Photoladybon Loc: Long Island

Hi All:

Considering Olympus system primarily for weight reduction. I have been a Nikon user for 50 plus years and have used both FF and DX versions of their cameras. Presently have a D850 and D500 with many many lenses and love these cameras. Due to hand issues, I am entertaining going mirrorless but don't want to go mirrorless and have almost the same weight with full frame mirrorless cameras, adapter pieces, etc. Therefore, my reasoning to go to Olympus. I would love to hear what members have to say coming from Nikon or Canon FF DSLR's to the Olympus system. I'm concerned I won't be happy with the smaller sensor and certainly smaller MP. I am aware there is no facial recognition or bird eye for the Mark111 but am hoping Olympus will come out with something in the near future. I am thinking the E-M1X will be heavy so I would appreciate some feedback on this issue as well. I will keep my D500 and 500mmPF for my wildlife activities for the time being.
TIA for any help you can offer and I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

ponchod5

I switched from Nikon D750 to Olympus EM-M1 Mark II and Mark III, 2 years ago and don't miss it. Have an M5 Mark II when I want to pack light. Obviously you will lose some capability but not much in the way of picture quality. At least I haven't but your mileage may vary. I have the Oly 25 and 45 f1.2 Pro lenses, and all the f1.8's. Also, with the latest firmware updates the bird and animal algorithms were vastly improved. However, have the Sigma 16, 30, 56 f1.4 trio which I find to be sharper. As far as the sensor concerns go...Cartier Bresson and all the other great masters had far less capable sensors and produced masterpieces. Not saying that gear doesn't matter but they produced more with a lot less. I suggest renting a M4/3 camera and take it through it's paces and then make your decision.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

You indicated that you have used both full frame and APS-C. Have you notice the differences between those two formats? Do you shoot more with the full frame more than the APS-C because of those differences? If you are not that happy with the APS-C, then there is a good chance you will not be happy with 4/3rds.

But if you do not find a lot of differences for your style of shooting between full frame and 4/3rds, then they is a good chance that you will be able to adapt to the differences between full frame and APS-C by going to 4/3rds.

Although the E-M1X is really good for birds, I would suggest looking at the E-M5 mkIII along with the 12-100 f4 Pro IS lens and add in either 100-400 f5/6.3 IS or the expensive 150-400 f4.5 IS 1.25X Pro lens. Try these in your hands at a camera store or rent for a week. You will not be able to try a 150-400 until next year. They are n backorder until next spring.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I would be hesitant to commit to Olympus or any other system made by a company owned by an investment group based on what "might" happen. I worked for an organization that changed ownership four times over the 17 years I was there. Our product line got "rationalized" with every new owner. Sometimes the least profitable products got cut. Once, though, the absolutely most profitable product we made got the axe. The reason given was that the volume was too low.

All sorts of folks here have made all sorts of guesses around what is going to happen with Olympus. But the truth is that no one knows. No one even has a clue until we see a little history. Olympus was a great company in past years. The future is yet to be determined.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

larryepage is partial correct. The major owner of OMDS is JIP (90%), not Olympus (10%). And the jury is still out on Olympus and Nikon at this time. But all 4/3rds bodies and all 4/3rds lenses are interchangeable for all basic functions. Panasonic is not going anywhere soon and has 4/3rds bodies and lenses. Olympus and Panasonic are interchangeable for all basic functions. If the new 150-400 f4.5 X1.25 Pro IS lens is an indication, even at the $7500 price tag, it is backordered to sometime next spring. There are over 110 lenses available to 4/3rds owners right now with just the lenses from Olympus and Panasonic. And there are independent lens manufacturers making more 4/3rds lens designs every year.

The decision to choose or use 4/3rds should only be decided by looking at resolution requirements, ISO requirements, and depth of field requirements along with the normal size, weight, and cost requirements. Most pros can shoot a two page spread using only the 20mp sensors of the Olympus and Panasonic. They would prefer more megapixels, but with care in shooting, they can sell what they shoot. If you can generate a good image, one can even blow-up 4/3rds images to 30X40 that are very acceptable from proper viewing distances. If you are required to crop heavily with your shooting style, 4/3rds may not be for you yet. The next sensors for 4/3rds are probably going to be in the 25mp to 30mp range. But that should not stop you from shooting now. Again go to the camera store and examine the Olympus and Panasonic bodies and lenses. My only other comment is the Olympus sensors are setup for dual focus while the Panasonic sensors are not. This is why I suggest Olympus over Panasonic for your shooting BIF.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

I also was Nikon from the F body up to D850 & D5 I went Olympus and the only thing I found was low light was not as good that is until I discovered AI-Dnoise the capabilities of omdem1markiii is awesome the pro line of glass is pin sharp and with the ibs combination with lens stabilization shooting such low SS and still achieving great images
Don’t let all of the FF ppl talk you out saying all of the stereotypes of 4/3 negatives

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

I strongly suggest you go to a store that has the Olympus or rent it. I hear you about your hand issues. But I can tell you that the Olympus camera, being smaller, many find it harder to hand hold than their Nikon bodies. Again, I strongly suggest you get your hands on the Olympus for a day or two before you go any further in your decision making.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

It may well be that the OP is in an "as needs must" situation. So the FF D850 needs to go, but the D500 will remain for wildlife (and birding?). Looking at the future, M4/3 might be a sensible addition (as needs or no) .It would probably be well worth trying a Panasonic G9 - if 20mpx is an issue, the G9 has a High Res mode (for RAW & JPG) which can produce 80 mpx pics - probably designed for landscapes, and 5 axis IBIS. I have hankered after the G9 myself, but decided to stay with my GX8 - for the retro rangefinder body style.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The company that bought the photographic division from Olympus, called Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) has recently announced its commitment to keep the lens road previously set by Olympus and from what I know they are going to introduce new models in 2021. If you do not know it, the R&D plus the whole personnel previously working for Olympus now works for JIP. I cannot predict the future but the new company has retained all Olympus Visionaries and service centers around the world.

I have been using Olympus cameras with Olympus and Panasonic lenses for several years. My cameras are old, they do not have phase detection built-in except for OMD EM-1 so I do not know how good are they for wildlife photography but I do know the new cameras with built-in phase detection are excellent for that purpose in case wildlife photography is of interest to you.

I have never used a Nikon D850 or a D500, the Nikon bodies I use are old. The Olympus bodies except for the OM-1X are small, considerably lighter than a dSLR with a smaller and very capable sensor. The lenses are also small and sharp. Many professionals are using Olympus cameras and lenses.
The new company has indicated that the use of the micro fourth third format will be kept. It all seems to indicate the new company is working on a new sensor. I do not have all the information so if interested in a new sensor you will have to wait.

Traveling with these small cameras or spending a day photographing with them is a breeze compared to the big and heavy dSLR bodies. Olympus has always had excellent optics and those made for the small cameras are also of excellent quality. I find myself using the Olympus bodies more than my Nikon bodies and for sure when I travel I pick first one of my Olympus bodies. Low light performance with my old cameras is not spectacular but we are talking here old technology. Even so when I have to go with a high ISO my tendency is to expose to the right (ETTR) and I get very good results or even better if I use during editing my denoise software. I am not precisely a low light shooter.

Like you I have been using Nikon cameras and lenses for over 50 years and I feel very comfortable using Olympus. I do not go super big with my enlargements although I know the files enlarge very well. The cameras Olympus makes with high resolution shots I heard are fantastic especially for the portrait and landscape photographer. The new company announced new technologies and from what one of the CEOs said they intend to work with other companies developing new cameras and lenses.

As I said, I cannot predict the future but it looks fine for Olympus. Their new and very expensive lens for wildlife photography is in back order. That tells me enough about the future of the company.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

I currently own an EM1X and an EM1 mark III. I previously owned a D500 + 300mm f4 PF VR + Nikon TC14EIII, a Sony A9 and a 61MP Sony A7R4. I don't miss any of them, except perhaps the 5.76MP EVF of the A7R4. The EM1.3 + 300mm f4 + MC14/MC20 probably weighs about the same as a D500 + 500mm f5.6 PF VR. so it is unlikely you would save anything there. You may save a bit by using the 40 - 150mm f2.8 Pro lens (+/- a telecoverter). The EM1.3 does have human face/eye recognition but it will not receive the bird recognition update the EM1X received, due to only having one processor. The EM1X AF is, in my hands, better than the D500 and I rate it only just short of the A9, which is a stunning, dual processor camera. I have no issues with ISO or IQ with the M43 sensor, and the ProCapture is excellent. The handheld and tripod HiRes modes also work well within their limitations. There is a noticeable difference in weight between the EM1X and EM1.3, but the handling and ergonomics of the EM1X outweigh (pun intended) this disadvantage. I changed to Olympus for the very reason you have expressed, and it made a world of difference for me. I will continue with Olympus, or OM Digital Solutions as it is now, for the forseeable future. Excellent quality, the best weatherproofing on the market, excellent innovation, brilliant optics. Take a look at the different Olympus sites on FB or the professional wildlife users YouTube channels for an insight into the image quality.

See_the_shot Loc: Bluffton, SC

I’ve been shooting Olympus since 1976. I transitioned from a Nikon super telephoto to the Olympus EM5 II. My camera really came alive when I added their 12-100 pro lens. Super sharp and versatile enough to be the only lens I take for landscape shooting. It’s a little heavier than the non pro lenses, but the quality output is worth it. I use the Black Rapid shoulder strap, and used this kit to go all over Europe twice in the last few years taking thousands of shots and getting several frame quality images. The cameras are ruggedly built and dependable. Any issues in low light, although this has rarely been a problem for me, can be dealt with easily in post. Well supported on YouTube; check out in-depth libraries by Rob Trek, Peter Forsgard, Red35 (Jimmy Chang) and Robin Wong. If I was buying today, I would go with the EM1 mark III as it balances and handles a little better with the heavier pro lenses.

Bayou

Olympus is very different from what you're accustomed to. First order of business is to get your hands on one and see if you feel comfortable with it. The controls are unlike other cameras and they are quite small.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

The em1x is heavy. I have the m5 III and two friends have the m1 III. Both friends switched from full frame cameras to the Olympus and both are extremely pleased. I might add that both are extremely good photographers. Less weight so more portable, bigger lens w/ less weight. I dumped all my Nikon (d7000) gear for the m5. I wouldn’t worry about the sensor size, frankly. Unless you’re planning on putting your photo on the side of a bus... I use this camera far more than I used my Nikon and am getting much better results. One of my Oly friends just made the switch and she hasn’t missed a step!

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I’m a long time Nikon shooter. A couple of years ago I added M4/3 to my arsenal specifically to shoot from a kayak, where my D500 with a long lens was rather unwieldy. I went with the Panasonic G9 which is a very impressive camera in many respects. I really appreciated having it for a Bahamas trip where we had to fly a puddle jumper and our total luggage allowance was 44 lbs. the one area the G9 disappointed in was focus speed for faster moving wildlife. Last year I flipped my kayak and dunked the G9 along with the Leica 100-400 lens. Luckily I had sprung for the extended drop/spill warranty on both, but while all that was getting sorted out, (Square Trade was great, New Leaf I had to fight tooth and nail), I went in another direction and got a Sony RX10MIV for kayaking. Again, amazing for what it does, (and that includes excellent BIF tracking), but there are limitations with the 1” sensor and the ergonomics aren’t great. Fast forward to two weeks ago, I’m looking at my replacement G9 which I’ve had for almost a year and only used to test, and the replacement 100-400 and Look at my collection of M4/3 lenses and that’s when I started looking at Olympus. I was torn between the smaller size if the E-1 MIII and the M1X. The bird tracking update and $1000 off sale swung me to the M1X. I added the 40-150 Pro lens and 2x teleconverter and so far I’ve been impressed with its focus and tracking abilities even though I’m still learning the menus and getting it set up. All that being said I’m not ready to give up my Nikons. Nothing beats the raw files I get out if my D500 and especially my Z7. The M4/3 sensor does have more noise, (although Topaz DeNoise AI handles it pretty deftly). And it is harder to get that narrow slice of DOF or get really wide shots. It depends on what you shoot. If I’m headed to a location to shoot wildlife I’ll take the D500 with the 200-500. If I’m going on a long hike I’ll take the M1X for wildlife and probably have the Z7 in my backpack for scenic shots. If you are thinking of going Olympus, now is a good time to buy. The M1X is $1000 off and the MIII is $400 off I believe. The sale goes through 4/4.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Since you are a Nikon user and are looking into mirrorless for weight savings, another option might be the Nikon Z50 which I believe has the same pixel density as the D500. I received one for Christmas and love it. The FTZ adaptor will let you continue using your F-mount lenses which have a focusing motor in the lens.

The camera is small and very light, and has excellent ergonomics. The 2 kit lenses are very sharp, although pretty slow.

If you are used to the Nikon menu system, the Z50 will feel right at home.