Navywife66 Loc: NC

I have been using the R5 for a while now and some wonderful, heavy glass. I love the IQ don’t get me wrong. I hate the weight, I hate hating to take out my tripod and or monopod for certain shots. I want to be able to hand hold as much as possible. I have had a total spine reconstruction 10 years ago. I am struggling with pain, and loss of movement of my spine, so no bending twisting or anything like that. The shots I take or want to can be challenging for those without my short comings. I am wanting something lighter around my neck and smaller in my hand and not struggle. Yep I admit it, struggle. I am finding that I am not enjoying photography as much due to the issues I am having and find I don’t take it with me like my former cameras. I have a friend who uses OM-1 but previous the older equipment. Her photos are amazing. I don’t sell my work, I just do this for medicinal purposes and enjoyment. I am debating, very strongly mind you, of downsizing everything and selling all my Canon gear. I have already purchased the OM-1 and a 40-150 2.8 lens. I do not need to sell the Canon equipment however I do not want it to sit in my photography room and not be used.
I have been a part of this group on and off for years now and find it to be a great site for buying and selling in my personal experience of course. I really do value everyones opinion even if sometimes some can be a bit harsh. It’s ok though, I am a Navywife and have a tough shell. However I do prefer folks being nice to me, I do have a soft heart.
If you own a OM-1 let me know how you like it. If you switched from a FF camera to OM, let me know. I am curious to find out how many have really done what I am about to do but with no regrets, or very few.
If you maybe are curious about the rest of my gear from RF (and a rare third party lens that works with my camera still) to EF lenses to adapters and so forth, let me know. Like I said, I am STRONGLY thinking about it. I will give this group first dibs on my equipment.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

I switched from Fujifilm medium format to an OM-1 and the 40-150 f2.8 PRO lens about two months ago. Mainly because of weight and cost of lenses. So far, no regrets. Have just ordered the 12-45 f4 PRO so I could more easily do landscapes and the like. The equipment is much easier to handle.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Many photographers are switching to mirrorless, some because of better in camera technology and others because they are lighter than dSLR and more practical, especially when traveling.

I use Olympus cameras, both old models but I am entirely satisfied with them. I know the new OM-1 is a superb tool, not because I have used one but for the many reviews and images that I have seen. Calls my attention you started with the 40-150 f2.8 Pro lens instead of something like the 12-40 f2.8 which is not only an excellent optics but also a more practical all around lens. I have fine images made with that lens and when set to 40mm (80mm for a full frame) I have been able to make beautiful portraits with ambient light. I suspect, because I have never used one, that the 40-150 f2.8 Pro is heavier.

If you ask me I do not believe you are on the wrong path, especially with spine surgery. I am sure you are taking a wise decision.

whfowle Loc: Tampa first, now Albuquerque

The MFT cameras are the smallest, lightest system cameras you can get. The quality of the images is very good considering the size of the sensor. I have a back pack with a complete Olympus system in it and I can lift it with one finger through the loop. (two bodies, four lenses, some batteries, filters, and a charger) I can't say that about my DSLR kits or even my mirrorless FF or APS-C kits.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

A couple of friends have the Canon R5 camera and lenses. They love them and feel the quality of the equipment and sharpness of lenses is superb. BUT, having said that, neither one of them has the back pain and history you have. No matter how good the camera might be if you are struggling to use it then I would definitely sell it and use something lighter that you can use without struggling. I think it is as simple as that.

You seem to also be struggling with keeping the R5 system or getting rid of it. In my opinion if it is just going to be sitting in your photo room and not used there is not much point in keeping it when you could sell it and put that money toward the Olympus system or other things.

As an aside have you considered the Sony RX10IV instead of the Canon. I am not so sure it is lighter in weight but I find it does about 99% of what my other cameras would do without changing lenses. I offer it as a suggestion only and of course leave it up to you.

Back problems are incredibly painful and quite debilitating at times. I wish you well with continued success.

Dennis

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

This is an out-of-the-box suggestion as a solution to your problem. Have you considered a really good quality bridge camera such as the Sony RX10 iv? The camera is not cheap for a bridge camera, but IMO it is worth the price as a compromise for someone in your situation. It has a fabulous Zeiss lens, 24-600mm focal length range, a 1" sensor, f2.4 - 4.0, is light enough to handhold, etc., etc.

Recently, I was in Florida & my best friend was visiting me there. The only camera she had was her Lumix bridge camera, and she expressed that she didn't much like the photos she got with it. Knowing that she had a "good eye", I told her to leave her Lumix behind and that she could "borrow" my Sony RX10 iv during her stay. Well, I set the camera on "auto" for her, and set her loose with it. Her images were exceptional. So much so, that I became very envious of her images compared to the ones I was taking with my Nikon Z9 and long zoom lenses.

My strong suggestion is to do some research on your own, and consider my suggestion.

Edit: just noticed that Dennis made the same suggestion.

AFPhoto Loc: Jamestown, RI, USA

I hesitate to jump in here but I will any way. I have the R5 and most of the big pro RF lenses that that are available. I love the camera and all that I can do with it but at 80 years old it is with those lenses a bit much to walk around with. So for that I was using the m 4/3 Olympus system. Eventually, however, I got tired of going back and forth from the straight forward Canon menus system to the more convoluted Olympus system. So I sold all of my Olympus equipment and bought the Canon R10 along with the RF 35mm IS 1.8. I can hold this camera in my hand as I walk around and so far the pics are very impressive.

Bo0mer

Hello,
I have the OM-1 and love it. I finally sold my Nikon Z6 because I found myself carrying the Oly equipment everywhere. The Oly has features that the other manufacturers are just starting to catch up to, Pro Capture, Hand Held Hi-Res, Starry Sky Autofocus, and others. It has even proven to be good for night photography, which surprised me. The viewfinder has a night mode that lets you compose in the dark. The 40-150 2.8 is an excellent lens, and considerably lighter than it's full frame equivalent. All that being said, my Brother-in-law has the R5 and it's a great camera! Good Luck!

leftj Loc: Texas

If you want light with superior rendering go Leica.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Though not exactly the same, I went from a 6d to a R5 with a 6d2 and 7d2 and 5d4 in between. Somewhere in that sequence I got tired of carrying heavy stuff whether it be a single body and lens or a stuffed backpack, especially when traveling. Then, while on a workshop in Costa Rica, I met a doctor from Florida who carried an OM body with 2 primes and a teleconverter. At the end of the day, I was tired of lugging; he was fine. Shortly after, I bought a Canon G16 and a SX50 for vacation/casual use. Three years ago, I bought a Canon Gx1 iii and a Gx3. I still use the R5 for a lot of shoots, but for all vacation/casual, the PowerShots are my go to choices. If the OM satisfies your needs and at the end of the day, you feel better, go for it!

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

I've recently swiched to mirrorless and sold all of my F mount DSLR gear. I had mixed luck selling that gear here and had to resort to using B&H and KEH for much of it. If you haven't used them before, both will provide and esimate of the trade in value based on your description and I would add that both are reputable businesses. Based on my experience B&H estimates a little lower than KEH but KEH has adjusted down after reciept more based on my experience. One has the option of having the goods returned if not happy with the final price. There are others such as Adorama, Roberts Camera and MPB that I'm told are comperable although I haven't and experience with them. Good luck with your search for a light weight system. It seems that you've already settled in on the OM-1? If not you might also consider the Nikon Z711, it's a light and small high resolution camera and the lenses are all supurb.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

I shoot Sony Full Frame mirrorless. But I also have an Olympus micro 4/3 system that I will not part with. I took the 4/3 with me to Africa, and got the best wildlife shots with it, in both still and video. If I had a back issue and was in pain, I would only shoot with the Olympus. It is not a stigma to stay with that system, it is a choice of many professionals!

JimG1 Loc: Waxahachie, TX

As someone, with physical issues, that is finding camera and lens weight an issue I look forward to the information in this discussion.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have never used an OM-1 but in the Canon R body world that can still use your present lenses the RP is the smallest, lightest full frame. Smaller than the OM-1.
I have an RP and R7 that between them cover just about everything I photograph. With two EF to RF adapters I also can use all my EF and EF-s lenses (I still have 2 full frame and 3 crop sensor EF bodies). And in the R body world all the RF and RF-s lenses will fit on and work with all the R bodies. Put an RF-s lenses on a full frame R body and it automatically goes into crop sensor mode. The RP in crop mode does 10MP images.

Here is more or less complete comparison: https://cameradecision.com/compare/OM-System-OM-1-vs-Canon-EOS-RP

Margar Loc: Mass

Well, I guess I am in the bottom, but I gave up all my Fuji and bought a Oly EM-1 Mark lll, with many many lens… yes enjoying the lightness and the ease of use and yes the quality… may be interested in acquiring a full frame late edition camera ….
Enjoy what you have in Oly…