For the last month or so, I've been seriously considering changing systems for my landscape and travel photography. Although I can justify (just about!) lugging around heavy kit for personal and wildlife work, while leading workshops where my focus is primarily on those that attend and where I take the occasional photograph, it's hard to warrant taking along a hefty Nikon D850 and a bagful of equally heavy full frame lenses. I've looked at Nikon's mirrorless system and although this would certainly be the logical way to go (especially since for wildlife work I will almost certainly head this way in the not too distant future), for landscape there just isn't, I feel, a significant enough saving in size and weight. Plus, I just love the idea of a much smaller, lighter camera which doesn't place a huge burden on my neck and shoulders. Also, for city work, a smaller camera is just less obtrusive and doesn't scream PHOTOGRAPHER! Enter the Olympus MFT; more specifically, either the E-M1 MKIII or OM-D E-M5 MARK III where, in the case of the M5, at just 414g is close to 600g lighter than my D850! And, furthermore, add two Olympus zoom lenses and the combined weight is just 100g or so more than the D850 body, alone. Eyes widen!
When it comes to serious equipment purchases I don't impulse buy. I spend time weighing up the pros and cons and only purchasing if I feel that I or my photography would really benefit from having such an item(s). Both the M1 and M5's specs are very impressive and make a really strong case for changing to MFT for landscape and travel photography. Here are some stand-out features that have caught my eye.
- Body size: M5. 125.3 x 85.2 x 49.7mm / D850 146 x 124 x 78.5 mm.
- Weight with battery and memory card: M5 414g / D850 1005g.
- Nikon 18-35 and 70-200 f/4 combined weight 1235g. Olympus equivalents 537g.
- Nikon 70-200mm f/4 length 20cm. Olympus 10cm.
- Smaller gear = smaller bag.
- Excellent range of lenses. Zuiko has always been up there with the best so there is no doubting their quality.
- Good choice of aspect ratios: I change mine all the time so a camera that doesn't list 1:1 or 5:4/4:3 (they're very close) doesn't get a look in. Sorry, Fuji!
- In the case of the M5 - Low viewfinder magnification which makes it easier for spectacle wearers to view the entire image without having to move their eye around the frame. If you've never considered this, look into it. It makes a big difference.
- Weather sealed.
- Excellent in-body image stabilisation.
- M1: Live ND. Negates the use of filters for up to 5 stops and boosts dynamic range.
- M1: Handheld high res
- M1: Starry Sky. Focusses on stars
- Ability to increase resolution from a 20 to 80MB RAW file.
I haven't dived in just yet and if I do, who knows, I might find it isn't for me after all. However, like all new purchases where there is uncertainty, spend enough time with them and it soon becomes second nature, and I for one would happily put up with a few quirks and niggles for a significantly lighter bag. No question!
