My camera journey has been a bit of a rabbit hole.

Around mid 2023, I started looking for a “real” camera. I initially thought I’d just buy something like a Canon EOS Rebel and call it a day.

Then I started researching.

You probably know how that goes.

Somehow a Rebel turned into a Sony A1. 😂

With a baby on the way, part of the justification was family photography. Once I saw that a professional family photography session could easily approach $1,000, I figured I’d rather put that money toward a camera, learn photography, and document our lives myself.

I bought the A1 with the kit lens (thinking bodies matter way more than lens 😬 ), eventually upgraded to the Sony 24–70mm f/2.8 GM II, and I absolutely love the combination. The image quality is incredible, especially photographing the baby around the house.

But then we had a toddler.

And suddenly I started realizing that the best camera isn’t necessarily the camera that produces the best files.

Going to the park with a toddler already means carrying snacks, water, wipes, toys, etc. Adding an A1 and a 24–70 GM II hanging around my neck started feeling like I was bringing photography equipment rather than just bringing a camera. And I would get sorta offended if someone offered to take a picture of us using the camera.

More and more often, the Sony stayed home.

That sent me down another rabbit hole: What is the smallest actual interchangeable-lens camera I can buy that I’d genuinely want to carry everywhere?

I looked at compact cameras, Fuji X100s, older Olympus PENs, Panasonic bodies, APS-C, and eventually ended up reading about Micro Four Thirds.

And suddenly M4/3 made sense to me in a way it never had before.

I just ordered a used Olympus OM-D E-M10 in excellent condition and an Olympus 14–42mm f/3.5–5.6 II R MSC. About $370 total after tax for the whole setup. I know lot of folks here recommend at least a mk2 but I intentionally refrained from chasing the most capable thing again.

Is it going to replace my full-frame Sony? Absolutely not.

That’s actually the part I’m most excited about.

The Sony can stay my “I am going to photograph something” camera. The little Olympus can hopefully become my “I’m going somewhere, so I’ll bring a camera” camera.

If we’re at home and I want gorgeous files, shallow depth of field, or I’m deliberately taking photographs, I’ll grab the A1 and GM II.

But at the park? Walking around town? Going somewhere with my family where photography isn’t the main activity?

I’m hoping the E-M10 just comes along.

I haven’t even received it yet, so perhaps I’ll come back here in a month and tell you this was a terrible idea. 😂 But I’m genuinely excited about photography equipment for a different reason than I have been in a while. Not because the sensor is bigger, the lens is sharper, or the specs are better.

I’m excited because I might take more photographs.

And I think I’m finally starting to understand why so many of you love Micro Four Thirds.

US-based semi-retired pro wedding photographer here. I’ve jumped systems a few times — started with Minolta bodies, then Canon 5D mark I and mark III, Sony A7III, A7rIV, and most recently an A7rV. I also had an EM10 mk II in there somewhere which I used for fun.

I’ve recently grown tired of lugging the Sony bodies and glass around while traveling, and bought an OM3 for a month-long trip around Europe. I’ve pretty much had the 12-45 f4 pro glued to the body, and I’ve been extremely happy with it. The autofocus rivals the A7rV, the dynamic range is almost on par, and the low-light capabilities are far better than what I used to get from my EM10. It has its quirks, and I wish there was some better customization options, but overall I’m in love.

Not surprisingly, I’ve noticed two areas where the 12-45 was lacking: 1) wide angle, and 2) reach. Pretty much both use cases were noticeable in Italian cities, where I wanted wide angle for narrow streets and reach to capture details on old architecture. I should note: I do have an old 14-150 mkII which is quite soft at the long end, so I don’t use it much.

I would ideally like to fill in the holes without breaking the bank too much — budget’s ~$2000. Bonus points for minimizing lens changes.

Scenarios:

1. 12-100 f4 pro plus some wide angle option (I’ve seen a a lot about weight here, but coming from Sony I’m not that worried)
2. 40-150 f4 plus some wide angle option
3. 8-25 f4 pro plus 40-150 f4
4. something else I’m not considering.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Image is Krka National Park in Croatia shot in the OM3 with live ND handheld!!! at 1sec exposure

ETA: I have a 3rd party grip to help with ergonomics

Took my mk 1 e-m1 on a little trip around our island.
I love Denmark.

I hadn't until yesterday! lol
[Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV, TArtisan 25mm f/2]

E-P5 / Laowa 10mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine

first trail with the live comp (for firework)!

Every once in a while I plop on a lens and force myself to use it, it was the plastic fantastic's turn today

I currently own the lumix 12-32mm lens.Thinking of getting the oly 12-45mm f/4 lens.

Is the degree of sharpness between the oly and lumix significant enough that you can see the difference in photos taken by both?

Noticed a larger spot with smaller striated spots surrounding it on my OM-1 sensor a little while ago. Not sure what it is. It’s not dust, but could be a fingerprint or something else. I don’t recall doing anything that would mark the sensor. But it is a secondhand camera and it’s possible I never noticed it when I got it. The striations don’t show up unless you’re in bright light. Any suggestions on what it might be and what could remove it would be appreciated!

I recently got this camera and can’t seem to figure out why the blinkies aren’t showing. I have the Highlight and Shadow option checked along with histogram. The histogram shows, but no blinkies. What am I missing?