bokeh is often described as "more" or "less", but actually if we want to get technical bokeh isn't the amount of depth (greater or shallower). Rather, bokeh is the term we use specifically to describe the "quality" of the out of focus parts. The blur qualities such as the light, shape/contour, fuzziness, etc. all describe the bokeh. So you wouldn't say "I want more bokeh", but rather you should say "I want more shallow depth of field" or if you're referring to bokeh correctly then you could say "I want better bokeh". However, with those semantics clarified I should note that describing bokeh as the 'amount' has become so common that it wouldn't be unreasonable to adjust the word and change the term to mean the amount of out of focusness in the image. AKA: Bokeh would be changed to represent "how shallow the depth of field is" rather than the specific qualities of that blur.
I worked with an original FourThirds camera, the Olympus E-5 for many years, and sold many pictures and stories I've shot with it. That camera was pretty damn good, but I'm glad to work with full frame and digital medium format now, cause it offers more possibilities
Great video! Although nothing in there was news to me (other than the mathematical journey to the name of the system), that was about and clear, accurate, and concise explanation of the system I have seen. About a year and a half ago I switched to Olympus and sold off a Canon 5DM3 and the trinity of L series zooms. I have been thrilled with the Olympus, I was instantly amazed at the image quality! While there are obvious realities involved in the M43 system, most of it can be offset through lens selection, proper technique, etc...
Great video terrific thank you. I have only ever had M4/3 so resolution and low light may be missing. Am I really missing out? I have not seen a video to demonstrate that. Thanks you.
Wow! Incredible presentation. I will watch it about three more times at half or 3/4 speed to let it all sink in. This is what I've been looking for. I've seen most of it before, but you packed it all into one tutorial and explained it better than anyone. By far. I have a GH4 and I do real estate video and photography with it professionally. I've never owned another camera with interchangeable lenses. My clients are satisfied with the quality and never ask about which sensor I use, but I can't help wondering if I should upgrade to full-frame to get overall better image quality. Watching this makes me think that I'm right where I should be and my next camera should probably be the G9. I don't really need much bokeh or shallow DOF for what I do. And I don't shoot at night or in low light (well, some windowless rooms can be a bit challenging, but not beyond the range of ISO 2000 or so). And I like the size, cost, weight advantages of M43. Subscribed. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for the great video. I dig your no B.S style. More than refreshing. I started shooting on film in high school and then took a huge brake from photography. Then bought a Canon 20D and got back into it for a few years while my daughter was very young to make sure I did not forget that important time. Then after another few years off I decided to get serious about photography and went with Olympus after doing a ton of research. I found myself wanting FUJI but it seemed that Olympus just had a lot better value in there lens line up and had the more technical side blown wide open. So now I own two E-M10 MKII bodies and a E-M1 with 14-40 pro, 40-150 pro and an assortment of about 10 other lenses including old FD, M42 and Kiev Contax mount stuff. I use both tubes and Lens Turbo II adapters. I love my Olympus bodies. and how they operate. The level of customize-ability is deep and the image quality is fantastic. I do not shoot much in the way of fast moving subjects but when I do the E-M1 is so fast with the pro lenses I can't say I have any issues. I am used to the ratio of the pictures now and like it but that is totally subjective. I personally like the depth of field and never have any issues getting adequate bokeh and I LOVE my bokeh. I can also say that going from DSLR to a camera with a digital viewfinder was a total game changer for me, the new resolution viewfinders are amazing. So all in I love my Olympus M43.
Personally I love all the features that my G9 has and I purchased it a week ago and I have no regrets, till this day in early 2020 there is no camera that can do everything or more than the G9 in both video and photo to me, anyways great video Gerald 👌🏻
My first "pro" camera was a Panasonic GF1 with the 20mm pancake. Hands down, one of the best image makers I've ever used - small, discrete, with outstanding sharpness and image quality. And the most important feature of all - mirrorless. 10 years later, Nikon and Canon are still playing catch up.
Thank you for a thorough , professional, relevant and impartial track of the micro four thirds advantages. Choosing the right camera to access the right lenses is problematic in terms of future proofing and I really appreciate good information from proven operators. Great delivery!
Just found you, and I'm glad I did. I have an Olympus OMD em10mk 2, and I'm continuously impressed by what I get out of it. My other favourite has an even smaller sensor, a Fujifilm X20, now long discontinued. The lens on that thing makes up for the small sensor in spades, and the size makes it great for travel. Between the two, I'm still not sure which I'll be taking on my next holiday.
The increased depth of field of the m4/3 should not be viewed only as a disadvantage IMO. It can be advantageous in situations like landscapes with a foreground or group portraits. In both cases having more DOF is desirable and not so easy to achieve with FF, especially in lower light situations. For portraits, one can achieve nice bokeh by using lenses like the Olympus 75/1.8 or even (the much cheaper, but excellent) 45/1.8. Both lenses are tack sharp wide open.
The superb image stabilisation and small size of the lenses and bodies opens up areas of photography that I would find impractical otherwise - and when you factor in the cost and the very high quality results it is a system without parallel. Great video too.
well said, I really hope Panasonic doesn’t see the Gh5 as their last flagship M4/3 camera. it’s cool that they’re doing full frame cameras now, but those cameras still can’t match the ability of the Gh5 Gh5s If we don’t start hearing rumours for the Gh6 soon I’ll be so upset. there’s still so much they can do in the m4/3 space.
Great video, glad I found your channel. M43 was my introduction to photography. It's affordable and compact- so I have a number of prime lenses and a camera I don't hesitate to bring with me anywhere. Many of my best shots have been serendipitous rather than planned, so just the fact that I take my camera with me almost everywhere has been a huge help.
Until your video, my knowledge of micro 4/3 was physical sensor size compared to aps-c and full frame. Learning the tech and origin of the system was interesting land informative. Appreciate your time, research and presentation. Thanks GU!
The first video I've seen on your channel and it is straight forward, informative and enjoyable. I appreciate the technical explanations and the background of where the name comes from. We'll done. I subscribed.
Best video on M4/3 I’ve ever seen. Honestly, the Nikon Z7 Mount aims to do something similar to what M4/3 with the path of light. No doubt output would be great, but the functionality of the camera is in awkward teenage years thanks to Nikon’s lack of vision. I hope M4/3 doesn’t die, I feel like it was a great system, though I’m in the Fuji camp.
Work as a travelling freediver and like to take photos with my work using an Olympus 4/3. Lighter weight means smaller, lighter, cheaper housing, can fit the whole thing in my backpack for carry on. Less baggage fees (a big drama if you have to fly in lighter aircraft) and also less mass to control when im diving. Might eventually upgrade to something else but not anytime soon
Pretty cool to see the actual meaning of 4/3, something I dont think I've seen explained anywhere else. I really like that it happens to actually be four third inches. Panasonic has definitely become a huge player in video, and that's great to keep m43 relevant. Very good overview of the system in general, there's too many large sensor snobs on the tube, so refreshing. I'm really interested in what Olympus has up their sleeve (if anything) to advance sensor tech. Rumors are swirling about 1Q19 for that
I am on my 6th Olympus M43 camera and only use it for stills, it is so much better for travel. I can take a camera Olympus E-M1 MkII, 2x lenses, straps, chargers, 3x batteries file transfer dongles, medium Gorilla tripod misc other gear and a 12.9” iPad in a medium camera bag of less than 5kg total. Try that with a full frame camera. Plus the in body image stabilization means you can had hold at ridiculously slow shutter speeds if you need to. A really great system which is really not appreciated by many. Thanks for a great article.👍😊
Great video! I've been APSC since my first camera. I've always wondered what the appeal might be for people who go m43 instead. Now I think I see some of the points for sure!
I've been shooting M43 for over 5 years now (Olympus for 5 and Panasonic for 1.5), and yet I learned new things from your video. :) I've been trying to ditch the system, but I can't get myself to do it. Even though I also have a Sony A6300 and FF Nikon DSLR, I find myself much more often reaching for my M43 cameras. The small, light, yet great lenses along with great usability (especially on the Olympus side) make these cameras a joy to use.
I like this video, the reason is that you used your imagination to really make people understand what you are saying by visually in a very novel way demonstrate what you are saying. As I used to be an instructor and teacher in the armed forces and I used to train thousands of people per year, using your imagination to really get that knowledge to sink into peoples minds when only have a short time to do it is challenging, thus I can say you nailed it on the head. Thank you, it makes for really good reference.
Wow, this is the first time I have viewed one of your videos. And I can say that I am very impressed! Your math explanation is a 10 out of 10, your graphics are a 12 out of 10, and the resizing of the view of you on the screen is a 100 out of 10! So, I loved this video. I love math, and I have always loved taking photos. I just recently purchased a Nikon D5600 and am learning it right now. I live the features on it. So I will hit SUBSCRIBE here in a minute but I wanted to make sure that you know how impressed I am with your work. See ya in the funny-papers!
I always thought Micro Four Thirds got it's name from the fact that it's double the diagonal of a 2/3" CCD commonly found in broadcast television cameras.
Gerald, thank you for your insightful video about the Micro 4/3 camera system. I shot Canon 35mm film starting my photography career (amateur) in the 70's. My first digital camera was an Olympus evolt E510 DSLR followed by the Olympus E-30 DSLR. I loved the E-30 and the advantages of the micro 4/3's system, especially the crop factor since most of my photography is in the great outdoors. Your explanation of the micro 4/3's system shed some light for me on why it's called the micro 4/3's system and how the photos come out looking so good. Really loved shooting micro 4/3's!
One thing that's happened with MFT, and with Olympus in particular, is the drive to distinguish their cameras functionality-wise from other manufacturers. So I'm used to some really nice features that simply don't exist on other makers' cameras, especially DSLRs. Examples? Live highlight and dark-shadow areas. You don't need a histogram when the blow-out and dark-out areas are displayed obviously; you balance with the exposure compensation dial. In-camera focus stacking. Huge image stabilization factors. You can hand-hold an equivalent 600mm lens for 1/2-second. High-density imaging using sensor shifting to produce 80MB images. Blazing stills frame rates. Live-view time exposures. You start the exposure and watch it build up on the display and even watch the histogram slide towards the right over time, then stop it when the picture is bright enough. Full-sensor auto-focus.
Oooh - the nerd in me is satisfied. Thanks for the explanation. As for the 4/3 & M4/3 system - I don't know anything else. I have had a go at a full frame camera but ultimately, the weight is outrageous. It's M4/3 for me.
Best explanation of m4/3 ever. Great video Gerald, I bought into the Lumix M4/3 system because of the IBIS, I'm an old fart of 70 years and I have shaky hands which made hand held photos impossible. With my Lumix G80/85 I can hand hold at a second and even less, micro 4/3 gave me back my hobby and I don't have blurry images now. I have now subscribed.
I knew most of the information in this video except for the origin of the name micro four thirds, but your presentation was phenomenal, your explanations are extremely clear and everything about this was great, instantly subscribed !!
At 82 yrs old, the GH5 and the 7G has been a blessing!!! Coming from the Canon 7D and 70D which is only good for HD, I can carry a full system of lenses and the GH5 which is equal to the the weight of the of the 7D and the 70-400mmm lens. And more importantly, a single frame can be blown up if using 4K! Love my GH5.
I started grad school for science and natural history filmmaking right when gh5 was released, I bought that and an slr magic cine lens to avoid having to reserve and share gear, one of the best decisions I've ever made. I learned video on it, produced award winning documentaries featured in 6 countries countries, and never had any problems.... Could not have done it without this camera and how affordable it is. Now I'm looking at the xt4 or a full frame system for a thesis in Colombia
I learned a lot from this video so thank you very much for your efforts! I picked the G85 for my TH-cam creation camera after watching and reading many reviews and I'd say it was a good choice for me at the time. The only issue I really have with it is the autofocus. I am now torn when considering an upgrade. Should I stay with M43 or go full frame (or closer to full frame) for better AF and colour science like a Canon. So many options....
This a great introduction to your channel and to the M43 ecosystem-for anyone who is unaware. I still shoot with my EM-1 and haven't upgraded once as it was, and still is, so feature rich. The Mark III has many of the items that I feel make the system more robust. I sold off all of my Canon equipment a long time ago and I have never felt like I was missing anything.
A friend of mine and I started photography at about the same time, he got a nikon dslr, I got a M43 panasonic. Fast forward to today, I still use mine on a regular basis, with the 20mm f1.7 pancake, I just chuck it into my daily bag when I go out for a meal with friends, no problem at all, I don't even need to use a special bag, it's that good. For digital publishing, if one knows what they are doing with the gear, M43 is good enough. Larger sensor only makes sense if the work requires huge prints, and these equipment are best kept in the studio, I always cringe when I see tourists with huge dslrs and kit zoom lens, why make life more difficult?
Hello Gerald! Would it be smart to use micro 4/3 to wildlife photography? To use for example a 70-300 which turns to 140-600 to be able to have a bigger distance from the subject? Thank you!
I own both the Panasonic GH5 and GH5s. Crazy, huh? Not really. I've been shooting with my GH5 on a feature film where the first half of the film was shot on the RED. Thanks to both having similar color science and color cast, it's pretty easy to match the two in post. Especially considering that I can shoot in 10-bit, giving me even more power and flexibility in post. To those who say that micro 4/3 should go away, I say you're an idiot. For one, only Panasonic offers cameras for less than $3,000, the GH5 and GH5s, that shoot in 10-bit. Which is what you need if you are serious about getting into film making, not just vlogging and shooting stills. Especially important, is that Canon and Sony have yet to offer any cameras that shoot 10-bit in the same price range as Panasonic's GH5 and GH5s. Until they do, I'll happily continue to shoot with my Panasonic cameras. If Sony and Canon are really smart, they'll come out with a camera that shoots 10-bit in the same price range. Until then, I'll continue to point and laugh at videos that compare 8-bit cameras to Panasonic's 10-bit cameras, the GH5 and GH5s.
Good to know about the colours on the RED vs Panny, I was curious about that myself. I agree, the 10-bit at that price point is incredible and unmatched. Love the GH5! Thanks for the comment. Cheers & happy shooting! 😃
Add to that the BMPCC 4K by Black Magic... internal RAW recording, 10 bits, 12fps, etc for 1200... BUT, it looks like a toy from the 90's; it's huge and clunky; it doesn't have IBIS nor a rotating screen - why are full rotating, glare-free screens are not something to expect on all pro bodies is beyond me - and it can't take stills. So yes I think I'm going with GH5, 12-60 Leica and some Rokinon primes.
best explanation video about miicro 4/3..I already new most of the things but I liked so much your way of explaining it that i saw the entire video and subscribed! well done!
I own a Olympus OMD Em10 MarkII, and its an amazing camera, when Transfer the images to photoshop and work them in order to print whatever size I want, I forget it has a small sensor with 16mpx resolution. And for someone that likes to travel like me, I cannot see any camera that beats the small micro 4/3. I can shove the camera, 3 lenses, 3 batteries, filters, in a small bag, and I can carry it around all day without ever feeling any fatigue, plus, I spent in the camera, lenses and batteries less than I would to buy the body alone of a Fuji T3 or a Sony a7III, so, if anything happens to some lenses, or to all of them, or even if they are stolen, I don´t lose a night of sleep or cry 6 months on a row.... of all the cameras I own, my Olympus is the one I use the most!
I have been using m4/3 gear for a few years now. It started out as a compact addition to go with my dslr kit however now I have 2 OM-D E-M1 bodies and 8 lenses. The dslr still gets used but only for situations where I have better lenses for the task at hand.
This was a great video and you gave a ton of information. Some of it I knew but a lot of it was new to me. I am a dedicated Panasonic shooter and have used the G7 g85 and gh5. If I have anything to say about it micro 4/3 is going to be around for a while cuz I'm going to keep buying the products.
Gerald Undone my favorite native lens is the laowa 7.5 f2. It's super wide and you can actually get some decent bokeh. Second place would be the Panasonic 14mm f2.5. Super sharp and decently wide. My two favorite adapted lenses are the sigma 18-35 f1.8 and an Olympus four thirds 12-60 f2.8-4.0. I got the Olympus for less than $300usd. I have a video about it.
Great video, Gerald. Very well taught. That’s coming from a long-time micro four-thirds Pro. I like being able to carry more lens options in smaller packages, especially when hauling tubas around. All tuba-playing videographers should consider micro 4/3 cameras. It’s easier on the back in the long run.
Have pretty much tried all brands by now. Last system I switched from was Canon and the 5DmkIV. I now shoot M4/3. The reason is very simple. I can bring all my gear in a shoulderbag that won't break my back. Even a telephoto lens like 100-400 fits in there. I like macro and wildlife and most of the times I benefit from the bigger depth of field and higher cropfactor. I say most of the time because there are occations where I would like a little better bokeh but I can live with it. :) Good video by the way. Had no idea that is where the name came from.
I finally understood the DoF issue with m43! It's also pretty crazy how they came up with the name for the system. I was thinking, can you make a video that would compare different m43 cameras (Panasonic vs Olympus)? I'm new to your channel so not sure if you've done a video like that, but it would be a great help for those of us who are thinking about switching to m43 and don't know which manufacture to chose.
I want to address the phrase "half the size of full frame" mentioned in the video since some of you are commenting about it.
First off, I should have been more clear and said, "the diagonal measurement is half the size of a full frame sensor." I naturally omitted it because when it comes to imaging, size typically refers to the dimensions, not the area. So a few of you are commenting about how the area of the m43 sensor is actually more like 25% the size of full frame, and you are correct, but that fact is kind of irrelevant when it comes to doing calculations.
- m43 diagonal x 2 = full frame diagonal because it's half the size
- m43 focal length x2 = equivalent full frame focal length
- m43 aperture x2 = equivalent aperture of full frame for DoF
- m43 ISO x 2^2 = equivalent noise levels on full frame (You multiply by crop factor squared because of the way SnR is compounded.)
Basically we are talking halfs and doubles, because the important information is a multiple of 2. Yes the area is 4 times bigger on full frame, but that number isn't important to the calculations.
GH13!!!! If your OG Panasonic GH1 you’d know what I’m talking bout 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Half diameter = quarter the surface area, nice from you admitting you were wrong, but then "m43 sensor is actually more like 25% the size of full frame, and you are correct, but that fact is kind of irrelevant when it comes to doing calculations.", instead correcting the fact in the video you're now saying it's irrelevant, so it doesn't matter you said it wrong in video?
You're also wrong about 6:20, if the physical aperture size is the same, the depth of field (DOF) will be the same for equivalent field (FOV) of view lens, with the same distance from the subject.
The full frame lens 100mm F/2.8 have aperture size 100/2.8 = 35.7mm
So M4/3 lens with equivalent field of view (FOV) and depth of field (DOF) would be 50mm F/1.4, with the same size aperture 50/1.4 = 35.7mm
The same size aperture will always give you the same DOF (35.7mm = 100mm/2.8 = 50mm/1.4) at the same distance from subject (for any focal length).
You're confused with "F/" numbers (F/2.8, F/1.4, etc) which don't represent the aperture size, but the relation between focal length ("F") and aperture size, which serves for calculating proper exposure.
Maybe it's a good idea to redo the video to not confuse even more people with wrong facts...
Ja sam - I think you're misunderstanding me. I don't think that any part of my video or my explanation is irrelevant, I think the comments about area not being half the size are irrelevant, because for crop factor we need the diagonal, which is half the size.
As for aperture, I wouldn't say that I was "wrong", but again I could have been more clear and said "your aperture setting or f-stop or f-number as it appears on your camera." Essentially when your f-stop reads the same on both cameras, the DoF is impossible to match. You have to compensate by adjusting your f-stop, thus opening the aperture to match the full frame aperture. But you know this already, and I think most of the viewers were able to put this together on their own, and truthfully, I find this wording more confusing than what I chose in the video.
While I appreciate your insights, and while your understanding of aperture is absolutely correct, I personally think you're just being nitpicky and pedantic and not to the benefit of the viewer. I think you came across as insulting and thus wholly counterproductive.
Sorry, didn't mean to insult you, my intentions were constructive critiques, maybe I should be more polite :)
I hope you'll consider to do another video about this so many of your viewers won't be confused.
No worries, Je sam, thanks for the apology. I appreciate it. 😃
I don't think I'll remake the video, but this is a pinned comment, so if anyone is confused about that component hopefully they'll see this thread and it will clear things up for them.
I'm 82 yrs old and in my time I went from view cameras to the gh5. Everytime I got a little older and weaker a new lighter system came about. In another 5 years I'll need something lighter bu for the gh5 which I'm still using professionally is just fine. Enjoyed your video.
I share your sentiments I like the smaller size and weight of the m43 system. It is a great weight off my shoulders - literally
Ricoh GR3, hehe
I have been using the Micro4/3 system since I first bought the Lumix GF1. Two years ago, I bought the GX9. Very recently, I bought the Canon M6 Mk2 which out perform the GX9 but just as small. It is also cheaper overall. Faster, more responsive AF and higher resolution.
Chris Huang really dude lumix gx9 is great overall?
@@chrishuang8763 except for the less than impressive selection of lenses. The Sigma primes really are a game changer but there is still no good telephoto option for landscape or wildlife. I will leave out sports as the M system is not designed for it.
I am an older computer engineer with all the traditional Engineering training. So math, sizes, and proportions are all intuitive to me. But even with this background I was blown away about how extremely helpful your screen resizing was. Great job! I really enjoyed it so I clicked your like button twice. Oh wait....
Another advantage of MFT is with in-body image stabilization. An MFT sensor is about 25% of the mass of a full-frame sensor, and consequently can be physically positioned much more accurately (using the same amount of battery power). IBIS handheld video on Lumix cameras is noticeably smoother than footage produced by Sony full-frame cameras. Battery life is also significantly longer on MFT cameras.
Agree with the Ibis, but disagree with your thoughts on battery life, as I'm using an A9 and I get about 600-800 shots easily with one battery. I think thats great, or which one last longer?
My Gx9 has atrocious battery life.
Love the camera but always break into a second battery when I use it.
My nikon I can use for 2 or 3 days on the same battery.
@@rhetoricalrobot8359 Definitely in photography. Cant say with video department, unless the weight of the camera lessen the jitter or using gimbal like the literal cinema cams.
@@frankwieczorek5112 i think M43 also has an advantage, my E-P5 can get close to a thousand shots on one batter over a good 6 hours
I bought the original Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera (With the MFT Sensor) for $500. That was my introduction to the system and it was a pretty sweet one at that :)
same, i bought my MFT gear thanks to the BMPCC
@@xywa42 It's a really cool camera, isn't it? It has obvious flaws but still... I love that little thing. With the aluminium Body and few buttons, it's also the most stylish camera I've ever held. These days I'm mostly shooting with the FS5 these days; but I have an Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake lens for the BMPCC and love just picking it up and shooting handheld on walks/hikes. This setup is soo leightweight and compact, I can literally take in anywhere without it bothering me. It's fantastic, loving my BMPCC with this setup.
Dude I subscribed based on the effort you put into this video alone. It's nice to finally see a channel that isn't afraid of diving deep into the nerdy details of camera's.
Thanks, Lane! I appreciate the comment and the sub. Happy to hear people appreciate the nerdy stuff. 😃
excellent info on microfourthirds, after watching your video i bought a panasonic lumic g7 camera with two lenses.iam 64 years old,this camera so small to carry ,i have been using NIKON 800E AND D3S. They are so heavy to carry at my age.nice video
+1 to that. I also have subscribed just for the same reason as you did.
Yeah, as I get older (I'm 58 now) I realize that carrying a big DSLR and a few lenses on a hike is just too much. I purchased the G85 and haven't looked back. Although I still have my DSLR and use it a lot around the house, if I'm heading out on a road trip, the G85 and a couple of lenses are in my old, much smaller camera bag. Oh yeah, I like the nerdy details too.
I started out with single-use Kodak Brownie, that my Dad helped me develop and re-load in his home darkroom. I then got an old "Made In Occupied Germany" Praktika that I used for high school and college newspapers and year books. But then I fell in love with the Olympus OM System - so small, so light, so sturdy, and wonderful Zuiko glass.
I played around with digital, starting with the Apple Quick Take, but didn't find a decent interchangeable lens system until Olympus came out with 4/3rds. It's size and weight was disappointing, but it let me use my collection of OM Zuiko film lenses, and it had an outstanding and growing selection of outstanding Zuiko Digital glass.
But 4/3rds just wasn't "exciting." I couldn't carry as much gear as I could in the OM film days, and I found myself using it less and less.
Enter µ4/3rds. I waited and watched the early offerings, then finally jumped when the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II came out. THE LOVE IS BACK! The smaller, lighter bodies and lenses follow the tradition of the original Maitani OM vision, without compromising optical or build quality. They manage to do small/light while using a lot more sturdy metal, rather than plastic, and did I mention optical quality? The lenses are just superb!
Best of all, the small register distance means even more lenses can be easily and inexpensively adapted. Have a favourite Canikon lens that keeps you from switching systems? Well, you can keep using it! In fact, years after the 4/3rds system was discontinued, I just bought the outstanding, first-of-its-kind, Zuiko Digital 35-100mm ƒ2.0 zoom, which is an amazing conference/wedding/portrait lens.
So the love is back, and I'm not switching any time soon. Keep up the great work, Olympasonic! (Or would that be Panalympus?)
5 years later, and this video is still quite interesting and entertaining, especially to someone like me who just left full frame and committed to M 4/3 for event and stage photography. Great results so far. And I don't even do video (yet).
probably the, clearest, most accurate, least amount of BS, presentation of micro 4/3 I've ever seen on YT. Especially liked real world comparison to other formats, such as full-frame Sonys. Well done! I subscribed. The other thing about Panasonic and m4/3 is that it forces Sony to continually up their game. I think it's taking them so long to release the a7Smk3 because they know they have to hit Panny's new benchmarks.
Thanks a lot! Really appreciate this comment and the sub.
I think you're probably right. The 4K60 thing is going to be pretty crucial going forward to the other manufacturers now that Panny has shown it in action. Most users seem adamant that the a7S III have it included.
Excellent video Gerald! My first mirrorless Camera was the Panny G1 and the stellar panny 23 f/2.8. My images were nice and sharp. However, when I printed an 11x14 inch print, I found the Sharpness and detail rendering lacking. So, I did some research and settled on the Fujifilm X-System and haven’t looked back.
@@stevelink21 the largest print I did with my Lumix G6 is 30x40 inches. Quality is excellent! and when I say to my friends photographers that was shooted with a FF, they have no doubts I'm not lying!
So, what you say surprises me a lot, probably the system is much better since G1... (I own G85 now...)
That said, Fuji X has an amazing quality!
Take a look at this: th-cam.com/video/OGn3yPl59ZM/w-d-xo.html
A7siii is out now
@@geraldundone Now that it's out, the A7siii certainly met that requirement!
It’s 2019 and I just bought a GH5, my first 4/3 camera. Absolutely love this beast, especially for video. I’ve just started my journey with it, but I’m really blown away with all the video options and the image quality.
I switched to Micro 4/3 in March when I bought an OM-D E-M1 Mark II. That thing was a game changer. I had been a loyal Canon user for a decade, but my 6D was showing its age and I wanted a 24-70 lens. I basically said, “Why not?!” and sold off the Canon gear. The size and weight are perfect and the quality is just as sharp as anything I’ve ever seen. The stigma towards anything that’s not Full Frame is sickening once you see what these are capable of.
Same here. It's just sad, really. Like proponents for leaded-petrol engines arguing against people driving electric vehicles 😂
What about the quality? Im reading bunch of hardware problems on OM specially on the screen.
Mostly a travel photographer. Switched to Olympus 5 y ago after 10 y w Canon... Last Canon was a 7D, 24-105L. Present Camera is EM1 II w most used lens - 12-100 pro. Noise in low light, and shadows (limited DR) took some “acceptance of limitations” of m43 system, but the sharpness of the glass, light weight, and feature rich tech, is extremely satisfying. Image quality actually surpasses my previous Canon system. EVF gives immediate feedback, greatly improving my photography skills. Will I seek out a mirrorless FF system? July is still out. Improved image quality w FF will have to be substantial to override lens size/weight disadvantages.
Yeah the thing is, if you have some legacy 35mm glass, like some nice Pentax SMC manual lenses, 4/3 is essentially doubling the effective focal length and using only a small part at the center of the lens. I like playing with old lenses which were designed for 35mm, so I think I'll try to get a "full frame" sensor to use them like they were supposed to.
But otherwise, the whole "full frame" concept is obsoleted, because film is not really a thing anymore, so most people don't care that the seize of their sensor would be equal to the size of 35mm film. They should call it "35mm sensors" not "full frame sensors".
That and if you want to do some crazy, real low light shooting, and have a couple of thousands of dollars to invest in a modern 35mm digital body.
Otherwise, go 4/3! I have no regrets about investing in 4/3, only some regret about not getting a more advanced body.
One thing that bothers me a bit, though, is that they seem to be using the same sensor all the time. I would like to see a bit more advances in sensor technology, on 4/3 bodies.
I've been thinking about doing the same thing, selling my APS-C Canon DLSR for an E-M1 ii.
What m43 enabled for me, is to actually have my camera with me, and not sitting home on a shelf. The G3 was such a small thing compared to a full-size DSLR that it allowed me to carry my camera with me always, and not just when I specifically went shooting.
What attracted me to the m4/3 is that
• it can be small and casual,
• it can be robust and dedicatedly professional
• 4:3 format is optically more efficient than 3:2 formats
• lenses are smaller but optically less compromised than 3:2 counterparts
• lenses need less glass surface, which means better price; thinner elements, which means better colour reproduction, better micro-contrast, less weight, faster AF.
• magnification this system offers is sufficient for 99.5% of all enlargements.
• future m4/3 sensors will only be better, but FF lenses will never be smaller, better or more affordable than their best m4/3 counterparts.
• in terms of quality, m4/3 always gives more for the same money.
In short, the m4/3 is the smartest digital camera system. Many FF systems will die out because they are redundant and uneconomical, but m4/3 will stay because it is unique. Thank you Olympus and Panasonic.
Thanks for this well-thought-out response. You've really nailed what makes the system special. Cheers! 😃👍
I was right there with you until the bit about FF systems dying out. I don't think that's too likely.
Some FF systems. Not all. (as a contrast, there is just one m4/3 system mount). There will be too many FF systems (different mounts) and some will make no sense after a while. Lots of overlaps, all doing same futile thing. Judging from historic precedents of the companies involved, and historic behaviour, I suspect Sony will soon find that market too much trouble to bother with, especially when both Nikon and Canon bring in their FF mirrorless cameras, lenses and adapters. Sony thrives only temporarily, and only in that niche, only because Nikon and Canon did not bring the FF mirrorless. When Canon comes, Sony will start packing things.
Zvonimir Tosic Canon had better up their game with regards to sensors then. They've made some inroads, but Sony are way ahead there.
What attracted me to the FF is that:
-it is bigger and has more ergonomics (I have big hands)
-cheap lens, a lot of very good lenses on the secondary market
- in terms of quality, FF always gives more for less money
-wide angle without destortion
-higher useful ISO
I know this video is old but it makes me sad to see the comments trying so hard to call you out for something or demanding you redo the video. This content is completely free, unbiased, and correct. I recognize how much effort you put into making these videos for us and I'm sure I speak for many when I say we appreciate you!
This guy's content is solid, he deserves just about 10 times more subscribers.
Or at least 4/3 times more ;D
true that
I switched from a Canon 70D to an Olympus E-M5ii and absolutely love it. Having a toddler, I realised I was quickly tiring of carrying around my Canon (with a standard 2.8 constant zoom) around all day, and often it stayed in my bag which made the camera a bit pointless. With the E-M5ii I have so many options! I can whack on the 12-40 2.8 Pro zoom and add a larger grip and have a do-it-all camera, or I can pop on a prime, put another in my pocket and have a tiny camera that weight almost nothing! So many M4/3 lenses are amazingly sharp wide open, something you can't always say about the lenses on larger systems especially in the same price range.
I must admit I have been tempted by Fuji recently, they have some excellent and affordable primes and their cameras just LOOK amazing as well. I think 2019 is going to be a big year for M4/3, and I think it needs to be to ensure they remain competitive.
I just found your channel, and this video. I have to tell you that this is, without a doubt, the best video I have ever watched regarding the attributes of micro four-thirds that make it unique from other common digital form factors. Bravo!
Now to answer your question, after the world transitioned to digital imaging, I adopted the four-thirds system, owning both an E-330 and an E-30. The first was a unique but limited body and the second was an awesome camera that is still being used today. When Olympus abandoned four-thirds in favour of micro four-thirds, I switched to Canon.
Yep, I was taken in my all the bigger is better nonsense, and I purchased what was then one of the highest rated APS-C cameras of the time - the 7D. What I got was quicker auto-focus, and that was about it frankly! I was now encumbered by a big, heavy camera with huge heavy lenses. Image quality was a little different but absolutely not better, and despite the weight of the beast, it was no more reliable than my earlier Olympus units. I was also sucked into buying "L" lenses, which was stupid given that they are designed for full frame cameras and are thus even heavier with no noticeable IQ benefits. In fact, with the exception of the 400mm f/4, which is an awesomely sharp lens, I can't say that any of the Canon glass I purchased impressed me. Virtually, all the Canon lenses I owned were prone to some degree of fringing at a minimum, while the 85mm f/1.4 was a fringing monster. It was an issue that I never really noticed with even my cheap Olympus lenses.
Fast forward a couple of years, and I purchased an Olympus OM-D E-M1. Fast forward a couple more years and I own the 12-40 f/2.8, 7-14 f/2.8 and 40-150 f/2.8. I now have a complete kit of very fast, well built and awesomely sharp glass that is easier to carry than one Canon body and a single telephoto. To top it off, I have better dynamic range, better low light capabilities, and better mobility than I did with the Canon gear. The in built IS of even the first E-M1 is awesome! Even with the 40-150, I have no need to carry a tripod or monopod, making hikes into the back country way more enjoyable. Best of all, I just prefer the handling of Olympus cameras.
Finally, lets talk about "IQ." Although we all use this term, it's really a very bad one. Photography is supposed to be a creative process supported by tools. "Image Quality" suggests standards, which is kind of counter to creativity, which at its best is looking for a non-standard approach. When talking about sensors, and cameras, and lenses, it would be much better to talk about "image character." Every tool will offer a character which can be exploited or ignored, as the case may be, by the user. My 7D did have a nice grain to the images that I rather liked. My EM-1 with the 40-150 can produce an exceptional bokeh for environmental portraits at a specific range that is unparalleled. While slow as a snail to focus, my old E-330 could, in good light, offer a richness of colour and tone than was exceptional. It's these nuanced attributes that people should be looking for. It's why, when I am shooting people in good light, my favourite camera is still a Pentax K1000 loaded with Kodak Portra film and a 100mm lens. It gives me a rounded three-dimensional result that no digital camera, no matter the make or model, or sensor, or post processing employed can match, in my opinion.
So, why do I use Micro four-thirds? Primarily, I love the reliability, portability, handling, and lens line-up. It makes taking photos fun and predictable. Would I use something else? Of course. Would I carry something else, on long hikes into the forest? Other than my Pentax film kit, which is also surprisingly light and portable, probably not.
Thanks so much for your high praise. I really appreciate it.
Also, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences in such detail. I like your attitude toward IQ and the counterproductive standards it imposes. I think that's a really great point.
Cheers! 😃
I'm a content creator for a ski resort and have just started working with m4/3 as it's the gear the mountain already owned. Coming from the fuji system for my personal use but really excited to learn this new world. We just got the e-mi mkiii and it definitely feels good in my hands!
This was awesome! In terms of impact for me personally m43 changed everything. I've gone from chasing new new new new to actually concentrating on my photography and worrying about gear much less. And it's helped tremendously with video. Omg. ❤️
Hey! Thanks for your kind words and thanks for sharing. I totally get the shift to concentrating on the work instead of the gear. That's a tough one for me because I'm such a gearhead. But yeah, video... sweet, sweet video. 😃
It depends on you alone wether you hunt new new new or not, and not on the camera system. Says a Nikon shooter with a lens zoo from the last 4+ decades.
Well, as a Pentax shooter, I tend to think differently already ;)
People keep telling me Pentax is dead. I think of it more as undead, and unkillable. Oly and Panny users need not worry about a thing.
Micro Four Nerds omg! We're totally with you here! I thought Sony A7RII (or now III) was the o ly way forwards, but m34 build quality and affordability is such a draw card!
My new m4/3 camera might be old tech, but it has me out there enjoying photography in a way my ff never did.
LOL I was gonna send u the link for this video Emily,
Guess I'm not a math fan, because instead of being excited, I'm sitting here wondering if you ever get a date? ;) Your work here is awesome, entertaining, well-prepared, well-delivered, and fun. Thanks for brightening our days.
Even after four years, I found this video to be incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for sharing it! While I must admit that the mathematical concepts were a bit challenging for me to grasp, the rest of the content proved to be truly invaluable.
I did a lot of film photography when I was younger and have been looking to go digital and rediscover my love of capturing images. Hopefully tomorrow I will be purchasing a LUMIX G7 with 2 lenses, and I wanted to thank you for breaking this all down for me. I found this video incredibly helpful, entertaining and thankfully not overly cheeky. Great work!
First video that I have seen of yours. Wow.
Lighting is great. Audio is great. Animations are great (and relevant). Super concise while extremely informative.
Thank you. Just effing thank you! Great work!
Wowza! Thanks, Tom. That's quite the comment. Really appreciate it. Cheers! 😃👍
Gerald Undone well deserved, sir!
@@geraldundone yeah man, you are a massive bank of knowledge and I really like the animations too. How do you pull off the animations? Is it as time consuming as it looks?
I moved from Nikon to m43 for two reasons once I turned over 55 yr: mobility and quality for the purpose of my pictures. After several years using it, I can add several other reasons:
- what makes a good picture is the composition, visual impact, etc... not pixel peeping
- any master of photography had much worst cameras than us
- if I make a bad photo, is not because of the camera, it’s me...
- the advanced functionality in m34 offers many creative possibilities non existing in traditional SLR.
And much more...
Thanks for your videos, they are very useful .
Nice math breakdown. Makes as much sense as the Farenheit scale!
Hey Glenn! Fancy seeing you here! 🤘
Only two things I remembered from algebra classes, for some reason - the Pythagorean Theorem and ratios (criss-cross multiplying of fractions to get an X value). Maybe because there are so many PRACTICAL uses for them in life if you're not an honest-to-goodness scientist or engineer.
BTW both are REALLY useful for figuring out differences in aspect ratios from given heights or widths of a screen.
i dont get it. Someone explain the joke 😫
Vincent - Videography farheneit is a terrible scale based on the whimiscle nature of flatulence
I spent the last decade hooked on Sony NEX / E-Mount aps-c mirrorless cameras. I have also dabbled with various other manufacturers aps-c DSLRs over the last few years, but recently discovered the joys of micro 4/3 cameras. I have fallen in love with my Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II. I use it more than my trusty old a6000. I love everything about it. I don't think micro 4/3 is going to disappear anytime soon.
And that, my friends, is why 1" cameras don't have 1" size sensors. Very clear presentation btw.
Gerald is becoming now the international authority adviser on filmmaking gear. You just listen and trust him instantly.
I love the benefits of the m43 system. All my shooting is outdoor and travel stuff for the large depth of field and slower auto-focus were never problems. The large depth of field is actually a benefit when doing hyper-focal shots because I can get the depth of field of a DSLR can but do it at a much smaller f/stop for much faster shutter speeds. I can handhold shots at my lens' "sweetspot" what most DSLR users will need a Tripod and f/22 for.
Plus it's awesome being able to shrink down a camera setup to something that you can take backpacking with you.
I bought the olympus omd em-10 II about a year ago by accident, because i didn't know anything about cameras and variant of its sensor size. I get along with it great but always underconfident because almost a whole year i thought that M4/3 sensor is inferior.
Your video made me feel awesome for owning a M4/3
By FAR the best explanation I have seen online on such a fundamental topic - thank you VERY much!
I love some of the replies about this great video . When working professionally in photography we didn’t say let’s ditch the 35mm cameras because we now had medium format, or 5x4 s, as every camera has its uses, and strengths, and the size of the camera body and format, is certainly a large part of it .
I did love the guy in the comments who said that we are getting obsessed with this ridiculous thing called bokeh, he’s right this is a “tech head “mentality not an art mentality.
When people don’t know what to point their cameras at, they talk about Fxxxing gear ... a real bloke thing.
Some fabulous comments, and a superb commentator Gerald Undone. He’s what is missing on YT !!
Great perspective on formats mentioned.
My GH5 kit is my go-to gear after shooting Nikon since 1980. The 4k video is amazing from this camera. Handheld surf photos with the 100-400mm without fatigue. The entire kit weighs in at 7 lbs (8mm-400mm) compared to 22 lbs for less than the equivalent of my Nikon FF system (16mm-300mm, 450mm APC). Might have to try the G9 mainly for stills. Sometimes the GH5 misses on night shots but, so did the Nikon D800 at times. Meaning noise. Very well done video explaining it all.
I just adopted the format. My A cam is a C200 (Mostly shoot RAW), but i have to say i'm falling in love with my new GH5s. I'm so impressed with the image quality, versatility and size. I'm a new fan of the M4/3 system.
Thanks for this video.
How can someone say so many big words, but still be so easy to understand?!?! Great job on the explanation!
I've been using the MFT system ever since the GH2 was released, which was right around 2010 - 2011. I thought it was the best bang for the buck at the time. The bitrate hack excelled it even further and opened up possibilities and created hobbyist, enthusiast, and professional network groups, video creations, and opportunities for many filmmakers, including myself. Now, I'm here with my GH5 and still rocking the Four Thirds/MFT system on the BMPCC4K.
What attracted me to M4/3 was the amazing Olympus EM1 mkii and the amazing lenses they have.
Having used most formats from film to digital over a 45 year professional photographic career, now I'm retired I find myself using M43 exclusively, and wouldn't want to be without it now 😊
I have been a nikon shooter and with age, it became harder and harder to carry my DSLR everywhere I go, then I found about the Pen F and fell in love with it. I got the tiny 45 for my portraits and the epicly awedome 25 1.2! Now I carry the camera everywhere I go and love every moment of it.
Subbed! And I did press the like button 3 times!!! 😂
Thanks for sharing and for your kind words. Always happy to have a new subscriber. Cheers! 😃👍
I've been watching a bunch of camera bloggers this week. As an outsider, let me say: you're fantastic -- head and shoulders above the other stuff I've seen. Thank you!
Thanks, Jack! That's very kind.
One of the most impressive Vlogs I've ever watched. Editing 10/10 and amazed at how fast yet clear the delivery is!
I love my Olympus cameras. I just went and got a OM-D EM5 MkIII which is the third Oly I’ve had in the last 10 years. The jpgs out of an Oly are best I’ve seen although the new MkIII seems to match the Raw and Jpeg very closely. I shoot birds and wildlife. IS is great. I seem to put up great 16x20’s on my walls from Olympus products. I could go on and on. I also own a decent Nikon system but hands down will go out with the Olympus every time. I’m an older retired guy so I’m happy Olympus is around and doing so well. I went back so to speak. VERY informative. Thanks for posting.
I just have to say, so refreshing to hear such a well spoken, articulate and erudite presentation. I even heard the correct use of adverbs! I'm a new subscriber just based on your language skills, let alone your mathematics. The video was also very informative.... side note. :) LOL
Quite the compliment! Thank you very much. I appreciate the support. 😃👍
I mean, he IS Canadian, so…
Totally agree! Plus, unlike so many youtubers, he is a true gentleman and takes his time to actually read the comments and even respond to some of them. :-)
I bought an Oly OMD-M5 in 2014 as a Always-with camera. Later I upgraded with the Mark II and went travelling with the two cameras 24-200 2.8 attached - in a fannypack. That was great. Also Olympus has very cool Bulb features.
I used MFT for 4 years and it turned me into a true filmmaker. I’ll always have loved for the system, but the depth of field disadvantage became too much to handle as I work in product and fashion. Sold it last year for an a7sii and the 24-70 2.8GM, as I mostly work in video.
Gerald - I've been watching a few of your videos over the past couple of days as I try to get myself up to speed on the current landscape of video. I am totally blown away by the amount of knowledge and information you share on any topic you take on. I haven't found any other channel that explains this as well and in as much detail. Thanks for putting this out there!!!
Thank you so much! That's really great to hear. Appreciate you taking the time. Cheers!
Wow! So impressive to see someone talks fluently with lots of informative facts and calculations..
This just got recommended to me in 2020. Sadly it's been about 1 week since the news Olympus is being sold. The day before that announcement I had purchased a Lumix g85 and several lenses. m4/3rds might be on its way out, but for me it will go out in a fiery blaze of glory. My main camera system is the Nikon d750. I've done a couple of professional events (large concerts, speaking engagement, parades, birthdays, weddings, one very interesting baby dedication, some portraits for families, and some nature photography competitions) and won some competitions for photography, but I don't consider myself "professional" as I so not seek out events, I normally get asked and only accept a few.
All of that to say, my Lumix g85 has become my go to. Not only do I grab it when I leave the house, I use it with virtually no fatigue. A couple days ago I shot a thunderstorm and brought both my cameras and my g85 with the 14mm pancake lens sat in the rain and caught a beautiful time lapse. I also take my g85 hiking and any time I go out of the house for job business events. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to say I'd rely on it as a primary for a professional gig, but there's no way I'm going to about professional gig without it now. I will say the low light limitation has been a major weakness at times that I've had to compensate for (when I set up my time lapse of the thunderstorm I had to limit the ISO settings and use the mechanical shutter because I accidentally left it in auto ISO with no cap during a similar time lapse and the trees looked like playdough). All of that to say, I fear m4/3rds may be on its way out but my biggest regret is not getting into the format earlier
Looking for this comment, definitely sad news regarding Olympus.
Wow, similar history....have had a 750 for 10 years now and giving it to my son. Way too much camera for me. For the past few years I put it in auto for everything. Now I'm looking at a travel/light camera and considering a compact replacement for less than $1,000 with lens. This GX 85 with a prime lens looks awesome. The camera alone is $500, so a prime lens may push me above $1,000 total. A fast prime would work, but I want to do landscape photos....so a good tele (with a large aperture) might work better.
Bokeh is often described as "more" or "less", but actually if we want to get technical bokeh isn't the amount of depth (greater or shallower). Rather, bokeh is the term we use specifically to describe the "quality" of the out of focus parts. The blur qualities such as the light, shape/contour, fuzziness, etc. all describe the bokeh. So you wouldn't say "I want more bokeh", but rather you should say "I want more shallow depth of field" or if you're referring to bokeh correctly then you could say "I want better bokeh". However, with those semantics clarified I should note that describing bokeh as the 'amount' has become so common that it wouldn't be unreasonable to adjust the word and change the term to mean the amount of out of focusness in the image. AKA: Bokeh would be changed to represent "how shallow the depth of field is" rather than the specific qualities of that blur.
I worked with an original FourThirds camera, the Olympus E-5 for many years, and sold many pictures and stories I've shot with it. That camera was pretty damn good, but I'm glad to work with full frame and digital medium format now, cause it offers more possibilities
Great video! Although nothing in there was news to me (other than the mathematical journey to the name of the system), that was about and clear, accurate, and concise explanation of the system I have seen. About a year and a half ago I switched to Olympus and sold off a Canon 5DM3 and the trinity of L series zooms. I have been thrilled with the Olympus, I was instantly amazed at the image quality! While there are obvious realities involved in the M43 system, most of it can be offset through lens selection, proper technique, etc...
Great 4/3's tech info here. I've been shooting Micro Four Thirds for the last two years and haven't looked back. Sold off my Nikon gear.
Traditionally, more depth of field for video use was not actually a disadvantage.
Great video terrific thank you. I have only ever had M4/3 so resolution and low light may be missing. Am I really missing out? I have not seen a video to demonstrate that.
Thanks you.
Wow! Incredible presentation. I will watch it about three more times at half or 3/4 speed to let it all sink in. This is what I've been looking for. I've seen most of it before, but you packed it all into one tutorial and explained it better than anyone. By far. I have a GH4 and I do real estate video and photography with it professionally. I've never owned another camera with interchangeable lenses. My clients are satisfied with the quality and never ask about which sensor I use, but I can't help wondering if I should upgrade to full-frame to get overall better image quality. Watching this makes me think that I'm right where I should be and my next camera should probably be the G9. I don't really need much bokeh or shallow DOF for what I do. And I don't shoot at night or in low light (well, some windowless rooms can be a bit challenging, but not beyond the range of ISO 2000 or so). And I like the size, cost, weight advantages of M43. Subscribed. Thanks for posting!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience. Appreciate the kind words and the subscriber. Cheers! 😃🙏
Thanks for the great video. I dig your no B.S style. More than refreshing. I started shooting on film in high school and then took a huge brake from photography. Then bought a Canon 20D and got back into it for a few years while my daughter was very young to make sure I did not forget that important time. Then after another few years off I decided to get serious about photography and went with Olympus after doing a ton of research. I found myself wanting FUJI but it seemed that Olympus just had a lot better value in there lens line up and had the more technical side blown wide open. So now I own two E-M10 MKII bodies and a E-M1 with 14-40 pro, 40-150 pro and an assortment of about 10 other lenses including old FD, M42 and Kiev Contax mount stuff. I use both tubes and Lens Turbo II adapters. I love my Olympus bodies. and how they operate. The level of customize-ability is deep and the image quality is fantastic. I do not shoot much in the way of fast moving subjects but when I do the E-M1 is so fast with the pro lenses I can't say I have any issues. I am used to the ratio of the pictures now and like it but that is totally subjective. I personally like the depth of field and never have any issues getting adequate bokeh and I LOVE my bokeh. I can also say that going from DSLR to a camera with a digital viewfinder was a total game changer for me, the new resolution viewfinders are amazing. So all in I love my Olympus M43.
Personally I love all the features that my G9 has and I purchased it a week ago and I have no regrets, till this day in early 2020 there is no camera that can do everything or more than the G9 in both video and photo to me, anyways great video Gerald 👌🏻
My first "pro" camera was a Panasonic GF1 with the 20mm pancake. Hands down, one of the best image makers I've ever used - small, discrete, with outstanding sharpness and image quality. And the most important feature of all - mirrorless. 10 years later, Nikon and Canon are still playing catch up.
Thank you for a thorough , professional, relevant and impartial track of the micro four thirds advantages. Choosing the right camera to access the right lenses is problematic in terms of future proofing and I really appreciate good information from proven operators. Great delivery!
Just found you, and I'm glad I did. I have an Olympus OMD em10mk 2, and I'm continuously impressed by what I get out of it. My other favourite has an even smaller sensor, a Fujifilm X20, now long discontinued. The lens on that thing makes up for the small sensor in spades, and the size makes it great for travel. Between the two, I'm still not sure which I'll be taking on my next holiday.
The increased depth of field of the m4/3 should not be viewed only as a disadvantage IMO. It can be advantageous in situations like landscapes with a foreground or group portraits. In both cases having more DOF is desirable and not so easy to achieve with FF, especially in lower light situations. For portraits, one can achieve nice bokeh by using lenses like the Olympus 75/1.8 or even (the much cheaper, but excellent) 45/1.8. Both lenses are tack sharp wide open.
Yeah, that's a good point too. There are plenty of applications for it. Cheers! 😃
The superb image stabilisation and small size of the lenses and bodies opens up areas of photography that I would find impractical otherwise - and when you factor in the cost and the very high quality results it is a system without parallel. Great video too.
well said, I really hope Panasonic doesn’t see the Gh5 as their last flagship M4/3 camera. it’s cool that they’re doing full frame cameras now, but those cameras still can’t match the ability of the Gh5 Gh5s
If we don’t start hearing rumours for the Gh6 soon I’ll be so upset. there’s still so much they can do in the m4/3 space.
Great video, glad I found your channel. M43 was my introduction to photography. It's affordable and compact- so I have a number of prime lenses and a camera I don't hesitate to bring with me anywhere. Many of my best shots have been serendipitous rather than planned, so just the fact that I take my camera with me almost everywhere has been a huge help.
Until your video, my knowledge of micro 4/3 was physical sensor size compared to aps-c and full frame. Learning the tech and origin of the system was interesting land informative. Appreciate your time, research and presentation. Thanks GU!
The first video I've seen on your channel and it is straight forward, informative and enjoyable. I appreciate the technical explanations and the background of where the name comes from. We'll done. I subscribed.
Best video on M4/3 I’ve ever seen. Honestly, the Nikon Z7 Mount aims to do something similar to what M4/3 with the path of light. No doubt output would be great, but the functionality of the camera is in awkward teenage years thanks to Nikon’s lack of vision. I hope M4/3 doesn’t die, I feel like it was a great system, though I’m in the Fuji camp.
Work as a travelling freediver and like to take photos with my work using an Olympus 4/3. Lighter weight means smaller, lighter, cheaper housing, can fit the whole thing in my backpack for carry on. Less baggage fees (a big drama if you have to fly in lighter aircraft) and also less mass to control when im diving. Might eventually upgrade to something else but not anytime soon
Pretty cool to see the actual meaning of 4/3, something I dont think I've seen explained anywhere else. I really like that it happens to actually be four third inches. Panasonic has definitely become a huge player in video, and that's great to keep m43 relevant. Very good overview of the system in general, there's too many large sensor snobs on the tube, so refreshing. I'm really interested in what Olympus has up their sleeve (if anything) to advance sensor tech. Rumors are swirling about 1Q19 for that
Thanks for this comment. I'm glad you liked the video. I agree and am pretty excited about the future. 😃
I am on my 6th Olympus M43 camera and only use it for stills, it is so much better for travel. I can take a camera Olympus E-M1 MkII, 2x lenses, straps, chargers, 3x batteries file transfer dongles, medium Gorilla tripod misc other gear and a 12.9” iPad in a medium camera bag of less than 5kg total. Try that with a full frame camera. Plus the in body image stabilization means you can had hold at ridiculously slow shutter speeds if you need to. A really great system which is really not appreciated by many. Thanks for a great article.👍😊
Great video! I've been APSC since my first camera. I've always wondered what the appeal might be for people who go m43 instead. Now I think I see some of the points for sure!
Thanks, Dunna. 😃👍
I've been shooting M43 for over 5 years now (Olympus for 5 and Panasonic for 1.5), and yet I learned new things from your video. :)
I've been trying to ditch the system, but I can't get myself to do it. Even though I also have a Sony A6300 and FF Nikon DSLR, I find myself much more often reaching for my M43 cameras. The small, light, yet great lenses along with great usability (especially on the Olympus side) make these cameras a joy to use.
I like this video, the reason is that you used your imagination to really make people understand what you are saying by visually in a very novel way demonstrate what you are saying.
As I used to be an instructor and teacher in the armed forces and I used to train thousands of people per year, using your imagination to really get that knowledge to sink into peoples minds when only have a short time to do it is challenging, thus I can say you nailed it on the head.
Thank you, it makes for really good reference.
Wow, this is the first time I have viewed one of your videos. And I can say that I am very impressed! Your math explanation is a 10 out of 10, your graphics are a 12 out of 10, and the resizing of the view of you on the screen is a 100 out of 10! So, I loved this video. I love math, and I have always loved taking photos. I just recently purchased a Nikon D5600 and am learning it right now. I live the features on it. So I will hit SUBSCRIBE here in a minute but I wanted to make sure that you know how impressed I am with your work. See ya in the funny-papers!
I always thought Micro Four Thirds got it's name from the fact that it's double the diagonal of a 2/3" CCD commonly found in broadcast television cameras.
Uhh, yes. 2/3" sensors are also named in the same way, so indeed a 2/3" sensor is half the diagonal size of a 4/3" sensor.
Gerald, thank you for your insightful video about the Micro 4/3 camera system. I shot Canon 35mm film starting my photography career (amateur) in the 70's. My first digital camera was an Olympus evolt E510 DSLR followed by the Olympus E-30 DSLR. I loved the E-30 and the advantages of the micro 4/3's system, especially the crop factor since most of my photography is in the great outdoors. Your explanation of the micro 4/3's system shed some light for me on why it's called the micro 4/3's system and how the photos come out looking so good. Really loved shooting micro 4/3's!
Wow finally an explanation that made sense even with that advanced math in it. Well done sir, well done.
One thing that's happened with MFT, and with Olympus in particular, is the drive to distinguish their cameras functionality-wise from other manufacturers. So I'm used to some really nice features that simply don't exist on other makers' cameras, especially DSLRs. Examples? Live highlight and dark-shadow areas. You don't need a histogram when the blow-out and dark-out areas are displayed obviously; you balance with the exposure compensation dial. In-camera focus stacking. Huge image stabilization factors. You can hand-hold an equivalent 600mm lens for 1/2-second. High-density imaging using sensor shifting to produce 80MB images. Blazing stills frame rates. Live-view time exposures. You start the exposure and watch it build up on the display and even watch the histogram slide towards the right over time, then stop it when the picture is bright enough. Full-sensor auto-focus.
Oooh - the nerd in me is satisfied. Thanks for the explanation. As for the 4/3 & M4/3 system - I don't know anything else. I have had a go at a full frame camera but ultimately, the weight is outrageous. It's M4/3 for me.
Every time I watch one of your videos I learn something new and that’s not for a lack of watching other film related videos 😊
I'm happy to hear that! Thanks for saying so. 😃🙏
i like how you made the image change depending on how you explained it. much better to understand.. you got a sub :D
I went from an OM1n to MFT via a couple of Lumix compacts. Never looked back. I now have an OMD and a Pen E-PL5. They work for me.
Awesome video. You are a great explainer and editor.
Thanks a lot! Appreciate that. I'm glad it came across well. Cheers! 😃
Best explanation of m4/3 ever. Great video Gerald, I bought into the Lumix M4/3 system because of the IBIS, I'm an old fart of 70 years and I have shaky hands which made hand held photos impossible. With my Lumix G80/85 I can hand hold at a second and even less, micro 4/3 gave me back my hobby and I don't have blurry images now. I have now subscribed.
I knew most of the information in this video except for the origin of the name micro four thirds, but your presentation was phenomenal, your explanations are extremely clear and everything about this was great, instantly subscribed !!
Awesome! Thanks a lot. Appreciate the support and the sub. Cheers! 😃
At 82 yrs old, the GH5 and the 7G has been a blessing!!! Coming from the Canon 7D and 70D which is only good for HD, I can carry a full system of lenses and the GH5 which is equal to the the weight of the of the 7D and the 70-400mmm lens. And more importantly, a single frame can be blown up if using 4K! Love my GH5.
You are like an engineer trapped in a videographers body :)
I started grad school for science and natural history filmmaking right when gh5 was released, I bought that and an slr magic cine lens to avoid having to reserve and share gear, one of the best decisions I've ever made. I learned video on it, produced award winning documentaries featured in 6 countries countries, and never had any problems.... Could not have done it without this camera and how affordable it is. Now I'm looking at the xt4 or a full frame system for a thesis in Colombia
I learned a lot from this video so thank you very much for your efforts! I picked the G85 for my TH-cam creation camera after watching and reading many reviews and I'd say it was a good choice for me at the time. The only issue I really have with it is the autofocus. I am now torn when considering an upgrade. Should I stay with M43 or go full frame (or closer to full frame) for better AF and colour science like a Canon. So many options....
af is the only thing that bothers me with G85 :(
you can pick GH5 or G9 - it has a slightly (!) better AF.
This a great introduction to your channel and to the M43 ecosystem-for anyone who is unaware. I still shoot with my EM-1 and haven't upgraded once as it was, and still is, so feature rich.
The Mark III has many of the items that I feel make the system more robust. I sold off all of my Canon equipment a long time ago and I have never felt like I was missing anything.
Excellent video. Personally for me M43 made me ditch APS-C Nikon. I honestly feel unless one is a hardcore pro, M43 is all one needs
A friend of mine and I started photography at about the same time, he got a nikon dslr, I got a M43 panasonic. Fast forward to today, I still use mine on a regular basis, with the 20mm f1.7 pancake, I just chuck it into my daily bag when I go out for a meal with friends, no problem at all, I don't even need to use a special bag, it's that good. For digital publishing, if one knows what they are doing with the gear, M43 is good enough.
Larger sensor only makes sense if the work requires huge prints, and these equipment are best kept in the studio, I always cringe when I see tourists with huge dslrs and kit zoom lens, why make life more difficult?
Hello Gerald!
Would it be smart to use micro 4/3 to wildlife photography? To use for example a 70-300 which turns to 140-600 to be able to have a bigger distance from the subject?
Thank you!
I own both the Panasonic GH5 and GH5s. Crazy, huh? Not really. I've been shooting with my GH5 on a feature film where the first half of the film was shot on the RED. Thanks to both having similar color science and color cast, it's pretty easy to match the two in post. Especially considering that I can shoot in 10-bit, giving me even more power and flexibility in post. To those who say that micro 4/3 should go away, I say you're an idiot. For one, only Panasonic offers cameras for less than $3,000, the GH5 and GH5s, that shoot in 10-bit. Which is what you need if you are serious about getting into film making, not just vlogging and shooting stills.
Especially important, is that Canon and Sony have yet to offer any cameras that shoot 10-bit in the same price range as Panasonic's GH5 and GH5s. Until they do, I'll happily continue to shoot with my Panasonic cameras. If Sony and Canon are really smart, they'll come out with a camera that shoots 10-bit in the same price range. Until then, I'll continue to point and laugh at videos that compare 8-bit cameras to Panasonic's 10-bit cameras, the GH5 and GH5s.
Good to know about the colours on the RED vs Panny, I was curious about that myself. I agree, the 10-bit at that price point is incredible and unmatched. Love the GH5!
Thanks for the comment. Cheers & happy shooting! 😃
Add to that the BMPCC 4K by Black Magic... internal RAW recording, 10 bits, 12fps, etc for 1200... BUT, it looks like a toy from the 90's; it's huge and clunky; it doesn't have IBIS nor a rotating screen - why are full rotating, glare-free screens are not something to expect on all pro bodies is beyond me - and it can't take stills.
So yes I think I'm going with GH5, 12-60 Leica and some Rokinon primes.
best explanation video about miicro 4/3..I already new most of the things but I liked so much your way of explaining it that i saw the entire video and subscribed! well done!
Thanks so much! Glad to have a new subscriber. Cheers! 👍😃
I own a Olympus OMD Em10 MarkII, and its an amazing camera, when Transfer the images to photoshop and work them in order to print whatever size I want, I forget it has a small sensor with 16mpx resolution. And for someone that likes to travel like me, I cannot see any camera that beats the small micro 4/3.
I can shove the camera, 3 lenses, 3 batteries, filters, in a small bag, and I can carry it around all day without ever feeling any fatigue, plus, I spent in the camera, lenses and batteries less than I would to buy the body alone of a Fuji T3 or a Sony a7III, so, if anything happens to some lenses, or to all of them, or even if they are stolen, I don´t lose a night of sleep or cry 6 months on a row.... of all the cameras I own, my Olympus is the one I use the most!
Yea but a fair comparison is with the e-m1 not em10
I have been using m4/3 gear for a few years now. It started out as a compact addition to go with my dslr kit however now I have 2 OM-D E-M1 bodies and 8 lenses. The dslr still gets used but only for situations where I have better lenses for the task at hand.
This was a great video and you gave a ton of information. Some of it I knew but a lot of it was new to me. I am a dedicated Panasonic shooter and have used the G7 g85 and gh5. If I have anything to say about it micro 4/3 is going to be around for a while cuz I'm going to keep buying the products.
Thanks! Appreciate it.
Nice collection! What's your favourite lens for those cameras?
Gerald Undone my favorite native lens is the laowa 7.5 f2. It's super wide and you can actually get some decent bokeh. Second place would be the Panasonic 14mm f2.5. Super sharp and decently wide. My two favorite adapted lenses are the sigma 18-35 f1.8 and an Olympus four thirds 12-60 f2.8-4.0. I got the Olympus for less than $300usd. I have a video about it.
Great video, Gerald. Very well taught. That’s coming from a long-time micro four-thirds Pro. I like being able to carry more lens options in smaller packages, especially when hauling tubas around. All tuba-playing videographers should consider micro 4/3 cameras. It’s easier on the back in the long run.
That's fun that you adapted some four thirds lenses. I'll check that out.
@tubadylan - You provided a very unique perspective! Haha Who needs extra weight when their lugging around tubas?! 😃
Have pretty much tried all brands by now. Last system I switched from was Canon and the 5DmkIV. I now shoot M4/3. The reason is very simple. I can bring all my gear in a shoulderbag that won't break my back. Even a telephoto lens like 100-400 fits in there. I like macro and wildlife and most of the times I benefit from the bigger depth of field and higher cropfactor. I say most of the time because there are occations where I would like a little better bokeh but I can live with it. :) Good video by the way. Had no idea that is where the name came from.
LMAO “If you dislike it so much, feel free to hit the dislike button 2 times” that my friend it is pure epic geniality!
Thanks for the video. You don’t even know how impressive your video is! I learned a lot! Keep those videos coming. 👊
That's hilarious because clicking the dislike button twice will just cancel your original dislike.
Bob Jones Oh rly?
@@overnightdelivery So you got the point. But you didn't got, that you got the point!
I pressed the like button two times
I finally understood the DoF issue with m43! It's also pretty crazy how they came up with the name for the system. I was thinking, can you make a video that would compare different m43 cameras (Panasonic vs Olympus)? I'm new to your channel so not sure if you've done a video like that, but it would be a great help for those of us who are thinking about switching to m43 and don't know which manufacture to chose.