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Our friends at Amazing Nature Alpha just released a fascinating comparison between two extreme wildlife setups: a Sony full-frame kit with the FE 600mm f/4 mounted on the Sony Alpha 1 II and an OM System OM-1 Mark II paired with the 300mm f/4 PRO IS. The price difference is staggering — but how big is the gap in real image quality?

The Two Systems Compared

• Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS + Sony Alpha 1 II – Cost: ~21,500 € | Weight: ~4.4 kg | Resolution: 50 MP full-frame | Advantages: unmatched detail, shallow depth of field, less noise, superior autofocus | Drawbacks: extremely heavy, extremely expensive
• OM System OM-1 Mark II + M.Zuiko 300mm f/4 PRO IS – Equivalent field of view: 600mm f/4 | Cost: ~4,900 € (bundle) | Weight: ~2.1 kg | Resolution: 20 MP MFT stacked sensor | Advantages: lightweight, compact, excellent IBIS, macro-friendly, great for handheld wildlife | Drawbacks: less resolution, noisier files, AF not as consistent, bokeh less creamy

Real-World Results

In side-by-side tests, the Sony setup files clearly look cleaner, sharper, and smoother in the background. The OM System OM-1 Mark II images are slightly grainier and have more depth of field — sometimes even an advantage (for macro or subjects on different planes). Still, the difference is much smaller than expected, especially for web or social media use.

Price and Practicality

With the OM System you could buy the 150–400mm f/4.5 PRO with built-in teleconverter and still save around 9,000 € compared to the Sony kit. That’s a second lens and a small used car for the same money!

Conclusion

Both systems are excellent and have their place: Sony full frame → for those who want the absolute best image quality, shallowest depth of field, and can handle the cost and weight. OM System Micro Four Thirds → for those who want portability, value, and flexibility while still getting outstanding images. Ultimately, the question is: is the full frame system really worth paying more than 4× the price?

Gear Links

OM System OM-1 Mark II – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK
OM System M.Zuiko 300mm f/4 PRO IS – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK
OM System M.Zuiko 150–400mm f/4.5 PRO TC – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK
Sony Alpha 1 II – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK
Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS – B&H, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK

Ian (a landscape pro) has been testing Micro Four Thirds for wildlife, using the OM-1 Mark II alongside his Fujifilm X system and his compact Panasonic GX80/GX85. MFT’s 2× crop gives long-reach equivalents with smaller, lighter lenses; downside is more high-ISO noise versus full frame.

HIs Plan: buy the OM-1 Mark II for wildlife while keeping the Fujifilm X system for landscapes and as a video backup; the GX80/GX85 stays as an everyday carry.

Key info:

• “Is MFT dead?” No—new gear keeps arriving; it serves a focused niche well.
• “Is 20 MP enough?” For his work, yes—good glass matters more; minimal cropping expected.
• Landscapes on MFT: likely fine; needs more time testing, but early lens sharpness is promising.

Chris Baitson tested the OM 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens you can get for $1499 at BHphoto and Amazon. His conclusion in shot:

The OM System/Olympus 40–150mm f/2.8 PRO is a sharp, versatile 80–300mm-equivalent zoom with a fast constant aperture—great reach, low-light and subject separation, clearly outperforming the cheaper 40–150mm kit.

OM 50-200mm f/2.8 PRO at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, OM US store, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, OM European stores.

This is a short translated summary of his 50-200mm lens review:

During his latest adventure in Namibia, YouTuber Amazing Alpha tested the OM System M.Zuiko 50–200mm f/2.8 PRO in real-world conditions. Mounted on the OM-1 Mark II, this compact setup covered a 100–400 mm full-frame equivalent range. When paired with the 2× teleconverter, it reached 800 mm while maintaining exceptional sharpness and contrast.

In the field, Alpha captured stunning wildlife scenes — from aerial bird fights to a lion hunt at dusk — all handheld. Thanks to the OM-1 Mark II’s stacked 20 MP sensor and remarkable in-body stabilization, he achieved sharp 50 MP handheld high-resolution shots and reliable autofocus performance even in fast action sequences at 50 fps.

The combination proved remarkably flexible: ideal for landscapes, macro, wildlife, and astrophotography. The built-in electronic ND filter simplified long-exposure work, while the 4:3 sensor format provided extra room for both landscape and portrait compositions.

Conclusion: According to Amazing Alpha, the 50–200mm f/2.8 PRO combined with the OM-1 Mark II offers an unmatched mix of portability, reach, and image quality — a lightweight setup capable of delivering professional results across every genre of photography.

Gear mentioned:
– OM System M.Zuiko 50–200mm f/2.8 PRO
– OM-1 Mark II
– OM System 2× Teleconverter

Here is a short summary:

• Gear isn’t everything – older, cheap cameras can teach you more about street photography than chasing the latest models.
• Always carry a camera – Matt Stewart’s famous shot of a dog “driving” a car only happened because he brought his camera along.
• Vision matters most – Tarav Pong Pratam Wong proves that creativity and persistence create great photos, regardless of the camera used.
• Technique over specs – Eduardo Ortiz shows how thoughtful settings and approach can maximize even modest gear.
• Everyday camera picks – Lumix GX80, LX100, GM1, GX1, and Olympus PEN-F are compact, affordable choices for street photography.

In his latest video, Robin Wong revisits the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 and shows why it’s still a joy to shoot with for street photography.

• Ultra compact and lightweight: Easily fits in a pocket or small bag, yet feels solid thanks to a metal-reinforced build.
• Great colors and image quality: The 16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor produces sharp, vibrant images with lovely Olympus color rendering.
• Discreet design: Perfect for street photography — non-intimidating and helps you blend in.
• Lens compatibility: Works with all Micro Four Thirds lenses, offering ultimate flexibility.
• 2-axis IBIS: Basic stabilization helps nail handheld shots even without modern 5-axis tech.
• Fast autofocus: Quick enough for street moments, even in today’s standards.

Robin’s verdict? It’s not about specs — it’s about fun, simplicity, and capturing great images without distractions. If you find a good used copy of the E-PM2, don’t hesitate — it’s still a little powerhouse worth owning.

Wildlife photographer Scott Keys published an in-depth comparison between the OM System OM-1 paired with the M.Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 PRO lens and the Nikon Z9 using a Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 and a 400mm f/2.8 with 2x teleconverter. The test explored sharpness, background separation, ISO performance, and real-world field usage with songbirds and butterflies.

He previously held a bias against smaller sensors but admits the OM setup exceeded expectations. For photographers who don’t need extreme cropping or massive prints, OM System is absolutely viable, lightweight, and feature-rich.

Here’s a list of all gear mentioned with affiliate links:

• OM System OM-1 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
• M.Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 PRO at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
• Nikon Z9 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
• Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton
• Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 + 2x TC at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton