Ed Atts wrote:
Since 2014 I have been doing wildlife photography with a Canon 7D 2 and it has served my needs very well. I almost exclusively use a Canon 100 - 400 L lens (sometimes with the 1.4 adapter}. I shoot mainly in manual by setting the lens speed and aperture and let the ISO set itself automatically. This works well for me and I am very pleased with my enlargements.
I am considering a new body and would like a recommendation. I do not want more bells and whistles than I need but I do want to get good sharp enlargements. I am considering the new Canon R7 but also have looked at the Olympus Cameras. My photography is now my hunting and I no longer have any game to clean when I get home, then put it in the freezer, and have it become a permanent resident until my wife disposes of it when she cleans the freezer.
I do much of my photography from a solo canoe or blinds Any thoughts of a new body for my needs would be greatly appreciated.
Since 2014 I have been doing wildlife photography ... (
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Of all the Olympus cameras, the newest OM-1 has the best AF system for active wildlife photography. It's a significant step up from all earlier Oly cameras. Reviewers who have experience with all the AF systems pretty much agree it's close to Nikon Z-series, and not far behind the latest AF systems from Canon and Sony. The OM-1 would be quite good for wildlife photography and the smaller, Micro 4/3 sensor format makes lenses "act like" they are 2X their actual focal length. Your 7DII and the R7 share the APS-C format 1.6X multiplier effect.
OM-1....
- 20MP
- IBIS (5 stop)
- 10 frames/sec mechanical shutter, 20 fps electronic shutter. 50 & 120 fps possible, w/limited buffer (~90 images).
- 60 sec to 1/8000 mech shutter, up to 1/32000 e-shutter, 1/250 flash sync.
- ISO 200 to 102400 (extends to 80)
- 100% EVF, 5.76 million pixel
- 3" monitor, 1.6 million pixel, articulated, Touchscreen
- Dual SD memory card slots
- 520 shots per charge (CIPA)
- Battery grip available ($350).
- $2800 with 12-40mm f/2.8 lens
- 599 grams, OM-1 body w/battery & media
- 382 grams, Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 lens
- $1500 Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS lens
- 1120 grams, Zuiko 100-400mm lens
The Canon R7 is a whole lot of camera for the money! Many reviewers have been very impressed with it. It's APS-C format sensor is a bit larger than the OM-1's M4/3.... and the R7 has much higher resolution with 32.5MP. With the R7 you might be able to delay some lens purchases because you could use an EF to RF adapter ($100 approx.) to utilize any and all EF/EF-S lenses you currently have for use on your 7DII. The R7's AF system is close to what's found in the top-of-the-line R3 ($6000) and R5 ($3800), both full frame cameras. The main complaints I've heard about the R7 have been that the AF system struggles a little in low light conditions and that the buffer fills very quickly at the highest frame rates.
R7...
- 32.5MP
- IBIS (5-stop, up to 8-stops with some IS lenses)
- 15 frames/sec mechanical shutter, 30 fps electronic shutter
- 60 to 1/8000 mech. shutter, up to 1/16000 e-shutter, 1/320 flash sync
- ISO 100 to 32000 (expands to 102400)
- 100% EVF, 2.36 million pixel
- 3" monitor, 1.6 million pixel, articulated, Touchscreen
- Dual SD memory card slots
- 660 shots per battery charge
- No battery grip available
- $1900 with RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens
- 612 grams, R7 body w/battery & media
- 310 grams, RF-S 18-150mm lens
- $2900 RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens
- 1365 grams, RF 100-500mm lens
I was a bit surprised by some of the similarities, as well as the differences between the R7 and the OM-1. They actually are similar in size and weight. If bought with wildlife zooms (both able to reach 800mm full frame equiv.), they actually end up costing about the same.... the R7 body costs less than the OM-1, but the RF 100-500mm costs more than the comparable Zuiko lens. The R7 has a lot more resolution and it's mechanical shutter offers a faster continuous rate, but the OM-1 has those ultra high e-shutter frame rates. The OM-1 appears to have a higher spec electronic viewfinder (EVF), while the R7's EVF may offer higher magnification (1.15X ?). The OM-1 comes with an f/2.8 kit lens, but the RF lens sold in kit with the R7 has a much wider range of focal lengths. (I assumed you would want a "walk-around" lens with either camera.)
Again, you can adapt EF and EF-S lenses, including any you might already have, for use on the R7. That can make the transition less expensive, at least initially. The basic Canon EF to RF adapter costs $100, but there are less expensive 3rd party now. There also are more expensive with additional features, such as a control ring or drop in filters. AFAIK, adapted lenses are not an option with the Olympus system. However, the Micro 4/3 mount is shared by Oly and Panasonic, so there is a lot of cross-compatibility (check though, I don't think it's 100%).
EDIT: So it is possible to adapt lenses for use on the M4/3 cameras too.... But how is AF performance? With Canon EF/EF-S adapted onto R7 you can expect the lens to perform as well or better than it did on your DSLR. It also is possible to adapt Canon EF/EF-S lenses for use on Sony cameras, but the AF performance takes a noticeable hit. That might be a problem with active wildlife.