Another one of the James Popsys quotes that will go up on the "Wall of Wisdom": "Image quality has very little correlation with the quality of an image" Right up there together with "Make pictures *about* something, not *of* something" Valid points!
I've been shooting professionally with a full frame system for years. I recently retired and thoughts fill my mind of more travel and more adventures on foot and by bicycle. I've recently explored Micro Four Thirds cameras and, having acquired three and a few lenses, I'm rethinking how I'll be shooting on the go. That I can carry these tiny cameras and lenses not really feel bogged down is a revelation. The image quality is nearly indistinguishable from my big boy cameras and, without an client's art director pixel-peeping at 300%, I'm free to shoot and share my photos with impunity.
Nice! I've got my GH4 in 2023 and fell in love with it. "I'm free to shoot and share my photos with impunity." this (specially if you worked for clients) is pure gold.
These micro four thirds used cameras cost the same as a used full frame camera. I was thinking these would be smaller, lighter and importantly CHEAPER. I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. Bought the Tamron 24-70 f2.8. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me. Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
that's only true if your buyer also has a mental illness for collecting boxes. I used to have this problem of keeping boxes for everything expensive I bought but then one day I looked around in my flat and realized that I looked like a giant tool with product boxes adorning the tops of my kitchen cabinets. I now have a new rule; the box stays in the entry foyer for the 2-3 days that I need to make sure the product is 100% functional. If it is, the box along with all non-essential booklets and accessories are going in the garbage bin where they belong. I feel freed.
@@Uninfluenceable This is true, though when you keep a box you are more likely to sell the item faster as potential buyers perceive that you take care of your stuff better than those without the original box.
@@Uninfluenceable The box does add value to second-hand purchases for most buyers, in my experience. All other things being equal it might even sway a decision. If only as added assurance that it will be better packed for shipping, buyers do often prefer it.
I have tried it several times and bitterly regretted it. The problem: I have enough space in the house and sort out only those boxes whose contents are sold or buried.
I really like Jame's videos. He (unlike some) never takes himself too seriously isn't caught up in having to have the latest and greatest, and genuinely seems like a nice chap with a very funny sense of humor.
The hardest part of photography is finding a unique and fascinating subject that will compel an audience. Second hardest is the light to show said subject at its best. The choice of camera to capture it on is the least difficult aspect of the quest. I reckon people mostly change their camera based on boredom and the pursuit of novelty. Which is fine as long as they don't confuse it with improving their photography.
Borderlands Well, sometimes upgrading CAN be a good thing for your photography... I recently upgraded from Olympus OM-D E-M5 to Olympus OM-D E-M5 mark III, and it has in fact helped my photography... I’ve taken images handheld with poor support with 2 seconds of exposure, and they were pin sharp! There are other benefits as well, of course. I don’t mean that every upgrade is warranted from a quality perspective - but sometimes it is.
It’s incremental technological improvements now plus with the state of the economy it’s best to concentrate on taking photos rather than buying new gear.
Hello James. I just bought the G9. Still learning the little beauty. Sold my Canon 2.8L zooms, my EF teles. Keeping the tilt shift and macros and the 24 1.4. I bought Metabones speedbooster to use them on the G9. But I am mostly using Panasonic and Olympus lenses and loving the kit. I love being able to carry my gear without an assistant to carry half of it. I kept the 1Dx for low light with my few remaining EF primes. The RUclips idiocy about MFT not being good enough is ridiculous. It is the mark of amateurs to claim that MFT is crap because the sensor is too small, but fall over themselves to rave about the Sony ZV1 with its even smaller sensor.
Prior to discovering (and then binge watching) your channel I was looking towards full frame for my next system. I actually convinced my brother to send me an old olympus (he never throws anything away) he sent me an e-m5 mk1 with a 25mm lens to use alongside my dslr. It took a while to get used to the buttons, but now I'm determined that migrating to m43 is the right move for me. It's easy to get carried away with specs that aren't all that important. Actually wanting to carry the camera around is important to me. Keep up the good work, looking forward to the book
I’ve been shooting micro 4/3 for over two years now. That coupled with learning light room has helped this old analog photographer get into the digital age, which serendipitously, has helped my Analog photography. After years of looking around large lenses and cameras, My micro 4/3 set of lenses weighs less than half the weight my old camera set did. But my capability in photography has more than doubled by my estimation. Roll on m43! I mostly shoot Olympus with a sprinkling of Panasonic lenses thrown in. Thanks for the video James!
These micro four thirds used cameras cost the same as a used full frame camera. I was thinking these would be smaller, lighter and importantly CHEAPER. I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. Bought the Tamron 24-70 f2.8. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me. Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
Just wanted to add to the "your videos helped me buy a MFT camera“ comments too. When I first considered an upgrade from my Canon G7XM2, narrowed everything down to the Nikon Z50 and Lumix G95 because of their price range. Your videos helped sway me to the MFT system and I've got to say, for someone with not a lot of cash, the MFT system isn't only light and comprehensive, it's also relatively affordable for newbies. I've been enjoying my G95 since and can see myself sticking with panasonic simply because of their excellent ergos. Thanks James, much love from Malaysia. Stay safe.
James, great summary! Less than year ago, I took a leap of faith ;) by switching from FF to m43. Just sold ALL my FF gear and got m43. Besides all compactness and lightweight I noticed something different. My photography style changed. Amazing In Body IS gave me more freedom without hauling tripod at evenings and letting me shot from various angles vs pre-positioned tripod settings. Extended DOF at same F-Stop compare to FF when I shot landscape is a huge bonus for me. When I need a bokeh - there are plenty super fast primes for m43. In general, I thinks lens selections for m43 is capable to satisfy any requirements. If we take Olympus PRO lines and Panasonic Leica lenses - they are all provide amazing image quality. BTW, I would like to say - Thank you! Because , by producing interesting and non-traditional 'reviews' video which look more like wisdom, personal experience sharing , you are partially responsible for my switch.
James, M4/3 was what got me back into photography (as a hobby) when I'd lost all enthusiasm for it. This was just over 5 years ago and thankfully I'm still enthusiastic about it, partly because as one comment said, the M4/3 community are, by and large a very friendly bunch, but also I have enjoyed experimenting with some of mine and my dad's old SLR lenses on my original GX7 and recently bought GX9, as well as the great lenses designed for M4/3. I've probably said this before, but one of the things I really love about your vids/vlogs is that you just offer great advice based on personal experience and what has worked for you. There's none of this "oh well to be a pro, or to get top pics you need this, and you have to do that, and it must end up looking like this." Simple but good advice, surrounded by humour, which we can take or leave! Top stuff!! Cheers... as always
It’s true! I had never thought about this before but the truth is because m4/3 is more niche or often comes from a different place than professional photograhy but rather passion for gear and performance m4/3 community is so generous with their knowledge… wich tbf in creative fields of often not so common…
After more than 50 years of Canon, Nikon, and others, I moved to the G9 about the same time you did. Best camera I’ve ever had. It does everything I want it to do. Enjoy your vids very much, always entertaining and informative, thanks
I switched to the G9 after the 2019 photography show and watching your channel, it’s given me many hours and some cracking photos, so from me a big thank you, from my wife who I’ve begged to invest in lenses she’d like to hit you with her frying pans that I bought her for Christmas as a thank you. Keep up the good work
After watching this. Went out and bought an omd-em 10 mk2. Best street camera i have ever owned. Tilt up screen touch focus/shutter. NO one sees me. Fantastic picture qhality. Prints 30x40 inch. Panasonic 20mm 1.7. Heaven.
I do keep all my boxes, sometimes it drives my wife crazy. And I’m not a photographer but I definitely agree that the MFT cameras are brilliant, I just bought my second GH5 because it’s so easy to get an amazing image out of it.
You should keep the boxes. Especially electronic device boxes. Wheny ou got tired fo your phone, camera etc and decide to upgrade you can sell the old one for a much better price if you have the original box.
With the exception of medium format, I can’t remember liking the image because it was m43/apsc/full frame. A good image is a good image. You are right on point, majority of the viewers looking at images or RUclips on their small screens.
7:28 Late to the party, but I'd say that a photographer "sees" his camera primarily with his hands, so if the ergonomics are great, that's a good-looking camera by that definition.
I agree! The proof is demonstrated in all those amateur-forums where wannabe prof. photographers dispute about technical subtlenesses which are absolutely irrevelant for the quality of their aesthetically mediocre or even failed images.
@@ericlarsen1721 you talking about VIDEO, for video m4/3 is a great sensor size and used by many videographers, but for photography full frame (and modern Apsc) is the standard for professional photographers: magazine covers, presidential photos, product, architecture, etc
@@aliarenas6856 Who says? Plenty of "professionals have magazine covers shot with m4;3. "Guilio sciorio" (an early m4;3 adopter)built a career on micro four thirds olympus and Lumix. He has an "old"(2013 ish?) (insightful) YT vide on on "shooting for screens" :2013 ish, looking back it was true in all respects ruclips.net/video/RfbPKsZwzC8/видео.html
I’m 70 years old. Years ago I was hired to shoot 2nd camera for a wedding photographer who was very well-known at the time. We were both shooting the latest Nikon digital cameras - the D100. This was, I believe in October or November 2002. These cameras were expensive - $2,000! And they boasted a whopping 6MP sensor and had a frame rate of 3FPS. We made 16X20 prints from the images taken with these cameras. So I chuckle a bit when people talk about “20MP being enough”. How things change
I bought a Lumix G85 before I started watching your channel based on my own criteria. I've used it for about six months now and find it to be a solid, capable camera and great value for cost. As far as boxes go: I'll keep larger, reusable boxes flattened for storage. All packing material goes almost immediately.
Started with Canon, moved to Sony, and in 2016 I picked up a G85. Over 76,000 images later, I still love this camera. It has been the most reliable imaging tool I've ever used and in a variety of situations.
I like m4/3, apsc and full frame. So I think if they can keep innovating m4/3 gear and keep it a decent size smaller then full frame etc then there will always be a market for it. I’m not a professional but just love photography and using a 150-600mm full frame lens on my apsc camera is exhausting on long hikes even when you hike a lot. So I got a m4/3 kit and it was great for those situations. I’m happy with the image quality.
I went from Canon APS-C to a G9 about 2 years ago... Wow! I was in love with the size and weight, the feel and performance... It was wonderful to take 1 second handheld exposures at ISO 400 and for the image to look better than my Canon at ISO 200. Now I have a G85, G9 and a Sony A7rIII (complete with monster 200 - 600 lens) and find myself barely using the G9 - even during daytime shots, there is a fairly big difference in quality when you have fine details present. That said, I still love my G9 and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. So much fun to use and if you do street, attracts much less attention!
Really love how you said "it's a biased review, i completely love this camera". Thumbs up from me for this. On another note, I also keep my boxes, just do a yearly clearing of the oldest ones, min 4 years old.
I probably gonna suprise you but I absolutely love the shutter button! As a pianist for over 20 years and entomologist too I developed great sensitivity in my fingers so I can handle the button pretty well. But most important, when pressing it you apply almost no force to the camera so I ending up with shutter speed about 1/10 and even lower handheld without the need of burst shooting. By applying no pressure to the camera every single shit is still if held without moving. I personal ly believe the shutter button is the greatest win of the camera, as well as the great grip and controllers position!
Well said. I got tired of bulky camera equipment, although it made great images, I was just tired of carrying around a heavy bag. Got the GX8 and then the GX9, no looking back.
I'm using Micro Four Thirds since 2012 for the same reasons as you mentioned (smaller, lighter, quality more than good enough in most circumstances). My system is Olympus OM-D. That's another advantage of MFT: I could use the G9 body - parts of another system - without the need of buying new expensive new glass / bodies. Indeed I'm using a Panasonic LEICA DG SUMMILUX. Another advantage: High quality lenses are cheaper compared to full frame pendants. The other reason to use a larger sensor besides very low light photography is the need of a very shallow depth of field (insane bokeh).
Loving your take on things. Great videos. I'm a M43 convert who just got fed up lugging FF gear about. Just sold my entire Canon FF outfit after being a devotee for more than 40years. Lets hope I don't regret it!
I recently bought an Olympus OMD em10 Makr ii, to be honest, just out of curiosity, but believe me, it has become my favorite camera ever! And I have Sony, Canon, and Nikon cameras. I just can't understand why m43 doesn't have a bigger market share, the cameras are amazing AND the image quality too!
I only came across your channel after converting from SLR to the G7 at Christmas and the thing that delights me more than anything is that you do not get hung up on a bit of kit, rather focussing (sic) on the image quality, results and practical aspects of photography. I have been an amateur for 40 years with modest kit and there is nothing more annoying that people who consistently compare kit and moan about it. Take pictures (and video) and learn! I love it.
"Image quality has very little correlation with the quality of an image". Yes, David Thorpe has said, "Image quality is what you fall back on when the photo is no good".
I agree completely, James! I've been shooting Micro Four Thirds since the Olympus E-P1. Now I own arguably the most attractive camera on the market--the Olympus E-M5 Mk III.
With regards to astrophotography, micro four thirds sensors are some of the most popular ones used in dedicated astro cameras made by ZWO and others. The Sony IMX294 is a fairly popular one-shot colour sensor (same one as the GH5S if I remember correctly), and the ASI 1600 (regular, Pro, and GT) uses the Panasonic MN34230 sensor. Once stacking comes into play, sensor size is nowhere near as important as other factors. But that requires a tracking mount, and a lot more post-processing as you're effectively creating composite images at that point (doubly so if you're using tracking and stacking photos of the milky way, as you'll have to stitch in a non-blurred background afterwards). While we don't get anywhere near as many lovely toys as Canon does for camera control (they've been quite open towards the astrophotography community, so most of their cameras can be tethered to astrophotography software) we do have a huge benefit/perk in our arsenal with that 2x crop factor (compared to full frame) - you can see further into the night sky with the same telescope, which makes smaller, portable telescopes rather feasible for a decent amount of deep sky objects.
Dont forget to mention the cooling aids these cameras have.. the crop factor im astrophotography is not as important if you in the end are not capturing the same photons, magnification is only relevant if the aperture follows..
For what I take, I don't think the Mark III is sufficiently different to the Mark II. However, I can see the attraction to upgrade if the improvements fit your requirements better than mine. The only thing I might possibly find of use is the Starry Sky AF, but as I live in a highly light-polluted area with a propensity for cloudy skies, I'm probably going to miss out a couple of nights a year.
@@alistairmcturk4085 I have the MkII and love it.. I may look at the MkIV in the future but it depends on what it adds.. considering every new camera released also gives us a firmware upgrade
Hi James, you were the final barrier crasher for me. I bought a G9 and I am enjoying it a lot! I like the way you reasoned out why you switched to M43, and I love your humor. Thank you!
I love the light pressure shutter on my G9. I find I get much less camera shake when I shoot hand held. When I watch other people with the usual shutter pressure cameras, I can almost see the facial tension and sliight camera movement downward when they press the shutter. Thank goodness for fast lenses and fast shutter speeds and in body stabilization.
In just the last few years M4/3 has seen great street and travel cameras in the GX9 and E-M5iii, professional grade stills/hybrid cameras in the G9, E-M1X and E-M1iii and pro video cameras in the BMPCC4K, GH5S and Z Cam. Not to mention the glass. Great system.
I rock a GH5 all the time, it’s actually heavier than the G9, but that’s from the cooling system for the sensor so it has unlimited record time at max video quality. LUMIX focuses on features and image quality, not on megapixels. My camera has features that buddies that spent twice as much or more are jealous of, like the in body 5 axis IS that talks to the IS in their lenses, or the auto pan feature that uses the full 4K sensor to shoot a buttery smooth pan in 1080p, then 6k photo mode for live events! It’s hard to beat a LUMIX!
Three gripes with the G9. 1. No Live View Composite like Olympus & the lesser G90, go figure. 2. Can’t rename custom modes 3. For some reason Multi Exposure can’t be put on a button. That’s it... Love it! 😁 Also love the chunky feel. Cheers James, stay sane.
I only recently switched from ultra heavy Nikon gear (aps-c) to the smallest M43 made so far (the GM5; bought it used). I absolutely love being able to walk around and take photos without a heavy bag of stuff. The images are great! I’ll never revert. Full frame is not for me either. Thanks for the great video!
Great video! I love the car analogy of building faster and faster instead of safer/better--brilliant! The obsession with megapixels and now 8K video is pure marketing, and 99% of photographer do not need them.
In 2019 I have invested in M43 equipment (after having been a Nikon user for many years) and couldn't be happier with that investment. First I was looking for a small camera for when I wanted to travel really light. I bought a Lumix LX100 II and when I saw the first pictures coming out of that camera I was really pleasantly surprised. A few months later I decided to invest in Olympus and bought the EM-1 MII with a few Pro lenses. Sorry for Nikon, but that equipment has become my backup equipment since then. I have used the M43 equipment also for concert shoots and it hasn't let me down. Performs really well. And last Saturday (June 20 2020) a first real shoot since the start of the lockdown here in the Netherlands, landscapes with a model, and of course I have used my M43 (Olympus) equipment. Had a blast!
I switched to micro four thirds about a year ago and am loving it. Went to a Moto GP race last year and the guy next to me was shooting a full frame Canon with a giant 600mm lens. He asked about my little lens. His eyes got a little wide when I told him it was 300mm but 600mm equivalent.
I changed to Olympus 4/3 in 2013 from APSC and never looked back. Image quality just as good, IBIS excellent, good fast lenses, smaller & lighter kit. As you say only area is high ISO, but even then if exposed properly and focused well with good lens it can surprise. Thanks for the video in your usual style. Stay safe. Sorry for you in UK you seem to be having a harder time than we are in Australia.
I've been using mft and FF system for years i love my fullframe camera for just 1 reason : lowlight capabilities for shooting at moving object with acceptable noise on the final images. other than that I'd love my olympus mft for the rest 9 reasons . FF 1/10 mft 9/10
For me I couldn’t do micro 4/3 but I did move “down” to a Fujifilm apsc system and a lot of the points still hold up. Never been happier with a system.
Upgraded to a Nikon D5600 crop sensor recently. Love it. Affordable, fits all my existing lenses and easy to handle. Checks all the boxes - EXCEPT weather protection. Agree with all your biases. I share most of them. Great size for my outdoor adventures and my kid's sporting activities. Cheers!
The more I think about it, the more I agree. 8K is driving discussion of the R5 so it's great PR. But unless you're a pro videographer, who the F needs it? Give me the R6.
The only upgrade I could really benefit from is better dynamic range and that's all. I'll probably still shoot in 1080p because it's enough for me and the workflow is so much faster.
What's needed in the full frame mirrorless space in my mind, is smaller slower glass. Whole lineups of f2-2.8 primes that'll actually allow for a pocketable loadout that isn't just the old 40 mill pancake - the bodies are there and perfectly capable for that application, but the glass is far from it still.
@@JohnDrummondPhoto as a 20 year canon shooter, I couldnt agree more. 8k is completely pointless other than being to put that on a box and charging another $500 to ppl who fall for it. But the downside of it is, I want all the other specs that comes with it. So I'm hoping the r6 has 1080/120p or 4k/60 and ibis and I'll be happy.
I recently got GX80. I love it. Mainly two issues: no photos in rain and no vertical photos from the ground (no weather sealing and screen is "only" tilting). And GX8 was bigger and heavier than I'd like. With stabilized pancake zoom it fits nicely into jacket pocket and I have much better low light performance than phones. Nice.
I kept my boxes.When I sold all my Canon gear I got better trade in prices with the box and all the bits and manuals. I switched to an OMD EM1mkII - smaller body and very much smaller and lighter lenses- no regrets whatsoever.
I kind of agree with the megapixels thing, I’d love to see an a7s style full frame from Canon where more effort is put into trying to improve dynamic range and signal to noise ratio while keeping the megapixels moderate around 24 or so. I take a lot of Milky Way landscape pictures but I don’t care much about Hydrogen alpha sensitivity.
I have 2 MFT cameras GH5 and G7 and two full-frame cameras Sony A99 and A850. I wouldn't want to be without any of them. I agree with everything you said. Stay safe!
When you think of the long term prospects of M43, consider what’s going on in smart phones. What if I had a M43 sensor with the same performance per pixel? What if you employed some of the smart phone technologies in M43?
I wish they did stuff like that on MFT actually. Massive oversampling to improve low light performance, possibly AI to "mask" the poor bokeh, as long as it's done well. At that point, the question would rather be, why bother with a bigger camera?
Hey two months in, and I for one love the shutter. My all time favorite shutter is in my venerable 1973 Pentax Spotmatic F. A close second was in my deceased Petri Racer. I just replaced it! They all seem musical. Chris
Well, as a micro 4/3 shooter, I naturally like this kind of vlogs. I still shoot with Olympus OMD EM1. Yes, quite an old one, 16 mp only, and still with some effort I managed to produce sharp 1,5 m long prints. But to be honest, I think resolution is an issue, noise in poor conditions is an issue, and even sharpness in some cases is an issue that is better handled in full frame cameras.
Glad to hear you say a person can be a pro photographer without a full frame camera. I don't have one and seem to be in that discussion more often than necessary.
@@mtbboy1993 I gave up on Sony because the 2.8 lenses are way too heavy to carry all the time, and the menu system sucks. At least the a9 had a few more dials but still, too heavy. I'm 58 years old and a shoot may last 20 hours!
I come from a corporate video background and one of the things that you learn very quickly is how to mix footage taken from different sources (often older sources) and still have a good quality production. I don’t think people realise how much footage they see which is labelled as full HD, 4K or ultra HD where the source was actually much smaller. Because, whatever it says on the box is how the final video was produced, not how it was captured. So, you get these interesting instances of films (for example, the latest Marvel movie) which people go to see in glorious 4K which were actually produced at 2k... all because of budget. Often, the reason behind this is because of special effects. Imagine rendering anything inside a computer as a business. The time it takes the computer to do the work is something you have to charge for. It just cost twice as much to produce something in 4K as it would in 2K. When I started to vlog I actually recorded everything in native 4K. The idea being that, no matter what, I would have the best quality video that I could possibly get. Recently, because I don’t do a lot of zooming into my images, I’ve actually started capturing all of my footage in 1080 p. When I finally render the videos, I save them out as 4K files, but natively the video is 1080p. You can do this because, unlike the change between ST and HD, the pixel ratio between 2K and 4K is 1:1, so you don’t get that weird ghosting affect like you would do when transferring older video. Unless you pixel peep this stuff (and let’s face it, most people don’t when they’re watching a RUclips video) you would never notice the difference. But, there is a real world use for native 4K and 8K capturing, especially in film. What many filmmakers are doing now (especially if they’re on a tight budget) are filming in native 8K and are then able to reframe their shots when they edit the film without losing any quality. Not that important for RUclips, sometimes important when the final image is going to be displayed on a 10 foot canvas.
I moved from the Fuji X system a year ago to the M43 and the Panasonic G9, and haven’t looked back. I love everything about the M43 system. Size, weight and the sheer amount of lenses that can be used!
I absolutely love the way it looks James and I also love the light shutter as you shake less when using long lenses which as a fellow tripod hater it's a good thing!
To anyone who is itching to "upgrade" to FF: You are about to make an expensive and heavy mistake. Listen to someone who did exactly that and save yourselves the pain.
Yep I tried Sony FF because everyone was screaming it over micro four loser but I found my old Olympus EM5 mk1 took better photos, and was 10 times more reliable at getting the shot too!! Never mind my G9.
I think a sony is lighter, or about the same, than this camera. Then is up to what lens you use, you might get to comparable weight if you want to obtain the same dof.
That's simply not true. Yes, FF gets expensive and heavy if you go overkill. But the MFT pro lenses also got heavier and more and more expensive. Personally I love Fuji, since I love the famous Fuji colours and the wonderful bodies/ lenses. Yet the Sony system is the most convenient. You can attach nearly all lenses, thus there is a huge and still growing market for getting new or used lenses on a budget. Plus you can keep it lightweight if you want.
I was a Nikon shooter and went to Olympus. Had a EM1 Mark II and recently upgraded to the Mark III......LOVE the system! I have a few M.Zuiko lenses; 12-40mm, 40-150mm, 60mm Macro and 25mm Pro F1.2. These lenses work for any of my shooting situations.
Not the original poster, but my must-have lens is the 12-35mm f/2.8, and it's my general purpose lens if I know I'll be shooting into the evening or indoors. For daytime/travel when I just want to carry one lens, the 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 is very versatile, but it suffers when the sun goes down. The prime I use the most is the 42.5mm f/1.7. It's great for portraits, animals, and landscapes, but tight for a lot of other indoor use. The 25mm f/1.7 is a great lens, but with the 12-35mm usually on my camera, I don't use it all that often. I have a few other specialty lenses (superzoom, fisheye, macro), but they aren't "must-have."
Yes! Olympus em10 Mkii, then EM1 mkii. Desert backpacking, wilderness canoe trips, water balloon fights with grandkids (completely soaked), macro, and nature photography. My Nikon 750 is lonely, occasionally comes out at night, as you suggested. Really enjoy the channel. Thanks!
It is, no question. It's when you start comparing lenses that things get interesting. Just one example, FWIW - the Sony loses two stops at the long end in this comparison. It also only goes as wide as 28mm, whereas the Lumix goes down to 12mm (24mm equivalent). The Lumix camera is larger and the lens is about the same size. Overall, which would you choose? camerasize.com/compact/#725.626,777.396,ha,t
@@Biosynchro 35mm f/2.8 on m43 is equivalent to 70m f/5.6 on the Sony (same angle of view and physical aperture size). The Lumix is wider, but the Sony is faster at its wide end, so I'd probably choose the Sony for its more compact body.
My G9 changed my life. It was the first camera I actually loved and it redefined what I expected from my cameras. And for those .0001% of times I need a bigger sensor I use my A6400 because APS-C it awesome to.
I expected a bit more points general for MFT instead of another "why i absolutely love my G9" video. Liked it anyway. I love my G9 to the moon :D cheers james.
Shifted from canon to fuji, and idk how, I found the fuji produce much sharper images than my older canons. And honestly I'm loving this camera now because it's lighter and goes in my backpack easily to carry around all day.
I have the Lumix G80 and I love it. I am going for the G9 very soon, lenses I have plenty, maybe not the fastest but they do what I need. I'm not bothered about M4/3 dying, the gear I have will last me for what remains of my life (70 years old and going strong.) Basically owning a m4/3 system revitalised my love of photography and I do not miss the full frame system I sold off.
I'm a hobbyist but I take portraits with my G85/G80 and honestly I'm super happy with them. The Olympus 45 1.8 is just great for the price and renders beautifully, people really shouldn't knock the system for not being able to easily get single eyelash-thin focus.
Have to say I love the light shutter, wish every camera I owned was equipped with the same. Initially I thought it a fault but am convinced it goes a long way in cutting down on camera shake.
Great to see you James, by the way, I too, keep all the boxes my stuff comes in, you just never know do you!! My wife thinks I'm a bit of a nut, but I've had occasion when a box was, well, making selling stuff I no longer needed easier, I think, anyway, I'm not a four thirds user, APSC will do for me, and I've just purchased a Sony R1, cause of the lens on the thing, its clunky to use but the images it gives me are just wonderful, anyway catch ya later, don't get too stir crazy, stay safe.
"It is a completely biased video!" - I think this is exactly why most people who are following you are following you and like to watch your videos. If this makes any sense. (Oh, and because you don't smile very often!). Well, no sheep in this video, but you can't have it all … ;-)
Great video! I came a long way being an Olympus fan for decades. In the digital world I started with the E-500 (43), moved on to the E-30 and entered the M43 world with the E-M1. Recently, I bought an E-1, a 5MP camera from 2003 with a 43 CCD sensor. And I love it! I still have quite a few 'old' (top-end) 43 lenses, that are still very capable on my E-M1 ii. Thank you and stay safe!
I have the G9, love it! I was a Nikon person for over 30 years! Switched to Lumix about 3 years ago. Image quality is wonderful and I’ve really not noticed any issues other than like you mentioned, noise in lower light. But with available software that hasn’t been an issue!
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Does anyone else have more boxes than things?
James Popsys a box store.
I do the exact same! Great video dude 👍
I keep boxes. SomedayI'll sell the gear "in he box". :)
Absolutely - I have a massive old chest that doubles as a coffee table that I store them in!
I also keep boxes for stuff that has cost a lot. Camera, Mac, monitor, tv, etc etc. The loft is basically full of cardboard.
Another one of the James Popsys quotes that will go up on the "Wall of Wisdom":
"Image quality has very little correlation with the quality of an image"
Right up there together with
"Make pictures *about* something, not *of* something"
Valid points!
yup- im not looking for image quality, but a quality image
There was a goof one at the beginning: for photographers who use cameras....
Spot on.
@@rybolov Don't call me out on my cybernetic eyes! xD
Fotomakerij - Bart Burkels I was going to say the same thing, brilliant quote, love it.
I've been shooting professionally with a full frame system for years. I recently retired and thoughts fill my mind of more travel and more adventures on foot and by bicycle. I've recently explored Micro Four Thirds cameras and, having acquired three and a few lenses, I'm rethinking how I'll be shooting on the go. That I can carry these tiny cameras and lenses not really feel bogged down is a revelation. The image quality is nearly indistinguishable from my big boy cameras and, without an client's art director pixel-peeping at 300%, I'm free to shoot and share my photos with impunity.
Thanks for sharing! I just got my first M43 two weeks ago. The tiny lenses are a dream.
Nice! I've got my GH4 in 2023 and fell in love with it. "I'm free to shoot and share my photos with impunity." this (specially if you worked for clients) is pure gold.
These micro four thirds used cameras cost the same as a used full frame camera. I was thinking these would be smaller, lighter and importantly CHEAPER.
I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. Bought the Tamron 24-70 f2.8. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me.
Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
A set of _three_ micro 4/3 cameras is heavier than a DSLR though.
@@Elisha_the_bald_headed_prophet Who brings 3 sets of m4/3 though?
Keeping boxes for expensive items is a good idea, helps retain value in case you decide to sell.
that's only true if your buyer also has a mental illness for collecting boxes. I used to have this problem of keeping boxes for everything expensive I bought but then one day I looked around in my flat and realized that I looked like a giant tool with product boxes adorning the tops of my kitchen cabinets. I now have a new rule; the box stays in the entry foyer for the 2-3 days that I need to make sure the product is 100% functional. If it is, the box along with all non-essential booklets and accessories are going in the garbage bin where they belong. I feel freed.
@@Uninfluenceable This is true, though when you keep a box you are more likely to sell the item faster as potential buyers perceive that you take care of your stuff better than those without the original box.
@@Uninfluenceable The box does add value to second-hand purchases for most buyers, in my experience. All other things being equal it might even sway a decision. If only as added assurance that it will be better packed for shipping, buyers do often prefer it.
In some countries you can only return a product if it is contained in the original box, in case it is faulty and you want a refund.
I have tried it several times and bitterly regretted it. The problem: I have enough space in the house and sort out only those boxes whose contents are sold or buried.
I really like Jame's videos. He (unlike some) never takes himself too seriously isn't caught up in having to have the latest and greatest, and genuinely seems like a nice chap with a very funny sense of humor.
He's OK for not being a Geordie........
The hardest part of photography is finding a unique and fascinating subject that will compel an audience. Second hardest is the light to show said subject at its best. The choice of camera to capture it on is the least difficult aspect of the quest.
I reckon people mostly change their camera based on boredom and the pursuit of novelty. Which is fine as long as they don't confuse it with improving their photography.
Well said :)
Borderlands Well, sometimes upgrading CAN be a good thing for your photography... I recently upgraded from Olympus OM-D E-M5 to Olympus OM-D E-M5 mark III, and it has in fact helped my photography... I’ve taken images handheld with poor support with 2 seconds of exposure, and they were pin sharp! There are other benefits as well, of course. I don’t mean that every upgrade is warranted from a quality perspective - but sometimes it is.
I think you're probably right on the money. Cheers.
It’s incremental technological improvements now plus with the state of the economy it’s best to concentrate on taking photos rather than buying new gear.
Or if ur a certain dad, u just buy and sell cameras to do reviews and dont even know how to take pictures or edit them 🤣
Hello James. I just bought the G9. Still learning the little beauty. Sold my Canon 2.8L zooms, my EF teles. Keeping the tilt shift and macros and the 24 1.4. I bought Metabones speedbooster to use them on the G9. But I am mostly using Panasonic and Olympus lenses and loving the kit. I love being able to carry my gear without an assistant to carry half of it. I kept the 1Dx for low light with my few remaining EF primes. The RUclips idiocy about MFT not being good enough is ridiculous. It is the mark of amateurs to claim that MFT is crap because the sensor is too small, but fall over themselves to rave about the Sony ZV1 with its even smaller sensor.
Prior to discovering (and then binge watching) your channel I was looking towards full frame for my next system. I actually convinced my brother to send me an old olympus (he never throws anything away) he sent me an e-m5 mk1 with a 25mm lens to use alongside my dslr. It took a while to get used to the buttons, but now I'm determined that migrating to m43 is the right move for me. It's easy to get carried away with specs that aren't all that important. Actually wanting to carry the camera around is important to me.
Keep up the good work, looking forward to the book
I’ve been shooting micro 4/3 for over two years now. That coupled with learning light room has helped this old analog photographer get into the digital age, which serendipitously, has helped my Analog photography. After years of looking around large lenses and cameras, My micro 4/3 set of lenses weighs less than half the weight my old camera set did. But my capability in photography has more than doubled by my estimation. Roll on m43! I mostly shoot Olympus with a sprinkling of Panasonic lenses thrown in. Thanks for the video James!
These micro four thirds used cameras cost the same as a used full frame camera. I was thinking these would be smaller, lighter and importantly CHEAPER.
I wanted to learn photography. So I got a used Sony A7s2. Then lens I got with it was damaged. I thought buying a zoom lens would help me practice diversely with different focal lengths. Bought the Tamron 24-70 f2.8. The thing is I don't keep my camera with me. I should have got a fixed focal length lens (which would have also been smaller) and a smaller camera so that I can keep this handy with me always. I need to practice more and more. The setup I have currently I just don't carry with me.
Keeping in mind I want to click pictures in low light during evening and night after office, please share some suggestions for a body and lens to have with me everyday.
Just wanted to add to the "your videos helped me buy a MFT camera“ comments too. When I first considered an upgrade from my Canon G7XM2, narrowed everything down to the Nikon Z50 and Lumix G95 because of their price range. Your videos helped sway me to the MFT system and I've got to say, for someone with not a lot of cash, the MFT system isn't only light and comprehensive, it's also relatively affordable for newbies. I've been enjoying my G95 since and can see myself sticking with panasonic simply because of their excellent ergos. Thanks James, much love from Malaysia. Stay safe.
James, great summary! Less than year ago, I took a leap of faith ;) by switching from FF to m43. Just sold ALL my FF gear and got m43. Besides all compactness and lightweight I noticed something different. My photography style changed. Amazing In Body IS gave me more freedom without hauling tripod at evenings and letting me shot from various angles vs pre-positioned tripod settings. Extended DOF at same F-Stop compare to FF when I shot landscape is a huge bonus for me. When I need a bokeh - there are plenty super fast primes for m43. In general, I thinks lens selections for m43 is capable to satisfy any requirements. If we take Olympus PRO lines and Panasonic Leica lenses - they are all provide amazing image quality.
BTW, I would like to say - Thank you! Because , by producing interesting and non-traditional 'reviews' video which look more like wisdom, personal experience sharing , you are partially responsible for my switch.
Great to hear! Thanks Mike :)
James, M4/3 was what got me back into photography (as a hobby) when I'd lost all enthusiasm for it. This was just over 5 years ago and thankfully I'm still enthusiastic about it, partly because as one comment said, the M4/3 community are, by and large a very friendly bunch, but also I have enjoyed experimenting with some of mine and my dad's old SLR lenses on my original GX7 and recently bought GX9, as well as the great lenses designed for M4/3. I've probably said this before, but one of the things I really love about your vids/vlogs is that you just offer great advice based on personal experience and what has worked for you. There's none of this "oh well to be a pro, or to get top pics you need this, and you have to do that, and it must end up looking like this." Simple but good advice, surrounded by humour, which we can take or leave! Top stuff!! Cheers... as always
It’s true! I had never thought about this before but the truth is because m4/3 is more niche or often comes from a different place than professional photograhy but rather passion for gear and performance m4/3 community is so generous with their knowledge… wich tbf in creative fields of often not so common…
After more than 50 years of Canon, Nikon, and others, I moved to the G9 about the same time you did. Best camera I’ve ever had. It does everything I want it to do.
Enjoy your vids very much, always entertaining and informative, thanks
I switched to the G9 after the 2019 photography show and watching your channel, it’s given me many hours and some cracking photos, so from me a big thank you, from my wife who I’ve begged to invest in lenses she’d like to hit you with her frying pans that I bought her for Christmas as a thank you. Keep up the good work
After watching this. Went out and bought an omd-em 10 mk2. Best street camera i have ever owned. Tilt up screen touch focus/shutter. NO one sees me. Fantastic picture qhality. Prints 30x40 inch. Panasonic 20mm 1.7. Heaven.
I do keep all my boxes, sometimes it drives my wife crazy. And I’m not a photographer but I definitely agree that the MFT cameras are brilliant, I just bought my second GH5 because it’s so easy to get an amazing image out of it.
Hey mister Gary.
It helps they're dirt cheap these days too. A lot of camera for the money.
@@peterlemke3468 Not dirt cheap.
You should keep the boxes. Especially electronic device boxes. Wheny ou got tired fo your phone, camera etc and decide to upgrade you can sell the old one for a much better price if you have the original box.
This has to be one of the most sensible photography videos on RUclips.
With the exception of medium format, I can’t remember liking the image because it was m43/apsc/full frame. A good image is a good image.
You are right on point, majority of the viewers looking at images or RUclips on their small screens.
7:28 Late to the party, but I'd say that a photographer "sees" his camera primarily with his hands, so if the ergonomics are great, that's a good-looking camera by that definition.
When selling the equipment on having the original box gives you more credibility and it generally shows you look after things so good practise.
The only folks asking if MFT is "professional" are non-professionals.
Right, ENG cameras have even smaller sensors.
@@lmcoolk12 Good point. Add to that the fact that 90% of RUclips videos are shot on MFT. The top channels are making millions.
I agree! The proof is demonstrated in all those amateur-forums where wannabe prof. photographers dispute about technical subtlenesses which are absolutely irrevelant for the quality of their aesthetically mediocre or even failed images.
@@ericlarsen1721 you talking about VIDEO, for video m4/3 is a great sensor size and used by many videographers, but for photography full frame (and modern Apsc) is the standard for professional photographers: magazine covers, presidential photos, product, architecture, etc
@@aliarenas6856 Who says? Plenty of "professionals have magazine covers shot with m4;3. "Guilio sciorio" (an early m4;3 adopter)built a career on micro four thirds olympus and Lumix. He has an "old"(2013 ish?) (insightful) YT vide on on "shooting for screens" :2013 ish, looking back it was true in all respects ruclips.net/video/RfbPKsZwzC8/видео.html
I’m 70 years old. Years ago I was hired to shoot 2nd camera for a wedding photographer who was very well-known at the time. We were both shooting the latest Nikon digital cameras - the D100. This was, I believe in October or November 2002. These cameras were expensive - $2,000! And they boasted a whopping 6MP sensor and had a frame rate of 3FPS. We made 16X20 prints from the images taken with these cameras. So I chuckle a bit when people talk about “20MP being enough”. How things change
I bought a Lumix G85 before I started watching your channel based on my own criteria.
I've used it for about six months now and find it to be a solid, capable camera and great value for cost.
As far as boxes go: I'll keep larger, reusable boxes flattened for storage. All packing material goes almost immediately.
I love my G9. A while ago I sold it and went full frame mirrorless but have changed back to my G9 and don’t regret it at all.
ralph1307 I did the exact same thing.
Started with Canon, moved to Sony, and in 2016 I picked up a G85. Over 76,000 images later, I still love this camera. It has been the most reliable imaging tool I've ever used and in a variety of situations.
Same here. I started with Canon, Sony, Pentax and bought a Panasonic G85 with an Olympus Lens and i am loving the imaging coming from it.
I like m4/3, apsc and full frame. So I think if they can keep innovating m4/3 gear and keep it a decent size smaller then full frame etc then there will always be a market for it. I’m not a professional but just love photography and using a 150-600mm full frame lens on my apsc camera is exhausting on long hikes even when you hike a lot. So I got a m4/3 kit and it was great for those situations. I’m happy with the image quality.
I love my G9. The 4k 60fps is just so lovely and smooth. Amazing. And the pics are beautiful as well with good lens.
I went from Canon APS-C to a G9 about 2 years ago... Wow! I was in love with the size and weight, the feel and performance... It was wonderful to take 1 second handheld exposures at ISO 400 and for the image to look better than my Canon at ISO 200. Now I have a G85, G9 and a Sony A7rIII (complete with monster 200 - 600 lens) and find myself barely using the G9 - even during daytime shots, there is a fairly big difference in quality when you have fine details present.
That said, I still love my G9 and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. So much fun to use and if you do street, attracts much less attention!
Really love how you said "it's a biased review, i completely love this camera". Thumbs up from me for this.
On another note, I also keep my boxes, just do a yearly clearing of the oldest ones, min 4 years old.
You are the reason for buying a M4/3 system and Im more than happy with my decision!!
Same!!
Same here g95 been eyeing the g9
I probably gonna suprise you but I absolutely love the shutter button! As a pianist for over 20 years and entomologist too I developed great sensitivity in my fingers so I can handle the button pretty well. But most important, when pressing it you apply almost no force to the camera so I ending up with shutter speed about 1/10 and even lower handheld without the need of burst shooting. By applying no pressure to the camera every single shit is still if held without moving. I personal ly believe the shutter button is the greatest win of the camera, as well as the great grip and controllers position!
Well said. I got tired of bulky camera equipment, although it made great images, I was just tired of carrying around a heavy bag. Got the GX8 and then the GX9, no looking back.
I'm using Micro Four Thirds since 2012 for the same reasons as you mentioned (smaller, lighter, quality more than good enough in most circumstances). My system is Olympus OM-D. That's another advantage of MFT: I could use the G9 body - parts of another system - without the need of buying new expensive new glass / bodies. Indeed I'm using a Panasonic LEICA DG SUMMILUX. Another advantage: High quality lenses are cheaper compared to full frame pendants.
The other reason to use a larger sensor besides very low light photography is the need of a very shallow depth of field (insane bokeh).
Loving your take on things. Great videos. I'm a M43 convert who just got fed up lugging FF gear about. Just sold my entire Canon FF outfit after being a devotee for more than 40years. Lets hope I don't regret it!
I recently bought an Olympus OMD em10 Makr ii, to be honest, just out of curiosity, but believe me, it has become my favorite camera ever! And I have Sony, Canon, and Nikon cameras. I just can't understand why m43 doesn't have a bigger market share, the cameras are amazing AND the image quality too!
because culture says bigger numbers is better
I only came across your channel after converting from SLR to the G7 at Christmas and the thing that delights me more than anything is that you do not get hung up on a bit of kit, rather focussing (sic) on the image quality, results and practical aspects of photography. I have been an amateur for 40 years with modest kit and there is nothing more annoying that people who consistently compare kit and moan about it. Take pictures (and video) and learn! I love it.
"Image quality has very little correlation with the quality of an image". Yes, David Thorpe has said, "Image quality is what you fall back on when the photo is no good".
Best comment about photography ever!
I agree completely, James! I've been shooting Micro Four Thirds since the Olympus E-P1. Now I own arguably the most attractive camera on the market--the Olympus E-M5 Mk III.
With regards to astrophotography, micro four thirds sensors are some of the most popular ones used in dedicated astro cameras made by ZWO and others. The Sony IMX294 is a fairly popular one-shot colour sensor (same one as the GH5S if I remember correctly), and the ASI 1600 (regular, Pro, and GT) uses the Panasonic MN34230 sensor. Once stacking comes into play, sensor size is nowhere near as important as other factors. But that requires a tracking mount, and a lot more post-processing as you're effectively creating composite images at that point (doubly so if you're using tracking and stacking photos of the milky way, as you'll have to stitch in a non-blurred background afterwards).
While we don't get anywhere near as many lovely toys as Canon does for camera control (they've been quite open towards the astrophotography community, so most of their cameras can be tethered to astrophotography software) we do have a huge benefit/perk in our arsenal with that 2x crop factor (compared to full frame) - you can see further into the night sky with the same telescope, which makes smaller, portable telescopes rather feasible for a decent amount of deep sky objects.
Dont forget to mention the cooling aids these cameras have.. the crop factor im astrophotography is not as important if you in the end are not capturing the same photons, magnification is only relevant if the aperture follows..
Been an Olympus user for 3 years and love every minute. Agree with everything you say.... (I love how my camera looks!)
When all this is over I’ve decided to celebrate by upgrading to an Olympus EM1mark III.
Me too!....
Unless..... the Olympus EM1 Mark IV is out by then............ LOL
For what I take, I don't think the Mark III is sufficiently different to the Mark II. However, I can see the attraction to upgrade if the improvements fit your requirements better than mine. The only thing I might possibly find of use is the Starry Sky AF, but as I live in a highly light-polluted area with a propensity for cloudy skies, I'm probably going to miss out a couple of nights a year.
@@alistairmcturk4085 I have the MkII and love it.. I may look at the MkIV in the future but it depends on what it adds.. considering every new camera released also gives us a firmware upgrade
My dream, too!
Hi James, you were the final barrier crasher for me. I bought a G9 and I am enjoying it a lot! I like the way you reasoned out why you switched to M43, and I love your humor. Thank you!
I love the light pressure shutter on my G9. I find I get much less camera shake when I shoot hand held. When I watch other people with the usual shutter pressure cameras, I can almost see the facial tension and sliight camera movement downward when they press the shutter. Thank goodness for fast lenses and fast shutter speeds and in body stabilization.
I've had the G9 for just about two months and I haven't even scratched the surface of understanding the depth of its capabilities. Just astonishing.
In just the last few years M4/3 has seen great street and travel cameras in the GX9 and E-M5iii, professional grade stills/hybrid cameras in the G9, E-M1X and E-M1iii and pro video cameras in the BMPCC4K, GH5S and Z Cam. Not to mention the glass. Great system.
I love this kind of review. Everything is not just high specs , popularity, and/or equipment.
I rock a GH5 all the time, it’s actually heavier than the G9, but that’s from the cooling system for the sensor so it has unlimited record time at max video quality. LUMIX focuses on features and image quality, not on megapixels. My camera has features that buddies that spent twice as much or more are jealous of, like the in body 5 axis IS that talks to the IS in their lenses, or the auto pan feature that uses the full 4K sensor to shoot a buttery smooth pan in 1080p, then 6k photo mode for live events! It’s hard to beat a LUMIX!
Three gripes with the G9. 1. No Live View Composite like Olympus & the lesser G90, go figure. 2. Can’t rename custom modes 3. For some reason Multi Exposure can’t be put on a button. That’s it... Love it! 😁 Also love the chunky feel. Cheers James, stay sane.
I only recently switched from ultra heavy Nikon gear (aps-c) to the smallest M43 made so far (the GM5; bought it used). I absolutely love being able to walk around and take photos without a heavy bag of stuff. The images are great! I’ll never revert. Full frame is not for me either. Thanks for the great video!
I love the light shutter. Once you get used to it, of course.
Still new to the photo scene so I'll be sticking with APS-C for the time being, but it's good to hear that it's not all about full frame!
Great video! I love the car analogy of building faster and faster instead of safer/better--brilliant! The obsession with megapixels and now 8K video is pure marketing, and 99% of photographer do not need them.
In 2019 I have invested in M43 equipment (after having been a Nikon user for many years) and couldn't be happier with that investment. First I was looking for a small camera for when I wanted to travel really light. I bought a Lumix LX100 II and when I saw the first pictures coming out of that camera I was really pleasantly surprised. A few months later I decided to invest in Olympus and bought the EM-1 MII with a few Pro lenses. Sorry for Nikon, but that equipment has become my backup equipment since then. I have used the M43 equipment also for concert shoots and it hasn't let me down. Performs really well. And last Saturday (June 20 2020) a first real shoot since the start of the lockdown here in the Netherlands, landscapes with a model, and of course I have used my M43 (Olympus) equipment. Had a blast!
M4/3 will never die...... it’s probably the best size system out there. I do quite a bit of astrophotography with the Laowa 7.5mm f2 and it’s awesome!
I switched to micro four thirds about a year ago and am loving it. Went to a Moto GP race last year and the guy next to me was shooting a full frame Canon with a giant 600mm lens. He asked about my little lens. His eyes got a little wide when I told him it was 300mm but 600mm equivalent.
I changed to Olympus 4/3 in 2013 from APSC and never looked back. Image quality just as good, IBIS excellent, good fast lenses, smaller & lighter kit. As you say only area is high ISO, but even then if exposed properly and focused well with good lens it can surprise. Thanks for the video in your usual style. Stay safe. Sorry for you in UK you seem to be having a harder time than we are in Australia.
I've been using mft and FF system for years
i love my fullframe camera for just 1 reason : lowlight capabilities for shooting at moving object with acceptable noise on the final images.
other than that I'd love my olympus mft for the rest 9 reasons
.
FF 1/10
mft 9/10
My favorite camera. Its future proof. At it's most recent sale price this is a no brainers in 2020. Love this camera.
I recently decided to use 2 systems: Full frame for weddings and events and 4/3ds for everything else work and fun 🤘🏼
For me I couldn’t do micro 4/3 but I did move “down” to a Fujifilm apsc system and a lot of the points still hold up. Never been happier with a system.
APS-C is the happy spot.
Bro I keep boxes for everything it just drives the resell value up haha
Bro
rudy?? Wouldn't expect to see you here!
unsubbed
Upgraded to a Nikon D5600 crop sensor recently. Love it. Affordable, fits all my existing lenses and easy to handle. Checks all the boxes - EXCEPT weather protection. Agree with all your biases. I share most of them. Great size for my outdoor adventures and my kid's sporting activities. Cheers!
That's exactly why I'm looking forward to the Canon R6 it has 20MP and I think that's perfect. And It's going to be quite a lot cheaper than the R5.
The more I think about it, the more I agree. 8K is driving discussion of the R5 so it's great PR. But unless you're a pro videographer, who the F needs it? Give me the R6.
The only upgrade I could really benefit from is better dynamic range and that's all. I'll probably still shoot in 1080p because it's enough for me and the workflow is so much faster.
What's needed in the full frame mirrorless space in my mind, is smaller slower glass. Whole lineups of f2-2.8 primes that'll actually allow for a pocketable loadout that isn't just the old 40 mill pancake - the bodies are there and perfectly capable for that application, but the glass is far from it still.
@@JohnDrummondPhoto as a 20 year canon shooter, I couldnt agree more. 8k is completely pointless other than being to put that on a box and charging another $500 to ppl who fall for it. But the downside of it is, I want all the other specs that comes with it. So I'm hoping the r6 has 1080/120p or 4k/60 and ibis and I'll be happy.
@@JennyDarukat I think they purposely do that so they get you hooked and make u want to buy that full frame body and lenses that cost 3x as much.
I recently got GX80. I love it. Mainly two issues: no photos in rain and no vertical photos from the ground (no weather sealing and screen is "only" tilting). And GX8 was bigger and heavier than I'd like.
With stabilized pancake zoom it fits nicely into jacket pocket and I have much better low light performance than phones. Nice.
Always keep the boxes as well - where else can I store the tiny USB cable and manual otherwise.
Haha, good point!
I kept my boxes.When I sold all my Canon gear I got better trade in prices with the box and all the bits and manuals. I switched to an OMD EM1mkII - smaller body and very much smaller and lighter lenses- no regrets whatsoever.
I seem to have another problem as I keep the foreign power cords too. You never know when you’ll need 4 American versions.
@@rogman27 and much smaller boxes to store too lol
that last dance comment is true, I actually amazed with how the pictures is quite seamless between the now and then using different cam
I kind of agree with the megapixels thing, I’d love to see an a7s style full frame from Canon where more effort is put into trying to improve dynamic range and signal to noise ratio while keeping the megapixels moderate around 24 or so. I take a lot of Milky Way landscape pictures but I don’t care much about Hydrogen alpha sensitivity.
I have 2 MFT cameras GH5 and G7 and two full-frame cameras Sony A99 and A850. I wouldn't want to be without any of them. I agree with everything you said. Stay safe!
When you think of the long term prospects of M43, consider what’s going on in smart phones. What if I had a M43 sensor with the same performance per pixel? What if you employed some of the smart phone technologies in M43?
I wish they did stuff like that on MFT actually. Massive oversampling to improve low light performance, possibly AI to "mask" the poor bokeh, as long as it's done well.
At that point, the question would rather be, why bother with a bigger camera?
I agree with all you said about m4/3. I have a Olympus OMD EM1 Mark II and love it!
M43 images are usually better quality than most people realize. At least up to ISO 3200.
Hey two months in, and I for one love the shutter.
My all time favorite shutter is in my venerable 1973 Pentax Spotmatic F. A close second was in my deceased
Petri Racer. I just replaced it!
They all seem musical.
Chris
Well, as a micro 4/3 shooter, I naturally like this kind of vlogs. I still shoot with Olympus OMD EM1. Yes, quite an old one, 16 mp only, and still with some effort I managed to produce sharp 1,5 m long prints. But to be honest, I think resolution is an issue, noise in poor conditions is an issue, and even sharpness in some cases is an issue that is better handled in full frame cameras.
You should try the newer 4/3 cameras with the 20mpx sensor. Big difference.
Glad to hear you say a person can be a pro photographer without a full frame camera. I don't have one and seem to be in that discussion more often than necessary.
I've given up on Sony altogether. I'm waiting for the G9 successor.
Why did you give up on Sony I am curious, I am currently researching potential contenders for new camera. So I want to know the good and bad.
For photos Sony is pretty good, for video only the new one is good
I couldn't tolerate Sony's poor menu system & it's lack of integrated flip out touchscreen. My G9 is easy & fun to use.
@@mtbboy1993 I gave up on Sony because the 2.8 lenses are way too heavy to carry all the time, and the menu system sucks. At least the a9 had a few more dials but still, too heavy. I'm 58 years old and a shoot may last 20 hours!
Will there be a G9 successor?
I just love your emphasis on the looks of the camera.
I come from a corporate video background and one of the things that you learn very quickly is how to mix footage taken from different sources (often older sources) and still have a good quality production.
I don’t think people realise how much footage they see which is labelled as full HD, 4K or ultra HD where the source was actually much smaller.
Because, whatever it says on the box is how the final video was produced, not how it was captured.
So, you get these interesting instances of films (for example, the latest Marvel movie) which people go to see in glorious 4K which were actually produced at 2k... all because of budget.
Often, the reason behind this is because of special effects. Imagine rendering anything inside a computer as a business. The time it takes the computer to do the work is something you have to charge for. It just cost twice as much to produce something in 4K as it would in 2K.
When I started to vlog I actually recorded everything in native 4K. The idea being that, no matter what, I would have the best quality video that I could possibly get.
Recently, because I don’t do a lot of zooming into my images, I’ve actually started capturing all of my footage in 1080 p. When I finally render the videos, I save them out as 4K files, but natively the video is 1080p.
You can do this because, unlike the change between ST and HD, the pixel ratio between 2K and 4K is 1:1, so you don’t get that weird ghosting affect like you would do when transferring older video.
Unless you pixel peep this stuff (and let’s face it, most people don’t when they’re watching a RUclips video) you would never notice the difference.
But, there is a real world use for native 4K and 8K capturing, especially in film.
What many filmmakers are doing now (especially if they’re on a tight budget) are filming in native 8K and are then able to reframe their shots when they edit the film without losing any quality.
Not that important for RUclips, sometimes important when the final image is going to be displayed on a 10 foot canvas.
Steve Mellor Photo Vlogger Thank you for sharing this!
Also... I am somewhat starved of conversation as well 😂
I moved from the Fuji X system a year ago to the M43 and the Panasonic G9, and haven’t looked back. I love everything about the M43 system. Size, weight and the sheer amount of lenses that can be used!
I absolutely love the way it looks James and I also love the light shutter as you shake less when using long lenses which as a fellow tripod hater it's a good thing!
I switched from Canon to the Olympus OMD EM1 Mark III just before the lockdown. It’s been good during this time to learn it and I use it every day.
To anyone who is itching to "upgrade" to FF: You are about to make an expensive and heavy mistake. Listen to someone who did exactly that and save yourselves the pain.
Yep I tried Sony FF because everyone was screaming it over micro four loser but I found my old Olympus EM5 mk1 took better photos, and was 10 times more reliable at getting the shot too!! Never mind my G9.
Full frame sure is nice.. but also a whole lot of back and shoulder pain, often commitment to taking a backpack, and a lot less photos taken.
Well sometimes FF is the way to go. For example pro sports or journalism get alot easier with a 1dx or d6.
I think a sony is lighter, or about the same, than this camera. Then is up to what lens you use, you might get to comparable weight if you want to obtain the same dof.
That's simply not true. Yes, FF gets expensive and heavy if you go overkill. But the MFT pro lenses also got heavier and more and more expensive. Personally I love Fuji, since I love the famous Fuji colours and the wonderful bodies/ lenses. Yet the Sony system is the most convenient. You can attach nearly all lenses, thus there is a huge and still growing market for getting new or used lenses on a budget. Plus you can keep it lightweight if you want.
I was a Nikon shooter and went to Olympus. Had a EM1 Mark II and recently upgraded to the Mark III......LOVE the system! I have a few M.Zuiko lenses; 12-40mm, 40-150mm, 60mm Macro and 25mm Pro F1.2. These lenses work for any of my shooting situations.
I've been shooting on a GH5 for two years now. Can you please recommend me some must-have lenses.
Not the original poster, but my must-have lens is the 12-35mm f/2.8, and it's my general purpose lens if I know I'll be shooting into the evening or indoors. For daytime/travel when I just want to carry one lens, the 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 is very versatile, but it suffers when the sun goes down. The prime I use the most is the 42.5mm f/1.7. It's great for portraits, animals, and landscapes, but tight for a lot of other indoor use. The 25mm f/1.7 is a great lens, but with the 12-35mm usually on my camera, I don't use it all that often. I have a few other specialty lenses (superzoom, fisheye, macro), but they aren't "must-have."
Yes! Olympus em10 Mkii, then EM1 mkii. Desert backpacking, wilderness canoe trips, water balloon fights with grandkids (completely soaked), macro, and nature photography. My Nikon 750 is lonely, occasionally comes out at night, as you suggested. Really enjoy the channel. Thanks!
That looks roughly the same size a full frame Sony a7iii and larger than the Sony a6400.
It is, no question. It's when you start comparing lenses that things get interesting. Just one example, FWIW - the Sony loses two stops at the long end in this comparison. It also only goes as wide as 28mm, whereas the Lumix goes down to 12mm (24mm equivalent). The Lumix camera is larger and the lens is about the same size. Overall, which would you choose?
camerasize.com/compact/#725.626,777.396,ha,t
until you fit pro lens
@@Biosynchro 35mm f/2.8 on m43 is equivalent to 70m f/5.6 on the Sony (same angle of view and physical aperture size). The Lumix is wider, but the Sony is faster at its wide end, so I'd probably choose the Sony for its more compact body.
My G9 changed my life. It was the first camera I actually loved and it redefined what I expected from my cameras. And for those .0001% of times I need a bigger sensor I use my A6400 because APS-C it awesome to.
I expected a bit more points general for MFT instead of another "why i absolutely love my G9" video. Liked it anyway. I love my G9 to the moon :D cheers james.
Shifted from canon to fuji, and idk how, I found the fuji produce much sharper images than my older canons. And honestly I'm loving this camera now because it's lighter and goes in my backpack easily to carry around all day.
I'm STILL making love with my GH5. Literal. Love. Making.
😂😂
This sounds so wrong...
I have the Lumix G80 and I love it. I am going for the G9 very soon, lenses I have plenty, maybe not the fastest but they do what I need. I'm not bothered about M4/3 dying, the gear I have will last me for what remains of my life (70 years old and going strong.) Basically owning a m4/3 system revitalised my love of photography and I do not miss the full frame system I sold off.
Really enjoyed this James, know of anyone doing portrait work in the GH5?
I use a G9 for portraits having swapped from Canon 2years ago. Love it
I’m doing portrait work with my G85. I use my Olympus 75mm 1.8 lens with it, and the results are always stunning.
I'm a hobbyist but I take portraits with my G85/G80 and honestly I'm super happy with them. The Olympus 45 1.8 is just great for the price and renders beautifully, people really shouldn't knock the system for not being able to easily get single eyelash-thin focus.
I do
Have to say I love the light shutter, wish every camera I owned was equipped with the same. Initially I thought it a fault but am convinced it goes a long way in cutting down on camera shake.
Great to see you James, by the way, I too, keep all the boxes my stuff comes in, you just never know do you!! My wife thinks I'm a bit of a nut, but I've had occasion when a box was, well, making selling stuff I no longer needed easier, I think, anyway, I'm not a four thirds user, APSC will do for me, and I've just purchased a Sony R1, cause of the lens on the thing, its clunky to use but the images it gives me are just wonderful, anyway catch ya later, don't get too stir crazy, stay safe.
Good discussion. I've been on M43 for 5 years now with Olympus equipment. I used Olympus OM film cameras back in the late 70's-90's and loved them.
"It is a completely biased video!" - I think this is exactly why most people who are following you are following you and like to watch your videos. If this makes any sense. (Oh, and because you don't smile very often!). Well, no sheep in this video, but you can't have it all … ;-)
I was waiting for the sheep. Imagine my disappointment.
Great video! I came a long way being an Olympus fan for decades. In the digital world I started with the E-500 (43), moved on to the E-30 and entered the M43 world with the E-M1. Recently, I bought an E-1, a 5MP camera from 2003 with a 43 CCD sensor. And I love it! I still have quite a few 'old' (top-end) 43 lenses, that are still very capable on my E-M1 ii.
Thank you and stay safe!
My boxes are all hidden in the loft for safety, my own safety that is. They are evidence of how much expensive stuff I have bought 😬
I have a full frame mirrorless and a mft camera but I find myself grabbing my
mft kit about 98% of the time I just love it.
Well if looks dont matter guess you haven't shot with a Fuji😎
Justin Hobbs, you’re right, Fuji’s are pretty ugly.
I have the G9, love it! I was a Nikon person for over 30 years! Switched to Lumix about 3 years ago. Image quality is wonderful and I’ve really not noticed any issues other than like you mentioned, noise in lower light. But with available software that hasn’t been an issue!