The TRUTH about the MICRO FOUR THIRDS System (M4/3 vs Full Frame)

Eric Rose · Sep 6, 2018

I used FF Nikon DSLR's for some years but once I started doing more video work I got into Panasonic micro 4/3rds cameras. I ended up selling off my FF DSLR's as the Panasonic cameras gave me everything I needed for both still and video. If I needed a FF camera for the very rare occasion when a large file is required I can rent one.

A lot of people are confused by what m4/3 is and how it relates to other sensor sizes. Here is a great video that explains it.

David Brown · Sep 6, 2018

I'm sold. I still have a full frame Sony (A mount), but it's getting less and less use when the relatively tiny Lumix will get the job done.

Eric Rose · Sep 6, 2018

I looked at the Sony's and liked the image quality but the menu system drove me nuts. I'm just waiting for the new Panasonic FF to come out so I can pick up two GH5's at a discount price

RichardJack · Sep 28, 2018

Don't believe it. FF 4k dslr or a dedicated video camera is the way to go for professional results.

faberryman · Sep 28, 2018

If you are satisfied with the quality of m43 for the type of work you do, go for it. It is not a replacement for FF or MF; it is an alternative.

Eric Rose · Sep 28, 2018

faberryman said:
If you are satisfied with the quality of m43 for the type of work you do, go for it. It is not a replacement for FF or MF; it is an alternative.

Absolutely spot on. For MY needs at this time I don't require FF. This may change in the future.

slackercrurster · Sep 28, 2018

The little Oly M43 is a great street cam...except for one thing. Too hard to adjust manually for street work.

They need to model it after the old half-frames. Make it rangefinder or split prism, manual lenses and simplified. Then it would be the ultimate street cam.

I've only used the 12mp & 16mp m43's...still, they produced outstanding results for such a small package.

blockend · Sep 29, 2018

Eric Rose said:
A lot of people are confused by what m4/3 is and how it relates to other sensor sizes. Here is a great video that explains it.

Gerald Undone's are the most concise and well explained photographic videos around. For vlogging full frame cameras are massive overkill physically and technically. The bottle neck is viewing platforms. It's said that less than 1% of YouTube if viewed in 4k, and even a 4k dedicated screen tops out at a measly 8mp. It's easy to see why a stills photographer might want a larger sensor, but a professional videographer is likely to want a dedicated video camera.

The likely use will be wedding photography where natural light requirements demand high ISO performance, and possibly mixed stills and video from the same camera. Anyone who can pull that off deserves whatever fee they can charge. For everyone else M43 is a more flexible tool.

Ste_S · Sep 29, 2018

slackercrurster said:
The little Oly M43 is a great street cam...except for one thing. Too hard to adjust manually for street work.

I use an Oly e-m5 (and a Panny GX80) for street and it's great. Shoot on 'P' and autofocus with face recognition on and have never felt the need to adjust anything manually.
It's point and shoot more or less.

guangong · Sep 30, 2018

When I venture into Manhattan I see tourists with digital cameras three times the size of a Hassy and with a lens of gargantuan dimensions, all hung around the neck by a two inch wide strap. When the first Olympus Pen digital came out I bought one and gave my Nikon to my daughter. The Oly still suits my needs. Only disadvantage is the separate viewfinder.
If I must lug something around I’ll use film.

The TRUTH about the MICRO FOUR THIRDS System (M4/3 vs Full Frame)

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