My Nikon DSLR Setup and OM System MFT Kit Compared - Capabilities, Size, Weight and Price

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

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[@tonyboyd6434]

I'm an OM1 user and came across your channel by chance, I'm pleased I did! I really enjoy your presentation style, clear and precise. Thank you, Thomas.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you Tony and welcome to the channel - I will follow with in detail videos regarding the OM-1 as there is a lot to talk about Thanks for the nice comment and your support of the channel!

[@FierceSleepingDog]

Just got into Olympus. I have a D500 and a D850 (both bought used with low shutter counts) and lots of quality glass that I acquired over 15 years. I bought a used E-M1 iii and a used Pen F recently with the 17 f1.8 and the 12-40 f2.8. Liberation!!!!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

The D500 / 850 are sure two of the best cameras money can buy, still. But MFT gear, just as you've said: it is liberation & excellent image quality. Thanks for sharing!

[@cmartin_ok]

Very interesting and very well explained. I started off with Nikon for digital SLRs (APS-C or DX not full frame) in 2006 and then "diversified" with an Olympus E-PL1 in 2010 which got me hooked on Micro Four-thirds. As you say, out-of-camera JPEGs from Olympus/OM-DS are amazing and rarely need any post-processing but then, I'm only an amateur !

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Many thanks for the feedback and for sharing your personal experiences - very valuable!

[@gregm6894]

A very well done and objective comparison of these two systems. I recently retired from pro work, but have been a dedicated m4/3's shooter in more recent years -- primarily due to mostly shooting corporate conferences/events. I found the quality to totally acceptable for my clients and I found that at the end of long days running around large conference centers, I was not completely worn out and was ready to go the next morning. It made my conference shooting fun, rather than physical drudgery. I currently shoot with an Olympus E-M1x which is the best camera I've ever owned --- it is solid, smooth, and produces excellent output. That said, the OM-1 is way up on my list to acquire -- especially as I shoot a lot more birds and wildlife now and the focusing is on another level with that camera. A few lenses you should really check out are the Panasonic 35-100mm f2/8, or the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8, and also the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 -- that little 45mm only weighs 116 grams, and is razor sharp. Thanks for your professional input -- I always chuckle when I hear people suggest that m4/3's is not for 'professionals'. :-)

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

In hindsight, I somewhat regret that I did not get the E-M1X back then - it would have made many jobs more comfortable than my two DSLRs. It is extremely valuable to get this detailed input from a fellow professional photographer - yes, MFT is very capable and there are very good pro cameras available. I still think the E-M1X is one of those. The handling of this body is just so good. Thank you very much for your in-depth comment and welcome to the channel

[@TL-xw6fh]

Ah the 45/1.8 is a fabulous portrait lens and so small!

[@azjoe_6310]

I can only imagine how good the E-m1x is as I love my E-M1mkii (coming from FF). Reading your evaluation is such a contrast to "Fro' Knows Photo's review of your camera. It was a joke.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

I've had the E-M1II, it is an excellent professional camera. If you can't get the job done with it, it is your fault, not the camera's.

[@TL-xw6fh]

I fully concur with your comments about how good the OM-1 is. Unfortunately, there are too many FF users on YT who love to hate MFT cameras, especially if it has Olympus or aoM System name. I use both a Nikon D750 and an Olympus Om-5ii and I know and understand what you mean here.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much, @TL. Could not agree more! I am strictly against this "you got to love one or the other" mentality - also, I find it quite sad that one has to trash talk equipment of others. This is incompatible with photography and creating a positive community in general. By the way, I've also purchased a M5II recently, I always wanted to work with this camera and got a great deal on one. It is also a very capable video camera, I'd say.

[@yukonchris]

I just happened upon your channel and this video. I was impressed with the fair and carefully considered evaluation of both systems. It is refreshing to see a KZbin presenter discuss the merits and drawbacks to different cameras without any sort of chauvinistic bias. Well done! As someone who owns both Olympus and Canon systems, your comments reflected my own observations. Thank you.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much, Christopher! This means a lot and I'm glad that you appreciate my views and style. Welcome to the channel and hope to hear from you again!

[@LarryFasnacht]

I’ve had the D850 for a long time. I’ve also been in the Olympus system for quite a few years. I have the OM-1 now. I’d say your evaluation mirror’s my own, but you didn’t go into long lenses. I have the Nikon 200-500, and the Olympus 300 f/4. The longer lenses really highlight the differences that you point out in your videos.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Yes, Larry - I totally agree! My work rarely need me to use such long lenses, so I'm glad that you added that. I'd be interested, which one of these camera systems do you pick up most frequently? Thanks for the comment, Larry!

[@LarryFasnacht]

@@ThomasEisl.Photography Right now it’s the OM-1. I’m having a lot of fun taking photos of birds in flight. I use the ProCapture mode on the OM-1. I still love my Nikon but I do use the OM-1 more often.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Yes, same happened for me - I'm still loving my Nikon gear, but the OM-1 is really a lot of fun and very capable! Thanks for sharing this

[@ebreckpo6563]

Thank you for sharing your experiences between 2 different camera systems.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Most welcome and thank you very much for watching and commenting!

[@craigb8379]

Another very interesting video, Thomas. I've only come across your channel recently, but I am really enjoying your structured, clear presentations and strong technical knowhow.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you so much. Welcome to the channel Craig, glad to have you!

[@petertreen2660]

Thanks for a balanced and considered video. I have had both Nikon and Canon systems but now being elderly and retired the size, weight and portability of MFT is all important and is more relevant than pixel peeping to the average non-professional photographer.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you Peter! Even when pixel peeping and working as a pro, you should be good with MFT - especially when picking the OM-1. I've done another video on in-camera image processing, and the OM-1 is really special in delivering great "perceivable image quality", it really punches above its weight. Thank you for the comment and welcome to the channel.

[@i-klaus]

Yes! I'm the D500/OM-D E-M1 guy.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Nice combo! Both fantastic cameras 👍👌

[@davebellamy4867]

Another superbly presented video and very fair to both systems I think.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Many thanks - your feedback is much appreciated!

[@lensman5762]

I too have the D800, D7200, Canon 5D MKII and Olympus EM1 MKII. I got the olympus a couple of years ago because I do alot of landscape photography in and around the NW of England. It is a hilly place and difficult to roam around specially in the winter. I am on the wrong side of the 60 now, and I just wanted a light, portable and capable camera. The EM1 has not let me down. Yes, it doesn't come close to the resolution and dynamic range of either the D800 or D7200, although it is not far behind Canon 5D MKII, but where it scores is in portability and that superb IBIS, which means I don't have to carry the tripod all the time. The 12~40 F2.8 Pro for my EM1 is superb, BTW.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much for sharing that - no matter how "old" we are, portability is very important. And just like you, I value that M43 packs a serious punch in a very small and light package. This is so rewarding and also frees up a lot of "energy".

[@chrispatmore8944]

The two main reasons I switched to Olympus M4/3 from Canon 35mm DSLR were for lighter, smaller gear and to go mirrorless. But the clincher was the price. I was initially going to go with the Canon R6, but that meant still using the bigger, heavier lenses even if they were my existing fast primes and zooms, using an adapter. The new RF lenses were even bigger and very expensive. After buying a used Olympus EM-1 with f/1.8 primes I was pretty much sold on the M4/3 system. Although the OM-1 was very tempting, it was still expensive and in short supply at the time. So I got a new EM-1ii at a reduced cost, with the 12-40 f/2.8, plus some more primes (not the pro versions as they are very big compared with the f/1.8 ones). All that cost me less than the R6 body would have alone. I feel right at home with the Olympus gear, more than I ever did with using Canon for a decade, and, as you say about image perception, I could barely see any difference between the image quality on screen or in print. The other advantages you didn't mention with the OM-1 is memory. SD cards are quite cheap compared with Compact Flash, which you need on the Nikon if shooting in burst mode, and 20MP files take up a lot less space than 36 MP files when it comes to backing up too. There's also the IBIS in the OM-1 which, depending on what you shoot, helps you keep the ISO rating down. I did think that price comparison was slightly unfair, because the Nikon is a decade old, which is not a slight on its technology, but if you are buying one used for the first time you don't know how long it will last, even knowing the shutter activations. You also don't get the same (if any) warranty that you do with the OM-1, which is three years as standard, and Olympus/OM System's customer service is generally excellent. If you are buying for professional work, these are all important things to consider. Lenses are a much safer buy used, as it's generally easier to spot any optical problems, but mechanical/electronic issues less so. In the end, the most important consideration is, is it the right tool for the job? And the important factors to consider are: how comfortable the camera feels in your hands and to use; and can you really afford what you are buying, especially if you're not making a living from it?

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Very good points, thank you very much for taking the time to share them. I agree, the price comparison is not completely fair. DSLRs are great value, though! In future videos, I went into greater detail regarding the many powerful features of the OM-1 - such a great tool. Best wishes and thanks again for the comment.

[@al_in_philly5832]

This was an excellent comparison of these two fine cameras, highlighting their various strengths and weaknesses (though the latter are few). I think you'd love the OM-1 coupled to the Pan/Leica 42.5mm f/1.2. There is something about the image quality that lens produces which is hard to describe. Good luck with the KZbin channel!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much for your kind comment - I agree, the weaknesses are negligible indeed. I am very tempted to get the PanaLeica, as soon as my budget permits. 90mm is a very nice focal length for portraits... Thanks for the support, Al!

[@tom5216]

I moved to Olympus years ago. The 45 and 25mm f1.2 and 75mm f1.8 give great sharpness and beautiful bokeh. The 40-150 f2,8 zoom covers a huge range with great image quality and the 7-14mm f2.8 zoom is incredible. Lighter, cheaper and great images. What’s not to like?

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Again, can't agree more! Did you ever try adapting FourThirds glass? It is also totally worth it - the results are amazing. I'll talk about that very soon. Thanks for your comments, I very much appreciate your valuable contributions!

[@tom5216]

@@ThomasEisl.Photography Thanks for the reply Thomas. It’s very late at night but I’ll get back to you soon with a bit of history. Loving your channel. Great in depth insight. Respect!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much!

[@TITAOSTEIN]

Wonderful video as usual! I’m also a Nikon and OM Photographer and Videographer. But recently I’m using the OM1 90% of the time, but almost never in low light. For videos I’m in love with the Voigtländer Nokton f0.95 ( 10.5, 17, 25 and 42.5mm) and I’m pretending to buy the 29mm f0.8 (the fastest and unbelievable good MFT Lens ever made). For stills I love to work with the Olympus f1.2 Trio. Also fantastic are the Sigma 30 and 56mm f1.4 and the Leica Duo 10-25 and 25-50mm f1.7!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much for sharing your setup and your experiences. I think it is great to have more systems to choose from, but I also use my OM-1 a lot recently. I'd even say almost exclusively. The 0.8 - well, in case you get it I would love to hear what you think about it. It probably won't beat your 1.2 trio in terms of raw IQ, but it is also quite a bit faster. Thanks for all those recommendations, my bank account won't appreciate, though haha Also, thank you for your exceptionally kind words!

[@TITAOSTEIN]

@@ThomasEisl.Photography I found this video about the Voigtländer 29mm very interesting kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6LIYYuHpptpeKc And here, a lob to Aaron Arizpe! He produces Wonderful images.

[@paulleonardsmith7861]

Good reviews. I'm a life long Nikon user , but dabbled in Olympus over the last 40 years . I'm now using both , each having a very different roll to play . I find they compliment each other. All the best .

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you!

[@BronzeHarbour]

I am nikon shooter, and am always looking at the MFT system, not sure exactly why. I wonder if I should have a second Nikon body or just do like you did, 1 nikon system, for photos and MFT for both video + second body.

[@JBHaber]

A good comparison, but only scratches the surface. Photogs should understand their own requirements before choosing. For example, as an OM user, I love the unparalleled features such as ProCap for shooting birds in flight, Live Comp for long exposure night shots and built-in ND filters for long exposure daytime images. These are only a few of the features allowing for some great creative photography.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

I agree - the OM has many more very practical features to offer! That's why I've followed up with many videos on this great camera 📸

[@adamdagosto570]

At 11:25 you talked about focusing and recomposing and how that relates to not having to crop using the OM-1. I don't follow you here. Why would the AF system on the OM-1 make it less likely for me to need to crop more or as much as I would with the Nikon in post? Btw...I have an OM-1 and a D810, so I can test anything you suggest. I'm asking because I find that I crop in a lot on all my photos and that's a real bonus with high MP cameras. So if you can teach me a way to NOT need to do that on the OM-1, please TEACH!!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thanks for asking! I personally love to shoot close ups and details - due to the AF points and focus-recompose being not very precise, I end up standing further back and crop in post with a DSLR. With the OM-1, I can place the AF points everywhere in the frame - that is why I do not have to crop so much in my work with the OM-1. If possible, cropping should be avoided as much as possible, as you will always enlarge lens defects and reduce acceptable sharp focus, even with higher MP cameras. Hope this helped! Thanks again!

[@philallsopp42]

I just purchased the OM-1 and have been putting it through its paces with the 12-40mm lens it came with. I’m very pleased with the results! I just processed a hand-held panorama using Adobe Lightbox and the result is pretty good…I have two other 4/3 Olympus lenses from the old Olympus E-510…. Really appreciate your reviews and insights! Although my wife and I live in Arizona (work), we were married in Vienna as was our son 4 years ago. The city is a very special place for us.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

That is great to hear, Philip! With the adapter, the 43 lenses should perform adequately on the OM-1. Maybe it is worth considering if you have higher end lenses from the 43 system you want to continue using. So nice to read that you have this very special connection to Vienna - let me know in case you are around for an OM System meetup ☺️

[@duhaalhashimi9191]

fabulous video. i had once the 810 did not like it because of the bulky build and so much noise even at iso 500. sold it and got the z50 not a great cam but worked well with the 200-500 mm , i do mostly bird shots. on the other had never had issues with any olympus body. , used quite a few. not Om1 still. guess i have to consider it. thanks again.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

A smaller sensor camera and a longer lens is a good idea for birding - and the Z50 is a very sensible choice! I have only tried it once for a very short period, but I liked the feeling and handling quite a bit - very familiar for a Nikon user like me. Given the AF performance and subject recognition modes in the OM-1 combined with the compactness of M43 telephoto lenses, the OM-1 is indeed a compelling choice for wildlife. I'm quite sure that it won't disappoint you. In my future videos, I'll talk about the AF system of the OM-1 in detail, that might help to determine whether the camera is to your liking. Thanks for the comment and watching! Much appreciated.

[@alantuttphotography]

Nice to hear your thoughts on this. I bought a D800 in 2013 and loved it. When I started being asked to shoot video, I found the video quality to be more than adequate, although I never could get it to focus on a moving subject and track it. I also found that ISO 6400 included a lot of color noise. In 2021, after a couple of years of research, and needing a more video-centric camera, I bought into MFT (Lumix GH5M2) and found the MFT camera to outperform my D800 in every way except resolution. AF was more accurate, colors were better at higher ISOs, and video AF tracking worked well enough for the things I do. Didn't take long for me to sell the D800 and go all-in with MFT.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Ah, that is so interesting to read as you are coming from the same camera - namely the D800. Regarding the color noise - yes, the D800 files are truly "raw" while the MFT files are usually pretty usable right away, depending on the image processing software. Having tried the G9, I was also quite satisfied with its tracking function in regular shooting scenarios (did not try extreme stuff back then). Regarding AF accuracy: Contrast detect AF in mirrorless cameras is superior in terms of accuracy - no phase detection system can give you this. In an upcoming video I'll talk about that in detail. Thank you very much for sharing that and taking the time to comment!

[@Bakin]

Excellent video: I am weight and volume of kit sensitive and because of that I prefer the OM1 kit but that is a personal choice as both camera kits as you point out are excellent choices.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

To be honest, I'm also using the lightweight OM-1 kit a lot. It is just very convenient and "agile" to use. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and your nice comment!

[@thinkingape7655]

I agree, full-frame DSLR is the path of least resistance. Affordable and great results. As an event photographer, hobbyist and owner of OM, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm systems, the biggest downside on MFT is DOF and light amplification limitations. When doing outside events such as, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, etc, OM is fantastic and my preferred system. However, indoor events or portrait shoots, it must be full-frame or no Pay. Clients expect a certain look and they usually prefer subject isolation photos. Stages are usually crowded and poorly lit. Having a Actual f/1.2-1.8 makes a huge difference. Mirrorless full-frame is the best of both worlds.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts - very much appreciated! I actually use the OM-1 for indoor jobs, I would not hesitate to do so. The results where always convincing - for me and the client (most important). The limitations are often in our heads . Thanks again, great contribution!

[@jojom1984]

Mine is quite similar to yours. I’ve been using an Olympus Pen-F for the past year mainly for street photography, I love shooting black & white with it using the Mono 2 profile. I have a 45/1.8 on it all the time which is light and compact, very sharp lens. If I need something wider, I bring along a Fuji X100 original which has a fixed 35mm equivalent lens. I thought about adding a 17mm lens but I don’t like swapping lenses while shooting and the X100 is more than adequate. One thing I don’t like with the Olympus system is the menu system, it’s way too complex and disorganized. A week or so ago, I purchased a Nikon DF since I like the manual controls and dials like my old film camera. It has a lot of advanced features but it gives me the flexibility to set-up it for more manual shooting experience. Being able to set the aperture, shutter speed and ISO without going to the menu is so liberating. The 16mp files from the D4 sensor has fantastic colors, tones and rendering with the Zeiss Planar 50/1.4 lens that I have on it. I wish Nikon will release a mirrorless version of it with a full-frame sensor in the future.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much for sharing your setups! The Df is a great camera - one you should definitely hold on to. I had one as well, sold it, now I regret it 😭

[@tonigenes5816]

Interesting&usefull comparison. Try DXO Lab6 (DeepPrimeXD) to remove noise from raw. The result is so good that ISO value you use in the camera will become less relevant. You can get clean ISO-6400 files.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thanks for the great tip - I will sure try it, many have been recommending it as a game changer. Thank you very much Toni!

[@BenNieuwsgierig]

Bedankt

[@BenNieuwsgierig]

Thank you for your nice comparison! I had a D800E for years, mostly combined with the 24-70 f/2.8G. Great combination, but I have traded it in for a Z7-ii with the Z24-70 f/2.8. This is a remarkable combination. Focus is always spot on and that Z-lens is incredibly sharp, while still offering a pleasant rendering. The colors from that Z7-ii camera and the bandwith it can manage are unbelievable. And the collapsible 14-30mm is amazingly good optically and very small and light weight. But that big FF sensor also has a shallow depth of field. Very nice in a lot of cases, but less nice for shooting macro. So about a month ago I bought an OM-1, like yours, with the same standard zoom. Very good! So I also bought the Olympus 60mm macro. That is really a very usefull improvement in the DOF department compared to the FF Nikon Z 105mm macro. No (or at least less) need for focus stacking for a lot of pictures. So I started to buy some other lenses like the 17mm f/1.2, a joy to use! And the PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron is a very special portrait lens. And some more lenses for wide angle and strong tele (so small and light), so I can start trying to shoot some birds. I love this M43 kit! The image quality is absolutely wonderful and certainly enough for most jobs. But I would never get rid of my FF Nikon. One is not better than the other in an absolute way. They complement each other. And I am very lucky to be able to choose the right camera(system) for the right job.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you for your comment and detailing your camera system selection - I can totally relate to that and I am also convinced that both systems complement each other perfectly!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much for the super thanks as well, did not see that at first glance - your support is much appreciated!

[@minorrhoads5318]

Your presentation is excellent and accurate advice for any one starting out on what to choose when considering the pros and cons of each system . i have and still enjoy GH5 and G9 and yes my fave lens when space allows , is the Olympus f 1.8 , 75mm and also the 16mm sigma 1.4 when there's less space which has great auto focus in video very smooth transitions especially with the adjustable focus speed in GH5 settings . cheers , and subscribed today .

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Ah great, the GH5 and G9 are true legends - I've worked with the G9 a few years ago, a fantastic stills camera. I definitely take a look at the sigma, thank for sharing that and thank you very much for subscribing & your much appreciated, kind words! Cheers

[@minorrhoads5318]

Thank you , .. and i may well take a look at the OM1 as its lighter than GH6 cheers .

[@Swaggerlot]

You must include size/weight/portability as part of the criteria. If those aspects matter for you the OM is way ahead.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

True!

[@Analogbrain]

Interesting comparison and video, Thomas! For me the situation is a bit different. I prefer film, but due to cost and practicallity, I shoot digital quite a lot. I really prefer optical viewfinders, hence the motivation for me to use mirrorless cameras, is that I can adapt almost any lens to them. Therefore I used a Fujifilm x-e2, but since vintage glass is made for full frame, I felt that I was cropping out parts of the image, hence I bought the Sony A7r. So I mostly use that and a Canon 5d mark ii for digital.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

I would love to shoot most of my work on film, but unfortunately it is not feasible - I feel your pain :-) Adapting FF lenses to crop bodies can be very annoying, the Sony A7R makes more sense in this regard. Using a Canon 5DII is just awesome, it is such a great DSLR. I also would not sell my D800 - as I use vintage F-mount glass on it a lot and my main film body (Nikon F6) has the same mount. Thanks for your continued support of the channel and your comment, always a pleasure!

[@Bigfarmer8]

Thanks for this nice and positive video Thomas. I really like that you value your DSLR and don't think it is a write off as so many people do. Personally I shoot mostly Olympus cameras (both film and MFT) and I totally agree on your comments on the 75mm f1.8. It is probably my least used lens but also my most favorite lens. Whenever I take it out for a shoot I come home with something special.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much for the nice comment! Yes, the 75mm is the "lens to own" for MFT shooters. Also, the front element is just so gorgeous, right? Great design by Olympus and excellent optical quality. On a sidenote, I also worked a lot with Oly film cameras, great optics and overall pleasant product design 😍

[@_krakra_]

Thomas why not 20mm 1.4 and rather 15mm panasonic? Thx

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Oh, I prefer a wider angle - that's the only reason!

[@Someonecalledluiz]

As someone who started photography with mirrorless already, I'm completely astonished by the sheer size of Nikon glass. I'm okay with the shortcomings of my apsc kit if it means I can carry a small lens and body.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Yes, I've started with mirrorless as well - high-end full frame lenses are really big in the DSLR and mirrorless world. I agree - size does matter and the difference in image quality does not always justify breaking your back! Thanks for the comment, Luiz!

[@WayneLeary]

Good work!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you Wayne!

[@grantrobertdavies]

Great Video Thomas - I had the 12 to 40mm f2.8 for years :) Great lens … Cool video, very interesting stuff :)

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Yes, the 12-40 is really a masterpiece. Thanks for the comment and support - much appreciated!

[@grantrobertdavies]

@@ThomasEisl.Photography I wish I never sold mine :) I might Look at getting the mkii if I get an OM1 in 2023 :)

[@fernanddurler4709]

Thomas…how would you rate the Pentax K1 mark 2. 36mp. It has great reviews and not as bulky as the Nikon kit..with apparently superb image quality ?

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Hey Fernand! So, the Pentax K-1II is a superb camera. It offers many features that the Nikon D800 does not have (IBIS for example) and in the IQ department, it slightly bests the D800. I myself have been considering the K-1II as well for many reasons. There are just two things to keep in mind - if you need the absolute best AF performance, you should pick the Nikon. Also, you should take lenses into account as well - both systems have their very unique lenses and it is a matter of taste which one you prefer. In any case, I'd like to emphasize that the Pentax is definitely awesome, I've tried the K-1 I in the past and it was really good. No matter which one of those systems you pick, you will get a lot of camera!

[@fernanddurler4709]

Hi Thomas…yes I’m still toen and tormented with too much over analysis..fully agree Nikon AF tops Pentax and I think Pentax is designed and or geared more around landscape and shots requiring less fast action. I would likely choose it for longer exposures and architectural work. Also its built in star tracker is impressive ! My main concern too is Pentax maintenance/parts in UK. Newer pro lenses are more limited than Nikon for full frame too? The KP is a little beast to consider too, with its quirky looks, full of programmable features , however now out of production. Apparently punches way above its weight as do many apsc Pentax models.

[@fernanddurler4709]

@@ThomasEisl.Photography 😀sorry for the spelling I meant ‘torn’ and tormented. Your feedback is most encouraging many thanks.. Pentax Spotmatic was my first childhood camera so Im still ‘connected’ to that experience as too with my little Olympus trip 35. Point and shoot, which had great optics.

[@80Hugoc]

I like the convenience of the m43 very much, I own a Panasonic GX80, and multiple Nikon cameras, D300, D3, D800 etc. Techincally the m43 is very capable but the images do no seem to have the same depth&"weight" of the Nikon cameras. For video the m43 system seems expectional, but for photography there is something missing.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thanks for sharing your take!

[@zaharib]

Another great video Thomas!!! 🥰 An extremely comprehensive evaluation ☺️ I would imagine for other types of photographers the integration with a smartphone and Oly’s app for transfer and geo-location would be extremely valuable!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much for watching and the nice comment! Yes, the smartphone functionality really makes sense. In a future video, I'll share some inspiration regarding in-camera RAW processing and PC-less workflow. I myself definitely want to utilize the app and the connectivity more in the future. Thanks for your continued support!

[@howardrollinson3819]

Hello Thomas can I just ask a question with regards to sensor size Can you please think about this IE: if a full frame sensor is 36mm x24 mm and a micro four-thirds sensor is 17mm x12mm then if Olympus or Panasonic made a sensor with four micro four-thirds sensors it would be IE: if 16mp it is then 64 mp or 20mp it is then 80mp and the same size .I had a Nikon D800 which was 36mp full frame and had to sell because a never used it for 2 and a half years then 1 year later purchased an Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIs and have just purchased a Olympus OM-D E-M1 I know that these cameras are five years difference but some of the photos I have taken are very nice so I will see if the em1 is as good as the em10 mark 3 kind regards

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Hey Howard! Thanks for the comment - if I got you correctly: You would prefer a MFT camera with more MP? If so, I can really recommend using the high-res mode!

[@howardrollinson3819]

@@ThomasEisl.Photography Hello no it was just that I was thinking about the new Panasonic LUMIX S 5 full frame that if they could make a full frame sensor that is made up of IE: four mfts sensors of say 20mps the sensor would have a 80mps because if you think about it the mfts sensor is one fourth the size of full frame

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Hey! Yes, that would be possible!

[@eelco6587]

Nice comparison! I have the excellent Sigma 56mm 1.4. for my OM-1. I really like it and it is very sharp wide open. This prime lens would complement the Nikkor 105mm better in terms of field of view. It is also more useful for most portraiture than the 75mm 1.8. The 75mm is one of the toughest lenses to use for my photography 😅. Somehow it is too narrow for portraiture and too wide for wildlife.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Yes, the Sigma would be more "equivalent". Be that as it may, the 75 is such a special lens, although it is though to work with as you've mentioned. The extra reach can come in handy during fashion shows and during weddings, where 150mm seems to be just perfect. When using the 105, I often found myself to crop in in post. I'm afraid you just successfully tempted me to try the 56 Sigma haha 😆 Thanks for the comment and sharing your experiences!

[@waynetuckson7909]

I too like the Sigma 56mm f1.4, especially on the OM-1. It does a great job shooting high school school sports where, at least here in the states, the gymnasiums are not well lit.

[@azjoe_6310]

I didn't watch for any reason but curiosity regarding your take on it. I went from Canon FF and crop to Oly m43 because for my typical shooting and needs it made more sense. I like and respect your approach and honesty--some KZbinrs are not like that. I re-watched a video by a Nikon "afro-fanboy" yesterday where he reviewed the E-M1X and he was extremely brutal. You, I feel are very fair.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much for this very kind comment, I appreciate that you consider my approach as respectful - that is very important to me. M43 is a great system, even older cameras are capable of delivering professional results today. I'm actually looking into getting an E-M1X to try it, I've only handled it during a preview event back in the day. Thanks again for your feedback!

[@azjoe_6310]

@@ThomasEisl.Photography Interesting twist in the story: You are from Vienna and I initially became interested in M43 when I was at a camera store in Vienna in 2019 looking for lens cleaner for my full frame and I saw a display for Olympus. Keep up the great work!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Haha, that is a cool twist!

[@RyougiVector]

Thanks for sharing your experiences shooting professionally. In what circumstances do you use the Nikkor 105mm or M.Zuiko 75mm, and how different do the focal lengths feel when covering the same subject or scene? I do wish OM Systems released a fast 14mm prime, seeing as the 20mm f/1.4 exists. Hopefully, a 14mm f/1.4 is in our future. Within the Perceived Image Quality section, I found the comparison of convenience of processing between smartphones and the Olympus/OM System JPEG engine to be interesting, as it does highlight just how much less work you have to do in post. And while I haven't tried RAWs/JPEGs from the D800, I agree that the Olympus JPEGs are great, and happen to be hard for me to mimic in post. The Oly RAWs are also very good, if only slightly different from the JPEGs, and I'd imagine the same would apply to OM Systems' bodies. Regarding availability of OM System hardware, what's their presence among photographers like in Austria? At my local wildlife sanctuary, Canon/Nikon/Sony bodies are rather common among birders, and I often see Sony bodies for portraiture and graduation photos at the local uni.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Regarding the 75 and 105, this is a very interesting topic. In reportage scenarios, I use these focal lengths to get "intimate close-ups" of certain moments which provide a nice contrast to the wide angle shots. Also, sometimes I can't get close enough (e.g. during runway shows) - then, having this focal length available can be true life saver. For portraits in general, the 105E is much more convenient, as 150mm in FF is really long. However, the Zuiko is truly a superb lens, so I just step back a bit and I'm ready to get the same shot as I would have with the 105E. A 14mm 1.4 PRO from OM would be really great, I agree. I think I'll do a future video on how this "direct delivery" workflow can also be utilized in casual photography scenarios, giving the photographer more time to take pictures rather than sitting in front of the PC editing. Regarding the OM System usage in Austria, the picture is quite similar. Back in photo art school, two other colleagues had the E-M1, at the fashion shows I mostly see Canon stuff, mixed with a bit of Sony and Nikon. Studio photographers seem to be more in the Nikon camp, for which reason whatsoever. There is a lot of Panasonic MFT in the on-location videography scene, and actually quite some wildlife photogs and street photogs in Austria seem to use OM / Olympus kits. There are a few other professionals I know of who work exclusively with Olympus, including studio work. Many casual travel photographers seem to use M43 gear. So it is pretty mixed, and hard to make a definitive assessment. There is quite a dedicated MFT / OM community in Austria. There was also a regular Olympus-hosted photo event in the inner city and the brand has a good reputation among Austrian photographers - however, Canon, Sony and Nikon are dominant in general. Thank you very much for your comment and input! I much appreciate your continued support!

[@Magneira]

The best bang for the buck is in APS-C realm, like Fujifilm. There is a lot of used bodies and lenses, because even though they don't sell as well as Canon, they sell way more than OM Systems. I live in South America, where everything electronic is expensive, and I was able to put a Fujifilm kit with good price compared to any full frame dlsrs, making and MFT kit would be impossible.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@kevinridley8883]

Good video, but like for like you could have used 2 EM 1 mk iii's at excellent for £749 each at MPB & saved about £1900 on 2 bodies :)

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Yes, true!

[@PhilippeOrlando]

Thanks, very interesting. Now, why not buy a Z5, ever used, over a used D800? That way you get the advantage of a big sensor with the advantages of mirrorless!

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

The Nikon Z5 is a compelling option - however, I personally don't want to get rid of DSLRs - I like the overall price-performance ratio as well as the user experience.

[@hewertscott6473]

dose the om-1 get hot or over heart

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Up to now, I have not had any issues, especially when using a battery grip (for more info, see my video on image noise performance of the OM-1)

[@furiousdoe7779]

Can you imagine when you use long tele lenses ..the weight will be unbeareable when walking with the old Nikon series.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Absolutely - with long tele lenses, the size and weight advantage of MFT is even more significant! I was quite surprised to find out that even with these moderate focal lengths it is significant.

[@antoineveling2650]

This comment is not aimed at you or your channel Thomas which I enjoy watching and learning from very much. Its a general observation of many YiouTube and website posts - this channel just happened to be the last I watched as I mulled over this… I just feel there must be something inherently lacking with the M4T system that it requires (what seems to me) endless justification of its worth and talking up its benefits compared to other systems. I just wonder if this ‘talk/noise’ ends up seeding some doubt in the minds of potential M4T customers and drives them to buy other seemingly less risky systems. What do you think? (I am a photo enthusiast using a range of gear chosing what I feel like using on the morning of a shoot session. I own lots of Olympus gear, mixed with Nikons, Leicas plus a Ricoh & Sony for good measure. I’m a gear junkie I’m sorry to say...)

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

I completely agree, Antoine! It is very interesting, historically, to go back and research camera reviews from the early 2000s. There was a point at which the perception of what was considered as a big sensor/small sensor changed. And it happened just because bigger sensors had become available. It is quite strange. I try to address some misconceptions on the channel here, trying to avoid justifications as much as possible, as I completely agree - they do more harm than good. And there is no need for them. They were a great sales tool in the past, pushing people to buy gear that actually does not fit their needs at all. And as you've said - what is the "safe Format"? It is certainly not small format aka full frame. Anyone who has shot medium format digital knows that this sensor size can also be bested by size, right 😆 Thanks for the thoughtful contribution - did I get your point?

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Thank you very much for your kind words, glad that you enjoy the videos!

[@BobK58]

Pentax is clearly the winner.

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

I would love to try a Pentax, really! Maybe I can feature them on the channel in the future - K1 or 645Z would be awesome 😎

[@MarcusBritish]

Nice. I would like to try an MFT oneday. Curious why you don't have any Canon cameras, have you simply never tried them or are you not fond of them for some reason?

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Really, it is pure coincidence. Somehow, I never had a Canon. Only for a short period, a colleague lent me a 5DIII when my stuff was being serviced. Great camera, liked it - nothing to complain. I appreciate that you as a Canon guy still keep up with my OM and Nikon content haha. In the future, I'll talk about budget MFT camera options. Maybe these options will lure you down the M43 rabbit hole haha Thanks for your comment and continued support, Marcus!

[@MarcusBritish]

@@ThomasEisl.Photography I'd really like to try a Sony Alpha or Lumix, perhaps, I think they have MFT cameras?

[@ThomasEisl.Photography]

Only LUMIX has MFT cameras - the G9 for example is outstanding value for money, really. Tried it - it is very cool. I have not tested it in extremely demanding circumstances, but for normal photography - it is very good. Also consider the Olympus E-M1II, even cheaper but on the same level!