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Rather easy "mind reading" there. That term "proper DSLR" jumped out at me, too ... might call it a flashing neon sign. The OP is a very unlikely candidate for enjoying the new generation of gear.

Best bet is to acquire the very best and latest of the SLR world, cost no object, and stick with it as long a possible. At present, pricing is verrrrry favorable so this is a ripe moment to indulge in GAS.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

You should use whatever camera you like. You don't mention what you like to photograph.


I have 2 MFT cameras - Olympus PENF and EM1 mk III. I love both of these cameras. I also have a D7200 it is a good camera but I must say that I like the Olympus Cameras. I think the images the on the Olympus cameras are a bit better than the Nikon and these cameras have have the articulated screen. The articulated screen is essential for macro and close up work. I take this type of photos often. IBIS on Olympus cameras is super and allows hand holding shots a remarkably slow shutter speeds. I hand held a shot at 1/2 sec with a wide angle lens.

Olympus cameras have a number of computational modes. Live time is useful for long exposures you can see your image "develop" over time and stop when pleased. Live Composite mode just adds new light to an image. One can capture multiple fireworks of lightning bursts in one exposure without over exposing the background. I made a photo containing all the flashes of fireflies over a 1/2 hour period. High resolution mode allows up to 80 MP images. I have used this mode for copy (slides and art works) work. There are many other cool possibilities. None of these is available on my D7200.

It is true that focusing in the later models is better. You may be more satisfied with with an EM-1 Mk iii or the latest OMD-1 camera.

The menu system is different from that used by Nikon. You need to get used to it. (RFM) The super control panel allow for the most common adjustments.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

I went from a D300 to a D7100, then a D7500. I would recommend the latter. I use my D7100 and D7500 interchangeably, but if you are going to make the upgrade, go with the D7500 to get the later technology.

DanCSF Loc: SA Bay Area CA

Before spending more $$$ why not rent a MFT and see how it works and how you like it?

Canisdirus

If you have Nikon lenses...dump the MFT...there is no point having two camera systems unless both systems are making serious coin for you...always do the math.

Nikon is easily the better system.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

To answer your question in two words, HECK YES!!!

In 2015, I needed a single camera for both stills and video. dSLRs were clunky. So I took Will Crockett's advice about Micro 4/3. He loaned me a Lumix G3 and a few lenses for a couple of weeks, and I knew it was close to what I needed. But it wasn't enough.

I tried that original OM-D E-M1 (now known as Mark 1) and I found it to suck mightily for what I do. The thing doesn't fit my hands, the controls are in weird places, or worse yet, buried in menus that are annoying. The video was mediocre, and I needed a well-balanced hybrid (stills plus video) system.

I bought another Micro 4/3 camera, the Lumix GH4, instead. I have loved it ever since, although not for sports or wildlife, since it has CDAF with DFD (Panasonic's "contrast detect autofocus with depth from defocus"). For what I do, documentation, portraits, events, street, copy photography, camera scanning film, and especially video, it is great. The Lumix GH6 was tempting, but after Panasonic introduced their full frame S5 Mark II L-Mount camera with Hybrid Phase Detect Auto Focus, I'm deliberately holding out for a GH camera with PDAF.

Meanwhile, both Olympus/OM Systems and Panasonic have released a lot of Micro 4/3 gear that is dramatically better than the OM-D E-M1.

From Olympus, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and Mark III are substantially better. The OM-D E-M1X is a sports and wildlife camera. The new OM Systems OM-1 is an evolution of all of those, and gets rave reviews from both die-hard Olympus fans and new users alike. Ergonomics, speed, handling, AF, IBIS, and so many other features are all way beyond what you have.

From Panasonic, the Lumix G9 is a bit old at this point, but is a match in many respects for the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and III. It's a great camera for just about anything but action, since it has CDAF. A recent firmware update brought many of the Lumix GH5's video features to the G9.

The current Lumix GH5 II and GH6 are both true hybrid cameras, about equally adept at both stills and video. The GH6 is arguably the most advanced video camera you can buy for under $2500 (New, it's now priced about $1700).

If I had to buy a Micro 4/3 camera today, for anything involving action, it would be the OM Systems OM-1. But since I record both stills and video, it would be the GH6.

There are tons of independent review videos on YouTube, and if you can jump on DPReview.com before April 10 when they shut down, you can find detailed reviews of all Micro 4/3 models there.

Check out used gear at KEH.com, MPB.com, UsedPhotoPro.com, and of course, B&H and Adorama. There are great prices on most models.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"I'm deliberately holding out for a GH camera with PDAF."

I wonder if Panasonic knows how many are waiting for this?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"Micro Four Thirds," in case someone (like me) didn't know.

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You're right, in a way. I would never spend money to rent a camera to see if I like it. I rely on reviews and comparisons. Renting a camera for a week could cost as much as buying a good used camera. The newer and better the camera, the higher the rental cost would be.

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Yezzindeedy ! Jerry is a whole lot smarter than he looks :-)

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

A few more notes:

The Zuiko 14-150mm f/4.5-5.6 lens is an "entry level kit quality" lens. It is slow to autofocus, period, and in my humble opinion, is too slow for anything except daylight use. If you can opt for some f/2.8 zooms or some f/1.2 to f/1.7 primes, low light performance will improve substantially, both for AF and for noise.

Here are three secure links to lists of Micro 4/3 lenses:

https://alikgriffin.com/micro-43-lens-buying-guide/

https://www.four-thirds.org/en/lens/

https://www.m43lenses.com

If your camera battery is more than three years old, order a new one. Lithium chemistry batteries tend to perform really well for about 2-3 years, and die by year 5, regardless of usage. The more you use them, the more total use you will get from them, up to the maximum rated number of charge cycles. My twins and I have been using Wasabi and Panasonic batteries in our GH4 and GH5 bodies, with great results. I'm usually able to record over two hours of 4K video on one battery, and two batteries will get me through a day of making hundreds of images. I frequently do several hours of print/slide/negative copy work on one battery. I have three, and rotate them.

IMHO, you should update your cameras to one system. The D300s was quite a fine camera in summer, 2009, but at age 14 of the design, it is a bit dated. dSLRs as a product category are dying off. Parts will be hard to find for anything over five years old. Your Nikon lenses would be useful on a mirrorless Nikon body with the FTZ adapter. With some restrictions, you could also use them on Micro 4/3 cameras via adapters, too. Whether that's worth it is another matter. I have old manual Nikkor lenses from my Nikon FTn and F3 film systems, and using them on the Lumix GH4 has been marginal at best. My twins and I use them when we want a retro video look. They are annoying for still photography, compared to our pro-grade, fully automatic, stabilized, Micro 4/3 zooms.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Well, I would hope so!

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

I switched to a Panasonic G9 and Panasonic Leica lenses for most of my non wildlife photography four years ago and I could not be happier. I still keep a Nikon D750 for nostalgia and just in case I deem it the better system to use for low light etc. It is hard to tell the difference between the two systems IQ in most cases but in some cases you can see the difference but not enough for the trade off. I use M43 fast primes for low light and I am pleased with the results. I just purchased an OM-1 camera for my wife to use with her Oly 12-100 f4 lens and from just the initial menu setup I can say it was fairly simple to follow and the still photos are quite similar to our G9. On another note Panasonic’s G9 is priced at only $899, the lowest price I have ever seen, and their Panasonic 100-400mm is now down to $1300, also the lowest I have seen. It could be that this is a part of an overall reduction in pricing structure for their entire line ( as they are doing in Japan)or just maybe an introduction of a new M43 phase detection Gh6 II or G9II plus a revamped 100-400 or a completely new long telephoto lens are in the offing. Good luck with your choice.

tropics Loc: NW Georgia

I have the MKII version. I bought it used a couple of years ago and I have no regrets about it's performance. The menu however will drive you to drinking.