Sorry, I have no positive experience with Olympus! I bought two OM4s and both of them I had to get rid of because they wouldn’t work anymore and Olympus wouldn’t fix them - they wouldn’t give me my money back! 💸💸💸
I have an em-10, em-1, and an epl-5 all bought not long after I moved here to Japan. I can agree that they are great cameras that can produce the same quality as the top of the line ones. They also can develop beautiful colors!
Yes I was also surprised with the SOOC colors of the Olympus system thus I am now hooked! Also I got this EM1 MKII straight from Japan in minty new condition.
I used to have XE-1 before switching to EM5 mk2. I have used Olympus from time to time in harsh condition (raining), with 12-40 PRO lens. Compact size, solid build, contrasty image, very beautiful color. The funny thing, the m 4/3 sensor can produce decent Dynamic Range, not much different compared to APSC body. One caveat, i used Topaz to combat noise in low light photos.
@@hendrikmintarno nice, I feel the same way. Even aside from using Topaz which I also use. LRC’s enhanced detail feature also really helps close the gap between APC and M43. My only negative is that I dont believe Olympus allows 14 bit raw and limits it to 12 bit but otherwise I feel that the #Olympus or #OMsystem is very underrated!
Few years ago I switched from Fujifilm to M4/3(Lumix) and since had acess to full frame and APsc cameras and its a great lightweight system with great lenses and great image stabilization.white balance etc.Always recomended this system
@@Lucidexplore Absolutely,I do dont portraits or weddings so I can easily live without full frame.Lumix have beautiful colours and excellent image stabilization
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words. One of the main goals of my videos is to show that you don’t need the most expensive equipment to create high-quality images. Hearing feedback like yours motivates me to keep improving and sharing valuable tips right here on RUclips. Thanks for watching and supporting!
@@Lucidexplore You're welcome, also hope to start a channel like yourself once I have moved to Vietnam currently in the UK. I agree you don't need the expensive camera gear to get high end quality imagery . I am always more impressed what people can capture with very little.
@@ItsScanlon Looking forward to it! I haven't ventured out to Asia yet but would love to explore that part of the world and Vietnam is in the bucket-list! When you start your channel and posting videos of your travels; share them with me, I'd love to check them out!
@@jmtphotographymedia locally i’m seeing the camera body in good condition go for $470. Such a bargain for what it is. I feel like micro4/3 doesn’t get enough attention but the IQ is very similar to APSc and Olympus/OM and Panasonic have outstanding lens options for this system. You are right, the 17 and 45 (full frame equivalent 34/90)is such a versatile combo, I feel the same. I can do 90% of my shoots with that combo.
@Lucidexplore I use to have a GX85 and the image quality was really good. M43 is definitely underrated. I think its partly due to lack of development in recent years. If they made compelling cameras it would be fantastic.
XT1 and X70 here ..... 'downgraded' from the X100V as the 16mp sensor and colours definitely better for me - had a Lumix GX9 before and af and build quality were far superior to Fuji but couldn't get the colours i wanted, (ie Classic Chrome look). Nice video btw 😊
Hey thanks the feedback 👋 the GX9 is an amazing camera! If I can find one for a decent price I’d love to get one. In fact, I have the Lumix G100 as well as a bts cam which I believe has the same sensor as the GX9. Love the colors from natural picture profile of the Lumix. I also agree that Fuji’s biggest selling point for me are still the film simulation but i’ve been able to dial in and replicate those profiles into LRC presets and can almost match the look with any camera. With the EM1 mark2 i’m getting almost similar results but with a much more reliable AF which has been crucial for client work. Curious, which do you prefer and use more, the X70 or the XT1?
@@LucidexploreSorry didn't see your earlier reply! Can't choose between the two tbh. I take the X70 to destinations like Morocco and Turkey when want extra 'stealth' and easier pocketable form factor. XT1 never let me down... yes the AF is hit and miss sometimes but working within their limitations can achieve cracking results
Congrats on something that works for you. I am going the other direction, because MFT abandoned smaller modern cameras. If you need weather sealing, an Olympus/OM Systems is a good choice.
My main system will always be a full frame system mainly because of the shallow depth of field that I can achieve for some assignments. Otherwise the MFT can do 80% of the photographic work I do. Overall, I'm happy with this dual system of Full Frame and a MFT.
They have some great cameras it is true . In reality , there are no bad cameras as such , just cameras that may not fit the style of work we want them to do for us. I came from film and eventually I acquired a digital camera or two along the way . Back then, 6 mp was standard and then it became 12 mp. Does anybody need more than 12 when the average is now 24 ? After my last trip around the Med, I thought I had a light camera set up , but it left me with neck ache on more than one occasion . So, I began to look for something else that would deliver the goods without braking the bank and that would be suitable for my interests . The long and short of it was that I acquired one of the last EM10 Mkii direct from Olympus in Europe . I have a small zoom that I don’t use , a portrait lens that is so sharp but doesn’t get used as much as it should . For walk about I keep a Sigma 30 mm 2.8 glued to the body . Wonderfully sharp and light and great for capturing expressions and the actions of the grandchildren and country walks and National Trust properties . For everything else , there is my iPhone . All my gear has limitations , like the software and the processing capabilities of my computers . I just encourage folk to be looking for images all the time , regardless of what camera they have . If you cannot afford the latest high spec thing then there is always yesterday’s model that is in very good condition and in need of a new home . Our needs may change , but the desire to create always remains with us, it is why finding the tool that inspires , motivates and deliveries those expectations is critical ; but it doesn’t always need the latest something that is on offer .
@@carmenfissenden2530 thank you for the response and very well said. Sometimes people need to focus less on the gear and more on image making process etc. Gear will always come and go but the a skills acquired will last a lifetime. Btw the EM10 mkii is an amazing camera as well and the part you mentioned about 12MP being enough - I had a Nikon classic, D700 which was one of the best cameras I've owned and it may not be as high tech as my R6II but I felt the images that came out of that camera had a charm of its own that I cannot explain. If cropping isn't required, the 12MP classics like D700 is plenty for many.
Indeed it's fantastic camera! Another interesting m4/3 camera that recently can be bought used for not that big money - and that delivers much - is Panasonic Lumix G90 (AKA G95 in the USA).
Agreed and the G95 is the camera I often recommend many family and friends. My girlfriend has the g100 which is like the more compact version of the g95. I absolutely love the colors and skin tone out of these newer Lumix cameras and g95 is such a good value!
@@robertgretter9452 xpro2 was my favorite camera of all time but the EM1 mark 2 feels like its spiritual successor. While its a completely different camera (form factor, grip, sensor size etc). Something about it and I think its the overall cold to the touch metal construction and the feel of the dials or size of the camera. I love them both!
If I had a dollar for every time a FF/APSC user said "hold on, M43 is actually great!" I'd be able to afford a FF system. People need to stop listening to the Northrups.
Depends on what you shoot. M43 has its purposes and my FF system has its own as well but I can get away with 90% of my specific shoots with just the M43 and given how little I spent on it, its a no brainer! It’s my second body for a reason.
Thats a great deal! I hear that there is a new Astro version of the mark 3 but its only available in Japan. I still like the body style of EM1ii/iii more than the OM system successor
@@kentcs5367 its certainly technically a better camera (marginally IMO) and often $300-$350 more in the used market. If the live ND filter is something that can bring more ROI to your investment then 100% go for it!
М43 is fine, as long as you don't need super wide lenses, that's when even APS-C struggles, and FF is king. Yes, I've owned a MFT system, and yes I've owned 7-14 Olympus pro lens, and it was a decent lens, until you decide to slap an ND filter, and you can't use threaded ones.. not to mention those lenses are so hard to achieve on a 2x crop factor, that there are basically no 3rd party options with AF, and no many manual for that matter, while on APS-C you have the fujinon 10-24, the 8-16, sigma 10-18, tamron 11-20 and even recently 10mm f2 manual lenses with filter threads were released, and I don't even want to start with the FF options. Yes the system offers some pretty amazing bodies and lenses, but it is also very limited at the same time. I kept my 42.5 Leica 1.2 OIS Panasonic lens for so long along with a GX9, and loved it, but I would always pick an APS-C system over it. With that being said, every tool has it's place, and the crop factor of MFT would be great for wildlife photography/videography for the extra reach, so there is no "better" system, just the right one for you.
Hey thanks so much for the comment! I hear you on the ND filter struggle-it’s a challenge many systems face, especially with ultra-wide lenses. My old Nikon full-frame system had a similar issue with the 14-24mm f/2.8, an incredible "king tier" lens at the time but with a bulbous front element (similar to the Olympus 7-14) that couldn’t natively take threaded filters. It was heavy, clunky, and required specialty systems like Lee filters. Canon users faced the same challenges with their 11-24mm f/4L. While these were considered "king-tier" lenses in their day, practicality often took a back seat. Eventually, I switched to Nikon's 18-35G FX lens, which was lighter, cheaper, and allowed me to use threaded filters, demonstrating how even full-frame photographers often make compromises for practicality. Yes now in the mirrorless days for Full Frame, there are better utlra-wide angle lens from a practicality standpoint; smaller, lighter, sharper adapts filters but they come at a cost, especially compared to MFT these days. For MFT, while the Olympus 7-14mm Pro has its ND filter challenges, I just mentioned above how it was a common challenge for many systems (and I've owned many) there are alternatives like the Lumix Leica 9mm f/1.7. It might not hit the extreme ultra-wide spectrum, but it's weather-sealed, compact, incredibly sharp, great micro-contrast and for me "King tier". So, it really comes down to the individual photographer’s needs and preferences. That said, my video was never about claiming that MFT is the "best" camera system overall-it’s about recognizing its value for a specific audience. The Olympus EM1 Mark II is an under-the-radar camera with flagship-like performance at an incredibly affordable price, making it ideal for beginners or those just starting to take photography seriously. It's not meant to replace a full-frame system (my primary camera is a Canon R6 II), but it does offer a highly versatile, professional-grade option for those on a budget. That said, it did replace my old Fuji system. As I mentioned in the video, investing in a camera system like this is a smart entry point, with the option to upgrade to full-frame and beyond as skills and income grow. For beginners or budget-conscious photographers, the MFT system delivers exceptional value, especially when paired with its compact, affordable, and sharp lenses. Ultimately, the "best" system depends on the use case, and for many aspiring photographers, MFT is a practical, capable, budget-friendly and empowering choice to start their journey.
While I don't use M43, I can certainly agree with your statement about buying flagships from 5+ years ago. I run my wedding photography business solely off Sony A9 mark 1s. They are still absolutely nasty cameras. I did use Fujifilm (XH2S, XT4, and X100v) for a time before switching to Sony though. It's unfortunate what's happening to Fuji.
@@yes_senpai8880 yes and i’m glad you grasped on the ethos if my message which is any older flagship regardless of the sensor size or system can still facilitate in capturing stunning images! Sony A9s are still a legend to this day! I
Hi. If you compare M43 vs APS-c, who is better for night photography, which device produce better image quality and is it a big differences in quality ? Thank you
Really depends on the type of night shooting. The live composite feature on the Olympus and Panasonic cameras is an absolute dream come true for my nighttime shooting. If you’re just doing regular shooting single exposure stuff it is acceptable but it can’t match the bigger sensors. But if doing Astro stars trails and the like. I will choose the live composite feature everytime over my full frame stuff.
I've used APS-C for a long time before replacing it with M43, my logic is that the image quality (or at least the High ISO performance) is negligible. To me it doesn't seem like an APS-C sensors are substantially larger to make a huge difference but it does make it makes difference to those who pixel-peep. Once you use tools like Topaz Labs's noise reduction, the difference is very minimal. I did feel that the APS-C cameras I've worked with had a slight dynamic range advantage and the files provided me with a bit more latitude for editing. the M43, especially the more smaller cameras are just fun to use!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Everyone has unique needs and preferences when it comes to photography gear, and that’s what makes these discussions so interesting. In the video, I highlighted the reasons why the Olympus system aligns with my "personal use" cases and shared examples of what it can do. While I understand it might not resonate with everyone, I’ve also heard from many others (right here in the comments section and my IG) who found the Olympus system to be a fantastic fit for their work. Ultimately, the beauty of being a consumer is the freedom to choose what works best for us individually. Wishing you great success and enjoyment with your Fuji gear!
Started with the XPro 2 back in the days. But eventually got rid of as I had a Nikon D750 and an old D3 etc for work and I needed more lenses a drone etc as my services were expanding. Few years later I regretted not keeping the Fujifilm XPro2 for casual usage while living abroad and thus found an old XE2 for dirt cheap which got me into the Fujifilm system again! I always had a Nikon or Sony Full frame (short period) for work while Fujifilm was more of a casual thing. I also got XT1, liked it so much that I ended up getting two! even used them for slower photography. Later I wanted to minimize so I got rid of all my cameras and got an XH2 with the intent of getting an X100V later. Not sure why, but I was never happy with it. Colors were great but that 40mp sensor was overkill for the type of work I do and the AF system was a bit of a downgrade and overall performance felt a bit clunky compared to Nikon and Sony systems I had. Sold it within a few months and got the Canon R6II (wanted to try something new) aka the perfect workhorse camera for my needs but always had an itch to keep a second smaller camera for casual use thus I got the EM1mkII.
Nice! A7RII for less than $500 is unheard of where i’m at. Here a used version of the A7RII is more than double and almost triple the price compared to a used EM1 MKII. I actually had a A7III before upgrading my main camera to the Canon R6II. As Its all about the ecosystem and generally any older used flagship regardless of sensor size will be a great camera for folks starting out. That said my sony system overall was still larger because or the lenses. For instance the zuiko 75mm (150mm) prime is considered by many as an S tier lens and i’ve yet to see a similar prime lens from 135-150mm even remotely close to the size the M4/3 75mm portrait lens.Also the EM1 still is pretty compact and has a weather sealing like no other. If the weather sealing isn’t needed, there are much smaller m43 cameras like the Olympus PenF or lumix g100. My comparison is toward systems like Fujifilm and overall smaller system. had about 8 different full frame cameras but I enjoyed both the Fuji and Olympus a lot more. Those who have experienced know…
@@Lucidexplore imo the 12-40 f 2.8 pro is one of the best MFT lenses, extremely sharp, great af motor, great build, nice manual focus clutch, reasonably small
@@fabiz8602 I love using this website as reference to research next lens purchases. onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=617&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32 It allows you to filter the exact lens you want and all images created on it. Same applies for camera bodies and its been wonderful! have a look, the link I shared specifically shows images captured with the 12-100 F4 Pro Lens.
@@willgreig8912 I did fashion show/ ramp walks with the EM1 mark2 without issues and even some wildlife. I use an R6II when i need the best but my Olympus system held up amazingly.
It’s a good kit! A separate topic but honestly maybe I’m biased but the color science for that Lumix cameras produce on their natural picture profile is perfection. A little dodge and burn on those SOOC and I’m all set. In comparison I think em1 mark II has decent color science but not as good as the modern Lumix system. When shooting RAW it doesn’t really matter though.
@Lucidexplore yes, I'm usually L mount but they haven't put out a pro body in 5 years and so they've killed themselves in terms of photographers who commited. The kit I do have has poor resale. It's a pain.
I joined the Olympus/OM system clan very late. It’s just one of those brands I didn’t think about until getting one in my hands. Imagine they made a huge comeback and launched a full frame system, i’d invest!
amigo me estallo la cabeza cuando abro el instagram y dice q eres de medellin , tienes toda la pinta de ser indio o algo asi jejeje saludos , yo soy de venezuela , tengo mi em1 mark ii y el 12 -40mm 2.8 y el 40-150 f4. 5.6 hace un año y estoy muy contento con esa compra hace un año tuve q decidir si la olympus y su robusto cuerpo o la zve10 me fui por la olympus
Hola Alex! Saludos desde Medellín. Sí, vivo aquí y tengo a la mitad de mi familia en Colombia y la otra mitad en Canadá, por eso hablo ambos idiomas con fluidez. Qué tal todo en Venezuela? Nunca he tenido la oportunidad de visitar, pero siempre he querido ir. He conocido a muchos venezolanos que viven en Colombia y me han hablado de las hermosas ciudades y pueblos costeros que tienen allá. Por cierto, si, la EM1 Mark II es una cámara increíble. Aquí en Colombia, Sony es muy comercial, así que comprar y vender equipo Olympus es algo complicado, pero las pocas personas que tienen cámaras Olympus forman como una pequeña comunidad de usuarios de cámaras MFT que son súper apasionados, incluso tenemos nuestros propios grupos (WhatsApp, FB etc). Me alegra que estés disfrutando tu Olympus. Yo también tuve Sony, pero siempre me pareció un poco plástico y frágil, como la versión de PlayStation en cámaras jajajaja, aunque aquí donde vivo es la marca más comúnmente usada.
@Lucidexplore todo bien amigo yo vivo en San Cristóbal Táchira frontera con Colombia tengo familia también en Medellín a ver si el otro año me doy una pasada por allá y si igual aquí de hecho debo ser el único en mi estado que usa Olympus aquí se ve cannon principalmente y Sony , en un futuro quisiera una full frame también así complementar mi equipo saludos amigo un abrazo
@@AlexOmana Ahh sí, San Cristóbal Táchira! Muy cerquita de Cúcuta en Colombia, pues la frontera. Para mí, Olympus es una buena combinación con mi Canon R6 Mark II full frame que uso. La full frame la utilizo cuando necesito más rendimiento en poca luz, y la EM1 Mark II la uso más para teleobjetivos y lentes con mucho zoom porque es más compacta para esos rangos en comparación con la full frame. Ambos son una gran combinación para mí. Aquí en Medellín he notado que los usuarios de Olympus y Fujifilm suelen ser parte de la misma comunidad también. Un abrazo y saludos!
Far from false the switch over from Fujifilm is now the real deal for me lol. I just did a product photoshoot with a new macro lens that I acquired for my EM1/MK2 and I-m beyond impressed! Olympus and OM System is the underdog that needs attention right now. Canon may be my main workhorse but this Olympus system now has its own projects!
sorry for sounding a bit like a dick. Im an events photographer so i need to find the fastest autofocus and biggest buffer camera. I settled with the Panasonic gh7 because it has an internal fan. my concern now is that dickheads give me shit for not using full frame and tell me that i should at least get that F1.7 zoom to call myself a professional. im thinking :"sure more bokeh but im happy to shootf2.8 to get enough depth of field anyways" and that f1.7 is really heavy
Tiene un problema conocido con el firmware más nuevo. La calidad de construcción también parece de baja calidad. Si vuelvo a Fujifilm, solo será para una cámara supercompacta como xm5 o algo. Ademas tengo R6II tambien que funciona como mi camara principal.
Olympus: The most UNDERRATED camera brand out there. ❤
100% agree! Such an amazing system.
Sorry, I have no positive experience with Olympus! I bought two OM4s and both of them I had to get rid of because they wouldn’t work anymore and Olympus wouldn’t fix them - they wouldn’t give me my money back! 💸💸💸
@ thats a bummer. I had some negative experience with Nikon but had stuck with them very long. Curious what problems you experienced?
I have an em-10, em-1, and an epl-5 all bought not long after I moved here to Japan. I can agree that they are great cameras that can produce the same quality as the top of the line ones. They also can develop beautiful colors!
Yes I was also surprised with the SOOC colors of the Olympus system thus I am now hooked! Also I got this EM1 MKII straight from Japan in minty new condition.
I agree... a big fan of M4/3. Current owner of Olympus E-M1x, amazing featrures and quality!
Thanks for the comment! I've been eyeing a used copy of the EM-1x lately, looks enticing!
I used to have XE-1 before switching to EM5 mk2. I have used Olympus from time to time in harsh condition (raining), with 12-40 PRO lens. Compact size, solid build, contrasty image, very beautiful color. The funny thing, the m 4/3 sensor can produce decent Dynamic Range, not much different compared to APSC body. One caveat, i used Topaz to combat noise in low light photos.
@@hendrikmintarno nice, I feel the same way. Even aside from using Topaz which I also use. LRC’s enhanced detail feature also really helps close the gap between APC and M43. My only negative is that I dont believe Olympus allows 14 bit raw and limits it to 12 bit but otherwise I feel that the #Olympus or #OMsystem is very underrated!
try lightroom denoise you will be schocked how better it is.
Few years ago I switched from Fujifilm to M4/3(Lumix) and since had acess to full frame and APsc cameras and its a great lightweight system with great lenses and great image stabilization.white balance etc.Always recomended this system
M43 system is great and I think it makes a good sidekick to a full frame system. The smaller system has its advantages!
@@Lucidexplore Absolutely,I do dont portraits or weddings so I can easily live without full frame.Lumix have beautiful colours and excellent image stabilization
your photography work speaks volumes, stunning work.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words. One of the main goals of my videos is to show that you don’t need the most expensive equipment to create high-quality images. Hearing feedback like yours motivates me to keep improving and sharing valuable tips right here on RUclips. Thanks for watching and supporting!
@@Lucidexplore You're welcome, also hope to start a channel like yourself once I have moved to Vietnam currently in the UK. I agree you don't need the expensive camera gear to get high end quality imagery . I am always more impressed what people can capture with very little.
@@ItsScanlon Looking forward to it! I haven't ventured out to Asia yet but would love to explore that part of the world and Vietnam is in the bucket-list!
When you start your channel and posting videos of your travels; share them with me, I'd love to check them out!
I really like to try the Em1 mark ii. For pro work I would get the 17mm 1.2 and 45mm 1.2 and be set for anything.
@@jmtphotographymedia locally i’m seeing the camera body in good condition go for $470. Such a bargain for what it is. I feel like micro4/3 doesn’t get enough attention but the IQ is very similar to APSc and Olympus/OM and Panasonic have outstanding lens options for this system. You are right, the 17 and 45 (full frame equivalent 34/90)is such a versatile combo, I feel the same. I can do 90% of my shoots with that combo.
@Lucidexplore I use to have a GX85 and the image quality was really good. M43 is definitely underrated. I think its partly due to lack of development in recent years. If they made compelling cameras it would be fantastic.
@@jmtphotographymedia GX85 is also a great camera! Lets see how things go, I'd love to see Micro4/3 make a big come back!
I use the Olympus E520 for walk around and EM1 Mk3 for more serious job, the Mk3 is a superb camera.
Thats a nice combo, what kind of serious jobs do you shoot with the Mk3?
@ maybe “serious” was not a good choice of word. I do sport activity shoot like cycling and motocycling.
XT1 and X70 here ..... 'downgraded' from the X100V as the 16mp sensor and colours definitely better for me - had a Lumix GX9 before and af and build quality were far superior to Fuji but couldn't get the colours i wanted, (ie Classic Chrome look). Nice video btw 😊
Hey thanks the feedback 👋 the GX9 is an amazing camera! If I can find one for a decent price I’d love to get one. In fact, I have the Lumix G100 as well as a bts cam which I believe has the same sensor as the GX9. Love the colors from natural picture profile of the Lumix. I also agree that Fuji’s biggest selling point for me are still the film simulation but i’ve been able to dial in and replicate those profiles into LRC presets and can almost match the look with any camera. With the EM1 mark2 i’m getting almost similar results but with a much more reliable AF which has been crucial for client work. Curious, which do you prefer and use more, the X70 or the XT1?
@@LucidexploreSorry didn't see your earlier reply! Can't choose between the two tbh. I take the X70 to destinations like Morocco and Turkey when want extra 'stealth' and easier pocketable form factor. XT1 never let me down... yes the AF is hit and miss sometimes but working within their limitations can achieve cracking results
Congrats on something that works for you. I am going the other direction, because MFT abandoned smaller modern cameras. If you need weather sealing, an Olympus/OM Systems is a good choice.
My main system will always be a full frame system mainly because of the shallow depth of field that I can achieve for some assignments. Otherwise the MFT can do 80% of the photographic work I do. Overall, I'm happy with this dual system of Full Frame and a MFT.
They have some great cameras it is true . In reality , there are no bad cameras as such , just cameras that may not fit the style of work we want them to do for us.
I came from film and eventually I acquired a digital camera or two along the way . Back then, 6 mp was standard and then it became 12 mp. Does anybody need more than 12 when the average is now 24 ?
After my last trip around the Med, I thought I had a light camera set up , but it left me with neck ache on more than one occasion . So, I began to look for something else that would deliver the goods without braking the bank and that would be suitable for my interests .
The long and short of it was that I acquired one of the last EM10 Mkii direct from Olympus in Europe .
I have a small zoom that I don’t use , a portrait lens that is so sharp but doesn’t get used as much as it should . For walk about I keep a Sigma 30 mm 2.8 glued to the body . Wonderfully sharp and light and great for capturing expressions and the actions of the grandchildren and country walks and National Trust properties . For everything else , there is my iPhone .
All my gear has limitations , like the software and the processing capabilities of my computers .
I just encourage folk to be looking for images all the time , regardless of what camera they have .
If you cannot afford the latest high spec thing then there is always yesterday’s model that is in very good condition and in need of a new home .
Our needs may change , but the desire to create always remains with us, it is why finding the tool that inspires , motivates and deliveries those expectations is critical ; but it doesn’t always need the latest something that is on offer .
@@carmenfissenden2530 thank you for the response and very well said. Sometimes people need to focus less on the gear and more on image making process etc. Gear will always come and go but the a skills acquired will last a lifetime. Btw the EM10 mkii is an amazing camera as well and the part you mentioned about 12MP being enough - I had a Nikon classic, D700 which was one of the best cameras I've owned and it may not be as high tech as my R6II but I felt the images that came out of that camera had a charm of its own that I cannot explain. If cropping isn't required, the 12MP classics like D700 is plenty for many.
Indeed it's fantastic camera! Another interesting m4/3 camera that recently can be bought used for not that big money - and that delivers much - is Panasonic Lumix G90 (AKA G95 in the USA).
Agreed and the G95 is the camera I often recommend many family and friends. My girlfriend has the g100 which is like the more compact version of the g95. I absolutely love the colors and skin tone out of these newer Lumix cameras and g95 is such a good value!
I have an xpro 2 but typically leave it at home and carry my Olympus EM1 Mark II instead.
@@robertgretter9452 xpro2 was my favorite camera of all time but the EM1 mark 2 feels like its spiritual successor. While its a completely different camera (form factor, grip, sensor size etc). Something about it and I think its the overall cold to the touch metal construction and the feel of the dials or size of the camera. I love them both!
If I had a dollar for every time a FF/APSC user said "hold on, M43 is actually great!" I'd be able to afford a FF system.
People need to stop listening to the Northrups.
Depends on what you shoot. M43 has its purposes and my FF system has its own as well but I can get away with 90% of my specific shoots with just the M43 and given how little I spent on it, its a no brainer! It’s my second body for a reason.
Got an emi Mark 3 earlier this year in near mint condition for 800 bucks. Imo unbeatable at that price point
Thats a great deal! I hear that there is a new Astro version of the mark 3 but its only available in Japan. I still like the body style of EM1ii/iii more than the OM system successor
But shouldn't the EM-1 Mrk III a much better one with the Live ND built-in?
@@kentcs5367 its certainly technically a better camera (marginally IMO) and often $300-$350 more in the used market. If the live ND filter is something that can bring more ROI to your investment then 100% go for it!
I'm thinking about the X-H1 and the X-T30 II
Both are great! I actually really like the X-H1, its a timeless camera and IMO the successor is not built as well.
М43 is fine, as long as you don't need super wide lenses, that's when even APS-C struggles, and FF is king. Yes, I've owned a MFT system, and yes I've owned 7-14 Olympus pro lens, and it was a decent lens, until you decide to slap an ND filter, and you can't use threaded ones.. not to mention those lenses are so hard to achieve on a 2x crop factor, that there are basically no 3rd party options with AF, and no many manual for that matter, while on APS-C you have the fujinon 10-24, the 8-16, sigma 10-18, tamron 11-20 and even recently 10mm f2 manual lenses with filter threads were released, and I don't even want to start with the FF options. Yes the system offers some pretty amazing bodies and lenses, but it is also very limited at the same time. I kept my 42.5 Leica 1.2 OIS Panasonic lens for so long along with a GX9, and loved it, but I would always pick an APS-C system over it. With that being said, every tool has it's place, and the crop factor of MFT would be great for wildlife photography/videography for the extra reach, so there is no "better" system, just the right one for you.
Hey thanks so much for the comment!
I hear you on the ND filter struggle-it’s a challenge many systems face, especially with ultra-wide lenses. My old Nikon full-frame system had a similar issue with the 14-24mm f/2.8, an incredible "king tier" lens at the time but with a bulbous front element (similar to the Olympus 7-14) that couldn’t natively take threaded filters. It was heavy, clunky, and required specialty systems like Lee filters. Canon users faced the same challenges with their 11-24mm f/4L. While these were considered "king-tier" lenses in their day, practicality often took a back seat. Eventually, I switched to Nikon's 18-35G FX lens, which was lighter, cheaper, and allowed me to use threaded filters, demonstrating how even full-frame photographers often make compromises for practicality. Yes now in the mirrorless days for Full Frame, there are better utlra-wide angle lens from a practicality standpoint; smaller, lighter, sharper adapts filters but they come at a cost, especially compared to MFT these days.
For MFT, while the Olympus 7-14mm Pro has its ND filter challenges, I just mentioned above how it was a common challenge for many systems (and I've owned many) there are alternatives like the Lumix Leica 9mm f/1.7. It might not hit the extreme ultra-wide spectrum, but it's weather-sealed, compact, incredibly sharp, great micro-contrast and for me "King tier". So, it really comes down to the individual photographer’s needs and preferences.
That said, my video was never about claiming that MFT is the "best" camera system overall-it’s about recognizing its value for a specific audience. The Olympus EM1 Mark II is an under-the-radar camera with flagship-like performance at an incredibly affordable price, making it ideal for beginners or those just starting to take photography seriously. It's not meant to replace a full-frame system (my primary camera is a Canon R6 II), but it does offer a highly versatile, professional-grade option for those on a budget. That said, it did replace my old Fuji system.
As I mentioned in the video, investing in a camera system like this is a smart entry point, with the option to upgrade to full-frame and beyond as skills and income grow. For beginners or budget-conscious photographers, the MFT system delivers exceptional value, especially when paired with its compact, affordable, and sharp lenses. Ultimately, the "best" system depends on the use case, and for many aspiring photographers, MFT is a practical, capable, budget-friendly and empowering choice to start their journey.
While I don't use M43, I can certainly agree with your statement about buying flagships from 5+ years ago. I run my wedding photography business solely off Sony A9 mark 1s. They are still absolutely nasty cameras. I did use Fujifilm (XH2S, XT4, and X100v) for a time before switching to Sony though. It's unfortunate what's happening to Fuji.
@@yes_senpai8880 yes and i’m glad you grasped on the ethos if my message which is any older flagship regardless of the sensor size or system can still facilitate in capturing stunning images!
Sony A9s are still a legend to this day!
I
Did you get the lens along with it too? I see $600+ for body only if I add taxes and shipping!
@@chess512 the lens I found locally for about $110. Where are you searching?
I’m noticed that Amazon has one for $515 right now: a.co/d/gHFYi7b
Hi.
If you compare M43 vs APS-c, who is better for night photography, which device produce better image quality and is it a big differences in quality ?
Thank you
Really depends on the type of night shooting. The live composite feature on the Olympus and Panasonic cameras is an absolute dream come true for my nighttime shooting.
If you’re just doing regular shooting single exposure stuff it is acceptable but it can’t match the bigger sensors. But if doing Astro stars trails and the like. I will choose the live composite feature everytime over my full frame stuff.
@pluggednickels7321 Thank you.
I've used APS-C for a long time before replacing it with M43, my logic is that the image quality (or at least the High ISO performance) is negligible. To me it doesn't seem like an APS-C sensors are substantially larger to make a huge difference but it does make it makes difference to those who pixel-peep. Once you use tools like Topaz Labs's noise reduction, the difference is very minimal. I did feel that the APS-C cameras I've worked with had a slight dynamic range advantage and the files provided me with a bit more latitude for editing. the M43, especially the more smaller cameras are just fun to use!
@@Lucidexplore Thank you very much.
I think that was a bad idea, there is no chance that I would change Fuji for that camera, but I hope you get some benefit from it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Everyone has unique needs and preferences when it comes to photography gear, and that’s what makes these discussions so interesting. In the video, I highlighted the reasons why the Olympus system aligns with my "personal use" cases and shared examples of what it can do. While I understand it might not resonate with everyone, I’ve also heard from many others (right here in the comments section and my IG) who found the Olympus system to be a fantastic fit for their work. Ultimately, the beauty of being a consumer is the freedom to choose what works best for us individually. Wishing you great success and enjoyment with your Fuji gear!
What Fuji cameras did you have or do you have?
Started with the XPro 2 back in the days. But eventually got rid of as I had a Nikon D750 and an old D3 etc for work and I needed more lenses a drone etc as my services were expanding.
Few years later I regretted not keeping the Fujifilm XPro2 for casual usage while living abroad and thus found an old XE2 for dirt cheap which got me into the Fujifilm system again! I always had a Nikon or Sony Full frame (short period) for work while Fujifilm was more of a casual thing. I also got XT1, liked it so much that I ended up getting two! even used them for slower photography. Later I wanted to minimize so I got rid of all my cameras and got an XH2 with the intent of getting an X100V later. Not sure why, but I was never happy with it. Colors were great but that 40mp sensor was overkill for the type of work I do and the AF system was a bit of a downgrade and overall performance felt a bit clunky compared to Nikon and Sony systems I had. Sold it within a few months and got the Canon R6II (wanted to try something new) aka the perfect workhorse camera for my needs but always had an itch to keep a second smaller camera for casual use thus I got the EM1mkII.
What camera did you use to shoot this video
@@sols9449 Canon R6 MKII
Good job.
@@OmairZeeshan thank you 🤝
For that price, you can get a full frame Sony a7R ll and the Sony is smaller, im not even going to talk about the lens
Nice! A7RII for less than $500 is unheard of where i’m at. Here a used version of the A7RII is more than double and almost triple the price compared to a used EM1 MKII. I actually had a A7III before upgrading my main camera to the Canon R6II. As Its all about the ecosystem and generally any older used flagship regardless of sensor size will be a great camera for folks starting out. That said my sony system overall was still larger because or the lenses. For instance the zuiko 75mm (150mm) prime is considered by many as an S tier lens and i’ve yet to see a similar prime lens from 135-150mm even remotely close to the size the M4/3 75mm portrait lens.Also the EM1 still is pretty compact and has a weather sealing like no other. If the weather sealing isn’t needed, there are much smaller m43 cameras like the Olympus PenF or lumix g100. My comparison is toward systems like Fujifilm and overall smaller system. had about 8 different full frame cameras but I enjoyed both the Fuji and Olympus a lot more. Those who have experienced know…
Hey all 👋 you can see the sample images shot on this camera at 3:30.
And the lenses are cheaper too! Even the “pro” oriented ones; you can really get a great quality setup for under 1000€-1500€
Agreed and built so well! I’m thinking of getting one of their pro lenses soon. Not sure which one to get yet. Thinking about the 17mm.
@@Lucidexplore imo the 12-40 f 2.8 pro is one of the best MFT lenses, extremely sharp, great af motor, great build, nice manual focus clutch, reasonably small
@@fabiz8602nice, will look into is. I was also looking at the 12-100 as a travel lens.
@@Lucidexplore yeah that one is really tempting. Probably really sharp as well
@@fabiz8602 I love using this website as reference to research next lens purchases. onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=617&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32 It allows you to filter the exact lens you want and all images created on it. Same applies for camera bodies and its been wonderful! have a look, the link I shared specifically shows images captured with the 12-100 F4 Pro Lens.
I had the om5 and thought the AF was average.
@@willgreig8912 I did fashion show/ ramp walks with the EM1 mark2 without issues and even some wildlife. I use an R6II when i need the best but my Olympus system held up amazingly.
To be honest i tested the g9ii and the 10-25 f1.7 and very much felt it could do pro work.
@@obscurelines the g9ii is a workhorse! Is the 10-25 a Leica Panasonic lens?
@Lucidexplore yes. Pairs with a 25-50. I considered 2 bodies and the two lenses and just that as event kit but I still prob want FF in the long run.
It’s a good kit! A separate topic but honestly maybe I’m biased but the color science for that Lumix cameras produce on their natural picture profile is perfection. A little dodge and burn on those SOOC and I’m all set. In comparison I think em1 mark II has decent color science but not as good as the modern Lumix system. When shooting RAW it doesn’t really matter though.
@Lucidexplore yes, I'm usually L mount but they haven't put out a pro body in 5 years and so they've killed themselves in terms of photographers who commited. The kit I do have has poor resale. It's a pain.
Great camera
It’s certainly a hidden gem! Those who’ve owned it know how great it is!
I grew up with olypmus film cameras. Too bad they did not make a full frame mirrorless.
I joined the Olympus/OM system clan very late. It’s just one of those brands I didn’t think about until getting one in my hands. Imagine they made a huge comeback and launched a full frame system, i’d invest!
@ Unfortunately they don’t exist anymore… 🤷♂️
@@romandulce999 they don’t but OM system does. 🤞 hopeing to see some new tech from them.
A FF Oly could destroy most things out there
@@Princeton_James Oly built quality for me is second to none so that with a full frame sensor would be the ultimate camera!
why not going FUlframe ?
I have one 2:44 The EM1MK2 is my secondary camera.
Their nomenclature is utterly confusing for anyone new to the system.
@@Mohika881 I agree and they also have w very convoluted menu system. Otherwise a great system!
amigo me estallo la cabeza cuando abro el instagram y dice q eres de medellin , tienes toda la pinta de ser indio o algo asi jejeje saludos , yo soy de venezuela , tengo mi em1 mark ii y el 12 -40mm 2.8 y el 40-150 f4. 5.6 hace un año y estoy muy contento con esa compra hace un año tuve q decidir si la olympus y su robusto cuerpo o la zve10 me fui por la olympus
Hola Alex! Saludos desde Medellín. Sí, vivo aquí y tengo a la mitad de mi familia en Colombia y la otra mitad en Canadá, por eso hablo ambos idiomas con fluidez. Qué tal todo en Venezuela? Nunca he tenido la oportunidad de visitar, pero siempre he querido ir. He conocido a muchos venezolanos que viven en Colombia y me han hablado de las hermosas ciudades y pueblos costeros que tienen allá.
Por cierto, si, la EM1 Mark II es una cámara increíble. Aquí en Colombia, Sony es muy comercial, así que comprar y vender equipo Olympus es algo complicado, pero las pocas personas que tienen cámaras Olympus forman como una pequeña comunidad de usuarios de cámaras MFT que son súper apasionados, incluso tenemos nuestros propios grupos (WhatsApp, FB etc). Me alegra que estés disfrutando tu Olympus. Yo también tuve Sony, pero siempre me pareció un poco plástico y frágil, como la versión de PlayStation en cámaras jajajaja, aunque aquí donde vivo es la marca más comúnmente usada.
@Lucidexplore todo bien amigo yo vivo en San Cristóbal Táchira frontera con Colombia tengo familia también en Medellín a ver si el otro año me doy una pasada por allá y si igual aquí de hecho debo ser el único en mi estado que usa Olympus aquí se ve cannon principalmente y Sony , en un futuro quisiera una full frame también así complementar mi equipo saludos amigo un abrazo
@@AlexOmana Ahh sí, San Cristóbal Táchira! Muy cerquita de Cúcuta en Colombia, pues la frontera. Para mí, Olympus es una buena combinación con mi Canon R6 Mark II full frame que uso. La full frame la utilizo cuando necesito más rendimiento en poca luz, y la EM1 Mark II la uso más para teleobjetivos y lentes con mucho zoom porque es más compacta para esos rangos en comparación con la full frame. Ambos son una gran combinación para mí. Aquí en Medellín he notado que los usuarios de Olympus y Fujifilm suelen ser parte de la misma comunidad también. Un abrazo y saludos!
False, I've heard of it. I've been an Olympus shooter for over 10 years, I have a big collection of their pro lenses and the latest OM-1ii ;)
Far from false the switch over from Fujifilm is now the real deal for me lol. I just did a product photoshoot with a new macro lens that I acquired for my EM1/MK2 and I-m beyond impressed! Olympus and OM System is the underdog that needs attention right now. Canon may be my main workhorse but this Olympus system now has its own projects!
Micro four thirds not third 😂 Also Fujifilm cannot be compared to Olympus, it's nit as good.
I'll make sure just for you to emphasize the missing 'S' next time.
On that note, which is 'nit' good? 😅 Olympus or Fujifilm?
huh? you bought a camera from 2016?
sorry for sounding a bit like a dick.
Im an events photographer so i need to find the fastest autofocus and biggest buffer camera.
I settled with the Panasonic gh7 because it has an internal fan.
my concern now is that dickheads give me shit for not using full frame and tell me that i should at least get that F1.7 zoom to call myself a professional.
im thinking :"sure more bokeh but im happy to shootf2.8 to get enough depth of field anyways"
and that f1.7 is really heavy
Okay i subscribed to your youtube and instagram and dropped a bunch of likes.
I wish u all the best in your journey. :)
-Jac from malaysia
@@JacReviewsStuff Hi Jac nice to meet you and thank you for showing some support! Just followed you back on Instagram also :)
Compra la Fujifilm X-T5, è migliore
Tiene un problema conocido con el firmware más nuevo. La calidad de construcción también parece de baja calidad. Si vuelvo a Fujifilm, solo será para una cámara supercompacta como xm5 o algo. Ademas tengo R6II tambien que funciona como mi camara principal.