Delderby Loc: Derby UK

If you do look at M4/3, remember that the focal length will double up on FF - ie f150 M4/3 = f300 in FF.
Without bias I would think M4/3 is the way to go.

bikerguy

Naomi I switched from Canon, after 52 years, to Olympus (now OMDS) three plus years ago because of the size and weight differential. My current bird rig is the OM-1 and 100-400 (800 mm equivalent). I will never go back to either apc or full frame bodies and much heavier lenses. People say all the time that the difference in the weight of the bodies is minimal and this is true. But the glass is much heavier.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

A professional bird photographer discusses the Canon SX50 Bridge Camera, that gives photos much better than the should be for a small sensor. Applying AI to the photos would be even a step better. The camera is light weight and can give up to 2400 reach which is a great advantage in Bird Photography. Equipped with add on filters and adjunct lenses it is a very versatile camera. Give a read:
http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/canon-sx-50-hs-for-bird-photography-i.html

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I have Sony RX10iv, a9 and A1. I use to own the a7Riv and the a7iii. I have the Sony 200-600mm G lens. The Sony 200-600mm G is an excellent lens. It did well on the a7iii and a7Riv. But the a9 and A1 just blow the a7Riv and a7iii away with their speed of focus. The RX10iv does a great job for a Bridge Camera. It is better than the Canon SX50 which I use to own. If size and weight is a major factor then look at 4/3 cameras. You can pick up a used a9 for a little more than the a7Riv. Yes the a9 does not have the MP that the a7Riv but the speed of focus and eye fallowing more than make up for the lower MP. Of course the A1 is fantastic but even on the used market it is more $$$$ than a few new cars I have purchased. The A1 will shoot more frames per second than the a9 but I really shoot more high speed bursts than either in "L" or "M" speed mode on either camera. Best option is to rent one and see how you like it.

RX10iv at about 200ft


A1 200-600mm at 250mm 12ft away shot through a window


a9 with Minolta 50mm Macro lens

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Does the camera meet all the other requested specifications?

bobbydvideo

I have a Canon R6 with a 24/105 lens. The camera is still heavy. You probably won't find a "light" mirrorless with any lens.

wildweasel

Olympus EM 1 Mark II, micro 4/3 and the Panasonic 100-400 tele for your first lens. The Micro 4/3 eqvilelent of the 100/400 is 200/800 field of view and that lens is only about 10 inches long. You can check out some of my bird photos with that lens here.www.facebook.com/RayReederPhotography

spraguead Loc: Boston, MA

think about lenses when thinking about changes.

First, the lens is most of the weight in the equation, so if weight is your main concern, know that going mirrorless won't be that big of a difference if it's attached to a 400-600 lens.

Second, if you're thinking about changing platforms, look at the cost of lenses by that manufacturer as well as availability of third party options or used inventory.

Last thing, if you like Canon, and know the ins and outs of how they operate and set up, you may want to stay in that world, or be prepared for a learning curve on menu items etc.

Good luck.

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

Which Canon R series camera's have pre-focus like the Olympus OM-1?

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

The Canon SX50 and SX60 are amazing Bridge Cameras with a long reach. However, it is very difficult to find used copies as people hang on to them. (I have an SX50 that I won't part with). The Canon SX70 is an option, though not rated quite as high as its predecessors. Someone also mentioned the Nikon P950, which might be worth checking out.

SunnyDays Loc: Montreal, Canada and Boca Raton

Thank you for your suggestions.
Naomi

AHK Loc: Lakewood Ranch, Fl.

I sold all of my Great Canon SLR and moved to the new R 7. It is the cropped 7D and so much more. The weight is now an easy hand hold.

A good match is the Canon 100-400 for the R series. For many more $’s the 100-500 for the R series is outstanding but a bit heavier.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Prefocus?
Pre-shot taking shots before fully pressing the shutter ?
The R7 does.
I have not looked at others but would imagine that the R6II does as well.
The R7 is what I recommend though and it does have it as well as other features that are in a package with far superior AF for speed and accuracy than Olympus can even hope for so far.
Also the OP can use all their current lenses natively and add features to those lenses with the unique to Canon control ring.

gwilliams6

Is full frame better than Micro Four Thirds?

Generally, full-frame cameras feature superior low-light and high-ISO performance. This results in much better image quality than crop-sensor (or Micro Four Thirds) cameras can achieve.

https://digital-photography-school.com/camera-sensors-explained/

Updated July 2022: Micro Four Thirds for Wildlife Photography:
https://photographylife.com/micro-four-thirds-wildlife-photography

I will try to be objective here, YES micro 4/3rds can be all you need for shooting wildlife. And Pre-focus is a great feature. So why do I chose to go with fullframe for my wildlife shots:

1) Greater resolution and detail of the images with my fullframe 50mp A1 and 61mp A7RIV cameras

2) Better High ISO/Low Light performance

3) Better crop ability when I need it, and still retain top resolution, detail and image quality.

4) Ability to shoot in APS-C mode also, giving me 1.5X crop in-camera, and with Sony's Clear Image Zoom in jpeg mode, the ability to also have an added 2X zoom factor on any lens, in-camera, without loss of quality.

5) Ability to have Shallower Depth of Field when I want this creative choice.

6-7) Here two shots, first the fullframe, then a tight crop from the same image. A Great White Egret bends its neck to clean its feathers on the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin. 50mp Sony A1, Sony 200-600mm lens, 591mm, ISO 1600, f6.3, 1/2000 sec.

8) A Snowy Egret takes off from it watery perch in Sint Maarten/St. Martin. 50mp Sony A1, Sony 200-600mm lens, 319 mm, ISO 1600, f6.3, 1/4000 sec.

9) A Wild Iguana in Sint Maarten/St. Martin. 50mp Sony A1, Sony 200-600mm lens, 493mm, ISO 320, f8, 1/1250 sec.

10) A Small Parrot in flight in Sint Maarten/St. Martin. 50mm Sony A1, Sony 24-105mm f4 lens, 105mm, ISO 1600, f4, 1/2000 sec.

Click on download to see better image quality.

Certainly look into Micro 4/3rds, APS-C and Fullframe options. For my professional and personal work I am sticking with the ultimate image quality, better high ISO and low noise performance, and better shallow depth of field of fullframe.

There are many great choices in all mirrorless formats.

Cheers and best to you.

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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Actually Canon has prefocus on the R7 and likey others as well. With a far greater IQ than M4/3 and low light capability.
The R7 is very light and compact vs FF cameras but is not so small as to create ergonomics issues when holding, especially with long lenses.