TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

What do you think is going to happen with Micro Four Thirds? Do you think Panasonic and Olympus (or whatever it is called now) are going to continue this format? I have a Lumix G9 that I have used for years and LOVE, but it is old and tired - I don't know whether to replace it or not

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

How much faith do you put in rumors?
If you buy a replacement and M4/3 ends the camera will not stop working.
If you want to play it safe, buy something else.

User ID

Old and tired ?!??!?

The only moving part is the shutter ... thaz IF you use the shutter (I dont) ... and the IBIS (which I always use).

Does it make any abnormal noises ?

gwilliams6

Micro four Thirds is alive and well, with more new product introduced by OEM and third-party makers.

For those who love its size, weight, and magnification factor it fits their needs. Sure we could talk forever (and have here in UHH,LOL) about the advantages and disadvantages of every format ,low light capabilities, noise, DOF, image quality, etc., the bottom line is sales of micro four thirds gear are still strong enough around the world to keep manufacturers still interested in making them. As long as there are customers and profit to be made it will survive IMHO.

I have used some of the early micro four thirds gear as some of the first decent mirrorless and 4k video hybrid cameras. I have also owned and used APS-C and fullframe DSLR and mirrorless gear.

For my professional needs I have embraced fullframe mirrorless, but that doesn't mean anyone should follow that path. There are so many great bridge size and compact sensor size cameras, micro four thirds, APS-C, fullframe and medium format cameras and lenses, it is just a matter of what works best for your needs ,and fits your budget.

Burkphoto a longtime pro here in UHH, can give a litany of reasons why micro four-thirds is his choice.

Cheers and best to you.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

A well balanced view.

gwilliams6

thanks,

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

My wife has the OM1 and loves it, they are under new ownership and seem to be doing well. They innovated PRE CAPTURE, and Canon has since copied it. As usual, Canon is not an innovator, they have always been a follower.

drsdayton Loc: Dayton, Ohio

I can't speak to the business...but as an OM-1, EM1.3 and EM1.2 owner I can tell you that the OM-Systems Team provides incredible support to the community in the form of training / webinars, and also in being directly responsive to it's customers.

Not to mention that the pro lens collection is terrific and growing, they just released a 90MM Macro Lens that I'm trying to figure out how I will afford :-).

I take a lot of photographs of eagles and my gear looks puny compared to everyone else's, but I can walk a lot further.
.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

My wife and I both have a G9, she with an Olympus 12-100 f4 and I have six PL lenses that I use with some regularity. I don’t really need it to do more than it already does except maybe BIF but I have Nikon gear to handle that. I may buy another new G9, OM-1 or GH6 II or G9 replacement as insurance but I wouldn’t part company with our 4/3 gear if either or both companies closed down their M43 lines. The G9 only costs $1000 with a three year warranty from Panasonic or less than $800 like new used from MPB or others. Good luck with your decision.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

I have many Lumix lenses and didn't know whether to sell all of them or (keep them) if 4/3's was going to continue. My G9 had a very hard life - and it is time to replace it - I was kinda hoping Lumix would put out a new version of the G9 soon! Thanks you for your time

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

I have used this camera for the last five years in the worst conditions, (outdoors all day standing by a horse show arena in the weather and dirt) during this time it has been severely abused...dropped, flung out of a golf cart, left out in the rain, sprayed by the water truck, chewed on by dogs.... you name it. It has been a tough little beast. But it is now either time for a new one. Didn't know if I should just sell all my lenses and get something different if Panasonic was not going to continue this product.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Well just didn't know whether to sell all my lenses or not. I was really hoping Lumix would come out with a new version of the G9 by now. I really don't want to buy something else - unless they were going to discontinue the 4/3s line. But youre right.... if it ends the camera won't stop working

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Healthy… Both OM Systems and Panasonic are releasing new gear. Since Panasonic finally figured out PDAF with the S5 Mark II, it should not be long before it is added to other models, both full frame and m43.

There would be little point to introducing a G10 without PDAF! It was disappointing to see the GH6 released without it.

Hip Coyote

I have no idea where the m43 system is going to land. I am a dedicated M43 - Oly user. For me, it is a wonderful system for my purposes. Much more transportable for travel, lighter, excellent weather protection, excellent pro lenses, cutting edge innovation in many ways such as IBIS that is amazing.

What I find odd is that so many folks say they are going to "upgrade" to full frame photography, but looking at their shots in the gallery, any camera would suffice. I understand the allure of owning equipment (I do it with salt water fishing gear...makes photography hobby look cheap) but people are using systems that cost way more than m43 gear, and for little gain. The prices are pretty reasonable in the used market.

'Twer I a pro or needed a low light beast for a particular reason, say shooting sports indoors, I just might drop some bank on ff gear. But for a hobbyist, such as myself, it the m43 gear works for me.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Thanks, Gerald!