what do you really think of m4/3?

[back alley]

last weekend i attended a short seminar on studio lighting at a photo trade show...the presenter was an established fashion photographer who really seemed to know his stuff, his images were excellent.
his camera of choice was a panasonic m4/3 model...
i was amazed at the results...his only real caveat was the size of enlargements which he said he kept small, mostly 8x10s...

it got me thinking...the panasonics were nice small cameras, some of their lenses were equally small and incredibly sharp...i had one of the original panasonic m4/3 bodies along with the 14-42 lens and was impressed at first but eventually talked myself out of 4/3...

so tell me...what do you really think of the m4/3 systems?

 

[Lss]

so tell me...what do you really think of the m4/3 systems?

The existing cameras/sensors are a poor fit for my existing lenses and the ones I'm interested in getting. I'm more interested in a fixed-lens camera at this sensor size.

 

[FrankS]

It's all about trade-offs.

 

[olakiril]

I wasn't planning on getting into the m4/3 system, but a cheap E-M1 landed in my hands. I was impressed, even when compared to the D800 sensor. Sharp lenses, sensitivity close to the X-T1 (better than Fuji for my use since I hate the blotchy noise from X-Trans) and 16MP is enough for most things really. Even after the A7rii I can't seem to abandon m4/3s.
For general shooting I believe the GX8 is they way in right now. New sensor, fast AF, 4K.
Also it has the rotating EVF that I miss so much from when I was shooting with the GXR.
The new 14-42 zoom lens looks very compact and a nice fit.
Another choice would be the E-M5ii coupled with the 17mm 1.8. I have shot with that combo and it is very fast and compact! EVF quality is the same with the X-T1. The IBIS from olympus is something unique too. You can get sharp images close to 1" of exposure.

 

[paulfish4570]

great fit for me in size (compact) and results (no giant enlargements). the viewfinder on my om-d em-5 is amazing. i am wanting a fast 50 equivalent really badly ...

 

[jsrockit]

I just can't get into it. The Olympus E-M1 is a nice camera, and there are some really nice lenses, but I don't like the 4:3 aspect ratio. To get away from that, you need to use a cropped jpeg file. That's a no go for me too. I stick to APSC and FF 2:3 formats.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I hate them, mostly because they are responsible for the rise in prices of legacy lenses. Ever since you could put adapters on M4/3 cameras and use practically any legacy lens ever made, the lenses have been priced out of my range.

 

[harpofreely]

Had a a couple of early bodies, played around with a couple of the newer, more "pro" bodies, but never fell in love. Much happier with Fuji XF.

 

[Swift1]

I hardly shoot digital now, bu my Oly E-P1 and Zuiko 17/2.8 is probably my all time favorite digital camera. I sold 12x16 prints in a gallery from my E-P1.
I find the Oly 12mp sensor produces the most film (color negative) like results of any digital that I've used.

 

[GaryLH]

Apsc sensors are still the sweet spot in terms of price, high ISO performance and overall weight for body and/or lens IMHO.

The m43 world has a vast selection of lens compared to Fuji or Sony, second only to Canikon world. Where I feel m43 really shines is telephoto work. Especially combined w/ the 5 axis Olympus image stabilization system. However, just about the really long tele options from Panasonic and Olympus are zooms. W/ the 2x lens factor, a 600 fov lens is going to be smaller if not lighter than their counterpart from any other sensor size outside of 1 inch.

Me personally...I like the Panasonic over the Olympus.. They have a range of cameras from the most compact (gm series w/ pancake 12-32 zoom) to bigger pseudo dslr like gh series and everything in-between including new gx8 (biggest mp sensor on m43 at 20mp and ibis).

M43 af speed has always been really good. In most cases better than anything else in mirrorless...however, I have not found so-far a good continuos focus tracking capability from either Panasonic or Olympus that satisfies my need for taking shots of birds in flight. Mainly depend on old style techniques, pre-af days.

In terms of dynamic range, the sensor in general are about 1/2 to 1 stop less that the bigger sensor cameras.

If u like to shot street or take a small light package on vacation, something like lx100, gm5 or gx7 would be great for this.

For me personally, I find the gm series too small and I don't like touch screens. I usually turn off touch screens unless I need it. The problem w/ gm series is a lot of the controls are via touch screen. The bigger gx series feels more comfortable to me.

The Olympus omd series is really a nice camera. I just never got along w/ the menu system. The pen series has no built in evf. Depending on model they do have optional evf add on. Just about the same size as the gx series from Panasonic.

My main camera system of choice will always be Fuji x series. But for long tele work, I always use m43.

For vacations, I have settled on the lx100 or the Fuji xt1 (depends on situation) mainly. If there is a chance for shots of animals or birds on vacation, then the gx7 w/ 12-32 on camera and 45-200 in the bag.

If I was ever forced to only have one camera system...it would be Fuji, but the lx100 would be the hardest to part w/.

Hope that helps
Gary

 

[f16sunshine]

I just can't get into it. The Olympus E-M1 is a nice camera, and there are some really nice lenses, but I don't like the 4:3 aspect ratio. To get away from that, you need to use a cropped jpeg file. That's a no go for me too. I stick to APSC and FF 2:3 formats.

This is my deal. 4:3 is weird.
That and I like easy to accomplish subject isolation. APS-c is the smallest format I would consider.


If I was shooting longer or wider I would think 4:3 is good but for me it's about environmental Portraits most of the time.

 

[GaryLH]

great fit for me in size (compact) and results (no giant enlargements). the viewfinder on my om-d em-5 is amazing. i am wanting a fast 50 equivalent really badly ...

While the pana/Leica 25 is an outstanding lens, have u considered the 20f1.7 from Panasonic?

Gary

 

[goamules]

I still use m4/3 a little, when I want a lighter, smaller camera than my Fuji X. As far as the aspect ratio, it's nice to have a more square format sometimes. I shoot Wholeplate (6.5 x 8.5) for that reason, and it's the same ratio.

For shooting cine lenses, which I like to do, most will cover m43. Most won't cover the APS-C.

 

[GaryLH]

This is my deal. 4:3 is weird.
That and I like easy to accomplish subject isolation. APS-c is the smallest format I would consider.


If I was shooting longer or wider I would think 4:3 is good but for me it's about environmental Portraits most of the time.

If u don't mind losing some mp, just switch to 3:2 aspect ratio.. I don't remember off the top, but may around 12-14mp effective from a typical 16mp m43 sensor.

Gary

 

[JoeV]

M43 is my "main" digital camera, a Lumix G5. I love the flip-out LCD, invaluable for video work, especially if I'm the subject.

I do love using "legacy" lenses, although I prefer wider angles of view, hence a 24mm lens is about as wide as I can find in film camera-era lenses that are still affordable. For moderate telephoto lengths, any old fast 50mm lens works great in the context of nightclub band photography.

I know many here eschew the format under the premise that there's not enough "subject isolation," but I find just the opposite; in many cases I've chosen the little Fujifilm X10 over the m43 camera because I need more DOF, not less.

In any case, M43 is a great format, and I love the Lumix bodies; though in all fairness I haven't tried the Olys.

Regarding aspect ratio, I will often crop the raw images in post, depending on what they need; comparing 1:1 between APS-C and M43, they're pretty close, as the sensor heights are similar; it's the APS-C that has a significantly wider sensor than M43.

~Joe

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I switched from Nikon DSLR's (after having been a Nikon shooter for decades), and went to the m4/3 system back in 2009. I have never looked back. For what I shoot, the system is almost perfect. I currently shoot a Panasonic GX-7 and a G5 with a variety of lenses, including the Pana/Leica 25 1.4, which is a superb lens.

 

[jsrockit]

If u don't mind losing some mp, just switch to 3:2 aspect ratio.. I don't remember off the top, but may around 12-14mp effective from a typical 16mp m43 sensor.

Gary

But jpeg only...

 

[Darthfeeble]

I'm a lousy photographer who depends heavily on cropping. Small sensors just don't offer me enough to make me look somewhat competent. I have the E-PL1 and 17 still standing by however, it's a nice little street rig.

 

[olakiril]

But jpeg only...

Not with E-M1/E-M5ii that I have used. You do have the full resolution, but you see with a 2:3 aspect ratio.

 

[GaryLH]

But jpeg only...

On the lx100 it is maintained even in raw..effective mp remains 12mp no matter what aspect ratio. This is unique to lx family if I remember correctly. On the gx7, off the top..I don't remember the answer since I normally use 4:3 aspect ratio.

Gary