I have been a long time M43 user since they released the very first OMD-EM5. And the OMD line has been the best camera for the everyday user - highly capable, small with amazing small lens that really are great. The Olympus 45, Panasonic 20mm and the 80-150 are truly some the greatest lens for any system. Shure, you loose some depth of field - but for 95% of the people it is perfect.
However, when I was ready to upgrade my OMD-EM5 purchased in 2009 (11 years ago!) - I started the move away from my M43 system. And heres why:
Cost - The Nikon Z6 with an FTZ adapter can be had for $1550 brand new. Compare that to a new OMD-EM5 MkII for $1200 - the EM5 just can't compete.
Size - the Z6 + Nikon 24-70 F4 S is really not that much bigger than the EM5 MkIII. Add the Nikon 24-70 F4 S lens, and the size difference is negligible. But the AF capabilities and image quality are far superior.
Compatiblity - The Z Mount is absolutely amazing. With third party adapters you can use just about any lens (Nikon F, Nikon S, Sony FE, Canon EOS) with full autofocus capability. The Z Mount is the most universal mount anyone has ever come out with.
Video - I am not a video user, but the Z system has an excellent reputation for video. Olympus never really concentrated on video - they seeded that market to Panasonic.
All of this with an amazing echo system and with the first gen Z mount it is quite amazing already. And the Z mount going forward I feel is going to allow Nikon some amazing things
- largest diameter with the shortest flange distance allows for unique designs and edge to sharpness that is absolutely amazing.
I know this is turning into a Nikon Z love fest, but the point is - with the new entries from Nikon & Canon, combined with average consumer going to the cell phone instead of a traditional camera - Olympus simply had to invest way to much in R&D to justify the possible profits. The shrinking camera market just put a stake through the heart.
It is sad. Olympus was the most innovative camera company. They were the first to have sensor cleaning, the best in body stablization, amazing lens and real-time exposure. All with the most robust bodies in the business.
It is sad to see such a great company with a respected name go to an investment group. They will probably use the brand and make sub standard products going forward or milk the brand for a quick buck.
Here's to hoping that some other company comes in restores it to its former glory.
Cost: you are omitting the cost of the lenses. See how much FF 600/f4 will cost you compared to Olympus 300/f4 Pro.
Size: ditto. The camera body is half of the story. You need to compare the whole system with lenses.
Compatibility: there is a gazzilion lenses made for m43 by Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, etc.
Video: The latest releases E-M5m3, E-M1m3, E-M1x are no threat to Panasonic but are perfectly capable video cameras. Even E-M1m2 was reborn with the new firmware.
Some other advantages:
Weather proofking—second to none.
IBIS—second to none.
Quality optics: Olympus pro lenses can be used wide open without significant loss of the quality. This is not the case for most of the high end FF lenses.
Computational photography: Live Time and Live Composite are amazing. High-Res handheld mode is amazing. Live ND is a nice option. Starry AF works perfectly.
I think you missed what I was saying - Olympus could no longer afford or had the willingness invest the R&D required to compete with what Nikon and Canon are going to release over the next 5 years.
Nikon has the best mount/technology base going forward. Canon has the most money. Canon/Nikon will survive. I see Sony, Pentax, Panasonic leaving the camera market.
It is hard to tell what Sony's future will be with the spinoff, they might decide they just want to deal with sensors/electronics instead of making cameras themselves, and leave that business to others. That's sort of a tossup, because their cameras seem relatively successful atm.
It's tough because the irony that you don't make a ton of money in the imaging industry selling cameras. Like Pentax now is the part Hoya didn't want (however happy or not they were with what they got in retrospect). It looks like Olympus also just wants to focus on science and medical optics.
That's why I sort of worry about Nikon. They do semiconductor/flat panel stuff, but they are way less diversified than Canon/Sony. Either their camera business has to be successful or they have to expand the other segment/s.
I don't think it has to do with how deficiency in products or technologies, but if the high-end camera market changes, Nikon is probably the most sensitive of the big players.
However, when I was ready to upgrade my OMD-EM5 purchased in 2009 (11 years ago!) - I started the move away from my M43 system. And heres why:
Cost - The Nikon Z6 with an FTZ adapter can be had for $1550 brand new. Compare that to a new OMD-EM5 MkII for $1200 - the EM5 just can't compete.
Size - the Z6 + Nikon 24-70 F4 S is really not that much bigger than the EM5 MkIII. Add the Nikon 24-70 F4 S lens, and the size difference is negligible. But the AF capabilities and image quality are far superior.
Compatiblity - The Z Mount is absolutely amazing. With third party adapters you can use just about any lens (Nikon F, Nikon S, Sony FE, Canon EOS) with full autofocus capability. The Z Mount is the most universal mount anyone has ever come out with.
Video - I am not a video user, but the Z system has an excellent reputation for video. Olympus never really concentrated on video - they seeded that market to Panasonic.
All of this with an amazing echo system and with the first gen Z mount it is quite amazing already. And the Z mount going forward I feel is going to allow Nikon some amazing things - largest diameter with the shortest flange distance allows for unique designs and edge to sharpness that is absolutely amazing.
I know this is turning into a Nikon Z love fest, but the point is - with the new entries from Nikon & Canon, combined with average consumer going to the cell phone instead of a traditional camera - Olympus simply had to invest way to much in R&D to justify the possible profits. The shrinking camera market just put a stake through the heart.
It is sad. Olympus was the most innovative camera company. They were the first to have sensor cleaning, the best in body stablization, amazing lens and real-time exposure. All with the most robust bodies in the business.
It is sad to see such a great company with a respected name go to an investment group. They will probably use the brand and make sub standard products going forward or milk the brand for a quick buck.
Here's to hoping that some other company comes in restores it to its former glory.