Why Micro Four Thirds Systems Remain Viable for Today's Photographers

Micro Four Thirds (MFT) systems continue to be a compelling choice for many photographers and videographers, despite the industry's lean towards larger sensor formats. The affordability, compactness, and broad lens selection of MFT cameras offer a unique blend of benefits, particularly for those focused on portability and cost efficiency without compromising on image quality.

Coming to you from Kai W, this insightful video explores the resilience and relevance of the Micro Four Thirds system in today's camera market. Kai and his colleague, Lok, delve into personal experiences with MFT cameras, highlighting their evolution from early models like the EP1 to more recent advancements with the GH5 Mark II. They argue the system's merits, including the significant cost savings over full frame setups and enhanced video capabilities that rival more expensive models. The review is punctuated by practical demonstrations, showing off the system's dynamic range improvements, handling, and portability — key factors that contribute to its ongoing appeal among photographers and videographers alike.

Moreover, the discussion extends beyond camera bodies to the MFT lens ecosystem, illustrating how these lenses offer an advantageous balance between size, weight, and optical performance. Kai and Lok showcase various lenses, emphasizing the system's flexibility and the creative potential it unlocks, from ultra-wide zooms to fast primes. The video effectively counters the notion that bigger sensors always result in better performance, presenting the MFT system as a versatile alternative that meets diverse shooting needs without the bulk. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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3 Comments

M43 is a fantastic system.
Perhaps the only downside compared to full frame is low light performance, but this is always a relatively small margin and only applicable to a minority of photographers.

I just bought a Lumix M43. I'm still unsure if I am keeping it or not, I have a manual lens on it but as someone new to this I feel like that setup may not be right for me

I am a long-time full-frame adherent, from 35mm film cameras to mirrorless. My S1R is the most versatile camera that I’ve ever owned, and for landscapes and portraits, cityscapes and starry skies, quite a compelling package. But it’s simply not a walk-around daily camera, with its heft and bulk, even with that compact 24-105mm F4 lens. The camera that fills that need is for me the Olympus OM-D E M1ii; it is amazingly compact and useable, with the 12-40 F2.8 Olympus PRO lens ideally suited for constant use, delivering pictures of great quality. The Olympus 40-150 F2.8 PRO lens is another great lens: together, these two cover a 24-300mm equivalent full-frame focal range with an image quality on a compact platform that is very difficult to equal, let alone excel, at their price point, which, for used equipment, is currently easily under $2,000. I haven’t had problems in shooting with this lot at night, but most of my shooting is in daylight in the open. M43, which I had long avoided, has been for me quite a revelation.