DSLR to Micro 4/3. Anybody made the switch and been happy?

[dino8031]

I love my 60D rig, Sigma 30, 50, 17-50, Canon 70-200, 24-105, etc., but I'm tired of hauling it all around, or even just the body and one or two lenses. A compact mirrorless system is looking very tempting.

I've hated every point and shoot I've ever owned, mostly because of shutter lag and terrible low light performance, but I'm thinking of going to a micro 4/3 format, maybe an Oly EP3 or the upcoming EM-5.

Whatever it is, it needs to have quick, accurate auto-focus, really good low light performance, a decent burst rate, and pretty much the performance of a good DSLR to work for me, just in a smaller size. I've tried all flavor of Rebels and haven't been particularly happy with them.

My question is, has anyone made the switch to a 4/3 system and been happy with it? My apologies if this has been discussed before.

[Tommydigi]

Whatever it is, it needs to have quick, accurate auto-focus, really good low light performance, a decent burst rate, and pretty much the performance of a good DSLR to work for me, just in a smaller size. I've tried all flavor of Rebels and haven't been particularly happy with them.

This is the trade off, you will compromise most of this plus the nice viewfinder but there are some interesting options coming soon. fujifilm x-pro1, Canon G1x and I am sure others.

[MrNothing]

I steal my sis's GF2 on days i go out and decide not to take my own equipment. You can get some pretty darn good shots if you've got everything right (right lens choice and definitely lighting wherever you are). That being said, I always fall back to my equipment as I feel it gives me more dominance and control over whatever i'm shooting. For me, its more of a back up, to take out for fun system then something i'd want to seriously invest in.

[bohdank]

If low light performance is a must then the smaller the sensor, the worst the performance. That is a given. The again, what ISO are you shooting with the 60D ? There are also no fast zooms for 4/3'rds that I am aware of, so you'd be cranking up the ISO to make up for the slow lenses.

For what I often shoot, FF and f2.8 zooms or faster primes is my only option.

I have thought of getting a 4/3rd's when I do not want to drag the bigger camera(s) and lenses around but none of the 4/3'rds are pocketable so what is the point ?

Sure, I can buy one of those and mount a small prime... but, again, I do not see the point of an expensive camera system with 1 or 2 primes. I'm sure they are great options for some but, I don't have the slightest interest in one. I might by the Fuji X10 for my wife but that is as far as I am willing to go.

Personally I look at the 4/3rd's cameras as a step up from cheaper P&S's but way short of larger sensor cameras and their lens options.

[tete]

I used micro 4/3 pretty effectively for a year. I used the GH1 and still use a GF1 more than my 5D mark 2 for most situations. When I want the best then I reach for the 5D. There are some bright zooms coming out soon for 4/3rds and the video quality is exceptional just ask Phillip Bloom. There are many good things about the system and if you look at DXO ratings you will find the differences especcially with the new Olympus OM-D the low light performance is very good. I did a show in which was all shot in lowlight with micro 4/3rds.

[jemanner]

I have an E-P2 for a carry-around, and the EM-5 on order. Almost jumped for an E-P3, but am happy I procrastinated. Looking forward to the improved sensor, integrated EVF, and fast shutter of the EM-5. However, not departing the DLSR world either. I dabble in macro focus stacking with an attached computer controlling a 5D2 with Helicon Remote. The Oly Micro 4/3 series does not do this...yet.

[uOpt]

mumble TS-E mumble

[nonick]

I like what I read and see about the new oly E-M5. From the pre-production samples and the previews , the camera is very close to a real winner for people who are lookiong for a small size mirrorless camera.

It seems the camera has:

1. Impressive high ISO and Ultra high ISO performance : http://fourthirds-user.com/2012/02/h...nd_omd_em5.php
2. Very nice Jpeg color rendtion + the signature oly color enhancement
3. Incredible 5 direction in body IS which might be better and more effective than the lens IS. Super useful for handheld video.
4. Top notch AF speed and tracking ability.
5. Responsive performance... minimzed operation lags.
6. Dial and buttons..means fast and versatile operational controls.

[bohdank]

Let's be serious here. A 4/3rd's sensor is not going to have impressive high ISO and Ultra High ISO performance. Maybe for a 4'3rd's sensor, based on what has preceded it but in absolute terms, never.

You sound like you own a lot of stock in Olympus. The camera is not out, yet.

[nonick]

Originally Posted by bohdank

Let's be serious here. A 4/3rd's sensor is not going to have impressive high ISO and Ultra High ISO performance. Maybe for a 4'3rd's sensor, based on what has preceded it but in absolute terms, never.

You sound like you own a lot of stock in Olympus. The camera is not out, yet.

Oh Give me a break... Didn't I say "pre-production" and "preview"? Of course I KNOW the camera is not out yet.

I said I like what I read and saw so far...What's wrong with that? I am not sure what make you think "I sound like I own a lot of stock in Olympus"... not sure what's your problem

I just don't blindly dismiss any possibilty that new technology may bring. Never say never...

Check out the recent new release, the previews and pre-production AND the SAMPLE PICTURES. The pre-production pictures are VERY IMPRESSIVE to me in term of noise, details retention and color rendition/enhancement... given the 4/3s are significantly smaller than APS-C and FF sensor.

[bohdank]

If you say so

I'll wait till there are "real" sample images available in RAW.

No camera has ever stood up to the pre production hype.

A small observation.... buttons.... ya it has buttons and dials.... DPReview noted that since the camera is so small, it appears to be a PITA to actually use them.

Anyway... I'll wait till the camera is in reviewers hands to render a final opinion.

No matter how good it is I won't be buying one so it's more out of curiosity I am following developments.

if I buy a smaller camera it will have to be pocketable (coat pocket) and be happy with 1 lens. If not, I'll keep using my 5DII's. So far, the Fuji X10 seems fit those requirements the best.

If it works for you, who am I to say it doesn't. It's just that, I do not get excited about cameras that are not better than what I already have.

[lannes]

I love my Gh2 as a walkabout, travel and social occasion snapper, I can carry a range of lenses and a body that gives me a 14-600mm focal length, which only takes up as much room as the 5dm2 and a 24-105L.
Performance wise in raw is really good for a small sensor, only pixel peeping would you start seeing the limitations of the sensor size.
So it is a viable alternative to an aps-c system, but I still use the ff if high IQ is required at high ISO (eg.6400 and above)

Focus in low light is a bit of an issue, as the contrast detection AF is not as good in low levels resulting in a lot of hunting. But focus in normal light is as fast as the phase detection systems and full AF in video is a bonus.

I also enjoy using different lenses on the GH2, like a FD 300mm f/2.8, 500mm f/8 CAT lens etc., all you need is an adaptor.

Beware though it can be quite an investment getting in M4/3, as lenses are almost the same price as their aps-c and ff counterparts

With good technique you can get good results with m4/3

this was through glass


this was using the kit lens and cropped a bit

[KenjiS]

Originally Posted by lannes

I love my Gh2 as a walkabout, travel and social occasion snapper, I can carry a range of lenses and a body that gives me a 14-600mm focal length, which only takes up as much room as the 5dm2 and a 24-105L.
Performance wise in raw is really good for a small sensor, only pixel peeping would you start seeing the limitations of the sensor size.
So it is a viable alternative to an aps-c system, but I still use the ff high IQ is required at high ISO (eg.6400 and above)

Focus in low light is a bit of an issue, as the contrast detection AF is not as good in low levels resulting in a lot of hunting. But focus in normal light is as fast as the phase detection systems and full AF in video is a bonus.

I also enjoy using different lenses on the GH2, like a FD 300mm f/2.8, 500mm f/8 CAT lens etc., all you need is an adaptor.

Beware though it can be quite an investment getting in M4/3, as lenses are almost the same price as their aps-c and ff counterparts

With good technique you can get good results with m4/3

this was through glass


this was using the kit lens and cropped a bit

What did you get the pic of the hawk with?

Also how close did you get for the bee/bee mimic there

[lannes]

Originally Posted by KenjiS

What did you get the pic of the hawk with?

Also how close did you get for the bee/bee mimic there

both the bee and the hawk were taken using the 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 Panasonic lens

the bee was 140mm, f/8 at 1/400 sec, iso 160, around 1m away
the hawk was 103mm, f/8 at 1/200 sec, iso 320, around 2.5m away

[KenjiS]

Originally Posted by lannes

both the bee and the hawk were taken using the 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 Panasonic lens

the bee was 140mm, f/8 at 1/400 sec, iso 160, around 1m away
the hawk was 103mm, f/8 at 1/200 sec, iso 320, around 2.5m away

Wow, Thats actually very impressive considering its a 14-140 (No offense!)